1ページ目
S & REFLECTIONS
CRYSTAL
RIVER CRUISES
CRYSTAL MAHLER™
AMSTERDAM , NETHERLANDS
*
IEI
lui
DEL
1 TIMUR
ICE
R
14
AMSTERDAM
CTD
AMSTERDAM With hundreds of canals and bridges , 17th century mansions juxtaposing modern marvels , and a Red Light District attracting as many visitors as its world - class museums , Amsterdam is as diverse and inviting as its population . Open - minded and open - hearted , Amsterdam is a cosmopolitan European capital that feels like a charming village .
VENICE OF THE NORTH The city ' s name is believed to be based on the small late - 13th century settlement that formed around an Amstel River dam . Known today as Damrak , this dam is still the most central part of town . Over the course of the next few hundred years , herring curing , beer brewing , diamond trading and other industries turned Amsterdam into a major commerce capital . To supply water to the city , ramparts were raised and canals were dug , expanding into what is today a network of 165 canals . The three main canals of the canal ring - Herengracht , Keizergracht and Prinsengracht - which alone boast 80 bridges , were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2010 . Boasting more canals than Venice , no matter where you are in the city , there is always a canal nearby .
WHAT IS THE CRYSTAL SOCIETY ? Crystal Society is our guest loyalty program : our special way of saying " thank you for choosing Crystal Cruises . Our Crystal Society Host is available to answer any questions you may have regarding the benefits program during desk hours . Every first - time guest is automatically enrolled in the Crystal Society after this cruise .
THE DUTCH GOLDEN AGE Amsterdam flourished in the 17th century . With its newfound independence from Spain , Dutch explorers charted new territory and brought back exotic and highly valued spices and silk . Trade by the Dutch East - India Company thrived and the world ' s first stock exchange debuted . Artists such as Rembrandt , joined by names including Johannes Vermeer , Jan Steen and Frans Hall , led a cultural renaissance . Known contemporarily known as the Dutch Old Masters , they prevailed in the art world , creating a depth of realistic portraits of people and life in the area . Elegant mansions sprouted along the canals . Today , the gabled facades of nearly 7 , 000 buildings from the 19th century or earlier have changed little since that time ( although many now boast modern interiors ) . Locals were taxed on the width of their properties , so it ' s no surprise that street - side exteriors are quite narrow .
2ページ目
CRYSTAL RIVER CRUISES
A CITY OF IMMIGRANTS For the pragmatic Dutch , trade trumped ideology and religion . Thus , for centuries , liberal Amsterdam was a safe haven for religious refugees . Today , with only about 2 . 5 million people , vibrant Amsterdam is home to 180 nationalities .
CRYSTAL ADVENTURES Guests participating on Crystal Adventures are kindly asked to meet at Reception 15 minutes prior to the departure time as listed on the Daily Activities for each port of call . Please bring your Crystal Adventure ticket .
Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries , persecuted Protestants , Jews from Spain and Portugal , and other religious groups settled in Amsterdam . In the 1930 ' s , when Hitler dominated Germany , thousands of Jews found refuge in Amsterdam and came to represent almost 10 % of the population . However , in 1940 , neutral Netherlands fell under Nazi rule . About 80 % of its Jewish residents were deported and killed during the Holocaust . Among those was young Anne Frank , who alluded capture for almost two years , as she and her family hid with others in a house that still sits on Prinsengracht Canal . The Anne Frank huis ( house ) is one of the most visited
IN - SUITE DIGITAL DIRECTORY Please refer to your In - Suite Digital Directory for important information and services aboard Crystal Mahler , such as Ship ' s Information , Crystal Adventure booking requests , and Port Maps . Your In - Suite Digital Directory is located on top of your nightstand in your suite .
attractions in Amsterdam .
GEDOOGCULTUUR : A CULTURE OF PERMISSIVENESS Gedogen is a Dutch word that roughly means “ tolerance in law . " Ever practical , the Dutch people believe that there are some behaviors that cannot be fully legislated and therefore should be not be criminalized . This liberal attitude has resulted in the legalization of gay marriage , euthanasia , prostitution and the general acceptance of recreational drugs .
NO SOLICITATION ON BOARD We kindly request that guests do not solicit for commercial purposes guests or others on board the ship , or advertise goods or services on board the ship without the prior written permission of Crystal River Cruises . Solicitation by vendors of goods and services , including , but not limited to , solicitation by travel agents , is strictly forbidden .
Amsterdam ' s Red Light District , in one of the city ' s most historic parts of town , has become a major tourist attraction . While navigating its narrow alleys and canals , visitors can view lingerie garbed prostitutes in the windows of regulated brothels , signified by their red neon lights . Just don ' t take pictures of them . That is forbidden !
The Dutch also decriminalized the use of soft drugs . Although not technically legal , its use is tolerated . Shops for smoking cannabis abound throughout the city . Important to note : " coffee shops ” are fairly comfortable venues to buy and use marijuana and hashish , while " coffee houses ” are the more familiar locations for actual coffee drinks !
INDOORS AND OUTDOORS With almost four dozen museums and many more galleries , Amsterdam has become a cultural mecca . In the Museum Quarter , the grand Rijksmuseum - the largest museum in the Netherlands
- houses the best of the Dutch masters ( including Rembrandt ' s infamous " Nightwatch ” ) , the Van Gogh Museum is home to more than 200 paintings of Vincent ' s most revered self - portraits , still lifes and landscapes , while the Stedelijk is dedicated to contemporary art and design . The Nemo science museum and IJ film museums are distinctive modern landmarks on the sea .
ONBOARD PLUMBING Although our toilet system on board is quite strong ( you will notice by the flush ) , it is also very sensitive . In order to avoid clogging the system - which may cause the entire system to shut down - we ask that you please refrain from placing objects other than tissue ( i . e . razors , sanitary items , hand towels , pantyhose , etc . ) in the toilet .
Walking is great way to view the city ' s charming architecture and picturesque houseboat - lined canals . A note to the wise : wear comfortable shoes to navigate the uneven , cobble - stoned streets and watch out for the designated bike lanes ! Immediately evident is that bicycles dominate .
Take a break at one Amsterdam ' s quaint casual indoor / outdoor cafés - celebrated for their coffee , beer , gin & tonics , appletaart ( apple pie ) , or sweet or savory pannakoen ( pancakes ) . Stroopwafels , cookie - like wafers that sandwich a thick caramel syrup , are also unique to the
3ページ目
oo
CRYSTAL RIVER CRUISES
Netherlands and make great gifts . Cheese shops throughout the city encourage tastings and offer wide selections of Gouda and Edam cheeses for export .
No matter how you may choose to explore the city , you will find that centuries - old Amsterdam is a unique European treasure that embraces visitors from around the world .
MUST SEES : Anne Frank House Rijksmuseum Van Gogh museum Damrak - The Dam Square The 9 Streets ( “ De Negen Straatjes ” ) - in the heart of the Canal district
PERSONAL ITEMS REMINDER All Crystal Mahler items containing high value items , Passport / Driver ' s License and / or checks / credit cards , laptops , cameras , iPods or any other items of value , including , but not limited to jewelry , laptops , cameras , iPods , medicine with any individuals at hotels , on buses / vehicles or left unattended under any circumstances . It is unsafe to do so and Crystal River Cruises cannot accept responsibility for any such valuables , passports , driver ' s license , checks , credit cards or medicine left in bags that are left unattended . This includes , but is not limited to , leaving items on tour or transfer coaches , with hotel bellmen or front office staff , at hospitality desks in hotels , or unattended hotel lobbies , holding locations , pier / terminals or any other locations . Personal items containing any valuables should be in the possession of the owners at all times , without exception . Guests should not leave any such items with any individual who is not known to them , regardless of any assurances given to guests that it is safe to do so . Please note that Crystal River Cruises cannot be responsible for any loss or theft resulting from guests leaving personal items containing valuables unattended .
FOLLOW CRYSTAL CRUISES ON SOCIAL MEDIA Stay connected with all the Crystal news before , during and after your cruise throughout the year . Not only do we continually post news , photos and other interesting tidbits on social media sites Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and Pinterest , but so do many of our guests . Plus , you can access Crystal Cruises videos on our YouTube channel and follow all the Crystal news on our blog .
Even if you do not yet have your own Facebook or Twitter account , you can access all the news we post on the social media sites . For Facebook and Twitter , simply type the following addresses into the address bar of your Internet browser :
* facebook . com / crystalcruises * instagram . com / crystalcruises * crystalcruises . com / blog
* pinterest . com / crystalcruises * twitter . com / crystal cruises * youtube . com / crystalcruisestv
To access our YouTube channel , Crystal Cruises TV , simply type the following address into the address bar : youtube . com / crystalcruisestv