Im sure many can remember back at the a4u Expo the lovely people from DFDS Seaways came round the Thames cruise with raffle tickets to win a mini cruise from Newcastle to Amsterdam. I won one!
I went last Saturday, train from Sheffield to Newcastle, overnight on the King Of Scandinavia, a day in Amsterdam on Sunday then sailed back overnight to dock back in Newcastle on Monday.
Sat:
The train from Sheffield was to Doncaster where we were then supposed to connect to Newcastle. Some leaves were on the line or something so the Sheffield to Doncaster train didn’t show, the buses didn’t get us there in time so had to call in a lift. Got to Doncaster and the train from Doncaster to Newcastle was cancelled, due to signal trouble at York – so far the trips started well. Eventually got a train and ended up in Newcastle for about half 2.
Minced about Newcastle for a bit, didn’t do that much just saw the sights and saw a spot of snow! Got on the boat as soon as possible and explored – quite fun, ive never been on anything bigger than a dingy before. Couple of nice bars, few restaurants, loads of shops, casino and even 2 cinemas. The crossing over was okay, not too choppy although I felt drunk after a pint (that sort of drunk feeling where you can see where you want to go but keep being pulled from side to side by the swaying of the ship). Big buffet at the restaurant, ate so much that I felt sleepy, drank in the bar and hit the cabin.
Sun:
Arrived in the centre of Amsterdam for mid day ish, had to be back at the boat by 5 so thinking about it id have probably been better off booking a night in a hotel while there, but ive never been great at planning. Sights seen in Amsterdam:
Anne Franks House – big que, but worth it if your remotely interested, very interesting inside
Red Light District – don’t try and take photos, don’t tease them and make sure you know how to get away if you should need to
Coffee Shop – coffee is usually on the back of the menu very small towards the bottom, drugs are big and all over the rest of the menu
Tourist shops – to buy lots of tat for family and sweets for work
Then back to the boat for a very similar return trip as on the way out – bars and food!
Mon:
Train back from Newcastle, and then a night on the town for a mates birthday! Very busy weekend!
So a massive thanks to DFDS
Dan, kicking the habbit
