Boarding the Scenic Crystal this afternoon

Up early, put on my rain poncho and headed over to Starbucks where I was able to get online, check e mails and did a short update our blog.
Took a couple tall coffees and an all day breakfast sandwich euro 8.40, back to the room for Sherry and me. Our blue line Canal bus pick up was at 10.50 am, just across the road from the hotel, so we had about 1 hour to wait around. So I went next door to the Marriott hotel to check out the lobby and check in desk. It was nice, a little smaller than the NH Amsterdam Center. I asked about internet and they do not have any free WI fi access. It was around euro 13.00 per day.

Canal Keizersgracht

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Made it onto the Canal bus and it took about 50 minutes and 3 stops to get to the PTA. The Crystal was about a 10 minute walk, it was nice to have good wheels on our suitcase. The PTA is still being developed, and will have many offices and retail shops here. I think with the current economy it may be another 5 years or so before this space fills up.
The Crystal is a sleek design , a spaceship on water. Walked on board and was greeted by the Hotel Manager. Checked in , left our passports at the desk.
Our butler and cabin steward took our bags and walked us to our balcony cabin 222. Really nice, enough room to lounge around and not really bump into each other BA222.
Large closet space, in room safe, mini fridge and space for your luggage under the bed. A good sized bathroom with shower , bigger than what we have had on the Carnival, Costa and Royal Caribbean cabins.The Balcony -Sun room, has a couple chairs and small table. This is the new enclosed balcony where the top portion opens and closes so you may open for fresh air or close when it rains.
It is 1 pm so off to the Crystal Dining room, it was well organized and very nice. Tables for 2, 4, 6 and 8 with the serving station/buffet area in the center of the room. Floor to ceiling windows, so you have a great view outside. Staff were very friendly and always asking if they could get something. You could have beer, Red or White wine with your lunch.
After a quick lunch we went on to explore some of the cabins and other areas of the ship before more guests arrived.
Ahoy there Captain Sherry welcomes you on board...

anyone seen that color map with all the pictures ? i can not figure out these nobs and things.... look out

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Moselle -Lower deck cabin type E and D, Rhine deck and Danube Deck - balcony cabin PA, A, B, BA . Later on I got to see a Jr. Suite.

A & PA & BA & B

BS single

.. Cabins D and F Moselle Deck

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They have a self-serve tea and coffee area. Teas are mostly loose , about 8 types and they also have 2 types of teas in bags. The coffee, well it is a pretty fancy machine that you place your cup under the spout and select your type of coffee and it grinds, steams, pours water/milk and ?? Tastes real good too!
We departed around 5 pm to travel from Amsterdam to Cologne.
Welcome Gala Dinner, they introduced all the crew and officers. Captain Plamen, Hotel manager was Igor ( about 6ft 6 , you could not miss him) and the cruise director, Sylvie a very good planner and organizer.) Captain and crew
Evening entertainment was with the Musician Martin.
Around 10-10:30 pm we were at our first river lock. From the forward web came we watched the water rising on the IMAC TV in our room as well as looked out the balcony to see our ship rising. There was less than 1 foot on each side of the ship and the lock side’s, real different experience as you cannot look up out of the balcony to see the topside of the lock. going up
It has been a long day and not sure what time we will get up the next day...