Casual Fashions For Cruisers from the Intentional Travelers & The Crafts Mart
Bon Voyage
The Intentional Travelers have partnered with The Crafts Mart to offer some of our casual cruising fashions. Bon Voyage
In The Crafts Mart
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport To Your Cruise Ship
Taking The Train From Schiphol Airport Into Amsterdam’s Centraal Station
Getting from Schiphol into central Amsterdam there are several options available such as taking a train, bus, taxi or private transfer. The most convenient and cost-effective option is to take the train, which departs from the airport every 10-15 minutes and takes around 15-20 minutes to reach Amsterdam Centraal Station.
From Amsterdam Centraal Station there are a number of additional options available to get you around the city. Trams, buses, ferries and the Metro (subway) marked with an M.
Taxi fares range from €40 to €60, and the trip will takes around 20-30 minutes. Train tickets start at less than €8 per person.
Taking the train from Schiphol Airport is actually the fastest way to get into downtown Amsterdam. Directions to the Schiphol train station are clearly marked in the airport terminal and there are ticket vending machines which take most credit cards as well as ticket windows. In our experience most ticket agents speak English.
You can purchase tickets at the ticket machines located in Schiphol Airport Plaza or at the manned ticket counter. Additionally, you can also purchase tickets online or through the NS app (more information HERE). It is important to note that you need a valid ticket before boarding the train, as there are often ticket checks on board.
- 15 – 20 minute trip with trains every 10 to 15 minutes
- 2nd Class Full Fare: US$7–10
- 1st Class Full Fare: US$11–17
From Centraal Station it is relatively easy to buy tickets and switch to the Amsterdam subway or the city’s trams. The entrances to the subway are right outside the station. Descend the stairs marked with the M for metro. The tram stops are across the circle going away from the station. The cost of a single tram or subway ride in Amsterdam in 2023 is €3.20. However, if you plan on making use of public transportation while visiting it is more cost-effective to purchase a ticket or pass that offers unlimited travel for a day or more.
Single-day or multi-day tickets are available for the system in Amsterdam with these tickets offering unlimited use of the Metro (subway), GVB bus system, trams, as well as ferries for the entire period of validity (1 – 7 days). These tickets are rather inexpensive for a European metropolitan city. For 2023 fares range between €5.85 and €9 a day, depending on period of validity. Tickets can be purchased in vending machines or in most tour offices. There’s more information HERE.
Currently if you are taking a cruise the piers are only a 5 or 6 block easy walk from the station. Exit the front of the station, turn left and follow the water. If you are staying in a hotel we suggest you contact the hotel by email and ask for instructions on using public transportation and the nearest Metro stop.
On Blogging Part 7 – Clickbait
Why Use Clickbait
Back when I was in the corporate world there was an expression that carried a lot of weight:
“Nothing happens until someone sells something”.
The best organization and the best products aren’t going anywhere until you actually get an order and you can’t get an order until you get someones attention. The same applies to the internet. The best web design and the greatest content doesn’t mean anything unless you get those clicks…
The process of trying to improve traffic for your web site is referred to as SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and you’re usually offered advice from a number of sources about how to take advantage of it. Things like optimizing titles, using descriptive paragraphs, alternate text and graphic descriptions, but mostly this doesn’t really get the job done. Maybe there was a time when this advice was useful but with web sites growing exponentially now and everyone usually following the same advice – well it’s really unlikely that the usual SEO will get you to stand out from billions of web sites. And that’s the job that needs to get done.
A word of caution is necessary though. While using the usual SEO methods will probably not go very far in getting your site moved up in searches, but not using SEO can result in you being seriously ignored. It would seem that using standard SEO methods today will not help much in getting your web site moved up in search results, but not using them will result in getting you moved down. So keep looking for and using key words, employing alternative text, adding image descriptions* and selecting heading copy carefully. You also need to do more.
The Target Audience For Clickbait
Who should the primary target for click bait be? Oddly enough, the short answer is search engines with people being a distant second. Experience will quickly demonstrate that the fastest way to gain clicks is to simply get the search engines attention. Once you have its attention it will usually work to move your web site up for many different search requests.
The best way to explain this is to think about your site if you take a break from posting. In most cases you would have had a base number of visits as you post regularly. Take a number of weeks off and what happens to your visits? Usually they drift down going faster over time. Some of that may be a result of not reaching out to subscribers or no longer auto-posting on social media, but way more than half of that drop is usually referrals from search engines. The data is easy to confirm by looking back at your referrals data.
It’s easy to see the process. Stop posting for a time and watch the traffic. We all have a number of postings that consistently draw traffic and usually they continue to draw traffic when you pause postings, but the overall traffic drops. Start up posting again and quickly you’ll see a jump, but you’ll probably also discover something odd. You’ll probably notice that the search engine response to a new post isn’t really related to that new post? Usually it’s your overall referrals from search engines that jump along with the new posting, but the traffic is not directly related to that specific new post.
So what does that indicate? It seems that the search engines are more attracted to sites when they post often without much interest in what they post. We probably all knew this but we never understood how important constant posting is. The truth is that posting a simple one line quote of the day, every day is far more attractive to the search engine than an in-depth, thousand word essay once every week or two and it’s a lot less trouble.
The Other Target Audience
That other audience is people and the motivation is a bit more complex. Today there is a lot of talk about AI and what we can do with it, but the reaction of search engines to posts will demonstrate that intelligence actually isn’t involved. Click bait for search engines isn’t much more sophisticated than that of getting your dogs attention by throwing a ball. People are a whole different issue and to get their attention you have to use language and ideas to hook them.
Human click bait is everywhere:
“You won’t believe what this celebrity looks like now!” – “10 shocking secrets your doctor doesn’t want you to know” – “This is the most amazing thing you’ll ever witness!”
Developing click bait for people requires an understanding of the emotional environment. In promoting a web post it is all in the title. The title will show up in search listings, in your subscribers emails and on social media auto posts. The secret is to use a title that really engages peoples curiosity. Even if it doesn’t fit the established character of your site it makes the difference between seeing it and clicking on it. Get creative and after the initial response you can go back and make the title fit your overall theme.
What is more likely to get a click? “10 things to see in Rome” or “10 sights you can’t miss in Rome!” – it isn’t much more complicated than giving it a little thought.
*While image descriptions are important in the case of Google there is a new process that now seems to drive much more traffic. Google Lens is now delivering a steady stream of inbound clicks. In Google Lens travel is a very important category and posting good photos seems to attract inbound clicks. Unfortunately for now I don’t seem to have a way to tell what the inbound clicks actually see – it might just be that image in my media library. Any thoughts?
Luss, A Cute Town In Scotland
Nestled in the Scottish Highlands on Loch Lomond is the small resort village of Luss. The cute village invites you to stroll its charming streets and discover its fascinating history. Whether you’re interested in nature, history, or simply relaxing by the loch, Luss has something to offer everyone. With its sandstone and slate cottages decorated with flower boxes and gardens, and its narrow lanes the village has been the location of a number of movies and television shows since the 1980s and 1990s.
A settlement has stood on this site since medieval times although much of the current village dates from the 18th and 19th centuries, with many of todays village homes having been developed to house workers from nearby slate quarries at the beginning of the last century. In the 6th century, the village was said to have been founded by the Celtic Saint MacKessog. During the medieval period, Luss was an important center for the Clan Colquhoun, who owned much of the surrounding land.
Things To Do In Luss
Explore Loch Lomond: Take a leisurely stroll along the shore or rent a boat to explore the largest freshwater lake in Scotland. You can also enjoy various water activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, or fishing.
Visit Luss Parish Church: This historic church dates back to the 19th century and features beautiful stained glass windows and intricate woodwork. It is worth a visit to admire its architecture and peaceful surroundings.
Walk the Luss Heritage Trail: This scenic trail takes you through the village and surrounding countryside, offering breathtaking views of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in nature and learn about the area’s history.
Visit Inverbeg Galleries: Located nearby, this art gallery showcases a wide range of contemporary Scottish artwork, including paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. It’s a great place to appreciate local talent and perhaps take home a unique piece.
Take a Wildlife Cruise: Join a boat tour from Luss to explore the Loch Lomond islands and observe the diverse wildlife in their natural habitat. You might spot ospreys, seals, and even wallabies on some of the islands.
Where To Eat
- The Loch Lomond Arms Hotel: This historic hotel offers a cozy atmosphere and serves traditional Scottish cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients.
- The Village Rest: This family-run restaurant offers a warm welcome and serves delicious homemade food, including seafood and steak.
- Colquhoun’s Restaurant: Located in the Lodge on Loch Lomond hotel, this restaurant offers stunning views of the loch and serves contemporary Scottish cuisine.
- Coach House Coffee Shop: This casual cafe serves light bites, sandwiches, and cakes, along with a selection of teas and coffees.
- Luss Seafood Bar: This seafood bar serves fresh seafood dishes, including oysters, scallops, and langoustines.
Click map to download a pdf copy
Today Luss is a popular stopping-off point for visitors exploring the Loch Lomond area. At Rossdhu House, there is a championship golf course that stages the Barclays Scottish Open each year in July.
Cell Phone Hell At Sea
A Cellular Service Gone Terribly Wrong
If you’re new to cruising it’s important to understand that telephone calling from a ship is really expensive. Cell phone calls and the ships phones can cost $3 to $5+ a minute. Changes in options have been happening recently like internet calling and we’ll address that soon in an update. In this piece I’m looking at AT&T’s Cellular At Sea.
Recently we were taking a 30 day cruise that was going to visit the British Isles and cross the North Atlantic to Canada. It occurred to us that this would be a good opportunity to look into options for making cellular calls from onboard a cruise ship. We’ve been aware of the options from decades ago, back when the strongest recommendation was just don’t do it. so we decided it was time for an update experiment.
Cruise Ship Cellular Service
Today not much has changed from ten plus years ago. There is only one at-sea cellular company – Cellular At Sea owned by AT&T. For that reason we contacted AT&T and asked about our options. Their website explains the options for service as follows:
AT&T Cruise℠ Basic $60.00 – One-time charge for 30 days. Package Includes:
Talk: 100 min, overage $1.00/min Text: unlimited Data: 100MB, overage $10 for additional 100MB.
AT&T Cruise℠ Plus $100.00 – One-time charge for 30 days. Package Includes:
Talk: unlimited Text: unlimited Data: 1GB, overage $10 for 100MB
Costs And How It Works
Taken From AT&T’s Website Concerning Cellular at Sea
When at sea your AT&T Cruise package will activate 9 to 11 nautical miles from shore. Once you’re at sea your device will display Cellular at Sea, wmsatsea, 901-18, or NOR-18 when you’re connected*.
Since your AT&T Cruise package will only work at sea. You’ll want to add AT&T International Day Pass to stay connected throughout your adventures in port and on land.
What that requires is for you to have an AT&T cellular service account (prepaid service doesn’t work) and set the start date for your 30 days of AT&T Cruise℠ service. It is also recommended that you activate (free) AT&T International Day Pass for calling when you’re in port and on land. Once activated that service will cost $10 per 24 hours any time you place any call, text or use data internationally (maximum of $100 in charges per billing cycle).
The above suggests that any time your cruise ship is 11 nautical miles from shore, Cellular At Sea will be activated and stay active until you get within 9 nautical miles from shore again**. Sounds simple. We went to an AT&T store with one of our spare Motorola phones. My account was quoted at $48 per month plus taxes with no additional costs. Activating Cellular At Sea was going to cost another $100 and we could cancel our service at any time and receive a prorated refund on any service billing on the account.
What Happened
We sailed first out of Amsterdam and once out of sight of land nothing happened – no Cellular at Sea. The next morning Cellular at Sea was active and we tried making a couple of calls but none went through. Texting on another service (out T-Mobile plan) we contacted one of our sons and he said he had been trying to call but service never even seemed to ring. We contacted Guest Services on the ship (Royal Caribbean’s Jewel) and nobody seemed to know anything about Cellular at Sea, or who activated it, but they gave me a free call and provided a number they had for AT&T International. I called and that number was no longer in service. I tried using my AT&T phone to call the AT&T International Support number in my phone and got through. For three hours I worked with them with phone calls and text and they said they had fixed the problem. Still at sea the next morning we called our son. The call was clear with no lag and after about 45 seconds the call dropped. Couldn’t place another call. Later that day we were in Scotland – switched phones to T-Mobile and called home using data and VOIP***. Since we were going to be mostly in ports each day we left the AT&T turned off.
A week later we were back at sea for a three day stretch and with great difficulty managed to get a few Cellular at Sea calls through but many calls still dropped. The next day when texting we realized that we weren’t on Cellular at Sea any more. Instead we were on a cell service named FARO. With a little checking we found that we were about forty miles south of The Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic and our phone had switched to their service – that caused a $10 activation of International Day Pass for 1 text message.
Things never got any better and we gave up on the AT&T phone and just left it off. When we got home I spent four days trying to talk to AT&T and when I finally got a call back my service had passed a billing cycle and I was charged another months service. After telling my story they agreed to give me a credit of $65 for half of AT&T Cruise℠ Plus and half of the three $10 AT&T International Day Pass activations I didn’t even know about (one was a text message from AT&T, one a text message and one 2 minute phone call from Scotland?). Oh – and they don’t pro-rate for cancelled service and there was an activation fee of $35, additional taxes, misc company charges (?) all added up to $33.65 for a grand total on this experiment of $312.65**** but maybe we’ll get that $65 credit refunded but I’m not holding my breath.
Our Recommendation
First, never sign up for the AT&T Cruise℠ Plan and if you do, do not activate the International Day Pass. The AT&T Cruise℠ Plan service is very spotty and on a couple of days was never activated for most of the day. It is also impossible to predict when your service will flip to a land cellular service with the risk of activating high charges.
Oddly a service called Cingular kept popping up at sea and AT&T International didn’t know that service and suggested that we avoid it. IT’S ANOTHER NAME FOR AT&T!
** This is completely inaccurate. It turned out that our phone was constantly switching to land signals that were weaker and were well over 10 miles from the ship.
*** VOIP is when your phone uses data to call telephones. This used to require special equipment but now with Whatsapp and other services it is common. Most cell phones and some providers have this option built in.
**** This was originally calculated at the AT&T store to be about $175 total for what we wanted to do.
Godafoss, The Waterfall Of The Gods
Iceland’s Historic Godafoss
An easy drive and about an hour outside Akureyri, Iceland is Godafoss waterfall. If you are traveling around Iceland or on a cruise that makes a call on the city of Akureyri this is a sight not to be missed.
History
Godafoss is the “Waterfall of the Gods”. Long ago there was a violent period in Iceland’s history where pagan clans that worshiped the old gods fought with those that had accepted Christianity. The falls was named from Icelandic sagas, because in the year 1000 AD, a local chieftain named Thorgeir Thorkelsson converted to Christianity after which he had his people throw the pagan idols into the waterfall. This symbolized the end of Iceland’s pagan wars with Christianians in Iceland ushering in a new period of peace.
Getting There
To get there from Akureyri there are two main choices; a bus tour of which there are numerous choices in town or through your cruise. The other option is to rent a car, that are reasonably priced. From Akureyri take Route 1 across the causeway out of town all the way to Godafoss. Route 1 or the Ring Road Icelandic Þjóðvegur 1 or Hringvegur[ˈ is a national road that circles the entire country.
At the falls you’ll find a restaurant, gift shop and plenty of parking.
The trip is and interesting drive through a hilly landscape out to at a fractured stretch of countryside marked by rugged volcanic rock and a river flowing through a narrow canyon. A short distance up the canyon is Godafoss Waterfall. It is one of Iceland’s seven major waterfalls and one of the more popular.
The Intentional Travelers 