Viking Eistla - Pre-Cruise in Amsterdam
Photo of luggage
Before our LYFT driver arrives to take us to DFW airport, I always shoot a photo with my phone of all of our luggage. That way, if a piece gets lost by the airline I can show them a photo of what the lost bag looks like. We also have AirTags in all of our luggage.
The flight from DFW to LHR (London Heathrow) was on a Boeing 787-900. We were seated in Premium Economy (15D, 15E). I only mention this because this is the first time we have flown in PE on American Airlines where I felt like it was worth the extra cost. The PE (Premium Economy) seats were not simply Economy seats with more legroom. They were a shell design so that when you recline your seat, it sort of slides inside the shell and does not encroach on the person sitting behind you.
Each PE seat was equipped with a large color in-flight entertainment touch screen. Unforturtunately, or fortunately, depending on your point of view, the screen is too far away to take advantage of the touch-screen functionality. There is a touch-screen remote control on a retractable cable that resembles a cell phone interface where you can control all of the screen functions.
A large zipper bag was on each seat which contained a very comfortable neck pillow, blanket, headphones and an amenity kit. Included in the amenity kit are lip balm, hand lotion, a toothbrush w/toothpaste, socks, and earplugs.
Next pillow and amenity kit
One of the most unique features of the seat was a wireless phone charger located just under the entertainment screen with elastic bands to hold your phone in place. Unfortunately, we could not get the wireless charger to work reliably, perhaps because of our phone cases. The seat also has plenty of cubbies and places to store various items.
Wireless phone charger and storage pockets
I did not intend for this to be an airline review, but over the years I have complained so much about American Airlines that I felt it necessary to compliment them when they get something right. Even the meal service was better than what we have experienced in the past. The food was actually edible.
The beef with mashed potatoes was actually pretty good
Otherwise, the flight was uneventful and we landed at Heathrow on time. We took a bus from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 for our connecting flight. A nice surprise was that, due to a new program being tested between DFW and Heathrow called One Stop Security, we no longer had to collect our luggage, go through Customs and re-check the luggage for the connecting flight. Another part of this new program is that you supposedly don’t have to go through security again In London. That was not the case for us. We did have to go through security again, but it seemed to be a more “relaxed” check that let people take plastic water bottles through.
Good signage at Heathrow Terminal 3 for connecting passengers
Our British Airways flight from LHR to AMS was on-time and we landed in Amsterdam at 4:30pm. Getting through immigration and customs at Schipol airport was slow due to there being only one immigration officer on duty for non-EU passengers. After being up most of the night on the flight to London, we are pretty wiped out and ready for some rest.
Hyatt Regency Amsterdam
We took an Uber from Schipol International Airport in Amsterdam to our Hyatt Regency Amsterdam hotel for a one-night stay before our cruise. We always plan on an extra day or two before a cruise, especially when we have to travel internationally. We arrived at the hotel around 6:00pm. We had a beer and pizza at the lobby bar restaurant, then immediately went to bed. Tomorrow, we will embark Viking Eistla in Amsterdam.
