Aaron Saunders, Live Voyage Reports
It was an early wake-up call for many aboard Tauck’s new ms Inspire this morning, with an impromptu excursion to the Tulip Auction here in the port of Amsterdam.
A last-minute addition to the itinerary, guests were notified last night that they could take part in this unique experience to see tulips (and flowers of all kinds) bought and sold at auction here in the city. Departing at 6:15am, it was too early for yours truly to partake in owing to the late time (2:30a.m.) of yesterday’s post.
The reason I mention it, though, is because it was not on any brochure or itinerary published by Tauck. This was an event that the Tauck Directors recognized was happening when our schedule allowed for it, and they in turn offered it up – complimentary – to guests.
From what I hear, it was time well spent. Nearly 70 percent of the ship got up at 5:00a.m., ate breakfast, and indulged in this unique experience. From what I understand, the thing was the equivalent of the New York Stock Exchange trading floor in terms of frenzy and fury – but for flowers, with bushels coming and going by the truck-full.
Before I talk about the day, I should mention a few things about the staterooms here aboard ms Inspire. I discovered two things last night about my own Loft Stateroom: one, the bed is fantastic, and precisely what you’d expect from a fine luxury hotel on land – yielding, but not without support. Two: The bathroom floor is heated. Both of those features make for a very nice wakeup call.
