We're starting a cruise from Amsterdam on May 1, and we have a few days before that to spend either there or elsewhere. We've been there before, and our plan this time has been to stay in Haarlem (where we haven't been). King's Day will be April 27, a Friday, so likely to begin a big three-day weekend. Reading about all the crowds that King's Day brings to Amsterdam -- up to a million visitors per Wikipedia -- we're concerned about the trains, station, museum lines, and just getting around. Presumably Haarlem will be equally crowded on a smaller scale. On the other hand, this is a chance to experience a national holiday with the Dutch people. (We don't plan on dying our hair orange, in my case because there isn't enough anyway.)
So my question is to those who have been to Amsterdam or nearby on King's Day (or Queen's Day as it used to be) -- how much difficulty did you have with transportation, sightseeing, etc.? And how much added fun did you have to offset the inconvenience?
We haven't made reservations yet but there seems to be availability at this early point, and we'll move on it soon. So we don't need reminding to book early -- that's why we're asking now! Thanks for any insights you good folks can provide.