Amsterdam Schipol Transfer

Since Amsterdam will be your first stop in a Schengen country, you will do Immigration there, so a bit of a delay. However, I recall getting through very quickly, and to a degree, they help you make your flight, or they will put you on the next one. Add to that, nearly every flight heading over lands early due to tailwinds. I would be tempted to keep the ticket over looking for a later flight.

Same experience as Paul. AMS is an easy airport to navigate and the passport control lines pretty efficient. My flights from Seattle have been early or on time (so far). That said, I would like to have back up flights available later in the day if I miss the scheduled flight.

If the choice is a 50 minute connect that gets you to VCE midday or a 3 hour layover getting to VCE late afternoon or early evening I would go for the earlier flight with the 50 minute connect.

If you check baggage and it doesn't make the early flight, it saves you the effort of being an luggage porter.

Try to book a forward seat so you don't get trapped behind folks struggling to pull out their carry-on bags and walk fast following the herd to the control point.

Here's a video showing the transfer procedure at Schiphol, including the "express lane" you can use for tight connections: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaPIB9WMIDs&feature=youtu.be