Maasdam 11/30/04

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NorfolkSailor

Guest
OK folks, I know there are others out there who have signed up form this cruise. Let's hear from you! I am going along with DW, sister, BIL and a freind here in the Tidewater area. DW and I live in Norfolk so we don't have far to go to board ;-). Happy to answer any questions you may have concerning the area - especially attractions, parking and dining.

Looking forward to meeting y'all onboard.

-Kevin
 
C

catgirl

Guest
We are on this cruise as well, NorfolkSailor, and we are looking forward to our 5th HAL cruise.
 
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NorfolkSailor

Guest
Are you travelling in from out of the area or are you locals? Who's going (you said "we"?) Have you heard of any others frm the board who are on this cruise?

Looking forward to my first (non-Navy) cruise!

- Kevin
 
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catgirl

Guest
Hello, Kevin,
My traveling companion and I live in the DC area, and for the first time, we're taking the Bubblehead approach to traveling -- we're taking the HAL bus down to Norfolk from DC the day of the cruise. I have not heard of anyone else on the board taking this cruise -- there's a Cruise-Addicts group cruise on 30 October, the HAL-O-WEENIE cruise.
In the past, we've sailed out of FLL, flying down a day early. Leaving from Norfolk or Baltimore is much easier and less expensive.
I'm sure you will really enjoy the cruise -- particularly, the contrast from your Navy experience!
 
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NorfolkSailor

Guest
Catgirl,

Thanks for the respionse! I noticed a lot of activity on the 10/30 topic and you've made sense of the reason. I did notice a couple of other board members mention this cruise (11/30) in other discussions but they haven't made their way over here yet...

I think the idea of taking the bus from DC is probably the next easiest to being aboe to take the taxi from home in Norfolk - you just have to start a bit earlier. :)

Anyway, we are all excited to be going on the cruise and perhaps we will be able to get those of us from the board (or Cruise Critic's) together onboard...

- Kevin
 
A

alwaysthinking

Guest
Coming from NC and staying at the Radisson. We are amateur radio operators. Any other 'hams' going on the 30th of November. We are meeting with our friends from NJ, one who also is a 'ham".

Looking forward to fun fun fun.
 
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catluv'r

Guest
Hi Folks.

Just surfed on over from another board and saw the roll call for this cruise. DH and I are driving down from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada a few days before the cruise. We also love the idea of being able to drive instead of fly. Last year's flights to Ft. Lauderdale were "evil" - missed connections, nasty weather, nasty airport experience - oh well, that's another story! We are looking forward to doing some "touristy things" in the area and then getting on that wonderful ship. This will be our fourth time on her - it's our favourite (so far). "Talk" to you soon.

Cheers, Elizabeth (also known as Betty)
 
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red stripe

Guest
Hi guys.. well as you can see, I am not on this sailing, but the 10/30 one... so if you have not sailed this ship before.. you are going to have a lot of info when we return :lol and plenty of pictures also.

Is there anything that you would like one of us to check out for you ?

we promise to leave the ship in good shape for you.

cheers, =twobeer
 
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alwaysthinking

Guest
I noticed that the 11/30 ports are different than in the book. Ie, day 5 we were to go to Tortola, and now it is St. Thomas. Day 8 we were to go to Guadeloupe and now it is St. Kitts, and day 9, was our day is St. Thomas, and that is now San Juan. I found this out my clicking on the shore excursions, and saw the three different ports. We were looking forward to Tortola, and Guadeloupe I called the travel agents, and she checked it out, stating that there was a change. How about you on the 10/30 sailing.
 
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NorfolkSailor

Guest
The itinerary changed this spring before Maasdam moved to the West Coast for the season. The ship simply wasn't able to reliably make scheduled returns when leaving from St. Thomas at the end of the old itinerary and they have to end in a US Territories port to complete customs so they shifted the ports to end at San Juan instead - putting them much closer to Norfolk for the return trip. We too were looking forward to Tortola and Guadalupe and were disapointed with the change - but not enough to cancel the trip :)

See you onboard - it'll still be grand, no doubt!

- Kevin
 
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red stripe

Guest
we are down for Half moon cay, St thomas, Antigua, St Maarten and San Jaun.

I have not heard of any other changes, but will check on it. thanks for the heads up
 
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red stripe

Guest
Guys.. I found this posted throughout the board, perhaps it will be helpfull to some of you.
also, I just posted a photo of Half Moon Cay in the 10/.30 post.
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On the island are several souvenir shops, water rental equipment places, cabana or umbrella rentals, and two outdoor bars. Many people just find a chair and relax for hours. The water and sand are beautiful and worth the trip. There are some hammocks on the beach. Any time I've gone, there are plenty of chairs in the shade. Near the main bar is a covered area with table and chairs. It's nice to relax in the shade and listen to the small band play music.

HAL offers two special Half Moon Cay beverage packages. Unlimited HMC Rum Punch, domestic beers, soft drinks and bottled water, $19.95. Unlimited soft drinks, $14.95. These are available through the Shore Excursion Office and at the Information Booth and bars on the island. There are also 2 for 1 drinks from 1:30 to 3:30 on the island.
Check with the Shore Excursion Office to be safe as this may change from ship to ship depending on times of arrival and length of stay.
This information was affective as of April 14th.

1) No sticker (sticker is for when you purchase an 'on board' soft drinks package. For HMC you receive a card.
2) The package includes; Rum punch, beer, soda and water.
 
J

Jorge_Enrique

Guest
Hello Kevin,
Things are looking up....got my power back after 28 hours and finally found the Roll Call.
Guess now I can make it official....really looking forward to this cruise.....flying in the day of the cruise....cutting it close, but it was the only day I could get a flight out of Sarasota....since I am traveling alone, would appreciate any information on the most economical way to go from the airport to the port on the 30th....I also booked a late afternoon flight on the day we arrive back and if there is time after debarkation would love to do a bit of sight seeing before my flight...any ideas?
 
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NorfolkSailor

Guest
Jorge_Enrique Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hello Kevin,
> Things are looking up....got my power back after
> 28 hours and finally found the Roll Call.
> Guess now I can make it official....really looking
> forward to this cruise.....flying in the day of
> the cruise....cutting it close, but it was the
> only day I could get a flight out of
> Sarasota....since I am traveling alone, would
> appreciate any information on the most economical
> way to go from the airport to the port on the
> 30th....I also booked a late afternoon flight on
> the day we arrive back and if there is time after
> debarkation would love to do a bit of sight seeing
> before my flight...any ideas?


Take a Taxi to "Nauticus" (where the ships are moored in downtown Norfolk) - they can drop you right out front and the cost should be ~$25. As for the return, the city is very nice in the middle of December but is best viewed at night (with all the buildings lighted for Christmas). You can walk to several downtown attractions such as Waterside (almost next dore to Nauticus) or the MacArthur Center Mall (quite nice with several good restaurants and a food court). If the weather's nice, I recommend a stroll on Colley Ave in Ghent - have the taxi take you to the courner of Colley and 21st St and walk south on Colley. There's an Art Cinima there but I can't speak to the matinee times or the movie that will be showing then... A third option is to head up Grandby St from downtown. There are many great restaurants on this strip as well as some interesting architecture and city life. Again, best done if the weather permits. On the other hand, you can visit to Nauticus museum and the USS Wisconson literally steps away from our disembarcation point. The museum is quite interesting and, while you can only go topside on the Wisconson, it's interesting to see a battleship close up and personal.

Hope that gives you some ideas. If you have specific interests, just let me know and I'll do my best to stear you in the right direction.

- Kevin
 
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hz7r4c

Guest
DW & I will be driving from Baltimore11/29, stopping in Williamsburg & staying over night at the Raddison.
Sr. Jorge, hola y buene suarte. Vivan en Mexico para 3 anos . Es usted de donde Cuba or de otra pais.
Looking forward to a great time. See you (y'all) on board.
 
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Jorge_Enrique

Guest
Hello hz7r4c....wow! a keyboard full!....anyway, I am from Cuba, but lived in US since 1962.
I too am looking forward to a great time on board...can't wait!....since I am traveling alone this time, I am hoping to find dance partners....and especially looking forward to finding a good Latin music group on board....Salsa is my favorite!....well, got to go.
Have a great day, and happy cruising
 
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