Norfolk,VA---info,please

[croman02]

We are considering the Maasdam cruise round trip from Norfolk. Where is the port? How far from the airport? Is there a motel with shuttle service from airport and to the port? HELP!!!!!!

[iluvcruzin]

The Maasdam docks at the Nauticus. They have one of those temporary buildings set up to process the boarding documents. It's very efficient and quick process. The Nauticus is located in the downtown area. There are hotels that shuttle from the airport and to the pier. I stayed near the airport at the Holiday Inn Select. They have a free shuttle service to & from the airport as well as to & from the pier. I think it was about a 15 min. ride to the Pier.

I would recommend doing a search on "Norfolk hotel" in the different boards. Do this on the Celebrity roll-call board as someone put together an excellent list of hotels before their sailing on the Horizon last September.

Those staying downtown without driving in tend to stay at either the Mariott or the Sheraton. The Mariott is across the street from the Nauticus and you won't need a shuttle to the ship. However, I'm not sure on airport shuttle service.

There's so much information to find on these boards that will help you decide. Good luck

[pingsplace]

I was on the Massdam Dec. 11 cruise from Norfolk.

I stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn. The place is less than a year old and awesome service, Free breakfast, free shuttle, free internet, fitness centre pool, etc.... The shuttle service was awesome. They picked me up at the hotel, took me to the port and they took me shopping or whatever I wanted even at 2 a.m. if I wanted that!!! They are located 5 minutes from the airport and about 25 minutes from the port. My room had a kitchen, living room, microwave, fridge, etc... just like an apartment suite. I paid $89 per night.

I almost stayed at the Marriott Hotel which was almost 2 blocks from the pier but they do not offer any kind of shuttle service when I asked. However, if you stayed downtown, then you can do some sightseeing.

I was still able to do sightseeing with the Marriott Residence. They phoned my room and asked if I wanted to go to port early b/c they found out the ship just pulled in early. Thus, I checked out early, checked into my ship and did sightseeing and shopping all in one day!

I would love to go to Norfolk again, unfortunately, for me it's a 13 hour flight due to 3 airport transfers.

Enjoy!

[iluvcruzin]

That's a terrific rate pingsplace. This is next to the Holiday Inn Select correct? The same owner owns both hotels as they used their shuttle since we had a large group (it took 3 shuttles). It looked real nice from the outside. For $89 I would jump on it. Was this a special rate?

The shuttle took us places too (if it's within a 10 mile radius I think). They took a group of us the night before to O'Sullivan's (which I highly recommend as it's a local seafood restaurant). They came back and picked us up after dinner too. Great service.

[pingsplace]

The first night, Dec. 10, I booked through the 1-800 -# and paid $99.
On Dec. 23, I was stranded at Norfolk due to flight cancellations. I phoned the hotel to pick me up at the airport at 5 a.m. They arrived in 5 minutes! I paid the $89 price at the hotel, with no pre-booking.
Yes, the hotel is near the Holiday Inn. Yes, they share the same shuttle. I never had to wait more than a few minutes for the shuttle.
I felt it was good value. I went on-line and saw other hotels at $49. Good thing I didn't book those hotels. I later found out when I drove around with a rented car that those hotels are quite far away and seedy looking.

Norfolk is a nice city. Great friendly people too.