"Real" embarkation times--Norfolk Maasdam

[auntdeedee]

I've read quite a bit about late arrivals in Norfolk---is there a place to view estimated arrival time on a particular day? We'll be driving from DC... so if the ship gets in at 8, we'll leave and be there at 11:30. However, if the ship is really late, I'd rather not leave home until later in the day.

Thanks,
DeeDee

[gwilli]

We called the Nauticus phone line. You can look it up at www.naticus.org

Be careful to listen to the complete message, as it wasn't updated early on 2/17 when we were leaving. We called again after 10:00 AM (message machine) and got up-to-date info.

HAPPY SAILING!

[CrabbyHarper]

DeeDee: I am a Nervous Nellie! I would never leave from DC at 8:00 and assume I would be in Norfolk by 11:30. Under normal conditions at normal speed, yes. But 95 can be horrific as you know - and the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel can also be awful. Under Murphy's Law it would be just my luck to be held up in traffic and miss the cruise.

When are you sailing?

[h2so4]

I'm with Crabby Harper. I would not leave at 8:00 and expect to arrive in Norfolk in 3 hours. The last time we drove the 95 route from the DC area to Norfolk, it took us six hours in stop-and-go traffic. Luckily we weren't headed down for a cruise.

For our cruise, we ended up driving down the day before and made it a leisurely drive via the Eastern Shore and the CBB&T. Yes, it was a longer drive, but it was a fun, relaxing way of starting our cruise vacation. And - there was little to no traffic en route, so it was much less frustrating. Something to consider if you have the time or inclination.

[shorton]

correct web site is www.nauticus.org (http://www.nauticus.org)

[Linda&Vern]

I've read quite a bit about late arrivals in Norfolk---is there a place to view estimated arrival time on a particular day? We'll be driving from DC... so if the ship gets in at 8, we'll leave and be there at 11:30. However, if the ship is really late, I'd rather not leave home until later in the day. Thanks,
DeeDee
HAL faxed our TA the day before our Maasdam Holiday cruise (the ship was VERY late - 3:30pm arrival). HAL personally called us later that night to update us again. It is a four hour drive for us - so we did not rush in the morning but took our time getting to Norfolk. I called HAL directly twice along the way to check and get up-dated arrival times. I don't know what time EST you would be able to call them before you leave DC, but perhaps you could call the night before?

[guzikim]

Hey,

I'll be going on my first cruise next week. I live in Bethesda, MD, and trust me, you cannot depend on getting there at that time of day in 31/2 hours. That said, the ship doesn't leave until. . ..

Kim

[guzikim]

I tried to get the link nauticus.org, but, the link on your post couldn't be found, and when I typed it in, it was for nauticus cologne. What am I doing wrong? HELP please!

Kim