Ms Westerdam Jan 2....

[shijiu86]

I booked Ms Westerdam for Jan2 depart from Fort lauderdale, I completed my on-line checkin, do I need to do anything else and am I expecting a tickets mailed to me? My carbin is VH guarantee, when will I know my room number or if I'm upgraded? I'm also planning to go to Orlando after we finish this cruise on Jan 8, does anyone know any way to go to Orlando with a bus or train... Sorry first time cruise, have a lot of questions...:) Thanks a advance!!

[Sea42]

Unless you have made other arrangements with your travel agent you will need to go back to the HAL website and print out your cruise documents (boarding pass and luggage tags). Nothing will be mailed to you.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You only need to print out the first page of your cruise documents but seeing that you are a first time cruiser -- if I were you I would print out all the pages as they contain your cruise contract.

You can print out as many luggage tags as you need.

Some people get their cabin assignments 2 weeks before their cruise, some get it a couple of days before the cruise and a few people here have reported that they didn't get their cabin number until they got to the pier.

You might want to ask your question about getting from Ft Lauderdale to Orlando here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

[jtl513]

Here is a bus service that some people use: http://www.connect2cruise.com/ (http://www.connect2cruise.com/)
This goes direct to/from the pier, eliminating the need for a taxi to/from the general bus station. They give one-way rates for going to the port, but don't mention rates from the port to Orlando. You might try emailing them to ask.

[shijiu86]

Thank you so much for youre response, should I call HAL to ask if they will give me an upgrade, will that increase the chance getting an upgrade?

[shijiu86]

It's just great to see my countdown timer... WOW so exciting!

[catl331]

... should I call HAL to ask if they will give me an upgrade, will that increase the chance getting an upgrade?Nope! :cool:

[Ians Grandma]

Just to let you know...the weekend of Jan 8th is the WDW marathon weekend. I'm not sure how many runners are participating this year but I'm sure its over 30,000. Sat. morning is the half marathon and Sun is the full so some of the roads on the property will be closed until midday on those days. It is a little more crowded on that weekend if you are planning on going to the parks.

[Friend100]

4 HAL ships will be departing from Port Everglades on Jan 2 - Noordam, Westerdam, Maasdam and Nieuw Amsterdam. Fort Lauderdale will be packed with DAM cruisers! I know you didn't ask, but there was a thread a few weeks ago saying that the ships doing the 6-days itinerary on Jan2 won't have formal night. I know for NA we don't have that. You may want to check your cruise document. Of course, it is up to you to decide what to wear. :) Enjoy your trip.

[shijiu86]

Just to let you know...the weekend of Jan 8th is the WDW marathon weekend. I'm not sure how many runners are participating this year but I'm sure its over 30,000. Sat. morning is the half marathon and Sun is the full so some of the roads on the property will be closed until midday on those days. It is a little more crowded on that weekend if you are planning on going to the parks.

Seems like I got extra events to participate, thank you so much for heads up, I really have no idea about this. But my plan is arrive at Hotel on 1-8 then three days visit to parks, hope there will not be too crowed.:)

[shijiu86]

4 HAL ships will be departing from Port Everglades on Jan 2 - Noordam, Westerdam, Maasdam and Nieuw Amsterdam. Fort Lauderdale will be packed with DAM cruisers! I know you didn't ask, but there was a thread a few weeks ago saying that the ships doing the 6-days itinerary on Jan2 won't have formal night. I know for NA we don't have that. You may want to check your cruise document. Of course, it is up to you to decide what to wear. :) Enjoy your trip.

That's right, 6 smart casual night.... I heard 'samrt casual' night on HAL is 'semi-forma'l on other cruise actually....

[jtl513]

That's right, 6 smart casual night.... I heard 'samrt casual' night on HAL is 'semi-forma'l on other cruise actually....To me semi-formal means at least a jacket, preferably with a tie, while on HAL "smart casual" minimum means a collared shirt with no printing, and long pants.

[Sanlin]

Cruise Connection is great - they meet you at the ship just ouside the luggage area and get you on the bus that is going to your destination. It's around $65 +/- one way to Orlando per person. They drop off at a McDonalds not too far from the Turnpike. We're also on the Jan. 2 Westerdam but are driving down this time. See you on board!

[shijiu86]

Cruise Connection is great - they meet you at the ship just ouside the luggage area and get you on the bus that is going to your destination. It's around $65 +/- one way to Orlando per person. They drop off at a McDonalds not too far from the Turnpike. We're also on the Jan. 2 Westerdam but are driving down this time. See you on board!
Thanks, I'm checking it out! Glad to know you will also take this cruise, did you book any shore excursions with HAL yet? I saw too many options just lost my start line.....:D

[Ians Grandma]

I run in the marathon every year and I always have a great time at the parks....its not too crowded to have fun. I hope that you have a great trip!

[Ians Grandma]

One more thing :-) it would be a good idea to go to disney dining online now to reserve space at the restaurants if you are planning on going to them. They book up quickly.

[Typhoon1]

Welcome to CC, have an enjoyable first cruise on HAL.

[Sanlin]

:)Thanks, I'm checking it out! Glad to know you will also take this cruise, did you book any shore excursions with HAL yet? I saw too many options just lost my start line.....:D


We are doing HAL's Stingray in Grand Cayman - DH & I did it a few years ago and it worked out well. DD, GS & I will be doing it this time. Also did a clamshell on HMC - two ships in port - it will give us a place to meet and be in the shade. On HMC - early birds can get the hammocks ...

[josey1964]

We too are on this sailing.
Depending on how many of you are travelling, you may be better doing a one way car hire from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando.
We have booked a clam shell, an island tour on Grand Caymen and 2 meals in the Pinnacle.
Looking forward to it, crutches and all.