Maasdam Boston Disembarkation

[ehbeck]

Hi all,

I am leaving in a couple of weeks for the August 7-14 Maasdam Canada/New England Boston RT cruise. I've searched this forum for Maasdam and found many, many recent entries about the Maasdam in general and this itinerary specifically, so I thank all of you who have contributed in the past.

One area that has not been mentioned, to my knowledge, is disembarkation in Boston. I know that Logan is very close to the Black Falcoln Terminal, but my worry is how early passengers can disembark from the ship. We booked our flight home out of Logan for 10am the morning the ship docks. This is earlier than I would have liked, but the next flight home wasn't until very, very, very late that evening and I didn't want to wait around Logan, or worry about getting rid of our bags and go to the city, return to the airport, etc. So I decided to risk it and fly out at 10.

Do you think we'll have a problem? We're planning on holding onto our luggage so we don't have to claim it dockside and instead jump right into a cab. What time does the ship allow people to disembark? Is there a lengthy Customs and Immigration inspection, or any formalities at all? Can we get off first, especially since we'll have our own luggage?

I'm a little more worried about this than I was initially, especially since the airline has since told me that the late evening flight is already sold-out.

[sail7seas]

You are cutting it way too close IMO

We cleared Immigration on board the ship on Thursday night so you will not have to worry about the time that takes. If you did, there is no way you would make your flight.

Disembark will not begin until everyone has paid their bill. I have never been on a cruise (over 50+) when there has not been a list of selfish boars who make all pax wait for them to make their way to the office to pay up. We have waited up to an hour until all the dead beats presented their sorry selves. No one leaves until all bills are paid.

Disembarkation began at about 9:45 and DH and I were the first group off the ship. You should definitely request the first disembark number from the office.

We live in Boston and we fly out of Logan. I cannot imagine you will be able to get off the ship, get a taxi to the airport, check in, clear security and be at your gate early enough to make your flight.

Good luck. I hope it works out okay for you. Enjoy your cruise.

[peaches from georgia]

I hate to be the one to say you had better start worrying, but... No one can give you a real answer whether you can make this flight or not because no one knows. The ship has to be cleared by Immigration. It isn't that it will take you long to leave the ship, but it can take a lengthy time for the ship to be cleared and all those people who have to report to pay their bill at the front office to get there and do it. Then, even carrying your own luggage and getting permission to leave the ship with the first group, you still have to get to the airport and go through security.

I don't think most people feel comfortable booking a flight until almost noon or after.

[jhpirate]

We just got off the Maasdam yesterday. Contrary to a previous post, disembarkation started at 8:35 sharp. People who had early flights, including our tablemates, were off the ship by 8:45. HAL gives you a form the first day. You should fill it out promptly and return it to the Front Office. That way they will place you in the earliest group to leave the ship. BTW there were only 5 passengers who needed to settle theiir accounts and all did so promptly. You are about a 15-20 min. cab ride from Logan if traffic is reasonably normal. Ten o'clock might still be a close call due to security.

We had a great cruise!
John

[sail7seas]

Hi John......Glad you enjoyed your cruise, as did we.


The number of folks needing to settle their bill is not what matters....it's how long it takes for them to do so.

We were Number 2 and were called with Number 1....we did not get out the gangway until 8:45 A.M. We looked at our watches as we had a car company picking us up. We were in the line and ready to go when they called the first numbers.

[FlorenceItaly]

I found the security process at Logan last month, a long process...You could get lucky and make it....Have a back up plan(ie another flight in mind, if you miss this one)....I don't mean to sound negative, jmo.

Marie

[Lisa63]

I agree with the others -- have a back-up plan.

I travel through Logan frequently, and have often departed on a Saturday morning. Lines to get boarding passes are long. See if you can do this via the Internet cafe on board. Most airlines will let you print out your boarding pass within 24 hours of the flight, although some of them require that you are members of their frequent flier program. If you do this on the ship, be sure the computer is connected to a printer! Then again -- you might not be able to avoid lines if you're checking luggage. Depends on the airline.

Once you have your boarding passes, you'll still have to contend with security lines, which can be long on a Saturday morning. (Think -- all those vacationers going to cruises, etc.) I once left 45 minutes to make it through security, and made my flight with minutes to spare.

[jhpirate]

Some people failed to fill out the disembarkation form detailing their plans and were lumped in with those who had independent plans with no flights involved. The form clearly warns of this. Of course many don't read or follow directions. Something else to consider is the time it will take to claim your luggage once you are off the ship. It's kind of a mad scramble and takes a few minutes no matter what you do to try to make your luggage stand out from the rest.

I guess I would rather take much later flight than to cut it so close. That would be much more stressful for me. Our TA has always been terrific to help us avoid these types of situations. Even though we are experienced travelers we feel much more comfortable working with our TA rather than going on our own. Doing so might save us a few bucks, but cause a lot of unnecessary anxiety.

[Bill S]

ehbeck: HI! We are on the same cruise!

We have never sailed out of Boston before, so I cannot respond to your question about a Boston disembarkation, but I agree with the other posters that you a cutting it very close. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes smoothly upon arrival in Boston and with disembarkation!

We have a 7:45pm flight out on the 14th-we used to live up north of Boston and want do some visiting that day, plus we out way out west and will still get home before 9pm.

Hope to meet you on the cruise!

[lindacat]

I was also on the recent Maasdam cruise. As my family and I live in Boston and were having family/friends pick us up. We specifically requested a late disembarkation time. (We did not want to be in the way of those that had early flights.) The number assigned to our group was "21" They called the first number at approx 8:35 a.m. They called each subsequent group approximately every five to ten minutes later. At 9:20 a.m. our group was called and we were off the ship and in a car about 10 minutes later. It would have been faster, but as we were ready to leave my mother realized she left her pocketbook in the cabin.

The "official letter" from HAL states that they anticipate the disembarkation to commence at 8:30, but that they have no control over the actual start time.

So I agree that you would be cutting it close, however you could be very lucky and make the flight.

Linda

[arzz]

I would be concerned if I had baggage that I needed to check on board the aircraft. Since 9/11 I have seen more than one group of people denied boarding because the airline would not accept their bags less than 60 (or 90) minutes before a flight's departure -- and they would not let the bags follow on a later flight because of the rule that your bag must fly with you --

[Maere]

Thanks for the great information....My dad is taking my stepmother on this cruise for her 75th birthday and, not being familar with HAL (we have done RCCL, NCL and Princess), I did not have a lot of info---as usual Cruise Critic comes through!!!!

Frank and Cathie Kasel from Northern NJ


Marianne Burke