Weather in Norfolk in JAN?

[Charlie2na]

Going to be in Norfolk, this Jan to catch Maasdam 01/16/05. Will I need to bring along winter coat or can I leave it in the car @ Bostons Logan?

[digby]

Going to be in Norfolk, this Jan to catch Maasdam 01/16/05. Will I need to bring along winter coat or can I leave it in the car @ Bostons Logan?

Check weatherbase.com

[peaches from georgia]

Take the coat. So. Virginia is cold in the winter- 30's, low 40's.

[JanAndJeremy]

I live in Va Beach -- about 15 miles southeast of Norfolk -- BRING YOUR COAT!! It can get really cold, especially with all of the water nearby. It's bitter sometimes!

[Esme]

And don't forget the gloves and possibly a hat (toque) as it will probably be cold during lifeboat drill.

[Orcrone]

Charlie,

Posters are correct. Typical weather is a high in the high 30s, low 40s. Though I'm sure, being from Maine, you'll find it balmy. Sometimes we can get nice weather any time of year. We've had 60s or even low 70s during the winter. But that's the exception rather than the rule.

Marc

[CaptData]

Pray for 60's in early Feb for me , please. Thank you. :p

[olderpilot]

Not unusual for Norfolk to get snow in Jan/Feb.

[peaches from georgia]

The winter weather in Norfolk and along the southeast coast is one of several reasons we decided not to do the Maasdam cruise from there last year. Too many days of the 10 would be chilly if not downright cold. :(

[Orcrone]

I would probably assume that the first and last sea days would not be outside days.

[Pincus]

Previous posters are correct.

It's winter in January in Norfolk when you are planning to sail. Bring the coats, and also a sweater to wear on deck on the first two days out and the last two back. The waters will be cold. Those four days in the cold were the reason we did not book this 10-day cruise to the Caribbean.

[peaches from georgia]

I understand why HAL wants to move some of the ships to alternative ports and we would love to do a 10-14 day Maasdam/Caribbean from somewhere other than FLL, but Norfolk is just too far north in the winter. If HAL wants more port choices than FLL for the Maasdam, and I hope they do, how about Jacksonville. ;)

[Orcrone]

I'm sailing HAL out of Norfolk at the end of October. I realize that the weather during the first and last days may not be very pleasant. But the price was right and I don't have to put up with the hassle or expense of travel as I live locally. It would have cost me more to fly to Florida and do a 7 day cruise out of there.

So even if I have two bad weather days, one on each end, I just look at it as an 8 day cruise with my travel days occuring on the ship.:) Sure beats airline food.:D

[hotzej]

Could anyone please advise of the driving time between Charlotte NC and Norfolk Va?

Thanks,
Bill

[peaches from georgia]

I can help. We just drove from Williamsburg, VA to Charlotte, practically an identical drive. 5-6 hours, most of it on I-85.

[Orcrone]

I can help. We just drove from Williamsburg, VA to Charlotte, practically an identical drive. 5-6 hours, most of it on I-85.Figure an additional 45 min to an hour from Williamsburg to Norfolk, assuming no traffic.

Also, Charlotte is a US Airways hub, and sometimes you can get some pretty reasonable non-stop airfares between the two.

[Charlie2na]

Thanks all,guess I'll be wearing my boots and coat on the plane to Norfolk.The price was right for this cruise and only 1.5 hr flight from BOS is very appealing.I realize the first day or two might be a little chilly, but not bad compared to what i'll be leaving behind ! Besides the lido pool is heated and still can sun myself under retractable roof. Hope we can get into HMC on the second day ,it sounds sooo nice! How does one find out about entertainment aboard? We saw Matida last year as well as an Elton John show person, whom we thought were great. Our first cruise [ veendam 03/27/04 ] left some pretty big shoes to fill for this next one !

[peaches from georgia]

[QUOTE=Orcrone]Figure an additional 45 min to an hour from Williamsburg to Norfolk, assuming no traffic.

Actually, we don't go to Norfolk at all from W'msburg to Charlotte- we just go directly west from W'burg and pick up I-85 at Petersburg. No need to go south to Norfolk and then west. However, the mileage/time is just about exactly the same to Charlotte from either W'burg or Norfolk and it's not a bad drive at all.

[Orcrone]

[QUOTE=Orcrone]Figure an additional 45 min to an hour from Williamsburg to Norfolk, assuming no traffic.

Actually, we don't go to Norfolk at all from W'msburg to Charlotte- we just go directly west from W'burg and pick up I-85 at Petersburg. No need to go south to Norfolk and then west. However, the mileage/time is just about exactly the same to Charlotte from either W'burg or Norfolk and it's not a bad drive at all.Your right Peaches. I was spacing out, thinking that they would be going through Williamsburg to get to Norfolk. (I wasn't thinking that you went to Norfolk to get to Williamsburg). It's what my mother refers to as a Florida moment.:D If coming from Charlotte you would take 85 to 58, and then have pretty much a straight shot east into Norfolk, without going near Williamsburg.

BTW, if you do that drive, make sure you're at or near the speed limit while going through Emporia, VA. That's near where 58 intersects with interstate 95. Locally that section of 58 is infamous for people getting off I-95, with the 65 - 70 speed limit and getting pulled over for speeding.

[peaches from georgia]

BTW, if you do that drive, make sure you're at or near the speed limit while going through Emporia, VA. That's near where 58 intersects with interstate 95. Locally that section of 58 is infamous for people getting off I-95, with the 65 - 70 speed limit and getting pulled over for speeding.

So funny. I know exactly what you are talking about and nothing changes. It's been 40 years (Duke- '61) and I lived in NY, but going home on vacation from Durham you could count on a ticket in South Hill where 85 enters VA. Those boogers are still sitting there waiting! :D

[gwilli]

We were on the Maasdam last Feb. from Norfolk and found that we could sit by the pool on the 1st day at sea. With the retractable roof, the wind didn't bother us and the warm sun felt good. But bring your coat for the first evening's muster drill. You probably won't need it after that.

Happy sailing.........

gwilli

[CDRMark]

There are several of us in the Norfolk area who would be glad to provide near-real time weather as sailing dates approach. January is our coldest month. It rarely snows as the warm ocean keeps the air temps up a few degrees. Have a great cruise, and let us know if you want a "spot" report.
Cheers
Mark

[Orcrone]

There are several of us in the Norfolk area who would be glad to provide near-real time weather as sailing dates approach. January is our coldest month. It rarely snows as the warm ocean keeps the air temps up a few degrees. Have a great cruise, and let us know if you want a "spot" report.
Cheers
MarkHowever, you don't want to be here if it does snow. No one knows how to drive in snow (just ride your brake, right?) and the snow removal method is little more than "it's going to melt in a day or two".:D

[Charlie2na]

Thanks Mark. Will take you up on that.I'm sure that by the second day the weather should be good... we'll be in the Bahamas. People think that there will be four cold days out of the elevan,shouldn't be though. One day from Norfolk and the last day into Norfolk from San Juan..... and I'm still on a ship with lots to do , good or bad weather!

[hotzej]

Thanks for the info on the driving time (and Speed Traps). Living still in Central NY, but considering moving to the Charlotte area.

Bill

[Navy_Chief]

I remember Ice forming on the mooring lines and on deck at Norfolk Naval Base D&S piers in January. Yeah, I would bring a coat.