Taxi to the port question and phone question

[stillfrantic]

Assuming Frances doesn't get in the way, we are sailing on the Zuiderdam this Saturday. Do we tell the taxi driver Holland America, or Zuiderdam, or do we need a terminal number to get to the correct place for embarkation?

I have the card to leave behind with directions to call the ship in an emergency. It says for the caller to have their credit card ready and the charge is $16.00 per minute. Is their a charge on top of that to our cabin? If we call home, is it also $16.00 per minute charged to the room?

[jhannah]

All you'll need to tell the cab driver is the name of the ship.

The charge applies if you make an outbound call. Remember that e-mail is printed out and delivered free to your room. Should there be something you need to be notified of, seems like that would be quick enough. You can also use the ship's Internet center to send messages back and forth.

[taszmom]

If I remember correctly, I think in Port Everglades the signs have the name of the ships. It's really easy to find.

It looks like you (and we here in FL) might get lucky...so far they are forecasting her to swing more to the north at the Bahamas. Weather should be great behind it. Hope you have smooth sailing. 5 more weeks for us.

[sail7seas]

From FLL Airport to Port Everglades (the port) is about a 10-15 minute taxi ride depending upon traffic.

Tell the taxi driver "Port Everglades to the Zuiderdam" and you will have no problems.

When you arrive at Port Everglades by taxi, you must clear through the Sheriff's station checking ID's. You should have your passports/birth certificates and photo ID as well as your cruise ticket ready to show. We have only been asked to show our cruise ticket once in all the times we have passed through since 9-11, but you can be sure the one time I did not have it quickly available, they would want to see it and I'd be rummaging around through my bag to get it. :)

Fingers crossed that you (and FLL) are lucky and the storm does not head in that direction.

[stillfrantic]

Thanks for the information. One more question regarding emails. I didn't realize the ship could receive emergency mesages via email to be delivered. I thought I'd have to sign on in the cafe to see if I had messages. What email address would an urgent message be sent to for cabin delivery? We are leaving 3 children behind, so quick communication is important.

[jhannah]

That info is usually in your travel documents. But if I remember correctly, it would be (in your case) zuiderdam@hollandamerica.com with your last name and cabin number in the subject line.

[stillfrantic]

The only thing I saw in the documents was information about email addreses while on board if you used the internet cafe. But, you think zuiderdam@hollandamerica would get there if the family really needed to contact us?

[jhannah]

I just saw that in my documents, too. I'm guessing that since they have Internet centers on their ships now that the other service has been discontinued. You might want to call HAL ships services to check for sure.