New Itineray Veedam Dec 11th

[cruising susan]

For those of you who asked, I recieve notice from my online TA of the changes in the itineray on Friday evening. She called and said that she had just heard from HAL of the changes. Here is the new itinerary. Sunday - Key West 11am to 6, Monday - at sea, Tuesday - Belize 8am to 6, Wednesday - Guatamala 6am to 6, Thursday - Cozmmel 1pm to 9, Friday - at sea. Hope this answers any questions you may have.

[DFD1]

That's a pretty good itinerary IMO. Wouldn't mind doing it myself. Thanks for posting.

[newcruisers04]

Hi Susan
Have you been on a HAL cruise ship before? On any cruise before? We are really looking forward to this..well a bit less than two months ago before the hurricanes. Dear partner was soo looking forward to scuba diving in the Caymans. Hopefully we can find something equally as great in Belize. Did you check the "ports" section on here ..specifically Belize City..a newly opened Beach area...http://www.coralsandsbelize.com/...that looks very interesting. Hope to meet some folks from here on the cruise. Thanks for verifying what I had been told by my online TA.

[cruzincurt]

We are also changing to those on the Nov 13th cruise. We are very happy about the new ports we haven't been to yet.

[anngie]

Cruising Susan, this is interesting. I am on the Westerdam in Key West also on December 11. There is already a large cruise ship,SS Voyager, at Mallory Square according to the Key West Cruise Schedule. Wonder where we will be docked? We are not on the schedule since these ports have recently been scheduled.

[cruising susan]

New Cruiser,
This will be my 8th cruise, second on HAL. We were on the Zuiderdam last year and loved it, except for the weather. It was the last week of November in the Eastern Carribean, and we had rain five out of the seven days. I remember the one crew member telling me that at this time of year the weather in the Western Carribean seems to be drier. You will love the cruise. The first one is always THE best, and the one with the best memories. If you have any questions let me know. slstauber@comcast.net. susan

[ekerr19]

cruising susan-

Is there a roll-call thread for this cruise? I looked and couldn't find anything, though it is almost sold out. It looks like a great cruise and I love the itinerary...

[peaches from georgia]

Cruising Susan, this is interesting. I am on the Westerdam in Key West also on December 11. There is already a large cruise ship,SS Voyager, at Mallory Square according to the Key West Cruise Schedule. Wonder where we will be docked? We are not on the schedule since these ports have recently been scheduled.
We were in Key West the exact same time last year on the Oosterdam and we tendered. There are only 2 berths in Key West and if they are booked already, then HAL has to tender their pax. :rolleyes:

[newcruisers04]

We are also interested in finding other cruisers on this site that are going on this cruise. I have checked the HAL roll call and didnt see anything. I am new to this so have no idea what is protocol about starting a roll call...some tips from previous cruisers perhaps?

[sail7seas]

In the past on HAL ships, we have docked at the Naval Yard when the Mallory Docks are busy. It's removed and you have to take a trolley they provide to get downtown. WE didn't like it there at all.

[anngie]

The Naval yard is closed now. They are doing some construction there.
I wrote to HAL asking them where we will dock and have not heard back from them yet. At least one of the ships will tender since a large ship is already on the schedule for Mallory.

[newcruisers04]

Does anyone have any idea as to where all these cruise ships are located in the port at Tampa? Does the port of Tampa have several docks? I am confused where everyone will be when we get to Key West from these postings. I am sure it will be an experience never to be forgotten. We have not received our travel pkg. yet, but other family members did yesterday.
Are we really allowed to board in Tampa as early as noon? The travel docs that brother received said not before 3 p.m.?? and we leave at 5?? kinda rushed I would be thinking....sorry for all the questions...extremely new to cruising, and I dont want to be overwhelmed at the last minute!
thanks...and happy sailing!

[ekerr19]

Newcruisers-

You should be able to board much earlier, about 11:30-12:00... in fact you should plan to be aboard BY 3:00pm. I've not cruised from Tampa yet, but I am holding a cabin on this sailing... we got a fantastic deal for the four of us, but we are just returning from our Med cruise on 11/13/04, so I'm not sure DH will want to cruise again so soon.

I'm not sure what will happen in Key West, as it looks like there are more than a few ships there on the same day. You may have to tender in - the Key West cruise ship schedule is not updated - I looked yesterday.

It is not uncommon to not receive your docs til the cruise is about 30 days away. We normally have ours in that time frame. If your family members used the same TA you did - you may want to give the TA a call and see where your docs are.

Any other questions, please post - I will check back and see if I can help. Also I will let you know if we decide to book this cruise. :)

[newcruisers04]

thanks so much for the info "ekerr19". Wow..you sure are lucky to have cruised in the Med. also this year *sigh and a wish*. We all used the same TA from an online vacation site, so perhaps mine will come today...being as I am at work..hahaha..and not at home to receive a courier parcel..who knows ! I have a hard time staying off this site while "supposedly" working..but alas, lunch is over..so better go and do something productive! Hope you get to go on this cruise also....i am not sure if it is proper to post email address...but here goes..love to hear from you!

lori.sawdon@lanxess.com

[cruzincurt]

The cruise ships all dock along Channelside Drive in Tampa. They are all within sight of each other. The Veendam is typically at Terminal #6 which is at the extreme north end of the dock area right behind the port authority building. We'll be there on the 13th.

As with most cruise ships, they start to board at 11:30 to 12:00 depending on how quick they get the others off.

[lipoppop]

We are also interested in finding other cruisers on this site that are going on this cruise. I have checked the HAL roll call and didnt see anything. I am new to this so have no idea what is protocol about starting a roll call...some tips from previous cruisers perhaps?

Start one and the cc'ers will come. We will see you on the 11th.

:cool:

[newcruisers04]

yipppeeeeeee...got a postit note stuck on the front door today..parcel is ready for delivery..MUST be our travel docs huh? Hope they make it back tomorrow so we can have a full weekend of checking thru papers....see you on the 11th lipoppop ! *S*

[marti406]

My husband and I will be on the Veendam on Dec 4 and 11th. Doing a back to back. We are from OHio and like to get out of cold weather. Maybe we could meet on the ship. Would like to hear from you. I am also new on this site and not sure exactly how to use it. My e-mail is fladen4@yahoo.com. Hope we have good sailing. My name is Norma.

[newcruisers04]

Hi Norma ....would love to meet new people on our cruise also. We are "sorta" from your area and can relate to wanting out of the COLD...S. Ontario is like that! brrrrr.
Will keep in touch on here and see what's the best and easiest way to meet once we are under way. You are lucky not to have to even get off the ship from the first week, so maybe we can see you in the lunch buffet on the 11th? Just a thought...
Lori and Rick