Why Not Norfolk??

[kicker]

If the Norfolk terminal is as nice as people have described it, and the area itself seems nicer than most immediate port areas (I'm not familiar with all that many, but I know the Norfolk one has restaurants and shops nearby), why don't more cruises originate out of Norfolk?

 

Does it have anything to do with the distance they have to travel to ports? Anything to do with port charges? Or is it just a conspiracy by Floridians & New Yorkers to monopolize cruising? (kidding on the last one)

[kicker]

I've also found in my travels, that VA people are as nice a bunch as any you'll meet. So what are the reasons for this port having so little use?

 

Another thing: there was a Dinner Ship (Spirit of Norfolk - held about 100 to 200 people) in Norfolk that we tried a couple of times (great, but short experience) and one of the nice features was cruising by all the battle ships in Norfolk. Maybe someone can mention whether or not the larger ships pass those also.

[StartrainDD]

My son lives in Portsmouth, VA and when visiting him in December there was an article in the local paper moaning about the lack of use of their cruise terminal. There are a dozen or so sailings from Norfolk scheduled this year, here is the link: http://www.cruisenorfolk.org/schedule.php#

 

Seems like it would be a better departure point than Baltimore as it's right on the ocean, the ships could open their casinos faster, less fuel to get to wherever they are headed?

 

If you have to fly in though, Norfolk is certainly harder to fly to than Baltimore!

[WelcomeAboard2003]

Norfolk is a fantastic port! I only live about 20 minutes away, so I am biased-but, the terminal is very clean and check in is very proficient. I have left out of there twice and am planning another cruise from norfolk in a couple of months. I wish they would have more cruises with bigger ships. I am sure it is all about the bottom dollar.

The area around has lots to do in walking distance, and it is really nice to pass by the naval yard on the way out to sea!

[phyzz]

i too live in the Norfolk area and I am disapointed that there are not more cruises from this area . They made a huge deal about the huge cruise terminal that was built at Waterside but it just sits there . it is attached to a museum .

[phoenix1181]

My son lives in Portsmouth, VA and when visiting him in December there was an article in the local paper moaning about the lack of use of their cruise terminal. There are a dozen or so sailings from Norfolk scheduled this year, here is the link: http://www.cruisenorfolk.org/schedule.php#

 

Seems like it would be a better departure point than Baltimore as it's right on the ocean, the ships could open their casinos faster, less fuel to get to wherever they are headed?

 

If you have to fly in though, Norfolk is certainly harder to fly to than Baltimore!

 

Just a guess here but accessibility is probably a big part of the reason.

[sjb317]

Any suggestions for hotels close to the cruise port?

Sherri:)

[seabill]

Sherri you can stay anywhere in the metro area, as Va Beach hotels are only 20 to 30 minutes away.

 

The ship does dock right in downtown Norfolk. A three block walk will take you to a large Mall or a great tourist stop (across from the mall) the Macarthur Monument.

 

Within one hour drive you could visit Williamsburg, Yorktown or Jamestown. All great visits but too much for one day.

 

During the summer you could stay at Va Beach and enjoy the Ocean.

 

The small boat tour The Spirit of Norfolk (leaves from dock about two block walk) and gives a great tour of the largest harbor in the U.S.

 

The cruise ship when it sails from the port will pass by the Norfolk Naval Base. Passengers can always see at least one giant aircraft carrier, other ships seen will be submarines, helicopter carriers, cruisers, destroyers and many other specialty ships.

 

The cruise ships will also sail over one of the tunnels of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

 

Hope this helps in making the Norfolk port more appetizing.

[phyzz]

Sheri ,

 

there are several large hotels within walking distance of the terminal . just search dowtown Norfolk / waterside .

[GrannyMouse]

This is a list from the below website. If Crown Plaza is the former Raddisson I would avoid that one.

 

 

www.norfolkcvb.com

Downtown ACCOMMODATIONS ADDRESSPHONEFAXVA GREENCourtyard by Marriott

520 Plume Street757-963-6000757-963-6001Freemason Inn, Bed & Breakfast411 W. York Street757-963-7000757-233-1897Crowne Plaza Norfolk700 Monticello Avenue757-627-5555757-533-9651Norfolk Waterside Marriott235 Main Street757-627-4200757-628-6452Page House Inn, Bed & Breakfast325 Fairfax Avenue757-625-5033757-623-9451Residence Inn227 W. Brambleton Avenue757-842-6216757-842-6217Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel777 Waterside Drive757-622-6664757-622-4571Tazewell Hotel & Plaza245 Granby Street757-623-6200757-457-1516

[sjb317]

Thanks so much for everyone's suggestions, you all are very helpful! We spent a week at Virginia Beach back in 1988 and we are looking forward to this opportunity to return in June.

Sherri:)

[gunn2]

are there any hotels, like in baltimore, that will let you park for free in their parking lot for the duration of your cruise if you stay at least one night with them?

[4canucks]

as the former poster has asked.

Any deals on parking at hotels while cruising?

[kicker]

We've been discussing this on our cruise thread (Enchantment 06/03/10). It seems most hotels that advertise "Park and Fly" will allow you to leave your vehicle for the entire length of your cruise at no extra charge (google Norfolk Park and Fly and you should get results). To me, I prefer spending a night in a hotel after a long drive and leaving my vehicle rather than driving a long distance and paying just to park.

 

Warning, however: if you read our thread you'll see one of the locals on our cruise has been checking out hotels for us (thanks Beddibi), and some are not in the best location. Also, the hotels don't provide shuttles to the port, so that might mean taxis, but that can still be cheaper than parking for a long period. There are a couple hotels within walking distance of the pier that do park and cruise; for my dates they were booked, but you could certainly try them.

[GrannyMouse]

are there any hotels, like in baltimore, that will let you park for free in their parking lot for the duration of your cruise if you stay at least one night with them?

 

 

Try the Sleep Inn or Quality Inn at Lake Wright. It is close to the airport and has very reasonable rates. They will transport you to the ship and also pick you up.

[coast2coast]

Thanks, Granny Mouse! I think I'm going to give Quality Suites a try. I'm going to call back tomorrow to confirm, but I THINK what I was told tonight was that for $130.62, we'd get a one-night stay, free parking for the cruise, and complimentary shuttle back and forth from the cruise port. I currently have America's Best Value Inn booked, but after reading many reviews online and reading comments on my roll call, I think I'll cancel that one...

[WiseSky]

http://www.downtownnorfolk.org/

 

Try this, there is an interactive map that shows hotels, resturants and other stuff to do in downtown Norfolk.

[4canucks]

We've been discussing this on our cruise thread (Enchantment 06/03/10). It seems most hotels that advertise "Park and Fly" will allow you to leave your vehicle for the entire length of your cruise at no extra charge (google Norfolk Park and Fly and you should get results). To me, I prefer spending a night in a hotel after a long drive and leaving my vehicle rather than driving a long distance and paying just to park.

 

Warning, however: if you read our thread you'll see one of the locals on our cruise has been checking out hotels for us (thanks Beddibi), and some are not in the best location. Also, the hotels don't provide shuttles to the port, so that might mean taxis, but that can still be cheaper than parking for a long period. There are a couple hotels within walking distance of the pier that do park and cruise; for my dates they were booked, but you could certainly try them.

 

 

Thankx so much for this info.

Likely going in September and don't mind the drive at all. But like your self.

Just want to leave the car at the hotel and shuttle the next day.

Cheers.

[madelinerose]

are there any hotels, like in baltimore, that will let you park for free in their parking lot for the duration of your cruise if you stay at least one night with them?

 

In Baltimore, The Admiral Fell Inn.

 

http://www.harbormagic.com/cruise/index.asp

 

Outside of Baltimore, at BWI, there are hotels with shuttles to the port.

[vavasmom]

If the Norfolk terminal is as nice as people have described it, and the area itself seems nicer than most immediate port areas (I'm not familiar with all that many, but I know the Norfolk one has restaurants and shops nearby), why don't more cruises originate out of Norfolk?

 

Does it have anything to do with the distance they have to travel to ports? Anything to do with port charges? Or is it just a conspiracy by Floridians & New Yorkers to monopolize cruising? (kidding on the last one)

 

I live in the Northern Virginia suburbs of DC. A trip to Norfolk is between 3.5 and 4 hours without traffic - with traffic add 2 to 3 hours. In the summer traffic is unpredictable any day of the week. I can be at the Baltimore cruise terminal in a little less than 1.5 hours (without traffic) with traffic - the trip can more than double.

 

Add the rest of the DC area (travel difference even greater for those in DC & MD). When we cruised from Baltimore there were many people from PA and some from NJ. The number of people within a 2.5 hour drive is much larger for Baltimore than Norfolk. Also as already noted the flight choices into BWI are greater.

 

When we sailed from Baltimore the shops and Casino opened 1 hours after we sailed. We did not wait until in the open Atlantic.

 

I love the Williamsburg, Jamestown, and VA Beach. We visit at least 3 times per year.

[kicker]

Vavasmom: I think you have given a pretty definitive answer to my question. I've never been to Baltimore; we visit Virginia Beach almost every year and love the area, but after your post I can see why Baltimore is more practical, and I guess RCCL (or any other cruise line) doesn't feel the Baltimore-Norfolk area could handle another ship. Our June 3 cruise from Norfolk must have a number of unsold cabins still, because they've been offering some pretty good price drops recently. Thanks for taking the time to point out Baltimore's advantages.

[madelinerose]

Thanks for taking the time to point out Baltimore's advantages.

 

From Cruise Maryland:

 

Consumers: Strategically located in the heart of the largest and wealthiest region in the country. Eight million consumers with a median household income of almost $68,080 live within an easy drive.

Convenience: The Cruise Terminal located at South Locust Point is just minutes from I-95, main street for the East coast’s running from Maine to Florida. We are also only minutes away from I-70, connecting Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and the Midwest to Baltimore. Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport is 10.5 miles from the Cruise Maryland Terminal.

http://www.cruisemaryland.com/aboutcruisemaryland.htm

[kicker]

Okay, you don't have to rub it in!! Kidding, thanks for even more info.

[madelinerose]

Okay, you don't have to rub it in!! Kidding, thanks for even more info.

 

No, no, that was not my intent! Sorry! I was just adding to vavasmom's post. ;)

 

We live close to the Baltimore terminal and haven't sailed from here in a few years. I would love to see some newer ships in Baltimore, but the newer, larger ships can't fit under our 2 bridges.

 

This year the Enchantment's rates I find almost obscene for a 13-year old ship. I see you're booked. Perhaps I'll change my mind. The Celebrity board hints at Century replacing Mercury. Who knows? Celebrity would be my choice, but I'll have to wait and see.

 

Perhaps Norfolk & Baltimore could join forces and build a new terminal south of Annapolis? Yeah, right. :rolleyes: ;)

[pjlee3333]

No, please. For those of us that love the small ships, we like the bridge. It forces them to bring a small ship. I've tried the Mariner and wanted off at the first stop to fly home. Give me Grandeur and I'll stay on forever. I'm one that's worried that the extra people on Enchantment (becuase of the stretch) might be to many.