We're doing another USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans) cruise with friends. The last one, in 2007, was a roaring success. It will be difficult to beat that one, partly because that ship was smaller, hence we were a greater percentage of the passengers (some say all the passengers were submarine-related).
MS Nieuw Amsterdam is a larger ship, capable of hosting 2,106 passengers on 11 passenger decks. It is registered in the Netherlands.
Our small group within a group is composed of Sonar Technicians who worked in the intelligence community in one way or another. Other friends aboard include USS Ray shipmate Ken & Sylvia of Smithfield NC.
. .Tom & Sandra, Pawley's Island SC
. .Bing & Saidia, San Diego CA
. .Richard & Joyce, Pawley's Island SC
. .Chet & Alice, Buchanan Dam TX
. .Russ & Ann, Ormond Beach FL
. .T C & Stefan, Warrenton VA
. .Beak & Marlene Warner, Austin TX
Other former shipmates on the ship are C P Green and "Beetle" Bailey from the Woodrow Wilson and Tom Salisbury from SSEP.
MS Nieuw Amsterdam is a larger ship, capable of hosting 2,106 passengers on 11 passenger decks. It is registered in the Netherlands.
Our small group within a group is composed of Sonar Technicians who worked in the intelligence community in one way or another. Other friends aboard include USS Ray shipmate Ken & Sylvia of Smithfield NC.
. .Tom & Sandra, Pawley's Island SC
. .Bing & Saidia, San Diego CA
. .Richard & Joyce, Pawley's Island SC
. .Chet & Alice, Buchanan Dam TX
. .Russ & Ann, Ormond Beach FL
. .T C & Stefan, Warrenton VA
. .Beak & Marlene Warner, Austin TX
Other former shipmates on the ship are C P Green and "Beetle" Bailey from the Woodrow Wilson and Tom Salisbury from SSEP.
20 October, Saturday
We got underway in the minivan from Jax Beach around 0900. Took A1A to St Augustine, then I-95 south from there. The farther south you travel, the worse the drivers become. We saw racing and weaving at speeds up around 100 mph in traffic. Insanity.
Stopped for a bite at Port St Lucie and continued. Arrived at the Fairfield by Marriott before 1500. We chose this place for its shuttle to the pier and for the long-term parking while we're on the cruise.
Kenny & Sylvia picked us up and drove to dinner at the Rustic Inn Crabfood place we've done before. It's on a canal just north of the Fairfield and we sat at waterfront. Many boats going past, and one tied up next to us so their people could come in to eat. K&S were impressed with the place's size, busy-ness, and food. We ate & chatted and ate & chatted.
After sunset they drove us back to the hotel where we settled in for the night.
We got underway in the minivan from Jax Beach around 0900. Took A1A to St Augustine, then I-95 south from there. The farther south you travel, the worse the drivers become. We saw racing and weaving at speeds up around 100 mph in traffic. Insanity.
Stopped for a bite at Port St Lucie and continued. Arrived at the Fairfield by Marriott before 1500. We chose this place for its shuttle to the pier and for the long-term parking while we're on the cruise.
Kenny & Sylvia picked us up and drove to dinner at the Rustic Inn Crabfood place we've done before. It's on a canal just north of the Fairfield and we sat at waterfront. Many boats going past, and one tied up next to us so their people could come in to eat. K&S were impressed with the place's size, busy-ness, and food. We ate & chatted and ate & chatted.
After sunset they drove us back to the hotel where we settled in for the night.