Major Cruise Ship to Make Port-Call in New London, CT on Wed

(NEW LONDON, CT) Continuing the tradition of cruise ships calling at Connecticut’s Port of New London, the Connecticut Cruise Ship Task Force brings the first of three major cruise ships this year to the state on Wednesday.

May 08, 2007 11:49 AM - On May 9th at 9 AM, the 720-foot, 59,000 gross ton Holland America Line luxury cruise ship, ms Maasdam, carrying over 1100 passengers and 600 crew, will sail up the Thames River to her berth at the state-owned Admiral Harold E. Shear State Pier in New London.

It will be difficult not to notice this 11 story high ship that is over 100' wide. Maasdam's arrival will include an 11-gun salute fired from Ft.Trumbull in New London and the Nutmeg Fife & Drum Corps playing on the pier when she docks.

Due to U.S. Coast Guard and Homeland Security regulations, the pier will be closed to the general public, but great viewing of the ship, both arriving and departing, is available both at Ft. Griswold in Groton and City Pier and Ft. Trumbull State park in New London.

Passengers will visit local attractions during the time Maasdam is in port. On the touring schedule: Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, Olde Mistik Village, Mystic Seaport, the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat and a combination tour of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Ft. Trumbull State Park. New London's Garde Arts Center will take on the role of a welcome center for the ship's passengers.

Passengers in the hundreds are expected to flood the downtown New London streets as they explore their port-call here.

While Holland America Line creates and markets the tours to the ship's passengers, all tour guides aboard the motor coaches will be local residents.

When Maasdam leaves her berth at 6:00 PM the New London Firefighters Pipes & Drums will give her a mighty send-off as she heads north towards her final destination of Montreal.

Holland America Line, based in Seattle, WA, currently has 14 luxury cruise ships sailing to ports all over the world. Maasdam will call here again on October 15th and a sister ship, ms Veendam will call here on September 28th.