Day 1, North to Baltimore

Packing was easy. We did not have to worry about weight limits or heavy security, because we are driving to the port. We left Newport News, VA at 6:00AM in the dark. I do not think the sun rose until we were in Baltimore five hours later. Seriously, I have cataracts and hate to drive unfamiliar roads in the dark, but everything went well until Miss Shadow, our new car took us on a detour over the Rapahannock River that cost us an hour. Across the Potomac, we encountered heavy traffic, but we got to the pier at about 11:00AM. Gas was cheap in VA and expensive in MY.

Parking was $105 for seven nights instead of $115 for eight days. We chose to drive the same day and park at the pier instead of stay one night in a hotel and park free in an unsecured lot. The difference was the new car. We thought a little bit of caution was prudent. There was no wait for the credit card line at the lot which is right at the pier entrance. We thought the whole procedure was well thought out. Read more