United States
Seagoing Marine Association

2009 Fleet Review

Charleston, SC
October 20 – 25, 2009

Hotel

Planning for Charleston, SC has proceeded at a steady pace. We will be staying at the Embassy Suites, North Charleston. Though the daily rate is higher than Seattle ($141 vs $119) so many freebies were negotiated that we should actually be at or lower pricing over all.

For example, our parking was $10.00 daytime and $14.00 overnight at Seattle. Embassy Suites has offered FREE parking for our 2009 Review. Additionally, we paid for every meal in Seattle, but this time we all get free made-to-order breakfast AND free evening manager’s reception with hot and cold hors d’ oeuvres and cocktails, which will save about $20 - $35 per day.

All accommodations are two-room suites with two TV’s, microwave oven and a refrigerator plus a roll out sleeper.

Free shuttle service to and from the airport plus free regular shuttle service to the TANGER OUTLET MALL has been obtained. (Regular $5.00 each way shuttles will be provided to downtown Charleston just as we had in 2004!)

Up to 15 early arrivals will be allowed and stay-overs will be given our rate through either Monday (for certain) or Tuesday (requested) of the following week, October 27.

Embassy Suites

Hotel Registration form

Hotel Amenities

Tour Planning

Tour planning includes a city tour and CITADEL Tuesday afternoon with a Welcome Aboard Reception at 7 PM.

Wednesday is YORKTOWN – FORT SUMTER tour leaving at 12:15 PM for Patriot’s Point arrival by 1:00 PM. To avoid ticket line delays, a block of tickets will be acquired for each tour: YORKTOWN at $13.00 and Fort Sumter at $13.50. Final tour leaves the pier at 1:30 PM, returns at 4:00 PM. This will allow a little time for Fort Sumter visitors to go aboard YORKTOWN or the other 3 ships moored with her if desired.

The buses will depart at about 4:45 PM for hotel arrival at 5:15 PM.

The two MARDET dinner evenings will be Wednesday and Friday for those who wish to plan ahead.

Other than our Board of Directors meeting at 9 AM, Thursday will be wide open all day. An evening dinner cruise on the bay is being considered.

Friday is early reveille for 0730 AM arrival at MCRD Parris Island. After PX and lunch aboard the base, we return to the hotel departing about 2:30 PM.

For those not wishing to go to the base, perhaps another pleasant tour can be arranged.

Saturday AM will be the traditional colors ceremony, business meeting and auction. After lunch, we hope to have a plantation tour at 1:30 PM.

The beautiful 2008 Memory Book should provide the impetus for everyone to get photographed starting about 4:30 PM. Cash bar will open at 6 PM with dinner at 7 PM followed by the drawing and good dance music.