Coastal NC Cruise vs OBX

[dlane6110]

As you have probably already read Tony T. has passed the baton for the OBX cruise on to Dean/Kathy, Lena and me. We have discussed it and we would like to offer up a different cruise. A Coastal NC cruise centered around the Wilmington NC area.

The following is a tentative plan...details, routes and places to visit have not been worked out.

1. Arrive Thursday April 24th. Stay at Carolina Beach which is South of Wilmington.

2. Tentative plans for Friday and Saturday:

Possible places to visit include NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Fort Fisher Museum, take ferry over to Southport and onto Caswell Beach to visit the Oak Island Lighthouse, Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson and maybe Calabash for a seafood supper (or dinner for the city folks)

Cruise up I40 to Rose Hill and tour Duplin Winery, have a wine tasting and eat at the Winery Bistro followed by a vist to near by Kenansville to see the Cowan Museum and the Historic Kenam Home. Return to the Wilmington/Carolina Beach are for shopping and supper.

3. Farewell Breakfast on Sunday April 27th

The reasons for offering the alternate cruise are:
We have done the OBX twice and trying to plan something different is getting harder.
It is a very long drive to OBX for our friends from SC, VA and Tennessee.
It cuts down the costs of planning since it will not require an overnight trip for the trip planners.
There are also nice things to see in the area noted above.

Please respond to this post with your thoughts and interest in the alternate cruise.

Thanks,

Dolan/Lena/Dean/Kathy

[FlowRW]

Might be something Susie and I can make. Wilmington is about 4.5 hours from our house...the Outer Banks are about 7.5. Big difference. Sounds good.

[Miss B]

I'm 6 hours to Wilmington so it's definitely closer for me! You've thrown in a lighthouse for me and a ferry boat ride so I'm happy.

Becky ;D

[freespiritcruising]

This works for us. My Sister will be joining us after she gets off work on Friday and this is much closer to Raleigh for her.

It's been many years since I've visited the Duplin Winery (my former husband's neck of the woods) and am looking forward to some Magnolia Wine.

Lennell

[tomcruz]

Dolan,
The change of plan sounds like a good idea to me and should be fun!
However Debbie and I have out of town family plans that weekend and will not be able to make it this time.

I'd say go with it if I were you ;D

[Robbie]

Dean & Dolan,

This plan works for us, we are always open to see new places. We haven't been to Wilmington in a long time.

John & Nancy

[DizzyDevil]

We might be able to make this one. Wilmington is way closer. Hmmm.. gotta go look at my work schedule....

[JamesP]

Wilmington sounds good to me.Plan # 2 or 3 works for me.I've done them both and either will be alot of fun.

James

[RORO]

It will be a little farther for me, but I like plan two the best

[Carrol Amerson]

Dolan,
#2 sounds interesting with the exception of standing in line for hours at Calabash to eat Maybe you know someone there that could cut the wait time down, but the last time I was there it was ridiculous how long it took to get into a restaurant. The Ft Caswell area would bring back many memories for me since I went to football camp there for 2 weeks each of my high school years.

Carrol

[FlowRW]

In favor of eating most anyplace EXCEPT Calabash. Have been there quite a bit and the long lines and food just ain't worth it. Calabash used to be the best place on the east coast to eat seafood. Not anymore. But with that being said, don't change your plans because of me if that's where you want to eat. I like mayo and baloney sandwiches so I can eat anyplace.

[ncptcruiser]

Sad to hear the Calabash ain't what it used to be Any plans to visit the USS North Carolina at Wilmington???

[dlane6110]

Good to see the interest about the Coastal Cruise. Just to clarify the above info. We are tentatively planning on doing both the things in #2 & #3. Just not sure yet which day we will do them..Friday or Saturday. I have contacted the Winery to see which day would be better for them..their gift shop area is not very large and ssometimes on Saturday it can get crowded.

We were thinking most of the people would want some seafood so that was the reason Calabash was noted...but we will look for another place when we do the planning-trip. We're not stuck on Calabash and sure don't like long lines either. There should be plenty of good seafood places in that area.