c-leg5

$5 seems excessive but we have had $2 added to our check and was told it was a “kitchen” tip ( like Royal Caribbean’s “behind the scenes gratuity”). No big deal we just adjust the top accordingly. I agree about the bathrooms and have just had a discussion about this on another thread! However it has to be noted that since Krazy Lobster has taken over several lots there are several restroom locations belonging to them. Similarly there are different areas of the beach to sit some more accessible than others. It spans a wide frontage now. Most restrooms on the malecon leave a lot to be desired. Malecon21 has been one of the better ones.

Yes I would have jumped on them too but we aren’t cruising at the moment.

I wasn’t implying there would be a major change in crew just the fact they are catering to a different demographic. There will be differences but not as great as when the ship relocates from Europe for example. Sailing from Galveston is definitely different IMO.

I hope you are correct. Sometimes there can be a period of readjustment when a ship changes location and this has certainly been reported when new ships come to Galveston. I am sure all will be good and the crew will do their best - just go with the flow. You asked on another thread about differences when sailing from other locations. The converse is true when a ship changes home port and crew have to adapt to the new predominant demographic.

Yes they will do that sometimes too. In order to sail between two US ports they need to visit a distant foreign port, often one of ABC islands. Sometimes they decide to just do a short non-revenue cruise instead. Often the first or last sailing of the season can be a unique length or itinerary to adjust to the timing of the regular season and can be interesting dates to watch.

Lack of easy transport options and imposed two-night stay in Galveston are problems that have been discussed for ever by people considering flying into Houston to cruise from Galveston. Galveston obviously has other tourist attractions, conferences and festivals and often hotel prices on the island reflect this and at a weekend especially they often impose a 2-night minimum stay. People can stay easily off the island but that isn’t always what someone unfamiliar with the area wants. Obviously it is possible but it is an added hassle compared to other ports. I just think to appeal to a wider audience obstacles need to be minimized. I was using the word infrastructure loosely to include lodging, transport (from the airport and locally), parking, food venues etc. - just general supporting services

The one Mariner sailing is an anomaly and yes they could have done something more exciting possibly. Radiance had some good longer options for a short period last year. There are are options occasionally but the are indeed limited. We had a great repositioning Galveston to Bayonne 2022 and Voyager San Juan to Galveston 2023 booked but they are few and far between.

Because with the bigger ship those are the only ports it can go in the time. It could possibly do a cozumel/ Falmouth itinerary but only 2 port stops and only one different port. It could possibly do a Nassau/ Coco Cay.

All regularly recommended day passes but none of them have access to hotel room. Mr Sanchos might be closest if you rented a villa but $$$.

Whilst many repeatedly say how easy it is to transfer belongings, my transfer wasn’t so easy and I “lost” three hanging items. I prefer to do B2B in the same cabin. IF I was unable to book this at sometime in the future I would either pack my hanging items, or at least group them in a hanging garment carrier with a cabin label on them.

Glad you enjoyed your day a Buccanos. I assume you took a taxi from within the port area? There should have been a board displaying rates. It sounds like you were charged for a van and 4 person/sedan rate on return? It is one of our favorites although we did boycott it for a while on cruise ship visits due to their unfair pricing policies for cruisers compared to land visitors but now fees are consistent we would visit on land and cruise visits. I am surprised it was so busy as I didn’t think it was so popular with cruisers since they lost/sold part of their land to Islands beach Club and stopped many of the cruise line excursions. Are they still offering snorkeling/ diving excursions to cruise ship groups? Perhaps it was busy because it was presumably Spring Break? It is definitely much smaller than it used to be - we used to enjoy the loungers on the terraces which are probably no longer there if we aren’t round the pool. The beach area has always been very small and the water can be rough - I assume the blue umbrellas in your photo are at Islands? I was surprised at your comment about the restrooms after your visit to Krazy Lobster the day before where you didn’t mention the facilities. To my mind their is no comparison to what I have found at multiple restrooms belonging to Krazy Lobster and Buccanos! I cannot remember if Buccanos has heated hand dryers or paper towels? Could that have been an option for turning off the faucet? It’s been a while since we were there so I don’t remember but as restrooms in Mexico go I would say Buccanos is one beach club with better facilities than most. You are correct the derelict hotel next door (destroyed in a hurricane) was from that era but whether the faucets at Buccanos are original I have no idea.

Sounds like things are beginning to improve which would be good.

Good to know it is certainly needed. I wonder why they don’t advertise it - makes no sense?

Thanks, I have been reading up. I assume this is TICO? It certainly seems to cover some of the gaps in the differences. Good to know.

Does this require booking in Canadian$?

Good to know, again not something you hear much about or see widely discussed. Are you referring to Canada, or the US, and would this protect bookings from UK? I am not saying people booking from UK wouldn’t like, or appreciate, the booking flexibility, as @Tin can confirms, I am saying it isn’t as simple as, “one size fits all” and they need to understand what they are doing and the differences and not get carried away in the euphoria. It isn’t as simple as just “booking a cruise with a US agent”. It will work for some and not for others. Obviously, ideally, people would like the advantages from both systems.

How many UK posters do you see on this section of CC that would be reporting their experiences? Whilst it is probably OK for most, let’s not get blasé about it. It’s probably akin to insurance, some people take a risk and some people don’t. You don’t need it ….., until you do. Sometimes timing and circumstances matter. Easy to say from your position selling cruises in US market but like everything else people need to step back and consider if it is right for them. From personal experience there is a bigger picture.

Definitely something to consider but people have to understand and do their research to see if it is good for them personally. Some things look good on the surface but people have to see if it is good for them.

Not as simple as that as you forgo other rights and protection if you go that route. Yes, you have choices but you need to know and understand what you are gaining and losing.

I guess some of the confusion was caused by you saying you were taken to Krazy Lobster or the bar next to it that you cannot remember the name. Bars build their reputation on word of mouth. Krazy Lobster has taken over a vast frontage in Mahahual since cruising resumed perhaps you thought it was another bar (from old signs) when they had actually taken it over? However there are also bars along the malecon that are renowned to be shady, running scams and overcharging so it is courteous to be accurate and not cast vague accusations or misinformation, intentional or not. Also you are now saying there was actually a “$15 charge, or complimentary access with purchase of food or drink”. This is completely understandable and acceptable but different from implying Krazy Lobster charges a fee to use their facilities which in essence is what Pez Quadro was doing. I can well imagine Krazy Lobster may have this policy to prevent people using their tables, chairs, loungers, WiFi and restrooms for free but it is different to charging a “day pass fee” or even an “additional facility fee” for loungers. It is good to know there is a PAYG option at Pez Quadro, even if you did have to pay a siginificant amount for loungers in addition. Here is a link to their website and what they claim to be their beach packages which are expensive even by Mahahual standards. https://www.pezquadrocostamaya.com Cruisers will be pleased to know there may be a PAYG option.

This is the type of conundrum that Galveston needs to address if they hope to attract more out of town cruisers to the new ships they are bringing in. To attract the wider audience of cruisers flying in supporting services need to be available.

I would never buy UDP so haven’t really monitored pricing but I would assume (or at least hope, perhaps naively) that the itinerary and ratio of port days to cruising days is taken into account when determining the price? Also probably ship and number of venues. I can’t imagine it is a set price per day without factoring in some parameters?

They have several pools and a flow rider at Costa Maya port, nearby water park and beach town.

Exactly I am sure the taxi was trying to get a kick back. @DesertSons was unclear about the location which makes it misleading to post on this thread.

Thank you so much that really helps me visualize. I am amazed no one else has mentioned it. Here is the grand master plan that they are supposedly working towards. https://roatantourismbureau.com/port-of-roatan