Raven Days

Can anyone tell I love Science and Space?

Day 2: NASA, Houston & The Spot

The next morning was spent at the Johnson Space Center. I had pre – purchased tickets online saving about $5 off the door price per person. The Space Center is just about 5 miles from the hotel. Parking was $6. We got there early and we were with in the first 20 or so in line. The line grew quickly. As soon as the doors opened we headed for the tram rides. There are two tours. The Red tour that goes to the Rocket Park & Mission Control and the Blue Tour that goes to the Vehicle Mock Up Facility and the Rocket Park. The Red tour lasts about 45 minutes and the Blue Tour about 90 minutes. Be prepared to climb stairs in both tours. There are elevators available for those who cannot climb stairs. You can take both tours; you just must get in line for each. Luckily we had no wait for either tour each since both tours were just starting and when we completed our 1st tour they were just boarding for the next tour. After the tours we visited the guest shop and then checked out the different exhibits.

We left the Space Center and went to eat some lunch. Later that afternoon we headed downtown Houston to visit the Hard Rock Café. I collect shot glasses from Hard Rock’s all over the world. I swear, it took longer to get downtown then it did to get the glass and drive back to the hotel! Traffic on I45 was a parking lot! On a Saturday! But we made it and I have my shot glass.

We went back to the hotel to get ready for our Pre- Meet and Greet for our Facebook /Cruise Critic Group at the Spot in Galveston. If you have never been to the Spot, you are missing out on a great sport…parking. You can drive around several times and try to beat the other person to the parking spot…whoever gets it…wins. It took more than 20 minutes of trying and finally someone in our group moved her truck to a handicap space and let me have hers…(yes had a handicap plate) I am not sure I would have been able to park without her help! The food is good at the Spot. We had the Crawfish Etouffee in a bread bowl. It was delicious! Well worth the parking lot game. After the Spot, we headed to WalMart to pick up last minute items and then drove back to the hotel.

Johnson Space Center:

Various photos of Kemah Boardwalk

The Aquarium and feeding the Stingray

Breakfast/Common Areas

The drive over is just about 12 miles or so, maybe even less. We parked fairly close to the entrance to the Boardwalk and parking was free. There are several restaurant choices here and we chose Bubba Gump Shrimps Co., the food was great and our waitress engaged us in a trivia contest. I only missed one question out of the 20 asked. The question was “What color were Lt. Dan’s shrimping boots”…..I said black, brown or yellow….I was wrong. I will give the answer later. After eating we walked around a bit and took some photos. We went to the Aquarium, it is the same brand but it’s smaller than the one down town Houston. Don’t go here expecting to see aquariums – there are a few – but it’s mostly a restaurant. They have the Stingray reef that cost about $6 per person to feed and if you are lucky, to pet the stingrays. That was pretty cool. In all it’s a great place to bring the family. I saw that there was a roller coaster and a few other rides as well as a several carnival type games that are available. And the correct answer to the question was – none – Lt. Dan had NO legs! It was getting late so we headed back to the hotel.

I checked into our hotel and was given a room key for room 608. It was located on the top floor and faced the back of the hotel. I have never stayed in a Marriot property before and I have to tell you it was super nice! I had reserved a King Suite. The room came with a mini- fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. The living area part of the room has a mint green couch/chaise. The entire room is well decorated with calming colors. Not the usual garish colors seen in some hotels. There is a desk that separates the sleeping area from the living area. There is free Wi-Fi in the hotel and it worked quite well during our 2 day stay. The unique thing about the room was that there are separate toilet/sink areas and vanity/shower areas. Both have a sliding door for privacy. The shower is a walk in shower with a glass door. The bathroom amenities included Paul Mitchell products. There is a large armoire for clothes. The room is in the contemporary style and very nicely done. The only negative that noted was that the lights in the vanity area as well as the toilet area were set too far back toward the wall. This caused shadows when trying to apply makeup.

The breakfast area was nice as well. Saturday’s breakfast was biscuits and gravy. Sunday’s breakfast was eggs and sausage links. The sausage links were sort of bland. I am used to a much spicier sausage. There were also the usual breakfast items available. The coffee is some of the best I have had. There is a small bar located in the breakfast area for drinks. I am sure how well the drinks were, since I didn’t visit. But it looked several people were enjoying their time there. I also want to point out that there were several kids there for a softball tournament. Not once did I ever hear those kids except in the breakfast area. Either they were the best well behaved boys on the planet or the hotel is well built and sound does not carry. There are a few restaurants in the immediate area of the hotel and at least one within walking distance. There is a Steak & Shake just right up the street a bit from the hotel.

The front desk clerk was super friendly. I didn’t catch his name however. He had asked me what our plans were and I mentioned that I wanted to go in to Houston to the DownTown Aquarium; he told me that Kemah Boardwalk was just a few miles away and they had an Aquarium as well. We decided to go the Kemah Boardwalk instead.

Room 608

I chose a Cloud 9 Spa Balcony cabin (12042) for this cruise. This was my 7th cruise, all on Carnival. Also this was the 2nd time I have been on the Magic. I was traveling with my boyfriend. This was his 2nd cruise (both times on the Magic). This was the 1st time I had been in a spa cabin and the first time I had stayed in a cabin that high on a ship. I typically chose a cabin that is mid deck/mid ship. My review will contain less photos of the ship – I am sure everyone has seen the Magic by now. I will share photos from my pre-cruise adventures in Houston and of my ports. Our itinerary was the Exotic Eastern Caribbean. The intended ports were Mahogany Bay Roatan, Belize City & Cozumel. We had booked a tour with Victor Bodden for Roatan, however, due to high winds we were unable to dock that day. In Belize City my boyfriend booked the Xunantunich Myan Ruins tour through the ship. I did not book a tour for that day. I spent part of my morning searching for Wi-Fi locations. I found two with in the secure port area. I will detail those later. In Cozumel, my friend had booked the Coba Mayan excursion through the ship, however, that was canceled once we boarded and a refund was issued as OBC.

Day 1: The Drive, the hotel & Kemah Boardwalk

We left San Antonio, Texas at 10am on Friday March 28th. I had booked the SpringHill Suites in Webster, Texas for our hotel stay. After breakfast at Whataburger, I ignored my GPS directions and proceeded to drive 38 miles in the WRONG direction! I was half way to Laredo, Texas before I was smart enough to listen to the GPS. Somehow, I had gotten onto I35 South instead of I10E. Once I got turned around and started listening to the computer who evidently is smarter than I am, we were on our way. I chose to take the Sam Houston Toll way around Houston, whether this decreases my drive time or not, I have no clue, but I seem to have less traffic this way. There are 3 tolls that cost $1.75 each (for a car). After my wrong way adventure, we arrived at our hotel at 2pm right in time for check in.

Webster, Texas is about half way between Houston and Galveston. I loved the location, but probably would not stay there again. This is because I felt it was just too far to drive to Galveston. It was only 23 miles but as anyone knows who has driven Highway 45 from Houston to Galveston, 23 miles can turn into HOURS!

They are waiting for clearance from port officials...they have the engines fired up and ready to go....

It could....the Dream is around the same size and that's the Dreams home port.

I had FTTF on the Magic last year and I went to guest services and was then escorted to the front of the line for the tender in Grand Cayman...I had about a 1 minute wait compared to those in line behind me.

I was on there earlier and it was fine...now I get a site down message....

Tell them mom and dad can no longer take care of them and you are dropping them off at a foster home.

 

That should make for an entertaining ride.

Cruel....but Hysterically funny!!!

In Cozumel right at the port there is a place called Cafe Punta del Cielo, its next to Piranha Joe's. It's a small coffee shop and if you buy a coffee or something in the $5 range they will give you the password for the Wifi....

I am trying to decide between these two excursions. I am booking through the ship and have read reviews for each. I was just hoping that someone here could offer more insight of each if you have been on either.

Good luck! You are definately my hero! I have driven from GA to TX and it was not fun! But be safe and enjoy your cruise, you will have deserved it after that drive!

Not quite shareholder status....but I could be convinced! I do gamble...not heavily. I will allot $20 per day for the slot machines. I might have 2-3 drinks per day. I buy photos...lots of photos. I eat at the Specialty restaurant. I might book a last minute shore excursion through the ship. I would love to go to the spa...but I am very self conscious about my body type. I tend to buy stuff from the gift shops....mostly tobacco, alcohol and those damn cakes...So yeah...I do spend pretty heavily on the ship.

I have been in a regular inside, a 1A cabin and a ocean view cabin and for the last 3 of my cruises .... a balcony! I never want to have anything other then a balcony....I love the fact that I can step out on my balcony and just listen to the ocean and its so peaceful. I love going out at night when we are at sea and I can see stars forever....For me the added cost is more than worth it.

And THIS is the exact reason I DO NOT use my debit card attached to my checking account. I have a pre paid AMEX that I got at WalMart. It acts just like a debit/credit card but only has the money I put on it for use. Once the money is gone, nothing else can be applied. I use it exclusively for travel. I put money on at Walmart or I can buy a Green Dot card to add funds.

Café Punta del Cielo and its not far from Piranha Joe's

I am interested in this ..... however, I will be by myself. My friend is going on yet *another* Mayan ruin excursion. My last time in Cozumel I went to another AI and did not really like it. This is showing @ $119 which is pricy...but...I am still intersted. My questions would be - would I be out of place as a loner? And is there Wifi?

There is a coffee shop in the little shopping area right off the ship. You have to buy something (coffee is Starbucks type and price) and ask for the password for the Wifi. I was there in April and it worked great and I didnt feel rushed. There is limited seating however. I am at work now, but when I get home, I will get you the name of the shop....

OP. Thank you for your review. I am glad you enjoyed NYC. I lived there in the 80's and found it wonderful and very overwhelming! I am from Tennessee and I felt like I was staring in "The Beverly Hillbillies Arrives in NYC!" I went back in 2004 and still felt over whelmed. But I loved it! I intend to visit again in the future and would love to cruise at least once from there.

Thank you for changing the spacing and adding paragraphs. I am reading this at work (yes I know....I should be working :D) so it makes it easier to read fast! I am enjoying reading what else you have to say. Pay no attention to the "nay sayers"...as my grandma used to say "some folks aint got no raisn'!" I am sure I just made a few cringe with my regression to my Southern Roots venacular.....:cool:

Again, thanks for taking the time to write your review and I am sorry you have decided to not cruise Carnival again. Perhaps with time you might reconsider.....

I want to see lots of photos. A detailed BALANCED review is best. A good review of the stateroom, dining, and shows are great as well. I also want to read about ports. Include photos, prices for tours (those you buy at the port) if available, what is a "must see" and a "dont waste your time". And would you go to that port again?