West Coast Gal

Fog is a big deal and causes a lot of delays and it depends what day of the week, evidently traffic can get quite difficult. I think that is why Princess is making those recommendations.

Cruise ships traveling in late December, January and February may experience fog-related delays, according to Mike Mierzwa, director of the Port of Galveston. Fog during these months has always been a factor ships must consider.

Cruise ships that have signed agreements with the Port of Galveston and the Port of Houston Authority are aware of the fog conditions, which are not an issue in some other states that are popular with cruise lines, such as Florida, Mierzwa said

From the Houston Business Journal

I was under the impression that soft drinks were permitted to be brought on board the Princess fleet and also bottled water. If I'm incorrect someone please chime in to save me some trouble. (Have a December Island Princess cruise planned.)

In the past, I have just taken a luggage tag and taped it onto a case and put it with my checked luggage, always showed up

The grown kids wanted to go on NCL because it was cheaper, so we went along, there was a group of 10 of us. We had a very nice time, but we normally don't cruise with a group of people so these are the things to consider. NCL service is not as crisp as Princess, from room stewards to waiters. We did not find movies except on TV and there didn't seem to be as many activities to pick from. NCLs meet and greet was far better than any Princess meet and greet, the entire heads of all crew and the captain were there. Didn't know that they took reservations for dinner and had missed out on the time our table of 10 needed . . guess what, got fixed during the meet and greet. As long as your expectations are not "Princess quality" as just a little less, I feel you should have a very good time on NCL.

Princess meet and greets almost non existent, no crew no snacks . . though they have one planned on our princess ship next week, with snacks. I have to say I have been on Norwegian and Celebrity and their meet and greets are well attended by the crew and nice snacks, puts Princess to shame.

Hi West Coast Gal,

We're planning on staying in Kemah too, and I'm wondering how you are getting to the port from the hotel. This is my first cruise out of Houston, so I have no familiarity with the area or any car services....

muse clio aka tracey

I know you asked this a long time ago . . . we are just going to use Uber to get to the port that morning.

If they close skywalkers to suites only that would be the end of my Elite Princess cruising days. That is the only place on the ship with a view.

But they are removing the skywalkers off of princess ships

...all of the above and...renewing your wedding vows to the love of your life in The Hearts and Minds Chapel with your grown kids and granddaughter present[emoji7]

NiiiiiCE!!

I remember watching and my first cruise was on the Pacific Princess and taking pictures on the staircase . . .I think it was the only thing that was the same as on the tv show

Just got off a one day on Holland, haven't been on Holland in 2 decades . . .NOW I remember why! Thank goodness it wasn't a full week AND thank goodness for Princess. While I will admit that as they get cheaper and cheaper they will lose people to Celebrity and RC . . .It definitely won't be to Holland

That storm was something . . . So does the Westerdam dock at Canada Place? might have been something just to watch it even just tied up . . . during hurricane level gusts.

Can you find out if the cruise you are on has EZ Check prior to getting on board?

We had to fly into Bush on a Saturday, a day early for our cruise and will be staying in Kemah . . . so we can't take the Princess transfer and the taxis seem so expensive. But we have as much of a dilemma on the return, our flight is not until 5:30 pm, so we didn't want to take a Princess transfer to the airport and sit for 7 hours. We were going to rent a car, but Enterprise is closed on Sundays. We looked at the excursions at Houston but they just seem like you are riding around on a bus with a few 15-20 stops and not all that exciting and you still get to the airport at 1pm . . . any suggestions for those of you who have done this trip or know Houston well?

Last time we sailed out of Houston, we stayed at a Marriott by Hobby the night before. Due to the consulting work my husband was doing I wanted to make things as simple and unstressed as possible for him (very tight time deadline), so I ordered a private limo from the hotel to the port. It was a little more than the Princess transfer, but we didn't have to get back to the airport and then get on the Princess transfer. I think including tip it was about $65. If you are flying in the day before (which is not a bad idea given the fog issues) you might want to look into this option.

Do you remember the name of the service you used?

Share will replace Sabatini's on Emerald, Ruby and Coral. On Sun it will replace the pizzeria. (From Cruise Radio)

 

I'm not a fan of this concept. Probably fun if you're traveling with friends and family but not with strangers. Smacks too much of boarding school to me. There's always someone who takes a bigger portion not to mention you're sitting there with your food getting cold waiting for the next platter.

I'm agreeing with you!

Anyone else who has been missing this wonderful lady with all her great cruise knowledge??

Having lived in SeaTac for fifteen years, I can't let this go by... There are certainly parts of SeaTac (mainly International Boulevard, north of Hwy 518) where I wouldn't go for a long late-night stroll...but to brand the entire area "unsafe" is just plain wrong. There are plenty of perfectly good hotels down here, and a few very nice ones, where you won't be any more at risk than you'd be in any urban area. Sure, stuff happens, but not to the point that people on a budget should blow their whole vacation fund on a $300+ room downtown (which is no safer!!) just to avoid staying in SeaTac.

Sorry, didn't mean to offend . . . my statement came because I worked across the street from the airport for 10 years and we would not allow our employees to walk out to their cars after dark upon recommendation of the local police. And like you wrote, that was right on International Boulevard where most of the hotels are.

Thank you all, what wonderful posts! I am going to book my room in Kemah tonight!

As the one who originally on this thread said stop reading reviews, I'd better answer this!

 

I've been a member of CC for a number of years now and I certainly did not join to read reviews. In fact, I've probably not read more than a dozen in all that time. Why join CC at all, you ask? I joined so that I could gain more factual (and I repeat factual) information about ports I wanted to visit, facilities on different ships and answers to specific queries. I also thought that I could contribute by answering questions. Where personal opinions on ships and cruises are concerned, I've come to know over the years which contributors are generally respected and can be relied upon - Pam in CA is one, there are plenty of others. I might read the odd review if I'm thinking of cruising to a new destination, say, but I never read a review of a ship once I've made a booking on it. To my mind, he time for research is before you book. Part of my pleasure in cruising is the anticipation. I always assume I'm going to have a great time (and oddly enough, I always have!). I don't want to be fretting about bad reviews.

Yeah, I agree anticipations is so much part of the whole experience! Love the positive attitude! And I agree about Pam in CA, love her post . . . I really enjoy several CC . . . am always amazed at how much Colo Cruiser knows!

UBER is cheaper and seem to be better drivers than the taxis

It might be easier if you find a house you are interested in to post the neighborhood and we can tell you about it. There are so many neighborhoods and they are all unique! :-)

 

 

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Ditto . . . Seattle is pretty darn big and while some areas will have transportation they may not be safe [like SeaTac area] and visa versa

We have stayed at the Kemah Boardwalk Inn twice prior to cruises out of Galveston and had a great time.

Was wondering if November would be slow and not worth the extra $$

I should clarify, we were all switched to Window Suites, not quite side by side, but with one WS between our two. I would not have left the children behind!

So Very Nice!! Congrats!

Great Post! Thank you for sharing

We were on the Grand last August in their window suite . . .LOVED IT! Breakfast at Sabatini's . . . your family will not be able to go with you, but I would recommend having your other meals with them and experiencing this unique breakfast experience and one time is not enough. The upside is your room is large enough that you can have the family meet at your place and their is room for them to wait if you aren't quite ready yet . . . It is so centrally located, very sweet! Enjoy!

Whenever it is, it will not get window suites then.

That is fine, I just was wondering when their refit would be . . . I know that there is a schedule out there somewhere, I just don't seem to be able to find it