mamieof3 Posted June 10, 2011 #1 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Hi All, DH and I have gone back and forth about whether to drive down the day our cruise leaves (July 17) or go down the day before and stay the night. We have done it both ways when sailing out of NOLA. When leaving out of a port that we can't feasibly drive to i.e. Florida, we always fly in a day early. We really don't mind driving down the day we leave cause that is extra money to spend on the cruise BUT now we are thinking since we have never left out of Galveston that we should go the day before just so we can have an evening to enjoy the Seawall area. Herein lies the problem, every Hotel we have checked that is on the Seawall is booked. So, now I am wondering if we should still go down a day early and stay somewhere other than the Seawall and then just park at the pier... Help! does anyone have a hotel they feel comfortable recommending that is within an hour of the pier? Thanks in advance! Janie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted June 10, 2011 #2 Share Posted June 10, 2011 You are right, many are booked up.. just checked choicehotels site. All of their hotels have free cruise parking, but no shuttle. Comfort Inn & Suites Beachfront(TX743) Compare Hotel Starting at: $224.99 6302 Seawall Blvd. Galveston, TX, US, 77551 Comfort Suites(TX885) Green HotelSupports Green Practices "Supports Green Initiatives" designates a hotel's participation in an optional environmental program that includes the use of energy-efficient lighting, guestroom towel/linen re-use, and on-premise recycling. "Supports Green Initiatives" does not represent an official certification of any kind. Compare Hotel Starting at: $209.99 3606 89th Street Galveston, TX, US, 77554 Map › Photos › Virtual Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasnana Posted June 10, 2011 #3 Share Posted June 10, 2011 We stayed at a LaQuinta but there are many good hotels and some even offer shuttle service. i would go the day before and enjoy the day/night and board the next morning. If you want to park i would recommend EZ Cruise ( or park) you can book on line. Have fun .. will be back in Jan.......2012. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted June 10, 2011 #4 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I dont care that much for Howard Johnson's, Host Mach and okgirl both stayed there. The BIG advantage is there is a parking lot across the stree and for like $5 pp each way you can use their shuttle... free parking at the hotel. 2 Double Beds Room 135.99 20.40 156.39 Reserve 2 Double Beds Room 2 Double Beds Room Advance Purchase Rate 2 Double Bed Non Smoking Room With Free Continental Breakfast, Hbo, Coffee Maker And Hairdryer Occupancy: 5 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 135.99 1 night (1 Room): USD 135.99 Taxes: USD 20.40 * Total: USD 156.39 Reserve 2 Double Beds Room Advance Purchase Rate 2 Double Bed Non Smoking Room With Free Continental Breakfast, Hbo, Coffee Maker And Hairdryer Occupancy: 5 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 135.99 1 night (1 Room): USD 135.99 Taxes: USD 20.40 * Total: USD 156.39 2 Double Beds Room 135.99 20.40 156.39 Reserve 2 Double Beds Room 2 Double Beds Room Advance Purchase Rate 2 Double Bed Smoking Room With Free Continental Breakfast, Hbo, Coffee Maker And Hairdryer Occupancy: 5 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 135.99 1 night (1 Room): USD 135.99 Taxes: USD 20.40 * Total: USD 156.39 Reserve 2 Double Beds Room Advance Purchase Rate 2 Double Bed Smoking Room With Free Continental Breakfast, Hbo, Coffee Maker And Hairdryer Occupancy: 5 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 135.99 1 night (1 Room): USD 135.99 Taxes: USD 20.40 * Total: USD 156.39 1 King Bed Room 140.24 21.04 161.28 Reserve 1 King Bed Room 1 King Bed Room Advance Purchase Rate Large 1 King Bed Non Smoking Room With Coffee Maker, Hairdryer And Iron With Ironing Board Occupancy: 3 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 140.24 1 night (1 Room): USD 140.24 Taxes: USD 21.04 * Total: USD 161.28 Reserve 1 King Bed Room Advance Purchase Rate Large 1 King Bed Non Smoking Room With Coffee Maker, Hairdryer And Iron With Ironing Board Occupancy: 3 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 140.24 1 night (1 Room): USD 140.24 Taxes: USD 21.04 * Total: USD 161.28 1 King Bed Room 140.24 21.04 161.28 Reserve 1 King Bed Room 1 King Bed Room Advance Purchase Rate Spacious 1 King Bed Smoking Room With Coffee Maker, Hairdryer And Iron With Ironing Board Occupancy: 3 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 140.24 1 night (1 Room): USD 140.24 Taxes: USD 21.04 * Total: USD 161.28 Reserve 1 King Bed Room Advance Purchase Rate Spacious 1 King Bed Smoking Room With Coffee Maker, Hairdryer And Iron With Ironing Board Occupancy: 3 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 140.24 1 night (1 Room): USD 140.24 Taxes: USD 21.04 * Total: USD 161.28 1 King Bed Room 140.24 21.04 161.28 Reserve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James in SA Posted June 10, 2011 #5 Share Posted June 10, 2011 You can usually find a reasonably priced hotel along I-45 or in one of the little towns either side of it 20 or 25 minutes before you get to Galveston when everything on the seawall is booked or outrageously priced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Mach* Posted June 10, 2011 #6 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I dont care that much for Howard Johnson's, Host Mach and okgirl both stayed there. The BIG advantage is there is a parking lot across the stree and for like $5 pp each way you can use their shuttle... free parking at the hotel. 2 Double Beds Room 135.99 20.40 156.39 Reserve 2 Double Beds Room 2 Double Beds Room Advance Purchase Rate 2 Double Bed Non Smoking Room With Free Continental Breakfast, Hbo, Coffee Maker And Hairdryer Occupancy: 5 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 135.99 1 night (1 Room): USD 135.99 Taxes: USD 20.40 * Total: USD 156.39 Reserve 2 Double Beds Room Advance Purchase Rate 2 Double Bed Non Smoking Room With Free Continental Breakfast, Hbo, Coffee Maker And Hairdryer Occupancy: 5 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 135.99 1 night (1 Room): USD 135.99 Taxes: USD 20.40 * Total: USD 156.39 2 Double Beds Room 135.99 20.40 156.39 Reserve 2 Double Beds Room 2 Double Beds Room Advance Purchase Rate 2 Double Bed Smoking Room With Free Continental Breakfast, Hbo, Coffee Maker And Hairdryer Occupancy: 5 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 135.99 1 night (1 Room): USD 135.99 Taxes: USD 20.40 * Total: USD 156.39 Reserve 2 Double Beds Room Advance Purchase Rate 2 Double Bed Smoking Room With Free Continental Breakfast, Hbo, Coffee Maker And Hairdryer Occupancy: 5 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 135.99 1 night (1 Room): USD 135.99 Taxes: USD 20.40 * Total: USD 156.39 1 King Bed Room 140.24 21.04 161.28 Reserve 1 King Bed Room 1 King Bed Room Advance Purchase Rate Large 1 King Bed Non Smoking Room With Coffee Maker, Hairdryer And Iron With Ironing Board Occupancy: 3 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 140.24 1 night (1 Room): USD 140.24 Taxes: USD 21.04 * Total: USD 161.28 Reserve 1 King Bed Room Advance Purchase Rate Large 1 King Bed Non Smoking Room With Coffee Maker, Hairdryer And Iron With Ironing Board Occupancy: 3 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 140.24 1 night (1 Room): USD 140.24 Taxes: USD 21.04 * Total: USD 161.28 1 King Bed Room 140.24 21.04 161.28 Reserve 1 King Bed Room 1 King Bed Room Advance Purchase Rate Spacious 1 King Bed Smoking Room With Coffee Maker, Hairdryer And Iron With Ironing Board Occupancy: 3 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 140.24 1 night (1 Room): USD 140.24 Taxes: USD 21.04 * Total: USD 161.28 Reserve 1 King Bed Room Advance Purchase Rate Spacious 1 King Bed Smoking Room With Coffee Maker, Hairdryer And Iron With Ironing Board Occupancy: 3 people max Per Room/Night Sat. 07/16/11 USD 140.24 1 night (1 Room): USD 140.24 Taxes: USD 21.04 * Total: USD 161.28 1 King Bed Room 140.24 21.04 161.28 Reserve Ummm... no I didn't... :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karenh1127 Posted June 10, 2011 #7 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I am not sure where you are driving from but Galveston is a nice place to enjoy before a cruise. I would do priceline dot com and put in 3 star. Most of those are on the seawall. If you do 3 1/2 stars, you either get the Galvez or the Tremont. We always get the Tremont and that is walking distance to the pier. Not sure about parking while you are gone on the cruise. We use Lighthouse Parking and love it!!! Those hotel prices are rediculous! Over $200 for a 2* hotel? No way I would pay that. There are motels along highway 146 in Texas City. Just a 15-20 min drive to Galveston. Happy Cruising!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted June 10, 2011 #8 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Ummm... no I didn't... :confused: I would swear you and okgirl both said you had stayed at the Howard Johnson's. my mistake. The OP is right, this late into summer prices are up along seawall. It could be you were just mentioning it and hadnt stayed there then. sorry. I remember it came up before the first Crazies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruise.freak Posted June 10, 2011 #9 Share Posted June 10, 2011 We are leaving on the same cruise as you and we did not want to spend a fortune on the hotel the night before. We are staying in League City and the motel is about $70.00. We have also pre-book parking with Galveston Park-n-Cruise! 36 days!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WOWGirl Posted June 10, 2011 #10 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Houston will have a lot of nice hotels and its about a 45 min-1hr drive to Gavleston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missypriss19 Posted June 10, 2011 #11 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Look along I-45 in towns like Dickinson, Webster, League City, or Texas City. All within 29 minutes of Gelveston and a lot cheaper than staying on the Seawall or the Strand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaquebutterfly Posted June 10, 2011 #12 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Look along I-45 in towns like Dickinson, Webster, League City, or Texas City. All within 29 minutes of Gelveston and a lot cheaper than staying on the Seawall or the Strand. Totally agree!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texarribean Chick Posted June 10, 2011 #13 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I would try Harbor House or Hilton Seawall. They both might be a little more pricey than others; but they do both offer the park and stay option. At the Harbor House, you can see the ship come in (ask for the west side of the hotel, window overlooks ships arrival) which is really cool, and you can easily walk to the Historic Strand which has tons of restaurants, bars, shops, etc. If you stay at the Hilton, you will be on the Seawall and overlook the Gulf. . Neither of these may be on priceline; but I would rather pay a few extra bucks and not have to worry about driving from Houston, etc. You also might try Kemah, Tx. or Texas City, Tx. Both are just a short drive (20 minutes max) to the pier. Have Fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sports Mama Posted June 10, 2011 #14 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Look along I-45 in towns like Dickinson, Webster, League City, or Texas City. All within 29 minutes of Gelveston and a lot cheaper than staying on the Seawall or the Strand. Agree as well. Texas City is the closest. I think it is only about 15 minutes from the cruise terminal. You will need parking. EZ cruise has the cheapest (that I know of) at $50 if you purchase on line. They will shuttle you to and from the cruise terminal. I think there is a Fairfield Inn in Texas City that is really close to I-45 (you can see it from I-45). Not sure of the cost but hopefully it would be resonable. At least if you stay in Texas City you could drive to the Seawall the day before to visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwayneb236 Posted June 10, 2011 #15 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Lighthouse Cruise Parking is also good and I think $50 for a 7 day cruise. All the spaces are covered now I hear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted June 10, 2011 #16 Share Posted June 10, 2011 I would try Harbor House or Hilton Seawall. surprisingly Harbor house is available, but you have to book it for two nights direct. sometimes hotels.com has it for just one night .. Id check them. King Size Bed There is a Minimum Stay of night(2) for this roomtype. $239.00 Two Queen Size Beds There is a Minimum Stay of night(2) for this roomtype. $239.00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webprinter Posted June 10, 2011 #17 Share Posted June 10, 2011 We stayed at the Galvez last spring. It was nice and they let us park our car there for free. They shuttled us to the port early the next am. We booked it through priceline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Flags Posted June 10, 2011 #18 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Harbor House if it has some openings. You can walk to the ship. Otherwise try Texas City on Hwy. 146. There are quite a few. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James in SA Posted June 10, 2011 #19 Share Posted June 10, 2011 For parking there is also Galveston Park-n-Cruise right across from the cruise terminal for $5 less ($45 for a 7 day). There is no shuttle... it is close enough that you can just walk across the street to the terminal. They also have indoor parking for $15 more if you want it. That is what we use when we don't stay at Harbor House. Incidentally, Harbor House has started charging $20 extra for cruise parking. It used to be free with your stay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetTxMama Posted June 10, 2011 #20 Share Posted June 10, 2011 You can usually find a reasonably priced hotel along I-45 or in one of the little towns either side of it 20 or 25 minutes before you get to Galveston when everything on the seawall is booked or outrageously priced. This is exactly what we did. We stayed about 30 minutes out of Galveston (around $70) & got to Galveston early the morning of the cruise & walked the strand about an hour, drove over to Lighthouse parking & we were still on the ship early. There are several cities close enough to enjoy the night in Galveston if you choose to do so with a nice short drive back to the hotel, too. We like to hit up T-Bone Tom's in Kemah on our drive in from Dallas, though. Good eatin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekamax Posted June 10, 2011 #21 Share Posted June 10, 2011 Did a search on Hotels dot com for Kemah, TX hotels and came up with a bunch of options under $100 a night with good reviews. Kemah has the Kemah Boardwalk: http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/ Also there is Clear Lake and that is where the Nasa Space Center is. It is Space Center Houston and a lot of fun to tour too. http://www.spacecenter.org/ Hope this helps with options and fun places to visit before your cruise. Kemah is around 30 minutes from Galveston. We usually stay at the Quality Inn Seawall in Galveston but I checked and it was $249 a night (outrageous!). There must be something going on in Galveston that weekend... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leothelion Posted June 10, 2011 #22 Share Posted June 10, 2011 We are staying at the Hampton Inn and Suites Clear Lake/Nasa. It is rated as 4.8 out of 5. $89 + tax= $102.35. Free breakfast. Check it out. We are driving down the Saturday before our FIRST cruise on July 31st! Tried to book Tremont, Galvez, and San Luis but they all had a 2 night minimum. Also if anyone in your party is a disabled veteran you can park for free at The Port of Galveston parking lot. They will need proof like a Veteran's ID card stating their disability rating, DD-214, or the easy way---DAV license plates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soonerbaby Posted June 11, 2011 #23 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Did you check the Comfort Inn & Suites on 89th? It sits back a little from the Seawall, but we loved the location. Not congested and crowded. Reasonable rates. I just checked, they have rooms starting at $209. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dillonsmimi Posted June 11, 2011 #24 Share Posted June 11, 2011 The Kemah, Clear Lake and NASA area will have reasonably priced hotels. Kemah has the boardwalk area that is just as much fun as Galveston when you only have a day to look around. Since you will see plenty of sand on the cruise, IMO, I would save the $$ and drive in on the day of sailing. Figure your route and time, have a reservation for parking and you are set! mimi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasgun Posted June 11, 2011 #25 Share Posted June 11, 2011 We have stayed at the Howard Johnsons several times when going on cruises and have found it nice, clean, close to the terminal, free parking and shuttle is across the street. We always go the day before (just in case never know when you will have a delay). I always take everyone and all the luggage and drop them at the terminal in our car then come back and park and ride the shuttle alone. Off season we stay on the seawall at the La Quinta when prices arent inflated:D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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