melika091900 Posted October 5, 2011 #1 Share Posted October 5, 2011 never sailed from galveston, flying into Houston hobby for a cruise in March... so ive been reading the boards, hearing mostly about staying near the airport the day before, and getting transportation the to the pier, is this the easiest?and what transportation is avail? do they have shuttles you can just get on at the airport? or do you have to book in advance? how far is it ? pricing? suggestions? any hotel suggestions would be great too! looking for nothing extravagent, just somewhere to rest our head.. kinda getting nervous to sail from here it seems like its a big headache, getting to and from the airport to the pier, we sailed from New orleans,SF,LA,san diego, never had issues, , any thoughts are appreciated. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstoncruisers2001 Posted October 5, 2011 #2 Share Posted October 5, 2011 You have asked a lot of questions and you're going to get a lot of different answers. Some will say to stay near Hobby, others will say stay in Galveston. Some will say take a shuttle, others will say take a private limo. Some will stay at the Econo Lodge, others will stay stay at the Ritz. There is no one good way to get from either Houston airport to the cruise terminal. Is it a big headache? I don't think so, it's only about a 30-40 minute trip and you still have plenty of time to figure it out. How many are in your party? What time of day are you flying in? A ton of luggage? These would all many a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melika091900 Posted October 5, 2011 Author #3 Share Posted October 5, 2011 You have asked a lot of questions and you're going to get a lot of different answers. Some will say to stay near Hobby, others will say stay in Galveston. Some will say take a shuttle, others will say take a private limo. Some will stay at the Econo Lodge, others will stay stay at the Ritz. There is no one good way to get from either Houston airport to the cruise terminal. Is it a big headache? I don't think so, it's only about a 30-40 minute trip and you still have plenty of time to figure it out. How many are in your party? What time of day are you flying in? A ton of luggage? These would all many a difference. its only me and hubby.. flying in on saturday night or friday night, not sure yet, cruise leaves on a sunday, trying to figure whats cheaper flight wise, but most likely fly in on sat... sorry so many questions, I was jus reading everything on here, it had me confused... :O) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted October 5, 2011 #4 Share Posted October 5, 2011 There is a lot to do in Galveston Main areas to stay On the Gulf (seawall)(many motels and hotels) On the Bay (Moody Gardens Hotel)) Downtown Old Town Historic District by Port - (Harbor House and Tremont) On highway coming into town(few) ---------------------- see INTERNET maps for visual of Greater Houston Metro and to get bearings of island galveston.com ....interact and discover.... maps Houston Map PDF Download Houston-area map in PDF Format: Houston Metro Galveston Island Map PDF Download Galveston-area map in PDF Format (note: this is a large, 11' wide, print-quality map, so please be patient): Galveston (B&W) Galveston (Color Hi-Resolution) ---------------------------- In my opinion San Luis, Hilton, Moody Gardens, Tremont, Galvez and Harbor House are the better hotels. Many other nice ones obviously! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ With a couple of days only There is plenty to do in Galveston/Kemah/Nasa area There are special events in Galveston area almost every weekend See galveston.com (what to do)(calendar of events) your vacation calendar dates Sign up on Galveston.com for email of weekly events see also: galvestonhistory.org ---------Galveston Historical Foundation !!!!!! moodygardens.com ------ just look at site !!!!!! www.thegrand.com/calendar – 1894 Grand Opera House !!!!!! Clearlake Nasa Space Center Kemah board walk - kemahboardwalk.com Galveston: Beaches Beaches Beaches Old town Galveston *- Strand To Post Office Street (lots of shopping, ice cream, old army surplus store, nautical shop, fine restaurants) Wineries and wine festivals Restaurants overlooking gulf and on port Two first class convention centers Many live theater venues Many live music venues Free concert nights - old town Galveston *- on strand Free film nights -old town Galveston *- on strand Free band nights-“family/kids” oriented-summer outdoor Tuesdays 24th & Sealy 1894 grand opera house * (a must seetour, and/or performances of many types) Chess park Artist festivals Museums Antique stores and art Galleries Horse drawn carriage rides Swimming in Gulf Fine restaurants Night scene Galveston Historical Foundation properties* Many Historical and Victorian homes Galveston has second largest preservation membership in United States Bishops palace (wonderful) Moody mansion(wonderful) Ashton villa (wonderful) Moody gardens *(lots and lots and lots to do) (massive, fun and family oriented) Schlitterbahn water park Restored tall ship schooner Elissa www.tsm-elissa.org (wonderful) 1900 storm and pirate jean lafite documentary films at port Maritime museum- www.tsm-elissa.org Airplane museum (Lone Star Flight Museum)- http://www.lsfm.org/ Railroad museum - http://www.galvestonrrmuseum.com Oil drilling rig museum - www.oceanstaroec.com Sea wolf park – WWII submarine and destroyer - www.cavalla.org Large souvenir shop over gulf water - Murdochs Walks and shelling on the beach Cruise ships (RCCL, Carnival, Princess, Disney) Fishing (piers, wadefishing and charters-offshore & inshore)) Golfing Skate board park large Kayaking trails Surfing and children surf camps Kite flying on beach Marine life and children marine care educational camps at Moody Gardens Marine life and children marine camps at Texas AM University - Sea Camp Programs Various Running events with major Triathlon event Sand castle building event Shopping shopping shopping Dolphin watching and port water tours Turtle rescue farm behind San Luis Resort Carved damaged trees tour from storm Free ferry ride and a short cruise to Bolivar Duck tour (amphibious boat) Galveston.com/ interact and discover/cams Many major weekly events and festivals not mentioned as example : Art Walk (every 5 or so weeks year around) Dickens on Strand (Dec) ----LARGE - http://www.dickensonthestrand.com Lone Star Motorcycle Rally (Nov) ---LARGE - www.lonestarrally.com Mardi Gras Galveston (Feb) ----LARGE - www.lonestarrally.com October Fest Beer Fests Wine Events and Fest Greek Fest Epicurean Evening of all restaurants Shrimp Fest Yega’s Wild Game Cook Off, County Fair - LARGE Children’s Fest Feather Fest - Large Old Timey Bathing Beauty Fest And many many more !! Trauma 1 Emergency Hospital on Island – Univ. Texas Medical Branch/Sealy Hospital Better restaurants in Galveston in my opinion are Sunday Brunch at Galvez Hotel Rudi and Pacos...*white table cloths... no shorts..... central american seafood, and steaks.... 20st Post Office Downtown reservations recommended Gaidos ...... *legendary and wonderful ..Seawall Gaidos-Pelican Club-separate kitchen- if you are members of your local club, it is reciprocal Olympia Grill *views are great- wonderful Greek food, seafood, and steaks - on Port Original Mexican .....14th….Great and Oldest Mosquito Cafe and their new bakery across Street....14th - The Best The Spot ------food and cervezas, BEST PEOPLE WATCHING (Family hamburger area and The Spot’s different bars are next door and above --new level decks and bars with new and better views of gulf) Fishermans Wharf ....Port Willie G's ..... on Port SeaSide Bistro - Seawall Shearns - Moody Gardens views great....white table cloths..sunsets Saltwater Grill .....Seafood assortments, soups, bisques, gumbos 20th Post Office St Downtown Sky Bar ..... Sushi and Steaks........ 21st Post Office Downtown Steak Restaurant in San Luis Hotel ....Seawall Luigi's ......Italian .....Strand downtown DiBellas....... Italian …..31st and O..... locals haunt and in old house Le Croys Cajun... Strand Sunflower Bakery and Cafe.... 14th Clarys Seafood - Offitts Bayou New York Pizza – Seawall - thin crust Others: Benos... Seawall Shrimp and Stuff.....39 and O Strand Street Café -Strand Millers ....Seawall Fish Tales ....Seawall Joe's Crab Shack ....Seawall Brickhouse……..Seawall Landrys Seafood ....Seawall Saltgrass Steakhouse ....Seawall Rainforest Cafe ....Seawall Gumbos....Post Office M&M .....24th Mod Coffeehouse (Postoffice St, downtown) Lunchbox Cafe (23rd St, downtown, small eatery that serves locally grown food) Murphy's Pub (22nd St, downtown, TONS of beer on tap, including Texas favorites; ) LaKings Confectionary and Factory(The Strand, downtown) top 10 restaurants list in Galveston in the Houston Press: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating...n_galvesto.php look on galveston.com/what to do/dining in Galveston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melika091900 Posted October 5, 2011 Author #5 Share Posted October 5, 2011 OMg thank you for all the info!!!!! :O) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted October 6, 2011 #6 Share Posted October 6, 2011 OMg thank you for all the info!!!!! :O) We live in Galveston! Ask any questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melika091900 Posted October 6, 2011 Author #7 Share Posted October 6, 2011 We live in Galveston!Ask any questions. thank you so much, im sure I will have many many more. LOL do you know any airports close to the airport? and from what ive read you have to take supershuttle to the pier... for the cruise. so if we want to stay closer to the pier the night before the cruise. then we just shuttle to the hotel? then taxi to the pier? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robtx100 Posted October 6, 2011 #8 Share Posted October 6, 2011 thank you so much, im sure I will have many many more. LOL do you know any airports close to the airport? and from what ive read you have to take supershuttle to the pier... for the cruise. so if we want to stay closer to the pier the night before the cruise. then we just shuttle to the hotel? then taxi to the pier? many of Galveston hotels have shuttles to the pier for free. So you could Super Shuttle from Hobby to the hotel in GAL, then hotel shuttle to the ship, then Super Shuttle after the cruise to Hobby. I think you will have to pre-reserve, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted October 6, 2011 #9 Share Posted October 6, 2011 thank you so much, im sure I will have many many more. LOL do you know any airports close to the airport? and from what ive read you have to take supershuttle to the pier... for the cruise. so if we want to stay closer to the pier the night before the cruise. then we just shuttle to the hotel? then taxi to the pier? Everything to stay in is close to the pier on the island! Find hotel with free shuttle! If I were you and I was coming in early, go on Roll Call on cruise critic look up your cruse line look up your ship look up dates of cruise and try to hook up with others coming to galveston from airports. Share. Also Search for Country Inn. Saw somewhere they have hotel near hobby with transfer to Galveston. They also have hotel in Galvestin! Call and check out their deal. ?????? Hotel pricing on the room rates in Galveston is relative to seasonal and special events affecting supply and demand. It can be very circumstantial!! In March is Spring Break hotels get booked pretty early and prices jump and some require 2 nights. Better start checking now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfmeeks Posted October 6, 2011 #10 Share Posted October 6, 2011 I'm also sailing in March. I booked the Harbor House through Priceline & got a good deal of $125 per room. Harbor House is on the harbor (as the name suggests :) ) & 2 blocks from the Carnival pier. The Tremont is also 2 blocks from the pier. Both are Wyndam properties. SSB is a wealth of info, as you have seen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melika091900 Posted October 6, 2011 Author #11 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Everything to stay in is close to the pier on the island!Find hotel with free shuttle! If I were you and I was coming in early, go on Roll Call on cruise critic look up your cruse line look up your ship look up dates of cruise and try to hook up with others coming to galveston from airports. Share. Also Search for Country Inn. Saw somewhere they have hotel near hobby with transfer to Galveston. They also have hotel in Galvestin! Call and check out their deal. ?????? Hotel pricing on the room rates in Galveston is relative to seasonal and special events affecting supply and demand. It can be very circumstantial!! In March is Spring Break hotels get booked pretty early and prices jump and some require 2 nights. Better start checking now. thank you so much for the info, i think we will be staying 1 day pre cruise and 1 day post since the flights are limited flying back home to the bay area... gonna check rates now... thank you so much again :O) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melika091900 Posted October 6, 2011 Author #12 Share Posted October 6, 2011 just found some good deals in texas city... how close is it to galveston? and is the town pretty safe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melika091900 Posted October 6, 2011 Author #13 Share Posted October 6, 2011 o r they have good deals at the inn at the waterpark... says free shuttle to cruise ship.... so one more question, if we stay in galveston 1 more night after the cruise ends, is it better to stay near the airport? or in galveston? im sure we will want to go out for nice dinner or something together after... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Cruiser Posted October 6, 2011 #14 Share Posted October 6, 2011 just found some good deals in texas city... how close is it to galveston? and is the town pretty safe? Texas City is a refinery town, not much there. About 20 minutes to the port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Cruiser Posted October 6, 2011 #15 Share Posted October 6, 2011 o r they have good deals at the inn at the waterpark... says free shuttle to cruise ship.... so one more question, if we stay in galveston 1 more night after the cruise ends, is it better to stay near the airport? or in galveston? im sure we will want to go out for nice dinner or something together after... Which airport, though not much near either one. You can spend the day downtown, at the beach or Moody Gardens and Galveston has fabulous restaurants, but some are closed on Sunday. What day does the ship dock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melika091900 Posted October 6, 2011 Author #16 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Which airport, though not much near either one.You can spend the day downtown, at the beach or Moody Gardens and Galveston has fabulous restaurants, but some are closed on Sunday. What day does the ship dock? ship docks on sunday we are gonna stay that night before we fly home monday , flying out of hobby.. trying to find shuttle service or something, to getus from airport to hotel, then pierto airport when we return,its giving me a headache LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katbalou49 Posted October 18, 2011 #17 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Are you flying Southwest? My cousins are meeting us from the bay area also but a week before you. They are leaving out of Oakland and there were several flights. Southwest goes into Houston Hobby which is the closest airport to Galveston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5waldos Posted October 18, 2011 #18 Share Posted October 18, 2011 We live in Galveston!Ask any questions. Is the Inn at the Waterpark ok? At the rate we are paying I'm not expecting upscale, just decent. Although I wish I could figure out from their pictures which of the two pools they picture are theirs- one is amazing, the other- not so much. One lush and a complete pool complex, the other a square with cement around it. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Cruiser Posted October 18, 2011 #19 Share Posted October 18, 2011 The "amazing" one is at Schlitterbahn. The concrete on is theirs:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5waldos Posted October 18, 2011 #20 Share Posted October 18, 2011 The "amazing" one is at Schlitterbahn. The concrete on is theirs:eek: Thanks- I suspected as much. They certainly don't make that clear on their website. In fact, it would be rather easy to claim false advertising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melika091900 Posted October 18, 2011 Author #21 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Are you flying Southwest? My cousins are meeting us from the bay area also but a week before you. They are leaving out of Oakland and there were several flights. Southwest goes into Houston Hobby which is the closest airport to Galveston. yep! booked on southwest from oakland to hobby!! direct flight! :O) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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