*** The Galveston, Texas "Cruise Cam" Watch Group ***

[mstelly]

We had the pleasure of having Adrian and Rohan (cabin stewards) at our home for dinner this afternoon. DH (Lee) took them shopping first, then on to our house. He took them along Seawall Blvd as they had never seen the other side of the island except from Walmart.

What a great afternoon with two wonderful gentlemen:)

 

:D Bless you two! Your making fellow Texans proud by your hospitality!

[ssb]

galveston cruiser and I just happen to watch her sail!

7:45

Edited January 6, 2014 by ssb

[Cindy]

galveston cruiser and I just happen to watch her sail!

7:45

 

I caught her leaving too...on the webcam. I can't wait to see the changes!

[Texas Teen]

I feel kind of stupid right now... I was talking about Galveston earlier today on a different forum (not a cruise forum), but didn't think to come over here or check the webcams.

[Ladysilver]

I caught her leaving too...on the webcam. I can't wait to see the changes!

 

 

 

Me too!!!!! :D:D:D

[mcca2]

First: Sorry for everyone's delay. ICE checks ALL passengers coming from Roatan due to the drug situation. So blame ICE, they have a habit of screwing everything up by taking 5+ minutes per passenger. That adds up!

There were also a lot of foreign Nationals (534 from Mexico) due to the holiday week. That accounts for some of the delay.

 

I can see that possibility, but once I got to the Customs agent it took 30 seconds...........

 

Have sailed numerous times out of Galveston, Status has nothing to do with disembarking time. At one time, disembarking times were issued according to flight schedules. They no longer due that, but issue numbered luggage tags. Our last cruise we were #15 so the D+ did not get us a higher tag number.

 

Agree, I was third top cruiser this sailing, disembarkation is nothing to do with status............

[BecciBoo]

All I know is what we have experienced and the last 3 cruises we have been given group 2 departure #s by the Diamond Concierge and he has escorted us down and swoosh we were out. So for us the status has played a very important part in the process...of course those were Florida and a Vancouver port.

[SRV FAN]

How long is it going to take for the NOS to be in refurb? I know what all they are going to do but not sure how long it will take.

 

Hubs & I sail on her 1st sailing after dry dock... Feb 5, 2014. Can't wait! Only four weeks!!

[SRV FAN]

All I know is what we have experienced and the last 3 cruises we have been given group 2 departure #s by the Diamond Concierge and he has escorted us down and swoosh we were out. So for us the status has played a very important part in the process...of course those were Florida and a Vancouver port.

 

Agreed! My friends are Diamond, in Galveston this past April, they were off the ship & in their car by 8:30! We didn't get off the ship until 11:00... and it wasn't even our turn to go yet...we were standing on the deck looking out toward the town, because we were tired of sitting in the theater... & the RCI gal that was directing people where to go, said to us....You can go on, if you want. So we did! But we wound up in a horrendous line in the terminal building waiting our turn to go get our bags....... Uggggg

[Jimnbigd]

How long is it going to take for the NOS to be in refurb? I know what all they are going to do but not sure how long it will take.

About a month, returning Feb. 5. For those sailing Feb. 5, you might find some work still being done during your cruise -- I've read that this has happened on other ships after a major refurbishing.

[golfpccc]

All I know is what we have experienced and the last 3 cruises we have been given group 2 departure #s by the Diamond Concierge and he has escorted us down and swoosh we were out. So for us the status has played a very important part in the process...of course those were Florida and a Vancouver port.

 

Same with us Becci - status did play a roll. just off the Navigator on 22nd and the Pinnacle, D+ & D guest were given Green 8 & 9. Green 1 - Suite guests, Green 3 - IAH airport transfers, Green 5 - Hou airport transfers. Green 8 & 9 were next. Green 10 and above were for all other independent guests.

 

However, this was the first time that we did not meet in the lounge on deck 5 forward nor was the concierge present (I assume the concierge was with the Suite Guests & assume this will change when we actually have a Diamond Concierge after dry dock). Our meeting place was in Studio B (Green 5, 8 & 9) were all together. Also the first time (out of Galveston) that I recall, that the Platinum and Emerald didn't get priority debarkation. They gave A-F passes to self assist and each letter was assigned a different waiting area. If everyone follows their time and meeting place this works very well - this is the way Princess handles debark and we've never had a problem on Princess.

 

I do think the Navigator staff is trying to improve debarkation - if only everyone would follow the rules!

[Cindy]

Same with us Becci - status did play a roll. just off the Navigator on 22nd and the Pinnacle, D+ & D guest were given Green 8 & 9. Green 1 - Suite guests, Green 3 - IAH airport transfers, Green 5 - Hou airport transfers. Green 8 & 9 were next. Green 10 and above were for all other independent guests.

 

However, this was the first time that we did not meet in the lounge on deck 5 forward nor was the concierge present (I assume the concierge was with the Suite Guests & assume this will change when we actually have a Diamond Concierge after dry dock). Our meeting place was in Studio B (Green 5, 8 & 9) were all together. Also the first time (out of Galveston) that I recall, that the Platinum and Emerald didn't get priority debarkation. They gave A-F passes to self assist and each letter was assigned a different waiting area. If everyone follows their time and meeting place this works very well - this is the way Princess handles debark and we've never had a problem on Princess.

 

I do think the Navigator staff is trying to improve debarkation - if only everyone would follow the rules!

 

I'm cautiously optimistic that when the ship returns from dry dock things will start to improve, especially since Navigator's here full-time. I've been saying forever that RCI needs to get their self-assist under control...glad to hear it's happening!

[shmthaus]

Has anyone else been watching the Navigator dry dock thread with pictures?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1968301

[mistshar]

Has anyone else been watching the Navigator dry dock thread with pictures?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1968301

 

Oh, yes! It is fantastic!

[petel]

Just checking in. Hope everyone is ready for NV to come back to Galveston! She's going to be in great shape. :) Anything going on in Galveston these days? :)

[TEXASMUNK]

Disembarking as a suite guest. Meet in chops,full breakfast menu, extra cup of coffee

Concierge says let's go and bingo you are getting in the cr and on the way home

 

I swear I have seen folks dragging their bags get off at 7:30 and see them in the long customs line when we get off at 8:30

Best thing invented...from the crews point of view. Imagine how many few bags they have to pick up, stck, and unload! They love having the passengers do all the work

[denamo]

Disembarking as a suite guest. Meet in chops,full breakfast menu, extra cup of coffee

Concierge says let's go and bingo you are getting in the cr and on the way home

 

I swear I have seen folks dragging their bags get off at 7:30 and see them in the long customs line when we get off at 8:30

Best thing invented...from the crews point of view. Imagine how many few bags they have to pick up, stck, and unload! They love having the passengers do all the work

 

LOL...We have decided never again to do self assist. Our last time was on a fogged out of port Galveston cruise a few years back. Lugging those suitcases around the ship to get in lines amid tons of confusion cured us! ;)

[seaofwonder]

We've never cruised out of Galveston and will be in March. We're in an owners suite and traveling with family staying in an inside. Several members of the party are disabled and can't walk long distances or stand for long periods.

 

Any suggestions?

[petel]

We've never cruised out of Galveston and will be in March. We're in an owners suite and traveling with family staying in an inside. Several members of the party are disabled and can't walk long distances or stand for long periods.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Well, some suggestions:

 

Rent scooters for the folks who can't walk.

 

Galveston dot com has all the information you will need for the necessary arrangements for lodging and transportation.

 

RCI site has a special needs contact for boarding arrangements. The ship will pick up those who can't walk the ramp to board in wheel chairs.

 

What other subjects were on your mind?

[seaofwonder]

Thanks petel. I don't really want to rent for just one event (embarkation and the rest of the cruise aren't an issue). I'll check out the special needs department and see what we can do. Maybe similar to what airlines do where they pick you up and get you through immigration.

 

 

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[petel]

Thanks petel. I don't really want to rent for just one event (embarkation and the rest of the cruise aren't an issue). I'll check out the special needs department and see what we can do. Maybe similar to what airlines do where they pick you up and get you through immigration.

 

 

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It is similar to airlines. The ship will take good care of them. Enjoy :)

[seaofwonder]

Thanks petel!

 

 

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[houstoncruisers2001]

We've never cruised out of Galveston and will be in March. We're in an owners suite and traveling with family staying in an inside. Several members of the party are disabled and can't walk long distances or stand for long periods.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Let's hope it's not foggy. Galveston fog plays havoc with cruise line schedules.

 

Twice, in January of 2010 & March of 2012 we didn't disembark until the middle of the afternoon.

 

Needless to say, the cruise terminal was a madhouse.

[BlondieB]

I'm cautiously optimistic that when the ship returns from dry dock things will start to improve, especially since Navigator's here full-time. I've been saying forever that RCI needs to get their self-assist under control...glad to hear it's happening!

 

self-assist was an absolute nightmare when we got off last month. Nobody from RCI directing people where to go, etc. It was chaos and took about an hour and a half to two to get off and through customs. Hopefully when we sail on her again in November they will have worked out all the kinks

[petel]

Thanks petel!

 

 

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Here is a direct link to the Frequently Asked Questions and RCI

 

And, here is the Special Needs link:

 

From the RCI site:

 

To customize your accommodations to meet your specific needs, please complete the Guest Special Needs Form.

 

For more information call our Access Department at (866) 592-7225 (voice), fax (954) 628-9622, send an e-mail to special_needs@rccl.com, or have your local travel agent or International Representative contact us.