Galveston customs & immigration improvements in Galveston

[ssb]

According to thread on cruse critic RCCL forum

 

POSITIVE reviews of cruise

and Galveston embarkation and

disembarkation:

Forum and posts

 

Cruise Critic Message Board Forums > Cruise Lines "P - Z" > Royal Caribbean

 

 

And to quote:

 

"Just off the Navigator after 2 weeks. The cruise had its good points and bad points, but every day on a cruise ship is a great day!! Looking forward to cruising on the NOS after it's dry dock - many changes will be made. Adding a large screen TV on pool deck and a flow rider, all Flat screens in cabins, adding over 120 new cabins onto front of deck 12, adding cabins in the Diamond, D+ & P breakfast venue and in lower part of the Dungeon. Upper part of Dungeon will become an "Upscale Mexican Restaurant". Also a Diamond Lounge will be added along with wifi through out the ship.

 

Went to the Captain's Corner, Capt. Claus said RCCL is in negotiations with Galveston right now trying to get changes made to the channel and port area so that RCCL can bring in the Freedom Of the Seas in 2015. The terminal is to be doubled in size with work starting in 04/14.

 

Overall, we found the staff to be friendly, but not up to the friendly standard we had come to expect on the Mariner. There are a few old Mariner Staff on board and they all said the staff does not seem happy and basically the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. Hopefully, after dry dock, they will all come back with a great attitude. We did see improvements from the 1st week to the 2nd week. Think we just really need to get the Navigator Texanized!! Actually, talked to a staff member on board from Texas and she said she had been telling the staff the same thing - we need to Texanize this ship!"

 

Also to quote another:

 

"Just off the NOS yesterday. Here are a few comments about the cruise. I thought the ship was in beautiful shape. This embarkation was by far the smoothest of any Galveston departure I have experienced in several years. Not only was the ship's process organized and fast, but Galveston has much improved the traffic flow to the piers. We boarded our taxi at 10:52 AM and were in the Windjammer at 11:30 AM. I also was impressed with the muster drill. The Captain made two announcements prior to the actual drill, making all the announcements that are usually made at the drill, while everyone is standing around wanting to leave. Consequently, the drill was very brief. We had a card in our cabin stating that our BOGO for specialty dining could be arranged for any night of the cruise, not just first night. But the arrangements had to be made and paid for on day one. On sea days there were specialty bloody marys, mimosas and bellinis at reduced prices set up in front of the Two Poets Pub. Vintages and the pub both displayed chalkboard specials daily. Bottles of wine were from $20-$26, a great savings over regular bottle prices. I was so happy to see that all inside bars and lounges are non-smoking except for the Casino, the cigar club down on deck 5,of course, and the soon-to-be-removed 19th Hole sports bar. This cruise the Diamond "event" was held in the Cosmopolitan Club, (Viking Crown) which I thought was unfortunate, as that area was then off-limits to other cruisers from 4:30 to 8 PM each evening. I believe the prior week it was in the Ixtapa Lounge, which makes so much more sense. There were still many people on board who had taken the TA from Rome back in Nov. There had been over 200 repeat cruisers each week since the TA except for the week before out cruise when the number was more than 170. Debarkation was orderly and fairly painless. RCI has figured out that the number of self-assist must be limited at Galveston, since such a large percentage of folks drive. So there was a form to sign up for self assist for one of the offered time frames. And those who signed up were issued a departure pass for their designatied time. We started our departure at 8:40 AM, ( not self-assist) and were on the road at 9:40, after picking up our car at the motel and making a stop for ice and gas. Looking forward to seeing NOS in Feb. after her "face lift". I have posted some comments about the Concierge(s) on the "Current Concierges" thread."

Edited December 24, 2013 by ssb