Tips for Bayport Terminal

[Bomax2]

Have just returned from a cruise Easter week on the Jewel and thought I would offer some info for those thinking of cruising from Houston.

 

We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott, one block off NASA Parkway by the entrance to NASA. The hotel was nice and clean and easy to find. No breakfast included, however, we saw many fast food restaurants on the way to the cruise terminal that appeared to be open for breakfast. They have a "Bistro" in the lobby, but I'm not sure what they serve or the hours. Kemah is within 10 miles, so there restaurants there. Probably some on NASA Parkway, but I didn't notice. There was a detour from Hwy 146 to Port Road, but no problems there. (I would like to hope the road will be finished by the time cruising from Bayport starts again in the fall.)

 

We arrived at the cruise terminal gate around 9 am. There was a guard and he let us through, so we assumed parking was open. That was not the case. We stopped at the terminal to check our luggage. They said they weren't quite ready, but would make an exception (then we worried if our luggage would make it on the ship or not, but it did), then we drove back around past the guard (loop) and found the parking entrance which wasn't open. So we drove around about 3 times and decided if it still wasn't open we would go out and find a place to park. There is very little out there and there was plenty of places we could pull over and wait. However, on the 4th time around the parking was open, about 9:15 or so. We pulled in and I gave my VA disabled vet card. Parking is free for disabled Vets, just show the card, or disabled plates or letter from VA stating you are a DV. They took my card and did whatever they do, then gave it back with a cardboard mirror hanging thing. We were directed in and since we were among the first to arrived we were directed to the front of the parking lot just across from the walkway to the terminal. Handicapped parking was directly across from us.

 

Once in the terminal, security wasn't opened yet. There were 8 or 10 groups already waiting. There are restrooms available there. We waited 15 or 20 minutes and they opened security. Went through quickly and entered the check in area. We went straight to the check in desk and were given #1 boarding number. (When they begin boarding it will be on the right side when facing the check in counter.) We sat for maybe 30 minutes before boarding started. We were in group 1, but before they started calling numbers, they saw my husband's cane and called us to board with the handicapped. We were on the ship and in the buffet by 11.

 

When we arrived back in Houston we did the easy walk off and carried our own bags. We were in the car by 8:30 am.

 

 

It was the easiest embarkation and debarkation we have experienced in 10 cruises.

 

Hope this is helpful to someone else. If anyone has any questions, let me know and I will be glad to answer if I can.

[LoriPhil]

Boxman2 - thanks for the info. Question - could you walk to the Johnson Space center to tour around from your hotel? Cruising in November and won't have a car, so interested in a local activity we can walk to. We'll shuttle or cab it to Bayport terminal the next day.

 

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

Lori

[Linda the Book Lover]

Thanks Bomax2 for your information. We have awhile to go before we go so I am hoping the embarkation is as seamless as you described. We will be at Great Western to enjoy the free breakfast and shuttle.

[Bomax2]

LoriPhil - It's a short block to NASA Parkway from the hotel. In fact you can see the gate to Johnson Space Center from the front of the hotel. You'd just have to cross NASA Parkway at the light at the end of the block. It's been years since I have been there, but I want to say that once inside the gate, there was a bit of a drive on into where the buildings are located. Of course, things may have changed since I was there. They may also have a shuttle from the gate to the buildings. I'd check Johnson Space Center's website. Maybe someone else would have that info. Check the reviews on Courtyard by Marriott Nassau Bay on http://www.tripadvisor.com. Some of the ones I read there were from people who stayed there to go to Johnson Space Center. Hope that helps! Enjoy your cruise!

[Host Kat]

... Question - could you walk to the Johnson Space center to tour around from your hotel?...

 

Howdy Lori!

 

Please note the Johnson Space Center http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/index.html & the Official Visitors Center for the Johnson Space Center known as Space Center Houston http://spacecenter.org/ are two different locations.

 

From the NASA Visitor Centers website at http://www.visitnasa.com/space-center-houston-texas:

 

" ... Space Center Houston is the Official Visitors Center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. It’s a place where people can experience space — from its dramatic past and exciting present to its compelling future. It’s one of the only places on Earth where visitors can see astronauts train for missions, touch a real moon rock and take a behind-the-scenes tour of NASA. The world class exhibits, attractions and hands-on activities tell the story of America’s manned space flight program, giving guests an out-of-this-world experience like no other.

 

SCH is conveniently located at 1601 NASA Parkway Houston, TX 77058. Open daily except Christmas from 10am – 5pm weekdays and 10am – 6pm weekends with extended hour’s summer and holidays. For specific hours, visit http://spacecenter.org/ or call (281) 244-2100..."

 

Yes, it is a very looooong driveway to get around to the visitor center. This is Texas where everyone drives everywhere! The last time I was there, there was no shuttle from the entrance off E. NASA Pkwy. I suggest you take a taxi from your hotel. See here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Space+Center+Houston/@29.550724,-95.099158,1559m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x13f0aac92fd5f916!6m1 !1e1

 

Please note the NASA Tram Tour of the Johnson Space Center is one of the attractions available at Space Center Houston. Click here: http://spacecenter.org/attractions/nasa-tram-tour/

 

I sincerely hope this information will be helpful and let me be the first to welcome you to Texas!!

 

Kat

Edited May 5, 2015 by Host Kat >^..^<
typos due to fat paws & skinny keys and corrected information

[Travel Junkie Judy]

Howdy Lori!

 

Please note the Johnson Space Center http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/index.html & the Official Visitors Center for the Johnson Space Center known as Space Center Houston http://spacecenter.org/ are two different locations.

 

From the NASA Visitor Centers website at http://www.visitnasa.com/space-center-houston-texas:

 

" ... Space Center Houston is the Official Visitors Center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. It’s a place where people can experience space — from its dramatic past and exciting present to its compelling future. It’s one of the only places on Earth where visitors can see astronauts train for missions' date=' touch a real moon rock and take a behind-the-scenes tour of NASA. The world class exhibits, attractions and hands-on activities tell the story of America’s manned space flight program, giving guests an out-of-this-world experience like no other.[/i']

 

SCH is conveniently located at 1601 NASA Parkway Houston, TX 77058. Open daily except Christmas from 10am – 5pm weekdays and 10am – 6pm weekends with extended hour’s summer and holidays. For specific hours, visit http://spacecenter.org/ or call (281) 244-2100..."

 

Yes, it is a very looooong driveway to get around to the visitor center. This is Texas where everyone drives everywhere! The last time I was there, there was no shuttle from the entrance off E. NASA Pkwy. I suggest you take a taxi from your hotel. See here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Space+Center+Houston/@29.550724,-95.099158,1559m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x13f0aac92fd5f916!6m1 !1e1

 

Please note the NASA Tram Tour of the Johnson Space Center is one of the attractions available at Space Center Houston. Click here: http://spacecenter.org/attractions/nasa-tram-tour/

 

I sincerely hope this information will be helpful and let me be the first to welcome you to Texas!!

 

Kat

 

 

Hi Kat,

 

What great information.

I have been to the Space Center recently & there is definitely no shuttle from the gate to the visitors center.

Your idea of a cab seems like the best way to go unless.....

The hotel might have a shuttle??

If not, they should think about starting this service.

 

My suggestion is to go early in the day - be there when they open.

Like any attraction, you will see more, wait less, and have a much better time.

 

Hey, I have a question - how did you get Yahoo Mail emoticons to work here?

I love them!

 

Judy

Edited May 7, 2015 by Travel Junkie Judy

[Host Kat]

... Hey, I have a question - how did you get Yahoo Mail emoticons to work here?

I love them!...

 

Copied from e-mails sent from my personal Yahoo mailbox and then pasted into messages here.

 

Kat

[Linda the Book Lover]

I hope you will share your space adventure.