CruzieSue Posted May 23, 2016 #26 Share Posted May 23, 2016 Like many other posters here, we had such a chaotic, horrible experience at the Galveston port that we will never cruise out of there again, either. It was soooooo unorganized at the port, let alone the horrible Houston traffic. When we left, we drove to the end of the island, got on the ferry, and bypassed Houston altogether. Galveston is a cool place, but getting there is one major headache. I'm sure it can and does happen at other ports, but once was enough for us. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifes-a-beach Posted May 24, 2016 #27 Share Posted May 24, 2016 I'm so glad to hear so many folks will not return to Galveston. I can see the lines getting shorter and the rates going down. Thank you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted May 24, 2016 #28 Share Posted May 24, 2016 With the new terminal it will be better , unless immigration doesn't improve operations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrotherCraig Posted May 24, 2016 #29 Share Posted May 24, 2016 We go down there a lot during the weekends around that time and that is a bad time to get on Harborside. Better to wait until after 11:30 or get there very early. Between 10-11:30, it does get crazy on that road. We take 45/Broadway to 25th -- never any cars. Straight shot in and never an issue. You have two very large cruise ships going out at the same time. Sometimes it is best to take the road less traveled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistshar Posted May 24, 2016 #30 Share Posted May 24, 2016 When we were in Galveston in April, we got to the port about 10:15 and had no problems at all except for some reason the previous cruisers were late getting off and they told us we wouldn't be able to board until about 1:30. We were able to start boarding at a little after 12:00. I believe the new terminal will be of great benefit to the boarding process. We love going to Galveston because it is a small town and very easy to get around in. Since we like to drive to port, Galveston and New Orleans are about our only choices. We much prefer Galveston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tncap Posted May 24, 2016 #31 Share Posted May 24, 2016 I'm so glad to hear so many folks will not return to Galveston. I can see the lines getting shorter and the rates going down. Thank you all. I wish. Texas always commands high prices! I fell in love with Galveston the first time I sailed from there. I love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Cruizers Posted May 26, 2016 #32 Share Posted May 26, 2016 We have a cruise planned for July 2, 2017 with friends, our first out of Galveston and right not we will probably shuttle down from Houston. When is the new Terminal suppose to open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTdreaming Posted May 26, 2016 #33 Share Posted May 26, 2016 have sailed out of Los Angeles, FLL, Galveston Puerto Rico and Houston... have had good and bad at all. Last trip was out of Los Angeles...embarkation was a disaster, longest lines ever, no porters, then disembark was a breeze and quickest ever. Things happen everywhere. We have had a mess in FLL, chaos. It is part of travel. I hopefully would not limit my cruise itineraries or choices based on a bad port experience. Usually the cruise lines do not control the port or it's workers. Glad you are on board and now can relax and enjoy your trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted May 26, 2016 #34 Share Posted May 26, 2016 We have a cruise planned for July 2, 2017 with friends, our first out of Galveston and right not we will probably shuttle down from Houston. When is the new Terminal suppose to open. June 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvabargain Posted May 26, 2016 #35 Share Posted May 26, 2016 We cruised out of Galveston for the first time last summer and dh and I both thought it was fast, smooth and organized. MUCH smoother than our past cruises. We're going for another round this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvabargain Posted May 26, 2016 #36 Share Posted May 26, 2016 have sailed out of Los Angeles, FLL, Galveston Puerto Rico and Houston... have had good and bad at all. Last trip was out of Los Angeles...embarkation was a disaster, longest lines ever, no porters, then disembark was a breeze and quickest ever. Things happen everywhere. We have had a mess in FLL, chaos. It is part of travel. I hopefully would not limit my cruise itineraries or choices based on a bad port experience. Usually the cruise lines do not control the port or it's workers. Glad you are on board and now can relax and enjoy your trip. Agreed! BTW - when you say Los Angeles do you mean Long Beach? That is the worst embarkation IMO - long lines in the hot sun, not moving. It still wouldn't hinder me from going - it's just something we have to go through to get to the fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Cruizers Posted May 27, 2016 #37 Share Posted May 27, 2016 Melissa when they said Los Angelas I would assume they meant San Pedro, that is the main Port for Los Angelas departures. Long Beach does have one also. ssb, that is good, then we should be leaving from the new Terminal next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTdreaming Posted May 29, 2016 #38 Share Posted May 29, 2016 Agreed! BTW - when you say Los Angeles do you mean Long Beach? That is the worst embarkation IMO - long lines in the hot sun, not moving. It still wouldn't hinder me from going - it's just something we have to go through to get to the fun. the most recent one was San Pedro...embark was awful. Still I would go back just with low expectations of the process, and maybe I would be pleasantly surprised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreadPirateRobert Posted May 30, 2016 #39 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Most of our cruises are out of Galveston and we love it. We drive down the day before, stay at the Harbor House Hotel there at Pier 21. On departure morning we just walk down to the terminal with no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcroadman Posted May 30, 2016 #40 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Galveston is so bad that I have only sailed out of there about 25 times. So, Gary, If you don't want to wait in Galveston.. do you get there real early or at noon?? My party is very excited! thanks for the input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kruzerci Posted May 30, 2016 Author #41 Share Posted May 30, 2016 The good news is that disembarkation was a breeze. Lots of talk about Galveston throughout the cruise. A lot of people said that Carnival has Galveston departures down to a science and Royal Caribbean hasn't quite figured it out, partly due to the delayed terminal expansion. I can totally see doing a Galveston cruise if it were within driving distance. And I might be defensive too if it was my home port. However, it's just not nearly as practical to those of us who are flying anyways and the roads/parking situation down by the terminals in Galveston is not convenient. There is nothing comparable to Port Everglaves being five minutes from the airport! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary2835 Posted May 30, 2016 #42 Share Posted May 30, 2016 So, Gary, If you don't want to wait in Galveston.. do you get there real early or at noon?? My party is very excited! thanks for the input! We usually get there around 11 to 11:30, but we have been diamond plus for a while and are starting to stay in more sites, which lets us bypass some lines. Sorry I couldn't help anymore than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAOk1945 Posted May 30, 2016 #43 Share Posted May 30, 2016 We drive down the day before, stay at the Harbor House Hotel there at Pier 21. How did you manage a one night reservation? Each time I have tried to make an reservation for one night prior to a cruise, I've been told there is a 2 night minimum. :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted May 30, 2016 #44 Share Posted May 30, 2016 How did you manage a one night reservation? Each time I have tried to make an reservation for one night prior to a cruise, I've been told there is a 2 night minimum. :confused: Keep calling and call all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAOk1945 Posted May 31, 2016 #45 Share Posted May 31, 2016 Keep calling and call all Yes, I will keep trying. My wife and I would really love to get a reservation at the Harbor House Hotel. So far, no luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbgd Posted June 1, 2016 #46 Share Posted June 1, 2016 How did you manage a one night reservation? Each time I have tried to make an reservation for one night prior to a cruise, I've been told there is a 2 night minimum. :confused: Have stayed at HH several times pre and post remodel Looking at his sig He cruised on the Triumph last If it was a Thursday/ Monday departure that is normal When sailing on the weekend alot more difficult and usually 2 night min Also depends on what is going on that wknd in Galveston Your sailing in mid Dec is that Dickens faire time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted June 1, 2016 #47 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Have stayed at HH several times pre and post remodel Looking at his sig He cruised on the Triumph last If it was a Thursday/ Monday departure that is normal When sailing on the weekend alot more difficult and usually 2 night min Also depends on what is going on that wknd in Galveston Your sailing in mid Dec is that Dickens faire time? Dickens is always first weekend . It will not impact them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbgd Posted June 10, 2016 #48 Share Posted June 10, 2016 Dickens is always first weekend . It will not impact them. Thanks Lee didn't for sure ONe of these years we will get down there to experience it:o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallFour4 Posted July 1, 2016 #49 Share Posted July 1, 2016 (edited) I'm so glad to hear so many folks will not return to Galveston. I can see the lines getting shorter and the rates going down. Thank you all. Agreed! We've only sailed from Galveston 31 times, experienced traffic a few and times. If you arrive at virtually any cruise port (and we've been to 8 of them) between 11 am and 1pm it's crowded. Galveston is so bad Disney is coming back and Royal is adding a second ship. Keeping score? That's six ships. If you arrive at the peak times stay on Broadway, go down past 21st and come back Harborside the other direction. Works every time. . Edited July 1, 2016 by BallFour4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted July 1, 2016 #50 Share Posted July 1, 2016 (edited) Agreed! We've only sailed from Galveston 31 times, experienced traffic a few and times. If you arrive at virtually any cruise port (and we've been to 8 of them) between 11 am and 1pm it's crowded. Galveston is so bad Disney is coming back and Royal is adding a second ship. Keeping score? That's six ships. If you arrive at the peak times stay on Broadway, go down past 21st and come back Harborside the other direction. Works every time. . Incidentally Princess has wanted back in Galveston also! Edited July 1, 2016 by ssb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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