Galaxy/Panama Canal/Galveston Questions

[Desertbelle]

We are about to book the Galaxy out of Galveston for the Panama Canal and I have a few questions. Thank you for any help you can give.

1. CC or SS? I read somewhere on the boards that the SS ammenities will be the CC + Suite ammenities after the first of the year.....any truth to that? Is CC worth the extra money over a regular balcony cabin? We always get a balcony cabin, but we have never had a suite....is the Galaxy a good ship for our first suite?

2. How hard is it to get to Galveston? Where would we fly into? What is a good hotel to stay at for the night before the cruise? Would this be a good cruise to get Celebrity transfers?

3. Which side of the ship is best for viewing the canal?

Thanks again for your help!

Margie

Celebrating Our Parents 60th Anniversary - Legend of the Seas to Mexico 9/5/04!!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=228b22&cdt=2004;9;5;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=2413047577"]Join Our Legend Roll Call Here[/url]

Our Dawn Princess Caribbean Medley Family Cruise 11/23/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;11;23;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=4763056957&m=9023035677&r=4303056677#4303056677"]Join Our Dawn Roll Call Here[/url]

Windjammer-Flying Cloud 1991
Carnival Elation 1999
NCL Sun 2002
Star Princess 2003
Legend of the Seas 2003

[kkid]

I had a CC room on Galaxy in April 04. I got a very good last minute deal and was glad to have the CC room. However, I would not pay $200-250 per person additional cost over a non-CC balcony. The fluffy bedding was the nicest amenity.

[lougee1043]

we are booked on a galaxy cruise out of galveston---leaving from portland oregon-
could not get a decent flight/connection into the galveston municipal airport
houston has 2 airports -hobby is about 45 miles from galveston - also did not like the connections/flights - so we finally booked into bush intl about 75 mi from galveston - have rented a car and we will keep it for 2 days and turn it in on the day of the sail --total cost was about 100.00 incl a drop off fee rented from enterprise --- enterprise and hertz are the only 2 natl rental companies in galv with an office -- also the enterprise office is closed on sunday ----hertz wanted approx 100.00 for a one day rental and drop off
its my plan to have a town car take us from the ship back to bush intl -- its about 120.00 but i just didnt want to deal with the celebrity bus connections which i know will be less expensive

lougee1043


Since we last sailed on the Oosterdam
<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=2325FF&cdt=2004;03;28;08;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800>

til our next cruise on the Galaxy
<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=2325FF&cdt=2005;03;21;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800>

9/87 HAL - Noordham
10/92 HAL - Westerdam
4/01 HAL - Zaandam
5/02 HAL - Maasdam
8/02 HAL - Zaandam
3/03 HAL -Statendam
cancelled due to surgeries
12/03 HAL - Statendam replacement cruise
3/04 HAL Oosterdam
3/04 Celebrity Galaxy

[Berry5717]

Try the Hotel Galvez in Galveston. A real nice old resort type hotel. They'll take you to the ship. Will even keep your car in covered parking and pick you up at the pier. Around a hundred dollars a night as I recall.

[excitedofharpenden]

Desertbelle

We're going in November and someone on this board kindly posted the attached link about the Canal. Amongst other things it talks about the best viewing sides:

[url="http://www.sealetter.com/Mar-01/panamac.html"]http://www.sealetter.com/Mar-01/panamac.html[/url]

As for cabins, it is difficult to say without knowing the price difference. If I had a choice I would personally push the boat out and try and get a suite on the Sky Deck. We very much enjoyed the butler service, but had one of the smaller balconies on Deck 10. The balconies on the Sky Deck (including the four CC cabins there) are much bigger.

Phil

Mercury Western Caribbean November 2002
Galaxy Eastern Caribbean November 2003

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;11;13;18;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img] <BR

Until Galaxy Panama Canal Out Of Galveston
13th November 2004


<center>
<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/logos/time98.gif[/img]</center>

[Nancyquilts]

We've taken the ship's bus and won't ever make that mistake again. We like Galveston Limousine (a van). It leaves on a regular schedule from both Hobby and International.

[isujim]

Margie:

Have sailed out of Galveston 3 times and just returned in April from the Panama Canal on the Brilliance of the Seas. I think most of your questions on Galveston have been answered but let me know if you desire further information.

As for the canal...........you just don't know what is the best side. There are two lanes and you won't know until the morning you go through the canal which lane the ship has been assigned.

What we did is have a port side cabin with balcony and then our cruise critic friends had a starboard side cabin so we had both lanes covered. We ended up using their cabin both times going into and out of the Gatun locks. Your best bet is to get both sides of the ship covered and then it won't matter.

Hope this helps.

Anymore questions, I'll be happy to try and answer them.

Jim

Nordic Prince 8/88
Viking Serenade 3/93
Enchantment 3/01
Rhapsody 9/02
Splendour 4/03
Rhapsody, 9/03
Brilliance, 4/04

Until Our Caribbean Princess Cruise
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;11;06;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]


Until Hawaii on Inifinity
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=dc143c&cdt=2005;4;6;23;59;00&timezone=GMT-1100[/img]

Until Vision/Mexican Riviera
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2005;10;23;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[lougee1043]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Textraveler:
. Will even keep your car in covered parking and pick you up at the pier. Around a hundred dollars a night as I recall.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

i only want to park a car not buy a new one

lougee1043


Since we last sailed on the Oosterdam
<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=2325FF&cdt=2004;03;28;08;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800>

til our next cruise on the Galaxy
<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=2325FF&cdt=2005;03;21;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800>

9/87 HAL - Noordham
10/92 HAL - Westerdam
4/01 HAL - Zaandam
5/02 HAL - Maasdam
8/02 HAL - Zaandam
3/03 HAL -Statendam
cancelled due to surgeries
12/03 HAL - Statendam replacement cruise
3/04 HAL Oosterdam
3/04 Celebrity Galaxy

[marc and jan]

Great information so far everyone! Keep those tips coming. We are sailing in March 2005, and appreciate any tips you can give us. We plan to be in Galveston two days before we sail to visit with our new grandchild (to be born this July) so I checked out the Hotel Galvez - great place! I can't believe the rates are so low. I looked at the cruise package, and the web special is $89 per night right now. It says:

Offer Includes:
Overnight accommodations
Champagne brunch for two adults on Sunday
Complimentary trolley passes to the Historic Strand District
Hotel parking while on cruise
Transfers to/from the cruise ship terminal

Sounds too good to be true!
Please keep the tips and information coming.

Thanks,
Jan

SAILING THE GALAXY IN: <img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=0000CC&cdt=2005;03;21;20;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800> <Marquee direction=left width=45%>Fantasy/97~~~Mercury/98~~~Century/99~~~Splendour/00~~~Zenith/01~~~Summit/02~~~Galaxy/03~~~Galaxy/04~~~Galaxy/05</Marquee>

[Berry5717]

We've used the Hotel Galvez in Galveston for two
cruises. It works great and is right on the ocean. Can't beat the price considering they'll take you to and from the port and keep your car in covered parking and you only have to pay for one night at the hotel.

[lougee1043]

[QUOTE] Hotel Galvez - great place! I can't believe the rates are so low. I looked at the cruise package, and the web special is $89 per night right now. It says:

Offer Includes:
Overnight accommodations
Champagne brunch for two adults on Sunday
Complimentary trolley passes to the Historic Strand District
Hotel parking while on cruise
QUOTE]

we are on the 3/21/05 cruise is that the one you are on
here is what i found out about the glavez and we spoke directly to the hotel- firstly we need 2 nites sat and sunday----you can get a room for sunday in the 89-99 range city or ocean view---and that just covers the room -the package you wrote about was quoted as 139-149 per nite=did not ask if that also got you transfer to the ship - the pier isnt not that far away and you could take a cab if necessary
my hangup is that i cant get the 89-99 price for the first nite sat - for that nite they want 149 AND THEY WONT BOOK JUST ONE NITE - THEY ARE ONLY BOOKING 2 NITE WEEKEND PACKAGES--

marc and jan if you are able to book and confirm the entire special package for 89-99 please let me know by writing either on this board or to myself directly --if you write directly please put cc board in the subject line many thanks

lougee1043


Since we last sailed on the Oosterdam
<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=2325FF&cdt=2004;03;28;08;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800>

til our next cruise on the Galaxy
<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=2325FF&cdt=2005;03;21;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800>

9/87 HAL - Noordham
10/92 HAL - Westerdam
4/01 HAL - Zaandam
5/02 HAL - Maasdam
8/02 HAL - Zaandam
3/03 HAL -Statendam
cancelled due to surgeries
12/03 HAL - Statendam replacement cruise
3/04 HAL Oosterdam
3/04 Celebrity Galaxy

[barbydaul]

Which cruise are you taking, the 11-night or the 12-night. My husband, my mother, and myself are on the March 10th 11-night sailing.
Can hardly wait. We also went on Brilliance in March to Panama Canal. It was great. That is why we are doing it again, except this time we do not have to fly. We live about an hour and a half away from Galveston.

Barb

GALAXY 11-NIGHT PANAMA CANAL
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2005;3;10;18;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]

[marc and jan]

lougee1043

I'll have to bore everyone here because I don't have your email address. You can't get them from the profile anymore.....privacy issues or something. Anyhow here's what I found out tonight.

I called Hotel Galvez and you are correct when you say that it is more expensive. It is $143 per night (this is the special web rate, the regular rate is $159) and the shuttle service is free. I didn't ask about the parking because we'll be flying in. I told her that we needed two nights, and we were really looking for something for $100 or less. She recommended another hotel to me, but before I put it's name out here, I want to check it out instead of putting false information out here again. (Because the answer to your question is YES we are on the March 21, 2005 cruise and someday we might meet, so I better have my facts straight! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] )When I tried to call the hotel tonight, the man who answered the phone asked me to call back during business hours because the people on that shift would know more about the cruise specials for next year. I will try to call tomorrow, and then let you know what I find out.

Jan

SAILING THE GALAXY IN: <img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=0000CC&cdt=2005;03;21;20;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800> <Marquee direction=left width=45%>Fantasy/97~~~Mercury/98~~~Century/99~~~Splendour/00~~~Zenith/01~~~Summit/02~~~Galaxy/03~~~Galaxy/04~~~Galaxy/05</Marquee>

[lougee1043]

marc and jan
sounds like you are planning to come into galveston on a saturday and sail on mon just as we are

you can get the sun pm res for 89-99 ----the problem is getting a room for for sat (it will be a different rate) and then linking the 2 together so you dont have to change rooms
the problem with trying for the sat room is that the hotel is selling 2 nite packages (fri and sat)and you cant book sat only
my e mail address is [email]lougee1043@comcast.net[/email] be sure to put celebrity cc in the subject line

lougee1043


Since we last sailed on the Oosterdam
<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=2325FF&cdt=2004;03;28;08;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800>

til our next cruise on the Galaxy
<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=2325FF&cdt=2005;03;21;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800>

9/87 HAL - Noordham
10/92 HAL - Westerdam
4/01 HAL - Zaandam
5/02 HAL - Maasdam
8/02 HAL - Zaandam
3/03 HAL -Statendam
cancelled due to surgeries
12/03 HAL - Statendam replacement cruise
3/04 HAL Oosterdam
3/05 Celebrity Galaxy