dna1990

Sorry bud, but this zero tolerance approach to life and hiding behind policy is not a fun way to live. All anyone wants is reasonable access to shared resource. And yes, what is reasonable to some is often lost on others. These are not subway seats where individualism and short-term ubiquity is in play - any single chair without a rear on it, is not "wasted". Certainly for a break to the restroom, pool, bar, etc. And doubly certain when the traveling partner remains next door. But the fact of the matter is whether you think 5 minutes is the right number, or as I think the majority feels about 40 minutes, and the self-centered narcists think is hours or days....what is anyone to do? We are not fighting over bread or a border, give it the perspective that is deserves. You know, reasonable.

Not printed on SetSail for July 5 Radiance. But were able to just verbally say cabin number to bartender until SeaPass Card was available.

There are Customs (for goods) and Immigration (for people), both under CBP at US ports. And at Galveston, there is also TABC to consider. For Immigration side, if using Passport - Galveston is Facial Rec, takes about 5 seconds. If not, you will show BC/Other docs to an agent, which often has a line, and they may just wave you on, or ask a few verification questions. If travelling with minors - they tend to always ask at least a question or two. For Customs side...if you are not buying any expensive items (jewelry usually) or close to being over $800 per person...and no cigarettes or alcohol...then no form, just a trusted re-entry. In Galveston, all alcohol and cigs have to be declared (separate form from US) and amounts over certain limits will be taxed. Like always, you can choose not to declare, but if found out and searched...any penalties likely far outweigh the time/tax to declare in the first place. How would they know? Especially if buying big ticket items, booze, cigs on board - the cruiseline does report these. And even some port 'stores' have reported ahead. Self-assist is a good approach to help getting the earliest time off the ship. But you also have thought thru the chore of getting around with luggage. I only suggest self-assist to those travelling very light (and no small kids). I don't know the latest at Terminal 2, but Galveston can be picky about luggage on escalator - which can bunch up self-assist people at the elevators. Also keep in mind, the ship may not clear into Galveston exactly as planned. Depending on time of year, fog delays can occur. Less now than in the past, but could be a thing. And Coast Guard, CBP, or any government initials can bring on some inspection or delay into clearing the ship for passenger disembarkation. Rare, but possible. If early off is for airport reasons, consider the cruiseline's airport transfer. Not in Galveston, but we have used these a few times. Those with transfers are usually in Group 2, right behind suites and self-assist.

I will echo three important points above. A) The day of the week will matter, at least with regards to getting thru Houston and close to the island. Saturday is better and Sunday is usually best for light traffic thru Houston itself. B) What event(s) are going on in Galveston will be a factor. Mardis Gras, Dickens, Lone Star, et al. Do a google for Galveston and your date range for an indication of increased traffic, road closures, and hotel rates. C) None of it matters if a major accident or heavy weather sets in. But do some searches around TXDOT at least for any "planned" closures. Transtar and WAZE are also decent resources. If only staying the "night before", I would almost always choose Webster, Dickinson, Texas City, Kemah, etc for my hotel location. The Galveston location, seawall, attractions, and overall vibe is great to experience, so it does come with a higher hotel price. We travel often from Cypress which is NW of Houston. On a quiet Sunday, we can leave at 8am and be in the parking lot by 9:30, with a stop at Buc-ees. My wife is making the trip today (Thursday) in moderate to heavy rain. They left at 7:45am and still have not made it to Buc-ees by 9:45. Bottom line, for those coming in from Texas, OK, Louisiana...I agree with all above....and would spring for a hotel between Houston and Galveston and get the bulk of your drive in the day before.

Prime this time across the board (travel, woodworking, tech, clothes, etc)...all markup then down approach. Phony baloney.

Dr. Pepper onboard in Feb 24. At least served in cans. Can't speak to any fountain drinks or packages that use refillable cups, etc.

Correct as earlier reply. Booked with your "guide". Except for maybe super limited ones or ones on the first stop...you don't have to "book" right then. But suggest doing so at first chance to avoid missing something you wanted. Yes, the guide takes a CC at the end for all total trips. In fact, only CC. No Debit or Cash.

I just re-read your question, and think now you are asking about the specific excursions, not the whole "precruise" itself. There were about a dozen or so options presented to us at the 3pm guide meet at the hotel. There was several flightseeing, some ATV rides, dogsledding, jetboats, and a few hiking...maybe more. The prices were on par with what you might find via the cruiseline or online. Flightseeing was some of the highest @ $300-600pp. The jetboat I think was ~85pp. ATVs were around ~150pp. The list of excursions I assume varies from tour to tour and even perhaps from month to month. I could find no info on these (even when calling) before we sat down with the guide at the hotel. In general, I now think this is fine. The cruise itself and the ports have great excursions to pick from and experience. At least for us, the idea of the pre-cruise tour was to "see" more of Alaska. So spending most of our time on the train or in a bus - was the "excursion". And as sometimes the daily agenda would flex (mostly for us due to the fires)...so getting the right "timing" down for an excursion could be a little hectic. By the time you arrive at each night's hotel, I think most were ready to just chill and enjoy what was already included. I think if your focus is excursions and immersive experiences in Denali/Fairbanks/Talkeetna/etc - I would likely do the car/rv rental idea and roll your own plan.

As ngrund mentioned, nothing super special. I think they simply get put into a separate section of the motor coach and remain there. This eliminates the driver from unloaded/reloading bags at each hotel stop. I think if you discovered an urgent need to get to one of those bags, it would be possible...in other words they do not go straight to the ship. But once you arrive at the cruise terminal, all bags under the coach you tagged with RCCL tags go directly to the ship without any effort on your part.

Keep in mind for any answer, the numbers will be high for Alaska. They have a compressed season, some max caps, and high import costs - it is noticeably higher than the Caribbean for example. But the views, wildlife, and cool air - was something we glad we planned into our travels. RCCL (and other lines too) offer a variety of CruiseTours (also called Land Tours or Pre/Post Cruise Tours). These can me mixed/matched with various cruise itineraries. And of course, as mentioned - you can roll your own pre/post with independent tour companies or just rent a car or RV and go that route too! We did RCCL 3B version, which was never broken out in the estimates and receipts we got while booking. So yes, you need to dummy book the cruise only and subtract it out. 3B is a four-night tour, my "guess" it cost about 50% of the total fare. So 7nts on ship (balcony) roughly equaled the 4nts on land. Noting the land portion comes with train fare, a couple of meals, park entrance, tram rides, etc. This analysis can be hard to pin down once you start looking at all the "discounts" they throw into a booking quote. We also had some casino offers combined.

Land first. Just returned from a trip. Travel a day before (or more) if coming from an eastern time zone so you can get acclimated. The time change and summer sun until 11pm+, it took some getting used to.

We chose Icy Straight Whale Adventures and had a great time. Great booking, comms, emails, etc. Great boat, good guides, saw plenty of wildlife - seals, otters, sea lions, humpbacks, and of course eagles. No time waiting around anywhere, quick and good use of time. 25-person boat. Giant windows that opened, and room on fore/aft decks.

Hot Chocolate with Amaretto.

Agree to doing LandTour first. Would be way too much after a relaxing cruise, and all the clothes/repacking to work with. Also agree with a one-way trip instead of roundtrip. Start your budget now. Everything is quite pricey. There are some super excursion companies suggested right here in this section, I think cruiseline tours will simply be slower, more $, and more crowded - all going to same attractions you can book easily on your own or with independent guides. If not booking a cruisetour for land portion, look into tours in the Kenai Fjords. My son did that and saw tons of wildlife and great scenery. We just did early July and saw plenty of whales in both Juneau and Icy Straight. Second the vote for Jayleen's. Lots of seals and otters in Icy Straight. To my knowledge most itineraries all center around the same main ports of Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan - then you have Seward/Whittier for the north end, Glacier Bay or Hubbard, Seatle or Vancouver, and maybe a Sitka thrown in.