BallFour4

Yup. We walked off the Icon two weeks ago and never showed anything, never slowed down as we walked through a striped off lane and looked up at the monitor/camera configuration. .

Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission has liquor laws that are eons old. The one pertinent to Cheers states that all alcohol served in Texas including until the ship reaches international waters (https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/data/us-maritime-limits-and-boundaries.html) twelve miles out must have tax stamps or tax paid. Carnival has two sets of coolers for beer and cabinets for alcohol. Within the twelve miles they collect sales tax and are subject to the TABC laws requiring tax to for alcohol served. Once the ship reaches the twelve mile mark the bars changeover and coolers are locked and unlocked, bottles of alcohol are switched and full bar service begins. It happens in minutes. Carnival sells a remarkable amount of alcohol from boarding time until 6 AM on the first day at sea. Their management has decided to reap the profits of pay-as-you go for alcohol. Other cruise lines that sail from here in Galveston have taken a different path. If you elect to purchase the Cheers Package you are not charged for the first day. One more note; since April 2014 TABC decided to enforce the duty for alcohol purchases that enter the state on cruise ships. Regardless of what state you reside taxes are due on hard liquor, beer, wine and cigarettes. https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1382/~/texas-tax-declaration%3A-the-texas-alcoholic-beverage-commission-(tabc) Since Galveston incorporated eye scan for US Customs the TABC staff once prominent in the debarkation area seem less. We don't purchase any of the items with tax due, so that part of my post is not scientific and the n number is low. See You At Sea.

While I truncated your post the point made remains. Before one can print their boarding pass you agreed to the Ticket Contract found here: https://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/legal-notice/ticket-contract "Carnival may change the duration and/or itinerary of the cruise at any time. The Vessel shall be entitled to leave and enter ports with or without pilots or tugs, to tow and assist other vessels in any circumstances, to return to or enter any port at the Master’s discretion and for any purpose, and to deviate in any direction or for any purpose from the direct or usual course, and to omit or change any or all port calls, arrival or departure times, with or without notice, for any reason whatsoever..." .

Last Saturday we docked before 4:00AM. Breakfast at the Windjammer, back to the room, used the eye scan feature in the terminal and in the Uber by 8:15. They get it done! .

Remarkable ship, great vacation. My wife and I celebrated forty-one years of marriage and seven months post-cancer surgery for me. Every minute was worth it. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Lz345s9iCRRezVDz6 See you at sea. .

There hasn't been a construction delay more than five minutes in 2024. The southbound portion is open down to exit 17. I drive this three times a week to UTMB and have zero problems. Summer and spring break weeks are busy after noon, but those are the exceptions. Rarely are the northbound lanes down to two, and that's overnight. .

The Express Parking operated by the Port of Galveston is a gem when you return to Terminal 28. It's like walking out of a Target. Your car is a really close. .

Zero problems. We self-assist, priority debark and are home (about 15 min from Hobby) by 9-9:30 on our cruises pre and post Covid. .

Mardi Gras 1976 and again in 1988. The first was a 7 night, later it was on the 5-5-4 rotation. .

Which is why I addressed that first. The part you reference was added as anecdotal. My wife and I have had passports since our 20's. We are both over 60. We fully get the value. .

I was an 18 year old with graduation cash in my pocket. Rum is the reason pirates never ruled the world. .

He might be a rescue... Is that a thong? If so then leverage would be better using it. .

And for the first time since cruising on the Mardi Gras in 1976 my wife and I got up from dinner and asked to be moved to a different table. We did, and the couple that took our place moved the next night. Two couples that were at the table met your criteria! .

When you register for your cruise a selection is made for what type of identification will be used. If you select passport then you enter the number and other pertinent information. That's the one you'd bring to board. Side note; for US cruises that are closed loop and don't require a passport there are posts that claim "if you are injured and need to disembark you cannot get home." That's not true, we've had this experience twice with family and friends. Both couples were traveling with a birth certificate and Texas Drivers License, and both had a parent die. They were headed back to Houston aboard a plane before the ship left port. The port agent for Carnival was fantastic in handling the situation. . .

and those quality binoculars. Remember them? .