First Time out of Galveston

[Ready 2 Go]

Hello all, this will be my family of 6 first cruise out of Galveston on the Carnival Magic. We usually do the Splendor out of Long Beach because its a lot closer. I have a few questions. For the most part, I have found some good info reading posts by other cruisers. But, I need a little more personalized detail.

We will be cruising the first week of August (hurricane season???).

1. What can we expect for the weather to be like?

2. We are flying into Houston-Hobby the Saturday before our Sunday cruise. Our flight gets in about 11:30 so I figure we should be in Galveston probably by like 1. Any good places for lunch with the kids (all boys 15,11,8,3)? Also Dinner?

3. I'm still on the fence about which hotel. I heard Harbour House is in walking distance to the terminal. Is that true and how feasible/logical would it be to walk to the terminal with 4 kids and luggage for 6 in tow?

4. What other hotels, if any, are close to Harbour House?

5. Is the terminal Carnival leaves from called the Texas Cruiseship Terminal? Just curious, I printed a map left on another post and am trying to get my bearings. Our cruise doesn't leave till August 5 so I guess I have time

Thanks all for your help.

[Galveston Cruiser]

First, welcome to Texas and Galveston.
1. The weather will be HOT! Though being from Vegas you already know that. The difference is we have humidity. We just consider it a free sauna and facial

2. Arrival by 1pm is easily doable. Harbor House is on Pier 21, walking distance to the Strand and many restaurants. Yaga's on the Strand is a good place for families, but their are many good places to go on the island.

3. Easily walkable but that depends on what the kids are willing to carry.

4. The Tremont is the other hotel downtown and sister to Harbor House as well as the Hotel Galvez on Seawall. I would recommend the Galvez over the Tremont for the kids, but you are not here long. Harbor House has great views and there is a large park next to it as well as a drilling rig open for tours - well worth it! The Texas Seaport Museam and Tall Ship Elissa is between Harbor House and the Carnival dock.

5. Carnival docks at the pier nearest the Harbor House.

Enjoy Galveston and have a great cruise.

[Ready 2 Go]

Thanks so much Galveston Cruiser! The info is much appreciated. So, is Seawall Blvd next to the terminal?

[helicopter]

The Seawall runs along the ocean (hotels on one side, ocean on the other). We love staying at the Harbours House, you can easily walk to the terminal. By the time you get to Galveston the New Pleasure Pier will be open (look it up on the internet). The Pier is on the Seawall. There will be restaurants, rides, etc so you might consider staying on the Seawall. Alot of the hotels on the Seawall have shuttles to the port, but it is also an inexpensive cab ride.

[melika091900]

and i just want to add if you need transportation from hobby to galveston check out Z limo
we just used them last week
they were cheaper than a shuttle....

[hillbillycruisers]

The Seawall is on the opposite side of the island from the cruise terminal, but it has all the beaches and plenty of good hotels and restraunts. And, as mentioned above, the new Pleasure Pier looks to be a fun place..we cant wait to see it on our next cruise this fall!! The taxi ride to the terminal from the seawall is usually around $13 for my wife and I. Galveston has plenty to see and do, and it takes several days to see what it has to offer. We usually plan on spending 2 or 3 pre-cruise days just having fun!!!

[midmeadow]

I'm sailing out of Galveston next February. I'm wondering what time I should book my return flight home. I can do self assist debarkation and plan to fly out of IAH. Any thoughts?