Almost Live from the Grand Princess

In Galvestion tonight, packing my jeans and checking them twice. Staying at the Holiday Inn On the Beach (the one at 5002 Seawall Blvd). I ended up in a king leisure or some such room I guess, 'cause I'm on an upper floor, with microwave/fridge in the room and something you don't see on most cruise ships - complimentary bottled water.

Dinner tonight was at Landry's next to the resort next door, and the fried shrimp and oyster platter was pretty darned good and just what the doctor ordered for a pre-cruise stomach stretching exercise!

Galveston (Hope Santa brings me a new laptop with a decent keyboard)...

Holiday Inn Pics

A jetty here and there and yonder to walk along, fish, watch the sunset...

Drive thru ATM adjacent to HI:

Go away clouds:

What are the odds of finding free bottled water on a cruise ship?

A lot of folks said that they were electing to stay at what I would refer to as upscale places the pre-cruise night. So glad you are in that HI which where we have our reservations.

Enjoy!

Jim

Not all the rooms have the fridge/micro/water, but I'm pretty sure they are all have balconies with a water view. Also free WiFi Internet and a coffee maker to boot!

There is a liquor store a couple of blocks away and all kinds of restaurants in the area as well.

The lower floors will have a better view of the roof of the lobby, but you can still see the beach/water. My room is on the 7th floor and I really like the view.

Free cruise parking and also free shuttle to the ship is included. Sign up for the shuttle when you check in for best choices of shuttle times.

Seems to be a tad windy out there and a little more wave action. Woo hoo!

Enjoy your cruise!

Great pictures and thanks for the hotel suggestion. Can hardly wait for your review! Have a great time.

Thank you for the pictures and information. It would take us 5 1/2 hours to drive to Galveston from our home......think you just talked us into to staying over night prior to a cruise.;)

Gail

There are lots of places to stay in Galveston. One consideration for a post cruise stay is what is the earliest time they will allow you to check in? The standard policy is sometime in the afternoon, but if your room is ready, many let you check in whenever you show up. Sitting in a lobby for a few hours waiting for check-in time isn't much fun.

Looking out the back of the hotel, you can see the cruise ships:

Maybe we'll tow that barge along:

Shuttle van and cruise ship parking behind the hotel:

Turning into a sunny day...

AAhhh... I was fine until I saw the cruise ship photo... Now I'm just filled with envy!!!!!

Enjoy your cruise!

Wow! Thanks so much for the pics! Have never been to Galveston before, what a nice beach! Keep 'em coming:) Have a great week.

Looks like a great day for a cruise! Have a wonderful trip!!

Merry Christmas, have a wonderful cruise, as if I had to tell you that! I'm sure you'll have a great time, I've never had a bad cruise. I'd love to see some pics of how they added the MUTS to the Grand, if you don't posting them. It looks like your camera does a good job.

It has been many years since I've been to Galveston. I remember the water being a muddy shade of brown and the beaches quite underwhelming. Is the water really that blue now? Has the Gulf of Mexico been cleaned up? Or are those photos catching things at their very best?

Hi Z! The pictures are making me very envious. Enjoy your cruise, jeans and all! :D Merry Christmas!

Wow! great pictures. Thanks for posting.

Hope you have a great cruise!

Thanks all. We be cruising !!! The water is Gulf of Mexico water, for sure.

So far, so good. Embarkation was less than 30 minutes to cabin. Skipped the buffet and went to Da Vinci for lunch - wasn't crowded and was very good.

MUTS:

Lunch (lots of jeans):

Cell phone signal seems to be fading... Maybe the end of free Internet. :mad:

In a Mini-Suite this time - not really sure of the difference other than a bathtub and a few more feet...

Fridge:

Safe:

oops Sunset - brb... maybe not...

I love lunch in the dining room on the first day on a ship!

What a pleasant surprise and a wonderful earily Xmas present for us all !!!

Wow Wow Wow !!! Great posts and pictures !!! :) Thanks !!

Srpilo

Oh yeah,

Santa's Happy...

Zydecocruiser -- I happened to click on the webcam this afternoon just as the Grand was pulling away from the pier, so I decided to watch her leave. It looked like the ship pulled away, then went back towards shore and angled towards Fisherman's Wharf before she straightened out and moved back towards the channel. Did you notice anything unusual as you were leaving port? It appeared to be very unusual watching on the internet. I thought it might be the camera, but I've watched ships leave Galveston before, and I've never seen one do what the Grand did today.

Thanks for all the pictures and information. Please keep posting; it's very entertaining. I'm so jealous. Have a wonderful time and a Very Merry Christmas!