theotherchad

We're looking at renting a VRBO in Galveston, and I have a question. When I input our check in and check out dates, checking in on the 3rd and checking out on the 5th, that would be two nights in a hotel. But when I search those dates in the area on VRBO, the pricing on the website shows the per day cost and calculates the total as 3 days. Is that just how VRBO works? They charge you for your check out day as well? I feel silly asking, but the website has zero sort of FAQ about something so simple and fundamental.

I don' t generally have any issues as we are on the island at least 6 or 8 times a year for the last decade or more (COVID first year excepted), but I have definitely encountered some gridlock and way more traffic than usual on those special event weekends.

I'm sure there are advantages to being local, but most people aren't going to have that info. We've either debarked or embarked during the Shrimp Festival once and during the Lone Star Rally once. Both times, it was a madhouse for us. Not insurmountable, but definitely inconvenient. We know our way around the island in general, but didn't have any special knowledge of alternate routes.

Yes, there has been not enough details, such as marmalade thievery and the like. These are the details I need! 😁

Not once you're at the cruise terminal and on the ship it's not, but getting around the island can be a bit challenging on those days.

You got that right! They used to toggle back and forth through about 8 or 10 ports and now, it seems they toggle between 3 or 4.

To be fair, I wasn't saying that Galveston was the friendliest demographic, just that many cruisers and cruise staff over the years have told me that it was friendlier than some other ports. But your experience is just as valid as theirs and I appreciate your input on the thread. Thanks for sharing!

I'm sure that is true, but I think that the biggest differences in the passenger mix (when sailing mass market) are in the length of the cruise. Basically, the shorter the cruise, the younger the average age onboard and the more party oriented the crowd will be. 7 day is the most average mix and any cruises over 7-10 days, the average age goes up dramatically!

Is it just general level of friendliness or is there more? BTW, I have lived in NYC in my youth and I did discover that, while New Yorkers and Eastern Seaboard folk in general are less likely to greet and smile at strangers, the actual friendliness of the people there is pretty much the same once you get to know them.

We've noticed a tendency to "dress down" a bit sailing out of Galveston, but there are a few of us Texans that still like to dress up! 😁

Thanks for the responses so far, everyone!

I inquired of the cruise director on his Facebook page as to whether there would be a lot of new crew, and his reply was that it was just the usual transition from those starting new contracts and finishing old ones. No significant change in the crew. I'm hoping that the crew will like us better than the Florida pax. A little healthy rivalry is fun! 😁

Very interesting stats! I wonder if the typical cruise length sailings out of those markets is a factor? I'm also curious for that info pertaining to non-Florida Gulf Coast sailings. I'm from there and we do sometimes refer to it as the Redneck Riviera. 😁 That aside, I'm not really looking for people to tell me "classy vs trashy" with regard to these ports, more the personality and the way the crowd may affect the relative popularity of various venues onboard.

I'm hoping that since the crew and staff will get a short break from the cones (what I'm told they call passengers sometimes), that they'll be rested and ready to be the happy, helpful folks we've always found them to be. 😁

I think all the issues you listed are an issue for some folks and not as much for others. I wonder how Galveston will stack up against some of the much busier ports like Miami (when we have significantly more ships than we do now) when it comes to how difficult all those factors are (parking, getting to the port, etc.). I've heard lots of horror stories and accounts of things being super easy. Everybody's experience is different, I guess. I would say that unless it's during one of the big holidays/festivals/biker ralllies, etc. I don't see an issue with there being sufficient restaurants, etc. On those weekends, though, all bets are off. Galveston is a madhouse during those special weekends.