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Hi! Here is what I just posted in another thread. Hope it can be helpful!

We used Galveston Express in June both to and from Galveston and we are so happy we did.

Keith, the owner and driver, was very helpful and answered all my questions quickly with personal detailed answers by e-mail before we booked.

We stayed at a hotel close to IAH, right on the way to Hobby and he offered US to be picked up at our hotel instead of going back to the airport in the morning. It saved us a lot of time and we could start the morning with no stress!

We were the only one between IAH and Hobby and we almost had a sightseeing on the way. Keith told us a lot of stuff on the way. We picked up some more people at Hobby and then we stopped at a nice store/gasstation where we were able to buy some bottled water for a reasonable price if we wanted to bring it on the ship! We arrived before scheduled arrivaltime.

On our way back to IAH we had the same great experience and we got dropped of at the rental car pick up area because we were going to pick up our car for a road trip.

We would definately use Galveston Express again if we are cruising out of Galveston. And we recommend you to go with then. No reason not to use them! It went smooth and easy, nothing to worry about. They used a big nice car. The price was the best we could find and the timeschedule was perfect for both our departure and arrivaltime.

The booking was easily done on the homepage and all questions were answered in a way that I appriciate = no worries at all!!!

We were totally satisfied. 10 out of 10!!!

__________________

Annika

We used Galveston Express in June both to and from Galveston and we are so happy we did. :)

Keith, the owner and driver, was very helpful and answered all my questions quickly with personal detailed answers by e-mail before we booked.

We stayed at a hotel close to IAH, right on the way to Hobby and he offered US to be picked up at our hotel instead of going back to the airport in the morning. It saved us a lot of time and we could start the morning with no stress!

We were the only one between IAH and Hobby and we almost had a sightseeing on the way. Keith told us a lot of stuff on the way. We picked up some more people at Hobby and then we stopped at a nice store/gasstation where we were able to buy some bottled water for a reasonable price if we wanted to bring it on the ship! We arrived before scheduled arrivaltime.

On our way back to IAH we had the same great experience and we got dropped of at the rental car pick up area because we were going to pick up our car for a road trip.

We would definately use Galveston Express again if we are cruising out of Galveston. And we recommend you to go with then. No reason not to use them! It went smooth and easy, nothing to worry about. They used a big nice car. The price was the best we could find and the timeschedule was perfect for both our departure and arrivaltime.

The booking was easily done on the homepage and all questions were answered in a way that I appriciate = no worries at all!!!

We were totally satisfied. 10 out of 10!!!:):):)

Zero. They will let you charge up to $500 before they ask you to pay down the account.

Thank you for answering. So if I got it right, we can spend up to $500 and then pay with cash? Can we pay it with a creditcard as well?

So, if we decide to go for the "cash-option" how much do we need to get the Sea Pass started?:confused:

We are cruising with Navigator in three weeks and need information! So if we want to use cash, how much do we need for the Sea Pass account? Per person or per cabin? Are we really able to use 500 before we have to pay? We have already payed for our drinkpackages and excursions and are not expecting to spend a fortune on board. We are first-timers and since we are going on a roadtrip after the cruise we don't want any trouble with our cards. We are going to check with our bank about their policy as well. How much do they "hold" on the card?:confused:

You can go to the cruise terminal first and drop off your luggage with a porter and then visit the Strand Historical District just across the street. There are museums and shops to pass the time and a crosswalk over the street leading into and out of Cruise Terminal One.

Thanks! Great idea! I think we try to do that if we have the time! :)

For those of you taking the Galveston Express from Houston to Galveston, I'm wondering if you're booking the bus that arrives in Galveston at 9:30 am or 2:00 pm? For me, 9:30 is too early and 2 pm is too late; I would like to try to check-in around noon if possible. If you're taking the early bus, how are you planning to spend the time while you wait to check in?

We made a reservation for the 7.30-bus. I know we will wake up early (too early!!!) because of the timedifference (flying in from Europe the evening before)

and we think it's better to be in port a little bit early than late.

Thank you so much for sharing! So much helpful information and I appriciate the Cruise compasses. We were already excited and now we are even more, if possible....:)

We are going with Navigator in June (Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamaica)

What about the tenderports? A mess or like when you are docked?

Do you know how much the spinnclasses were?

Thanks again for a great review! I'm already addicted to cruising, I think;)

Near the end of 7 mile beach is Cemetery beach(no amenities) and is very nice with a reef for snorkelers not far from the beach. We call it $10 beach because that's what it cost us to get there and back using the local bus/jitney van...

Hi! We will probably visit Cemetery Beach in June. Seems to me like taking the bus in GC is safe and easy. How long before ship´s departure do you recommend to leave and head back to the ship?

I´m kind of a "safety-person", some may call me a control freak.... just a good thing to know when planning the departure!:eek:

Thanks for any advice! :)

Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to read more. :)

So excited!! We are boarding June 14 and looking forward to the review. :)

I will post my review in this thread when we have used their transfer in June.

I've had so much help from this forum, I will be happy to help someone else!:)

Just booked Galveston Express for our transfer in June. They charge 45 dollar roundtrip IAH-Galveston. They have three transfer/day each way. It was easy to book and I got quick and personal answer by e-mail concerning my questions before booking. I will come up with a review after using their service in June if someone is interested!?

Odds of making it through customs by 10 am are in your favor, though delays sometimes happen (fog delay for example).

 

Is there a reason to go all the way to the airport to pick up a rental car? If I were renting post cruise, I'd check prices picking from the Avis and Budget locations in Texas City and returning wherever you need. If prices and terms from either company work for you, make a cancellable reservation then call the TexasCity location (they share a desk in a Sears store) and ask them to add a pick up at port ($50 fee for entire party). That is likely less than an airport transfer. When you call from port to say you are ready a driver will come down just for you. Just another option to consider.

Thanks for your answer. We have to go back to pick up the car at IAH since our TA in Sweden couldn't make any other pickup location than IAH. Maybe because we are going to drop off in a different location (FL) Its already arranged and paid for, thats why.....

Does anyone know how to book the Entertainment? I have checked the internet booking and it just says " stand up", " ice -show" or show" .

How do you know what time the shows are? How do you already know when you have the time to se the shows ? Do you have to pre-book? Last time we went on a RCCL cruise you didn´t have to pre-book. I have so been looking forward to see Mama Mia on our cruise. Last autumn RCCL did a big campaign of the fact that Mama Mia would be on the Allure this summer!

Hi Swedish! We have the same problem (swedish too :))I sent an e-mail to RCCL, waiting for an answer. We are trying to book in the Cruiseplanner (American HomePage and we had no problem with the drinkpackages and shoreexcursions)

Have you manager to book yet? If you have, how did you do? I will post here if/when I get an answer from RCCL.

First time cruiser here... We are going to make a reservation for the shuttle back to Houston. Is it realistic to think we are off the ship and done with customs /immigration (non US-citizens) by 10am to catch the shuttle back?

I know its impossible to know for sure and we have no flight to catch, we are just going to pick up a rental car for our upcoming roadtrip.

Next shuttle don't leave until 3pm and it would be great to hit the road asap of course!

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thank you for answering! You made our decision much easier! We will definately book the Red Stripe Beach excursion through Royal Caribbean. Seems like a nice beach, no long transfer to get there and not as expensive as the AI options we found. They look definately just wonderful, but we don't "need" an "AI" in Jamaica:) Counting the days.....

We were just in Jamaica a week or so ago with another couple. The weather was not that great so the wife and I stayed in the port but our friends did the Red Stripe Beach excursion. They said the beach was alright, probably would have been better if the weather was nicer (overcast and drizzle at times). There are bathrooms there as well as a place to get food and drinks. I believe the beach is only available thru an excursion, and is not open to the general public. Also the shuttles between the beach and Falmouth run fairly frequently.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Craig

Thanks for answering! All info is helpful to a first-time-cruiser!:)

Thank you Lard Greystoke and mrsfuzzmo! Im glad to hear some positive things about Falmouth too and I hope we get the opportunity to exprience what you did!:)

We went to Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort in Jamaica & booked it through Resort for a Day. The resort was nice & clean & the staff was very welcoming.

The beach was beautiful & the pools were nice.

They have a water park that opened shortly after we were there.

The glass bottom boat ride was great but you need to sign up for it as soon as you get there.

The food was very good & the drinks were plentiful.

The only negative was it is 45 minutes away (transportation is included in the price of the day pass) so we were only there from 10-2:30.

Here is a link to the review I am doing if you want to see it. Falmouth starts on page 6. I hope to finish my review & add a lot more pics tomorrow when it rains. :D

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2181064

Juli

Thank you so much for answering! And for sharing the review and pictures!

It means a lot for a "first time cruiser" like me to get this kind of information! We are trying to get familiar with the destinations to hopefully make the best of our time in the ports :)

Thank you so much for helping me! Now I can fel comfortable knowing what to do!:)

Hi all!

Here´s a question from a "first time cruiser"! I have searched the threads here but Im still confused.:confused:

Since we have the "My time dining"- option we have the gratuities prepaid. Are we supposed to tip anyone anyway? If yes, to whom and how much? Need some help because we are from Sweden, where we don't have the tipping system at all! Have been traveling to/in US about six times and are familiar with tipping at hotels and restaurants.

Just want to do "the right thing" on our cruise on Navigator in June!:)

For Navigator out of Galveston, 5:30pm and 8pm.

Thanks for your help!:)

There are no advanced reservations for shows on Navigator. Show times will be convenient for the two traditional dining times.

 

You don't have to make reservations for My Time, you can just show up. If you make reservations and decide to change, it's a good idea to call the My Time desk and notify them so others can use the table you reserved.

Ok, thanks! Then I will wait until we are on the ship!

When is the traditional dining times?

We have My time dining on our upcoming cruise in June and I have some questions.

In "Cruiseplanner" I can make reservations for every evening, for special restaurants and for the Main dining room. Do I have to decide when I want My time dining every evening ahead or can I just show up?

What if I make a reservation and change my plans about My time dining?

Im not able to see the entertainment schedule (Navigator) and I think its hard to decide when to eat not knowing about the entertainment.... Don't want to miss the shows:)

This is our first cruise (since we did one 21(!!!)years ago I consider us as first time cruisers!);)