Atascocita Mom

Houstonian here - obviously Galveston makes perfect sense for us since it's so close. But I live on the north side of Houston (near IAH) and unless there's been an accident, or it's a holiday weekend, it's no more than an hour drive to the pier, which is the first exit on the island. Like others have said, if the 2 night stay thing is an issue, I'd recommend staying in Clear Lake, Webster, or Pearland. It's not a long drive from there to the island.

We actually rent a party bus to pick us up at the house and drop us off at the pier. That was exceptional.

We found the port staff to be friendly and helpful, and I'll recommend getting a Jr. Suite or above - the expedited boarding was worth it alone.

Drinks - we didn't have any issues getting alcohol. Brands are limited, but it isn't really an issue. Once on board, snag a good view spot at the Windjammer and someone will be around with the Drink of the Day in minutes.

Maybe I was not clear about what gave me a bitter taste and Im sorry for this (english in not my first langage, I speak french)

The point about RCCL not treating me like a guest was about the way they made me feel stupid for asking. I would not have mind at all if someone would have explain to me kindly the reason why I was not able to get the rate even if at that time everybody were getting it. The manage was very condescending, In didnt even insist.

 

To be fair, you weren't asking to pay as a guest, you were asking to pay as a professional who would market their product. When you do that, they are entitled to have certain requirements for you - that you are, in fact, selling their product, and that you are taking the time to be an expert on their product - that you take the time to know the rules and restrictions of certain promotions so that you don't misrepresent their product when (not if) you are selling it. Your conduct with them would lead them to think that you weren't being professional and as such, didn't qualify for the professional rate.

I'll be in the minority here, but I'm not offended by anyone who chooses not to cruise with infants. In fact, I congratulate you on your good sense. I'm not interested in being woke up by the baby next door screaming his head off in the middle of the night, or smelling stinky diapers in trashcans around the ship. I don't want to hear overtired cranky babies because their parents chose to eat dinner at 8 pm. While there are many infant friendly vacations out there, I don't necessarily think cruising is one of them. Perhaps the cruiseline charges what they do because they feel the same. I don't blame babies for acting the way they do - it's natural for them. But instead of spending that much money on something they'll never remember, perhaps consider something more suitable.

If you've been a cruise critic member since 2011 you must have noticed the kind of responses these types of posts get. And just because the various members don't agree with you, it doesn't mean they are "mean and judgemental".

I couldn't agree more. People ask questions looking for an echo chamber and get insulted when they aren't confirmed.

And if you feel like you're already being overcharged for the cruise itself, why are you going? Choose a cheaper cruise line or don't go. Believe me the rest of us won't miss your complaints.

I know I'm going to get flamed for this. Please understand I am not "anti-children," but rather trying to get the OP to see the flip side of things.

 

Why exactly should it be reasonable to expect a discount for a 1 year-old when I don't get a discount for cruising with your 1 year-old? I don't have a child in my cabin, yet I can hear it all night when yours cries. Our cabin attendant spends more time on your cabin because there are more beds to make, dirty diapers to dispose of and finger prints to clean off of walls, mirrors and surfaces. I don't throw things on the floor, but have to watch while your child does. I can smell those dirty diapers from a mile away. My dinner conversation is frequently interrupted by high pierced shrieks - sometimes of joy, sometimes anger, sometimes just the need for a nap. In the horrible event that your child "isn't taking up space" on the lifeboat, because he or she is on your lap, I will be forced to listen to him or her wailing. Now that I think about it, maybe I should be entitled to that discount you think is so "reasonable" because your child impacts my vacation. And, while I'm at it, I should also request compensation for the anguish of having to look at families with children when I wasn't able to have them.

I do have children and I'm right there with you.

Ours are older now, but when they were little, like the OP's, we worked off of this tipping plan in restaurants and it applies here as well. Ask for crackers to settle the kids down, then tip very well to make up for the mess they make. If you have children and you're honest with yourself, you know your kids make more mess than an adult and require more/different care than an adult. If anything I'll tip more because I know that our concierge and wait staff will do more cleaning up with the kids than they'd do for an adult.

It's funny that you can see from posts who's going to have a good time on a cruise and be relaxed and who's going into expecting issues. And who desperately NEEDS a vacation. :)

First time cruiser here and I'm hoping to go with the flow. Set my expectations at being flexible and enjoying all the new experiences. I hope all this angst isn't what happens when you become jaded by multiple cruises.

Sailing for my parents' 60th anniversary and totally looking forward to every aspect of our vacation.

Min. weight is important. If the weight isn't heavy enough, the raft doesn't have the right speed going up and coming down, and could shift and flip.

Jan. 9, 2017.... In a resent U.S.P.H. inspection conducted on January 8 2017, Royal Caribbean cruise ship Liberty of the Seas earned perfect 100 points. The 160000 gross ton Liberty of the Seas was returning from a 6 Days Western Caribbean Cruise to its homeport Galveston, Texas when the unannounced inspection occur. CDC inspectors boarded the vessel and after several hours Liberty received a perfect score of 100 points with compliments to all crew for their amazing and hard work in regards to Public Health compliance. Nobody can imagine the crew member's proud smile on their face since yesterday when the Captain of the vessel announced on the PA system the ship's excellent scores. All on board the cruise ships have worked very hard, especially on a day before turnaround, and they need to be recognized accordingly. Congratulations to the crew onboard the Liberty of the Seas and thanks to a full 100 marks.

http://crew-center.com/liberty-seas-receives-perfect-usph-score

This is what I love about Texas.... A fast moving front can change things in hours. The "average" high on Galveston in Jan is 61. But you know how averages work. Posted this on my FB page in March.

No problem. As an Ohio transplant to Florida, it was quite a change for me as well.

 

I'll tell you this... a tropical depression isn't even close to being as scary as some heavy Midwest Thunder Boomer storms with their crazy lightning and tornado potential. Don't even worry until it becomes a strong Tropical Storm.

 

TD and light TS aren't much to write home about.

 

I can tell you that most Floridians don't even start pillaging the grocery stores and emptying the gas stations until it hits a borderline Cat 2/Cat 3 Hurricane. One year they didn't even cancel MOST of the schools for a Cat 1 that was heading our way. I think a few on the direct coast did, but I'm only 40-ish miles inland and life was business as usual for us.

This is the attitude that got so many folks in trouble for Ike. TS Allison, dropped heavy rainfall along its path, peaking at over 40 inches (1,000 mm) in Texas. The worst flooding occurred in Houston where most of Allison's damage occurred: 30,000 became homeless after the storm flooded over 70,000 houses and destroyed 2,744 homes. Downtown Houston was inundated with flooding, causing severe damage to hospitals and businesses. Twenty-three people died in Texas. Along its entire path, Allison caused $9 billion (2001 USD) in damage and 41 deaths.

Hurricane Ike, a category 2 when it hit Galveston, killing over 100 people.Due to its immense size, Ike caused devastation from the Louisiana coastline all the way to the Kenedy County region near Corpus Christi, Texas. In addition, Ike caused flooding and significant damage along the Mississippi coastline and the Florida Panhandle. Damages from Ike in U.S. coastal and inland areas are estimated at $29.5 billion.

Category and TD, TS designation only focus on sustained wind speed. They speak nothing to the physical size of the storm or the damage they can do. Each storm is different.

Arcade charges don't go against daily spending limits. Found that out the hard way. Have to watch your account daily to supervise what they are spending

Good to know!

On our last three RCCL cruises Oasis, Freedom and Allure it was loaded automatically on my daughters card. We did not have to go to guest services but word of warning.... on each ship we had issues with games not working but still charging the pass. This happened multiple times on multiple games in multiple locations. My daughter just turned 8 last week so we were of course with her and noticed and started paying close attention. I work with middle schoolers and I think most kids would not even notice the deductions they just keep scanning the card until it works or move on to another game. Each time after we started keeping a close eye on it we contacted guest services and they always credited the amount back onto her card and never seemed surprised that it was happening. It appears to be a wide spread problem that will eat into your kids allotted amounts very quickly,

That's good to know.

Unfortunately, we are first time cruisers and can't sign up for the C&A until after the cruise....

Storm passed to the east. Galveston had some high surf and rain, but that's about it.

Check your cruise planner.

 

There was a 20% discount over the weekend, depending on your ship. Not sure when it expires.

 

https://www.******************.com/2017/06/15/royal-caribbean-adds-arcade-credit-pre-cruise-purchase-options

Awesome. It's still there! Thanks!

It's such a great ship. We have a good page on social media for Liberty lubbers. December is a great time to cruise. RC has special decorations and activities for the holidays!

We're going Dec. 10. It's our first cruise, though we're cruising with family members who are frequent RCI cruisers.

Really excited and really looking forward to seeing the holiday decorations.

We just booked Moody Gardens for 170, its a 4 star hotel and rooms are 500 sq ft

You'll enjoy it. If you have the time, they've just renovated the Aquarium pyramid at Moody Gardens and it's supposed to be very nice.

Depends on how early Saturday. If it's not too late, I'd get a hotel in Galveston and enjoy the island on Saturday evening. It will be much more entertaining than a hotel near IAH. I'd say give it about an hour and a half from IAH to the island. Book early and expect to pay more if it is Mardi Gras, but the fun will be worth it. On Galveston, nearness to the port isn't an issue. It's not a big island, and travel time to the port isn't much from anywhere - most hotels will have shuttles. I live 15 minutes from IAH and on cruise days, I usually drive my parents in from my house without any issues. We're actually going on the next one, though, so we're hiring a limo to take us all down there.