FrankNBrew

Rather than start a new thread, I figured I would update this one. 

So we finalized our trip plans several weeks back. I booked a full size car from Budget, one way from IAH to Texas City, for $31 through Costco. We have friend in Beaumont who suggested we stay near the Galleria in Houston, and she would meet us there and show us around. Well here we are, flight leaves tomorrow morning, and she cancelled on us due to illness. We used a Marriott voucher (value up to 25,000 points) to book a room in the Galleria area, but now I'm wondering if that voucher would be put to better use staying elsewhere. I was planning to drop off the rental in Texas City around 11:00 and take an Uber to the port. We're both late 40ish, like a good meal and a cocktail, but prefer to get to bed at a reasonable hour. Should we stick with our Galleria Houston hotel, as we'll be hard pressed to find a better area? Or can you think of a better way to spend an afternoon and evening in the Houston/Galveston area?

46 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

And you get to make an entrance.😀

And it’s a good way to say hi to all my fellow passengers. 🙋‍♂️

On 11/17/2018 at 10:11 AM, Capt_BJ said:

I'm sailing tomorrow - this is from the eDoc for my trip .. copied right now:

 

Alcohol Policy

 

Guests are not allowed to bring beer, hard liquor, fortified wines (vermouth, sherry, sake, and port wines)

I'm not sure why I ignored this response the first time, but I have the same information in my eDoc. Maybe I'll skip the wine altogether.  Or grab a couple screw top Barefoot Moscato's to guzzle on the balcony. 

2 hours ago, SRF said:

 

This is why I like having priority boarding on the three main alliances. 😄

 

 

I get priority boarding on Delta too, but I always check a bag so I don't care if I'm last on board the plane. I like when they call my name over the PA system. I feel important. 😂

19 hours ago, The Fun Researcher said:

 

How about not taking things to hysterics and I might respond less sarcastic as well. 

 

I also totally understand the need (for some) to get up regularly and stretch their legs.  ...and yes I sympathize.  Its interesting that you know everything about my character from two posts.   I think if you knew me or reviewed the body of my posts on this message board you may come to a very different conclusion .

 

Take care and happy cruising.  Really.

 

Regarding the original question I’ve boarded early, and also around 1-2 o’clock. Neither one seem to much different to me. The thing I don’t like about getting there early is the strange walk around the ship toting around your luggage. For me I start to feel normal on a cruise when I drop the bags off in the room and get settled.  That way we can freely wander and enjoy the ship like we will for the next 7+ days

 

Dan

I think from now on when people pop up like popcorn I'll be sure to let them know I empathize with their condition and wish them well. 😂

A quick search using Google maps shows several within a mile from the port. They all appear closed on Sunday.

17 minutes ago, The Fun Researcher said:

 

This always makes me laugh.  Like we are all instantly going to get off the plane as soon as the seatbelt light is turned off.  It’s like a Pavlovian response LOL.

 

What irks me are are the people who don’t understand how to orderly deplane.  There are always those few that need to ram their way up the isle even though rows ahead of them haven’t cleared out.

 

If you are late for a connecting flight say so and most people will help, but if not, don’t think you don’t have to wait like everyone else.

 

This is whole plane thing could easily be turned into a great Saturday Night Live skit.

 

Dan

It's things like this that prompted me to post the question. I was wondering if it was these same folks rushing onto the ship, only to wait in lines once on board (like the airport tunnel), or if there was any advantage to early boarding. 

I always check a bag on Delta (first bag free with Delta AMEX). I never rush to sit in a cramped seat, nor do I leap from my seat upon landing, only to hurry and wait for my bag. 

We leave Saturday, sailing Sunday out of Galveston. I'm getting my cash ready for our trip. I don't want to take too much, or not enough. I'm looking for advice on who we are expected to tip, and how much. We have tours at all 3 stops (Cozumel private Jeep tour, Cayman jet ski tour, Jamaica private 5 hour tour) and I would like tipping suggestions from the time we reach the port until we get back to port. 

I appreciate all of the info, and I really hope to enjoy the ship as much as you all appear to. My only cruise was a 3 night many years ago, and I guess in my mind the ship is the transportation/hotel, and the ports are the vacation spots. I guess I've been reading too much, and now I'm expecting a crowded ship with rude people hogging pool chairs, and lines everywhere...and hence my question about rushing on to the ship. It concerns me that there will be a lot of hurry up and wait.  I hope to discover otherwise.

1 hour ago, pstone1 said:

 

Some people don't like to drink & drive.

I wouldn’t invite the Uber/taxi driver to drink with us. <roll eyes>

30 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Then I just don’t understand your post # 12. 

I agree. If you want to drink that early, why not drink before boarding, somewhere where it's way cheaper? 

I've done enough drinking for a lifetime in my younger years. 6 1/2 days of opportunity to drink is way more than I need, or want. 

2 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Because 1300 is generally the time the cabins are open. Cruisers with carryons like to drop them off in their cabin. The crowds in the WJ and other locations thin out about this time. 

 

When boading around 1300, no lines or groups to board. Just walk right on. 

Sounds perfect. Thanks!

1 minute ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Later would be less crowded.  I'd plan for 1:30pm, that way staterooms are open.

That sounds great. My wife has health issue which require her to get plenty of rest. We need to be up rather early on Saturday to catch our flight. I'm planning for her to nap when we get to Houston, but we are meeting friends that night and may be out later than normal. I want her to sleep in Sunday morning as late as possible. Thanks!

3 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Not for us. We typically board after the rush around 1230-1300. Crowds have mostly gone to their cabins. I think the Drink Package has a lot to do with the mentality to board early and start getting those drinks. 

So you would say 1:00 is your sweet spot?

1 minute ago, Host Clarea said:

With regard to waiting too long to board, Royal has required guests to check-in 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure.  If you cut it too close, and there's a traffic problem, you could be in trouble.

 

Some people enjoy being on the ship and want to maximize their time onboard, so they board as early as possible.

I plan to be in Galveston early. In your experience, at what times between 10:30 and 2:30 would the boarding area be most, or least, busy?

We check out of our hotel in Houston the morning of the 10th. Then a 45 minute ride to Texas City to drop off the rental car. And another 15 minute Uber/taxi to the port. Are there any reasons we would want to rush to board at 11:00? If we can't get into the room until 1:00 why would we want to be on board any sooner? We're supposed to be on board by 3:00. Are there any potential issues with waiting until 2:30?  I'm simply looking for opinions to plan our morning. Thanks.

On 1/25/2019 at 10:37 AM, HBE4 said:

Not that I'm any kind of "rules" person myself as I've been known to bend one or two in the past but, isn't the use of travel routers "breaking the rules"?  If I understand correctly, you can purchase the one-device internet package, connect the router, then connect multiple devices to the router, thereby getting around the need to purchase a multi device package?

 

Isn't that the same thing as a Diamond member sharing free drinks with a non-Diamond or smuggling alcohol (or extra wine) onboard or people with a drink package sharing....

 

I don't have an issue with the travel router myself but I'm just wondering where the typical CC outrage is......

 

It's a way of saving money by bringing something on board you can use, and not have to pay as much to RCI. It's no different than smuggling your own booze on to the ship, which nearly everybody here seems to be fine with. 

1 minute ago, gerif said:

Not really deception. They just offer special drink options not available elsewhere. Can’t imagine anyone thinking they were included. Johnny Rockets offers milkshakes not available elsewhere but they are in no way included in a meal purchase. Why is that different?

I was slightly joking about the deception. But I don't think it's out of the question if Sabor was to include one margarita, or one flight of tequila, for the additional $30 premium. If my wife and I visit our local Mexican joints and spend $60 (including tip) we're gonna need an Uber and a nap. 

That's interesting. The other specialty restaurants don't mention any drinks on their menus. I thought it was a safe assumption that anything listed on the cruise planner menu was included. More deception!

Travelling on Liberty of the Seas in a couple weeks. In the cruise planner I see Sabor is an additional $30. Looking over the menu I see it includes tequila flights and margaritas. Nowhere does it say these are additional cost. Does the $30 per person only include food, or everything on the menu?

5 minutes ago, ERCruiser said:

What is this aft stairway you speak of? We're on Indy in April.

Apparently there’s a crew stairway somewhere back there. I was thinking it might be nice to sneak down with hot plates from the Windjammer. 

33 minutes ago, Thorben-Hendrik said:

Yeah - this so Galveston! 🙄😱

Can you elaborate?

1 minute ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Deck 12 is usually the last place for loungers to fill up.  Check aft.

We are in a deck 10 aft balcony. Which makes finding the secret aft stairway all that more important.

Just now, Biker19 said:

In your cabin.

For our safety, we are not planning to invite other cruisers into our room.  We prefer to engage strangers in public places.

We embark on February 10th on the LOTS from Galveston. It's the week before most schools have winter break, but I don't know how that will affect the demographic of the ship (# of children vs adults).  If we head to the solarium around noon, can we expect to find chairs for two of us? Is there an issue with bringing a small cooler with icy drinks and snacks? Are there any other places on the ship where two adults can enjoy the sun, and other cruisers, with low potential for screaming kids?