Trvlr37

Essie's Mom - how do you know which cabins have the tub? Is it on the deck plans somewhere? Thanks!

In January we cruised on the Breeze and we stayed in Texas City at the Comfort Inn because the hotels were so expensive in Galveston.

The morning of the cruise we got Uber to pick up at our hotel and take us to the port in Galveston. The ride for 4 people was $19.00.

Definitely way cheaper than a taxi would've been

 

 

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Thank you so much for posting this - I had thought they did not allow Uber in Galveston from previous posts I had read.

We are cruising in April and many hotels in Galveston are requiring 2-nights. Plus, Galveston hotels in April are quite expensive.

We were on the Splendor a couple of weeks ago and when we debarked, to the left was a Global Entry line. No kiosk just a CBP officer. There were a couple people in line. There was no line at the regular area so we skipped GE and used it.

Thank you - we sail Splendor soon! :cool:

Just posted a review of Galveston Limo.

In short, they were on time, friendly, got me to the airport on time. Drawback, they showed up at the wrong ship. Confirm the ship pick up just to be sure and it will be great.

Thank you for sharing!

Thanks, John! I think we could manage.

We are trying Super Shuttle. I called the others and they were more expensive - except Uber shared or regular Uber. However, Uber vans/SUV's were more expensive.

My hubby is afraid our luggage won't fit into a standard Uber car...we carry 2 29" suitcases and 2 19" carry-ons. Does anyone know if they will fit in an Uber standard car?

For this trip we booked Super Shuttle, but I would like to try Uber sometime.

I have cruised out of Galveston about 6 times, always used to stay at Galveston either San Luis ( which is a great hotel) or Hilton which is very nice, but about 2 years ago rates doubled and Hilton is close to 300 a night and requires a 2 night stay, so now we do a hotel by airport for about 100 a night. Will most likely do the same in April for next cruise. WE like the doubletree by Hobby nice hotel with restaurant and lounge

Thanks for the tip on the Doubletree Hobby!

We are sailing out of Galveston in April. I have been watching hotels and they are expensive and many require 2-night stays.

I am having trouble finding anything less than $200 for our 1 night pre-cruise with a low-cost transfer to the cruiseport. I did find some lower pricing (in the high $150-190's) on the West side of Galveston, but then when I called these hotels/motels, the transfer to the cruiseport is $50! The only other option is a cab and I honestly do not want to pay a taxi cab meter because we can get stuck in traffic and I have heard that the traffic can get bad by the cruiseport.

I'm very disappointed at the pricing of hotels in Galveston for our cruise. Therefore, we'll be staying near the airport.

We used them many years ago and it was great. I will also be using them again for our next cruise out of Galveston. I'm hoping they will still be as good.

I don't know a lot about transportation from Gavleston and am learning myself, but probably best to rent a car. Transportation is expensive between the airports and cruiseport and I don't believe it to be any better unless you stay near the airport or Downtown and book a tour to the Space Center that would include transportation.

Hard to get a refund after paid in full. Best to try for an upgrade to a higher level. Don't think you will get Yacht Club, though.

We are hoping to sail out of Galveson next Spring and the shuttle and hotel cost from the airport to the cruiseport is expensive. We sailed from Galveston some years ago and I don't remember it being such a big expense or hassle. I was hoping it would have gotten easier, rather than more difficult.

New Orleans is easy in comparison to Galveston and even Orlando/Port Canaveral which is also some distance to the cruiseport is easy.

We will probably not sail from Galveston again unless they can provide better options for travellers who have to fly in. Very disappointing. :(

I will be using Super Shuttle in October from Port Everglades to MIA airport. I will try to remember to post how it was as I have not seen too many recent reviews. We have cruised many times and I see their vans all over South Florida. I called and actually got a better rate than what was listed online (I think I qualified for a discount). The person who took my order was courteous and helpful.

Blue Herons - thanks so much for the restaurant tip! The Ortanique sounds really great (something different and unique). Appreciate your help.

I learned we can visit Vizcaya from a Hop On Hop Off bus tour offered by the cruiseline's shore excursion desk. Thanks for the tip, Blue Herons! Is there anywhere you would recommend we visit for lunch that is part of the Hop On Hop Off bus tour nearby?

You should be fine but why not push it to the later flight, have breakfast on the ship, head to Miami, tour Vizcaya, have a late brunch, then head to the Miami airport?

BlueHerons - what's the best way to tour Vizcaya? Is there a tour you would recommend or rent a car?

We will be on the Harmony of the Seas (first FLL sailing) in November. We currently have a 12:00 p.m. flight out of Miami on American Airlines. Harmony sails from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. We disembark on a Tuesday. The only other flight option is 6:43 p.m. out of Miami. If we walk off the ship with our luggage (we are Diamond and have priority on RCCL), book Larry's Limo for 8:15 pickup, we also have TSA Global Entry - will we make the 12:00 flight out of Miami?

Or should I change our flight to the evening flight?

Totally agree, if they offered a package similar to what Carnival offers, I'd gladly stop lugging a case of water onboard.

So would I. We can only hope that management is reading these boards and offers it. It's a great way for the line to make $$$. Those few dollars really can add up.

I wish RCCL would offer a water package with the smaller water bottles so we would not have to pour the water from the larger bottles to the ones we can carry... It would also be wonderful if they would make the pricing affordable like other cruiselines have done so we don't have to shlep the smaller bottles with us.

Since smoking on the balconies has been banned on most cruiselines, I have actually seen more people smoking on the balconies on our recent cruises than when it was allowed. I truly haven't seen any changes "in practice." Last cruise we were on, none of the rules were followed! People were hogging pool chairs, children in diapers were "swimming" in the adult pool, people were wearing jeans and t-shirts and shorts on formal night in the dining rooms, and people were smoking on the balconies! Did it ruin my vacation? Not at all! Life is too short to worry about what everyone else is doing...

Aww, that's too bad!! Galveston is a magical place, with so much to see and explore... I hope if your travel plans don't include a longer stay this time, you'll be able to come back and visit the island soon! :-)

 

-gina-

Gina - Thank you for such kind words - we are still working things out but are hoping now to stay a few days after our cruise.

I will be sailing in March 2017 with a group of female veterans. We are all coming in from all over the US to sail together. Some of us may arrive the day before the cruise and are looking for cheap accommodations around the port area as well as transportation to the port. What is the rate for the rooms at the hotel you mentioned? My cruise roommate and I will be arriving the day before sailing. Did I understand you correctly when you said they charge $55 per room to get to the cruiseport? Not per person? I'm just trying to plan ahead and save some pennies if we can. Thanks for the info. Any help is appreciated. :)

 

Where is this hotel located?

Emtangelwings66 - if you are flying in only 1 day prior to your cruise, you might want to stay at the airport. It is must less expensive than staying near the port. Yes, it was $55 per room to get to the cruiseport from the hotel which is expensive to go just a few miles unless your are needing to park your car.

I'm all for peace and quiet too, believe me :-) We would choose that any day over crazy crowds and hassle. Dinner delivery is a great idea! I know Bryants Jungle Cafe delivers (my son delivers for them :-) ) and has awesome burgers and wraps and such, Russo's is great for pizza and they deliver as well, and there's always Jimmy John's for sandwiches.

 

www.junglegalveston.com

http://nypizzeria.com/locations/store-information/?loc_id=15

www.jimmyjohns.com

Crazy4themouse - thanks so much for the delivery tips! It looks like we might not be staying here after all. Our airfare just became available and we may not be staying as long as I had originally planned in Galveston. We may just take a night at the airport instead.

Townplace Suites sounds really nice, though and the staff person when I called was great. If we fly in 2 days early, we will plan to stay in Galveston. However, I don't think it will be worth it for just a few hours before boarding the ship. Rates at the Townplace Suites were under $200 for our April trip which is less than all the other hotels in Galveston.

We may be renting a car for the few days we will be there. I believe it will still be cheaper than paying over $200-$300 per night for the closer-to-the-action hotels. We are also "older" and we can order dinner to be delivered... ;) :cool:

We really don't plan to do much other than relax and hopfully enjoy the warmer Galveston weather prior to the cruise.