*** The Galveston, Texas "Cruise Cam" Watch Group ***

[CGBCruiser]

If Hong kong becomes a major home port...will CC get loaded down with threads about smoking and tipping and fog????

 

Ya cannot blame the major cruise lines for going where the money is!!!!!!!!!!

 

The Chinese govt has money, not the people.

[CGBCruiser]

Headed to Galveston today for the Home Show at the Convention Center! Looking forward to seeing all the things I can wish for!!!

[TEXASMUNK]

Checked out the web cam this morning.....Skies could not be any bluer, wind is still, water is as flat as a pancake in the channel.

Not sure on the temp....but it is a beautiful day to board a ship!!!!

[R_Judy]

It is definately Brrrr outside. Yesterday wind chill was in the 40's. Winds 30 to 40 mph and seas were 10' plus. Mariner was so smooth though!

 

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

[klingoncruiser]

Morning everyone. Very nice view on the cam. We board next week in NOLA on the Norwegian Star. Looking forward to Norwegian coming to Houston in 2014. Wonder if they will be smart enough to set up a cam.:)

[Cindy]

I did the Princess Crown in January. If you eliminate the perks you get being Diamond/Diamond+, I didn't find it that much different than Royal Caribbean.

 

I agree the buffet was not as good as the WJ. However, I did appreciate that they bought your drinks to the table for you and pre-set it with silverware so that was less you had to tote when getting your food.

 

MTD was a disaster for us the first two nights. We like to eat around 6:30 or 7:00. The first two nights, we got a beeper and a wait of 45 minutes the first night, 35 the second night to get a table. The next two nights we went to the Lido. The last three nights it was better with only minimal waits. I asked about a reservation and was told they were only available for 5:30 or 8:30.

 

I liked that I didn't have to wait for elevators unless it was after a show or when some other major event let out. They have more than the Mariner. I didn't like the fact there were only four elevators when you came in from port. On our cruise, one was out of service. If you weren't standing in front of one when it got there, you weren't getting one. Then the call button had to be reset so if the elevator in front of you got a call during the other one being emptied, you were in the back of the bus again. We were there at an "off" time. I'd hate to see it when a bus load lets off. We gave up after a 20 minute wait, hiked up two decks and crossed over to another bank of elevators.

 

I am a smoker. I thought they were very good in providing smoking areas away from other public areas. I didn't have to listen to smart remarks, see exaggerated fanning of faces, or lectures as non-smokers walked by. For non-smokers, I think the fact you can't smoke on your balcony or in the casino would be a big plus.

 

Agree, was not impressed with the entertainment. The one production show we went to was pre-recorded, loud, amateurish, and not that good sets, costumes, or content.

 

I found the food in the MDR on par with Royal Caribbean and service about the same.

 

I liked the cabin layout better than Royal with the closet. There was a lack of drawer space with only two drawers in the bed side table but shelves in the closet area worked.

 

We did have turn down service every night with the Patters placed on our bed along with chocolates. I don't remember if we got a towel animal or not because they aren't that important to me. I think the lack of turn down service warranted a complaint to guest services.

 

I thought the Cafe was much better than Royal's and even did lunch there a couple of times. However, the only "free" drink you could get there was water. Charge for coffee, tea, etc.

 

I found the "bank" system in the casino confusing when using the slots which is all I did. You could put dollars into the machine but to retrieve your money, you had to set up a "bank" with your birth date and a pin, then get a print out to take over to the cashier and feed the pin number in again. I'm sure this is nice for them as people would just let their money stay in the "bank" and play it all out eventually rather than retrieving it and going to the cashier every time you are finished playing and maybe not going back again.

 

We had an 8-hour fog delay and they really handled it well. Left all the food venues operating, cooked up activities to keep everyone as busy as they wanted to be, gave frequent updates. I heard some people even stayed in their cabin until early afternoon. They bent over backwards to help people arrange rebooking of air even if they didn't buy their air from them and secure hotel rooms for those who would be stuck overnight.

 

Tucker in Texas

 

Thanks for your balanced report! We also have things we like/dislike about every cruise line we've been on.

[TEXASMUNK]

I was not referring to mainland China...I was referring to the region. RCI is not bringing the ship there because they are hoping. The original success of Rhapsody, then the success of Voyager. The REGION is a moneymaker for RCI.

Edited March 3, 2013 by TEXASMUNK

[CGBCruiser]

It is definately Brrrr outside. Yesterday wind chill was in the 40's. Winds 30 to 40 mph and seas were 10' plus. Mariner was so smooth though!

 

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

 

It was freezing yesterday in Galveston...walked down the Strand and over to the Pier. The wind was definitely blowing hard! Weird thing is at the beach on the Seawall it was so calm, but the harbor was choppy. Last time we sailed this time of year we had 18+ ft. seas. No fun!

[ssb]

Headed to Galveston today for the Home Show at the Convention Center! Looking forward to seeing all the things I can wish for!!!

 

Go To International Oleander Society booth

ask for Galveston Cruiser .

 

I will be over shortly also!

Hope we see you!!!!

Edited March 3, 2013 by ssb

[CruisenFunToo]

I was not referring to mainland China...I was referring to the region. RCI is not bringing the ship there because they are hoping. The original success of Rhapsody, then the success of Voyager. The REGION is a moneymaker for RCI.

 

RCI is not the one that is behind Mariner going to China. The ship is on a full charter for the next two years in China.

 

As part of the charter agreement is major changes and removal of many venues. Basicly the removal of bars and replacement by shopping one of them a high end watch shop. Also the casino is being greatly changed and enlarged. Most of the slots are being replaced by tables and a high roller room is going in.

 

Also work visa are in general not being granted so a whole new crew is in training and has been on board for several months now for the change over.

[ssb]

It was freezing yesterday in Galveston...walked down the Strand and over to the Pier. The wind was definitely blowing hard! Weird thing is at the beach on the Seawall it was so calm, but the harbor was choppy. Last time we sailed this time of year we had 18+ ft. seas. No fun!

 

At the Seawall with the north wind

the beach will be calm

because the

Island was raised after 1000 storm,

and Seawall blvd. is generally the highest

area on the island.

The island slopes downward from Seawall

to the bay.

The island blocks the wind from being

on beach and gulf waterfront.

[kwbrad]

There she goes! bye Mariner - see you in a week where you will be picking us up. Whoo hoo!

[CGBCruiser]

Go To International Oleander Society booth

ask for Galveston Cruiser .

 

I will be over shortly also!

Hope we see you!!!!

 

Sorry I missed you...I went yesterday!!!

[Tucker in Texas]

RCI is not the one that is behind Mariner going to China. The ship is on a full charter for the next two years in China.

 

As part of the charter agreement is major changes and removal of many venues. Basicly the removal of bars and replacement by shopping one of them a high end watch shop. Also the casino is being greatly changed and enlarged. Most of the slots are being replaced by tables and a high roller room is going in.

 

Also work visa are in general not being granted so a whole new crew is in training and has been on board for several months now for the change over.

 

Please tell me that they won't be doing this while on the crossing!

 

Last year on the Voyager they did a "wet dock" while we were crossing. Of course they didn't announce this until a month before the cruise so it was too late to "jump ship." Like they cooked this up overnight???? I don't think so.

 

They closed down the casino for a week and changed out TV's to flat screens and, maybe, a shop or two being reconfigured. Some carpeting was replaced and some mattresses. That was about the only "inconvenience" that I saw. They gave us $200 OBC which more than made up for the casino being closed for me since I am not a gambler other than the inconvenience you couldn't walk through it to get to where you were going.

 

I had nightmares of jackhammers going all day and night, construction material stashed everywhere, cables to trip over, etc. That did not happen. I think they stored construction materials in the room that is next to lounge on Deck 5 which was closed. They, also, closed off one of the private dining rooms which probably had stuff in it. They were going to make that into a high roller's room. In the casino, they had a "cage" in one corner with a table which I guess was to keep the riff raff at bay. They pulled out the slots to put in tables which the Asians prefer. The good news was that the slots that were left were really separated from each other for smoking and non-smoking. Like in opposite corners of the casino.

 

I have friends going on the TA and told them this might happen.

 

Tucker in Texas

[CGBCruiser]

At the Seawall with the north wind

the beach will be calm

because the

Island was raised after 1000 storm,

and Seawall blvd. is generally the highest

area on the island.

The island slopes downward from Seawall

to the bay.

The island blocks the wind from being

on beach and gulf waterfront.

 

I know...actually my Great-Grandfather was a survivor of The Big Storm. I just looked so strange with all the wind and calm seas and it was low tide too so lots of beach to see.

[Galveston Cruiser]

I know...actually my Great-Grandfather was a survivor of The Big Storm. I just looked so strange with all the wind and calm seas and it was low tide too so lots of beach to see.

 

DH's (SSB) great, great grandparents were married in 1853 on the island, lived on O between 20th & 21st, house still there. They are buried in City Cemetery on Broadway. They lost approx. 27 family members in the great storm.

Ike was like deja vu.

[CruisenFunToo]

Please tell me that they won't be doing this while on the crossing!

 

Last year on the Voyager they did a "wet dock" while we were crossing. Of course they didn't announce this until a month before the cruise so it was too late to "jump ship." Like they cooked this up overnight???? I don't think so.

 

They closed down the casino for a week and changed out TV's to flat screens and, maybe, a shop or two being reconfigured. Some carpeting was replaced and some mattresses. That was about the only "inconvenience" that I saw. They gave us $200 OBC which more than made up for the casino being closed for me since I am not a gambler other than the inconvenience you couldn't walk through it to get to where you were going.

 

I had nightmares of jackhammers going all day and night, construction material stashed everywhere, cables to trip over, etc. That did not happen. I think they stored construction materials in the room that is next to lounge on Deck 5 which was closed. They, also, closed off one of the private dining rooms which probably had stuff in it. They were going to make that into a high roller's room. In the casino, they had a "cage" in one corner with a table which I guess was to keep the riff raff at bay. They pulled out the slots to put in tables which the Asians prefer. The good news was that the slots that were left were really separated from each other for smoking and non-smoking. Like in opposite corners of the casino.

 

I have friends going on the TA and told them this might happen.

 

Tucker in Texas

 

The work done to Voyager last year during the TA is nothing when compaired to what is going to be done to Mariner during her crossing. Along with the casino work the scope is much larger.

 

They will be doing major work with the promenade both the Wig and Gavel Pub as well as Vintages are coming out to be repalced with shops. The Champange Bar is being removed as well.

 

They have had engineers on board from January getting the plans ready. However, even with all the prework they have a ton of work to do in a short time well at sea.

 

Word is that they are going to give 100 OBC to passengers on the TA and then offer specials in the new shops.

[pspercy]

so a whole new crew is in training and has been on board for several months now for the change over.

 

Yes, we noticed that in December. Many of the old hands had gone and standards had slipped, hopefully only temporarily. Too bad Mariner is lost to us, she was a great operation.

[CGBCruiser]

DH's (SSB) great, great grandparents were married in 1853 on the island, lived on O between 20th & 21st, house still there. They are buried in City Cemetery on Broadway. They lost approx. 27 family members in the great storm.

Ike was like deja vu.

 

It was a devastating storm. Don't know details as to where he was living and I don't know what he was doing there...possibly working. I don't think he and my great-grandmother were married yet. He did not stay in Galveston...they ended up in Talty, TX which is South of Dallas near Forney. It was known as the Irish Ridge and as you can tell by the name was an Irish settlement. I'm not sure if he was born in Texas or immigrated from Ireland. Lots of immigrants came through Galveston, but I know you know this too.

[TEXASMUNK]

The High Roller room will be the cigar bar...Exclusive and expensive to play!

[barbyj]

The work done to Voyager last year during the TA is nothing when compaired to what is going to be done to Mariner during her crossing. Along with the casino work the scope is much larger.

 

They will be doing major work with the promenade both the Wig and Gavel Pub as well as Vintages are coming out to be repalced with shops. The Champange Bar is being removed as well.

 

They have had engineers on board from January getting the plans ready. However, even with all the prework they have a ton of work to do in a short time well at sea.

 

Word is that they are going to give 100 OBC to passengers on the TA and then offer specials in the new shops.

 

 

I am going on the Mariner TA. It is odd that Rccl has assured that the work being done on the Mariner during our crossing will be much less than the Voyager last year. I was on that cruise also. Too bad they just can't tell us the truth.

[TEXASMUNK]

The dry dock last spring made many of the changes...to decor, etc. I think much of the work will be piece meal. The ship has plenty of time from it's Galveston departure, thru the Med into the Indian Ocean, etc.

So the changes are coming, but I doubt it will look like a construction zone throughout the ship.

My concern is the crew changeover. When we were on Mariner in November we were told the crew changes would not be wholesale, but a weekly addition of trainees, starting with the TA through it arrival in the Orient.

Edited March 4, 2013 by TEXASMUNK

[smoosh21]

RCI is not the one that is behind Mariner going to China. The ship is on a full charter for the next two years in China.

 

As part of the charter agreement is major changes and removal of many venues. Basicly the removal of bars and replacement by shopping one of them a high end watch shop. Also the casino is being greatly changed and enlarged. Most of the slots are being replaced by tables and a high roller room is going in.

 

Also work visa are in general not being granted so a whole new crew is in training and has been on board for several months now for the change over.

 

Where did you hear about the charter agreement? I still see lots of cruises that can be booked on the Mariner in China.

[ARCruisinNana]

Where did you hear about the charter agreement? I still see lots of cruises that can be booked on the Mariner in China.

 

 

I think it was "chartered" or leased to a Chinese Travel Agency who is booking the cruises for the next 2 years.

[ssb]

The dry dock last spring made many of the changes...to decor, etc. I think much of the work will be piece meal. The ship has plenty of time from it's Galveston departure, thru the Med into the Indian Ocean, etc.

So the changes are coming, but I doubt it will look like a construction zone throughout the ship.

My concern is the crew changeover. When we were on Mariner in November we were told the crew changes would not be wholesale, but a weekly addition of trainees, starting with the TA through it arrival in the Orient.

 

Yes there was definite turnover over of staff occurring!

Most staff we knew were already off ship

or were readying to move to other ships.