compozer Posted July 30, 2014 #1 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Just booked a holiday cruise on the Emerald out of Houston. Planning to go two days early but have no idea what to do there or where to stay. Still checking flights so not sure yet which airport we will be flying into. Haven't paid that much attention to cruises out of there but from what I have read, Princess has only been using this port since last fall and have had lots of fog issues - that doesn't bother us - spent three days tied up to a pier during Hurricane Sandy. I was also wondering if one or both airports also have issues with delays because of the fog. Any information you could share would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted July 30, 2014 #2 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Which holiday? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compozer Posted July 30, 2014 Author #3 Share Posted July 30, 2014 New Years. Starts the 28th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dplusd Posted July 30, 2014 #4 Share Posted July 30, 2014 The airports will have less of a problem with fog than the port. December is risky for fog and their is a chance your boarding and departure (and arrival) could be delayed. Since you are arriving a couple of days early, your biggest risk would be missing a flight if your arrival is delayed by fog. Last year was particularly bad for fog out of Galveston and Houston, so hopefully this year will be better. I hope so as we are sailing out of Houston on 12/14/2014. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted July 31, 2014 #5 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Would you prefer to stay in Houston or Galveston precruise ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbgd Posted August 1, 2014 #6 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I prefer IAH(north Houston) since I fly United Hou(South Houston) is mostly Southwest Hou is closer to the port I would say rent a car from the airport Explore Galveston Island for a day and at night Moody gardens has a great Xmas light display Another day could be Johnson space center/NASA and return the car at the closest rental car place near the Bayport terminal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compozer Posted August 1, 2014 Author #7 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Thanks jonbgd, I wasn't sure if a rental car was a good idea or not. Good suggestions. Our 35 year old son will be joining us so I need to make a list of suggestions and talk it over with them. ssb, The cruise is out of Bayport so I just figured Houston. I really have no idea where I want to stay. I'm the one that plans our trips - my husband is of no help. And all my son wants to go for is to go diving in the ports. So it is all on me. We do need to find a place to purchase some caffeine free and wine to take on board. splusd, thanks for the info on the airports. Figured it wouldn't be as bad. We had such a cold spring that we had fog almost everyday in June at the marina where we keep our boat but five miles inland it was clear. Appreciate your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted August 1, 2014 #8 Share Posted August 1, 2014 (edited) Thanks jonbgd,I wasn't sure if a rental car was a good idea or not. Good suggestions. Our 35 year old son will be joining us so I need to make a list of suggestions and talk it over with them. ssb, The cruise is out of Bayport so I just figured Houston. I really have no idea where I want to stay. I'm the one that plans our trips - my husband is of no help. And all my son wants to go for is to go diving in the ports. So it is all on me. We do need to find a place to purchase some caffeine free and wine to take on board. splusd, thanks for the info on the airports. Figured it wouldn't be as bad. We had such a cold spring that we had fog almost everyday in June at the marina where we keep our boat but five miles inland it was clear. Appreciate your help. What do you like to do when you travel . Then we can help as to what to do. And where to stay? Edited August 1, 2014 by ssb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevesan Posted August 1, 2014 #9 Share Posted August 1, 2014 (edited) Thanks jonbgd,I wasn't sure if a rental car was a good idea or not. Good suggestions. Our 35 year old son will be joining us so I need to make a list of suggestions and talk it over with them. ssb, The cruise is out of Bayport so I just figured Houston. I really have no idea where I want to stay. I'm the one that plans our trips - my husband is of no help. And all my son wants to go for is to go diving in the ports. So it is all on me. We do need to find a place to purchase some caffeine free and wine to take on board. splusd, thanks for the info on the airports. Figured it wouldn't be as bad. We had such a cold spring that we had fog almost everyday in June at the marina where we keep our boat but five miles inland it was clear. Appreciate your help. The terminal labeled "Bayport Terminal" is not in Bayport, it's in Pasadena Texas. To further confuse visitors, the cruise lines refer to it as being in Houston. :rolleyes: http://www.portofhouston.com/cruise-information/parking/ http://www.portofhouston.com/cruise-information/driving-directions/ https://www.google.com/maps?t=h&ll=29.6103196,-94.9925922&spn=0.002689,0.0041238&output=classic Edited August 1, 2014 by Stevesan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compozer Posted August 2, 2014 Author #10 Share Posted August 2, 2014 Stevesan, Thanks for the links. I did see the first two when I searched but hadn't seen the map. Love those google maps. Sorry, I should have said Bayport terminal - I know it isn't a city. Yes, this is confusing. Have been cruising out of FLL for so many years - so convenient. Always hate the first time at a new port. ssb, Thanks for trying to help me ssb. Gee - what do we like to do?? relax, enjoy the sun and warm weather, especially after the winter we had last year. We are boaters and love wondering around marinas. My son and I love scuba diving - we are on a dive trip right now. On the way home Sunday I will have a talk with them and see if they have any ideas what they want to see. Normally we just play it by ear but we have never been to Houston. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txskier Posted August 2, 2014 #11 Share Posted August 2, 2014 also check out this site when cruising from Port of Houston http://www.visitbayareahouston.com for list of are hotels and stuff to do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
train460 Posted August 2, 2014 #12 Share Posted August 2, 2014 No diving in the galveston area. Bayport terminal is close to the Kemah boardwalk and also clear lake (webster) with the Johnson space center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted August 2, 2014 #13 Share Posted August 2, 2014 (edited) No diving in the galveston area.Bayport terminal is close to the Kemah boardwalk and also clear lake (webster) with the Johnson space center. Are you kidding? See http://flowergarden.noaa.gov Consider diving here just off the coast from Galveston!!! Picture yourself over 100 miles from land, in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. At times, the seas can be very unforgiving, and the weather can turn foul in an instant. But here, in the midst of this unpredictable Gulf, lie three of the most beautiful and wild places in all the world. Manta rays, whale sharks, coral heads bigger than cars, hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates... This place teems with life! Also See http://www.galvestonnaturetourism.org/about.asp Edited August 2, 2014 by ssb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted August 2, 2014 #14 Share Posted August 2, 2014 (edited) Are you kidding? See http://flowergarden.noaa.gov Consider diving here just off the coast from Galveston!!! Picture yourself over 100 miles from land, in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. At times, the seas can be very unforgiving, and the weather can turn foul in an instant. But here, in the midst of this unpredictable Gulf, lie three of the most beautiful and wild places in all the world. Manta rays, whale sharks, coral heads bigger than cars, hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates... This place teems with life! Also See http://www.galvestonnaturetourism.org/about.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------- Along the nature and history theme of things to do in Galveston 32 miles of Gulf of Mexico beach front Galveston Nature and Tourism Council Kayaking trails Birding - Feather Fest - Large NOAA Turtle Rescue Farm Moody Gardens (massive family tourist park) moodygardens.com Hotel and Convention Center Holiday Festival of Lights Aquarium and Penguins' Rainforest Nature's 3D Films (many) Mississippi Paddleboat Many Events Many Special Exhibits Schlitterbahn - an indoor outdoor year around water park Galveston Historical Foundaton (galvestonhistory.org) East End and Downtown Historic Tour Bishops Palace Dolphin, Port and Concrete Ship Tour Seaport Museum Tall Ship Elissa Ike Tree Sculptures Tour Short Films on Galveston Immigration, 1900 Storm and Jean Lafitte 1894 Grand Opera House Tour and Theater Events - thegrand.org Moody Mansion Tour - moodymansion.org Airplane Museum (Lone Star Flight Museum)- www.lsfm.org/ Railroad Museum - http://www.galvestonrrmuseum.com Oil Drilling Rig Museum - www.oceanstaroec.com Sea Wolf Park – WWII submarine and destroyer - www.cavalla.org Edited August 2, 2014 by ssb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted August 2, 2014 #15 Share Posted August 2, 2014 (edited) Houston has Theater District - many Museum District - many Herman Park Houston Zoo Orange Show The Space Center and Kemah Boardwalk are easily done from either Houston or Galveston Houston Map PDF Download Here (PDF 64.9KB) Galveston Island Map PDF Download Here (PDF 936KB) Edited August 2, 2014 by ssb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TruckerDave Posted August 3, 2014 #16 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Are you kidding? See http://flowergarden.noaa.gov Consider diving here just off the coast from Galveston!!! Picture yourself over 100 miles from land, in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. At times, the seas can be very unforgiving, and the weather can turn foul in an instant. But here, in the midst of this unpredictable Gulf, lie three of the most beautiful and wild places in all the world. Manta rays, whale sharks, coral heads bigger than cars, hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates... This place teems with life! Also See http://www.galvestonnaturetourism.org/about.asp Its a long ride out to the flower gardens. If they only have a couple days they would not have enough time to go out there for a dive trip. Plus, do they still even have the live aboard from Freeport that goes out there? I did it once and thought it was a tad pricey for the whole trip. (and not nearly as nice as other live a boards) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssb Posted August 3, 2014 #17 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Its a long ride out to the flower gardens. If they only have a couple days they would not have enough time to go out there for a dive trip. Plus, do they still even have the live aboard from Freeport that goes out there? I did it once and thought it was a tad pricey for the whole trip. (and not nearly as nice as other live a boards) Dave thanks for input I have not done trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karessamom Posted August 4, 2014 #18 Share Posted August 4, 2014 (edited) We are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary next Aug 2015! We're taking the Magic out of Galveston on the 9th, however we're going to fly in a few days earlier and spend 2 days at JSC! which we're very excited about! Most likely we'll stay at the Drury INN at Houston Hobby. (a side note about the Drury--they offer full breakfast in the mornings and a 5:30 kickback in the evenings. the kickback isn't great but its included in your hotel costs so is the breakfast for that matter. we stayed at a Drury in Colo Springs. not the greatest or fanciest but a good price for a nice bed and good food. it's worth it) We can rent a car from Hobby and return it back to hobby and take the cruise shuttle day of cruise. (as per Carnival) you can "fake" a flight cruise day if you fly in earlier so you can still take the shuttle on cruise day. since there are only 2 of us this seems to be most economical way to do it. We thought about staying in Texas City and taking a cab cruise day but we would have had to return the car by 2pm on Saturday or after 10:30am on Sunday and it would have cost more. They will start the shuttle service around 10am per Carnival rep I talked to. Have a great cruise! Edited August 4, 2014 by karessamom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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