Trying to figure out the "transfer" thing...

[tea4ular]

 

After cruise we are taking the carnival transportation to the airport for $35 per person.

 

 

Are you sure $35 per person one way? We paid $35 per person round trip Galveston/Houston for the Carnival transfer.

Edited June 21, 2015 by tea4ular

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

There are many private shuttles from Houston to Galveston that are much cheaper than the Carnival shuttles and most of them will pick you up directly from your hotel. Our party of 16 ended up paying $15 per person one way. They picked us up at 9:00 and we were in Galveston by 10:30. This way you don't have to lug your luggage back to the airport or find a cab or shuttle back to the airport. There are several reputable van services on the internet.

 

ETA... From Carnival:

 

What is the cost of Transfers?

Applicable to Cruise Only guests.

 

Between Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Port of Galveston: One Way: $45.00 Round Trip: $90.00

 

Between Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston: One Way: $35.00

Round Trip: $70.00

Edited June 21, 2015 by Sweet Dutch Girl

[tea4ular]

There are many private shuttles from Houston to Galveston that are much cheaper than the Carnival shuttles and most of them will pick you up directly from your hotel. Our party of 16 ended up paying $15 per person one way. They picked us up at 9:00 and we were in Galveston by 10:30. This way you don't have to lug your luggage back to the airport or find a cab or shuttle back to the airport. There are several reputable van services on the internet.

 

ETA... From Carnival:

 

What is the cost of Transfers?

Applicable to Cruise Only guests.

 

Between Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Port of Galveston: One Way: $45.00 Round Trip: $90.00

 

Between Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston: One Way: $35.00

Round Trip: $70.00

 

What shuttle service did you use?

[tonit964]

We are sailing the Magic in August and have just finalized our plans.

 

Flying in the day before and staying near the airport.

 

Booked Galveston Express to take us to the port and back to the airport when the cruise is over. It was $108.00 round trip for 3 people.

 

This port is a little bit of a hassle but not too bad.:)

[dbsb3233]

Just to add an FYI to all this, yes, taking a taxi would be really expensive - $111 each way from Hobby (where Southwest flies into)...

 

http://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=Houston&from=William+P.+Hobby+Airport+%28HOU%29&to=Galveston+Cruise+Terminal

 

If you have just 2 people, then the Carnival transfer bus may be more cost effective ($70 pp RT)...

 

http://www.carnival.com/cruise-transfers/galveston.aspx

 

But if you have more people, a private shuttle directly from your hotel would be easier that returning to the airport, and perhaps cheaper. Like one of these...

 

https://cooltoursgalveston.com/shuttle-cruise-package-from-hobby-airport-hou/

http://www.islandbreezeshuttle.com/rates/

Edited June 21, 2015 by dbsb3233

[PAPERBKWRITER]

You have the right idea. Usually the hotel will have a free shuttle back to the airport. Have them drop you at arrivals. One of you watch the suitcases and the other go inside by luggage where there will be Carnival reps holding paddles who will give you transfer instructions. Private cab would be much more than the $35 pp. Hobby is 45 miles from the pier an AIH a lot farther. I've seen Harbor Side Dr. in Galveston clogged around 11 to 12 and that could cost a pretty penny while the taxi meter is running.

[muffin]

Check out a private shuttle from your hotel to the port and return. If you are only 2 people, it may not be less expensive than the carnival bus, but there are some advantages for even just 2 people. The shuttle is "yours". It comes to your hotel at a time of your choosing, and drives you to the port. You do not have to squeeze into an overcrowded hotel shuttle to the airport, then check in with carnival, manage your luggage, then get into a large, greyhound type bus and wait for it to fill up. In Houston, we made three circuits of various arrival areas of different airlines filling seats on the carnival shuttle with arriving passengers. It took at least 40 minutes before we left the airport for the port. We would have been there with a private shuttle.

When you arrived at the port in your private shuttle car, you unload your luggage tothe porters, no need to stand and wait while they remove luggage for 40 people and leave it on the platform for you to maneuver. We feel a little extra spent In this way pays untold dividendsin the " lack of stress and hassle" department. A carnival trip back to the airport might be okay, if you are not staying for,another night, and have a little time to make the trip without worrying about check in times etc. it can take awhile to get on a carnival bus shuttle at the dock too. Whereas, "your" shuttle arrives at the pick up area with your name on a card in thewindow, you flag them down, get into the car while they load luggage and off you go to the airport. Sometimes you have to phone them when you have your luggage all set to go. They wait in a special area for waiting shuttles so they don't take up precious space in front of the pick up area at the cruise port ( or airport if you have a private shuttle from the moment you arrive). Have a wonderful trip!

[DebOinKC]

Are you sure $35 per person one way? We paid $35 per person round trip Galveston/Houston for the Carnival transfer.

 

Yes, I paid $70 for 2 people for transfers from ship to airport.

[satchimosmom]

Just FYI, we bought pre & post cruise transfers to the airport. I then attempted to buy FTTF online but wasn't allowed. So, I called Carnival. They told me that I cannot do airport transfers and FTTF! What a disappointment:(

[spurl]

We just got off the Magic yesterday, and used Carnival transfers to get from Houston Hobby to the port. We stayed at Springhill Suites, and the shuttle driver knew right where to drop us back off the next day for the transfer. The first bus arrived upstairs from the port to drop off the first departures around 9:20 or so, and was downstairs ready to board us between 9:30-9:40. We were on the way to the port just before 10.

 

We had 9, and there were only a few more after us who made it on that first bus. Departure time varies depending on how quickly the bus fills, and the size of buses they contact with varies. We got there early (8:10 or so), as we had a large group and wanted to stay together--and there were already several groups waiting. If we had waited until 10 to arrive and check in (as suggested), I'm not sure what time we would have made it to the port, as I don't know how long that next bus waited.

 

They had multiple buses waiting when we got off the ship yesterday

We were back at the airport by 10:30 or so, but I think that may vary a good deal depending on how long it takes you to get luggage and get out of the port.

[evandbob]

Are you sure $35 per person one way? We paid $35 per person round trip Galveston/Houston for the Carnival transfer.

 

The present charge for Carnival transfers this October and November from IAH are $45 pp one way or $90pp RT.

From Hobby it was $10 less RT or $80pp.

[dsschmidt1995]

We are doing the same thing in Sept, flying in direct from Omaha to Bush International Saturday, staying overnight near airport, then taking shuttle back to airport to catch the transfer on Sunday to Galveston. Let me know how it works out for you.

 

Do you get the paperwork for the transfer when you check in online for the cruise? We already paid for the transfer when we booked the cruise last summer.

[spurl]

The cruise docs indicated that the transfers were paid for, and the Carnival rep at the airport had our names on a list.

[JohnSpo]

I will be using Carnival airport transfers from FLL airport to Port Everglades. Do you have to retrieve your luggage when you disembark the shuttle bus or will the luggage be delivered directly to the ship? For what Carnival charges for the transfers, hopefully they will take care of the luggage.

[Carnival Cutie]

Sorry, JohnSpo, you have to pick up your own luggage and have it loaded onto the bus. I've used the Carnival transfer several times and although it is more expensive I like the fact that they will make sure the ship won't leave without you.