Suggestions for leaving...........

[sassafrass]

We are driving to port (Galveston). We are coming in the day before just in case! I noticed we do not leave until 4:00 PM. How early do you need to get to the port and I am wondering what the heck to do until then? Any suggestions? Do not know the area at all.

[Troublemaker47]

Depends on the date of your cruise. Galveston is now requiring you to pick a check in time at online check in. You need to check there first, there is a 30 min window. All this starts mid Nov.

 

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[MsSoloTravel]

There is a thread entitled "New Check in Times" that you might find useful.

[sassafrass]

We leave november 7

[booknerd2011]

Galveston has a nice pier.

[clhayes]

We are driving to port (Galveston). We are coming in the day before just in case! I noticed we do not leave until 4:00 PM. How early do you need to get to the port and I am wondering what the heck to do until then? Any suggestions? Do not know the area at all.

 

 

The Strand (3 blocks of shopping), the new pier on Seawall Blvd., and Willie Gs (walking distance to cruise terminal)... I go there for lunch instead of the ship. Great sea food. I head over to the ship terminal around 2:00 p.m.

[cruzelover55]

Geez! Galveston has a nice pier? Would that be one of the several fishing piers, (that I doubt anyone going on a cruise would be interested in) Or the Pleasure Pier, which is a boardwalk type with rides, games etc.. Or how about the history on the Island, Bishop's Palace, many museums, Moody Gardens, which is like a theme park and has a hotel and many attractions, Schlitterbaum water park, Tours than show you Trees that were wrecked when Hurricane Ike came through and are now art sculptures where they stood. Many others. Lots to do here, and if shopping is just your thing, a lot is within walking distance to the ship. Google on Galveston.com to find what you might be interested in.

[HollandAvery]

Since you are leaving Nov. 7th I don't think the new Check-In thing will apply to you (you may want to double-check on that though).

 

Anyway, we like to get to port super early, because we're crazy.

 

We are cruising out of Galveston on the 28th of Nov. and we will be staying with a friend in Houston after driving from Austin the evening before. We plan to arrive at the terminal around 10-10:30am to park, unload and take the little shuttle over to start the check-in process (we have FTTF). If you care about getting on the ship early this would be my suggestion.

If you don't care about getting on the ship early then you could probably arrive around 12:30-1. Our last cruise we arrived around 12 and waited in line for probably 45 minutes total for the entire embarkation process (not too bad).

 

As for things to do, there is Pleasure Pier and we like this hamburger place that is very popular called The Spot (located on the strand I believe). I haven't 'hung out' in Galveston in years so my knowledge is pretty limited. We just drive down for cruises so we hop on and hop off.

Edited October 19, 2015 by HollandAvery

[sassafrass]

Once you get on the ship can you start to use everything ? meals, pool etc?

[WISH84]

Once you get on the ship can you start to use everything ? meals, pool etc?

 

A few things will be closed until after the ship sails and gets into international water.

 

The Casino and the shops are the main things. And, because you are sailing out of Galveston, you will have a limited number of wines and liquors to chose from due to the tax stamp laws.

 

However for the most part, most everything will be available for you to use. While the ship is in port is the best time to walk around and explore.