zydecocruiser Posted December 24, 2005 #1 Share Posted December 24, 2005 In Galvestion tonight, packing my jeans and checking them twice. Staying at the Holiday Inn On the Beach (the one at 5002 Seawall Blvd). I ended up in a king leisure or some such room I guess, 'cause I'm on an upper floor, with microwave/fridge in the room and something you don't see on most cruise ships - complimentary bottled water. Dinner tonight was at Landry's next to the resort next door, and the fried shrimp and oyster platter was pretty darned good and just what the doctor ordered for a pre-cruise stomach stretching exercise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted December 24, 2005 Author #2 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Galveston (Hope Santa brings me a new laptop with a decent keyboard)... Holiday Inn Pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted December 24, 2005 Author #3 Share Posted December 24, 2005 A jetty here and there and yonder to walk along, fish, watch the sunset... Drive thru ATM adjacent to HI: Go away clouds: What are the odds of finding free bottled water on a cruise ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimnKaren Posted December 24, 2005 #4 Share Posted December 24, 2005 A lot of folks said that they were electing to stay at what I would refer to as upscale places the pre-cruise night. So glad you are in that HI which where we have our reservations. Enjoy! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted December 24, 2005 Author #5 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Not all the rooms have the fridge/micro/water, but I'm pretty sure they are all have balconies with a water view. Also free WiFi Internet and a coffee maker to boot! There is a liquor store a couple of blocks away and all kinds of restaurants in the area as well. The lower floors will have a better view of the roof of the lobby, but you can still see the beach/water. My room is on the 7th floor and I really like the view. Free cruise parking and also free shuttle to the ship is included. Sign up for the shuttle when you check in for best choices of shuttle times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted December 24, 2005 Author #6 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Seems to be a tad windy out there and a little more wave action. Woo hoo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolmama_1 Posted December 24, 2005 #7 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Enjoy your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joanne1 Posted December 24, 2005 #8 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Great pictures and thanks for the hotel suggestion. Can hardly wait for your review! Have a great time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texcruise Posted December 24, 2005 #9 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Thank you for the pictures and information. It would take us 5 1/2 hours to drive to Galveston from our home......think you just talked us into to staying over night prior to a cruise.;) Gail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted December 24, 2005 Author #10 Share Posted December 24, 2005 There are lots of places to stay in Galveston. One consideration for a post cruise stay is what is the earliest time they will allow you to check in? The standard policy is sometime in the afternoon, but if your room is ready, many let you check in whenever you show up. Sitting in a lobby for a few hours waiting for check-in time isn't much fun. Looking out the back of the hotel, you can see the cruise ships: Maybe we'll tow that barge along: Shuttle van and cruise ship parking behind the hotel: Turning into a sunny day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamer333 Posted December 24, 2005 #11 Share Posted December 24, 2005 AAhhh... I was fine until I saw the cruise ship photo... Now I'm just filled with envy!!!!! Enjoy your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnmiranda Posted December 24, 2005 #12 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Wow! Thanks so much for the pics! Have never been to Galveston before, what a nice beach! Keep 'em coming:) Have a great week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoozeman Posted December 24, 2005 #13 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Looks like a great day for a cruise! Have a wonderful trip!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorontoTL Posted December 24, 2005 #14 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Merry Christmas, have a wonderful cruise, as if I had to tell you that! I'm sure you'll have a great time, I've never had a bad cruise. I'd love to see some pics of how they added the MUTS to the Grand, if you don't posting them. It looks like your camera does a good job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senatorgirth Posted December 24, 2005 #15 Share Posted December 24, 2005 It has been many years since I've been to Galveston. I remember the water being a muddy shade of brown and the beaches quite underwhelming. Is the water really that blue now? Has the Gulf of Mexico been cleaned up? Or are those photos catching things at their very best? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hstrybuf Posted December 24, 2005 #16 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Hi Z! The pictures are making me very envious. Enjoy your cruise, jeans and all! :D Merry Christmas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzyluvs2cruise Posted December 24, 2005 #17 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Wow! great pictures. Thanks for posting. Hope you have a great cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted December 24, 2005 Author #18 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Thanks all. We be cruising !!! The water is Gulf of Mexico water, for sure. So far, so good. Embarkation was less than 30 minutes to cabin. Skipped the buffet and went to Da Vinci for lunch - wasn't crowded and was very good. MUTS: Lunch (lots of jeans): Cell phone signal seems to be fading... Maybe the end of free Internet. :mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted December 24, 2005 Author #19 Share Posted December 24, 2005 In a Mini-Suite this time - not really sure of the difference other than a bathtub and a few more feet... Fridge: Safe: oops Sunset - brb... maybe not... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted December 24, 2005 #20 Share Posted December 24, 2005 I love lunch in the dining room on the first day on a ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srpilo Posted December 24, 2005 #21 Share Posted December 24, 2005 What a pleasant surprise and a wonderful earily Xmas present for us all !!! Wow Wow Wow !!! Great posts and pictures !!! :) Thanks !! Srpilo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted December 24, 2005 Author #22 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Oh yeah, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted December 24, 2005 Author #23 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Santa's Happy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy Posted December 25, 2005 #24 Share Posted December 25, 2005 Zydecocruiser -- I happened to click on the webcam this afternoon just as the Grand was pulling away from the pier, so I decided to watch her leave. It looked like the ship pulled away, then went back towards shore and angled towards Fisherman's Wharf before she straightened out and moved back towards the channel. Did you notice anything unusual as you were leaving port? It appeared to be very unusual watching on the internet. I thought it might be the camera, but I've watched ships leave Galveston before, and I've never seen one do what the Grand did today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynda90 Posted December 25, 2005 #25 Share Posted December 25, 2005 Thanks for all the pictures and information. Please keep posting; it's very entertaining. I'm so jealous. Have a wonderful time and a Very Merry Christmas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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