Boarding Experience in Galveston

[nazpaz]

Boarding in Galveston, Sunday afternoon:

1. Our boarding time was 11:00-2:00. We arrived just before 1:00 and was surprised at the length of the line. Out the doors and down the sidewalk.
2. I heard one greeter say that earlier the line was much longer - he complained that Princess had assigned everyone the same boarding times so everyone showed up at 11:00.
3. Clearly, that wasn't the case because we were in a pretty long line too!
4. All in all, it took about an hour for us to get aboard. Some people seemed to feel that was really long. I don't think it was too bad although I do get tired just standing.
5. Once we got into the building, the lines for Security were divided between Blue and Green. The Green line was shorter - I'd say we waited about 15 minutes to show our passports and then go through the X-ray deal.
6. After that we landed in another Green Line, this time to show our passports and, for the first time, actually scan our medallions. That line was only 3-5 minutes.
7. However, this is where the difference between the Blue Lane and the Green Lane was obvious. All the Blue Lane was divided into several lines, where agents were processing them in. It looked like a rather long wait
8. For us, though, it was up an escalator, and onto the ship where we scanned our medallions and set out to find our cabin.
9. All in all, it was just an exercise in patience - it felt like it took longer, but from arrival to cabin was just over an hour.

 

New app/old app - I described our experience it in the thread about the new app - I'll just say that no one cared about the app and the Shoreside payment stuff.  All they wanted to know was whether or not we had medallions and to see our passports.

[dog]

Please return and let us know your impressions as we take this cruise in Feb.  Thanks

[2and2]

Did you park ? Do they let you bring a carry on bag onto the ship yourself. Are there places to sit down in the line if need be. What was luggage check in like.

[dog]

Re: drinks on first day of your cruise?

 

one person in our group purchased the Classic Soda package- will they be able to use it once they board?  Non alcohol pkg.

[beshears]

I agree with Dog, we are doing our cruise in February, and would like your input as well.

[satxdiver]

7 hours ago, 2and2 said:

Did you park ? Do they let you bring a carry on bag onto the ship yourself. Are there places to sit down in the line if need be. What was luggage check in like.

Yes you can bring a carry on bag on the ship but it must fit though the scanners (just like at the airport).  There are no places to sit down until you are through the check in and waiting to board the ship.  When you arrive at the terminal you give the checked luggage to the porters and they will load it onto the ship.  Prior you will have to put a cruise ship tag on the luggage which you will get online and print out ahead of time.  There are no reasonable limit on how many bags you check or carry through the security and check in process.  Very easy.   

[satxdiver]

2 hours ago, dog said:

Re: drinks on first day of your cruise?

 

one person in our group purchased the Classic Soda package- will they be able to use it once they board?  Non alcohol pkg.

Yes but may have to pay state tax on the drink.  Only alcohol purchased from a TX distributor may be sold while the ship is in state waters and it cannot be part of the package per state law.  In about an hour after setting sail the ship will be in international water and the drink packages will be honored.

[dog]

53 minutes ago, satxdiver said:

Yes but may have to pay state tax on the drink.  Only alcohol purchased from a TX distributor may be sold while the ship is in state waters and it cannot be part of the package per state law.  In about an hour after setting sail the ship will be in international water and the drink packages will be honored.

Have seen a post saying person was charged full price for bottle water $ soda first day.  Thanks

[nazpaz]

12 hours ago, 2and2 said:

Did you park ? Do they let you bring a carry on bag onto the ship yourself. Are there places to sit down in the line if need be. What was luggage check in like.

We didn't need to find parking - had a ride to the port.  The only seating was outside - there's a line for people who need assistance boarding and there are benches there.  You can check your own bags if you want - there's a place marked baggage, near where passanger drop off is.  There are also people with trollies working that area who will handle it for tips.

[2and2]

1 hour ago, nazpaz said:

We didn't need to find parking - had a ride to the port.  The only seating was outside - there's a line for people who need assistance boarding and there are benches there.  You can check your own bags if you want - there's a place marked baggage, near where passanger drop off is.  There are also people with trollies working that area who will handle it for tips.

 Thank for the information. Good to hear there are places to sit for a bit in the outside line, and another line for those with mobility issues..

     Did you go to Roatan? Do you know what the walk to the beach is like? Can not do the chair lift.

[satxdiver]

It is a nice verdant walk to the beach from the ship passing the usual shops and bar.  You will cross the nice green area and the bridge before you get to the beach.  It is a rather long beach so continue along the walk once you first get to the beach.  There may be one other ship at the port to join you most likely a Carnival ship.  

 

The places to sit outside the terminal are extremely limited and a first come basis.  Don't count on it.  You will have to get in the standing line to enter the terminal.  

 

I did not realize they charge for soft drinks as part of the package while in TX water.  My last encounter was on a RCL ship and charged sales tax only.  The whole issue of only selling TX purchased liquor and not honoring any packages is a real PIA. 

 

Be aware that if you buy bottles of alcohol while on the cruise or from the ship, you will be charged  state tax as you leave the terminal outside the Customs area.  This applies to all pax no matter their origin or destination.  You can just conceal it and walk on by the table.  The US officials do not pass information to the state. 

 

Galveston is our major port of departure since we started cruising years ago.  Although we have not been in the new RCL terminal just the two original terminals.