Cruising from Galveston, TX Question for Next Year

adam61 · #1 (**permalink**) June 12th, 2008, 12:49 PM

I was looking to cruise next summer with my wife and another couple. We live about 3 hours from Galveston so naturally to save 4 plane tickets to Florida or elsewhere (Probably talking $1000-1500 for those) I'd rather cruise out of Galveston. The last time we cruised out of there a year ago we took the Carnival Conquest and it was not bad but not great. I preferred the Rhapsody of the Seas we took about 3 years ago. The rooms on RCCL's ship were older and smaller but the staff seemed better, the food was night and day better, and it felt a little more laid back. I also saw a Princess ship there the last time we visited.

So after that long intro that brings me to my question. I was looking for something in the early part of Summer May/June and this is what I found (correct me if I'm wrong). The Carnival Conquest is doing 1 type of cruise at that time which is the one we just took and liked, but didn't love. The Rhapsody of the Seas is gone replaced by Voyager of the Seas, but for some reason the entire summer it seems the Voyager is in Europe? Also Princess seems to have nothing in Galveston anymore? Did this port just completely fall apart for cruising? Or am I missing some new cruisetours being offered? We want a reasonably priced 7-day out of Galveston during prime cruise season and are left with 1 choice on Conquest it seems. Anyone have any insight into this? Or other options that might be good for us? Again this is for Next summer around May/June 2009.

froggie620 · #2 (**permalink**) June 12th, 2008, 01:50 PM

I was on the Voyager this past January and she is a lovely ship. If it is at all possible would you be able to cruise during the fall when the Voyager is in Galveston? You will not regret that decision.

TexasHeather · #3 (**permalink**) June 12th, 2008, 03:50 PM

You might try searching for a cruise out of Houston (which will really be La Porte). I know a few of the cruise lines sail out of there instead of Galveston; should be roughly the same drive for you, and maybe a tad closer. Maybe even search under Clear Lake, Bayport, etc. but I think most of the time the lines call it "Houston".

Hope that helps some.

(do keep in mind, May/June is the start of hurricane season....)

TravelBugs · #4 (**permalink**) June 12th, 2008, 04:55 PM

I'm not aware of any Princess cruise leaving out of Galveston.

Phil&Liz · #5 (**permalink**) June 13th, 2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasHeather

You might try searching for a cruise out of Houston (which will really be La Porte). I know a few of the cruise lines sail out of there instead of Galveston; should be roughly the same drive for you, and maybe a tad closer. Maybe even search under Clear Lake, Bayport, etc. but I think most of the time the lines call it "Houston".

Hope that helps some.

(do keep in mind, May/June is the start of hurricane season....)

The POH has not yet finalized the deals on which cruise lines will be sailing.Supposed to be close in June 08 but they will sailing begin Fall 2009.

Phil & Liz

Sassy2005 · #6 (**permalink**) June 14th, 2008, 03:55 AM

We sailed on the Voyager in February and enjoyed it immensly. Unfortunately, the only other ship in port at that time was the Conquest. I wish more ships sailed out of Galveston as well! I'm only eight hours away in southern Oklahoma.

Snoozeman · #7 (**permalink**) June 14th, 2008, 07:14 PM

Galveston had been trying for more ships for many years and finely landed the Grand Princess and others a few years back. Then Katrina hit New Orleans and those ships moved over and suddenly Galveston went from have more than usual ships to a LOT more than usual number of ships. It drove down the cost of cruising and the 'accountants' at the cruise lines pulled ships. Now Galveston has too few ships. The pendulum swings back and forth. She should probably have 3 full time with another 1-2 seasonal cruise ships.

The terminals have also been improved over the past several years so it better than ever.

I too recommend the Voyager.

Magnolia Blossom · #8 (**permalink**) June 15th, 2008, 07:07 PM

Currently on Carnival, Conquest and Ecstacy, sail from Galveston during the summer.

RCCL's Voyager returns in the fall.

Princess left last year

Houston's port is undergoing renovations and is currently closed to cruise traffic. NCL was the only line to sail from there. Hopefully they will return when the port reopens

reverendjeff · #9 (**permalink**) June 16th, 2008, 03:11 PM

If you go to Galveston Island website, you will find a cruise travel agency listed. Go to thier website and you can check dates and rates very easily. I would tell you thier name, but not sure if the policy of this site would allow it.
You could also pm me and I will let you know my experiences with them.

Snoozeman · #10 (**permalink**) June 16th, 2008, 04:11 PM

Speaking of the pendulum swinging back and forth I checked some pricing comparing Galveston with other ports of departure. Seems Galveston now has the highest fares on average of all Carnival ports on equal cruises. Not until the Voyager arrives does the pricing get more competitive. I've cut back from what I was doing just a few years ago for sure.

Trip · #11 (**permalink**) June 17th, 2008, 08:21 PM

Snoozeman, if the terminal has been improved, I would hate to think of what it was...In all my cruises, the process of embarkation in Galveston, was the very worst, they need help there!

The good thing was, once I got onboard everything was wonderful:)

Snoozeman · #12 (**permalink**) June 19th, 2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

Snoozeman, if the terminal has been improved, I would hate to think of what it was...In all my cruises, the process of embarkation in Galveston, was the very worst, they need help there!

The good thing was, once I got onboard everything was wonderful

How long ago, Trip? I have found it one of the easiest I have ever sailed from. The only times I've seen problems were hurricane related. Of course I have a lot of experience there so knowing the 'lay of the land' probably helps.

Trip · #13 (**permalink**) June 20th, 2008, 05:31 PM

My cruise was last summer, with the longest lines I have ever seen, even outside the terminal. Once inside, and, in line, there was grumbling, and, mad cruisers, a bit chaotic to say the least..but as I said, once onboard, I was in heaven;)

misguidedangel · #14 (**permalink**) June 20th, 2008, 08:11 PM

I would love to see another Carnival ship in Galveston. It is a pain to get there, but it is one to three hours closer vs Miami, and the fare to Houston is considerably cheaper than Miami!!! Yes, the distance to Galveston from Houjston sucks, but the view on the way isn't too bad.

As for the terminal, the only problem I saw with it was the distance from where we got off and handed our bags off to the entrance where the security was--almost full distance of the ship!!!! I can't comment on the check in because we had a suite and butted to the head of the line as soon as we walked in and said we're VIP! Once we had out info we walked almost 2/3 of the length of the ship to wait for boarding in the VIP area, which was right next to where everyone else was waiting!!! There was only 20ish VIP's waiting, so they didn't have to wait long!

mehawk · #15 (**permalink**) June 29th, 2008, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasHeather

You might try searching for a cruise out of Houston (which will really be La Porte). I know a few of the cruise lines sail out of there instead of Galveston; should be roughly the same drive for you, and maybe a tad closer. Maybe even search under Clear Lake, Bayport, etc. but I think most of the time the lines call it "Houston".

Hope that helps some.

(do keep in mind, May/June is the start of hurricane season....)

Houston does not offer cruises from its port for now. That cruise terminal is not open.