The Cruise Junkie

There is some other ship in town too.

Up, up and away!

i was checking out the view on the back side of the tower when...

Hmmm.  I forget there were helicopter tours offered in the port.

You know what that means?

After lunch I headed over to Exploration Tower. 

The tower was partially closed due to the pandemic but the observation deck is open.  Since it's not fully open there is no charge for the observation deck.  Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday only at the moment.



Time for a quick selfie...

Some more pictures 



 

Time lapse
 

Great photos @ConstantCruiser! It sure was awesome to see her finally in the USA.
  

Great photos @ConstantCruiser! It sure was awesome to see her finally in the USA.
  

Odyssey of the Seas has arrived and I had a front row seat.
From my location I first spotted her through the trees.

I was strategically located in Jetty Park to get as close as possible once she was in the port.

Water cannon salute from some tugs and local fire fighting vessels.




At last a close up view.

With horns blaring and crowds waving it was time to say hello.



She is a beauty.



SkyPad and iFly.

She was well watered on her way in.

Once she reached the mid-port turning basin she did a turn so she could slip into the Royal Caribbean terminal.



Finally, Odyssey has arrived.
Let the cruises begin.

Here's a nice video of Independence of the Seas arriving in Galveston yesterday.  Thanks @Jaymac Radio for the link.
I have not been able to confirm from any credible source why Independence is in Galveston.

Miami Herald reporting Independence has been approved for test cruise out of Galveston

That’s a great video.   Thanks!

Awesome video from a Travel/Cruise Vlogger of Indy's arrival into the port. 
https://youtu.be/L1TUM9lLsgw
 
 

Saw the rumor on youtube (Search odyssey of the seas Mardi Gras June 4th)   
Also crew member states it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t5_NqLYJQM

June 3rd with a stop in Freeport, June 4th in Port Canaveral for the shots.
And yes, for some reason I thought it was Saturday, it's Friday June 4th.   
 
 
 

YES!!!

Here is the latest update from @Matt on Project Icon.  With the blocks for the ship slowly arriving at the shipyard in Finland we should see major work start to take place later this summer and maybe an official update/name of the ship when the keel-laying takes place.
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/05/25/blocks-arrive-shipyard-royal-caribbeans-first-icon-class-cruise-ship

First guess at the name: Icon of the Seas (apart from Vision class, isn't the first ship in each series the one that has the series name?)
Second guess: Boaty McBoatface of the Seas ?

It's not news. 
There was 1,600 cases of Covid in Florida yesterday and that's a GOOD day.
Media needs to stop treating ONE case on a cruise ship as news. It's not, and all this does is perpetuate the stereotype of "floating petri dish".

Not debating the vaccine, not being jumpy, happy for all who can partake in sailings, this is a path to sailing again, THEIR PRODUCT THEIR RULES. I truly get that if I wish to sail I must adhere to any and all protocols no matter what they are. That being said, I am just unclear as to the fact that since this is fluid and has changed since booking, may I receive my deposits back in cash? We may not be able to sail for some time, and that's okay I would not begrudge the companies comfort or litigation protection I will wait until I can abide by the rules in place. so @Matt on the home page the article states "on or before 01 August 2021" 16 and older need to be fully vaccinated, stands to reason then if that is a hard date I can sail with my unvaccinated 15 year old (covid negative test of course) departing PC (Allure) (if sailings are moving ahead)  but then any sailing departing 02 August 2021 and forward must be vaccinated as this is when the 12 year old children need to be vaccinated? I get it very fluid, but I ask because it makes a difference. I paid for this sailing with FCC from four cancelled sailings, do you think since this is a big change (not an itinerary change for example) they would just refund my monies? I have three additional sailings November 2021, June 2022 and November 2022 I may have to pull the plug on, again just trying to understand. I have been a huge RCI supporter and wish them the best but I have a lot of $$ tied up here. I have my fingers crossed this isn't a protocol that is forever in place and that maybe it can be modified one day, I will be strategic when cancelling with this in mind. I know no one has a crystal ball just reaching out hoping for some thought sharing, thanks everyone. 

A crew member on board.
 

Will Royal ever catch a break?  

Might also suggest further sub-forums based on ship and locking the root sub. Then in the locked root have a general how-to and other informational posts.
 

Interesting reading from the posted agenda for next Port of Galveston meeting.
Section C.3.  Port Directors report (PDR)
PDR attachment - One slide shows Royal Caribbean Terminal Update - the due diligence period is waived, hard contract now.  However extend final completion date and rent start date 3 months.   
Business section F.11   -  attachment shows a proposed 2nd amendment to RC new Terminal ground lease. 
Here is the entire agenda with links
https://www.portofgalveston.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272021-394?html=true
 
(Note:  PDR last slide also shows 2 Carnival ships & Crew returning to Galveston May 2, 2021.)
 
@Galveston Steve, just saw your update posted above. Thanks