kadmgs

This guy, a couple of weeks ago on LOS. 

The beaches in Galveston are gross because the Gulf current pushes all of the mud from the Mississippi Delta our way. Once Texas curves south, the beaches clear up, but you have to get south of Corpus Christi. I grew up going to the beach at Galveston, but you couldn't pay me to get in that water now. I was down there last week and the seaweed wasn't too bad at all and the water was actually almost green. Still not getting in it, though. Earlier in the summer there was an issue with high bacteria levels due to all the rain we got in late May/early June. The bacteria was from fecal matter being washed from pastures into the bay. Gross!!! 
Your plan to go to Space Center is what I was going to recommend. If you rent a car, I would stay at a hotel on Bay Area Blvd near I-45. There are a ton of good restaurants in that area as well as a nice mall and other shopping options in case you forgot something. For BBQ, in that area I would recommend Delta Blues BBQ for a sit down/more of a traditional restaurant. It's owned by the Pappa's family and they are a Houston Restaurant Empire. The BBQ is great. If you are looking for something a little more low key, Rudy's BBQ is a great option. If you're wanting another Texas staple, Tex-Mex is a must. There's several options for it in the area. Los Cucos is the most traditional Tex-Mex in my opinion. Chuy's is an Austin original, but is a good option as well. For something a little different/funky, we love Torchy's Tacos. They have awesome breakfast tacos and regular tacos that are far from regular. FYI, ask for the secret menu... the Mad Cow is the bomb and make sure you ask what the taco of the month is. I live about 30 mins. from Webster and we got to Torchy's so much that the bartender knows us. Feel free to "pick my brain" about the NASA area. 

The beaches in Galveston are gross because the Gulf current pushes all of the mud from the Mississippi Delta our way. Once Texas curves south, the beaches clear up, but you have to get south of Corpus Christi. I grew up going to the beach at Galveston, but you couldn't pay me to get in that water now. I was down there last week and the seaweed wasn't too bad at all and the water was actually almost green. Still not getting in it, though. Earlier in the summer there was an issue with high bacteria levels due to all the rain we got in late May/early June. The bacteria was from fecal matter being washed from pastures into the bay. Gross!!! 
Your plan to go to Space Center is what I was going to recommend. If you rent a car, I would stay at a hotel on Bay Area Blvd near I-45. There are a ton of good restaurants in that area as well as a nice mall and other shopping options in case you forgot something. For BBQ, in that area I would recommend Delta Blues BBQ for a sit down/more of a traditional restaurant. It's owned by the Pappa's family and they are a Houston Restaurant Empire. The BBQ is great. If you are looking for something a little more low key, Rudy's BBQ is a great option. If you're wanting another Texas staple, Tex-Mex is a must. There's several options for it in the area. Los Cucos is the most traditional Tex-Mex in my opinion. Chuy's is an Austin original, but is a good option as well. For something a little different/funky, we love Torchy's Tacos. They have awesome breakfast tacos and regular tacos that are far from regular. FYI, ask for the secret menu... the Mad Cow is the bomb and make sure you ask what the taco of the month is. I live about 30 mins. from Webster and we got to Torchy's so much that the bartender knows us. Feel free to "pick my brain" about the NASA area. 

Us, too... July 15th. ?
 

This also applies to room service for breakfast. It is the hardest meal to insure that it arrives hot and the farther you are from the kitchens the worse it is.
We like to order the continental breakfast early as a light snack while we get ready for breakfast in the WJ, later in the morning.

I will say, having someone call your room to let you know coffee and fruit is on the way makes for a pretty great cruise alarm clock. 

I got the Unlimited package and one night I went to hooked seafood for Oysters and Soup then 2 hours later ate dinner at Chops.. Had no problem at all doing this and it was fun too. 

We bought both size tag holders as we still do multiple cruise lines (benefits of the casino on land). We've taken kid's families and friends and they have always helped keep all the luggage in order without losing any tags (had a paper one fall off one before). Would recommend if you cruise often.

You can cut them if you want. We just fold them but either way works fine with the plastic sleeves. 

Flying into HOU and sailing out of Galveston is no different than flying into MCO and sailing out of Port Canaveral. It's an hour from each airport to each port. If you fly into HOU, don't stay near the airport as it is not the greatest part of town. I suggest staying in the Clear Lake/Webster area if you aren't going all the way to Galveston the night before. I would not fly into IAH unless it was necessary as those who have mentioned the traffic and distance are correct. I live on the far east side of Houston and I can drive west for an hour with no traffic and still be in Houston. The city is very spread out on top of the fact that it is the 4th largest city in the country. 

Flying into HOU and sailing out of Galveston is no different than flying into MCO and sailing out of Port Canaveral. It's an hour from each airport to each port. If you fly into HOU, don't stay near the airport as it is not the greatest part of town. I suggest staying in the Clear Lake/Webster area if you aren't going all the way to Galveston the night before. I would not fly into IAH unless it was necessary as those who have mentioned the traffic and distance are correct. I live on the far east side of Houston and I can drive west for an hour with no traffic and still be in Houston. The city is very spread out on top of the fact that it is the 4th largest city in the country. 

My family will be on our first cruise this Christmas—I annoy my kids by announcing how many more days at dinner each night!! So excited!

I drink

Or the song of legend "Nearer, My God, to thee"
 
My halo is held in place by my horns ;>)

Isn't that what the US Army played when they were trying to flush out Noriega in like Panama or something back in the 80's???
 

Sleep with one eye open!

Yes, we are now UDP people for sure and the Key meals in the MDR reinforced that mindset. A "meh" burger in the MDR was still better than fighting the madhouse that the WJ is on embarkation day. My wife had the branzino and really enjoyed it. Our salads were good and the cheesecake was good. The couple next to us ordered the filet and said it was good. However, I don't know how the temp was on it of course. With so few tables, I don't get why they didn't have food runners. As a former server and front manager, it drives me nuts when I get food that I can tell has been sitting. 

I've always considered the popcorn charge a means to an end - keeping it from being everywhere. 
If it was free during movies nights the pool and hot tubs would be full of it as would be the pool deck.  Kids would be throwing it around without a care from their parents.  When there is a charge though, suddenly people become responsible with it since they paid for it.

Yes, we are now UDP people for sure and the Key meals in the MDR reinforced that mindset. A "meh" burger in the MDR was still better than fighting the madhouse that the WJ is on embarkation day. My wife had the branzino and really enjoyed it. Our salads were good and the cheesecake was good. The couple next to us ordered the filet and said it was good. However, I don't know how the temp was on it of course. With so few tables, I don't get why they didn't have food runners. As a former server and front manager, it drives me nuts when I get food that I can tell has been sitting. 

This!!! ?
On topic... Chocolate Dulce de Leche sounds intriguing. Please report back for research purposes, @Lovetocruise2002  ?

Yum!!!  I’m not a big drinker, and I love my coffee. I’m trying som of these for sure on Harmony.
i do remember one cruise we were in the big theater and I was FREEZING! I ordered an Irish Coffee.....it was so strong it was like moonshine! I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to drink it, or light it on fire for warmth! ?

On LOS last week, Key lunch was in the MDR. It was a Chops menu, but it was MDR temp food. I was disappointed. I've come to realize I don't want my food under a cloche. I ordered the burger and the bun was crunchy and the burger itself was dried out and meh. The final breakfast, also in the MDR, was ok. I had the french toast and it was soggy. These were the only two meals we had in the MDR and it reinforced my #NoMDR philosophy. #don'tclochemyfood #nobanquetfood #Iwanthot&freshfood
However, the rest of the Key perks were well worth the purchase of it at 19.99 a day. Our disembark process wasn't as smooth as others have reported only because they only had one person escorting people off and we got lumped in with a family of 20 who had a few members that had not settled their accounts. Once we got through the sea pass scan point, it was very smooth. 

Will do!

This!!! ?
On topic... Chocolate Dulce de Leche sounds intriguing. Please report back for research purposes, @Lovetocruise2002  ?

I love When all the Christmas decorations are up. Disney is even more magical. I love how so many people on this blog are Disney nerds and cruise nerds.. They are both my favorite things lol.