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Lunch at Chops. The filet was good but not as good as good as CK

Yes. It's still the best!

They had one minute of silence this morning to remember the victims of 9/11. Pretty amazing to witness a vibrant cruise ship with 6000 people fall silent. I painted this end zone about 10 years ago for the high school where I worked

Day 2. Kaitlyn, or Gerard, was up early and off to the gym. I think it’s a small mental deficiency that makes her do that. Then she joined Stacy and I for breakfast in Coastal Kitchen. Hannah and Montana slept in after late night jacuzzi in the balcony. I had Eggs Benedict and sausage. Girls had bowls of healthy nuts and bran and other goat food. I’m not up on how the human digestive system functions but I’m sure our late breakfast will not make it through that entire process before lunch at Chops! We all passed on the Galley tour. I think Montana and I will do the bridge tour again at 2. Sometime after that it will be ice cream with Lusi time. Remaining plans are dinner at 150 (my least favorite restaurant) and the adult comedy show. I’ll also wander around to get some pictures. If there’s anything I can scope out for you let me know.

I thought the same thing. I forgot to add that we have seen this production on Allure 5 times now. We all felt this was the best cast we’ve seen. The two leads have amazing skills! We all were amused that in the song “Thanks for the Music” Sophia sings of “being the girl with golden hair.” This Sophie is most definitely a brunette! We all seem to remember only blondes in the past

Quick recap of day/night one. Three of us watched sail away from the balcony, two were napping. Then it was time for a long shower before dinner. One of the great pleasures of this room is the loft shower. It’s wonderful to be under that rain dome while watching the ocean. Dinner was at Coastal Kitchen for “The Sabrina.” Sorry about the food pics. The one of the steak looks awful. But the filet was WONDERFUL! Melt in your mouth delicious. I also had the shrimp cocktail and the smoked tomato soup. Both very good. The girls had chicken, branzino and salmon. No complaints about food or service. We were seated at a 6/top next to the bar. If we eat there again I wouldn’t accept that table. It was so noisy that it made any dinner conversation difficult. Followed dinner with Mama Mia. Very enjoyable as usual. Then a quiet movie night in the room and some rest!

More important stuff. Our revised schedule and the entertainment guide. And, the Magic Star Class Laundry Bag

I forgot this about the suite lounge. The staff was working on that fancy coffee thing. Again. Still. They were working on it last year when we left!

Jay escorted us up to the Suite Lounge until our room was ready. Something different to note in Galveston: we were in the Suite Lounge at around 1040 and it was packed. Jay explained that because the terminal here is small they begin boarding people the minute they can because otherwise people would be waiting outside in the heat. Had a drink in the lounge and then went to the room about 1110. We visited with Jay for a bit and then headed to Sabor’s to begin the weight gain journey! I don’t remember what everyone had but I think it included everything on the menu!

Shuttle bus ride was uneventful and took about half hour. Got out at zone 6 and immediately met by two terminal genies and a porter. Put Star Class tags on the bags and we were escorted inside and upstairs to the Suite and Pinnacle waiting area. Through security and check in took about 7 minutes. Note to Miami: What the hell are those cookies? There must be Ranger Cookies! Jay came and snagged us and onboard we went!

First things first! We have been reunited with sweet Lusi. If they let me drive the ship later, this will still be the highlight of my trip!

That’s exactly what I was thinking!

On the way! Took the bridge tour of the shuttle bus

Thank you! One more hour until we head to the port.

We have one extra space in the suite! You guys can flip a coin. Be safe today!

@Cruisin and Boozin here’s a happy thought: you’re probably in Coastal Kitchen and I’m drinking a cup of Holiday Inn coffee from a packet of joe that probably expired when all RCCL’s ships were named “Song of…”. Be safe today!

Good morning from Galveston! Thought I would share this beautiful photo that perfectly captures the beauty of the Holiday Inn Resort’s HVAC system.. Polyanna opened the curtains and said “Honey come and look at how beautiful this is!” I’m like “Yeah the coils need cleaning.” That folks is why she is always happier than I am! But…IT’S CRUISE DAY! (Sorry @Cruisin and Boozin). The girls are still asleep in their room dreaming of frozen mojitos. But I just texted them this: “open your curtains. Look at the flags. Re-pack those short dresses!” Departing on the hotel shuttle at 9:30.

Thanks so much for keeping me entertained all week! As I sit here in Galveston tonight I truly have mixed emotions. I’m so anxious to board in the morning and yet sad to see your week end. Enjoy every minute

Interesting tidbit from here. One of the big hurricanes long ago snapped many of the huge beautiful oak trees that line the old town streets. Instead of removing the stumps some folks had them carved into masterpieces.

You can tell I’m not from around here…it’s Buc-ee’s

Two pretty hard landings today by Southwest. But we had three successful landings and that matched the number of takeoffs, so there’s that. First cabin crew out of Palm Springs was seriously funnier than any Royal comedian I’ve ever seen! Movies were free so I watched Mama Mia to prep for the week. We’re staying at the Holiday Inn Resort Galveston-On the Beach. The name is much nicer than the building but it’ll do for one night. Had a quick dinner in the hotel restaurant and are calling it a night.

Well it’s not been an uneventful day. Four of us have arrived safely in Galveston and the fifth should be arriving in about an hour. More on that tomorrow maybe. I’ll begin the Galveston report with our transportation. It was awesome. It was a hoot! We booked with Rock the Ride Galveston. Private van from Hobby Airport. Our driver was Monty. Used to be a prison warden. Knows EVERYTHING there is to know about Galveston. But this guy was not just a driver. He had more entertainment in his van than you’d find in the Aqua Theater! Karaoke. Digital trivia screens. Phone and tablet chargers everywhere. A basket of props for different karaoke tunes. Guitars. The best singer in our group by far! Courtesy stop at Buckeys. Offered to stop anywhere we wanted. Cost was $95 for five people. When we arrived in Galveston he said he’d be happy to show us some sights if we wanted. 2 1/2 hours later we really felt that we’d toured the town! This guy was amazing. Corny jokes but a book of knowledge. If you want a different transportation experience, well you just hook yourself up with Monty! He’s even going back to the airport tonight to pick up our straggler.

We’re excited to see her!

Leaving Las Vegas!