USCG Teacher

Here's a shot on the terminal pre-security(sorry it's only uploading as an attachment, I seem to have issues uploading .HEIC files). The serpentine line to the right is the general line, the straight line on the far left is the suites/Pinnacle line. Sea, Sky & Star class were all permitted in the suites line. Once through security, there were 4-5 Suite/Pinnacle check-in agents, with a special line for Star Class. 68079837334__6859D5F0-6B06-411C-940B-083333F0C907.HEIC

This may be (probably is) a dumb question, but if you get the 3-Night Dining Package on an Oasis-class ship and are staying in a suite, can/will the Suites Concierge make you reservations for you?

Well, isn't that some good timing? https://www.cntraveler.com/story/amtrak-restarts-cascades-route-service

I guess that's why surge protectors are banned...

Not sure when you're going, but if the Amtrak Cascades train is up and running again by the time you are leaving, it's a great way to go, too. Very scenic and comfortable trip! https://www.amtrak.com/cascades-train

I'm a few weeks later, the 20th, and we also got a suite for a steal! You'll have to scout things out for me next summer.

Since we're throwing in dining options in Galveston while we're at it, how's Queen's BBQ? As soon as I told my older son we were going to TX, he immediately said, "We've got to get BBQ...."

I saw this property, too. It was on the short list.

That is good to hear. FYI - I'm not sure if it's just due to the fact that it's pre-opening right now, but the price for August 2023 starts at around $140 +tax a night right now for a 2 queen room, and around $165 +tax for an "Oceanview balcony." Those prices seem incredibly reasonable for what will be an 8 month old hotel by then, I definitely wanted to ask about it to make sure I wasn't missing anything, but that seems like an incredibly affordable rate for a weekend night stay right on the ocean...

Thank you for the feedback! I'm curious if you could speak a little bit more about the lack of convenience here? I've read some questionable reviews about that property regarding cleanliness and the AC units being effective, but I figured the one thing it WOULD have going for it is convenience, both in town and getting to the port. Unless of course you're referring primarily to the "no early check in" thing, which I get!

This is the key right here.

After this year's wildly successful vacation, the family has opted to try Allure of the Seas out of Galveston next August (and yes, I was required to book a suite after exposing them to it this year. You all were right!). So, thanks to @Galveston Steve's amazing "All Things Galveston" thread, I've learned a lot about the port and it's progress, and I've also learned there are some very differing opinions regarding where to stay pre-cruise. I now know NOT to stay near the airports, but some people suggest to stay along I-45 while others prefer to go into Galveston itself the day before. Here's where I'm at. All things being equal, I prefer to stay at IHG properties due to my status and points there, but their properties in Galveston itself seem questionable to say the least, and I'm not familiar enough with the surrounding area to pick a good location between Houston and Galveston. I was considering trying the new Tru by Hilton right on Seawall Blvd., but that's just a guess. I have learned to rely on this board's expertise and you have never let me down, so I'm back for more help (and hopefully generate a thread that could help future travelers as well!). We're a family of 4 with 2 elementary aged boys. What we're looking for in a hotel is somewhere clean and safe, everything else is secondary. Being walking distance to attractions, the ocean and restaurants is certainly a nice bonus, but not at all necessary as I'm quite sure GrubHub & DoorDash work just as well in TX as they do in NJ. We'll primarily be resting from the trip in to prepare for the cruise, and we'll only be spending 1 night pre-cruise. So, what say you travel experts? Where do you like to stay pre-cruise in the Galveston area?

It's the good ol' supply & demand algorithm. Sometimes you'll find balconies cheaper than Oceanview, you choose your room cheaper than GTY cabins or in your case, a Jr. Suite that's just a few bucks more than a standard room. Every once in a while the math works out in your favor!

If that is the case, the walk to the tenders will probably not be a big problem, however walking around Blue Lagoon itself might be. Not sure which excursion you're doing, but the areas you'd be able to get to without some sort of mobility aid if walking over uneven surfaces is difficult would be quite limited. The animal enclosure areas are connected via a boardwalk system, and there are paved areas to the dining pavilion and gift shop, but most of the beach areas require quite a bit of walking to get to the actual water line. There are a bunch of videos available on YouTube that can show you exactly what the island looks like if you haven't seen them already.

Caveat - available for dinner on a space-available basis. Being in a Jr. Suite doesn't guarantee access, but if you go up there on embarkation day with a flexible timeframe, you should be able to get reservations at least a few nights on most cruises.

When we went to Blue Lagoon off of Oasis, the lines for the excursions were just to the stern and on the opposite side of the pier we were tied up to, it was probably about a 100 yard walk past the ship, maybe less.

If you're looking for your TA based on OBC or an extra night of speciality dining, you're doing it wrong. You should be looking for a TA that is going to have your best interests at heart, one who is proactive and responsive and that you feel that you "gel" with. If in your search you come across an agent who isn't willing to have these types of conversations with you, you've got your answer about them.

I was also going to suggest this. My connection was just fine, but many others had issues. This is also me.

An additional point to add to this, on my most recent cruise the dining staff was not only open to letting my kids try new things on the adult menu, they actively encouraged it. They were sure to linger/check-in fairly early when they knew one of them was exploring a new food and quick to offer a replacement in case they didn't like it. Despite what was surely more work for them, they really seemed to enjoy seeing them taking chances. Either that, or they were Hollywood-level actors!

Good question! I was going to do a last post about debarkation /final thoughts, but that may be a little while so better to just answer this directly. The suite concierge would escort guests down to the gangway from the Suite Lounge every 15 minutes starting at 6:30 with the last opportunity to escorted off at 8:15. You could obviously choose to wait longer than that if you wished, you just wouldn't get the reserved elevator and escort. We left at 8:00 right after our breakfast in CK, and not having to fight for/wait for an elevator was very nice. The escort to the gangway on this cruise at that time was completely unnecessary, though. We were walked to our lane to exit and the "rope" was lowered for us, while all 4 slightly confused guests who constituted the entire line of guests waiting to exit watched. I'm assuming if you try to leave earlier or right when a new tag number is called, that perk would be far more beneficial!

The main registration time on Day 1 is also an Open House, so he'll have a chance to scope it out, ask questions, etc. The staff was really good about letting the boys know what it was all about.

Listed times were 9:00 - Noon, 2:00 - 5:00, 7:00 - 10:00 then 10:00 - 2:00 for the Late Night Party Zone (which is $7/hr. per child), but I know on Day 6 they were opened later than that 5:00 listed afternoon time, although I'm not sure why. I heard they were open the whole time the ship was in port, but I can't confirm that with personal experience.