steverk

I just got my appointment for my first shot! Turns out 2 texas counties right next to the Louisiana state line have opened up for all comers. Logged on this afternoon and have an appointment on Wed. About a 70 mile drive but worth it!

Can't be long until all texas counties are giving out the vaccine to everyone 

14 minutes ago, Bigken said:

The cdc just announced that if you’re vacanated  you no longer have to were a mask when you gather   Sounds like good news for a mask free cruise   Just maybe  !!!

Fingers crossed!

Another option is to book the October repositioning cruise as a refundable deposit. Cancel if you change your mind. 

6 hours ago, JLMoran said:

And don't get me started on Freedom's Bermuda sailings this summer and fall. Compared to Anthem, that 5-night sailing has jumped from around $1,800 for 2 passengers in a mid-ship balcony cabin to nearly $4,000! And that's the same end-of-season October sailing I've done twice on Anthem. Holy highway robbery, Batman!

I did a quick glance at some of the Celebrity sailings and they seemed much more reasonable. For example: 12 night New Zealand cruise out of Syndey Nov 27 on Celebrity Eclipse starts at US $1499/per person and includes drinks, wi-fi and tips.

My daughter has had good luck with ginger tablets.  They're cheap.  You can get them in the supplements aisle at Walmart.

7 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

This has always been the biggest deterrent for me to sail out of Galveston.  That, and reports of fog delays (I don't remember what times of the year that happens the most) make it too risky for me especially during spring break when I have to be back at work on a Monday.

Fog isn't that big of a factor in Galveston.  Between November and March, there will probably be about 5-10 days with fog, which will usually burn off by 9am or so. Odds of it affecting your trip are pretty small.

Another weather issue is torrential rain. Houston/Galveston get a 10 inch event every year or so and a 20+ inch event every decade or so. That kind of rain will make driving to the island...interesting!

Galveston is typically a drive in port, and it is a long way from either Houston airport.  Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is about 75 miles from the port.  William P. Hobby (HOU) is about 35 miles from the port.

As far as what to do and where to stay, there's a lot of different options.  Galveston has become a fairly nice place with lots of things to keep you busy for a few days. (it used to be pretty seedy back in the 80s and 90s, but it has improved). That said, the beach isn't anything like you'll see in the Caribbean.

Another option is to stay in Kemah. It's a tourist area near Johnson Space Center.  The port is an easy drive down SH 146 about 30 miles.

Lastly, I'd like to point out that Galveston is a ways from all of the Caribbean ports.  Therefore, you will have a seas day after leaving and before returning to Galveston.

Enjoy!

7 minutes ago, twangster said:

Anthem was already released as part of the Northeast deployment.

Way to burst my bubble! 

I see an 11 night Anthem sailing for Jan 2, 2023

I booked Air2Sea flights over the weekend.  They weren't cheap, but I didn't think they were marked up either.

As @twangster said, I can cancel or change them up until final payment date, so why not reserve them?

I one word of caution though: I'm under the impression that if you pay off your booking prior to final payment date, then it makes refunding the flight more complicated.  Therefore, I'd suggest that you pay off your booking at the last possible date. (Of course, with the COVID situation, that's probably wise regardless of the flight arrangements!)

I plan on getting the vaccine and would prefer that everyone on the ship has one as well, so that's no problem for me.

Masking depends on how far out we are talking about. 

Sailing in 2Q21, I'd expect it and accept it.  2H21 & 1H22, I'd do it, but feel it was senseless. After July 2022 I'd start thinking that this was a senseless exercise that would never end. At that point it might affect my enjoyment and decision to cruise going forward.

All the time!

12 minutes ago, monctonguy said:

Why doesn't the US change their own stupid law and solve the problem...like really?......

I agree completely.  We shouldn't expect a foreign country to solve our problems for us.  That's especially true since there's noting in it for Canada.

5 minutes ago, vmagestro said:

How far in advance can you normally book Air2Sea?

330 days

9 minutes ago, melmar02 said:

That's what we have heard as well. Like you, I'm waiting to be able to book something for confirmation.  With this crazy past year,  who knows. They may decide to send a different O class here.

A different O class would be OK too.  In fact, Allure is the only one that hasn't gone through an amplification.

5 minutes ago, melmar02 said:

She's coming to us this year though. Sadly she old news. I want to know who is replacing Liberty!  Will the new terminal be open by then? Are we one step closer to Star Class from Galveston?!?

I've heard through my travel agent that it is going to be Allure of the Seas. I'm waiting with bated breath for the official announcement, which I expect next week. 

I can't wait to get on the repositioning cruise and triumphantly ride Allure in to Galveston!

I've actually seen cases (plural) where Air2Sea was significantly cheaper than travelocity.

One other question: Tips for the concierge and genie.  Can this be charged to your ship board account or does it have to be in cash?

2 hours ago, SPS said:

I would assume that this is because so many flights by those "same day" flight/cruise people (BAD IDEA!) will arrive in the afternoon/early evening.

I always agree that same day flights are a bad idea. However, when I called Air2Sea, it seems like the only decent flights available were same day.  If I do in fact go (I have it booked), then I probably won't feel like I have much choice.  I'll book it through Air2Sea and hope for the best.  Royal guarantees you'll make your cruise, so at least it would fall on them to figure something out.

6 minutes ago, SPS said:

"Not as great as advertised. No bar service. No Aqua Theater. No Pool. No Central Park. No restaurants. No Flow Rider. Crew was apathetic at best. One ."

True, but at least it is small enough to sail under the current CDC no sail order!

Check out this video: CRUISE NEWS WOWZA! Carnival CEO Predicts Full Fleet Return Date - YouTube

So what do you think?

It is an old thread, but was thrilled to see it come up again!  I'm thinking about Star Class for a late 2022 cruise, and this is very helpful.

One question that keeps running in mind mind after reading the thread.  On embarkation day, are the SC room available earlier than the regular rooms?  I saw someone talk about having lunch in the room.

12 hours ago, twangster said:

After taking the Alaskan Railroad to get from Anchorage to Seward I said I would go back and just ride the train around.  I haven't done that (yet) nor have I planned how it would actually work in terms of destinations and lodging between trains.  However it is a very solid choice.

My travel agent has put together a sample itinerary with a company called Railbookers. They coordinate the trip and includes hotels and rail service.  It isn't cheap, but at 9 nights it might be a good option.  Still thinking it over.

Now that I've had a little time to let this soak in, I'm thinking about what to do instead of my Celebrity cruise to Alaska this June.  Technically, it isn't cancelled, but I don't see it actually sailing.

I'm thinking about flying to Alaska and taking the train to a national park or two.  This would be similar to the land portion of a cruise tour.

Has anyone ever done this?  What did you think of it?

38 minutes ago, teddy said:

I'm curious how this will affect trade.

There is still truck traffic crossing the border.

Or for that matter, there's even a short segment of CN railroad's main line that dips in to the USA

Railway Oddities: Canada's American Rail Line - YouTube