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Galveston Steve

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Everything posted by Galveston Steve

  1. Galveston Steve
    Whoa! Now there's a 9-night on Independence to Port Canaveral, Miami, Nassau, and Coco Cay! Round trip from Galveston.
  2. Galveston Steve
    We have been booking mostly first class flights for a couple of years now, when it's not too unreasonably priced. Just like cruising, we find that booking as early as possible sometimes gets us in first class at a pretty reasonable cost. The extra benefits mentioned by others above are all nice, and now with the Covid craziness its nice to have the extra "distancing". I think that if you're able to afford it then it's worth going first class, especially on such a long flight.
  3. Galveston Steve
    Most of the Independence of the Seas sailings from Galveston are now available to book.
  4. Galveston Steve
    This has always been a special community. Matt’s positive attitude and approach to keeping things positive and accurate sets the tone here. His blog really is the only source of RCI information that you need. I missed the live broadcast but watched the replay. Well deserved Matt!
  5. Galveston Steve
    I can confirm this. My travel agent can see these 4-5 night sailings in the system but they aren’t available for booking as of last night.
  6. Galveston Steve
    Looks like she’ll hang out with the tankers and occasionally come in to the dock for provisioning.
  7. Galveston Steve
    New Cruise Terminal Update Here's the division of work between the Port of Galveston and Royal Caribbean International (RCI): The Port will move things out of the way to clear the site for the terminal, and will bring utilities to the site. The Port also provides the parking, landscaping, roads, and dock repairs. RCI builds the terminal building and performs some improvements to the dock. At this time much of the physical work is continuing to be performed by the Port as they prepare the site for RCI's new terminal. Royal has limited physical work at the site at this point in the schedule as they complete the design and procure materials. RCI's construction will ramp up as the schedule progresses. At the moment it seems that things are progressing as planned. RCI Activities Pile testing was completed by RCI in May. This will allow RCI to complete the foundation design for the terminal. Design work continues. Procurement of materials continues. Port of Galveston Activities Bids are being solicited for improvements to the Pier 10 dock with some scope performed by Royal and some scope by the Port. Water line and sanitary sewer line construction contract of $1.65 million was approved by Port Trustees in May. This work will provide water and sewer service to the terminal and connects those lines into the City of Galveston. Working with utility companies (electrical and others) to relocate some of their facilities to make way for the new terminal facility. Continuing work to relocate certain structures and facilities from the new terminal area to other areas of the Port to make room for the new terminal facilities. Construction continues on improvements to Old Port industrial Road for better traffic flow. Design of roads and parking in the vicinity of the new terminal is ongoing. New Road Names The Trustees approved Royal Caribbean Way and Royal Caribbean Circle as names of roads in and around the terminal area. RCI had asked what the new terminal address will be. The Port didn't have an answer, so that prompted getting the new roads named.
  8. Galveston Steve
    Let's get this party started! Courtesy of Galveston.com Independence of the Seas and Carnival Vista... ready for simulated sailings!
  9. Galveston Steve
    I'm trying to get permission to pull my grandson from kindergarten for the Aug 15th sailing. I don't think it's gonna fly.
  10. Galveston Steve
    I'm seeing others post that their Liberty sailings have been moved to Independence. Not sure how that would impact your casino cruise.
  11. Galveston Steve
    She was refurbished in 2019, so that's a nice plus over Liberty. Since it hasn't been used in over a year, it should look like a new ship.
  12. Galveston Steve
    Independence begins sailing from Galveston August 15th, so it looks like your cruise would be a go!
  13. Galveston Steve
    Since Royal is doing simulated sailings (test cruises), the CDC does not require the 95% vaccination rate for passengers. 95% vaccination for passengers is only required if you bypass the test cruises and go straight to revenue cruises like Celebrity is doing.
  14. Galveston Steve
    You never know when Royal will issue a retraction and blame in intern for a typo, but if this stands it would seem to defuse the confrontation with the State of Florida regarding asking passengers for proof of vaccination.
  15. Galveston Steve
    Wow, it looks like the game has changed for US cruises. They used the words "strongly recommended" as far as the US vaccine requirements in today's announcement: "U.S. Health and Safety Measures Travelers can plan their cruise adventure with peace of mind knowing that all crew members will be vaccinated against COVID-19. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible. Those who are unvaccinated or unable to show proof of vaccination will receive a test before boarding. "
  16. Galveston Steve
    Yes, Michael Bayley posted this on Facebook... Independence from Galveston starting August 15! Now we know why she is now along side at Galveston Terminal 2.
  17. Galveston Steve
    My thoughts exactly. That is the approach I thought Royal was going to take, but they haven't really been forthcoming with their specific overall strategy.
  18. Galveston Steve
    True. But since Royal plans on doing test cruises they can simply eliminate the vaccine requirement and then we can all go on cruising. I don't want this to become a vaccine discussion but I just think there must be a simple solution out there now that the authorities and the cruise lines are finally talking.
  19. Galveston Steve
    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.
  20. Galveston Steve
    Haha, well that puts the pressure on! Thanks for following along!
  21. Galveston Steve
    I guess I'm old school on this subject, but I prefer to eliminate the doubt and take the extra half second to just spell it out. When you ask for advice on your AOTS sailing I think WTF and then SMDH and move on.
  22. Galveston Steve
    You are correct! Carnival sometimes uses the current Royal terminal, and prior to Covid Carnival had announced a 4th ship to homeport in Galveston. That would keep the two existing terminals pretty busy. It will be interesting to see if NCL comes to Galveston and uses the old Royal terminal or if they will build a 4th terminal. A 4th terminal location would be located at the current Del Monte pier based on the Port of Galveston Master Plan.
  23. Galveston Steve
    The Port of Galveston is now acknowledging that NCL's Norwegian Prima will call on Galveston on 27 Oct 2022, before repositioning to Miami and Port Canaveral for the winter. This will be the first NCL ship to ever call on Galveston. Discussions are also in progress to home port an NCL ship in Galveston beginning in November 2023.
  24. Galveston Steve
    https://www.galveston.com/webcams/cruisevideocam/
  25. Galveston Steve
    Yes, the new terminal is a must for Oasis Class ships in Galveston. At the beginning of the Covid craziness the port looked at the possibility of bringing Allure into the existing terminal and concluded it wasn't feasible, which resulted in the one year delay in the new terminal construction.
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