Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 What is everyone's experience with cruising out of Galveston. Thinking about swapping the Freedom August 2021 sailing for Liberty (same week). Itinerary doesn't matter as we have been to all of the ports for both ships. We have not sailed either one before. Both ships are post amp except Liberty is 2 extra days and about $800 cheaper. Flying from DTW but flights are probably going to be about the same to go to either HOU or EWR (using 2020 pricing as a guide). Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregD Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 I'll let you know in 74 days Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Babe Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 8 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Thinking about swapping the Freedom August 2021 sailing for Liberty I hope it's Liberty, just booked B2B on her May 2021! A little birdie suggested the Vista ocean panoramic Suite so that's what I did!! LOL AND it's refundable for a change! LOL Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 7 minutes ago, emsff02 said: I'll let you know in 74 days Need to know sooner lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregD Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 Just now, Lovetocruise2002 said: Need to know sooner lol Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe01 Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 2 days longer and cheaper should make it a no-brainer. Is LB getting amped before August? They'll have to cancel some cruises by the looks of things if that is the case. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 We have enjoyed our sailings out of Galveston. The ships are pretty much the same so not much of a choice to make there. Given the facts that the LIB is 2 days longer and it’s overall cheaper, it would be a no-brainer for me. The time of year could be a factor. Knowing that with summer storms, Galveston offers far more alternative routes for outmaneuvering storms than NJ would could be a factor. Of course, it is going to be blazing hot in south Texas in August ! I would choose LIB just for the extra days and price difference. Lovetocruise2002 and Boston Babe 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Babe Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 22 minutes ago, Boston Babe said: I hope it's Liberty, I'm such an ass, I'm on Freedom!!!! I was petting my dog Liberty, when I was typing!! LMAO!! WAAAYTOOO, Lovetocruise2002, Skigoofy and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 2 minutes ago, Joe01 said: 2 days longer and cheaper should make it a no-brainer. Is LB getting amped before August? They'll have to cancel some cruises by the looks of things if that is the case. I was thinking no brainer as well except I didn’t know if there were any major drawbacks to sailing out of Galveston. I thought liberty was getting amped early 2021 (February or something like that). 1 minute ago, WAAAYTOOO said: The time of year could be a factor. Knowing that with summer storms, Galveston offers far more alternative routes for outmaneuvering storms than NJ would could be a factor. Of course, it is going to be blazing hot in south Texas in August ! I would choose LIB just for the extra days and price difference. I was more worried that a hurricane would affect sailings out of Galveston more than Cape Liberty in late August. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mworkman Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 Correct me if I'm wrong..your looking for info just on trans from Houston to the port and lodging or are you planning on flying into Galveston? As for the ship, we sailed the Navigator pre-amped and enjoyed her..wished she was doing the 9 night sailings to ABC's, but that's another subject. Did you see the lodging link that i posted for Galveston in another thread? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 2 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: I was more worried that a hurricane would affect sailings out of Galveston more than Cape Liberty in late August. I agree that the chances of storm interference in TX is greater than in NJ but the options for alternative routes from TX are greater than those from NJ. If a storm is coming up the coast of the eastern US, there is nowhere to go from NJ. At least in TX you can go East, west or south. Other than the obvious (brutal summer heat), I don’t think there are any show stoppers with Galveston. The logistics are a BIT more complicated as you have to get from the airport to the port and back but it’s not a big deal. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 10 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: Other than the obvious (brutal summer heat), That is not even a factor for us. We're from Canada. We embrace the heat! lol WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 19 minutes ago, mworkman said: Correct me if I'm wrong..your looking for info just on trans from Houston to the port and lodging or are you planning on flying into Galveston? It would be all of it because we would have to fly into HOU and then get to Galveston and also do a pre-cruise stay there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mworkman Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 There's this, but i'm not done yet! @Galveston Steve Galveston Steve and Lovetocruise2002 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mworkman Posted December 4, 2019 Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 Lodging option https://www.schaeferhausgalveston.com Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2019 I may have found one potential downside. It appears that some of the hotels will not allow just a Saturday night stay. It requires at least a two night stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: I may have found one potential downside. It appears that some of the hotels will not allow just a Saturday night stay. It requires at least a two night stay. We’ve never had a problem with this. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 1 minute ago, WAAAYTOOO said: We’ve never had a problem with this. What hotel do you normally stay at when sailing out of Galveston? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 Hmmm. I can’t remember off the top of my head but I have all of the info at home. We use Marriott exclusively and the last time we used points. I will get the info for you as soon as I can Dan says it was a Springhill Suites. His memory is better than mine. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseGus Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 Have stayed at the Spring Hill in Galveston and a few others, now we normally stay in Houston and Uber to port in the morning, just 2 of us. Great experience with Uber in Nov 2019. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: I may have found one potential downside. It appears that some of the hotels will not allow just a Saturday night stay. It requires at least a two night stay. A lot of hotels on the island require a two night stay especially if it is a holiday weekend or if there is something like a festival going on that week. Harbor House is just east of the cruise terminals (Carnival is between the hotel and Royal's terminal) - not that you would want to walk a 1/2 mile with your luggage, but here's a map. Surely they have a shuttle. I think it would be nice to wake up literally next to the ships, but we haven't stayed on the island yet. We stay between Houston and Galveston in Clear Lake which is where Johnson Space Center is located. The Kemah boardwalk is not far from there either, so we have a variety of things to entertain us pre-cruise. It's about a 40 minute drive to the terminal the morning of the cruise. We drive down from Dallas though, so you'll be looking at Uber or some other transportation twice if you go that route. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 I stay near the airport and do the drive down in the morning. KristiZ and Lovetocruise2002 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melski94 Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 The only potential downside the the amount of Texans (no offense Texans). Texas flag flies in the promenade, limited liquor choices until international waters, and every night you'll hear "the stars at night..." At the same time, you'll get a huge NE crowd out of NJ so similar regional dynamics. That being said, we were never bothered by it. We stayed near the airport the night before not in Galveston. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clear Laker Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 On 12/4/2019 at 4:29 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said: What is everyone's experience with cruising out of Galveston. Thinking about swapping the Freedom August 2021 sailing for Liberty (same week). Itinerary doesn't matter as we have been to all of the ports for both ships. We have not sailed either one before. Both ships are post amp except Liberty is 2 extra days and about $800 cheaper. Flying from DTW but flights are probably going to be about the same to go to either HOU or EWR (using 2020 pricing as a guide). Any thoughts? Late to your post. We have been on both ships … basically the same ship. Galveston is a cool town and there is a lot of things to do between Houston and Galveston. As you normally fly from Detroit. I would suggest flying Southwest (HOU). You will save a lot on airfare vs. IAH. Hobby Airport is much closer to Galveston. As Twangster pointed out you can stay at the Airport and take the Shuttle out the day of or there a good options in-between (shopping or space center) or you can proceed and stay at the Island. You will find you will have a strong Midwestern and Tx crowd. But just like middle Canada we tend to be more fun and easy going. So saving on flights + cruise fare + good people makes up for the 1 hour commute from the airport to the port. Best of luck. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrznTxn Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 Leaving on Liberty this Sunday. Last cruise on her we had a large number of Canadians who made the trip. There are shuttles from both airports but as stated before Hobby (HOU) is closer, although Sunday's traffic through Houston is quick in the mornings. Last cruise out of Galveston I had to go to IAH for an international flight and we arrived at the airport within 45 minutes of leaving the cruise terminal. I drove and we were passed by the shuttle taking folks back. August does not seem to be loaded with hurricanes and we have only hurried back to port once and that was due to possibility of fog. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark B Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 Full disclosure, I'm a Texan. Having said that, I've sailed out of Galveston twice, once on the Liberty. We had a great time, the ship is very nice. As the CrznTxn and Clear Laker above note, the airports are not close, so if you can get into town the day (or 2) before, it gives you some wiggle room. Although the Galveston beaches and water are not Caribbean beautiful, there are some things to do and places to eat that you might want to try. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 I'm a fly to cruise person. I find the Galveston experience not unlike flying to Orlando and getting to Port Canaveral. In both places I am there to cruise so I find a decent airport hotel and make my way to the port in the morning. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 19 hours ago, CruiseGus said: now we normally stay in Houston and Uber to port in the morning, just 2 of us. Great experience with Uber in Nov 2019. 19 hours ago, twangster said: I stay near the airport and do the drive down in the morning. 18 hours ago, melski94 said: We stayed near the airport the night before not in Galveston. 2 hours ago, CrznTxn said: Leaving on Liberty this Sunday. Last cruise on her we had a large number of Canadians who made the trip. There are shuttles from both airports but as stated before Hobby (HOU) is closer, although Sunday's traffic through Houston is quick in the mornings. Last cruise out of Galveston I had to go to IAH for an international flight and we arrived at the airport within 45 minutes of leaving the cruise terminal. I drove and we were passed by the shuttle taking folks back. August does not seem to be loaded with hurricanes and we have only hurried back to port once and that was due to possibility of fog. I read in another post here that hotels around HOU are not in a "safe" area. Any truth to that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 6 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: I read in another post here that hotels around HOU are not in a "safe" area. Any truth to that? Are Chicago hotels safe? Are Newark hotels safe? Are Toronto hotels safe? More and more gun violence in TO everytime I turn on the new up there. If you're staying in a $40 per night room I'm guessing that hotel may not be in a safe part of town. Lovetocruise2002 and teddy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 4 minutes ago, twangster said: Are Chicago hotels safe? Are Newark hotels safe? Are Toronto hotels safe? More and more gun violence in TO everytime I turn on the new up there. If you're staying in a $40 per night room I'm guessing that hotel may not be in a safe part of town. Good point... WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted December 5, 2019 Report Share Posted December 5, 2019 20 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: I read in another post here that hotels around HOU are not in a "safe" area. Any truth to that? I have heard the same thing, Sabrina, but we have always stayed in Galveston, so I cannot validate it. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kadmgs Posted December 6, 2019 Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 I am from Houston, born and raised. I live 30 mins. from Hobby (HOU) and about 45 mins. from Galveston. We sailed on Liberty this past summer and loved it so much we are sailing on her again in March for Spring Break. Haven't sailed on Freedom, but I agree with others stating the extra days and savings are worth the hassle of getting from HOU to Galveston. My recommendation would be to stay in the Clear Lake area, specifically Webster either in a hotel on Bay Area Blvd. at or near I-45 or on Nasa Road 1. This would put you near or even walking distance to restaurants and shopping depending on the hotel. If you have kids with you and your flight gets in early enough, Space Center Houston at Johnson Space Center is great! Tons of hands on stuff for the kids and you can actually go into the Enterprise, the mock shuttle used to train our astronauts. There are some "nice" hotels near HOU, but the area is very limited on decent dining options. The area is straight up sketchy, though. From reading your live blogs, @Lovetocruise2002 I think you would be happier in the Clear Lake area rather than staying near the airport. I can recommend restaurants, especially knowing your love for Mexican food. KristiZ, Clear Laker, teddy and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 5 hours ago, kadmgs said: There are some "nice" hotels near HOU, but the area is very limited on decent dining options. The area is straight up sketchy, though. From reading your live blogs, @Lovetocruise2002 I think you would be happier in the Clear Lake area rather than staying near the airport. I can recommend restaurants, especially knowing your love for Mexican food. Thanks for all the awesome advice! Not to worry, I did a quick search of hotels hear HOU and wrote it off already. Did not meet “suite snob” standards No kids on this one but I will most definitely take a look at the Clear Lake area. Thanks. kadmgs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Wolf Posted December 6, 2019 Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 On 12/4/2019 at 3:40 PM, Boston Babe said: I hope it's Liberty, just booked B2B on her May 2021! A little birdie suggested the Vista ocean panoramic Suite so that's what I did!! LOL AND it's refundable for a change! LOL I just posted on this topic. Did you get a refundable deposit for that Panoramic Suite? I asked for the same, but now I'm being told my deposit is NOT refundable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 3 minutes ago, Winston Wolf said: I just posted on this topic. Did you get a refundable deposit for that Panoramic Suite? I asked for the same, but now I'm being told my deposit is NOT refundable. Yes. We book refundable on all our Panoramic Suites. We are currently holding 3 of them, all refundable. Winston Wolf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Wolf Posted December 6, 2019 Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 Just now, Lovetocruise2002 said: Yes. We book refundable on all our Panoramic Suites. We are currently holding 3 of them, all refundable. Thank you! I need to set someone straight! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted December 6, 2019 Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 5 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Yes. We book refundable on all our Panoramic Suites. We are currently holding 3 of them, all refundable. Like the true "Suite Snob", of course she is Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steverk Posted December 6, 2019 Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 I live in Houston and have sailed Liberty twice. It's my favorite ship. Since you're coming from DFW, why don't you just drive to the port? It sounds a lot simpler than flying. As far as hotels, have you considered the Boardwalk Hotel in Kemah? It's an interesting location with amusements, restaurants, shopping and a midway with a simple 30 minute drive to Galveston. Just take S.H. 146 south until you're on the Galveston causeway. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 18 minutes ago, steverk said: Since you're coming from DFW, DTW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steverk Posted December 6, 2019 Report Share Posted December 6, 2019 1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: DTW Well alrighty then! In that case, flying Southwest in to Hobby makes the most sense! Enjoy your cruise! Liberty is a great ship. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.