bkirkham Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Any suggestions for staying in Galveston the night before our cruise? Or is flying in same day ok? I am eyeing a flight from Atlanta that would have us landing at Hobby Airport at 9:17am. Also if we stay the night before we don't need anything fancy. Just a comfortable bed with cruise shuttle service provided/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I always suggest getting in at least a day early. It just makes everything easier and it's a bonus vacation day! We stayed at the Galveston Beach Hotel (former Holiday Inn) and it was wonderful. They have a shuttle. markinct and bkirkham 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Steve Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I had a previous post on this topic here: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php/topic/126-galveston-advice/?p=3376 I agree with Matt and highly recommend arriving at least a day early. The Galveston Beach Hotel is a great choice. I also recommend two hotels in the above post. Both are very walkable to the cruise terminal (1-3 easy blocks) and are located right in the heart of historic Galveston's Strand District with its shopping, dining, and bar hopping options. It's a great way to start your vacation. Let me know if you have specific questions about Galveston! bkirkham, Matt and markinct 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkirkham Posted January 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 I had a previous post on this topic here: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php/topic/126-galveston-advice/?p=3376 I agree with Matt and highly recommend arriving at least a day early. The Galveston Beach Hotel is a great choice. I also recommend two hotels in the above post. Both are very walkable to the cruise terminal (1-3 easy blocks) and are located right in the heart of historic Galveston's Strand District with its shopping, dining, and bar hopping options. It's a great way to start your vacation. Let me know if you have specific questions about Galveston! Both of those hotels were beautiful! But way to expensive. When we sailed out of Port Canaveral we had a hotel for a night with shuttle for less than $100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Steve Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Both of those hotels were beautiful! But way to expensive. When we sailed out of Port Canaveral we had a hotel for a night with shuttle for less than $100. I understand... Here is a pretty complete list of hotels on the island. Some of these may have shuttles. I think the Howard Johnson does, but you should call them to confirm (it's located near the port in an area that's not very scenic or appealing though). http://www.galveston.com/islandhotels/ (The above website also has great information on visiting Galveston and some excellent webcams. The cruise cams are full motion video and are manned to follow the cruise ships when they arrive and depart on cruise days! That's probably too much info for your queston but maybe I'll start a new thread with just info on sailing from Galveston.) Galveston has a wide range of hotel prices depending on day of week (weekends obviously much higher), whether there are major events happening, and the season (summer is the busy season here). If you find a really good deal on the hotel, a local taxi ride might be fairly reasonable if you stay fairly near the port. bkirkham 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkirkham Posted January 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 I understand... Here is a pretty complete list of hotels on the island. Some of these may have shuttles. I think the Howard Johnson does, but you should call them to confirm (it's located near the port in an area that's not very scenic or appealing though). http://www.galveston.com/islandhotels/ (The above website also has great information on visiting Galveston and some excellent webcams. The cruise cams are full motion video and are manned to follow the cruise ships when they arrive and depart on cruise days! That's probably too much info for your queston but maybe I'll start a new thread with just info on sailing from Galveston.) Galveston has a wide range of hotel prices depending on day of week (weekends obviously much higher), whether there are major events happening, and the season (summer is the busy season here). If you find a really good deal on the hotel, a local taxi ride might be fairly reasonable if you stay fairly near the port. Thanks Steve! Any and all info you have to share is great. I love reading anything that people have to share (my wife teases me that I am addicted to cruise porn lol)... That's why I love this blog, everyone is so helpful and willing to share news and notes that can make such a big difference in our cruise Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Both of those hotels were beautiful! But way to expensive. When we sailed out of Port Canaveral we had a hotel for a night with shuttle for less than $100. I will point out that Port Canaveral has much more competition than Galveston. If you're willing to stay outside of Galveston, you can really save some money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Steve Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 ... (my wife teases me that I am addicted to cruise porn lol)... That's why I love this blog, everyone is so helpful and willing to share news and notes that can make such a big difference in our cruise My wife and I think of ourselves as cruise nerds... I might like "addicted to cruise porn" better. bkirkham, Matt and markinct 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Steve Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 I will point out that Port Canaveral has much more competition than Galveston. If you're willing to stay outside of Galveston, you can really save some money.Quite true. There are a couple of options along I-45 in Texas City, just north of Galveston. They likely don't have transportation to the cruise terminal, but the weekend rates should be much lower than Galveston and it would be a short taxi ride to the cruise terminal.http://www.expedia.com/Galveston-Hotels-Americas-Best-Value-Inn-Suites-Texas-CityLa-Marque.h1350862.Hotel-Information?chkin=01/30/2015&chkout=02/02/2015 http://www.expedia.com/Galveston-Hotels-Fairfield-Inn-By-Marriott-Texas-City.h40479.Hotel-Information?chkin=02/01/2015&chkout=02/04/2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkirkham Posted January 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Thanks for all the ideas for staying in Galveston. Has anyone had any experience with same day flights and cruising? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markinct Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Thanks for all the ideas for staying in Galveston. Has anyone had any experience with same day flights and cruising? I guess the real question is "Are you feeling lucky?" Even in this great future there are so many variables to account for in travel that I think arriving the day before is the way to go. Save the pulse pounding excitement for an adventure excursion. Before we were married my wife missed a cruise because of unexpected travel problems. To this day she gets that lower lip tremble when she thinks of all of those calls to Carnival and being put on hold - only to hear Kathy Lee Gifford sing "Ain't we got fun!". All that said, I know people do it - some have no choice in the matter, it's what their schedules dictate. Whatever choice you make, I hope your journey to the port is calm and uneventful, and that you have an awesome cruise. bkirkham, Galveston Steve and Matt 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkirkham Posted January 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 I guess the real question is "Are you feeling lucky?" Even in this great future there are so many variables to account for in travel that I think arriving the day before is the way to go. Save the pulse pounding excitement for an adventure excursion. Before we were married my wife missed a cruise because of unexpected travel problems. To this day she gets that lower lip tremble when she thinks of all of those calls to Carnival and being put on hold - only to hear Kathy Lee Gifford sing "Ain't we got fun!". All that said, I know people do it - some have no choice in the matter, it's what their schedules dictate. Whatever choice you make, I hope your journey to the port is calm and uneventful, and that you have an awesome cruise. Mark, You have me convinced! markinct 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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