MoCowBell

Thanks, we are renting a mini van as there are 6 of us and parking at the port.

Galveston Express has a shuttle at 13:00 that is guaranteed to get you to the port on time. The cost is $30 per person one-way.

Another cruise critic member said this on a similar thread under "Gulf Coast Departures":

 

My recommendation would be VIP Express. Manuel gives EXCELLENT service www.vipexpressllc.com

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I took her recommendation and called them. Emanuel is a really nice gentleman and does all he can to explain everything and be as helpful as possible. He just started his shuttle business this year with a friend. They used to work for another shuttle company and did not like the way the other company was conducting their customer service. I was very happy with him over the phone and setting up my reservation. His prices were great and I am sure his service will be excellent. He is really anxious to please.

And then they have the stones to actually use Express in their own company name.

Another cruise critic member said this on a similar thread under "Gulf Coast Departures":

 

My recommendation would be VIP Express. Manuel gives EXCELLENT service www.vipexpressllc.com

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I took her recommendation and called them. Emanuel is a really nice gentleman and does all he can to explain everything and be as helpful as possible. He just started his shuttle business this year with a friend. They used to work for another shuttle company and did not like the way the other company was conducting their customer service. I was very happy with him over the phone and setting up my reservation. His prices were great and I am sure his service will be excellent. He is really anxious to please.

They both used to work for Galveston Express so they are properly trained. One of them was fired though because he was using Galveston Express' equipment to transport his own passengers. It was suspected Emanuele was involved but there was no proof so he was allowed to continue working until they formed their own company.

Cruise Connection is another offshoot of Galveston Express. Its owner was also an employee until he formed his own company. I'm told the company is for sale now.

Galveston Express offers luggage storage for the day if you would like to tour Galveston.

the best way to sail out of Galveston port, is to book your hotel by the airport you are flying into, and in the morning of the embarkation you leave from your hotel straight to the port, this way you avoid the extra trip from any hotel in Galveston to the port, save money and headache as transportation from hotels in Galveston to the port can be stressful sometime in the morning because all of them want lonh trips to the airports in Houston.

For shuttle companies, they are all reasonable, and it also depends on how many passengers you have in your group, thelarger your group, the better deal per person you will get. These are the 3 main shuttle compnaies in Galveston.

Galveston Shuttle & Limo (private shuttle) 409-761-1184 check their rate here http://galveston-shuttle.com/get-to-know-us/rates/

Galveston Express (shared Shuttle) (409)762-4397 and they charge $25 pp from Hobby and $30 pp from IAH

Galveston Limousine (shared Shuttle) 409-744-5466 and they charge $25 pp from Hobby and $30 pp from IAH

 

Do your homework on checking out their reviews, and what kind of complaints they have, then make your decision. Good luck

Good information; Just want to add Galveston Express offers a pickup from an airport hotel for $30 for any sized group.

Galveston Express offers NASA dropoffs upon request, with a pickup later that evening for a ride to the airport. NASA itself has a luggage storage locker to use during a tour. I believe it typically closes around 6pm. From there it's about a half hour to Hobby Airport and 45 minutes or so to Bush Airport. The trip from Galveston to NASA takes around a half hour to 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Would it be easy to get a taxi upon disembarking just outside the port ie: avoid the $20 port charge?

Taxis do not pay a $20 toll. They pay a monthly fee for port access and it breaks down to a buck or maybe a little more or less for each time they enter the port. If they tell you otherwise they are being untruthful.

Yes.

Have the 8 driving in pick up the 4 flying into Houston.

Even if the 8 have to drop off some and go back to airport to pick up the 4.

Do the same for hotel to port.

Hopefully they're driving 2 cars and can squeeze 2 extra bodies in each car.

We had family fly into houston as well and we picked them up on our way from Dallas to Galveston. A little inconvenient but we made it work.

 

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I wish you the best of luck.

I understand. But 8 of us are driving down and want to stay as close to Galveston as economically possible.

 

 

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Oh it was my understanding you are flying into Hobby. I would still recommend a hotel near the airport or a hotel in Galveston. I am really unclear on just how many you have in your group but if you have 8 driving in and 4 flying in it may be worthwhile to book a private shuttle.

The drive time from Hobby Airport is about 45 minutes and the drive time from a Texas City hotel would be around 25 - 30 minutes. It really is a wash.

Enterprise has a location in Galveston but you will pay extra to drop a car there. There are no other rental car locations on the island.

I highly recommend you stay at a hotel near the airport. There is no reason to try to stay at one in between as there are few options beyond cabs or Uber.

Has anyone stayed at either of these hotels? I would love to hear your experience if you have. I have both hotels reserved for our pre-cruise stay on 1/20/18. There are 4 couples and thought it might be fun to share 2 bedroom suites which they have at Towne Place however it is a bit more expensive than Inn @ Waterpark. Is there someone who can tell me which might be closer to the pier, restaurants, stores and the beach? I know Inn @ Waterpark has a shuttle but not sure Towne Place does and if this is free or is there a cost involved? I find it overwhelming trying to decide where to stay when I have never been to Galveston. Plus I still have to find transportation from Hobby to the hotel and then back to the airport after the cruise. So much pressure to make things just right for 8 of us when 6 of us have never cruised before. AACCKK!!!!!:eek:

Galveston Express can handle your airport transfers as well as your hotel to cruise ship transfers, no matter which hotel you settle on. These two hotels are about the same distance from the port so don't let that be the deciding factor.

Great thanks (hubby saw the Tremont and looks great)

 

Are there any shuttles from the airport to Galveston area ?

 

 

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Galveston Express is offering a 15% discount if you use the code EXPRESS at checkout on their website.

 

Not my business . I'm retired.

Cut and paste off their website.

Yes wording does imply it's mine, that's what on website. I saw that after edit time expired. Could not change it.

I was just showing a transfer service on days not of cruise, in response to your comment.

 

Report it if you like.

 

I have recommended Galveston Express many times also.. I live here or I would use that service . Express has a great looking fleet at car wash, and service has good reviews! I thank Express for service , Galveston needs transfers badly for airline cruisers with days not of cruise. These are tourists coming for extra days on island. .

 

By your own admission you live in Galveston and do not use these services yourself. Please stop mentioning any of these services and let the cruise passengers handle it. Cruise passengers want to hear from other cruise passengers and not locals who appear to have a preference for one company over another.

 

 

How do you so blatantly get to advertise your business? I never requested any information about your business. I was simply responding to someone else's comment.

This is true but it only goes for service through August 31st 2017.....September cruises right now are out of luck with this code.

For September and August us EXPRESS for a 15% discount.

I am an oyster fan (steamed) and the wife likes shrimp. I found the Black Pearl online and am looking for feedback on this place or another with good oysters. We like casual and not too expensive, but good. Would rather pay for food than fancy atmosphere. Any recommendations on this place or any other on the island for pre-cruise dinner?

Thanks!

They have very good food that is made from scratch. If I remember correctly they serve oysters at least five different ways. I usually get the grilled salmon when I go there. It's absolutely delicious and within walking distance of The Strand and the Cruise Terminal.

JUST FYI.....their online rate just went $55 r/t per person from Hobby A/P. I founfd this out this morning (7/19/17) They said they now have to pay the port to be allowed in so they need to pass the expense to "you & me"

Galveston Express has a "SUMMER" coupon code you can enter when booking online. It will give you a 20% discount.

Can you take the Carnival bus if you're cruising on RCCL?

There are no cruise line buses running on days other than cruise days so this isn't even an option for you on Friday when you arrive. Each cruise line has its own charter buses. Just speak with guest services to see what they have available.

The quote I got form them was $170 but emailed them to see if they offer any military discounts, however it would have to be a $50 discount to match Galveston Limo and I doubt they will be doing that.

Galveston Express has a coupon for 20% off that might help. Reservations must be booked online and use promo code SUMMER when booking.

I saw a for sale sign in the window and I'm pretty sure it was locked up tight in the middle of the day on a weekday.

I'm talking about the Strand location.

Frankie's liquor.

2218 Strand.

You can walk to it from the cruise terminal.

Not sure of the wine selection. We don't shop there. I might stop in once a year for an emergency.But they do sell it. But everything they sell is very expensive. The place is for sale. And has been for a very long time. So if you know you're going to walk there. I would call ahead first.409-765-6520

 

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Frank's Liquor Store is closed and the location is for sale.

Yes, Hampton offers rides for $10 a head.

Hampton Inn & Suites does rides for $10 apiece.