ssb

After cruising many times out of Galveston on Royal, we never have experienced this . And unaware of the times being displayed anywhere . 

On 4/10/2024 at 8:45 PM, buncosquad said:

I am doing this embarkation port next month with a 10 person family group flying in from 4 cities around the country to IAH.

 

Using private transfers from IAH to Galveston then spending two nights at Tremont House before cruise embarkation.

 

Using same company for private transfer from Tremont House to port for morning of embarkation. 

 

For disembarkation, once again using same private transfer from port, via Johnson Space Center, then continuing on to IAH.

 

I just want to relax. And have a drink (even if limited in port by Texas law). 😎

You will not be limited in port to drinking by state law . You will be limited by “Royal” because they will not buy in Texas all liquors they serve in Federal waters and at sea. Royal may only serve liquors in Texas they buy and pay tax on . All liquors are available in Texas for Royal to buy . They will no do it . 

1

If you only have medium (25"+-) and carryon size baggage , you do not need the tags . Both fit through screening machines . Check in around 1:00 and go straight to cabin . 

Consider for no flying over the pond

and four days in Portugal and/or Spain

 Special events downtown usually are beginning after noon and are not busy during morning hours of cruse activity. 

14 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Find a TA with refundable group rates if that's why you dont want to book sooner. I wouldnt wait a year out the way prices are going. My TA says cant book rcl air 2 sea and transfers until about 11 months out. I booked the TA from port Canaveral to spain and the next 10 day leg. Some booked a 3rd leg, which is 7 days because it ends in athens they wanted to see.

 

The TA is a really good price, the extra legs are much higher, almost double per day. There is a section on cc where people suggest hotels in whichever city you are flying in or out of. Posters advise to book hotels direct in europe, though seems a lot more expensive. I see deals on Priceline half what booking direct is. Lots of good tips on the other cc sections. I'll end in rome and they post be careful to get the original hotel bldg as many hotels there have built annexes that may be not as historic and not even the same block as the hotel you think you booked.

 

They also suggest booking in the currency of where you will be staying. In my case euros. I saw some article where some major hotel is accusing of scamming by booking in usa dollars and adding to the price when they convert.

 

 

 

Do not overthink it . 

13 hours ago, TeamCan said:

We're thinking of booking a cruise next January. We would have to fly out of IAH in the afternoon after disembarkation as we have another cruise booked the next day.   How often are cruise ships delayed in docking due to fog? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!

Not saying it will not happen but ships in Galveston NOW will move in the fog unless it really circumstantial .  We have cruise booked in January. And have generally cruised out of Galveston every January for birthdays . 

1 hour ago, theotherchad said:

I don' t generally have any issues as we are on the island at least 6 or 8 times a year for the last decade or more (COVID first year excepted), but I have definitely encountered some gridlock and way more traffic than usual on those special event weekends. 

Its all relative to where and  when you are going

14 hours ago, cynt said:

 

 

@IceChick and @txjim09 how did you manage transferring between the two terminals?

Taxi 

18 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

 

Love that quote when we're talking about building something designed to keep them from connecting with the local culture and people. 

Additional choices , that’s what everyone wants isn’t it ?  

On 3/26/2024 at 2:18 PM, theotherchad said:

Not once you're at the cruise terminal and on the ship it's not, but getting around the island can be a bit challenging on those days. 

Getting around the island is easy for us . 

6. BOSTON  , MASSACHUSETTS

6. SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

On 3/24/2024 at 1:25 PM, theotherchad said:

I think all the issues you listed are an issue for some folks and not as much for others. I wonder how Galveston will stack up against some of the much busier ports like Miami (when we have significantly more ships than we do now)  when it comes to how difficult all those factors are (parking, getting to the port, etc.). I've heard lots of horror stories and accounts of things being super easy. Everybody's experience is different, I guess. 

 

I would say that unless it's during one of the big holidays/festivals/biker ralllies, etc. I don't see an issue with there being sufficient restaurants, etc. On those weekends, though, all bets are off. Galveston is a madhouse during those special weekends. 

Galveston cruising is not a madhouse on those special weekends .

Royal Caribbean announces it will build a new beach club for cruise ship passengers in Mexico

In:

By: 

Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean will open a beach club in Mexico, exclusively for the use of its cruise ship passengers.

Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico is the name of the line's next new enclave.

Beach clubs are a new idea for Royal Caribbean, which are private areas reserved for the use of Royal Caribbean ships visiting that day. An admission cost is also associated with the clubs.

The announcement was made on Friday and the new club will open sometime in 2026.

It will be located "along the western coast of the island."

“We are delighted to build on our longstanding partnership with the local community and government to continue bringing our guests to Mexico,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “The expansion of our destination offerings aligns with the growing global demand for the ultimate vacation experiences and enables our guests to connect with the beauty of local cultures and people in the places they visit.”

“The anticipation for what’s next when it comes to Royal Caribbean destinations has only continued to build since we revealed Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas that opens in 2025. Now is the perfect time to announce the next iteration of this collection with Royal Beach Club Cozumel,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Cozumel is an incredible destination, and the beach club will perfectly complement all the island has to offer as an experience that combines familiar Royal Caribbean touches with the spirit of Mexico, alongside amenities and activities for every type of vacationer.”

What the club offers

The exact details aren't known, but Royal Caribbean said the Royal Beach Club Cozumel will offer beach and pool access, along with scenic views.

We know of these features:

• swim-up bars
• Pools for families and all guests to enjoy
• Cabanas to rent
• Snorkeling
• Kayaking
• Restaurants, bars, and lounges with Mexican flare
• Street market offering hands-on experiences like tequila tastings and cooking classes.

Hints at the club

In retrospect, today's news was alluded to by Royal Caribbean's executives recently.

During the inaugural sailing of Icon of the Seas in February 2024, Mr. Bayley answered a question about the future of cruises from Galveston, Texas from a travel agent during a Q&A session.

Galveston has become one of Royal Caribbean's fastest growing markets recently, with the line opening a brand new cruise terminal there in 2022.

"It wasn't by accident we put Allure of the Seas into Texas, and now we've got Harmony of the seas. And if you just think forward a few more years, I wonder what we're going to do next."

"I'm not giving away our strategy here because it's pretty. It's pretty simple if you can just use your imagination, you know, big things are coming, baby."

First beach club opening in The Bahamas

In 2020, Royal Caribbean announced a new venture in Nassau that would allow passengers the ability to visit an exclusive destination outfitted with four beaches, private cabanas, a spacious swimming pool, and a watersports center.

Dubbed "Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island," this addition to Royal Caribbean's private offerings, specifically in a busy port like Nassau, aims to provide passengers with unparalleled beach experiences away from the majority of the crowds.

Since Royal Caribbean is designing the beach club as a public-private partnership, Bahamians are able to hold up to 49% equity in the venture.

While not a private island like Perfect Day at CocoCay, the 17-acre Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island is exclusively for guests sailing onboard Royal Caribbean ships. Although situated on Paradise Island, which is home to resorts like Baha Mar, Sandals Royal Bahamian, and Atlantic, the Royal Beach Club will be located in a more secluded area.

Additionally, it's not included in the cost of your cruise fare, so you'll have to pay extra for admission. Included in the cost of a day pass to the Royal Beach Club are complimentary beach chairs, food, and use of the swimming pool and kids' splash pad.

Apart from two food halls, there will be three Snack Shack locations offering convenient grab-and-go items like chicken sandwiches, french fries, and, of course, the ever-popular mozzarella sticks. Aside from dining, guests who pay for admission to the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island will have access to numerous bars, as they're scattered throughout the beach club.

To reach the beach club, passengers will have to taxi a complimentary water shuttle from Bay Street located near the Straw Market. Once onboard, guests will have two drop-off options: near Sapphire Beach and the west end of the pool.

At the time of writing, the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island is scheduled to welcome its first guests in 2025.

10+- am is the earliest . However it really doesn’t matter much , for embarkation process in Galveston is so easy these days with new terminal and all the close available parking . 

It is covered and inside a building  and is walkable and/or has shuttle to front door . 

Royal Caribbean transfers between IAH and Galveston are not that expensive. 

On 3/10/2024 at 11:22 AM, cruisegal40 said:

On my May 27th sailing the Hide Away Day pass is $74.  I am holding out for that to go down? Or book now and hope for the best? 

Seen them in 20ies and booked Utopia for 40.99.

In general terms - large size suit cases will not fit through screening machines . 

Medium size and smaller ones will . 

We check in around 1 and go direct to cabin with bags. 

Galveston Island is a major tourist destination with 32 miles of beach .

see

visitgalveston.com

galverstonhistory.org 

galveston.com

discovermaps.com/galveston

On 2/28/2024 at 2:14 PM, travelberlin said:

As far as I understand you can get them removed once onboard. You will have to tell them the reason.

No reason required

8 minutes ago, doghog said:

Suck that Bar Harbor is no longer allowing cruise ships. One of our favorite ports on the NE/Canada cruises. 

Yes that was one of our  favorites also . However However !! 😂

And would have loved Quebec again . However However !!😂

2 hours ago, cruisin from florida said:

I was really hoping for Quebec! We did the snowbird migration from Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale in 2019. It was amazing. 

 

Yes we were definitely hoping for Quebec in the mix to go back, but not .

so we booked btbtb

• Brilliance of the Seas

•         Oct 26 — Nov 2, 2025

                           7 night maine canada cruise

1. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

2. PORTLAND, MAINE

3. SAINT JOHN, NB (BAY OF FUNDY)

4. HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA

5. SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA  

6. BOSTON  , MASSACHUSETTS

• Brilliance of the Seas

•       Nov 2 — Nov 9, 2025

                        7 night boston to san juan cruise

1. BOSTON  , MASSACHUSETTS 

2. ROYAL NAVAL DOCKYARD, BERMUDA

3. ST. JOHN'S, ANTIGUA

4. TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

5. SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

• Brilliance of the Seas

•      Nov 9 — Nov 16, 2025

                      7 night bvi southern caribbean cruise

1. SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

2. TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

3. ORANJESTAD, ARUBA

4. ORANJESTAD, ARUBA

5. WILLEMSTAD, CURACAO

6. SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

Galveston Saltwater Moms --- for   Transfers