dna1990

Road-based trips to Passion have been a long drama for years and years. They come and go. The operators and whatever leasing arrangements seem to change often, etc. The road itself is pretty rough and is more a trail of holes than road, depending on what recent storms have passed. Then when the road ends, you still need a small boat to ferry you across the lagoon to Passion. We love the destination, but have given up lately because of the journey. With almost certainty, no cruiselines will offer a road-based trip. Busses down that road are a real challenge, and I don't see them doing small-scale setups. So if they exist, will be by searching for them independent. And if you find em, figure out just how much to trust the "return" trip on said bumpy and isolated road, to avoid missing the ship.

Google gets you to this site to start with: https://www.portofgalveston.com/91/Cruise-Parking--General-Information "Closest" is sort of a loaded question with regards to the older terminals 25 & 28 (formerly 1 &2). While several lots state "park & walk" and many here on CC will say they do walk...it is not the shortest or easiest walk, especially with rolling luggage. IMO Especially in hot summers or rainy winters. So suggest you also google alternatives like LightHouse, EZ Cruise, et al. Yes, there is some wait/transfer work to shuttle...but we find that method much easier overall for the CCL/Princess terminals. YMMV Budget can also be a factor.

Not our experience, but a few have reported needing to show your reservation or QR code upon "exit" as well. So I vote for printing and/or placing in phone's "wallet". Because if post-cruise you is like post-cruise me...can't find nuthin' on my phone except odd pictures I don't even remember taking. And 100's of unanswered work emails. If you have but a few rolling bags, just park and walk to the terminal - using either the left or right side. If you go "up the middle" eventually you have to go left/right anyway around the bus dropoff area and they now have railing barriers. If you have more than a few bags, go thru the dropoff area first, then park second. There are two drop off areas (Royal Caribbean Circle) in the front of the terminal, or (Royal Caribbean Way) that goes along the side. Either is fine and easy access afterwards to the North Lot entry driveway. Currently the only entrance into the North Lot is along Royal Caribbean Way (east side). I say this because if looking at photos or overhead shots, there are a set of driveways on the west side - but these seem destined for some future use. And the only entrance to the North Lot "Covered" is thru the same entrance mentioned above for North Lot, you will just have a second gate to go thru.

The App won't be too useful until onboard. If trying to book items (sounds like you might be as far as 45 days out), use the website instead under PlanMyCruise. But note, the App's My Calendar still sux in that you can only put things on there from sorta the reserved items. You can't treat it like your own calendar for notes and meetups, etc.

Just FYI, if thinking of "mapping" your cruise, note that while GPS can be working on some offline-style app as mentioned above - it will still need the satellite signal. Inside the ship (full of steel and structure) won't be much if any sat signal. In pre-phone GPS days, people used external antennas off their "Garmin" style device and placed these out on the balcony - in order to record the voyage's whole journey. If just looking to use on deck, occasional use, or in port - no worries. You may also look at apps like MarineTraffic and other AIS/GPS apps for reference in spotting a nearby vessel or offshore platform, etc.

Just stick to your guns, ignore all calls to assist, find the sign guy yourself. All is good.

Echo all above. Credit cards have a minimal level of protection, but debit/ATM cards....nah I would not even have them with me leaving the ship.

Simple Kennsington lock or KYSS cable if you want. I use one for company-issued laptops. But main thing as said above, don't leave it out in plain sight.

Or ask whatever snorkel trip you are on, if there is an option to be dropped off straight at a resort. Paradise and Nachi both have piers and we have done that at both. Beats going back to a marina or the port area - that turnaround would indeed waste alot of time getting to the resort and enjoying the most of it. The resort is also more likely to be crowded by that time and getting prime lounge chair locations or larger groups placed together - will be more of a challenge. If just looking to snorkel, I echo above and arrange a trip direct from your resort. Just about all resorts would have a basic option to do so. If looking for more emphasis on a nice catamaran ride or snorkel trip to perhaps other reefs - then concentrate on that and then come back and enjoy the ship's pool area. Orr, maybe you have a really long stop and plenty of time to enjoy both...enjoy no matter what.

There was some construction progress in the port expansion area, so at least there is hope for recovery at the water park too. But "next month" is like "five more minutes" - it is the standard timeline answer for everything.

Pier 14 "walking distance". SSB is right as always, but just wanna ensure scale (and heat). If you are able-bodied and have a concise amount of luggage with quality wheels, etc - for sure. If you have young kids, older folks, out of shape folks, people sensitive to the heat/sun, you pack like we do with 6-8 steamer trunks of luggage, it is July/Aug heat/humidity in Galveston, raining, etc - then it can be a pretty long haul. There are shuttles, but yes, sometimes there is a wait for the next one and you have to "load on" your luggage. It is a good 500 yards from the open lot, maybe another 150yds from the covered section.

Echo'ing above...always contact your cruiseline's special needs department. Not just for first/last day, but they may have helpful options for the whole week. I would choose the assisted luggage option (place all but a small carry on outside your cabin door the last night). You will receive new "numbered" luggage tags. Enjoy the next morning as usual and await for that "number" group to be called off. Once in the terminal, scout where there number sign is for your bags, but also scout for where best to hail a porter, they are often lined up, or sometimes there is a wait for a porter. They will load everything as you point out your items. At RCCL terminal, porters are really only going to get you out of the terminal and to the main sidewalk pickup area or to a shuttle pickup area. On occasion, you might get one to go as far as the North Lot Covered, but this has seems to have been cracked down on. At the CCL/Princess/et al terminal, porters are again going to get you to the self pickup sidewalk or the shuttle areas just across the driveway. Grab a shady spot and/or have an umbrella to wait, if one person is going to go get car and pull back thru. It can take a while at peak times to work your way back in thru the traffic. Main point is to be prepped for this wait and be patient, and not to get stressed for either party knowing where the other is, etc. Each self pickup zone has a number, so just know that is where the car will be coming back to. "Logistics" of a cruise or any travel can be stressful. Heightened for those will mobility or other issues. I can tell you it will work out well though, because you are already "thinking ahead" and "asking questions". That is the recipe for success in this case I believe.

As just an FYI, from a recent Voyager trip, the downloaded files were 2400x3000px@300dpi. Around 2.5Mb per file. Have not yet sent for print, but I think that is OK quality for my needs: photo album, memento type.

Early June, single ship - had one trolley working...just the straight section - still had to walk down the side pier to the aft gangway of the ship. But as all-aboard drew near, the trolley line was packed, as expected. It is a slow process. They should switch those guys out for Cozumel Taxi drivers.

It does vary from ship to ship. There are completely different "systems" in use across the fleet. Allure seems to suk. We have had no luck recently with packages being able to mix print/digital. The pkg only digital. But. Once you picked for a digital, there was an option to reprint physical, but at another $5 each. Also be aware of any C&A discounts you may have available to you. I think Emerald has buy 1, 50% off next. Diamond has one free print per person. Etc.

Concur with ten pusher (ATC?) that was the deal on May 29 sailing. Casino still pretty crowded with the walls up, rumor is they will come down eventually and add more slots. Craps table was pretty easy to get a spot (not common with $5) and dealers were pretty good with several good boxpersons. The table did open about 3pm on some seadays, but then seem to close again if nobody playing until dinner time. Good luck all.

I save to phone "wallet" but I also print, cuz I am old and always know exactly where my "folder" is. It has never once asked me for a password, a battery charge, a finger print, etc. Grin.

Just off from May29 sailing. Check RCCL Blog dot com for past Cruise Compasses. Should be able to gleam what is offered. Or has been suggested, use the App, click the person icon near top, choose Select Different Sailing and pick one for VOS pretty close to the current date, again to get a sense. There is the main theater with the usual selections of sing/dance shows, comedy, and variety. Ice show is often good, dress warmly. There is great music all around the ships in the evening. Trivia, lots of trivia events. Karaoke. And several shorter highlights in promenade like parades, 70s dance, and veterans salute. Movies play most days and nights on the pool big screen. But audio is insanely loud. Hush dance parties, both teens and everyone. Free skate ice rink, bring pants and socks.

We are slated for August so can't confirm yet. I will say they have been great in answering questions via email, so get the direct answer from them.

They had optional pool noodles, nothing required. There was one guide in the water at all times and a floating ring tied off the boat. I would guess they had additional floatation options, we didn't ask. Some stops were drift, meaning you jumped in and the boat met you down current (nice). And others were anchored, where you had to swim both up/down current. Also note that floatation options may vary between their boats, so if of specific concern - simply email them, they are very responsive.

It is a key topic that needs some attention, esp as Galveston cruising only continues to grow with the existing terminals, more so if the fourth location goes live. I think it mimics parking in a way. Ten years ago we likely made similar comments about parking - shuttles, options, standards, schedules, pricing, etc. And it eventually got to a much smoother point, the port made some changes to traffic flow and added more shuttle bus slots, competition brought more options and innovations, etc. Now Galveston attracts more and more fly-in guests and not just us Texas and nearby drivers...yes - they need a more solid set of solutions. What is likely the number one question here and other social media when it comes to cruising out of Galveston - transfers/shuttle service, etc. I saw SSB posted that Uber was in new talks with the Port of Galveston, so hopefully that helps some. But I worry too that RideShare is not as easy an option like other cities, where there is this constant presence and rolling turnover that makes getting a quick ride an easy task (and for drivers to get their next fare). Drivers have little to work on outside some narrow cruise turnover days/times. The distances are long, so only one trip feasible most days. There are all types of surge pricing models that make it hard for passengers to plan. And big events like Mardi Gras, Rodeo, Airshow maybe - all can quickly deplete the rideshare pool. And for my eyes, even at the new RCCL terminal with all its nice parking and building amenities - the ingress/egress and shuttle/rideshare pickup zones....are kinda meh. We still see Harborside and 14th lined up with rideshare/taxi groups, why was this whole concept not better incorporated into the overall terminal experience? Look, cruising is an awesome vacation experience for many. Galveston is a quaint place to visit pre/post cruise. And even at the world's best-designed airports, nobody "enjoys" the luggage, shuttles, waiting, heat, cold, tired kids, etc - portion of travel. But we don't have to exacerbate the issue either. In some industries they call it "last mile" operations, where you focus on the whole journey, and don't skimp out on the last little bit the customer remembers (often not kindly). Lets find a way that people are content and smiling as they travel back over the causeway headed north. And great kudos to the many private drivers that already make perfect customer experiences week after week with little public praise, we talk about bad news alot - but don't forget there is plenty of good that nobody takes time to sit down and type out. 🤩

I may be giving old info, but it is mostly about check-in, security lines are first. Same would be for FTTF perk (if that is back again). That being said, kindly tell every usher you come to about your suite status, there very well could be an unofficial line they direct you to. This was our experience last pre-pandemic cruise on CCL at that terminal. For reference at the new RCCL terminal, check-in is now "before" security and so yes - the priority line is separate upon your initial arrival. Not directed at you Pete but in general - I tell you, a smile and cooperative attitude works wonders these days. So many places like airports and cruise terminals are just "done" with the completely ill-prepared and/or the overly-entitled passenger. Sure it goes both ways - when you do have (or paid for) some perk, you want the personnel to know the drill...but start slow and work your way up to full snarkiness. 😁

Can't say for sure, but it sounded to me via the agent on the phone - that when applying an annual cert, they tend to just pull from the main inventory. Main reason is that many itineraries are simply not on the casino offer list anyway. But that being said, if you have a cabin in mind - simply tell them that upfront before they start typing, they will do what they can to find/book it. Keep in mind that people and TAs can do "holds" on cabins, so if really set on a cabin number and they say not available - ask if it is booked or just on hold. Or ask for what best advice to call back and check a day or two later. Looking at you Navigator 7688 and all its sisters.

Normally, 1pm the cabins will be ready and doors opened for access. Normally, luggage arrives between 1-5pm. If the previous sailing had any health issues, or there are some odd mechanical repairs needed, or the ship is due for any inspections - the 1pm time can get pushed back some. If there are any port issues, unusual weather, unusual clearing of last sailing, unusual customs issues - the luggage delivery can be stretched out as well. RCCL is pretty standard about the process and Oasis has a solid system down for onboarding so many guests in a short window. We find the port itself and official agencies can vary with regards to having and executing a smooth plan from week to week. Disembark can vary depending on method. We still always choose the standard option for putting bags out the last night and getting off according to a number system. We never feel rushed or crowded this way. You can choose your preferred disembark method/time in the App about mid cruise. Other factors like staying in a suite, purchasing the Key, or certain C&A levels - could come into play as well.

We liked http://www.keywestfishtales.com/, but it was a number of years ago. The marina restaurant cooked up our catch.