dna1990

The North Covered Lot has some concrete curbs around the front/sides that make it hard to just roll-your-own, you need to exit the area via the rear corners...you are then in a crosswalk of sorts over to the terminal. For embark, porter saw us and met half way. For debark, porter took us all the way from bags to car. Not sure how one gets to turn left and drop bags in the curved area, security made us go straight. But we parked and didn't get in the traffic to the larger luggage drop are where smaller shuttles go.

At RCCL, will they service the North Covered or North lots?

Happy to hear about Craps opening afternoons on SeaDays, that is sometimes hit/miss on cruise ships. Then after dinner, no room to elbow your way in. Also glad to see that Craps is being "rated" at least to some degree. RCCL has been traditionally silent to my play in the past (at a similar level). Doesn't seem to matter on land, but will try this time to ensure my buyin is more noticeable, I suspect ~30 hours for the week will be my pace as well. Did you happen to catch the table max? And if that amount was "any way to a number" or was some mushy total amount in play... Hoping I am faced with such a conundrum.

I am still curious about traffic patterns. Assume going to North or North Covered, you make that right turn onto RC Circle. If you don't have bags to drop, do you still have to wait thru traffic doing so? Or can you enter the lots from the "west" side? Always looks to be cones there, and the only entrance is on the "east" side from RC Way...? If you stay to the right lane while on RC Circle, can you bypass luggage unloaders?

Is there a way to add in your own entries to the Cruise Planner / App Calendar, like "meet Bob at FlowRider @ 10"? When I select Add Activity, it only seems to support picking a RCCL-provided item or reservation. I tried both mobile app and website. I am 12 days out from sailing, if that matters.

Using the App...top right, click the person icon. Tap the "Select a different cruise". Choose ship/and current sailing. Then go to Dining, Main Dining, Icon/Silk, and you can see menus per night, along with theme/dress. As far out as Allure Feb 12, it is still: Welcome Aboard casual, French formal, Italian colorful 70s, Caribbean tropical, Mexican white night, Royal elegant, Mediterranean casual.

We have seen a helicopter land on Brilliance-class, stayed for about 30 minutes. But basket drops can be good methods as well, perhaps at night or in rough seas.

We drive from NW Houston to Galveston last Sunday, it took only 70 minutes. Decent weather and no accidents. A 9am from IAH is perfectly fine.

There is a pirate ship out of Coz that does (at least did) charters. I bet it holds 50+ people, has an open bar, snorkeling, music, etc. Should be able to find it via google.

They sell jerky in both sealed packs and "fresh" out of the case. I know, fresh jerky, you know what I mean. This is loose and often just wrapped in butcher paper or similar. By the book, only sealed/packaged food items would be allowed thru. But I am sure there are instances of Galveston not making a fuss. But as others have stated, you would not be able to freely disembark with it anywhere, including back into Galveston. All food/fruits/plants etc will be sniffed out. But sure, Bucee's is a novel stop for snacks/treats/restrooms/etc. Have fun. Note that currently that stretch of I-45 has abit of construction. One has to be a little more vigilant to watch for where the Holland Rd exit is, it is sorta a temporary exit ramp at the moment.

Have stayed close by, have had friends in this is very similar hump. Have done humps on both Radiance and Freedom classes. It is fine, the main drawback is much less visibility "forward". Meaning you can't see as much where you are going near the ship. In the grand view of the ocean, this tends to mean very little. View looking back is great because it is offset enough not to be obstructed by the folks in 7650. The corners do have a slightly smaller balcony due to its shape, not a rectangle - but still good. Some people talk about atrium noise, but has never been noticeable to us. It would take something like 7708 being available to make me put effort into moving from 7648.

Any tips on better traffic flows into the new terminal? Meaning, where are the actual gated "entrances" to the North, North Covered, and South lots once you are off Harborside? Is it best to go thru the passenger dropoff curve first, or are there entrances before you reach that point? We are reserved in North Covered, but still thinking about weather plans and if some of my pax would be best to have dropped off with their bags right to a porter. None of the maps/videos I have found so far really detail the signage and drive lanes thru the facility. Certainly don't want to wait in a long line for dropoff, or cluttered with shuttle traffic - if not really needed, etc. Of course, still early life and I am sure they tweak the pattern flows from time to time. My only contribution is to perhaps come down 13th street to Harborside and turn left..."if" there is a "backup" into the port section - it will be on 14th straight in or turning left from Harborside. If you come 13th, there is a dedicated right turn curve into the main entrance.

Allure was at the jetties by 4:30 yesterday, so they may be getting faster.

Great question, and one of those that regardless of answers here...you just gotta pay attention on the actual cruise. Depends on your cruiseline, specific ship, and itinerary. Many try to stay on home port time now, but not all. And some ports like Bahamas don't observe DST. And for all reading, take once again the old advice about smartphones auto-syncing to your location...that may not be "ship time".

Over time there have been I think three ways to exit the port area out to the Taxis and Main Gate: Right side tower, right side midway arch, and the left side long trek curve all the way around and back. Any recent news if either of the first two shorter routes are open?

The photo sessions were great, a big step up from the nightly stations. You can also arrange sessions in some ports of call. We did several different timeslots, all around the ship, including interior/exterior - they knew all they cool spots. But just like the sticker shock when doing regular photos, expect some heavy price tags to purchase any of the results. Looking back, we are grateful to have done it and have some wonderful shots of the family, kids, etc. But you need to plan/budget for it. They can also do abit more "photoshop" touchups than one can expect in the regular photo offerings.

Call and request change now. Then visit MDR when boarding to verify. Depending on how long until cruise, may be placed on waitlist.

Possible. But ship dependent, weather dependent, steward dependent, etc. A presidential pardon is a good suggestion when first boarding to help push the issue. Meaning - setup a meeting with your steward and Andrew Jackson, Grant, or even Franklin....grin. And even with 4 in a row, every once in a while, there is a solid metal piece of the ship that could prevent one divider from being retractable.

Pre-cruise reservations for shows is a good idea, but not vital. Especially if you do not yet have firm dining times in mind. Most showtimes open up to general seating about 15-20 minutes prior for those without reservations. Yes, all main showtimes repeat the same performance. Comedy and smaller performances may vary of course. Yes, make your specialty dining reservations upon boarding. Probably not enough data yet to know how D+ (and Key, etc) boarding works out. Lots of variables there, most notably the status of the previous cruise and how fast that ship cleared. Regardless, the new terminal looks comfy to wait for whatever wait states arise.

RCCL may have this info posted somewhere, but curious if anyone knows the earliest luggage dropoff time for the new Terminal 10? We are trying to work a plan to do a dropoff, then go park at a friend's place, and still get back for early check-in slot.

7408 is icky and yucky, don't book this one early...leave it open and we will be happy to book it instead <g>.

User name checks out, they are a cruise researcher. I like it. I too feel that MDR table maps should exist, but we have all encountered some very incoherent numbering schemes at times. I like too there are folks on CC that are eager and excited by a MDR experience and the chance to share that with family. And in the same thread, someone possible so bored at MDR, they are reading/replying to a CC thread (grin). I mean tiramisu should be the priority folks, put down the phone and get your fork at the ready, smirk. And sure, there is such a thing as "too much" advance reconnaissance. Especially with photos and videos, one should often leave the much of the "discovery" of a ship and ports to your own senses.