ceilidh1

Walking around to try and get my bearings. It’s hard. I feel like a new cruiser. Managed to find muster - ours is at the aqua theatre. Also managed to find that famous sandwich- Royal Kummelweck. Of course, I had to try it…

Hands down easiest boarding process ever! Reggie the shuttle driver picked us up at 10:15am. It was a 10 minute drive (25 minutes to walk but no sidewalks, per Reggie). At 10:35am we entered the terminal and it “looked” chaotic. People everywhere. However, it was really organized with LOTS of staff directing folks. We got our sea pass on our cell scanned, walked through security, and into the huge holding area by 10:45am. They were already boarding so we walked straight on! One aspect I don’t love- no cruise cards until rooms are ready. How do I get a drink???

That scent is most definitely reserved for when I sail solo - I did ask DD if she would be ok with me finding a rich, Texan baby daddy. Her eyes rolled so far back in her head that I could see the whites!

I was up early this morning - too excited to sleep. I got a jump start on showering and packing while the kids slept. We grabbed some bagels and coffee from the free breakfast and came back to the room to eat. I had a little snafu as the front desk double charged us for the shuttle to port. They promised to refund the second charge, but didn’t give me a new print out. It was busy down there so I didn’t want to hold stuff up, but not really sure how to deal with it now. It’s only $20, but if I pay that extra then I could just have got a private shuttle for less! 🤣 We will head out in about half an hour and, hopefully, next time you hear from me we will be at the port and waiting to board!

It’s CRUISE DAY!!! Our ride awaits…(picture stolen from port cam)

Well, we walked 11,500 steps today in 102 degree heat. We had a fantastic day and thoroughly enjoyed Galveston. Now we are finally back at the hotel, getting showered and packed and ready for cruise day tomorrow!

Galveston at night!

We decided in a place DS had chosen for dinner -Stuttgarden. Close to the hotel, so that was a bonus. The beer was outstanding- I got the coconut Hefeweizen and it was SO good! Our server was great at the beginning, but then it got busy and things fell apart. He took my order for a second beer when I was half way through my food. It finally came to me 15 minutes after I was done eating, with no head (obviously sat waiting at the bar for a while). Then I got the bill but we waited a further 20 minutes until he came back to get my card to pay. And then, after all that, the computer automatically added a 20% gratuity!!! I mean, I generally automatically tip 20% anyway, but this made me a little mad as the service was definitely not worthy of the tip!

I love Elton John! On the flight over, I watched Rocketman (for the millionth time)

More walking. 7pm local time and it’s still obscenely hot!

Bon voyage! I was waving you off today (well, you already left before I knew you were onboard). I betting some of your ship pictures were taken from outside my hotel!

I didn’t realize @Saint Gregwas on Jubilee today! I literally waved him off! lol. I may even have seen him and his monkey around town (but would never know. Stealth)

We are, indeed, melting! We keep ducking into air con places to cool off, get too chilly, and then get hit with a blast of heat when we go outside. We’ve been to Galveston previously but usually Dec/jan - this is just not natural. I feel like my eyeballs are melting! 🫠

Ben Voyage Jubilee…

So, for the longest time, I’ve been thinking of my next tattoo. In my mind, I wanted an octopus but never found that perfect image. Today, in Galveston, I found it. On a tshirt! It’s exactly what I want. My kids told me it is NOT an octopus. It’s a Kraken. I don’t know about that, but this is what my next tattoo is going to be…

Awww. It’s parked right outside my window!

We are from Vancouver, Canada. For us, 70 is a heatwave! lol.

I finally found the health declaration on the app (it apparently didn’t appear before 12pm ship time). We are now officially ready to cruise!

When I was researching where to eat, I narrowed it down to The Playground. It checked all my boxes - dive bar feel, music, cheap drinks, food that we all liked. In my mind, I had visions of sitting on their patio enjoying live music (they have a singer out there) and having a margarita or two. Obviously it was far too hot for that, but we still decided to go there for lunch and eat inside. It was a good choice! I had a house margarita and a spicy pineapple margarita, then we shared the California bacon burger, Texas chilli nachos, and Mac n cheese hotdog! Afterwards, we went next door for ice cream (bad move). The second we stepped outside, the ice cream became liquid and DS was completely covered in sticky, drippy, messiness. He hates being dirty or sticky and was so stressed that we had to come back to the hotel for him to change (luckily it was nearby). We are now taking a break and chilling for a little before we head back out.

Walking around. Melting. So hot.

Continuing on, we came to the library. @YVRteacher I thought of you! We stopped in (hello air con and wifi). It was so beautiful in there. On the top floor they had a free museum/exhibit about the huge hurricane that hit Galveston and pretty much devastated the city. We spent about an hour reading every bit of the info and highly recommend checking it out!

Galveston views..,

We set out from the hotel at 10am and walked the streets of The Strand, up and down the blocks, until we reached Broadway. We stopped in at stores frequently to take advantage of the air con! This place is incredibly beautiful and historic but just too dang hot! We stopped at a cafe called The Drug Store, which was an old fashioned diner. We sat at the bar and got shakes and fountain sodas (the mimosa was in tiny print on the menu and I missed it). It was incredibly reasonable in terms of price and a great cold treat!

Tomorrow! Today is Galveston day. Boy, is it ever hot! DS said “I would say I’m sweating but all my sweat has evaporated.”

I got this email today. I have the app so went in to complete the heath questionnaire, but can’t find it anywhere? Help???