txjim09

I was also on the phone with Princess, booking a '24 Antarctic that showed the $1 deposit on the first booking page but charged $100/head on the payment page. The Jan 4 '24 cruise would correctly charge $1, the Jan 20 not so much. The very nice lady on the phone kept getting the same results. I sent info to my Princess Planner including a screenshot, only heard back from him just seconds after I bit the bullet and paid the full deposit. His comment was "you just paid, nothing I can do now." We;;, if you responded to my request within a reasonable time.... Funny, he responded quickly after my deposit but could not respond earlier. Time for a change!

As was mentioned above, perhaps a private tour might be your best bet. I've had good experience with Tours by Locals in other ports and was able to contact the guide ahead of time, set expectations, and customize the sights. Although several listed for Santorini appear to have fixed itineraries, a few mention customizable tours with private transportation. Not as cheap as packaged tours but I found great value. I suspect there are other ways to obtain this sort of service as well and I'm positive many on this board know of such services, perhaps others can chime in.

Depends on day, time of day and which direction traffic is heading. In general it moves reasonably well but you can get behind a line of trucks with boat trailers on Saturdays and Sundays. I don't believe it's a major route for large commercial traffic, perhaps someone local can correct me. I would not worry about the crossing one bit. I will say that I've seen more dolphins on the ferry than anyone on the dolphin tour.

Very reliable but still subject to weather Ferry Status Website

To comment on your "no bus" preference, I think you'll find the options I mentioned much more comfortable than any car or van transport available. Take a look at the websites.

Tough one! If the wheelchair passengers can make it up bus steps, I'd consider taking Redcoach or Megabus to Houston and then contact Saltwater Moms to get you to port. Redcoach is much nicer than your basic Greyhound service, don't know about Megabus. I've taken Vonlane before in a panic to get from Dallas to an airport that did not have most flights cancelled to get to a cruise, it was the most relaxing part of the entire experience! It's 3X the price of the others I list, however.

You'll receive a toll bill in the mail. Will have a higher toll charge and an additional processing fee but still worth it to avoid traffic.

Sorry, was going to reply yesterday then I realized that I had no definitive answer to your question! The Port of Galveston official cruise schedule does not even show Princess and their parking app only had the Ruby in their drop-down menu a couple months ago. Logic indicates that it will be Terminal 2 as Royal will be gone by then and Carnival pretty much monopolizes Terminal 1. Historically, Princess used T2 when the Grand was in Galveston several years ago. In any case, I'm assuming T2 and will park accordingly but it probably does not matter much as I'll be walking from the parking garage after bag drop and using the pedestrian bridge. I'll be on the Dec 29 sailing, perhaps we'll pass each other as I'm driving back! Edit to say I'm using EZ Cruise parking on Santa Fe Place. Will not be using their shuttle service as I'd rather have the ability to walk back to the car and hit the road without waiting for a ride.

It's not my day to monitor the Virgin board, thought you had Sundays🙂

Let's see, 1 positive Virgin thread on the princess board and one negative Virgin thread on the princess board. It appears we have equilibrium!

Given the negative Princess posts regarding their (often real) issues and frequent comparison to other lines on these boards, it's reasonable to pot a positive comparison, no? There's a multi-page post putting Virgin in a positive light over Princess, it is OK with you if someone posts an opposite opinion?

I noticed the same thing today, no longer on the home page and no request to upload vax documents. Could be an intentional refresh but never underestimate the incompetence of Princess app developers!

Just received an e-mail from the POG offering a $20 parking discount with the discount code GRANDOPENING22. Helps a bit when departing from the new terminal. From the e-mail: QUESTIONS? Contact Port's Parking Department Call 409-766-6163 or email parking@portofgalveston.com

Your bank most certainly uses advanced tech which allows you access to your funds faster and more conveniently. Again, I'm not trying to paint you or anyone else posting here as a Luddite but there's a point where a company can no longer maintain legacy approaches, a switchover must occur. Your 3G cell phone is no longer useable because carriers needed the spectral bandwidth for other, more useful purposes. Examples like this abound. I must add, however, your checkbook example is not a good one as the technology used to process it is years beyond what was in place when pieces of paper were flown all over creation for processing and this is due to new technology. In any case, I appreciate the opportunity to tech-geek out! And am not surprised that people in this thread did wonder what a punch card is!

I don't mean to discount your thoughts but have you considered the fact that we are discussing this on a message board that, in their early incarnations, were just text-based tools for tech geeks such as myself (I used a dumb terminal and a 300 baud MODEM, if anyone remembers those!)? Likely using portable electronics that did not exist in their current form 15 years ago? We are fortunate to live in an age where we went from mailing checks and order forms to a couple online clicks. From wondering what that new restaurant down the road featured (and hoping the local paper wrote a review) to checking menus online and, probably looking up user reviews as well. The vast majority of the population of developed nations uses this new tech and it's natural that, by extension, it will carry over to most aspects of our lives. I'm aware of the fact that, as someone who was an active participant in the tech industry from the days of punch cards, appreciate these developments more than most. But just think about your own situation. You likely went from rotary phones and saving up to make a long distance call to having a lifeline at your side that can connect you with the world instantly. I do understand the reluctance to move away with what we know to be functional and comfortable (and am guilty of this myself in other areas) but I doubt you'd be happy if all aspects of your life did not adapt to current technology.

Do we need to create a post to complain about it every time?

On the Ruby, passengers were accommodated on top of the bridge. Staff had chairs and water available throughout the day. Very crowded for the entry locks but cleared out for the exit locks. Nice 270 degree view

I still have my Bangkok Mule and Cartagena Cool recipe cards from the Ruby, loved both of those drinks. Never tried for the t-shirt, however.

I reserved Port of Galveston parking in the uncovered lot next to the parking garage for my Jan 29 cruise for $169 including fees and taxes. This is the North Lot, Pier 10, is a bit cheaper than the covered park on the same pier, and is easy walking distance. There's something to be said about walking to your car and hitting the road rather than waiting for a shuttle or uber/lyft

On the Ruby during transit, the area on top of the bridge was opened for viewing to everyone, staff had chairs available. Very crowded during the first set of locks but crowds were greatly reduced shortly afterwards. Hope it's available for you!

My story as well, first cruise ever on the Grand out of Galveston. Did sail on the Caribbean Princess out of Houston, definitely not as nice an experience.

My confirmation for a cruise booked with this credit just shows it as onboard credit. I don't see any reference to excursion only, but there could be there some tags to the credit that we don't know about

How about a nuclear-powered flying cruise ship? Flying Hotel of the Future

Only problem was in regards missing the first night due to an ice storm in Texas, not the hotels fault. I called to make sure they did not cancel the reservation but, upon check-in, much typing and checking with management took place. Not an issue, still got the room. Got charged for the missed night, as was expected. Strongly recommend you Uber or Lyft on the street away from the hotel driveway, it's a madhouse during checkout. It seemed that a good number of the people were heading toward the pier with a long line of cars waiting their turn and a large number of people straining to find their ride. When I booked, breakfast was an option you could select. It's a large room with good selections and very well organized. It's a large hotel but the staff keeps things moving pretty well. Looking to book again for an April cruise but need to get past the resort fee. Hate that line item.

Sorry that nobody responded earlier but you should check to see if Carnival has a post-cruise excursion with airport transfer. I've done this elsewhere and not something Id normally consider but it was a decent way to kill the time without handling luggage