LesaL

I had a deck 11 inside for a transcanal cruise and really liked it. It had really good access to the outside deck without having to wait on an elevator or go down stairs, although there was one flight of stairs outside to go down to the aft bar area. Very convenient. I have also had an oceanview on this ship, but not the one with the really large windows. It was nice also. I traveled solo, so I really can't comment on the roominess. More than ample for one.

 

Lesa

Does anyone know if the Bayport cruise port has a Special Needs line for those who have trouble standing in line?

 

Yes. My Mom is in a wheelchair and we sailed from that terminal last November. There was a bit of a delay because of an issue with the gangway so the terminal got very crowded. Although there are seats along both sides of the line to the special needs counter, they were packed with those who needed them and everyone else in their party, leaving some people standing who really needed the chairs.

 

Now this was when the Princess ship arrived for the first sailing from there. Since it was a much larger ship they had to make adjustments to the gangway to accommodate the different location of the embarking deck. But if there are weather delays that cause the terminal to fill up before passengers are allowed to board, it may put available seating to wait at a premium

I have used shuttles from Harbor House (shares with the Tremont and Galvez, I believe), San Luis, and the Courtyard Galveston Island Gulf Front (quite a mouthful). All were good experiences both with accommodation and transfers.

While the beverage and dining promotion are based on the individuals in the cabin, the on board credit is cabin based, so I did receive the full $200 OBC for an oceanview, making it a good value for me.

I will be sailing solo on the Norwegian Jewel in a few months and driving to the port. Since it is just me, can I still drive up to drop off my luggage before parking in the lot? I know that the parking is right in front of the terminal, but I use a rollater (walker with a seat) and would rather not have to manage both luggage and myself to the terminal if I can help it.

 

Thanks.

 

Lesa

My standout entertainers were not on Princess, they were:

 

Dale Christian on a Celebrity Panama Canal crossing. She was Christine from Phantom of the Opera opposite Michael Crawford for 4 years.

 

Jason Graae on a Disney Panama Canal crossing. He also was a Broadway performer and did a highly entertaining show. Amazing voice and so funny.

I don't have an answer for you yet. I am booked on the February 28 sailing as a solo. I am interested in hearing any responses you get with feedback from an actual recent solo sailing.

 

Lesa

I really am enjoying your detailed review. I will board next month traveling solo and find it helpful to have information about venues and activities.

I booked the Norwegian Jewel yesterday for Feb 28. Seven days Western from Houston. Booked an obstructed oceanview guarantee for $625.83 total including taxes and fees and received $250 OBC.

I have not been on the Crown Princess, but I have been on 15 cruises on various cruise lines and all have had some sort of grab bar in the shower. Probably to assist if the sailing got rocky. Also, I do believe you can request a shower chair even for the non-wheelchair accessible cabins.

 

Lesa

The issue is that there are only so many ports available on a 7 day round trip out of Galveston.....

 

Then why not a few that are alternating 4 night and 10 night? The 4 night would have to be to Cozumel, but helps out those that only can get away for a short time or want to just try out Princess. The 10 night could do the eastern or southern Caribbean. Or even a partial transit of the Panama Canal. Celebrity once did the partial transit from Galveston.

I have sailed solo on Carnival, Celebrity, Princess, and Norwegian and have had no problem with meeting people or being alone on any of them. I did Alaska solo last year. Don't hesitate, do it. Lesa

If you like mysteries, try anything by Dick Francis and Felix Francis. Felix is the son and took over after his father passed away.

 

For light romance with a touch of the supernatural try the writings of Debora Geary.

 

I have found both to be great for cruise reading. Love having a Kindle.

 

Lessa

Good luck with your upcoming flight!

 

even though i buy a 2nd seat, i'm always stressed until the gate door is closed. Airlines are notorious about overbooking and i'm always afraid that they're going to insist i give up my 2nd seat. Or there's some computer glitch and they think i accidentally have 2 seats and book someone else in my 2nd seat. I know that's just paranoia, but i really, really hate flying lol.

 

It's looking like for our upcoming cruise, we're going to have to fly American Airlines. I've never flown with them before and it looks like they book just about every aisle seat as a 'preferred' seating. Which means my husband won't be able to sit with me. How do they do it when a family of 3 flies? split them all up cause the aisle (and in many cases the window too) are reserved for preferred seating sales? Anyway, this is an added stress i don't need when flying.

 

Lesa, have fun on the Millenium. She was the 2nd ship we sailed on and we loved her.

 

Thanks!

 

Most of my flying has been on American, and for the most part I have found them to be extremely accomodating. I will bet that they at least try to get you and your husband together. They have done that before for me and my sister.

 

Where are you cruising next?

Thanks, xoocruiser, very helpful information!

Thought it might be time to revive this thread again. I will be cruising next month on the Celebrity Millennium doing a full transit of the Panama Canal from Miami to San Diego. I am familiar with the Millennium having spent 11 nights on her a couple of years ago and know she is a wonderful ship. She has been refurbished this year and additional cabins were added, mostly from converting existing space. I have one of the new cabins on Deck 11.

 

I am flying Southwest. I purchased two tickets but since I have not flown them in years, I am not sure what to expect regarding boarding. Do I preboard? Am I expected to bring my own seatbelt extender? Any information that I might find helpful is appreciated.

 

Lesa

I'm going on the Magic for spring break at the end of March. I'll be sure to report back. :)

 

It won't be long until your Disney Magic cruise. I can't wait to hear your review. The only thing I am concerned about is the seating in the show and movie venues since they do not have bench seating. I understand there are folding chairs in the back, but how sturdy are they? If you get a chance, I would appreciate you checking.

 

Thanks, and bon voyage!

 

Lesa

thanks for the great suggestions. Hopefully one of these will work for us as IAH is a really massive airport.

 

We leave in 1 week from today so i'm so stinkin excited! Lesa, what made it only a so-so time for you on the Magic last November?

 

Miss Rabbit,

 

I will say that the Magic is a beautiful ship. I sailed on the inaugural voyage out of Galveston with some friends. This was my 10th cruise overall and my 5th on Carnival, so I do have some experience for comparison. In general the staff onboard appeared to be overworked and stressed. The waiter in the MDR was stretched to the max handling, it appeared, too many tables. Orders were frequently wrong and we could not get a refill of our water or tea glasses.

 

The food was only ok. I did do the Chef's Table and the food there was outstanding. I prefer not to eat in the buffet area, but did on occasion as my cabin mate preferred that. It was very bland with few choices.

 

There were a number of passengers onboard that could only be described as rough. I heard quite a bit of profanity and observed more rowdy behaviour than I have on all past cruises put together. This may not be the case on all Magic sailings.

 

I have sailed on Carnival since, as I was on the Triumph last month. Totally different experience with really classy ship, staff and fellow passengers. Food was better and service could not be faulted. I had sailed the Triumph in the past out of New York and liked it then, and like it out of Galveston as well. My sister traveled with me and she has already rebooked with her husband for a future cruise on the ship.

 

I do hope you have a wonderful time, and good luck in getting around at the airport.

 

Lesa

There are two suggestions I have for the carts. One is to tell the flight attendant before landing that you need one. They can communicate that information to the gate attendants. Probably about the time that they announce the connecting gates as they approach would be a good time.

 

If that does not work, tell the gate attendant when you are off the plane. They can probably request one for you at that point.

 

I hope you have a great time on your Magic cruise, exceeding the only so-so time that I had last November. I will say there are some really nice outdoor seating options available. I look forward to hearing your comments when you return.

 

I am currently booked on the Disney Magic which will be in Galveston starting in September. I sail in November. Then I plan to book the Princess Lines Crown Princess in January, also out of Galveston. These ships are currently only scheduled for a tryout from that port and I want to take the opportunity to sail on different ships that I do not have to fly to the port to board.

 

I really want to do the Panama Canal partial transit (do not like to leave my pet too long) and to go back to Alaska, but no one able to go with me this year. Probably will next year.

 

Bon Voyage,

Lesa

I'm going on the Magic for spring break at the end of March. I'll be sure to report back. :)

 

Thanks! I look forward to hearing your report.

Anyone know about this ship? It will be out of Galveston in September this year, which is a drivable port for me. I plan to go solo, which according to the the solo board should be no problem. Interested in hearing about any experiences and expecially wondering if there is seating that is comfortable (armless or roomy) in the public venues.

Thanks, everyone.

Lesa

Miss Rabbit,

The wicker furniture is not at all flimsy. The wicker covers some sort of metal base that gives it plenty of strength. I actually have similar on my porch and was delighted to find them on the ship. Very comfy.

I was on the inaugural cruise of the Carnival Magic out of Galveston. It was a good cruise, not great but good. There were minor irritations, but nothing related to my size per se.

I was traveling with a friend. We had an inside room on deck 2. It was small with only a vanity stool for seating beside the beds, but it is a sturdy stool. Plenty of closet space and drawers, but ... irritation 1: in one of the closets the hanging rod is front to back. Not easy for hanging items as well as locating what you want. Who designed that?

I was concerned about the sheer size of the ship. I have never been on a ship that big. We had over 4200 passengers on my sailing. I was actually pleasantly surprised. My cabin was midship, and I think that helped. Most of the decks allowed you to go from front to back, or foreward to aft, without having to go up and down because of some sort of barrier. I think that helped. I also picked a room that was close to the midship elevator. Irritation 2: upon boarding the midship elevators are unavailable for passenger usage because the crew use them for distributing luggage. This is also true of the last night before debarkation. So you have to go to the much further forward or aft elevators, or use the stairs to change decks.

Crowded public areas were a problem at times. Especially the buffet areas. I wanted to try the Mondolian Grill but the lines there discouraged me each time I checked. I am not much of a buffet person, I prefer to go to the dining room when that is an option. My cabin mate preferred the buffet outside of dinner so we either compromised or ate in different venues. Irritation 3: there were no crew in the buffet area to assist with your plate and obtaining a drink. It seems that the number of crew members have been reduced from my experience on previous Carnival sailings (this was my 10th cruise overall and 5th on Carnival). There are no trays for the buffet lines. They use oversized plates. I use a cane. I had to handle my silverware packet and the plate using one hand. For a drink I had to make a separate trip after depositing the food at the table. Irritation 4: to use the drink dispenser you must use two hands. I had to let go of my cane to use one hand to hold the cup and the other to push the button to dispense ice and the drink.

There were really confortable seating areas around the ship. There are sofa type seating on the pool deck. And even in a wading pool space around the pool there is seating under a palapa that was very comfy. Loved sitting there with my feet in the water. One deck up from the main pool there are wicker chairs that are very roomy. Very desirable also, so you had to get there early. Also on the very back of the ship on deck eleven are some wicker chairs and sofas. Great place to watch leaving port or the sunset. Again, very popular because they are comfortable.

One last irritation. My fellow passengers included of some of the roughest that I have ever encountered. Not all of them by any means. But enough that it made an impression. I am talking about extremely loud and use of profanity.

Not all cruises are created equal, and I did have a good time, just not as good as the others I have taken.

I will be glad to answer any specific questions.

You may have read more into my post than I meant. I do not ask anyone to move, I have once out of 8 cruises with armed chairs found that someone had sat in my requested armless chair. When I mention that I had requested armless the person immediately moved to another chair. If there had been any indication that the person did not wish to move, I would have asked the waiter if another armless could be brought. That was my backup plan. I have never had to resort to it. Now I will add that I always try on the first night to be one of the first to arrive at the table so that any awkwardness be avoided.

 

Lesa

I have been on several cruises where armed chairs are in the MDR. They have always had a few without arms. There may be some ships that do not, but I have not encountered any. I speak to the Maitre'D after boarding and give them my table number and request an armless chair. Usually it is at the table when I go to my assigned seating. If someone else is already sitting in it, I explain that I requested that specific chair. If the chair is not there, I speak with the waiter and wait for one to be brought for me. After that first night, it is always there and the rest of the table knows it is for me. Never had a problem.

 

If I go to open seating breakfast or lunch, I request a table with an armless chair or the waiter brings one to whichever table they seat me at.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Lesa