flwinejunkie

Thanks for the update!

1 hour ago, Coolcruise02 said:

There was no separate line for security or check in but upstairs in the waiting room there was a separate seating area.

Thanks for the info!

1 hour ago, Coolcruise02 said:

There was no separate line for security or check in but upstairs in the waiting room there was a separate seating area.

Thanks for sharing this info!

I'm cruising out of Galveston for the first time in February.  Does Princess offer a separate check in waiting line for platinum/elite guests?  Do they also offer a platinum and/or elite waiting room inside the terminal if you're unable to walk on the ship yet?

Thanks for your help!

Mary

Hello!

I just booked my first cruise out of Galveston so I don't know anything about the port and hoping someone can answer some questions.

I'm sailing on Princess.  Do they have a separate check in waiting line for platinum/elite cruisers?  Also, do they have a separate platinum and/or elite waiting rooms once inside the terminal if you're not allowed to board the ship yet?

I love these Princess perks in Fort Lauderdale so hoping Galveston has something similar. 

Thanks for your help!

Mary 

Thanks everyone for info on transportation options!

I like the idea of using the NCL $50 excursion credit so I could go free and DH just pays the $14 roundtrip for the mini bus shuttle.  But, we have a bad habit of losing each other in crowded places 😞

So we'll probably use the mini bus shuttle option.  But it's good to know that I can also get the taxi if neeed.

Thanks for posting the video link!  Now I'm definitely visiting Horseshoe Bay on my May NCL cruise.

Do you remember the approximate cost of the taxi from the port?  NCL's Horseshoe Bay transfer is $49/pp.

Thanks!

Mary

@Hogbay  Thanks for sharing  the picture!  Wish we were there now!

14 hours ago, valantine80 said:

When we called into Moreton Island on a cruise ship we were told by staff at Tangalooma Resort that, as we were off the cruise ship, we were unable to book tours through the resort.

That was a few years ago so things may have changed but might be worthwhile clarifying this beforehand.

 

Hmmm.... maybe that's why Carnival's excursions are exactly the same as the ones at Tangalooma Resort.  We can't book anything until we're actually on the ship.  But that will probably give the resort advance notice of the demand for each excursion instead of being overwhelmed by cruisers looking for excursions once they get off the ship.   

15 hours ago, Hogbay said:

Tangalooma resort has a deal with cruise ships to have acess to all resorts facilities and has a cat also tendering. And ship stays packing up thair small tenders while dolphin feeding tour is on and cat drops you back to ship  after sun set . Shipping channel and anchorage is on resort side of Moreton Island. 

Thanks arxcards and Hogbay for the Tangalooma resort clarification!!   

We'll hang out at the resort and go on their shipwreck snorkel tour.  Someone mentioned the channel from the beach to the wrecks is wide and deep so I rather save my energy for the shipwreck.

I compared Carnival's excursions to the resort tours, and they're exactly the same except Carnival charges an extra dollar.  I rather give my $ to the resort since they're giving us access to their facilities.

Thanks!!

Mary

On 10/14/2022 at 9:52 PM, SinbadThePorter said:

If the weather is good, try to get a 4WD excursion that takes in the lighthouse and the ocean beach. If you want something more relaxing, just walk along the endless beach either north or south from the resort. There is excellent snorkeling just to the north around the Wrecks. You can snorkel to them from the beach, but for me the channel is a bit wide and deep.

If we take a walk along the beach, would we be able to stop somewhere along the way to enjoy a couple of hours and take a swim?  Looking for an easy beach day on our own since the Tangalooma Resort Moreton Island website says the "Casual Visitor Pass Booking" for non-resort guests is suspended until further notice. 

Thanks everyone for the info about corkage fees.  We're celebrating my birthday so I'm willing to bring a few bottles to enjoy and pay the fee.  I'll also bring our 2 "free" bottles and take a glass to the MDR in addition to checking wines by the glass at the specialty restaurants.

Cheers!🍷

On 10/22/2022 at 1:59 PM, Steelers36 said:

If the OP wants to find some good/decent wines, they should come by my cabin.  I can SHOW them, but unfortunately, they are always spoken for.

 

🤣 I probably wouldn't share my "good" wine either. 

I've never thought about bringing my own wine since I can try new wines at Vines.  Do you know how much the corkage fee is?  Is it 1 bottle per person?  Several years ago I could bring as many bottles as I wanted on NCL as long as I paid the corkage fee during embarkation.

On Carnival, I don't have to pay a fee if I drink it in my cabin.  Does that apply on Princess?  

Thanks for your help!

Thanks lx200gps and loge23 for your feedback!  Sounds like my worst fears will be confirmed once I board the Enchanted.  I definitely won't be booking any more cruises on Enchanted, Dicovery and any other ships without Vines. 

I've already been on Regal numerous times and enjoy their Vines Wine Bar.  Yesterday I booked her for January, so I'll find out the impact of recent changes to the Princess plus package.  I can live with paying the delta difference for some wines, but hope to find some still under $12.

Hello,

DH and I are booked on Enchanted Princess in December.  When I looked at the deck plan, realized the Vines Wine bar was missing.  OH NO!  

Do any of the other bars on Enchanted offer "good" wine similar to Vines Wine bar? 

Any experiences to share on $12 limit or a couple $ above for the Premier Plus package?  I know Princess has begun raising their wine prices, so curious what others have seen.  

Thanks for your help!

Mary 

On 7/25/2022 at 12:17 PM, flwinejunkie said:

@Jamman54 This question is off topic for this post, but I know you provided the information somewhere and can't find it now.  How do I contact the maitre d for a specific carnival ship?  I'm specifically interested in the Miracle.  

@jamman54 - Just realized you gave me the maitre d info for Miracle, but I actually need it for Splendor.  Was thinking it might be spmaitred@carnival, but then realized that it might be for the Spirit instead.  Do you know the email for Splendor?  

Sorry for the confusion!

Mary

On 7/26/2022 at 6:14 PM, Jamman54 said:

I remember Patti telling me that she had met someone on the beach when we were in Grand Turk while on the Mardi Gras. Thanks for your kind words. The email address that you are looking for is mimaitred@carnival.com 

Thanks!  I'm sure you're just as nice as I imagine too!  My husband would love joining you in husband day care some day😉. LOL

@Jamman54 This question is off topic for this post, but I know you provided the information somewhere and can't find it now.  How do I contact the maitre d for a specific carnival ship?  I'm specifically interested in the Miracle.  

BTW, I briefly talked to Patti on the beach while she was taking pictures in Grand Turk on Apr 28.  We were on Carnival Freedom and I believe you were on Horizon.  Enjoyed talking to her and she's just as nice as I imagined.

Thanks!

On 3/29/2022 at 6:30 PM, heidiatmn1 said:

Sorry didn’t see this. We were there 2nd week in august. Also check out hike to  Yakutia point right from ship. 

Great!  We'll be there the 3rd week of August so we should be able to see the salmon swimming too. Thanks!! 

I'm also interested in the answer to this question.  On NCL website last month, there was a note under country requirements saying only ship excursions and it's gone now so hoping we can actually do independent tours.

On 3/4/2022 at 9:11 PM, heidiatmn1 said:

Check out the Pullen Creek Stream Walk-depending on the time of year you can see the salmon swimming. Its not far from the ship-we happened to come across it on the walk back.

Oooh we didn't see that last time we went to Skagway years ago.   What time of year did you visit?  I think it would be really neat to see.

@snowmc - thanks for shring this article!  Lots of good suggestions for cruisers.

@mizmoon - I like the pedicab idea too.  I doubt if 3 of us (DH, MIL and I) would fit in one though.  But, I'll never know unless I ask...

On 1/9/2022 at 4:24 PM, em-sk said:

 

I would also agree there is not much to the public market.  There is a place in the market with roast beef, turkey, brisket etc. that is very good.  Interesting place to visit but it is not going to consume a lot of time.

 

If your looking for local "artisan" product to take back I would pop into the Market on Yates   It is grocery store locks shop at that have a wide selection of imported and local artisan product.  Keep in mind you can't take fruit and meats across back into the US but can take chocolate and jams etc.

 

Victoria has lots of small one-of-a-kind shops. I would skip the tourist focused one and go into some of the ones that focus on locals.

 

Many of the building are turn of the century and it makes for a very pleasant area to walk through.   Chinatown is small but is the oldest Chinatown in North America and is great to explore.   

 

If your into government buildings.  Victoria is the provincial capital of British Columbia.  The legislature building is in the center of the inner harbour and there are usually fee tours offered that gather at the front door.   Canada is a commonwealth country and there quite a few differences to what you see in the US.

 

I like the Robert Bateman galley.  It is a small gallery on the top floor of the old Steamship Terminal Building in the inner harbour.  Bateman is a Canadian wilderness artist and the gallery has his work plus some revolving exhibitions.

 

Downtown Victoria has a lot of government offices and tech companies.  As a result the restaurants and pub tend to focus on locals as much as tourists.  That generally means they are better than some of the tourist focused areas.

 

Key thing to remember is the cruise ship dock is very close to the center of the city (called the inner harbor). Short 10-15 minute walk through James Bay neighborhood.  James Bay is mostly residential with older homes.  Very pleasant walk.         

 

Thanks for these suggestions!!

On 12/15/2021 at 11:30 PM, Heidi13 said:

 

The Empress Serves "Afternoon Tea", rather than "High Tea", as the High Tea is a different meals and is served late afternoon/early evening. High Teas include a more substantial main meal, plus the cakes & scones.

 

In addition to the Empress, a number of other venues also serve Afternoon Tea. Personally, we prefer the White Heather Tea Room, in Oak Bay

Thanks for the afternoon tea suggestions too!  I always go to afternoon tea on cruise ships but have never tried it anyplace else.

On 12/13/2021 at 10:16 PM, Lowyfer said:

 

As a local, when I saw this post I had to google because I thought to myself:

 

"There is a Victoria Public Market?"

 

We drive past it all the time and never stopped to investigate it.

 

My hunneh and I did a scouting mission for you today to the public market!

 

It is rather small compared to for example granville island public market in Vancouver.

 

It is 1.25 floors and it is mostly small places to eat currently and not so much in the retail therapy department.

 

Currrently (and most likely due to covid, and it being Sunday) there were about 4 stores closed.

 

Mostly food to be had.

 

The pie place which uses local produce that is ugly was sadly closed. Same with the other bakery.

 

We tried "the big spoon" for breakfast and it was very good. We also tried the pasta making place and the macoronie and cheese was good.

 

There is very little room for local artisans and such, just a line of tables in the middle of the hallway and about 2-3 retail spots that were small store sized.

 

There was some fun t-shirts, some jewelry, a kitchen gadget store, an Indian (India) clothing and crafts store. A mushroom tea table which was odd and that is all I remember about the retail portion.

 

The most interesting store for me was the chocolate store / school. It is hevay on education and fair trade chocolate. They currate their chocolate bars to award winners from around the world and fair trade ethical chocolate. There is no hershey or lindt or cadbury it is all small batch lot sized stuff.

 

Each bar goes for $10-15 per small bar but it is like buying a bottle of wine and each bar comes with its own little story. The owner acts like a chocolate sommelier.

 

Overall if you are wandering around the area then by all means stop in, but I would not target it as a must see.

 

Hope that helps!

 

......also thanks for making us play tourist in our own town!

 

 

Wow!  That's alot of help!  Thanks for going the extra mile and scouting it out for us. 

Your post is also a great reminder to me to look for things in my own hometown and nearby cities to try something new.  I love traveling to see different sites and have new experiences, but seldom try anything new and different in my neck of the woods.  Thank you!