Boarding ship @ Galveston, TX

[picture]

can anyone who has sailed out of Galveston recently inform me on

the boarding process??? Also any fog??

 

do they have priority boarding what is the area like where you wait to board??

 

thanks

[golfpccc]

We have personally had fog delays in Galveston in Dec, Jan & April. So, there is always a chance of fog delays from Dec thru Apr. Yes, their is priority boarding--actually starts outside the terminal (if you arrive early)where platinum and above get to set on the benches and are the 1st to enter the terminal--go through VIP security line and then VIP check-in line. The VIP area in terminal is just off to the left side of terminal and consist of folding chairs--VIP's board the ship after weddings and handicap. There was juice, water, etc and cookies--did not see any champaign. Galveston still does not seem to have their act together for embarkation--not the smoothest process.

[Galveston Cruiser]

We have never had a delay in boarding in Galveston; but we don't arrive at the pier prior to the ship's former guests debarking. Cabins are not available until 1pm or later, so we typically arrive around 12:30 -1pm or later and board immediately with no lines.

Same with debarking, but as we live here, we self debark and are off the ship within 15 minutes of its release from customs and immigration.

 

Fog can be an issue, as weather is an issue in every port. However, the ship's captain can only do as weather permits and every effort is made for ship's to maintain their schedules.

[picture]

We have personally had fog delays in Galveston in Dec, Jan & April. So, there is always a chance of fog delays from Dec thru Apr. Yes, their is priority boarding--actually starts outside the terminal (if you arrive early)where platinum and above get to set on the benches and are the 1st to enter the terminal--go through VIP security line and then VIP check-in line. The VIP area in terminal is just off to the left side of terminal and consist of folding chairs--VIP's board the ship after weddings and handicap. There was juice, water, etc and cookies--did not see any champaign. Galveston still does not seem to have their act together for embarkation--not the smoothest process.

 

Thanks for your comments @ least I know what to look forward to.

[CGBCruiser]

We have never had a delay in boarding in Galveston; but we don't arrive at the pier prior to the ship's former guests debarking. Cabins are not available until 1pm or later, so we typically arrive around 12:30 -1pm or later and board immediately with no lines.

Same with debarking, but as we live here, we self debark and are off the ship within 15 minutes of its release from customs and immigration.

 

Fog can be an issue, as weather is an issue in every port. However, the ship's captain can only do as weather permits and every effort is made for ship's to maintain their schedules.

 

We too have sailed out of Galveston many times as we live nearby, and never experienced delays in boarding or debarkation. The only hangup we've experienced was with customs, but still only like 20 min. We usually board around Noon. You are correct...fog can be an issue at any port!

[DALSAL]

We sailed in Feb a couple of years ago, and right about time for the sip to leave, fog rolled in!:eek: We were late leaving, but made it just under the wire so as not to miss the first port. :D

[hillbillycruisers]

We had a very long delay due to fog in Dec 2009...the Ecstasy didnt even arrive until 3pm...really messed up the people getting off that had airline reservations...they even announced that for dinner that night in the MDR the usual dress restrictions would be very lax. It didnt damper our spirits, and it was a GREAT cruise. The other 3 times we've cruised from Galveston all went perfectly on schedule. Guess ya never know!