Disembarkation in Galveston

[DBColorado]

We are arriving back in Galveston on January 22nd on the Mariner of the Seas. We have a 1:35 flight out of Hobby on Southwest. We have a limousine to take us to the airport. What time do we need to be off the ship so we can get through customs etc. meet up with our limo and get to the airport? I hear it is really slow.

[Shekim]

The only time we had problems was when there was fog...we didn't get off until after 2 pm. Otherwise it may take an hour or so. You should have plenty of time since you have transporation lined up and your flight is out of Hobby. I would say you could wait until 9 or so.

[dectjc]

Having been on the Mariner a few weeks ago I would suggest you do the early self-disembarkation which will give you plenty of time. We didn’t even have fog or any other delay, we arrived in Galveston on time and the disembarkation was still the slowest I have ever experienced. Our flight did not leave IAH until 4:00 PM so there was no hurry.

The line to go through customs was at least 45 minutes long wrapping all the way around the warehouse. Having been on several cruises the only place I have ever experienced this is in Galveston.

[Karen_N]

I suggest insurance.

Both Jan 1st and Jan 8th debarkations were late due to FOG. Jan 1st didn't start until 10:30am. Jan 8th didn't start until around 2pm.

I had 6 travellers and was very thankful to have insurance as we hadn't even disembarked when we were scheduled to fly at 2:25pm out of IAH.

Even with self assist debarkation (first off), it took us over an hour to get through customs.

[canuckcruiselover]

I suggest insurance.

Both Jan 1st and Jan 8th debarkations were late due to FOG. Jan 1st didn't start until 10:30am. Jan 8th didn't start until around 2pm.

I had 6 travellers and was very thankful to have insurance as we hadn't even disembarked when we were scheduled to fly at 2:25pm out of IAH.

Even with self assist debarkation (first off), it took us over an hour to get through customs.

 

We didn't get out of the Cruise Terminal on Jan 8th until 5 pm! I strongly recommend you get a porter as they had priority and were moving through security much quicker. Fortunately, our flight out of IAH wasn't until the 9th but many passengers had to change flights and arrange hotels in Houston. It was an absolute mess and while we really enjoyed touring Galveston for two days prior to the cruise, I would never leave from that port again.

[Karen_N]

We didn't get out of the Cruise Terminal on Jan 8th until 5 pm! I strongly recommend you get a porter as they had priority and were moving through security much quicker. Fortunately, our flight out of IAH wasn't until the 9th but many passengers had to change flights and arrange hotels in Houston. It was an absolute mess and while we really enjoyed touring Galveston for two days prior to the cruise, I would never leave from that port again.

 

Wow 5pm .. that really stinks. We were off and at a Galveston hotel by 3pm. We enjoyed the evening in Galveston, went to dinner on insurance tab, enjoyed breakfast and lunch in Galveston on Monday, and then had Super Shuttle drive us to the airport for our 4:15pm flight. It all went very smooth, and I actually really enjoyed Galveston, and would love to cruise from there again, but not during FOG season. I wouldn't want to go through the embarkation mess(long lines, lots of standing, and waiting) that we experienced on debarkation(Jan 1st), when the ship was also delayed by fog but only until 10am. I really can't imagine what the people embarking on Sunday Jan 8th experienced, considering we did not even dock until 2pm.

Karen

[Revnrav]

We didn't get out of the Cruise Terminal on Jan 8th until 5 pm! I strongly recommend you get a porter as they had priority and were moving through security much quicker. Fortunately, our flight out of IAH wasn't until the 9th but many passengers had to change flights and arrange hotels in Houston. It was an absolute mess and while we really enjoyed touring Galveston for two days prior to the cruise, I would never leave from that port again.

 

We left the ship at 1:15 and winded our way from the Lotus Lounge, outside on the ship deck, across the gangway, down the escalator, around the building and in line at the non-US customs...and walked out at 5:15. Only 2 lines open for non-US citizens. Our family of 4 spent approx. 1 minute with customs. (we also missed our flights, re-scheduled and spent $990 in flights; have not heard back from our 'cruise ship specialist' about our great cruise and dreadful day of disembarkation)

[Karen_N]

We left the ship at 1:15 and winded our way from the Lotus Lounge, outside on the ship deck, across the gangway, down the escalator, around the building and in line at the non-US customs...and walked out at 5:15. Only 2 lines open for non-US citizens. Our family of 4 spent approx. 1 minute with customs. (we also missed our flights, re-scheduled and spent $990 in flights; have not heard back from our 'cruise ship specialist' about our great cruise and dreadful day of disembarkation)

 

omg...which ship..Mariner or Magic.

We were on the Magic, also Non US line, and were at a hotel by 3pm.

[DBColorado]

We have insurance and are booked on Southwest. There is a later flight at 7:50. As I remember from our last cruise they asked what time would you like to be off the ship. After these reply's I think 8:30 should give us enough time unless there is fog. If there is fog we plan to call Southwest, rebook and try to wait on the ship until the lines clear out.

Thanks for the information.

[Karen_N]

We have insurance and are booked on Southwest. There is a later flight at 7:50. As I remember from our last cruise they asked what time would you like to be off the ship. After these reply's I think 8:30 should give us enough time unless there is fog. If there is fog we plan to call Southwest, rebook and try to wait on the ship until the lines clear out.

Thanks for the information.

 

Make sure if you have a fog delay, you use the Guest Services via telephone. They will connect you free of charge to your insurance, airlines, shuttles etc, in the comfort of your stateroom.

 

I will always do self assist debarkation from here on. It sounds like it saved us several hours of standing / waiting.

KN

[Revnrav]

omg...which ship..Mariner or Magic.

We were on the Magic, also Non US line, and were at a hotel by 3pm.

 

Mariner. Self-disembark.

 

If I had known I could have paid porters to get me through the line-ups faster, I would have gladly done it. Watching all the people who opted to leave their luggage on the ship, then disembark LAST, and walk right through ahead of because they HAVE PRIORITY, infuriated me. Could someone have told us what really goes on in the terminal? I worked at the cruise ship terminal for 4 years in Vancouver and handled hundreds of coaches doing airport transfers, city tours, hotel drop-offs, taxi pick-ups, etc. Never did I see anything like what I witnessed on Sunday.

 

Even the police stopped a shuttle driver in the middle of the lane right in front and prevented anyone from passing!!! Could you not have moved over 10 feet to let the cars move around? The port is pathetic.

 

It didn't help that we had the most racist couple behind us who we thought were going to create a mob scene with their accusations.

 

No phone after leaving the customs doors - was advised to go across the parking lot and street to the Strand to use a phone. Fortunately a female security guard/angel used her personal cell phone and stayed on hold with the limo company for 20 minutes to help me get my driver.

 

All in all, a bad day.

[nlt46]

Oh my. It sounds like it was horrible on Sunday. I'll surely hope and pray for no fog on the 29th. I'm not so worried about the end of the cruise. I'll just take my time as I have no where else I have to be. Sure the kids need to go to school .. to get educated... to be able to work to afford cruises, but hey, so be it. Carpe Diem!

 

Nancy

[Karen_N]

Mariner. Self-disembark.

 

If I had known I could have paid porters to get me through the line-ups faster, I would have gladly done it. Watching all the people who opted to leave their luggage on the ship, then disembark LAST, and walk right through ahead of because they HAVE PRIORITY, infuriated me. Could someone have told us what really goes on in the terminal? I worked at the cruise ship terminal for 4 years in Vancouver and handled hundreds of coaches doing airport transfers, city tours, hotel drop-offs, taxi pick-ups, etc. Never did I see anything like what I witnessed on Sunday.

 

Even the police stopped a shuttle driver in the middle of the lane right in front and prevented anyone from passing!!! Could you not have moved over 10 feet to let the cars move around? The port is pathetic.

 

It didn't help that we had the most racist couple behind us who we thought were going to create a mob scene with their accusations.

 

No phone after leaving the customs doors - was advised to go across the parking lot and street to the Strand to use a phone. Fortunately a female security guard/angel used her personal cell phone and stayed on hold with the limo company for 20 minutes to help me get my driver.

 

All in all, a bad day.

 

Wow, I see we are almost neighbours. I live in Niagara Falls. Your experience sounds way worse than ours. I used my cell phone, to get a cab on a side street, away from the port. I know the cost of using a Canadian Cell phone in the states is outrageous, but I plan on submitting my bill to the Insurance. I am going to take full advantage of what I paid for.

 

I complained to our taxi driver on arrival how poorly the port was designed for traffic flow, and just 10 minutes ago wrote about it in our Carnival Survey. I suggested to both the Taxi driver and Carnival they take some ideas from Fort Lauderdale.

 

I would love to take another cruise out of Galveston, but will never go during Fog season, and will watch for comments on here regarding the customs process time, and embarkation and debarkation processes.

[dectjc]

Oh my. It sounds like it was horrible on Sunday. I'll surely hope and pray for no fog on the 29th. I'm not so worried about the end of the cruise. I'll just take my time as I have no where else I have to be. Sure the kids need to go to school .. to get educated... to be able to work to afford cruises, but hey, so be it. Carpe Diem!

 

Nancy

 

LOL great response Nancy, and dont forget the kids need to be able to take you along when THEY pay:);)

[westtexgranny]

The only time we have had any trouble was during a fog delay. We always pay a porter and that speeds up the customs process greatly. We also don't plan on having to be home before Monday afternoon and that relieves alot of stress.