Experiences with Carnival transfer buses?

[hartskys]

We are thinking about taking Carnival's transfer from airport to ship and ship to airport afterwards. (Houston to Galveston) Experiences?

[lilypad76]

We used this service for our first cruise in 2010. Had absolutely no issues. Very convenient. If we cruise out of Galveston we would use again. Sorry if not specific enough.

[hannahsmomtoo]

We are thinking about taking Carnival's transfer from airport to ship and ship to airport afterwards. (Houston to Galveston) Experiences?

 

 

I added the transfers to our September cruise.. I am curious about the responses also...

[hoplady]

Be sure you have plenty time before your flight leaves. Our first cruise out of Miami we let the travel agent book our flights and used Carnival transportation. We got off the ship and on the bus and waited until the bus was full and waited more until the driver finished smoking his cigarettes. We got to the airport 10 minutes before our flight was to leave and had to run through the airport to make it on time (pre 9/11)! Will never let someone else book our airfare again. The bus was fine, but the driver was in no hurry!

Sue

********

JANUARY 2013 – SPLENDOR - Hawaii

MAY 2012 – MAGIC – Roatan, Belize, Cozumel

NOVEMBER 2011 – TRIUMPH – W. Caribbean

MAY 2011 – CONQUEST – E. Caribbean

NOVEMBER 2010 – CONQUEST – W. Caribbean

MAY 2010 - CONQUEST - W. Caribbean – Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

MAY 2009 – CONQUEST – Eastern Caribbean- Key West, Nassau, Freeport

MAY 2008 – CONQUEST – Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

JUNE 2007 – SPIRIT – Alaska Northbound

APRIL 2006 – GRAND PRINCESS – Western Caribbean, Belize

MAY 2004 – ELATION – Western Caribbean

MAY 2002 – CELEBRATION – Cozumel

JUNE 1997 – ECSTASY – Western Caribbean – Key West, Cozumel

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

They were great.

[JoeMissile]

I've done the post cruise to airport transfer a few times and don't think it's worth it for the following reasons:

 

• Taxi's are usually closer to the terminal exit than the buses. Much easier to drop your carry-on right next to the curb to be placed in the cab than schlepping it 50 yards to the buses.
  
• Once you get to the bus you may have to wait several minutes for it to fill up. Nothing like sitting on a bus!
  
• The trip itself is a bit like a carnival ride with lots of swaying, sudden stops for no reason, and oh, that sound of a 200 HP diesel!
  
• Once you get to the airport, the bus stops at every terminal and let other passengers out (more fun)!
  

Yes, a taxi may cost another $10/$20 dollars but well worth the peace of mind and avoiding the aggravation that goes with a bus. One gets to the airport a lot quicker and one can try an early flight (if you dare!). Last cruise of FLL we made a 10:25 flight!

[miched]

I've done the post cruise to airport transfer a few times and don't think it's worth it for the following reasons:

 

• Taxi's are usually closer to the terminal exit than the buses. Much easier to drop your carry-on right next to the curb to be placed in the cab than schlepping it 50 yards to the buses.
  
• Once you get to the bus you may have to wait several minutes for it to fill up. Nothing like sitting on a bus!
  
• The trip itself is a bit like a carnival ride with lots of swaying, sudden stops for no reason, and oh, that sound of a 200 HP diesel!
  
• Once you get to the airport, the bus stops at every terminal and let other passengers out (more fun)!
  

 

 

Yes, a taxi may cost another $10/$20 dollars but well worth the peace of mind and avoiding the aggravation that goes with a bus. One gets to the airport a lot quicker and one can try an early flight (if you dare!). Last cruise of FLL we made a 10:25 flight!

 

 

thanks for beating me to writing basically the same. Saved me time and couldn't have wrote it any better.

 

Take a cab. More control and convenience. Worth any extra and sometimes is cheaper.

 

.

[vivavegas]

Be sure you have plenty time before your flight leaves. Our first cruise out of Miami we let the travel agent book our flights and used Carnival transportation. We got off the ship and on the bus and waited until the bus was full and waited more until the driver finished smoking his cigarettes. We got to the airport 10 minutes before our flight was to leave and had to run through the airport to make it on time (pre 9/11)! Will never let someone else book our airfare again. The bus was fine, but the driver was in no hurry!

 

Sue

********

JANUARY 2013 – SPLENDOR - Hawaii

MAY 2012 – MAGIC – Roatan, Belize, Cozumel

NOVEMBER 2011 – TRIUMPH – W. Caribbean

MAY 2011 – CONQUEST – E. Caribbean

NOVEMBER 2010 – CONQUEST – W. Caribbean

MAY 2010 - CONQUEST - W. Caribbean – Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

MAY 2009 – CONQUEST – Eastern Caribbean- Key West, Nassau, Freeport

MAY 2008 – CONQUEST – Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

JUNE 2007 – SPIRIT – Alaska Northbound

APRIL 2006 – GRAND PRINCESS – Western Caribbean, Belize

MAY 2004 – ELATION – Western Caribbean

MAY 2002 – CELEBRATION – Cozumel

JUNE 1997 – ECSTASY – Western Caribbean – Key West, Cozumel

 

My sentiments exactly! I had the same experience:rolleyes:.

[BenjiRodney]

They were great in Miami and San Juan. This year we are taxiing it as we are flying in a day early just to be safe.

[kmrnclrk]

Out of Tampa a few years back we had the same experience most people have mentioned. Had to walk past all the waiting taxi's to stand around and wait for another bus to arrive (one had JUST pulled away when we got there). This took no less than half an hour. While waiting for the bus, everyone started to do their own personal head count and realized we were not all going to fit on the next trip either. So people started pushing and inching out into the parking area in hopes to beat everyone else on the bus (very rude). We ended up making it (like sardines), but some couples were so angry that they just ended up taking a taxi instead. Post-cruise was better, as they basically hand you a certificate upon leaving that you can use whenever you feel like it. We had time to spare so we enjoyed the aquarium and lunch, then headed back to the terminal where we left our bags ($5). We got our bags, and the folks there called us a van. There were 2 other couples ready to leave so we left as soon as we all got in.

[jayscore]

For our first three cruises, we used the dreaded "Carnival Cattle Car". After doing a little homework, we found out a cab is faster, more convenient, and maybe even cheaper!;) Unless you have a crowd you are traveling with, my vote is take the taxi.

Just my opinion, of course!:rolleyes:

[Dave85]

How is cab availability these days at POM? Last time I sailed CCL out of POM (granted, this was like 5 years ago) cabs were very hard to come by.

 

Just curious... certainly impacts my decision on whether to purchase a Carnival bus transfer.

[hartskys]

After reading some of the above comments, I think I better look for an alternate plan, at least to the cruise port.

 

Has anyone used the transfer from Hobby to Galveston lately?

[Jsaxm]

I've made reservations with a private car company. I'm paying a little more than a cab, but I get a private car, someone who will be looking for us at baggage claim, and we get to ride in a nice comfortable luxury sedan. Hey, it's vacation, right? LOL!

[yst347]

Folks...the OP is asking about the transfer from Galveston to the airport, that would be Hobby airport (HOU) or Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

 

HOU is a fifty minute trip from the ship, IAH is a ninety minute trip from the ship. Taxi is an option but an expensive one. This isn't a transfer from Miami, Ft Lauderdale or Tampa.

[marybeth200]

I have never used Carnival trasport in TX but the couple times I have used it, it was HORRIBLE!! It takes forever as you wait for the bus to fill. And then you make stops at EVERY SINGLE terminal. One time we were late getting off the ship (almost NOON) because of "customs issuses" and because the Carnival transfer took so long we missed out flight. Now I'm not saying it's their fault, I know there were a LOT of issues that lead to the unfortunate missing of our flight, but I'm just saying I feel using Carnival ransfer was definitely a BIG reason we missed it. If I had any idea it would have taken THAT LONG we would have paid for a taxi even tho we already paid for the transfer. We will NEVER use a carnival transfer again.

[Umbarger]

Will never use them again. It is just a cattle call. We had to wait and wait and wait some more for the bus to fill up. I would suggest a taxi. Quicker and less hassel.

[Lyncoya]

We are thinking about taking Carnival's transfer from airport to ship and ship to airport afterwards. (Houston to Galveston) Experiences?

 

back in 2010, we missed our flight waiting for the bus to fill up. Never again. Carnival gave us $200 OBC for the next cruise though.

[hartskys]

Has anyone used Z Limo service in Texas?

[okgirl]

The Carnival transfers are probably the easiest and cheapest way to get from either of the Houston airports to the pier and back.

 

It's about 45 minute drive and if you aren't coming in a day early it's a pretty good deal.

[okgirl]

After reading some of the above comments, I think I better look for an alternate plan, at least to the cruise port.

 

Has anyone used the transfer from Hobby to Galveston lately?

 

A taxi or car service is going to cost you at least $100, not sure how much the Carnival transfer is, but I've sailed out of Galveston 11 times and if I were flying in, the transfer service is the only way to go....

 

99% of the time if the ship gets back to the pier around 6am (I know I watch it come in on galveston.com every week). The first passengers are usually off the ship starting around 7am....

 

Hopefully you haven't made your return flight before noon.....because they do fill the bus before it departs and it is a long trip, but I've seen buses leaving for the airport as early as 8am.

[Jenny in TX]

How is cab availability these days at POM? Last time I sailed CCL out of POM (granted, this was like 5 years ago) cabs were very hard to come by.

 

Just curious... certainly impacts my decision on whether to purchase a Carnival bus transfer.

 

We just sailed out of POM in March and took a cab from the airport and again from the port to the airport and there were a ton of cabs. The cab was actually cheaper. The cab is $25 total to go to and from the port and the aiport. The Carnival shuttle was $16 per person and we had 6 people total. Instead of $96 on the shuttle they put us in a big taxi van and we paid $25 total plus a tip to our tax driver.

[kelkel2]

We did the transfer bus to Houston back in 2010 from the Ecstasy and we thought it went well. On this particular sailing there was only one bus worth of people and they required us to be the first group off the ship. We met in one of the aft lounges and were escorted off carrying our luggage. We were sent to the bus and off we went. I don't remember us being there very long waiting on people, but I'm sure the fact that we all met in one group and left together helped. It was fairly painless.

[kbmeow]

I have used them on Galveston and in Tampa. Np. Yes you have to wait for others but I found them a easy way to get there and control the cost ( cabs can detour for extra money)

[adriennerm]

I used the service for my first cruise. We had no issues....but the passengers on the bus did have an issue. Our flight was the last flight with passengers scheduled to take the shuttle. Everyone Carnival set up to take this shuttle had to wait for DH and I to arrive.

 

Once we arrived at the Carnival counter people were giving us dirty looks. DH and I had no idea what was going on. We saw a bunch of people sitting on the floor and in chairs with tons of luggage. We didn't know they were forced to wait for us. Once the shuttle driver gave everyone the green light they began rushing the bus. When DH and I boarded we had a bunch of angry stares. It felt awkward to say the least. :o

 

This was not our fault, but I understand how it must suck for a large group of people to wait on 2.

 

IMO this is what you sign up for when you take a shared shuttle. :rolleyes: Be prepared to wait for the shuttle to fill up before it departs from the airport.