Looking for NEWS on VOYAGER-Galveston!!!

[lihut]

They did have the Mystery dinner at Portofino's. I think you had to reserve tickets on board like for the ice skating shows. The dinner was on an excursion day, so we didn't do it. It was long - I think I recall hearing to allow 3 1/2 hours.

[TEXASMUNK]

is a hoot! We have done it and loved every minute! For those looking for gret drama, forget it! This is done purely tongue in cheek! It is intended to be corny, it is intended to be slapstick. It was pure fun, added to that the wonderful drinks, wines and food!!!!

[pboedeker]

Advice:

 

Do not go to the muster station until the horns alarm sounds. We went down at 4:15 like the Compass said and by the time the drill was over it was 5:00. Way too long to stand outside on the deck in the cold doing nothing. Be the last one there and then you're the first one to leave when it's over!

 

Instructions don't begin until after alarm sounds anyway!

[ccxnola]

We (The Krewe of RCCL - Revelers of Cruise Critic unLimited) and a bunch of other folks will be enjoying Mardi Gras 2009 on-board Voyager OTS.

 

I'm preparing some momentos and after an extensive search here and elsewhere, I can only find the last name of the Captain - 'Banados'.

 

Does anyone know his full name? I need to print it on his Keepsake.

 

Thanks,

Laissez le bon temps roulez - Let the good times roll !!

Charles

[pboedeker]

I'm just off the Voyager on Sunday... our captain was:

Patrick Dahlgren...youngest captain in the fleet at 32.

[texascruzer]

You can only use the stairs during muster. I never put my jacket on to go down the stairs. I think its too dangerous. I've almost tripped trying to see my feet going down. The collar on the darn jacket is too big:rolleyes: Be sure and take your time getting there too. Then when you get down to your station, they put your jacket on for you. You look stupid, but you get in the front of the line:D;)

 

 

That's some good advice right there!:D

[zantedeschia]

I will scan them this evening.

Are you emailing compasses or posting them somewhere?

[cruisinmom2]

Can you still get cash in the casino without a surcharge on the Voyager? Had heard they might go to that. Thanks for any replies--we are on the Feb 1 sailing!

[blondie1959]

We are going on the Voyager on 2-1-09, and have never had a problem with the food in the dining room, but would like to make Portofino reservations ahead on the weakest night in the dining room. Can we get some info on what nite that might be? We enjoy going to both formal nights, can you let us know what they will be as well as when the best nite to eat at Portofinos would be?

Thanks,

Laurie and Troy fro WAAACKO Texas

[J & G]

We are going on the Voyager on 2-1-09, and have never had a problem with the food in the dining room, but would like to make Portofino reservations ahead on the weakest night in the dining room. Can we get some info on what nite that might be? We enjoy going to both formal nights, can you let us know what they will be as well as when the best nite to eat at Portofinos would be?

Thanks,

Laurie and Troy fro WAAACKO Texas

 

We are also on the 2-1-09 sailing....have you joined the roll call? http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=733670 Or did I ask you that already? Heehee!

[pboedeker]

Are you emailing compasses or posting them somewhere?

 

I will be emailing them out tomorrow to those of you who want a copy. Had to make copies of them on the copier and then scan them and try to do it at work when no one was looking! It's several pages (28)! Email me with your Compass request to pboedeker at aol dot com.

 

We ate at Portofino on Saturday night. Don't think their menu ever changes, but I could be wrong.

 

Lobster night was Friday in the main dining room. Our Thursday menu was a holiday dinner (Turkey) so I think that's not usually what they serve on Thursday. The Jalepeno Potato soup was on Wednesday night...don't miss that - order doubles!

[abpmillsww]

We are going on Voyager in a few weeks and I was wondering about the weather. I know it might be cool/cold (depending on where you are from) in Galveston but what about the weather on that first day at sea?

 

More specifically, when does it get warm enough to wear the bathing suits and shorts?

 

Thanks,

 

Angela (a girl who can hardly wait until her cruise :))

[J & G]

We are going on Voyager in a few weeks and I was wondering about the weather. I know it might be cool/cold (depending on where you are from) in Galveston but what about the weather on that first day at sea?

 

More specifically, when does it get warm enough to wear the bathing suits and shorts?

 

Thanks,

 

Angela (a girl who can hardly wait until her cruise :))

 

It was 71 degrees today, but it didn't feel at all warm enough for swimming! I think the second day out should be warm enough for a visit to the pool deck, if not the pool itself.

 

DH has been in shorts everyday....even the days when I thought it was too cold for that! Just keep an eye on http://www.weather.com and you should get a better idea as the time approaches.

[horsesrus]

Can you still get cash in the casino without a surcharge on the Voyager? Had heard they might go to that. Thanks for any replies--we are on the Feb 1 sailing!

 

I got cash once from the casino and was charged the 3% fee.

[horsesrus]

We are going on the Voyager on 2-1-09, and have never had a problem with the food in the dining room, but would like to make Portofino reservations ahead on the weakest night in the dining room. Can we get some info on what nite that might be? We enjoy going to both formal nights, can you let us know what they will be as well as when the best nite to eat at Portofinos would be?

Thanks,

Laurie and Troy fro WAAACKO Texas

 

We've done Portofino's on Tuesday both times on Voyager out of Galveston, works out well for us and although I can't recall what the main dining menu is on Tuesday it tends to be one we don't feel we'll miss (not seafood platter/lobster night, not formal night).

[cruisinmom2]

I got cash once from the casino and was charged the 3% fee.

 

thanks for the information--this will save my dh some $$$!!:)

[TEXASMUNK]

than predicting the weather on departure day or first day at sea.

Been there and it has been warm both days, been there and it was nasty.

Pure guess work this time of year right up to about the end of March.

[J & G]

Pure guess work this time of year right up to about the end of March.

 

You are SO right! If you don't like today's weather, then no problem, because tomorrow's weather will most likely be very different.

 

Here's a bit of info on Galveston weather, although it is just a general summary.....day to day, it's quite variable. http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USTX0499?from=tenDay_bottomnav_business

[p2lockhart]

We are going on Voyager in a few weeks and I was wondering about the weather. I know it might be cool/cold (depending on where you are from) in Galveston but what about the weather on that first day at sea?

 

More specifically, when does it get warm enough to wear the bathing suits and shorts?

 

Thanks,

 

Angela (a girl who can hardly wait until her cruise :))

 

For January and Feb- On Sunday and Monday you might need to be dressed warmly (long sleeves or jacket and long pants). I usually do not feel comfortable outside until Tuesday. I am usually dressed warmly on Saturday on the return, too.

 

Patti

[sptrout]

We are going on Voyager in a few weeks and I was wondering about the weather. I know it might be cool/cold (depending on where you are from) in Galveston but what about the weather on that first day at sea?

 

More specifically, when does it get warm enough to wear the bathing suits and shorts?

 

Thanks,

 

Angela (a girl who can hardly wait until her cruise :))

 

The outside air temperature while at sea is nearly 100% controlled by the sea water temperature. (The same is true if you have a home near the ocean.) The Gulf temperatures this time of year are in the 50's until you get well south of Galveston. Therefore, it will be the second day before it is at least mild when walking on deck. The air temperature the last day, when returning to Galveston, will also be under the control of the northern Gulf water temperature.

 

The only thing that can really change the above statement is if a very cold air mass (cold front) has proceeded your departure by a few hours, then the air temperature may be even colder than the sea temperature. We had this situation a few years ago and it was still cool when we docked at Costa Maya, and it really did not get warm & humid until we reached Panama.

 

One way to overcome the cold air temperature is to find a place in the sun, but out of the wind. However, if it is a cloudy day, expect to spend most of the day inside.

[pboedeker]

On Dec. 27th we were sailing home to Galveston and it was very hot. I had to use my mister bottle to cool us off and we were on the upper deck! It remained hot until about 3pm, then clouds moved in and it cooled off enough to not be enjoyable in a swimsuit!

 

Usually, on the first sea day it is very windy on the open decks. On the return trip north at the end of the cruise, the winds aren't such an issue on open decks.

[wolfganghowell]

Couple of questions for those of you that return from the Texas cruises.

 

What are the dinner times? Last year late seating was at 8 pm which was great!

 

Does the casino have Ultimate Texas Hold Em (not the regular kind but Ultimate where you only play against the dealer)

[epi]

I know this may sound strange... but we love to take the ballroom dancing classes while onboard ship.... We have always met great folks while attending these and seem to always learn a new little step or two....

I know most Royal ships offer this on most of their ships....

Does anyone know???

[J & G]

On Dec. 27th we were sailing home to Galveston and it was very hot. I had to use my mister bottle to cool us off and we were on the upper deck!

 

OK, I am such a dork!!! I read this three times trying to figure out what a "mister bottle" was and how you knew it was a Mr. and not a Mrs.......:D:D:D:o:o:o....then I realized what you were talking about! Boy, do I feel stupid!

[abpmillsww]

I'm sure your busy getting back to reality and all :) but I'm wanting to hear how you trip went.

 

We go in a few weeks and would love to hear your opinions when you get a chance.

 

Thanks!

 

Angela