Grand P 12/11/04 :my experience re: some concerns I have read on these boards

[39august]

Boarding was a breeze at 11:10 AM arrival to pier. No lines, sat for about 30 minutes, on ship and in room by 12:10. Ship left pier on time at 4 PM. We also arrived on time in Belize. We took the ship's Rondezvous Caye catamaran snorkel. This would have been great with half as many people! The crew was terrific and the rum punch returning was good. I would much prefer a privately operated tour, but with the wierd port time, did not feel comfortable doing that, as we nearly always do. Next time, I'm going to do my best to find a private excursion that I feel confident will get us back to the ship on time. (suggestions anyone?) Entertainment was inconsistent. I thought the first production show, Curtain Up, was SLOW and only the Grease segment was fun. Most of the music was from shows prior to 1950! However, the second production show, Rythyms of the City was very enjoyable. The dancers were especially good. Another show in Vista seemed more like a high school show. The piano bar was so-so, not anywhere near the league of Burt Stratton! However, the illusiionist/comedian on the last night in Vista was extremely funny and entertaining. Food and service in traditional dining was excellent. Princess rules in pasta! The Love Boat Dream was only available one night, and it was good , but definitely not the Love Boat Dream of old! The creme brulee was again to die for, but made with pineapple instead of raspberries. A new (to me) dessert showed up on the last night, Raspberry soufle, wonderful! Happy to see that all the specialty martinis were just $4.95. Most drinks could be ordered small, medium, or large. The small was just $3,95. Wine prices are also fairly reasonable. We were a bit surprised that the age group was older than we expected. With so many Texans being able to drive to the port, we thought there would be many more younger couples and families. This may have just been a fluke, of course. The casino was not much fun because there wasn't that much action, tho' a dealer told us that the previous week the casino was hopping! The gym is just too small for such a big ship, and to top it off, 2 treadmills out of 11 were not working! We had a lot of rocking and rolling on the night we left Costa Maya for Grand Cayman, the staggering- around-the ship kind! The next night was also a bit rough but not as bad. We have never minded ship movement, however. Last day at sea was couldy and only about 68 degrees. Disembarkation didn't start until about 8:40, and they were still calling colors for immigration when we disembarked about 9:40. So I guess the whole ship doesn't have to be cleared before disembaration can begin. I felt Princess should have made announcements about the proper procedure for immigration, instead of just leaving printed matter in cabins. So many people arrived without having filled out their customs forms and were holding up the lines by having to fill out before submitting ID. But the big pile-up was on the pier. Unfortunately, the Galaxy and the Ecstacy were also in port, and Galveston doesn't handle that many ships well! We waited for a taxi for about 20 minutes. A hint: if you need a taxi go ALL THE WAY to the end of the pier(ask someone which end) where you will see a sign about taxis. There is a ramp below the sign that goes down a few feet to the taxi "stand", just a man directing folks to taxis as they drive up. Unfortunately, many, many people just clustered up at various places along the pier wanting taxis. They didn't go to the right place and many were so frustrated at waiting a LONG time. Some started coming our way and trying to get in front of those of us who had come down to the proper place in the first place. It got a bit ugly. There need to be many more signs directing people to the taxi stand. We drove down from OKC and stayed at the Beachfront Best Western. It is an older hotel, but with large, clean rooms, free continental breakfast and free parking for cruisers. I booked direct with BW and got a senior rate of $43.50. We signed up on board for the Dec. 3, 2005 cruise becauseA. we like the itinerary, and B. we like the food. But frankly, there could be a lot more and better entertainment and activities on board. RCI definitely does that better on the Voyager class and Radiance class ships. We have now done 7 Princess and 7 RCI cruises. So each line has its appeals for us. If I can answer any questions, I'll be happy to.

[MaryPoppinz]

I felt Princess should have made announcements about the proper procedure for immigration, instead of just leaving printed matter in cabins.

 

I've never been on a Princess ship where the CD didn't do a Disembarkation Talk, and where that talk wasn't replayed many, many times over on the ship's channel on TV. Did they not do that this time?

[aggieastrosfan]

The casino was not much fun because there wasn't that much action, tho' a dealer told us that the previous week the casino was hopping!

Wow! I shudder to think of what the casino must've been like on your cruise. I was on the 12/4 sailing, and I thought the casino was the quietest I've ever been in. Except for a few semi-loud loyal blackjack players, there wasn't much going on past midnight.

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise overall! Our roll call is planning a reunion cruise on 12/3/05, hope you'll join us in the fun! :)

[aggieastrosfan]

You're the first poster I've seen that disembarked in Galveston on Saturday. How did Galveston handle the 3 ships with 2 terminals? I've been wondering how they were going to do this for a while now.

[mikesteg]

The gym is just too small for such a big ship, and to top it off, 2 treadmills out of 11 were not working!

 

There need to be many more signs directing people to the taxi stand.

 

But frankly, there could be a lot more and better entertainment and activities on board.

(a) Agreed. The gym is tiny, and it is almost as if they got 1/2 the weight equipment in and then ran out of space. But, who wants to do any real exercise on a cruise anyway? :D 3 times around the Promenade is a mile after all!

 

(b) Didn't you come back to terminal 2? We came back to terminal 1, which does have no permanent markings. I thought terminal 2 had decent signage at the only exit point. (BTW, I'm pretty sure Galveston can't handle 1 ship well. After last week, it is clear they still can't handle 2 effectively. I can't imagine 3...)

 

© Well, if you join us on 12/3 there is bound to be lots on entertainment just roaming the halls! I agree though, they didn't see to have the focus on the shows that other ships have but the troupe did seem to have talent (at least in the 10 minutes I watched...)

 

With the activities, I was also surprised to see a smaller number of activities in the patter than on smaller ships. I really expected to see twice as many given the variety and number of passengers.

 

Mike

[aggieastrosfan]

to be lots on entertainment just roaming the halls! I agree though, they didn't see to have the focus on the shows that other ships have but the troupe did seem to have talent (at least in the 10 minutes I watched...)

Mike, when on earth did you have time to watch a show?? I thought we kept you better occupied than that...;)

[rsjc]

You're the first poster I've seen that disembarked in Galveston on Saturday. How did Galveston handle the 3 ships with 2 terminals? I've been wondering how they were going to do this for a while now.

I dropped my parents off around 1:30pm and it was one mad house !!!! They were going to Terminal 2 (Celebrity Galaxy 12 day). The Grand was first in line, then the Ecstasy, and the Galaxy at the far end. Traffic was horrible. Galveston has got to do something about the port access. I bet the passengers for the Grand and Ecstasy were in for a treat do to them sharing Terminal 1 at the same time. My parents said they were on within 30 minutes of getting dropped off.

[39august]

I have no idea whether we were at terminal 1 or 2. I just know that there were lots of frustrated people! I sincerely hope that next Dec. 3-10 there will be no more than 2 ships at worst, and only the Grand at best! BTW, Grand was the only ship in port on embarkation day, Dec. 11. Is there a CC roll call yet for Dec. 3, 2005? I hope there are some gamblers on that cruise!!

[aggieastrosfan]

I have no idea whether we were at terminal 1 or 2. I just know that there were lots of frustrated people! I sincerely hope that next Dec. 3-10 there will be no more than 2 ships at worst, and only the Grand at best! BTW, Grand was the only ship in port on embarkation day, Dec. 11. Is there a CC roll call yet for Dec. 3, 2005? I hope there are some gamblers on that cruise!!

I don't think anyone's started a roll call yet, we still keep posting to our 12/4/04 roll call.:rolleyes: I'm waiting to see if I'm going to get on the Grand in April or not, so I can book both cruises with an onboard booking. :D I know I'm a gambler (craps and occasionally blackjack), but by 11:30-12 or so, it's up to Skywalker's for me.

[rsjc]

I have no idea whether we were at terminal 1 or 2. I just know that there were lots of frustrated people! I sincerely hope that next Dec. 3-10 there will be no more than 2 ships at worst, and only the Grand at best! BTW, Grand was the only ship in port on embarkation day, Dec. 11. Is there a CC roll call yet for Dec. 3, 2005? I hope there are some gamblers on that cruise!!

 

You were at Terminal 1

 

Listed below is a link to Galveston Cruise Ship Port Traffic. On Dec.3rd 2005 there will be 2 ships. The Grand at Terminal 2 and the Carnival Ecstasy at Terminal 1. And on your return The Grand will be at Terminal 1 and RCCL Splendour Of the Seas at Terminal 2.

 

Hope this helps

 

http://www.portofgalveston.com/cruiseinformation/calendars.shtml

 

Choose 2005 Calendar

[tom-n-jules]

I would much prefer a privately operated tour, but with the wierd port time, did not feel comfortable doing that, as we nearly always do. Next time, I'm going to do my best to find a private excursion that I feel confident will get us back to the ship on time. (suggestions anyone?)

You should try posting or searching in the Ports of Call boards for whatever specific port you need info on.