We drove to Galveston from Dallas and it took approximately 5 hours. If flying, you would want to travel to Hobby (HOU) as it is only a 45 minute transfer to the port.
We stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton this trip, but we prefer the Hilton. The Sheraton was modern, clean and a full service hotel. Most hotels in Galveston offer free parking during your cruise and free transfers to the dock if you book a room before departure.
Friday night we had dinner at Landry's Seafood House a very nice restaurant with a good wine selection right across from the beach on the seawall. Saturday morning we had breakfast compliments of the San Luis Resort - AAA Four Diamond Award winner since 1999. FYI - Landry's Corp. owns the San Luis, Hilton Galveston, Holiday Inn Resort on the Beach, Rainforest Cafe and Landry's Seafood and all are adjacent to the official Galveston Island Convention Center. Landry’s is also scheduled to open "Pleasure Pier" over Memorial day weekend 2012 which will have several rides, restaurants, and clubs all on a pier along the seawall.
Our first ship inspepection was the Carnival Triumph which is doing 4 and 5 day western Caribbean cruises year round. This is a major upgrade from the Ecstasy which has moved to Port Canaveral. This ship was in dry-dock in 10-11 and had routine hotel maintenance, cosmetic enhancements such as new carpeting, wall coverings, tile work, lighting in lounges and public areas and Suite 7288 was converted and now ADA compliant.
Carnival Triumph is a great ship for families, singles and couples who want a short cruise on a nice big ship. Air pricing may be more favorable to the Houston area from many cities in the US.
Saturday evening – Moody Gardens Tenth Annual Festival of Lights and Dinner at Moody Gardens Hotel. We visited the mile long walking tour of lights. It was beautiful and all the families truly enjoyed this evening. Moody Gardens http://www.moodygardens.com/ is a great pre or post cruise destination. They have a 10-story glass Rainforest Pyramid filled with free roaming Saki monkeys, two-towed sloths, tamarins, birds, lizards, butterflies, a spectacular canopy walkway and beautiful plants from the rainforest of Asia, Africa and the Americas.
Dive into the oceans of the world at their Aquarium with over 130,000 square feet of exhibit space and 1.5 million gallons of water. Come face to face with thousands of colorful tropical fish, penguins, and seals in one the largest "underwater classrooms" on earth. You can also experience what’s happening in the Discovery Museum with hand-on interactive exhibits and displays.
Within minutes away, enjoy 32 miles of sandy beaches, the Lone Star Flight Museum, the Mary Moody Northern Mansion, Bishop’s Palace, the Tall Ship Elissa and the Railroad Museum. For added adventure, slip and slide at Schlitterbahn http://schlitterbahn.com/gal/ , the world’s most popular water park, adjacent to Moody Gardens.
Sunday Morning we had Breakfast on our own before heading over to the beautiful new ship Carnival Magic. This is truly a great ship for everyone. There are some great family rooms which sleep 5 with split baths. If you have not seen these rooms they have one bath with a toilet, standup shower and lavatory through one door and a small tub and lavatory through a second door Category 6M and 6N. This is a large ship with full occupancy of 4724. There are public areas for all age groups. Adults have new lounges with specialty drinks and the kids have their own areas with dance floors, arcades and the mandatory video games.
There is also a rope course, water park, putt putt, full court basketball court. The Spa has a Thermal Suite area with five rooms which are free to use if you are in a "Spa Room" or $35 for a day pass or you can get a cruise pass (check for pricing). There is also a Thalassotherapy Pool which is a therapeutic oasis that has been based on the concept of a natural bubbling spring. As you are immersed in its effervescence all you worries and stiff and sore joints will simply wash away. For both you can get a single VIP Pass $149 and Couples VIP Pass $249.
We saw a wedding party boarding early (10ish) and they had the wedding in the Conference room and reception in one of the lounges so the guest could be off the ship by 3ish. We dined in one of the main dining rooms and the service and food was outstanding.
We would highly recommend cruising out of Galveston. Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas is also sailing out of Galveston during the winter months and Princess and Disney are moving ships here next season.
Please let me know if you have any questions about Visiting or Cruising out of Galveston.
 |
| Carnival Triumph Pool |
 |
| Moody Gardens Feastival of Lights |
 |
| Carnival Magic Thermal Suite Area |
 |
| Carnival Magic WaterWorks |
 |
| Carnival's Infamous Molten Choclate Cake - Magic |
It is required of every man," the ghost returned, "that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide; and, if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death.
ReplyDeleteFlights to Abidjan
Cheap Flights to Abidjan
Cheap Air Tickets to Abidjan
I am very amazed by the data of this weblog and i am glad i experienced a look more than the blog. thank you so much for sharing these kinds of excellent information.
ReplyDeleteCheap car Service
Town car Services
IT IS Genuinely Very Useful FOR ME.I LIKE YOUR Put up Simply because IT IS Very Useful FOR ME AS Effectively. HOPING THE Exact same Best Operate IN THE UP COMING Times ALSO. THANK YOU!
ReplyDeletecar service Atlanta
mini bus rental
Nice post great information Toronto Airport Limo is so much impressive i like love to know about it. picbear
ReplyDelete