Galveston, Texas

Abusive treatment 4/13/09 Galveston embarkation

Love to cruise — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:41 GMT

Granted, the embarkation process on 4/13/09 would not have been as chaotic, had the port personnel been informed and able to give passengers correct information, but what was unforgivable was the rude and abusive treatment I, and other passengers received.

We checked in early and were told to leave and return at 3 PM, since the sailing was delayed. We were told to show the Fun Pass at the door upon our return, and go to the VIP line where we would be able to bypass the lines of those who had not checked in yet.

When we returned at 3 PM we did as told and were waved through at the door and downstairs, where we were again told to get in the VIP line. We went upstairs and got in the VIP line, at which time a woman from Carnival came up to us and said: "Who told you to get in the VIP line?"

I showed her the Fun Pass and explained what we had been directed to do. She answered "Nobody told you that, get out of that line" and put her hand on my shoulder to shove me back, at which time I got out of the line and asked to speak to a supervisor. I had to ask 3 different people to get a supervisor and wait, and wait, and wait.

When the supervisor finally came, I expected an apology from her. Instead, she brought along a huge security guard who looked like a brawling petty criminal and behaved as if all his past work experience had been as a bouncer at the more disreputable strip bars.

As I was talking to the supervisor, he interrupted and began yelling at me saying "If you think she treated you bad, I'll take you outside and show you what bad is. C'mon, I'll take you outside right now if you don´t like it here."

I must add at this point that I am a soft-spoken, grey-haired, 5-foot tall, 60 year-old woman who is not accustomed to being thrown into close proximity to criminal elements.

I was appalled that the supervisor allowed him to speak to me that way. In my opinion, it was her responsibility to send him away and apologize for his behavior, which she did not do. All she did was say that the other Carnival employees had been "misinformed" and she was sorry if we were given wrong information, which was not at all my complaint, but rather the rude behavior, compounded by her bringing an abusive bouncer to threaten to beat me up if I didn´t like the way I was treated.

When I finally got on the ship I filed a complaint with the Ecstasy about the embarkation experience and I am still waiting for a reply.

I was booked on another Carnival cruise for January, but if I don´t get any satisfaction, I'll just switch to other cruise lines. I am not risking being abused by a criminal in a security guard uniform.

Any Hotels with Parking & Shuttle Service in Galveston?

HoSs3138 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:54:55 GMT

I'm heading down there for the 11/23 cruise and we'll be staying the night on Sunday so we don't have to drive 5 hours from Dallas on the day of the cruise. Are there any cheap hotels that provide both parking and shuttle? I know of several that offer free parking but the shuttle would save us the cab ride over there which could end up being $30-$40 round trip.

Parking?? EZ Vs Lighthouse

dalyluis — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:39:21 GMT

Stories or suggestions anyone?

Parking at Lighthouse

pfr — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:28:51 GMT

When parking at Lighthouse, in your experienced opinions, which is the better option.

1) Drive to the terminal and drop bags off with the porters, then proceed to park.

2) Go straight to Lighthouse and take their shuttle with luggage.

Same question when returning from the cruise.

Option one means not having to drag suitcases on and off the bus. However, if the driver helps with the luggage, that could become a moot point.

Normally I am quite capable of handling all the luggage, but I recently hurt my back and could easily throw it out again dragging suitcases up the stairs into a bus.

Thanks

6 days to go!!!

What time to get there on Embarkation day?

jesseandjen — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:37:54 GMT

I am sailing on the Conquest out of Galveston on September 6th. I saw on the boards that people were saying that they would get to the ship as early as 10:30 on Embarkation day. The cruise leaves at 4:00, and my documents say check-in starts at 12:30, latest 2:30. Will there be trouble if we show up at 2:00 or so? We're not late people, but we're never the first people in line for anything. My husband would most def object to getting there at 10:30 for a 4:00 departure.

Birth Certificate Question

BrandyB — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:44:17 GMT

Hi everyone...this is probably a really silly question. I am cruising on the Ecstasy (5 day) on August 3rd and was told that we would not need passports if we bring our driver's license and birth certificate. Since my married name is on my driver's license, but my maiden name (of course) is on the birth certificate, would I need to bring our marriage license as well? Thanks for your help!

Seven tips about how to cruise

texaspepper — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:38:45 GMT

Very good reading from SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

THE SEVEN PLAGUES OF CRUISING

STEERING CLEAR OF MALADIES THAT PUT SHIP TRIPS IN TROUBLED WATERS

BY SPUD HILTON SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

Never go on a cruise with statisticians. They know that, statistically speaking, there are as many things that can go wrong with a voyage as can go right. You might spill mango chutney on your tux shirt at the captain's party. You might get an uneven tan. You might wake up bobbing alone in the Caribbean Sea, trying to convince yourself those circling fins belong to dolphins. But the truth is that most problems on cruise ships are relatively minor annoyances, especially if your general disposition is positive and, um, flexible. There is, however, the occasional horror story about Homeric tribulations, truly epic bouts of sea sickness, cabins worthy of a Stephen King novel, demonic zombie tablemates selling Amway products. They are the plagues, rare but real, that can make you wish you'd spent the time and money at the Grand Canyon. Or even New Jersey. So in the spirit of being more prepared than paranoid, here are our tips about how to cope with, or better yet, avoid altogether, seven trip tragedies that, on a personal level, can turn the Love Boat into the Lusitania faster than you can say, "Honey, have you seen the bags?"

SEA SICKNESS Unless you were the love child of a North Atlantic cod fisherman and a mermaid, you've probably been queasy on choppy seas, if not on the ship, probably during the 40-minute ride in a stifling, musty tender boat. Avoiding: Beating mal de mer begins long before you see the sea. Pick the right itinerary, the Caribbean is usually calm, Drake's Passage is a chunder-fest, and pick the right cabin. "The closer you are to the lowest level in the midship, the calmer it will be," said Anne Campbell, co-founder of CruiseCritic.com and CruiseMates.com. "The irony of cruising is the higher you are, the more expensive it is, but also the more you'll feel the motion." If you have a history of getting queasy during the credits to Gilligan's Island, see a doctor and ask about a scopolamine patch. Not that bad? Go for over-the-counter Bonine or Dramamine, and start taking the medicine well before you board. Both contain antihistamines (unless you buy the nondrowsy formula), so if those knock you out, consider ginger, tea, capsules, candy or crystallized, which works well for some people without the zombifying effects of the drugs. Even Altoids has come up with a ginger variety, although you might have to eat half a tin to get enough of the stuff. Hate ginger? Hyland's (see below) makes a homeopathic remedy, a little white pill that dissolves under your tongue. Wrist bands work for many, but read the directions twice; pressure points can be elusive.

Coping: Go outside and look at the horizon. Get fresh air. Call room service and ask for apples and crackers to settle the stomach, according to Campbell, and don't lie down. Sadly,cocktails will only make it worse

THE CABIN FROM HELL So your cabin is next to the Night-Shift Anvil-Dropping Office. The toilet works fine, but in reverse. The sheets look like they were used to bandage a fatal head wound. The cast of "Riverdance" practices in the room above. To some people, the cabin isn't an important factor, but you gotta sleep somewhere. Avoiding: "Guaranteed category" cabins are cheaper for a reason: They are the rooms that everyone who had a choice didn't want. If quiet is important, pick a specific room. Travel agents and Internet booking sites have floor plans for ships, so look first at what's on your floor (elevators, laundry room, bomb disposal), then look at the floors above and below for gallies, nightclubs, engine rooms and theaters. Also, never take a maiden voyage unless you crave the smell of wet paint, carpet fumes and 1,200 malfunctioning toilets.

Coping: Complain to the front desk early and often, but be as polite as you are firm. (Don't be that guy who thinks his ticket entitles him to treat everyone like the "hired help.") The staff should move you to a suitable room or promise to deal with the noise source. If they don't, repeat Step 1. Rooms like that shouldn't exist, and cruise lines know it; they rely on you being too timid to complain. If it's noisy neighbors, let them know (again, be cool), and if it continues, let the staff know.

NOROVIRUS Lately it's been known as the scourge of the high seas, even though you're 10 times more likely to catch it on land. Getting it on land, however, doesn't typically mean trying to enjoy a $200-a-day vacation within crawling range of a suction-flush toilet. Avoiding: Norovirus covers a gang of nasty viruses with common symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, exhaustion and, sometimes, fever. There is no vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control says: Wash hands often, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer as necessary and, for the love of God, stop shaking hands. Really. Try bowing instead. For peace of mind, you could research which ships have sanitation issues ( www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp), but so far that hasn't been a good predictor of future outbreaks. Also, be aware of where and what you eat while in port, you could end up as Patient Zero for the next big outbreak.

Coping: Don't bother with antibiotics: They're useless. The bug only lasts a couple of days, so the best move is to drink lots of water and ride out the storm. Short of giving you an IV for severe dehydration or pronouncing you dead, the ship's doctor isn't going to be much help, either, so save your money. Opinions differ on whether relieving the symptoms with Imodium just prolongs the malady. Also: If you're sick and the staff knows it, you will be quarantined. In some cases, passengers have been confined to cabins the entire week, despite feeling better (and, presumably, being noncontagious) after a couple of days, and they did not qualify for refunds.

LOST LUGGAGE You and your ship are chugging around the West Indies, but your Samsonites are chugging around carousel No. 4 at Charles de Gaulle International? Unless it's a Windjammer Barefoot ship or a nudist cruise, wearing the same outfit all week, isn't really an option. What now? Avoiding: There are a boatload of reasons to fly to your departure city a day before the ship leaves, and lost luggage is near the top of the list. Allowing an extra day for your wayward bags to catch up, and eliminating any chance of wearing hiking shorts on formal night, is well worth the added expense. Also, make sure all luggage is labeled and tagged (inside and out) and includes a copy of your itinerary, especially if you don't have a nonstop flight. Last line of defense: Pack extra underwear in your carry-on.

Coping: When you book flights through the cruise line, missing bags become their problem. And if it's the cruise line's problem, make sure the staff is doing everything possible to fix it; keep track of the names of the people helping you. (You might want to tip them later.) Push for a modest onboard credit to buy a few clothes and sundries in the ship's shops. You might not get it, but it can't hurt to ask. If there's a tux/gown rental shop onboard, it probably leases by the week. Might as well get your money's worth out of it.

BAD WEATHER Mother Nature can be a harsh travel agent. She can turn a cruise in the sunniest time of year into seven days of torrential downpour. Or fog. Or oppressive humidity. Or flying monkeys. Avoiding: No guarantees, but research improves the odds. Start at www.weatherbase.com and look up temperatures and rainy-day stats for each port, especially the departure city. Go to Weather.com for trip-planning features and a thorough section on hurricane season. (If you can't pass up the bargains that time of year, build in a few extra days at the end of the trip in case the ship can't return for a while.)

Coping: The captain can play hide-and-seek with storms, but again, no guarantees. Bring games, an iPod, reading material and an open mind about the agony and ecstasy of bingo. For warmer climates, bring a lightweight, rainproof windbreaker, mostly to protect your gear while in ports.

TERRIBLE TABLEMATES The sweaty guy in the magenta leisure suit wants to spend each dinner telling you about his "close personal relationship" with (Jesus/Allah/Buddha/Krishna/Tony Robbins). 'Nuff said. Avoiding: If you really don't want to chance it, book the trip early (six to nine months) and request a table for two. If you're not deeply nostalgic about traditional dining, consider booking a ship with alternative restaurants. Lastly, visit one of the online cruise community boards ( CruiseCritic.com or CruiseMates.com) and find someone on the same cruise. Exchange e-mail as a test for compatability before the trip.

Coping: If the first night was difficult to endure, find the maitre d' after dinner and ask to be moved (it's more common than you think). Don't wait until the next night. If you feel you have to make an excuse, be vague: You ran into old friends and they invited you to their table. Also: There's a chance you're the dreaded Tablemate from Hell. Go easy on the religion and politics for a few nights, until you know everyone's comfort level. Also, check the conversation occasionally to make sure you're not the only one talking.

OVER INDULGENCE It's rare to hear the word "moderation" on a cruise ship, but when it comes to food, alcohol and the sun, it's probably best to remember the cliche about too much of a good thing. Avoiding: Be smart. Live it up and have a swell time, but remember that: a) drunk people fall off ships, b) hangovers can put a real crimp in sightseeing and c) with today's technology, you're never more than a few clicks from having an exposed part of your anatomy show up on the Internet. Save the serious tanning for the last few days of the trip. You won't spend the voyage in agony, and your color will still show when you return to work. Better yet, use a self-tanning product before the trip to make baking by the pool unnecessary. Lastly, it's a cruise ship, not a Soviet-era bread line. Are those four extra sausages really necessary, or are you just trying to squeeze your money's worth out of the trip? Are you going to feel like snorkeling if you're stuffed like a Christmas goose?

Coping: Pack a first-aid kit with Pepto Bismol, Alka-Seltzer, an aloe vera gel with a local anesthetic, and a laminated card that says, "If found unconscious, leave me somewhere I can't accidentally stagger over a railing and fall into the sea." This, among other things, will save your family from a plague of its own: the embarrassment of appearing on the Nancy Grace show.

Question on VIP Debarkation on Ecstasy

GOOD-BUCK — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:07:02 GMT

We are suppose to have VIP Embarkation - Debarkation & have had it in Miami & Long Beach. In Galveston we did have to stand in a long line to get through security before we got to the Carnival line (at the other ports, it seems like we got our paperwork first, then security). On debarkation we got our #1 luggage tags, but all the self assist people got off before anyone with luggage pick up to unload, then it was group 1-8. We then had to stand in line about 45 min. to get through customs. There was so many self assist it looked like a cattle call.

I was just wondering if we did something wrong, or should have been waiting somewhere special? The loading & unloading was the only perk we got from the Carnival Vacation Club that was worth anything,. Is Platinum the same way?. Also there were several groups picking up luggage from the 17 & 19 area at the same time we were unloading, is that normal or just some people not following the rules?

check-in time

babs — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:36:07 GMT

What is the earliest that we could board the ship on sailing day?

Anyone else just watch the Conquest Sail Away???

TheAbbotts — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:54:16 GMT

Just watched the Conquest leave from Galveston. They have a beautiful day! I was sooo wishing I was on that ship!

I noticed something very interesting caused by the sun's glare on the web cam.

A face just at the hull of the ship where it meets the water, and then in the right hand corner, it looks like a Elizabethan woman wearing a red hat and collar. Did a screen shot and then circled the images.

EZ Cruise Parking

Cruz Dude — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:30:01 GMT

Someone just asked me about parking in Galveston. So I thought I'd post it here too. I always use EZ cruise. I have been parking there for years and they have many of the same friendly faces. And they always provide stellar service. I highly recommend to everyone that asks, to use EZ Cruise. Any questions...just ask.

www.ezcruiseparking.com

Roll Call Ecstacy December 17, 2009

JP4SHORT — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:58:30 GMT

Me and my wife will be taking a little break this year to energize for Christmas. We plan to make this a yearly thing where we take a cruise in December and end the year on a good not. Any veteran or new cruisers sailing on this trip ?

Ecstasy Dec 26, 2009

forwardcabin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:40:32 GMT

Who else is going on this Christmas-to-New Years cruise with us? We are taking our whole family (10 in all). We will be driving from North Texas on Christmas day and staying at a BW on Seawall the night before the cruise. We usually stay somewhere between Houston and Galveston along I-45, but the family wanted to go all the way to Galveston this time. This was a really wonderful cruise last Dec and we are excited about seeing the new improvements made to the ship.

LaQuinta Inn - Seawall

sunseeker — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:19:48 GMT

Anyone stayed here before and left your vehicle while cruising? Just want any input as to how the rooms were and the safety of leaving your car parked while away.

Leaving car at hotel vs. Parking at Port

BrandyB — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:08:18 GMT

Hi Everyone!

For the first time, we are going to drive down to Galveston the day before our cruise and stay in a hotel. We found a Motel 6 Room for $50 and then would have to park at the port (another $35 if done online)=total of $85. We found a room deal at Hilton for $80, and we can leave the car parked there during the cruise for free. I was thinking to stay in the nicer hotel and just take a cab or shuttle or something to the port. My husband is concerned with the safety of leaving the car at the hotel. He thinks the cruise parking lots are safer. Has anyone ever left their car at the hotel? Is it as safe as the lots? Thanks for your input!

Roll call for October 26th!!

Lisaloo — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:10:24 GMT

We are cruising for the very first time on Oct. 26th. I am extremly nervous, but think all will be wonderful. Anyone else out there on the same cruise?? Any advice?? We are a family of 5. We have 3 kids, 11, 7 and 2. We are also cruising with family, my dad is disabled in a wheelchair. Thanks!

Carnival Conquest

bunny — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:37:54 GMT

Anyone going on the Conquest Nov. 8, 2009. Single cruiser looking to meet friends.

Pictures of the NEW and IMPROVED Ecstasy

Susanne from the Balcony — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:31:40 GMT

Here are some pictures of the NEW AND IMPROVED Ecstasy....

She will dock in Galveston Friday, 16 October approximately 1 PM.

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/showallphotos.aspx?mmsi=353479000

Parking

Tx_Rider — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:40:44 GMT

Is it best to drop off the luggage at the ship first, then park or go to the parking lot and take the shuttle with bags to the ship?

I have already reserved parking at lighthouse.

This is our first cruise and our first time at the port in Galveston.

Thanks

EARLY EARLY EARLY roll call for Conquest Aug 1, 2010

engrussell — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:43:33 GMT

Yes, it is early, but I am so excited! We finally booked a date! Big group/family cruise. Anyone else sailing with us on August 1, 2010 on the Conquest out of Galveston, Tx.?

<center><embed src="http://www.countdownclockcodes.com/cd/ccc-vacation/show.swf?clickURL=http://www.countdownclockcodes.com/&clickLABEL=MySpace Countdown Clocks&flashLABEL=Countdown Clock Codes&skin=http://www.countdownclockcodes.com/cd/ccc-vacation/skins/16.jpg&text=August%20B%2Dday%2FFamily%20Cruise&untilColor=6724095&textColor=0&datesColor=0&year=2010&month=7&day=1&hour=12&minute=0&second=0&x=6&y=77" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="300" height="200" name="countdown" align="middle" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /><br><small><a href="MySpace'>http://www.countdownclockcodes.com/">MySpace Countdown Clocks</a></small></center>

GAIDOS IN GALVESTON.....

JUST2GO — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:45:30 GMT

HAS ANYONE STAYED IN GAIDOS IN GALVESTON AND HOW WAS IT? I HEAR YOU CAN LEAVE CAR THERE, IS IT SAFE?? ID APPRECIATE ANYONES INPUT THANKS! CRUISIN OCT 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEA 53 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!

Holiday Inn Sunspree Galveston

brenkell — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:49:23 GMT

We will be staying at this Motel and we have not been given a definate answer regarding shuttle to the port and whether or not there is a fee for leaving our car at teh motel.

Does anyone know anything about this Motel????

Thanks for helping.

????

Captain Hook — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:22:54 GMT

????

rain rain and more rain!!

charles — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:11:33 GMT

leaving from galveston??? we live north of there and the port is going to get rain untill at leaste sunday

the gulf looks the same so does cuba and the yuccatan untill a low pressure system moves up into oklahoma hopefuly by sunday

What ship is that in Galveston

countrygal — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:27:34 GMT

Just took a look at the Galveston web cam and see there is a ship at the terminal. Anyone know which one it is? Guess it leaves this afternoon at 4:00 ? Would love to watch it leave, guess I'll check it out around that time and see.