All Things Galveston (Updated - 5/21/14)

[queenofeverything]

On a Friday, traffic is always bad in Houston. If you can hit town late morning (10ish) and head south then, that is probably the least traffic. Because it is Friday and alot of people work short days, rush hour starts about noon!

 

[m4travel]

The May 10th 8 night cruise is still there right now, and it's the last one. The second cruise of this itinerary is in progress right now and returns Sat, so there's only one that's been completed (Jan 18-26), so that's likely why you don't see many trip reports.

The Wonder is in port in Key West right now. Here's a link to the webcam:
http:// www.KeyWestHarborWebcam.com

Soon, soon (May 10th for us).

 

[mareed]

On a Friday, traffic is always bad in Houston. If you can hit town late morning (10ish) and head south then, that is probably the least traffic. Because it is Friday and alot of people work short days, rush hour starts about noon!

As a local, I agree that rush hour starts earlier on Friday.

 

[Beach Mouse]

There don't seem to be many trip reports for anyone that has taken the 8 night..am I missing them?

I was on the Jan 18 cruise on the Magic. We had a great time. I am new to DIS so I have not made any reports specifically on it. Not sure where.
It was my first cruise but not the rest if my family. They all said that the bar has been set to high for me.
Only negatives (due to us not ship)
Kids were slow to warm up to the club/lab the first day. They only wanted to go swimming. Then they made friends and I was scheduling with their parents on when the kids could meet next.
Key west is only half a day. So we took the train ride hoping to see more. We did but it was quick and ate up a lot of time. You are delayed getting off the boat because you meet on ship to go as group and once the ride was over we had 1.5 hours left. Just decide if you want quantity or quality time looking around.

As for everything else, we had a great time. All the CMs were wonderful, food, shows... I am ready to go again.

Let me know if you have specific questions.

 

[Gina]

Hi all, OP here! Just wanted to see if there was any specific info anyone would like added to the first page, or needs research on. It seems in talking to non-locals that the biggest issue with sailing out of Galveston is transportation from the airports, but I have no clue about any of that. If anyone has used a specific company and can recommend them, please let us know the name and cost and I will add the recommendation to the first post!

Also know that, for some unknown reason, parking costs have suddenly jumped a LOT. Demand, greed, I have no idea. All I know is, I had a truly awesome experience with Discount Cruise Parking just last month, but somehow the cost went from $40 for 8 nights then (pre-booked + had a $5 code), to double that now. INSANE. And a quick check shows most of the other lots to have hiked also. EZ Cruise and Lighthouse show $55 for 6-7 nights prebooked at the moment, and I'm going to email Jason and make sure the DISNEY code is still valid.

Thanks for helping keep this thread going so future cruisers can hopefully find the info they need!


-gina-

 

[wallawallakids]

Hi all, OP here! Just wanted to see if there was any specific info anyone would like added to the first page, or needs research on. It seems in talking to non-locals that the biggest issue with sailing out of Galveston is transportation from the airports, but I have no clue about any of that. If anyone has used a specific company and can recommend them, please let us know the name and cost and I will add the recommendation to the first post!

Also know that, for some unknown reason, parking costs have suddenly jumped a LOT. Demand, greed, I have no idea. All I know is, I had a truly awesome experience with Discount Cruise Parking just last month, but somehow the cost went from $40 for 8 nights then (pre-booked + had a $5 code), to double that now. INSANE. And a quick check shows most of the other lots to have hiked also. EZ Cruise and Lighthouse show $55 for 6-7 nights prebooked at the moment, and I'm going to email Jason and make sure the DISNEY code is still valid.

Thanks for helping keep this thread going so future cruisers can hopefully find the info they need!


-gina-

I have noticed that the limo/car costs from the airport to Galveston have also gone up in price from when we first started pricing it out in December. :

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Hi all, OP here! Just wanted to see if there was any specific info anyone would like added to the first page, or needs research on. It seems in talking to non-locals that the biggest issue with sailing out of Galveston is transportation from the airports, but I have no clue about any of that. If anyone has used a specific company and can recommend them, please let us know the name and cost and I will add the recommendation to the first post!

Also know that, for some unknown reason, parking costs have suddenly jumped a LOT. Demand, greed, I have no idea. All I know is, I had a truly awesome experience with Discount Cruise Parking just last month, but somehow the cost went from $40 for 8 nights then (pre-booked + had a $5 code), to double that now. INSANE. And a quick check shows most of the other lots to have hiked also. EZ Cruise and Lighthouse show $55 for 6-7 nights prebooked at the moment, and I'm going to email Jason and make sure the DISNEY code is still valid.

Thanks for helping keep this thread going so future cruisers can hopefully find the info they need!


-gina-

I live local and have a limo company that would do it. they have town cars, limos or 1 Navigator. I'll PM you!

 

[Luv2Diz]

Hi all, OP here! Just wanted to see if there was any specific info anyone would like added to the first page, or needs research on. It seems in talking to non-locals that the biggest issue with sailing out of Galveston is transportation from the airports, but I have no clue about any of that. If anyone has used a specific company and can recommend them, please let us know the name and cost and I will add the recommendation to the first post!

-gina-

Just booked a May cruise last week. I had our TA ask Disney about shuttles from the airports. She was told that Disney will run shuttles out of Hobby until May 15th. They will only be offered out of George Bush after that. Cost is $30 per person each way from both airports.

 

[AntonioOtero]

I really thought long and hard over the transportation to port situation. I live 8 hours drive from the port and have decided to fly. The reason to fly was because I found it difficult to prebook parking at the terminal. Also, hotels were expensive, and seemed to be booked. I am not sure if the booking problems were unique to me, but that was my experience with the handful of vendors I tried.

So, after looking into Southwest, I decided that with the baggage allowance and the nonstop service, to book air transportation. The cost was a little more, but all in all, it is faster and more convenient.

Now, on to tranfers to port. Limos, taxi, and super shuttle were all quite comperable in price. My concern was that my DS3 would require a car seat that I was not traveling with. Along with the added 15% tip with private car or limo. So, at $90 total each way, I decided on disney transportation.

I am sure there are other ways to get there, but this is what I chose for my family. Ongoing, the port of Galveston would be well invested in providing a viable transportation option for cruisers.

 

[Ichiban]

I do not recommend using Lady Bird Limousine. Her prices were reasonable, but she was late both times picking us up - an hour late in one case - and didn't seem to be familiar with which ships were at each terminal.

 

[nunzia]

I called Hotel Tremont (where I am staying the night before) and was told that I would park my vehicle at Hotel Galvez during the cruise and I would have my parking validated and only be charged a parking fee ( $17) for the one night I was staying and that there were free shuttles to port and back and between the Tremont and Hotel Galvez..so we shall see.

 

[LasseKjus]

I called Enterprise and reserved a 2-day, one-way rental from Houston Hobby to Galveston for May. There is no drop fee, and the total charge for 2 days will be $120.99 for an economy car.

I would be highly suspect that it doesn't include a drop fee. Hopefully it's in the rate. I was quoted $160 or so for a 1-day Galveston to Hobby rate for full-size with the drop fee in the rate. It proved cheaper to rent a car for the duration and leave it at a hotel with free parking than to rent two one ways.

 

[MandyGirl]

I would be highly suspect that it doesn't include a drop fee. Hopefully it's in the rate. I was quoted $160 or so for a 1-day Galveston to Hobby rate for full-size with the drop fee in the rate. It proved cheaper to rent a car for the duration and leave it at a hotel with free parking than to rent two one ways.

Call back to Enterprise and you might get a different rate. I know we did. One-way HOU to Galveston for a one-day car rental for a fullsize including all taxes and fees for me in May is around $80. The first time I called it was close to $200 to check the same exact date and city-pair.

ETA - I just looked it up and it was just under $80, no drop fee:

Pickup Branch: Return Branch:
HOUSTON HOBBY ARPT GALVESTON
8601 PANAIR ST 5919 BROADWAY ST
HOUSTON, TX 77061-4142 GALVESTON, TX 77551-4306
(713) 645-7222 (409) 740-0700

Car Information:
Type of Car: Full Size
Examples: Chevy Impala, Nissan Altima, Dodge Charger or simi
Holds 5 passengers and 4 luggage

Rate information (all rates in U.S. DOLLARS):
Daily 1 DAY @ 60.44 = 60.44
TEXAS REIMBURSEMENT FEE 1 DAY @ 1.35 = 1.35
* Subtotal = 61.79
CONCESSION RECOVERY FEE 11.11 % = 6.86
SALES TAX 10.00 % = 6.87
HARRIS COUNTY STADIUM TAX 5.00 % = 3.43
Total charges = 78.95
*If you inquired about coverages or additional driver fees, the rates are not reflective in your estimated total. These fees will be added to your contract at the time of pick up. Additional surcharges, local taxes, etc. may apply.

Toll Road Usage Program; click here for more information: www.htallc.com/enterprise

Following mileage rule applies:
MILEAGE IS UNLIMITED WITHIN THE RENTING STATE
AND BORDERING STATE. IF TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF
THESE STATES, MILEAGE WILL BE AT 200 FREE MILES
PER DAY AND $.25 EACH ADDITIONAL MILE.

Important Pickup Information for Airport Reservations:

COUNTER IS IN THE TERMINAL. A SHUTTLE WILL BE PROVIDED
TO OUR OFFSITE LOCATION.

 

[Gina]

Updated with a new code for EZ Cruise Parking! And we're working on a Lighthouse Parking shuttle right now where I work -- I'm hoping I can ask them for a code for us all too.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Has anyone done the Galveston Duck Tours? Looks like fun! We will be spending 2 days in Galveston prior to our cruise next January.

 

[jrbdad]

I will probably go back and read all of this -- thank you for posting.

We are contemplating our second cruise of the year, fifth DCL, to get one more in before DS17 becomes DS18 and can't get in the Vibe anymore. This would be December on the Wonder.

Look forward to learning more about sailing out of Galveston (so much closer to home).

 

[Gina]

I will probably go back and read all of this -- thank you for posting.

We are contemplating our second cruise of the year, fifth DCL, to get one more in before DS17 becomes DS18 and can't get in the Vibe anymore. This would be December on the Wonder.

Look forward to learning more about sailing out of Galveston (so much closer to home).

Any Galveston questions, just ask! Wish we could do a cruise on the Wonder, but we were just on the Magic in February... And DCL costs a lot more than RCI, so we're set for Navigator of the Seas next February. And same situation as you -- my DS turns 18 the day after we get back.

 

[jrbdad]

Any Galveston questions, just ask! Wish we could do a cruise on the Wonder, but we were just on the Magic in February... And DCL costs a lot more than RCI, so we're set for Navigator of the Seas next February. And same situation as you -- my DS turns 18 the day after we get back.

Thanks -- we were on the Fantasy a few weeks ago, only wish we'd booked a "dummy date." DS17 was really bummed that his time on the Fantasy was his last time in the Vibe. Should know for sure in the next week or two.

Our first cruise was on the Wonder -- 4 years ago.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

Does anyone know about Moody Gardens rainforest pyramid. We are planning to go after we disembark Wonder. Any great restaurants in Galveston or general area. Thanks.

 

[Dumbo Girl]

We are cruising out of Galveston at the end of Sept. We are coming in around 5 p.m. Friday to Hobby and are trying to find the best way to get to the Holiday Inn Galveston on the Beach. The hotel has a shuttle to the port on Saturday morning, so we need transportation from Hobby to the hotel and then from the port to Hobby at the end of the cruise. Any suggestions?
Also, any suggestions for restaurants for Friday evening?