22 Sept 2012. First Sailing Out Of Galveston, TX

[bats]

We are no longer able to go on this cruise but the thread will still be open with everyone else cruising. Joa and Mick x

Original Post ..
Looks like I'm the first one here then ....

Our TA is booking this for us tomorrow

Travelling will be me (Joa) and my boyfriend Mick. This cruise will be our 5th with DCL, having done a 3 night Wonder, 8 night Magic in the Med, Dream Maiden Voyage and another Magic Med this August.

Really excited to be sailing from Galveston for the first time .. the only problem I've found is that now I can't get the Glen Campell song out of my head!

We're hoping that as it's a first sailing out of the new port, the crowds will be around to wave us off

Anyone else?

 

[Piper]

I'm the second! I just booked single occupancy!
Galveston--9/22/2012

Single accessible inside cabin on Deck 6

It is always more expensive to book single. If I decide to go with someone, I can always add them.....it is hard to find accessible tours in port. When people go with me, they always feel obligated to stay on the ship with me. I tell them to go, but they don't. So, I usually just go by myself because that way I don't feel guilty!

I'm very excited.....it's going to be difficult to wait!

 

[Piper]

Well bats, it looks like we are the only 2 here so far. If we use this thread to talk to each other (and keep it on the first or second page, maybe others will join us!

I've already started a cruise folder for this--can hardly wait!

 

[bats]

Morning Piper!!

I see you don't live too far away from Galveston .... just how pleased were you when the new ports were announced?!

When they announced Dover in England last year, we were gleeful as it's only a 40 min drive for us ... was lovely not to have those Transatlantic flights I can tell you.

We'll have to do it for next year though, but we're planning on spending a few extra days over in orlando once the cruise is over to make the trip worthwhile. We did look at things to do around Houston, but there was nothing I could find that really took our fancy. Well, that's if you don't count visiting the Houston SPCA ... we watch the programme every week over here in the UK!

So, have you cruised many times with DCL before? The TX one will be our 5th .. woohoo.. gold after that!!

 

[Piper]

Wow! I'm not sure what web sites you checked, but there is a lot to do in Houston! There is the NASA space center, an excellent natural science museum, several really good art museums, a children's museum, a really good zoo, a boardwalk with lots of entertainment at Kemah. Then there is Moody Gardens at Galveston, the Galveston Opera House and a big section of shops, both antique and modern.

Then, there are sports games, lots of clubs with concerts and live music, ballet, symphony, live performances, etc. Also, the Galleria is a very nice shopping mall with an ice rink in it.

Then, just a few hours drive away is San Antonio. It has a very fun River Walk area, lots of history (the Alamo and other missions,) Seaworld & Six Flags.

If you want, I can give you some web sites to visit.

I've done several cruises, but this will be my first with DCL. I'm very glad they are sailing out of Galveston!

 

[Piper]

Woohoo--my sister is coming with me! I added her to the ressie today! So it will be a Sassy Sisters Sailing!

 

[bats]

That's great news that your sister is coming too! Sassy sisters indeed!

It does look like there's much more to do in Texas than I found ... I'll take another look at some point then. We did look for horseracing or ice hockey but it's not the season for either

Not sure what we'll do yet .. we may fly over to Orlando as we've got DVC we could maybe use for a few days. Who knows .. choices choices!!

What stateroom category have you gone for? Mick and I are in a secret porthole one (10) (pay for an inside but get a slightly obstructed window view). We had a veranda when we sailed on the Dream Maiden Voyage and that was fabulous but our pennies don't stretch that far for next year.
On the MV, we were given an upgrade to the veranda and ended up in an accessible room with one of the biggest rooms and veranda's on the entire ship!!

Right, work to do ..

 

[Piper]

Since I will be bringing my ECV and sometimes have difficulty getting into a tub--we have 11B (it is a HC room 6147 at the back of the ship.) Unfortunately, there are not a lot of choices for HC rooms.

I hope that when a few more people join our thread, we can start a FE exchange. I already have a few ideas (I sew) and my sister is very crafty!

 

[Laneysmom]

Hey everyone! I am about to book this cruise for our family! This will be a first cruise for us! We are so excited!

Piper my moms in a scooter, I SO wish she would come with us! So glad to see you are enjoying life!

Lynda

 

[Piper]

Yay! Another family!

Tellyour mother to go and have a blast! If she will post on this thread, we can "meet" before hand and maybe arrange some scooter races on deck 4! (kidding!) If she does come, be sure to book a HC cabin. She will need the extra door width to get in and out of the cabin. I will be in cabin 6147 It is an 11B and reasonably priced.

 

[Laneysmom]

Piper what is a HC cabin??

I actually told her about you and today she told me that she was seriously thinking about it!!! I am SOOO stinkin excited!! She never does anything for herself! She would love it I know.

One question. My kids don't have passports right now. Can I make the reservation without them???

Lynda

 

[Piper]

You can make the reservation, but you should apply for them soon. With flaky things happening in the government (shutdowns) you never know how long it will take!

HC is handicap--the doors are wide enough for a wc or ECV--the regular cabins have narrow doors. If she wants to reserve one, she needs to do it quickly. I don't know what type of cabin she might be thinking of, but there are only a couple of each type.

Tell your mother to come along. She will love sailing. You can do a complete rest and relaxation thing, a go, go, go thing, or anywhere in between. It is so easy to tailor a cruise to meet your needs!

I want to start an FE for our cruise. I know it is a while out, but it really seems like a fun thing to do! Anyone interested?

 

[IrishCowboy]

I have added your thread to the cruise meet list

 

[Piper]

I have added your thread to the cruise meet list

Thank you very much!!

 

[Laneysmom]

Piper she is COMING!! Did I need to call to make the reservation for her or can I do it online? I saw the option for handicap on the reservation area.

I made our reservations and can not wait to go! We have to get you and her hooked up!

Thanks so much! Everyone is SO sweet here!

Lynda

 

[Piper]

YAY! You can do it online! Be sure to check the HC option and it will show you accessible rooms. I am so excited for both of you! What deck are you on and what category are you getting for her? I am in category 11B on deck 6 room 6147. When I originally booked, I booked solo and then my sister decided to join me.

I know you will all have a fabulous time!

 

[Piper]

Hope everyone is well. Bats, How is everything in your part of the world. Have things settled to normal now that the wedding is over?

Lynda, Have you booked yet? Were you able to get a HC room for your mother?

 

[bats]

Welcome Lynda!! Sorry for my delayed response in welcoming you to our little thread .. my sister got married just last week so I had been busy with trying to lose 30lbs in a week!!!

Seriously, wedding went really well, she looked lovely and everyone had a great time. She held the wedding at a stately home here in Kent, England .. it's called Chilston Park if you fancy a peek! When I win the lottery, I'll be buying it for sure!

Think my mum and elder sister may be coming with us on this cruise too ... my sister was interested first as the ports were good ones but she can't afford it on her own so has roped my mum in. The only stumbling block is that my mum works in a school so shouldn't really be taking holidays during the school term. I'm hopeful they'll allow it though as she's worked there for over 25 years and has only taken holiday during term time this year .. first time in over 25 years! She's off through the Panama Canal on another cruise line this September so had to ask permission first. Both mum (Jen) and sister (Wendy) have cruised on Disney before, so are already excited about this new cruise.

Anyway, must go as have a ton of work to do.
Best to you all

Joa
x

 

[Piper]

Joa, Chilston Park is amazing. I'm glad things went well with the wedding. I hope your mother and sister get to sail with us. I am a retired teacher and would love to chat with your mother. How did the 30 lbs in a week thing go?

I have made our fish extender -- yah, I know it is a tad bit early, but I had an idea and the material and went with it. I often participate in big gives on the disboutiquer's thread and I was afraid I would forget and use the material!!! Now I just need to figure out how to put names on it!

 

[bats]

Joa, Chilston Park is amazing. I'm glad things went well with the wedding. I hope your mother and sister get to sail with us. I am a retired teacher and would love to chat with your mother. How did the 30 lbs in a week thing go?

I have made our fish extender -- yah, I know it is a tad bit early, but I had an idea and the material and went with it. I often participate in big gives on the disboutiquer's thread and I was afraid I would forget and use the material!!! Now I just need to figure out how to put names on it!

Wow, you are early with the FE!!! Better early than late though i suppose!
I'll use my tried and trusted FE .. it's really sweet and my sister (the wedding one) made it for me.

Errrr, the 30lb thing went by the wayside!!!! I'm resigned to the fact that I will never be a slim jim again!! ha