Cruising for the first time next month, sailing out of Galveston. I have questions!!! LOL!

[Minnie_me]

I'm flying into Houston the day before we embark. What would be the better plan? To go from Houston to Galveston when I land, and stay in a hotel near the port? (And please recommend a way to get to Galveston -- DCL only shuttles on the day we embark, as well as a hotel near the port!). OR should I stay in Houston that night, uber to the airport in the morning and take the Disney shuttle to the port in Galveston?

ALSO, regarding online check-ins: I'm cruising with a friend, but we're meeting at the ship because we don't live near each other. The booking is in her name. She keeps talking about how *WE* have to check in online next week to get our boarding time. Some people have told me that she checks in for both of us, others have said that I also need to check myself in online next week.

I know that you are the people with the answers --- thank you!!

 

[Jsoenning]

Don’t have great answers since we live close to the port and drive but may help others to answer knowing if you’re flying into Bush (IAH) or Hobby. Hobby being on the south side of Houston and closer to the port. I might Uber out of Hobby but may be pricey from Bush.

I would definitely come and stay a night ahead of the cruise. We’ve done that when going out of other ports.

Galveston is nice! Lots of good seafood places.

 

[NAB]

We stayed at Habor House at the port. There are other cheaper hotels around but it was nice we could just walk to the ship with our luggage but they do have a shuttle over too.

It is also has lots of restaurants and you can walk shops there too.

We took Uber from Bush. It was $70 I think . It was just the 2 of us. It was really easy.

 

[Mommb]

In order for your friend to check you in, she will need your birth certificate or passport information and a photo of the document, and a photo of you. The site will also ask for your flight information and credit card information if you are using a card for online charges, but she can indicated “driving” and “cash” and you can add the correct information later. You can provide her with the necessary information and photos, or you can get the reservation number from her and check in yourself.

I think that everyone in the room must be checked in before a port arrival time is given, but I am not sure.

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

We are sailing from Galveston over New Years and we have planned to stay at a hotel near the airport with free shuttle and flying in the day before and taking the free hotel shuttle back to the airport and taking Disney transportation to the Galveston cruise terminal and we are only doing this because we are not familiar with Galveston (we are also taking Disney transportation back to the airport after the cruise)

 

[Grumpydad12]

are you flying into Bush IAH or Hobby ?

Either way , I would Uber down to Galveston and stay there a night before .

You never know how traffic or construction might affect your drive the morning of embarkation and trying to make your port arrival time and meet up with your friend .

Not sure on the check in process , might wanna chat with Disney cruise lines about your options as they will need your information and photos before a PAT is issued if I remember correctly.

 

[Minnie_me]

are you flying into Bush IAH or Hobby ?

Either way , I would Uber down to Galveston and stay there a night before .

You never know how traffic or construction might affect your drive the morning of embarkation and trying to make your port arrival time and meet up with your friend .

Not sure on the check in process , might wanna chat with Disney cruise lines about your options as they will need your information and photos before a PAT is issued if I remember correctly.

I'm flying into Bush IAH. Thanks for the info!

 

[CarolynFH]

I'm flying into Bush IAH. Thanks for the info!

BTW I searched for “transportation from George Bush airport to Galveston” and a number of options popped up. You might also check on Cruise Critic https://www.cruisecritic.com/ - several other cruise companies sail from Galveston, so transportation from Bush is a common need.

 

[RedHead0186]

In order for your friend to check you in, she will need your birth certificate or passport information and a photo of the document, and a photo of you. The site will also ask for your flight information and credit card information if you are using a card for online charges, but she can indicated “driving” and “cash” and you can add the correct information later. You can provide her with the necessary information and photos, or you can get the reservation number from her and check in yourself.

I think that everyone in the room must be checked in before a port arrival time is given, but I am not sure.

This is correct. Everyone in the stateroom must have their citizenship documents (ID passport), ID photo, basic information (DOB, address/phone/email), and emergency contact information uploaded/entered in order to move to select a PAT. They will also ask about flight into and onboard accounts, but you can select "driving" and "cash" in order to move things along and go back later to correct (without affecting your PAT).

It's usually faster for one person to just to everything for the stateroom, but you can absolutely both check in yourselves. Just know you can't select your PAT until both have done their stuff.

 

[MommyCMickey]

We are sailing from Galveston over New Years and we have planned to stay at a hotel near the airport with free shuttle and flying in the day before and taking the free hotel shuttle back to the airport and taking Disney transportation to the Galveston cruise terminal and we are only doing this because we are not familiar with Galveston (we are also taking Disney transportation back to the airport after the cruise)

I know this is from December but we’re cruising out of Galveston and flying in the day before into IAH as well and staying at the Marriott inside of IAH. I just added DCL transfer from IAH but didn’t get any information like where to go to catch the transfer from IAH. Can you provide any insight?

 

[auntlynne]

I know this is from December but we’re cruising out of Galveston and flying in the day before into IAH as well and staying at the Marriott inside of IAH. I just added DCL transfer from IAH but didn’t get any information like where to go to catch the transfer from IAH. Can you provide any insight?

You can hope for a limited-information email to arrive the day before.

At hotel check-in, they should have a letter that tells you the details for the morning ride. Where and when to get your bus time. What to do with luggage… If they don’t offer the info, ask.

It does work fairly smoothly, but the communication ahead of time is a fail for anyone who wants to be on top of the situation.

 

[MommyCMickey]

You can hope for a limited-information email to arrive the day before.

At hotel check-in, they should have a letter that tells you the details for the morning ride. Where and when to get your bus time. What to do with luggage… If they don’t offer the info, ask.

It does work fairly smoothly, but the communication ahead of time is a fail for anyone who wants to be on top of the situation.

Ugh good to know. Never cruised out of Galveston and the DCL transfer was the best option cost wise. Fingers crossed lol. Thanks so much