Galveston Help

[VbChristy]

Those that have cruised out of Galveston- are there hotels with day rates (either in Galveston or Houston) for a long layover. And what about transfers to the airport. Who do you like and recommend? (We were hoping to do the rental car route, but I am not seeing an option to pick up a car on a Sunday from the port.) Thanks.

 

[SonicGuy]

There is only Enterprise rent a car on the island. They are open Sundays from 8 am - 1 PM. Have never seen day rates at the hotels on Galveston and not sure you'd want to be at any of the south Houston motels with day/hourly rates.

There are lots of shuttle options from both Houston airports. We live in Dallas, but since we are on the one way repo cruise to San Juan, we are renting a van and driving down. They do add about $125 one way fee to do so. Looked at flying and renting at the airport in Houston and it was the same $125 one way fee. Knowing how fickle our December/January weather can be, didn't want to risk cancelled flights so we are driving down the day before.

 

[bcwife76]

There is only Enterprise rent a car on the island. They are open Sundays from 8 am - 1 PM. Have never seen day rates at the hotels on Galveston and not sure you'd want to be at any of the south Houston motels with day/hourly rates.

There are lots of shuttle options from both Houston airports. We live in Dallas, but since we are on the one way repo cruise to San Juan, we are renting a van and driving down. They do add about $125 one way fee to do so. Looked at flying and renting at the airport in Houston and it was the same $125 one way fee. Knowing how fickle our December/January weather can be, didn't want to risk cancelled flights so we are driving down the day before.

We are flying from Vancouver to Houston for our January 2017 cruise out of Galveston. We are planning on flying in on Thursday for a Friday-departure cruise. What sort of fickle weather should we be aware of? In your opinion is flying in one day early ok or should we even fly in on Wednesday instead?

 

[SonicGuy]

You should be ok flying in on Thursday. Texas gets ice storms and southerners don't do ice or snow. Like at all. Galveston also gets TONS of fog that time of year.
Two years ago we sailed out of Galveston in December. Was 75 degrees when we left - 7 days later got back and it was 35 degrees in Galveston. We live about 4 hours north in Dallas. It took us 8 1/2 hours to get home. Its typically not that bad in Houston/Galveston, but like I said it doesn't take much to shut down the state. I'm originally from Idaho so its taken me awhile to get used to the "panic" the sets in down here when snow or ice is coming.

Send me a message after Jan 15th when we get back from our trip and I will let you now what we experience weather wise.

 

[sambycat]

Doesn't really answer your question, but we just stayed at the Hotel Gálvez and they have cruise parking and shuttle to the port. Just a thought. And coming in early the day before should give you time. I've experienced the weather and fog issues in Galveston as well. Better safe then sorry!

 

[jburge12000]

We just returned from Galveston from the thanksgiving week cruise. We found that renting from Enterprise at Hobby airport for the week and parking at the port for the week was cheaper then a shuttle from the airport. I never rent from Enterprise, always Hertz or Avis for work and was very surprised at the price difference, enterprise at the airport that week was half of everyone else. If you park at the port, you go the port of Galveston web site and prepay, its right across the street. Lots of other lots around the terminal as well. We also stayed at the hotel galves after and saw people leaving for a carnival cruise leaving the next day. I looked at the Marriott originally and they also had a park and transfer to the cruise package.