I can write a big chunk while riding home, and then link up pics when I get home, if that's ok.
A lil intro: I'm Paige, married to Billy, and Mom to Hank, almost 9, and Ace, who turned 6 while on board. This was our 1st
Disney Cruise. Billy and I have done one other cruise, an adult Carnival. We enjoy Disney, but are not Mouse-a-holics.
We left just north of Little Rock and drove little more than half way to Lufkin, Tx. We got up and at 'em that Saturday morning and headed towards Galveston. I was VERY impressed with what I saw of Houston. Looked like a very cool place to stay the weekend!! Galveston, on the other hand, I thought was kinda gross. But take into consideration that the only other US beach I've been to is on the Florida Pan-handle, so I'm a little spoiled.
Waiting on Dad to get back from parking the truck
Playing on this thing
The port was easy to find and every one at the terminal was very helpful and friendly. Billy dropped us at the terminal and used Lighthouse parking to park. It took about 20 mins for him to park and be shuttled back to the port. We went thru security really fast. When we stepped into to main terminal it was chaos!! But extremely organized chaos. We went the line pretty quick and made it to the desk to check in in about 10-15 mins. This was the only time in 6 days I got really aggravated with the staff. The (I'm quite sure sweet and competent) little elderly lady checking us in was having all kinds of problems. And I was VERY understanding the 1st 15 mins. But the more families I saw come and go from the counters around us, and the more I saw her pace back and forth and not ask for help, or anybody come over and help her, the more impatient I got. I went over to see if the line for Mickey was bad and it had switched to Minnie (which my boys wanted none of) so I was really starting to get pouty. My husband held it together nicely (he said he felt bad for her) and after about 25 mins from when we stepped up to her counter, it was determined she had forgotten to ask for out home phone #, so or check in wouldn't go thru. They got us all fixed up, and by that time they'd called for all boarding groups to proceed and we boarded the ship.