Galveston verses Flordia Questions

I realize with the recent horrific damages done in Texas, now may not be the
time to be talking vacations for pleasure but, we would like to consider
taking a cruise out of Galveston in the near future (April 2009). All our
other trips have been out of Florida and with RCCL. For those that have
done Texas ports, what are your suggestions and thoughts? We would be flying
in from Michigan and another couple would be flying in from the UK.
Airports? Hotels? Transportation? This is a pretty broad open inquiry but we
are just starting to explore Texas as an option and would appreciate your
input.

Thank you,
Cheryl

>I realize with the recent horrific damages done in Texas, now may not be
>the time to be talking vacations for pleasure but, we would like to
>consider taking a cruise out of Galveston in the near future (April 2009).
>All our other trips have been out of Florida and with RCCL. For those that
>have done Texas ports, what are your suggestions and thoughts? We would be
>flying in from Michigan and another couple would be flying in from the UK.
>Airports? Hotels? Transportation? This is a pretty broad open inquiry but
>we are just starting to explore Texas as an option and would appreciate
>your input.
>
> Thank you,
> Cheryl

Airfare to/from Florida tends to be among the cheapest from many locations
in the US. Plus Miami is an international airport (for your UK travel
partners). You may find airfare to/from Texas to be significantly higher.
That's always a consideration.

Also, Texas is pretty far from most Caribbean ports. So you'll spend a lot
of time getting to island destinations. Because of that, ships sailing from
there don't have the best itineraries.

--Tom

> I'm sure others will have different opinions, but I personally love sailing
> from Galveston (but I hate sailing from Houston!)

I have not sailed out of either port but having lived in that part of
Texas I can't see much reason to sail out of either of those ports
unless you live nearby and can drive to the ports. I also can't think
of any reason to visit Houston or Galveston unless one has friends or
relatives living there. There are parts of Texas worth visiting but
those are not.

--
Charles

> Also, Texas is pretty far from most Caribbean ports. So you'll spend a
> lot of time getting to island destinations. Because of that, ships
> sailing from there don't have the best itineraries.

The ports I've sailed to from Texas were great. I've visited Cozumel, Costa
Maya, Playa Del Carmen, Progresso, Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman and
Jamaica. Several of the 7 days from Galveston were 4 port itineraries. And
now that the Conquest will be doing alternative itineraries to the Eastern
Caribbean, the draw to Galveston will be bigger.

The Western Caribbean is far more interesting than the Eastern Caribbean
(although I loved the Southern Caribbean, too) especially if culture and
history interest you like they do me.

Heck, some of the itineraries I've seen from Miami look boring compared to
Western itineraries. They all seem to go to the same ports. St. Thomas,
Nassau, San Juan etc... And a lot of those 7 day cruises are only 3 port
itineraries. I'm not a math genius, but it seems to me that 4 ports is the
same as 4 ports and more than 3 ports. And that 3 sea days is more than 4
sea days... anyone know for sure? *grin*

LES!

> Airfare to/from Florida tends to be among the cheapest from many locations
> in the US. Plus Miami is an international airport (for your UK travel
> partners). You may find airfare to/from Texas to be significantly higher.
> That's always a consideration.

Houston has an International Airport but it about 70 miles from
Galveston. 70 ugly miles. I think the Houston port is about 25 miles
from the international airport. 25 ugly miles.

--
Charles

> I realize with the recent horrific damages done in Texas, now may not be the
> time to be talking vacations for pleasure but, we would like to consider
> taking a cruise out of Galveston in the near future (April 2009). All our
> other trips have been out of Florida and with RCCL. For those that have
> done Texas ports, what are your suggestions and thoughts? We would be flying
> in from Michigan and another couple would be flying in from the UK.
> Airports? Hotels? Transportation? This is a pretty broad open inquiry but we
> are just starting to explore Texas as an option and would appreciate your
> input.

I guess the first question and one that no one has an answer for yet, is
will there be any cruises out of Galveston by April 2009? The cruises
that were going out of Galveston are now sailing from Houston. Don't
know if that would make a difference to you or not.

sue

>> I guess the first question and one that no one has an answer for yet, is
>> will there be any cruises out of Galveston by April 2009? The cruises
>> that were going out of Galveston are now sailing from Houston. Don't
>> know if that would make a difference to you or not.

> I think this is a significant question, Sue, and related thereto is
> the issue of supporting hotels, restaurants, retail, etc. Yes, there
> will be quite a bit of recovery by April 2009. But how much is the
> question. Will the ships be back in Galveston, and if so, what else

There is a simple solution if Cheryl and her group want to cruise out of
Texas and are flexible. Book a cruise knowing it will sail out of either
Galveston or the Port of Houston, flights would be the same for either
port. They could book a hotel at or near the Houston airport and then
closer to the cruise they can switch their hotel to Galveston if it is
ready for visitors. It is the cruise and air that can't easily be
changed, but hotels and ground transportation can be changed when they
are sure which port they will be cruising out of.

sue

> Good luck in your planning!

Diana and many others:
Thank you so much for so much information and opinions. I think I'm
getting turned off from the Texas departure because of the distance between
the airport and the ports for cruise ships. When we have left out of Fort
Lauderdale or Miami, it was just so close and simple. Logistic were easy to
plan for hotels and transportation. So, while I'd love to try something
new,, I don't think the time to do it from Texas is with friends traveling
so far from the UK already.
I'm back to looking for something in April from Florida. :) Again, thank you
everyone for you detailed help. This group still has some of the best people
willing to pitch in when asked.

Cheryl

> Diana and many others:
> Thank you so much for so much information and opinions. I think I'm
> getting turned off from the Texas departure because of the distance
> between the airport and the ports for cruise ships. When we have left out
> of Fort Lauderdale or Miami, it was just so close and simple. Logistic
> were easy to plan for hotels and transportation. So, while I'd love to
> try something new,, I don't think the time to do it from Texas is with
> friends traveling so far from the UK already.
> I'm back to looking for something in April from Florida. :) Again, thank
> you everyone for you detailed help. This group still has some of the best
> people willing to pitch in when asked.

How about a European sailing, since your friends are already there. Like
the Med, since you're looking at spring time.

--Tom

> How about a European sailing, since your friends are already there. Like
> the Med, since you're looking at spring time.

Diana and Tom, if we were retired those type of sailings look mighty good.
But for now, we need to stick to 7 days, with a day before and day, after at
most. And we were thinking the US ports because of the money exchange. When
we were in the UK last May,, ouch. 1:2 on the pound. Also, it is a bargain
for them to buy US travel. Right now they are in Vegas. (we went there and
stood up for them when they got married in Vegas 2 years ago). Our friends
have never been on a cruise and we know they would love it.
I recall our first cruise about 7-8 years ago,, my husband went dragging and
kicking his feet. (he did not want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere
with people he did not know) LOL,, I HAD to stop him from booking another
cruise when they made the announcement that there was a discount if you
signed up before leaving ship. LOL,, we have been on 3 since and even had a
son get married on one; the families cruised together for 'their' honeymoon.
:)

So, I will keep looking,, Diana, you are so right, preplanning is part of
the fun and excitement. I'll keep you posted when dates, ships and ports all
work for us.

Cheryl