Galveston Embarkation

[little miss s]

For embarkation, is it better to get there early or late? I've never been to Galveston, so any embarkation tips for that port would be very appreciated. I'll be driving to Galveston and departing on the Carnival Celebration in September. Also, does Carnival offer special early boarding times for return guests? I'm going on the Elation in December, and I was wondering if they offer anything special to past guests like NCL does. Thanks for your help.

 

[tiadeerin]

Be careful about where you park. When we embarked in Galveston last September there were officers directing traffic to the correct parking lot, so no problems at all. However, a friend was there in December, there was no one directing traffic, & she parked in a covered garage near the pier. When she returned from her cruise her car had been towed. The authorized parking is about 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the pier, is an open area with a chain link fence & a shuttle bus brings you back. You can drop off your other passengers & baggage & then go park. Boarding the ship was no problem. I think we arrived about 11 am. I don't know of any advanced boarding offered by Carnival other than for those holding VIP boarding passes, but perhaps someone else here does. Have fun on your cruises!!

 

[joeyjojo]

Carnival says boarding begins at 1:30, but we arrived at 12:30 and were on within an hour (including parking and shuttling back). Never really saw any lines at any point - baggage dropoff, shuttle, cruise documents, photos, etc.

Get there early and go enjoy an extra lunch

 

[jorene]

we stayed the night before at the Stacia Leigh
it is a wonderful ship that has been turned into a B&B w/ all private baths. it is right next to the cruise terminal, no kids allowed they have a great web sight & I believe the have free parking for your cruise
we had a great time there
jo-rene