Anyone gone out of the new terminal yet? Family wants to arrive earlier than our scheduled boarding time. Facility have sufficient air conditioned waiting areas if we're not able to board earlier than our assigned time? I'm assuming the answer is yes as it is a relatively new facility. But I hate making assumptions.

I was there for the first time in December. Very nice terminal. When you enter you go up to the 2nd floor to check in. When I was there it was a little unorganized as there were just employees around with I-pads to check your documents and no real lines. A lot of confused people waiting to be told what to do. If you pay attention and have your stuff together you pick the employee with the shortest makeshift line and it's pretty quick. You then go through the security line for the metal detector and bag scan. On the other side is a large waiting area with restrooms and full glass windows to view the port/ship. We didn't spend too much time in the waiting area, only for the rest of the group to get through security. We pretty much walked right on.

As for "assigned waiting times" I'm not sure they're really enforcing that in Galveston, but not sure. I know there are ports that were. We were close to our window, honestly can't remember if we were on-time or maybe a little early. Might be worth checking out Royal Carribean blog or Cruise Critic to see if someone who has cruised more recently reports them making people wait. If they did you'd likely be waiting outside as I don't remember any areas on the 1st floor to hang out. It's basically just an empty lobby with employees pointing you toward the escalators.

RenoAg said:

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Anyone gone out of the new terminal yet? Family wants to arrive earlier than our scheduled boarding time. Facility have sufficient air conditioned waiting areas if we're not able to board earlier than our assigned time? I'm assuming the answer is yes as it is a relatively new facility. But I hate making assumptions.

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Yes and no.

When we arrived you basically waited outside in a long line that wrapped along the building. Supposedly their system was out and they had issues checking people in earlier in the day so got backed up, but don't know if that's true or not.

There were lots of seating areas once you got inside the terminal, but they were all after security and literally nobody was using them. Once you went through security you just got on the boat.....

I honestly don't recall anyone checking our boarding time. So don't know if that's normal policy or not. And don't know if they are checking it if you have to wait before security (aka outside) or if you can go through security and wait in the terminal before getting on the boat.

Also, parking was terrible. If you can, get the lot right at the terminal. We did Port of Galveston Pier 14 indoor parking. Getting there wasn't bad, quick shuttle. But when we were leaving there were about 40 people in line for the shuttle. After standing there for 10 minutes and not seeing a single shuttle we said eff it and walked. Didn't see a single shuttle making the trip in our walk either. Who knows how long that line would have taken.

We're cruising on Allure of the Seas next month (first cruise). If anyone wants to add so tips, likes/dislikes, etc. I'd appreciate it!

One question: Our window is 12:30-1. Assuming we're on the boat by one, is everything pretty much open? How long does it take for your checked bags to get to your room?

tia

NoahAg said:

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We're cruising on Allure of the Seas next month (first cruise). If anyone wants to add so tips, likes/dislikes, etc. I'd appreciate it!

One question: Our window is 12:30-1. Assuming we're on the boat by one, is everything pretty much open? How long does it take for your checked bags to get to your room?

tia

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We did the Allure of the Seas in April/May, was also our first cruise.

Everything was pretty much open when we got on. Mainly just people walking around getting their bearings.

We went straight to the kids club to get a couple of time slots. I'm not sure if it's standard, or if it was just because the cruise was before school was out so most the kids were toddlers, but we had to get there early to get slots for our 2 year old in the daycare/kids club. We went straight there and there was probably a line of 20+ people already. We were able to reserve 9 hours of time slots (if I remember correctly), 3 slots at 3 hours a piece. They opened more slots about halfway through the cruise. Our kid loved the kids club, which was a plus, gave us a couple nights out for dinner or shows.

I think our guestrooms opened and bags were there around 2, we boarded around 11:30 if I'm not mistaken But some of the floors had signs saying 3 or later. if you're wanting to swim or something once you get on I'd bring your bathing suit in your carry on bags.

All the shows were great, but our favorite was probably Oceanaria. Our son still tries to imitate the divers and talks about it. He loved the carrousel and the boardwalk area in general. So we also watched them practice several times.

150 Central Park and Izumi (we just did the sushi side, not hibachi) were probably our 2 favorite meals/restaurants.

See my above about parking. I think my preference would be North Premium lot then North Lot as both of those are right there. The shuttle system for Pier 14 was a nightmare, but luckily it wasn't a bad walk. My wife, my son, and I walked most the way, then I left them in an open, safe spot that would be easier to drive to than the terminal and went to get the truck and picked them up. South Lot is a slightly easier walk than Pier 14, probably.

Awesome, thanks! Our kids are teenagers so thankfully don't have to worry about childcare. My wife and I were very anti-cruise but we've gotten excited going down youtube rabbit holes.

So far we've booked the onboard shows, snorkeling and sloths in Roatan, a beach day in Costa Maya. Haven't decided on Cozumel. It will probably be a dolphin swimming/encounter even though I know it's a pricey, tourist trap type of excursion.

Taking that exact cruise leaving 7/16. Extended family. Group of 30.

RenoAg said:

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Taking that exact cruise leaving 7/16. Extended family. Group of 30.

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Report back! We're leaving 8/13.

NoahAg said:

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RenoAg said:

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Taking that exact cruise leaving 7/16. Extended family. Group of 30.

Did this cruise a couple weeks ago.
Good trip.
Terminal was a cakewalk.

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Report back! We're leaving 8/13.

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I'm touring the ship and terminal on Sunday. Hoping to attend a reception at the terminal Saturday night but I waited too late to sign up and now have to check and see on Satuday.

RenoAg said:

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Taking that exact cruise leaving 7/16. Extended family. Group of 30.

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That's when cruises are the most fun ... when you have a big group. You can split up for excursions, come together for shows and dinner, etc.

We've had some great cruises with extended family and friends.

JMac03 said:

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I'm touring the ship and terminal on Sunday. Hoping to attend a reception at the terminal Saturday night but I waited too late to sign up and now have to check and see on Satuday.

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When we boarded and were waiting in line to sign up for the daycare a travel agent tour came through....they looked rough, hot and sweaty as hell. Hopefully y'alls is better, but be prepared.....

Goodness I hope not. Last time I toured Carnival it was great. But it may not have been in the dimmer (been too long to remember).

Terminal a cakewalk- did you arrive at your assigned time? Was anyone checking for that?

RenoAg said:

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Terminal a cakewalk- did you arrive at your assigned time? Was anyone checking for that?

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I had an 11 am check time. The rest of my party was much later. Like 2:00 p.m. We walked in explain the situation to them and they just waved us through. It was no wait anywhere from the terminal to walking onto the boat. Royal Caribbean does a great job of people moving. No problem in ports either. Let's just say that getting off the boat and going through customs was no issue whatsoever. Essentially there was nobody there.

My biggest issue was forgetting where the heck we parked after 7 days of drinking. It was confusing because we exited the terminal in a different place than we went in.

Great to hear. We're doing as much of the check in stuff via their app and online health check and safety videos ahead of boarding time as possible too.

Fwiw, our experience was the opposite. Don't get me wrong, overall loved the cruise and wouldn't hesitate to go on another. But we waited in line for an hour + outside the terminal to get to security. Once through security the terminal was empty and we got right on the boat.

Kind of silly they built this new terminal but the majority of it was unused and the majority of our time waiting was outside in the 90+ degree weather sweating our ass off.

This was the new Galveston terminal.

htxag09 said:

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Fwiw, our experience was the opposite. Don't get me wrong, overall loved the cruise and wouldn't hesitate to go on another. But we waited in line for an hour + outside the terminal to get to security. Once through security the terminal was empty and we got right on the boat.

Kind of silly they built this new terminal but the majority of it was unused and the majority of our time waiting was outside in the 90+ degree weather sweating our ass off.

This was the new Galveston terminal.

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Thank you! This actually answers the main question I have had since the beginning. I told my group of family this might happen but they refuse to believe a new facility would be so poorly designed. Next question: were you waiting outside because you arrived earlier than your assigned boarding time and weren't allowed to go through security early? Or did you arrive at your assigned time and the line took that long to get through security? One of our family members has stage 4 pancreatic cancer and this family cruise is pretty much her dying wish. The chemo has her very weak. That's why I am asking such specific questions about the facility and process so we can get her in to a place where she can be comfortable.

We arrived slightly before our designated time. But don't think that had anything to do with it. I don't remember anyone ever checking our boarding time.

You may want to look into the key, I think that's what it's called…. It gives you a couple upgraded privileges. One being boarding and deboarding. You have your own security line. They didn't have to wait outside at all.

Not sure id rely on it as I don't have personal experience. But everyone was very friendly and accommodating. I can't imagine you talking to a staff member about your situation and them making your family wait outside.

htxag09 said:

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You may want to look into the key, I think that's what it's called…. It gives you a couple upgraded privileges. One being boarding and deboarding. You have your own security line. They didn't have to wait outside at all.

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https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-key-program

price can vary per cruise...and if you value time more than anything, it can be worth it. never done it before and heard mixed reviews. for this specific situation, if you breeze through security without it, then you'll think it was a waste of money.

other goodish perks are dedicated seating at shows, so you can show up right at start time.

htxag09 said:

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JMac03 said:

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I'm touring the ship and terminal on Sunday. Hoping to attend a reception at the terminal Saturday night but I waited too late to sign up and now have to check and see on Satuday.

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When we boarded and were waiting in line to sign up for the daycare a travel agent tour came through....they looked rough, hot and sweaty as hell. Hopefully y'alls is better, but be prepared.....

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So I bet I'm gonna be one of those. It's so humid outside that I'm sweating sitting down. My tour is 11-2:30. I'm gonna be a hot arse mess.

On a side note the terminal is very nice. We had a reception there last night.

Getting through security outside took maybe 5-10 minutes. Took a bit longer to go through all the processes once inside. Maybe 30 minutes. We ended up waiting inside the terminal for roughly another 30 minutes for some of our party to arrive. So for a 12:30 boarding time we entered 12:15 or so. I think my aunt with cancer had so much adrenaline going that she did well. All in all I would say a reasonably efficient loading process for a large group of people. No wheelchairs getting on but 4 needing to use walkers.

Getting off the boat was jacked up. 3 needed wheelchairs. RC separated the people in wheelchairs from the rest of the party and that process created a 45 minute wait for all the rest of us outside in the heat and no idea where our old folks were. RC lacked enough personnel to handle those in wheelchairs so they sat there for a very long time not moving anywhere.

I will say the rest of the disembarking process was excellent otherwise. So if you don't have to be split up due to wheelchair service being necessary, you have zero reason to be stressed about this.

A side note: I don't blame RC but many of our party got sick that last night on ship. 10 out of 29 have since tested positive for covid. Several more of us are feeling sick but not bothering to test.

It was a lot of work taking care of them but seeing my aunt, uncles and mom enjoy this cruise was priceless.

How was the trip overall? Favorite port, things you did, etc? Anything on the ship you highly recommend (or discourage)?

Wife and I are going on RCL next week. Haven't done RCL before so im interested to see how it compares to a couple other lines. Although we haven't cruised since pre-Covid.

Any recs on parking? I see there are a lot of options to shuttle or if it's just worth parking at the lot at the port.

Glad to hear on the boarding. Seems like our trip may have been a one off and a true rare computer glitch or something.