Almost Live from the Grand Princess Cruise, December 24-Dec 31, 2005
{ http://www.princess.com/ }
In Galveston tonight, packing my jeans and
checking them twice. Staying at the Holiday Inn
On the Beach (the one at 5002 Seawall Blvd). I
ended up in a king leisure or some such room I
guess, 'cause I'm on an upper floor, with
microwave/fridge in the room and something you
don't see on most cruise ships - complimentary
bottled water.
Dinner tonight was at Landry's next to the
resort next door, and the fried shrimp and
oyster platter was pretty darned good and just
what the doctor ordered for a pre-cruise stomach
stretching exercise!
Galveston (Hope Santa brings me a new laptop
with a decent keyboard)...
Holiday Inn Pics
001: Grand Princess Christmas Cruise,
A jetty here and there and yonder to walk along,
fish, watch the sunset...
Drive thru ATM adjacent to HI:
Go away clouds:
What are the odds of finding free bottled water
on a cruise ship?
Not all the rooms have the fridge/micro/water, but I'm pretty sure they are
all have balconies with a water view. Also free WiFi Internet and a coffee maker
to boot!
There is a liquor store a couple of blocks away and all kinds of restaurants in
the area as well.
The lower floors will have a better view of the roof of the lobby, but you can
still see the beach/water. My room is on the 7th floor and I really like the
view.
Free cruise parking and also free shuttle to the ship is included. Sign up for
the shuttle when you check in for best choices of shuttle times.
There are lots of places to stay in Galveston. One consideration for a post
cruise stay is what is the earliest time they will allow you to check in? The
standard policy is sometime in the afternoon, but if your room is ready, many
let you check in whenever you show up. Sitting in a lobby for a few hours
waiting for check-in time isn't much fun.
Looking out the back of the hotel, you can see the cruise ships:
Maybe we'll tow that barge along:
Shuttle van and cruise ship parking behind the hotel:
Turning into a sunny day...
So far, so good. Embarkation was less than 30 minutes to cabin. Skipped the
buffet and went to Da Vinci for lunch - wasn't crowded and was very good.
MUTS:
Lunch (lots of jeans):
In a Mini-Suite this time - not really sure of
the difference other than a bathtub and a few
more feet...
Fridge:
Safe:
oops Sunset - brb... maybe not...
