We just returned from a great week on board the beautiful Carnival Magic. This was our 11th cruise, we have cruised Carnival, RCi, and Celebrity in the past.

Pre cruise, we booked a ride with Gulfcoast Limousine Service, which was on time and very professional. Total of 5 in our group and the private ride was only a few dollars more that the Carnival Bus, which is available the day of cruise only. We were picked up in a Suburban at IAH and driven to the Hilton Galveston Island Resort which we booked through Last Minute Travel for less than half of the price on Hiltons website. The hotel was a little bit older, but overall nice for the money, and they offer a free ride to the cruise port and have free parking also.

Embarkation - Great experience. We arrived at 11:26 am on the shuttle, walked to the other end of the building, went through security, up to the check in desks, no lines, got our cards, and were on the ship by 11:55 am. They have this process perfected in Galveston, and could definitely train some of the other ports...(Miami)! Read more