This was the second cruise for my wife and I but the first for our six kids and my In-laws but will not be the last.

We arrived in Galveston the day before we were to sail out on 3-26-12 and decided to stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Galveston for the night because they offered free parking and shuttle to and from the port. Nice clean hotel and very friendly staff. We had no problems arranging the shuttle for the next morning and after the cruise they were prompt picking us up.

We arrived at the port around 10:30 and just walked right through check-in and after a very short wait we were onboard around 11:15. The kids (16,14,10,9,6,4) hadn't been told we were going on a cruise until we boarded the shuttle at the hotel so there was nothing but smiles and wide eyes as they walked up the gangplank. Up to the lido we went and the kids were in the pool within 10 minutes and Mom and Dad were enjoying the first Drinks of the Day. Read more