This was my 31st cruise the last four being on Holland America. We were originally to embark from New Orleans, but Katrina closed that port so Carnival opted for Galveston.
Embarkation was slow, tedious, disorganized and in summary a sorry excuse for such an operation from a major line. We were in line for three hours.
Also because of Wilma Cozumel was not a port of call so Carnival gave everyone a whopping $25.00 along with $50.00 for the inconvenience of departing from Galveston. That inconvenience ended up costing me an extra $650.00 including a room at the Hilton in Galveston. Please note Galveston is difficult and expensive to get to from Houston. DO NOT use Galveston Limo Company. They are sorry and poorly run.