We just got back from a RC cruise leaving out of Galveston and going to the Western Caribbean and it was fabulous!!!! We travelled with 3 children under the age of 10. We flew into Houston IAH and were able to get a rental car from Budget online for 80.00 for three days and stayed at the Hilton Homewood Suites near the airport (we got into town at 8:00 a.m. and the hotel let us check in right away-we didn't have to pay for the room the night before like most places have you do). The hotel was full from the night before-however-someone had checked out so they cleaned a room immediately while we had their hot breakfast. I cannot say enough about that hotel. When we came back from the cruise I had booked another hotel-country inn and suites by the airport-that was a big mistake-they were very unprofessional-so we cancelled and went back to homewood and they got us into a room with the best price right away (thanks Kim).

The day of the cruise my husband dropped the girls and I off at the ship and returned the car to Budget in Texas City before coming back to the cruise ship. In hindsight it would have been easier if we stayed together. You can drop your car off at Budget in Texas City where they will take you to the cruise ship in the car you rented as long as they can fit in it with you for 50.00. I DO NOT recommend this. You can call a cab for 40.00 to pick you up there -your whole family and you do not have to wait for someone at Budget to be able to take you OR wait for them to take other people before they take you. I recommend PINKY's cab service-she has a minivan that you can easily fit into. She picked us up at the cruise ship when our trip was over and took us back to Budget rental in Texas City where we picked up our car for a 2 day rental for 40.00. Google her and you should be able to find her info.

Boarding the Navigator was easy. We loved our family ocean view room in the front of the ship. I bought my kids a soda package and I got the royal replenish. You can take 2 bottles of champagne or wine on the ship. I also saw a lady taking a 12 pack of soda. There is a lot of info on rum runners and they work. Research them. In hindsight after adding our drink cost on the ship (probably each of us had 3-4 drinks a day-averaging 550.00) and then addiing the cost of the beverages and soda package for the girls and I- approx 200.00-we would have been better off buying an alcohol package that included soda and juices for my husband and myself and then just getting the drinks and juices for the kids on our card.. Read more