My Family: Parents (dad 57, mom 56), kids (son 15, daughter 13) and myself (36). Drove up from San Antonio the Saturday before the cruise. The biggest recommendation I can make is to pay to travel on the Toll road (Total cost of 3 tolls is $4.50 each way) once you get to Houston, I have never once experienced slow downs on the toll road like I have experienced traveling other parts of Houston. In my opinion it is worth every penny.......

Pre-Cruise: We stayed at the Super 8 in La Marque for one night for about $65. I was impressed that reserving the room almost a year ago that they had taken note of my request to have a bottom floor room. It is a clean hotel (nothing fancy) and they have a continental breakfast. We ate dinner at Acapulco which was in a shopping center across the street. The prices are great and the food is excellent and very good Margaritas - gets you in the mood for your cruise! If you go the Shrimp Diablo and Chicken Flautas are awesome!

Day of Embarkation: We got up early and left our hotel around 10 am. Arrived at EZ cruise parking at about 10:30 and they let us park right away. Waited about 20 minutes and they had us on our way to the ship. I was worried we would have a little trouble getting a Porter since this was the earliest we had ever arrived, but got help right away. Once we got into the terminal it was not too busy and we checked in very quickly. I noticed though they were routing folks to chairs and we did end up sitting for about an hour waiting for them to let us board (12:30pm). Met Tracey and Sharon from our Cruise Critic Roll call while waiting so if you chat with people the time goes by much quicker!! Once they let us start moving we stopped for the onboard photo (which I ALWAYS buy) and then went up the stairs to board the ship and then the line just STOPS. Actually waited about another 20 minutes before we made it on the ship where they took our Seapass pics. Headed to the Pool Deck to meet the parents and get our first bucket of beer ($24.44 for 5 beers) and have lunch from the Windjammer. Tried the much raved about Honey Stung chicken and did not enjoy L I don't like dark meet unfortunately and that is what I accidentally grabbed. While we were eating met Tim and Malissa from Roll Call (hello my fellow San Antonio friends!) turns out they are practically my neighbors! Heard announcement that rooms would be ready at 1:30 instead of 1:00 so just hung out and talked for a little longer. Read more