This was our seventh cruise and our third consecutive cruise on Carnival. We previously sailed on Carnival a number of years ago. This was also our third voyage out of the Port of Galveston which we chose for convenience of travel. My wife and I are in our fifties and both work demanding jobs with little time off.
We drove down to the coast the day prior but stayed out in a Comfort Inn in Texas City. Although very close to the refinery district, the hotel was very clean, had a nice breakfast and caters to cruisers. We shopped aggressively and got the room for $85. Also had dinner that evening at Gilhooley's North of Texas City. The oysters were fantastic.
Embarkation went smoothly enough. I had hoped for Faster to the Fun but it was sold out when we booked. I dropped off our bags with a stevedore and parked at EZCruise Parking. Our cabin was ready for us and from the time from when we got in our first security line to having a Red Frog Ale and Guy's burger in hand was less than 45 minutes.
Did not do any excursions in Galveston, just boarded the ship here. We did hit an oyster bar called Gilhooley's the night before up in Texas City. The place was appropriately dive-y and the oysters were fantastic. Recommended.