We booked our first cruise -- Me, DW, DD (11), & 2 DS (7 & 4). We traveled with SIL & her family. Originally booked 6B and got upgraded to a 12!
Galveston -- Drove in on Saturday and stayed at the Holiday Inn on the Beach. For $119, we got room, free parking for cruise, and complimentary full breakfast buffet. Children always eat free. They have a free shuttle to the pier, but by the time we arrived it was booked until 2:30 p.m. We didn't want to wait, so we took a taxi. Arrived at the terminal around 11:15. Escorted to Skippers Club for check-in and then led to front of the line for boarding. On the ship eating lunch by 12:30.
Overall For a first cruise, this was great. The weather wasn't the best (cloudy and northern winds-temps in 70's to low 80's). We had one night with 12-14 ft swells. The boat really rocked and my DW & SIL both got sick (even with meds/patch). Even one of the crew in Camp Carnival got sick.