CARNIVAL ECSTASY
Beginning Oct. 23, 2004, the 70,000-ton SuperLiner Ecstasy will launch year-round four- and five-day service from Galveston, becoming the only year-round ship to operate short cruises from that port. On this route, four-day cruises depart the historic Port of Galveston on Thursdays and call at Cozumel, offering the ideal long weekend getaway. Five-day cruises, departing Mondays and Saturdays, are particularly noteworthy as they offer guests the opportunity to visit two of the Caribbean's most popular destinations, Cozumel and Calica/Playa del Carmen, in less than a week's time. Guests can also combine their cruise with a pre- or post-cruise land stay during which they can visit Galveston's many historic sites and museums, or shop and dine along the Strand, the city's renowned entertainment district. Carnival Cruise Lines has added two post-cruise shore excursion options in Galveston for guests interested in exploring the city following their cruise on either the Ecstasy or Conquest, both of which depart from Galveston year round.

The new excursions - Galveston Romance and History Tour, and Trains, Boats and Planes - both offer a fun and interesting opportunity to experience Galveston's history and charm.

The Galveston Romance Tour visits the Great Storm exhibit at the Pier 21 Theater, where guests watch a short film that chronicles the history behind one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history. The tour also stops at the Galveston County Historical Museum, which takes guests on a two-hour guided motor coach tour of this delightful city, including some of the area's 19th century Victorian mansions and famed churches. The tour also includes some leisure time - perfect for shopping along the Strand or dining at a local eatery. An optional airport transfer is available for guests with flights after 4:30 p.m.

Guests can explore the history of transportation on Galveston Island by rail, water and air on the Trains, Boats and Planes excursion. This fun and informative tour visits Galveston's Railroad Museum, the Lone Star Flight Museum and Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. The Railroad Museum features the site of the original Union Passenger Depot and guests can explore the galleries and interactive exhibits, as well as the largest collection of antique railcars in the Southwest. Next, the tour visits the Lone Star Flight Museum, a remarkable 50,000-square-foot-facility and home to more than 30 vintage aircraft, as well as the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. Guests can also learn about the port of Galveston, which was once known as the "Ellis Island of the West" due to the number of immigrants that entered the U.S. through this busy seaport. This tour is designed for guests with flights after 4:30 p.m.


CARNIVAL CONQUEST
(from Fodor's)
The Conquest's ports of call are Galveston, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel.) The ship leaves every Sunday at 4 pm. Taking Fun Ships to new lengths and widths, Conquest-class ships are the largest in the Carnival fleet. They're basically larger and more feature-filled versions of earlier Destiny-class vessels. More space translates into additional decks, an upscale Supper Club, and even more bars and lounges; however, well-proportioned public areas belie the ships' massive size. You'll hardly notice that there's slightly less space per passenger after you take a thrilling trip down the spiral waterslide.

Public rooms flow forward and aft from stunning central atriums. Just off each ship's main boulevard is an array of specialty bars, dance lounges, discos, piano bars, and show lounges, plus seating areas along the indoor promenades. The promenade can get crowded between dinner seatings and show lounge performances, but with so many different places to spend time, you're sure to find one with plenty of room and an atmosphere to suit your taste.

Restaurants

Two double-deck formal restaurants serve open-seating breakfast and lunch in four evening seatings. A casual Lido buffet has food stations that offer a variety of choices (including different regional cuisine each day); at night it becomes the Seaview Bistro, for casual dinners. There's also a pizzeria, outdoor grills, a patisserie, sushi bar, and 24-hour room service.

What Works & What Doesn't

No one got shortchanged in the design of these ships. The teen clubs - discos and video arcades are huge and a huge improvement. With appealing spaces dedicated to them, teens tend to get into less mischief. For sybarites, the saunas and steam rooms in the spa have glass walls and ocean views.

A seat at the wine bar should be serene; instead, the volume from adjacent lounges creates the sensation of being surrounded by dueling musicians. Ultracomfortable massage loungers are strategically placed along the indoor promenade; unfortunately, you have to pay to get the effect.

Accommodations

Cabins: As on all Carnival ships, cabins are roomy and generally larger than industry standard. More than 60% have an ocean view and, of those, 60% have balconies. For those suites and ocean-view cabins that have them, private balconies outfitted with chairs and tables add additional living space; extended balconies are 50% larger than standard ones. Every cabin has adequate closet and drawer - shelf storage, as well as bathroom shelves. High thread-count linens and plush pillows and duvets are a luxurious touch in all accommodations. Suites have a whirlpool tub, VCR, and walk-in closet.

Decor: Light-wood cabinetry, pastel colors, mirrored accents, a small refrigerator, a personal safe, a hair dryer in the top vanity - desk drawer, and a sitting area with sofa, chair, and table are typical Conquest-class amenities.

Bathrooms: Shampoo and bath gel are provided in shower-mounted dispensers; you also get an array of sample toiletries, as well as fluffy towels and a wall-mounted magnifying mirror. Bathrobes for use during the cruise are provided for all.

Other Features: A plus for families are a number of connecting staterooms in a variety of ocean-view and interior categories. Balcony dividers can be unlocked to provide connecting access in upper categories. Twenty-five staterooms are designed for wheelchair accessibility.

Cabin Sizes
Category Size (square feet)
Penthouse Suite 345
Suite 230
Ocean View 185
Interior 185


Favorites

Best Place to Escape the Crowds: Look for the adult sunning deck, where topless sunbathing is allowed. Most passengers are simply looking for a peaceful and quiet place to read or snooze in the sunshine.

Best Splurge: New York - style supper clubs on these ships are some of the best restaurants -- and specialty dining bargains -- at sea. Not only is the food outstanding (escargot, Russian caviar, lobster bisque, Alaskan king crab claws, grilled lamp chops, lobster, and several cuts of beef from 9 to 24 ounces), but the presentation is sophisticated and the atmosphere sublime.

Our Favorite Spot for a Nightcap: The grand bar serves up jazz and cigars as well as brandy and cordials and has some comfortable nooks and crannies for privacy. The Internet center is steps away, just in case checking e-mail is important before bedtime.

Best Lunch Choice: Tucked away on the Lido buffet's second floor, an unassuming fish-and-chips counter serves outstanding bouillabaisse.



ROYAL CARIBBEAN RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS
With dramatic walls of glass and retractable canopy, Rhapsody of the Seas has already embarked on the course other cruise ships will someday follow. When you're not enjoying the magnificent ocean views, you'll be relaxing in the soothing ShipShape® Day Spa, swimming in one of the two pools, taking a much-needed whirlpool or catching up with friends over your favorite drink in one of our eight lounges.
Rock-climbing wall
Outdoor pool
Six whirlpools
Indoor/outdoor pool in a Solarium with a sliding roof
Stunning Centrum, an open atrium featuring shopping and more
Themed bars and lounges
Beautiful, airy dining rooms
Adventure Ocean® youth facilities
Casino RoyaleSM
ShipShape® Day Spa and Fitness Center
The ship visits Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel before returning to Galveston.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN SPLENDOUR OF THE SEAS
This magnificent cruise ship has a seven-story lobby, an 18-hole miniature golf course and a stunning indoor/outdoor pool in a unique Solarium.
Ship Highlights
Rock-climbing wall
18-hole miniature golf course
Outdoor pool
4 whirlpools
Indoor/outdoor pool in a Solarium with a sliding roof
Stunning Centrum, an open atrium featuring shopping and more
Themed bars and lounges
Glass-walled dining rooms
Adventure Ocean® youth facilities
Casino RoyaleSM
ShipShape® Day Spa and Fitness Center
This ship does 4 and 5 day sailings from Galveston to Cozumel and Costa Maya Mexico.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN VOYAGER OF THE SEAS
(by Harry Shattuck of the Houston Chronicle)
Ready to ice-skate at sea? Royal Caribbean International plans to position its 3,114-passenger Voyager of the Seas at the Port of Galveston during the 2007-2008 winter season.
Itinerary
Sunday - Galveston, TX
Monday - At Sea
Tuesday - Cozumel, MX
Wednesday - Roatan, Honduras
Thursday - Costa Maya, MX
Friday - Yucatan (Progreso), MX
Saturday - At Sea
Sunday - Galveston, TX
The alternative itinerary goes Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Montego Bay.

The 138,000-ton Voyager, launched in 1999, would become the largest cruise ship ever based in Texas. Amenities include cruising's first ice-skating rink, in-line skating track and rock-climbing wall (features replicated on other Royal Caribbean vessels), along with a miniature golf course, a five-story theater inspired by Milan's La Scala opera house, a 1950s-style Johnny Rockets diner, 765 staterooms with balconies and 138 staterooms overlooking an interior promenade.

Voyager of the Seas would replace the 2,000-passenger Rhapsody of the Seas in operating seven-day cruises. Royal Caribbean plans two alternating itineraries featuring ports in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The Rhapsody would return to Galveston for the 2008 summer season.


PRINCESS GRAND PRINCESS
BOOK YOUR PRINCESS CRUISE NOW!! LIMITED SAILINGS! PRICED FROM $599 PP!
The 2,600-passenger Grand Princess will offer 22 roundtrip departures from Galveston between November and April . In addition to its seven-day roundtrip cruises, the ship will offer a special nine-day holiday sailing celebrating both Christmas and New Year's Day.

Grand Princess' new Western Caribbean itinerary will feature calls at some of the most scenic spots in the Western Caribbean, and offer passengers one more port than competitors' Galveston cruises next fall.
Day Port Arrival Departure


1 Galveston, Texas 5:00 PM
2 At Sea
3 Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico 10:00 AM 6:00 PM
4 Roatan, Honduras 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
5 Belize City, Belize 7:00 AM 5:00 PM
6 Cozumel, Mexico 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
7 At Sea
8 Galveston, Texas 7:00 AM


Grand Princess debuted a brand-new style of cruising when she began sailing in 1998, with big-ship choice in amenities and public areas, all in an intimately designed environment with a small-ship feel. The ship features multiple dining and entertainment venues, with Princess the only cruise line to offer passengers the unique opportunity to choose from two main dining room experiences -- Anytime Dining or Traditional Fixed-Seating. The vessel brought a number of firsts to the cruise industry, including the first wedding chapel at sea -- and the only opportunity to actually be married by the ship's captain. Among the vessel's many amenities are a highly praised authentic Italian trattoria, an extensive children's center, golf simulator and nine-hole putting course, Lotus Spa, fitness center, a swim-against-the-current pool, and the ship's dramatic Skywalker's Lounge, suspended 150 feet above the sea.

Early Booking fares for Grand Princess' seven-day Western Caribbean sailings begin at $599 per person, based on double occupancy. Call us (281-535-5703) or email us (marcy@delesandri.com) today to book the Grand Princess from Galveston!