My family of 4 (17 and 15 yr old boys) do like cruising. This is my 14th. We live only 30 minutes from house to Galveston terminals so do take advantage of the convenience. We did New Year's Eve on Voyager of the Seas several years back from Galveston and have always talked about that particular cruise. We've also done Thanksgiving and Xmas but prefer to be home for those. New Years, on the other hand, is a holiday that we do want to be out-and-about so finally booked another cruise. We chose RCCL as the Royal Promenade is the perfect setting for a "Time Square" type countdown party. We also booked Liberty sailing on July 29th so this is twice in 5 months on the same ship.

Embarkation

From the July 29th experience where we were dropped off at 10:35 am, that was the start of rush-hour-traffic and took us a good hour plus from walk in to fully boarded. The photo system in the terminal was broken so had to take picture as we boarded so that added to the length. This time we drove ourselves and targeted 10 am to enter the building...actual time was about 10:10. Galveston x-ray had 2 sections; 1 for Platinum and above, and the other for Gold and below. We are gold but only had maybe 5 families ahead of us so no big deal. Next was taking picture and getting room key card. This is early so there were much much more stations than people checking-in. Time is now 10:25 and at the waiting area to board. Again, 2 sections for Platinum & above and Gold & below. We've got boarding card "Gold 1". RCCL must have disembarkation down smooth as ship was cleared for boarding around 10:40. "Gold 1" was called at 10:45. On to the ship and arrived at Windjammer at 11:00 but sign said opening was 11:30. However, the doors opened at 11:10. Muster for the majority is outside area of deck 4 under the life boats. It was uneventful lasting about 15 minutes. Read more