Come November of this year, the Navigator of the Seas will sail into Galveston and call it home, for the winter months at least. It will be replacing Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas. But don’t lose sleep over the change, since the Navigator is cut from the same cloth, so to’speak. This means that when you sail on board the Navigator, all your favorites will still be there. You will still be able to have a pint at the Wig & Gavel on the Promenade; and you will still be wowed by the Olympic quality ice show. Schooners Bar will still be hopping’ every night with amean piano player cranking’ it out on the ivories and taking the audience along for a
fun ride. And, of course, the Viking Crown Lounge at the pinnacle of the vessel, laden with commanding views from every seat, will still reignsupreme over the entire ship.

However, you’ll have to wait until Feb 2014 for the new features the Marinerreceived last April. Like the big movie screen poolside and the extremelyhandy what’s-happening- where screens found on every floor at the top of thestairs near the elevators. Who cares if you forgot your daily activity paper withthese interactive screens ready to assist you? You can not only find something fun to do at almost every hour of the day, but then the screen shows you how to get there. Sweet. And even though we’ll be without a Royal Caribbean ship for an entire month in January 2014 while she gets revitalized (that’s ship talkfor a facelift), our petit bonus when she returns is a never- done-before fournight cruise. So if you’ve ever wanted to tryout RCCL but didn’t want to committo seven nights, then this is your chance. The prices are fab, the ship is fab, and the time of year is just about perfect – when we’re all sick of the cold andthe rain and
ready for the warm Caribbean breezes … and a rum punch or two.

I, for one, am curious to see the different decor inside the Navigator. While each of the ships within a certain class has the same basic design, the finishing touches can be different. The Mariner has a myriad of ingeniousmetal art displays, Britto sculptures by the pool, and a dazzling curtain in themain showroom, for starters. Walking down each hallway brings with it newdelights behind glass; and a couple of displays are even interactive. Granted,this isn’t why one goes cruising, but it makes traversing the ships a morepleasurable walk.

Texans love their Voyager Class ships. And Royal Caribbean keeps delivering. First with the Voyager, now with the Mariner, and this Fall comes the Navigatorof the Seas

This is the fourth of five in Royal Caribbean’s Voyager Class, among the biggest vessels in the world. With so much to see and do onboard, you may soon wish you had booked back-to-back cruises. Like her sisters, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas sports some of the industry’s most amazing features: a rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, mall-like indoor promenade, basketball court and in-line skating track.

Although Navigator of the Seas is definitely a member of the Voyager family, she has her own look and amenities (many of which were repeated on Mariner of the Seas, the last of the five sister ships). This ship has more exterior glass (in balcony cabins) than her predecessors, and such features as a wine bar for appreciation and entertainment, expanded youth facilities, a Plaza area with a variety of dining options (both no-fee and fee), the first Latin jazz bar at sea (mojitos, anyone?) and the first sea-going Ben & Jerry’s ice cream parlor (Royal Caribbean has since spread these various concepts across its fleet).

Navigator of the Seas Fellow Passengers

While most passengers hail from the U.S., the ship does attract folks from other countries (and publishes the daily “Cruise Compass” in a variety of languages). Mariner of the Seas appeals to a wide variety of ages and a good mix of couples, singles and many families. (With so many kids onboard, the average age is typically younger than 40.) Regardless of age, passengers tend to be very active in spirit.

Navigator of the Seas Dress Code

Casual is the key word during the day. There are two formal nights when dark suits and cocktail dresses predominate. Other evenings, most guests don country club casual attire.

Navigator of the Seas Gratuity

Royal Caribbean passengers are charged $12 per person, per day ($14.25 for suite guests). Gratuities can be prepaid or will be added on a daily basis to passengers’ SeaPass accounts during the cruise. Passengers can modify or remove gratuities by visiting the guest services desk while onboard. A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to bar tabs.

Founded in 1969, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is the world’s foremost event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection. OTC is held annually at Reliant Center in Houston.

Each year, OTC attracts more than 80,000 attendees from 110+ countries and 2,500 exhibiting companies. About 90,000 visitors are expected at this year’s conference.

OTC is sponsored by 13 industry organizations and societies, who work cooperatively to develop the technical program. OTC also has endorsing and supporting organizations.

For decades, OTC has been a popular event for those in the offshore drilling business and among the largest trade shows in the world.

“This is the largest that we have had in the 44 year history of OTC,” said Ed Stokes, the vice chairman of OTC. “It is right at about 653,000 square feet, equivalent to about 11.5 football fields, including end zones.”

Governor Rick Perry will meet with the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway on Monday, and participate in a panel with other coastal governors regarding offshore energy development.

Highlights for this year’s conference include a two-part discussion on how the industry can improve self-regulation and how the U.S. federal and state governments can coordinate regulations and policies. Project updates from around the how their latest developments are affecting the industry, along with alternative energy for offshore facilities.

Amid the acres of booths displaying the latest products marketed for the energy industry is the two-story FMC Technologies booth showing off their newest pump. It is a sub-sea, three-mega watt pump and motor system that is capable of being placed at the well head.

“It is more efficient and more profitable to pump the oil from the ground up versus sucking it out of the ground,” said David Robison, the director of sales at FMC Technologies.

The OTC wraps up on Thursday, May 10. “This year it will bring about $130 to $150 million this week,” said Stokes.

If you are flying into Houston TX and are planning to cruise out of Galveston TX, lets us help you with you transportation.  Here in Houston we have two major airports

1.  George Bush International Airport in Houston (IAH) http://www.fly2houston.com/IAH
2.  William Hobby International Airport in Houston (HOU) http://www.fly2houston.com/hobby

This article will help you find transfers for newly weds, a family of 4 or a whole family reunion, to a group of friends wanting to have a good time :-)…There are many options  available to transfer from these airports to the cruise ship terminal in Galveston. http://www.portofgalveston.com/index.aspx?nid=87. These options include cruise line bus transfer, private shuttle bus, private town car or limousine, taxi, and car rental.

First, you need to do some homework, and check out all the options available to you, and at what price. You will be surprise at what competition may do to the prices, and extras, so try to find the best value for your bucks.

Below I am listing all the available options, starting with the classic taxi ride and ending with the out of thoughts luxury limousine one.

Taxi Cab Transfer between Houston Airports and Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal

One way cab transfer from Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) and Galveston Cruise Terminal which is about 40 miles rides will be about $105 on average. (Not counting the traffic delays which would run it a bit higher)

For George Bush International (IAH), the cab ride will be about $179 since Bush airport is much farther to the north from Galveston, which is about 70 miles ride. (Not counting the traffic delays which would run it a bit higher)

*Rates for the cab ride were obtained from Houston Yellow cab dispatcher over the phone on April 12, 2013 at 6:30 pm.

Cruise Line Shuttle transfer between Houston Airports and Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal

As of April 12, 2013, the rate of transfer from Houston airports to Galveston cruise ship terminal as listed on Carnival website: http://www.carnival.com/cruise-transfers/galveston.aspx using cruise line transfer from IAH to Galveston is $45 per person one way ($90 round trip), and $35 per person one way ($70 round trip) from Hobby airport to Galveston.

Car Rental from IAH or Hobby to Galveston Cruise Terminal

Many people do rent a car to drive from Houston airports to Galveston. You can find all the major rental car places in both airports. You can get a rental car between the Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal and the airports for about $65 a day. The rental car agencies have shuttles to take you to and from the ship.

For groups of 5 or 6, it is usually a good deal if they are arriving to Houston early, and they want to visit other places in Houston or in Galveston, and they want to have car for the convenience, but if you calculate the total expenses and the inconvenience related to the car rental, it turns out to be a bad deal. Think about gas, driving in unfamiliar city; do not know the traffic jam areas, parking cost in Galveston, getting the shuttle from the airport to the rental place, getting the shuttle from the parking to the cruise terminal. Well the cost for 7 days cruise would be about $450 for the car rental, $80 gas, $60 parking, for a total cost of about $600. If none of that bother you, then you are good to go.

Shared Private Shuttle from Galveston Crusie Ship to Hobby or IAH airports.

Most of the time, this is the most economical way to transfer from Houston airports to Galveston cruise terminal. If you have a large group, of if you traveling with your family, this option can be a very affordable transportation option. The rate per person to transfer from Houston Hobby to Galveston cruise terminal is about $35, and from George Bush International (IAH) to Galveston, it is about $45, assuming you are a group of 5 or 6 passengers. Check out Galveston Shuttle, http://www.galveston-shuttle.com they provide the private shuttle services for a very good prices, for groups of 3 or more.

TownCar or limousine from Houston Hobby / IAH to Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal

Another good option, that most of the people don’t think about because of the stigma associated with the limousine service being for rich people or very expensive. In fact Limousine companies provide an excellent service for very competitive prices. For example Transgates Limousine in Houston www.transgates.net offer a Towncar Transfer from Hobby airport to Galveston Crusie terminal or in that matter to most of the East side of Galveston Island for $110.00 (For 3 passengers, it is about $36 each) which is really affordable for a limo service, and very comfortable Luxury Towncar. The transfer from George Bush International (IAH)  to Galveston Cruise Terminal, or other part of the island is $149 for a Towncar, and $175 for an SUV which can hold 7 passengers, so you do the math. They also provides 10 passengers van for very competitive prices. And again it is a limousine service, and most of the time, it is cheaper than a cab ride.

Other advantages of limousine service are:

• You do not need to wait in line as you do for cabs
• They greet you inside the terminal with a sign with your name on it.
• You can pay for the service in advance, it help if you want to pay for your parents for example.
• They can accommodate large groups
• They provide professional drivers
• They offer online reservation
• They monitor your flight in case you come early, or you are delayed, so you will always have a driver waiting for you.
• They can be hired hourly to provide you with transportation around the city
• They provide car service discounts when booked online (some companies)

Written by: Jon Limo

Edited by: Connie Cabrera.