SAT DEC. 12, 2009 & SUN DEC 13 - DAYS AT SEA MON DEC 14, 2009 GALVESTON (Days 13, 14, & 15 of cruise)

SAT DEC. 12, 2009 & SUN DEC 13 - DAYS AT SEA (Days 13 & 14 of cruise)

MON DEC. 14, 2009, ARRIVE AT GALVESTON, TEXAS, USA
We arrived near the Galveston harbor in a very, very thick fog.  Our docking was delayed over 3 hours before we were finally in place and allowed to begin departing from the ship.  With over 3,000 passengers the departure moved very slowly and it seemed many more hours before we were loaded on a bus (which we had booked on board) to take us to the IAH airport parking lot almost 2 more hours across Houston.  Finally, we arrived, collected our luggage and rode a shuttle to where our vehicle was parked.  We retrieved our car, loaded everything and began the drive northward toward Gilmer.  Being foggy at the port it was not sunny at the airport, so it seemed almost dark before we started toward home.  In Lufkin, we stopped for dinner at a Mexican restaurant.  (Where else to Texans stop after two weeks away from home?)  And, finally arrived home in 2 more hours.

sidenote:  I was curious about the ships in the harbor and how they met their departure schedule with the heavy, thick fog that didn't lift.  The next few days I checked on Cruise Critic postings online and found Voyager which was scheduled for a Mon. evening departure for a 7-day Caribbean cruise didn't get cleared to depart until Fri. By that time, many of those who had boarded after we left had themselves left and departed for home with a refund or guarantee for another cruise.