Cruise news

Largest Princess ship ever ported in Texas launches first Caribbean cruises from Galveston

We'd rather be enjoying a cruise, too.

Photo courtesy of Princess Cruise

Maritime royalty has docked in Galveston: Regal Princess, the largest Princess cruise ship ever based in Texas, has dropped anchor in Houston's coastal neighbor, ready for its inaugural season of voyages to the Western Caribbean.

The massive, 142,229-ton "Love Boat" ship can host 3,560 guests across its 19 decks and over 1,400 stateroom balconies. Among its most distinctive features is glass-floor walkway called SeaWalk, which extends 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship and affords stunning views of the sea below (for those who dare).

During its first travel season from Galveston, now through March 2024, the Regal Princess will take 21 voyages to the Western Caribbean, with an estimated 75,000 passengers onboard.

The cruises begin at seven-day treks, but can extend up to 12 days. Popular stops on the journeys include Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, and Roatán, Honduras. A quick search of the Princess website shows fares for a seven-day cruise aboard the Regal Princess in mid-December start at $499 for an interior room.

"Princess loves Texas and we know Texans enjoy the convenience of having the Love Boat so close by offering a hassle-free drive or convenient fly option to enjoy the beautiful destinations in the Western Caribbean," touts Princess Cruises CCO Terry Thornton in a release. "As we celebrate the arrival of Regal Princess, we extend our deep appreciation to the Port of Galveston for their ongoing partnership, and we’re excited to welcome aboard the only premium cruise experience from Galveston."

Cruise enthusiasts who'd like to spend their 2023 holidays at sea can check out Regal Princess' trips planned for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.

Additionally, a "Love and Romance Celebration"-themed cruise with TV presenter and fashion designer Randy Fenoli is scheduled to depart from Galveston on Sunday, December 3. It will feature special romantic events, wedding advice talks, and a unique "Randy" cocktail for passengers.

The Regal Princess is a 10-years-young ship that was christened by the Crew of the TV show The Love Boat in November 2014.

To mark Princess' 20th year of cruising from Galveston, Regal Princess will return to the port for more cruises to the Western Caribbean in the 2024-2025 travel season, according to the release. More information is at princess.com.

travel vacations cruises galveston

Holiday News

American Airlines expects record-setting travel on Thanksgiving 2024

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

American Airlines ready for takeoff.

The holidays are looming and American Airlines is ramping up. Over the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, the Fort Worth-based airline expects to process nearly 8.3 million customers across more than 77,000 flights.

According to a statement from American's COO David Seymour, the airline is having a good fall season and canceled fewer flights than its peers during October.

“Thanks to the hard work of our 130,000 team members, we canceled fewer flights than any of our major competitors this October and beat our own records for on-time departures and arrivals,” Seymour says.

That's surely good news. One hates to rain on their parade, but in June 2024, the only flight I booked this year, my flight was canceled less than 24 hours before take-off. I had made hotel reservations, scheduled a pet sitter, planned events, and arranged for a friend to pick me up at the destination airport. One employee speculated that it may have been "insufficient crew." Their only solution offered was: Feel free to reschedule your flight.

Thanksgiving facts and figures
The travel window runs from November 21 to December 3, and the airline expects to carry more than 500,000 more customers than it did last year.

The most-traveled day will be Sunday, December 1. The second most-traveled day will be Monday, December 2.

The peak of peak: 1,035 mainline and regional aircraft will be enroute at 10:45 am on Sunday, December 1 — the highest number of flights handled at any given time during American’s travel period.

The airline expects to serve more than 6.8 million Biscoff cookies on board from November 21 to December 3.

Travel tips
Download the American Airlines app and check in for your flight, noting added any bags to your trip. This will save you time at the airport.

If traveling internationally, download the Mobile Passport Control app, which can speed up your entry into the U.S. Global Entry members can download the Global Entry app, which allows you to submit your entry and go straight to the officer.

Upon arrival at the airport lobby, scan your mobile boarding pass to print bag tags quickly at a kiosk. If you’re not checking bags, go straight to TSA security with your mobile boarding pass.

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Holiday News

American Airlines expects record-setting travel on Thanksgiving 2024