Have you ever wondered what happens to a cruise ship when it needs major maintenance or a much-needed remodeling?   While working for the cruise lines, our ship’s Chief Purser explained that I would be traveling with the ship to Galveston, Texas for dry dock after returning from vacation.  Over the next few weeks, the ship would undergo updates in the engine room, new carpet throughout and the installation of updated technology.  Our ship left Tampa en route to Texas and we arrived at Todd Shipyards in less than six hours.  I stood on the bridge as the captain entered the designated slip where the Vera Cruz would be dry-docked and met the local ship’s agent for instructions.  Of course there were no passengers during this time, but a skeleton crew was required to carry out a number of shipboard activities, including customs and immigration.

Once the ship entered the slip and was securely tied, the water was drained from the basin, leaving the bottom of the ship exposed.  I  finally saw the ship’s hull from beneath the waterline, which ended my curiosity as to how far the ship extended below the water.

Additional bodywork was scheduled for the exterior of the ship to include the removal of barnacles and the repainting of the hull.  During the drydock period, the water was shut off and electricity was only supplied to designated areas.  The schedule to finalize the updates and maintenance was tight with not much margin for error.

I remember the first time I approached the gangway while in dry dock.  It was the first time I realized I had a small fear of heights. The narrow bridge that connected the dock to the ship was much longer than what passengers experienced in port.  Concrete replaced the usual water, so it made me weak in the knees when I looked down.  The drop seemed so far that I held on for dear life to the railing and slowly walked toward the entrance.

During my experience in dry dock, many of the deck hands and ship’s officers provided oversight for the changes scheduled for the Vera Cruz.  They worked long hours to ensure that the dry dock activities ran smoothly and that the ship would return to its regular sailing schedule.

Because of the limited electrical and water resources, the working crew and officers stayed at a local hotel so we could sleep comfortably at night and make it to work on time each day.  Although ship life is hard work at times, our dry dock schedule was like working a REAL job….or at least we were able to experience what it was like to work “on land” for a few weeks putting in only eight hours a day.  And while spending time on the ship during dry dock was an interesting experience, I was more than happy to return to sea.

Have you worked on a ship before and experienced dry dock? I would love to hear your story if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading my post about my shipyard experience and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Bishop’s Palace
1402 Broadway Avenue J
Galveston, TX  77550
Telephone:  409 762 2475

Historic mansion with public tours

• Admission Fee:  $12 for adults, Youth (ages 6 – 18): $9; Children 5 and under are free;  Adult pre-arranged group tours are $9 per person;  NOTE: The venue is not wheelchair nor walker accessible.  The admission fee includes a self-guided audio tour (7 days per week).  Additional fees charged for the Basement to Attic Tours ($30), Private Tour ($50) and a Private Behind the Scenes Tour ($80).  Order online and SAVE!
• Hours:  Open daily from 10AM to 5PM
• Amenities:  Audio guides and shop,
• Length of the Tour:  2 hours, tour of the house and gift shop
• Tips for Your Visit:  Wear comfortable shoes, purchase your tickets in advance for a discount,

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
2501 Seawall Blvd.
Galveston, TX  77550
Telephone:  855 789 7437

Old-fashioned waterfront amusement park

• Admission Fee:  Add day ride pass for visitors 48” and up:  $26.99; All day ride pass for visitors 47” and under:  $19.99.
• Hours:  Ride hours are seasonal and are subject to change without notice. The website suggests that you select a date on the calendar to view the hours for that day.  http://www.pleasurepier.com/info.html
• Amenities:  Rides and Amusements, Midway Games, Restaurants and Shopping, Shuttle Buses, Lockers, Wheelchairs and Stroller rentals, ATM, nearby Hotels
• Length of the Tour:  All day
• Tips for Your Visit:  Wear comfortable shoes  Parking is limited but there are several options from which to choose. Review the “Know Before You Go” section of the website to ensure adherence to the pier’s policies.

Moody Gardens
1 Hope Blvd.
Galveston, TX  77554
Telephone:  800 582 4673

242-acre amusement park with aquarium

• Admission Fee:  Value Passes can be purchased for one day ($69.95) or two days ($89.95).  Save $5 when you purchase the Value Passes online.  These passes include ONE admission into the Aquarium Pyramid, Rainforest Pyramid, MG 3D Theater, 4D Special FX Theater, Discovery Museum, Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, SpongeBob SubPants Adventure, Ropes Course, Palm Beach (seasonal), Band on the Seal (seasonal), Festival of Lights (seasonal) and ICE LAND Ice Sculptures (seasonal);  Receive 25% discount on Zip Line admission with day passes.    Per Attraction Prices are also available for those guests who have limited time or are only interested in certain attractions.  Select which ones you want to visit and purchase your individual attraction tickets upon arrival or online.
• Animal Experiences include:  Public Giant Otter Encounter ($75 per person) offered on Saturdays and Sundays only at 1:30PM.  Public Penguin Encounter ($55 per person – Monday through Friday and $75 per person on Saturday and Sunday). NOTE:  Price does not include Aquarium Pyramid admission.  Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Free for children ages 3 and under. Tickets must be purchased 20 minutes prior to the encounter.  Penguin and Seal Experience: $250 per person and must be scheduled in advance.  All participants must be at least 16 years of age.  Private Otter Encounter:  Monday through Friday for $375 per group; Saturday and Sunday for $475 for group. Each additional person is $65. Must schedule an appointment in advance.  The Private Penguin Encounter:  Monday through Friday for $375 per group; Saturday and Sunday for $425 per group. Each additional person is $65. Must schedule an appointment in advance.  Visit Moody’s website for the most up to date information regarding hours, prices and restrictions.  http://www.moodygardens.com/visitor_info/
• Hours:  Open daily from 10AM to 8PM (Hours of Operation vary Seasonally & Per Individual Attraction, so check out Moody’s website.
• Amenities:  Special encounters programs (additional fees), discounts for Good Grades Program, Military Mondays, Senior Tuesdays and Mommy Wednesdays (visit the website for more information).  Garden restaurant, Aquarium Pyramid food court, Rainforest concessions, Palm Beach concessions, Café in the Park, Moody Brews, Shearn’s Seafood & Prime Steaks, handicap accessibility; nearby hotel, spa and convention center.
• Tips for Your Visit:  Wear comfortable shoes, download the map on Moody’s website and plan to make a day of it!

Schlitterbahn Galveston Island
2109 Lockheed Rd.
Galveston, TX  77554
Telephone:  409 770 9283

Water amusement park open year around

• Admission Fee:  One day Tickets:  General Admission ages 12 – 54 for $50.99 and 38.99 for children ages 3 – 11 and seniors 55+   Packages:  General Admission, Towel, Souvenir Bottle, & Free Refills (Ages 12 – 54) for $76.97; Child/Senior Admission, Towel, Souvenir Bottle & Free Refills (Ages 3 – 11 and 55+) for $64.97;
• Hours:  The Park is open daily in the months of June, July and most of August.  The Indoor Water Park is open weekends and selected holidays from March to April and October to December.  Check the website www.schlitterbahn.com for a calendar of hours.
• Amenities:  Cabanas and Loungers (additional fee), waterslides, heated pool, restaurants, snack bars, beaches, kiddy pools.  Towels and water shoes for an additional fee.
• Tips for Your Visit:  Wear comfortable shoes and plan a full day for your visit!

Where to Stay:

Hotel Galvez & Spa
2024 Seawall Blvd.
Galveston, TX  77550
Toll Free Number:  866 209 9122

Where to Eat:

Olympia Grill at Pier 21 – this restaurant is permanently closed (Updated 2019)
100 21st Street
Galveston, TX 77550
Phone Number: 409 765 0021

For a small bite to eat, I ordered the Crab Finger Trio: sauteed crab finger santorini, fried crab fingers and crab au gratin.  Served with rice and vegetables.   Delicious!

Benno’s Cajun Seafood
1212 Seawall Blvd.
Galveston, TX  77550
Phone Number:  409 762 4621

A great restaurant for cajun dishes, especially the local crawfish.

What to Eat:

• Crawfish:  Crawfish season in Texas runs from January to July.  While the most popular way to eat this local seafood is in a crawfish boil, other options include etoufee and fried tails.
• Texas BBQ:  One of my favorite meals when I visit Texas, I can’t get enough of beef brisket slowly cooked in a BBQ pit.  A tomato based sauce seasoned with spices, onions, and garlic, the amazing flavors bring out the smoky taste of the beef.
• Tex-Mex cuisine:  In addition to nachos, guacamole, burritos and tacos, there are several dishes that have evolved from the traditional Mexican offerings, such as:
  • King Ranch Chicken:  a dish made of shredded chicken, canned diced tomatoes and green chiles, cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken soup, diced bell peppers and onion.
  • Pan de campo is the official state bread of Texas which a type of flatbread used as the base for a variety  of breakfast meals and meats often served with refried beans and rice.
  • Frito Pie:  With Fritos as its base, seasoned beef or chili, cheese and onion are piled on one another to make a hearty meal.  Some people like to include salsa, sour cream and jalapenos for additional heat and flavor.

What to Read:

• Galveston’s Red Light District:  A History of the Line, by Kimber Fountain
• The Galveston That Was, by Howard Barnstone
• Galveston Architecture:  A Visual Journey
• Galveston, by Nic Pizzolatto
• Galveston: A Novel, by Suzanne E. Morris
• Isaac’s Storm, by Erik Larson
• The Alleys and Back Buildings of Galveston: An Architectural and Social History, by  Ellen Beasleyx`
• Galveston’s Maceo Family Empire, by Nicole Boatman & Richard B. McCaslin

Photo Guide for New Orleans: 

• 24th and Strand Mural
• Beachtown Community
• Bishop’s Palace
• Galveston Kindness Project
• Galveston Railroad Museum
• LaKing’s Confectionary
• Moody Gardens
• Moody Mansion
• Maceo Spice and Import Company
• Pleasure Pier
• Powell Arch
• Saengerfest Park
• Seawall Mural
• Tall Ship ELISSA

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