Traveling to the cruise port for embarkation can be nerve-wracking, especially in an unfamiliar area with unknown traffic patterns, road closures, and congestion.

These problems are going to be even worse for guests setting sail from Galveston, Texas from Friday, April 25 through Monday, April 28, due to new detours and traffic restrictions from ongoing roadwork.

Carnival Cruise Line has sent notices to guests booked aboard Carnival Breeze, Carnival Jubilee, and Carnival Dream for this weekend’s departures, so they can plan adequate time to reach the cruise terminal.

“Our partners in Galveston have informed us about roadwork that will be taking place along the southbound lanes of I-45 (from 9:00 PM, Friday, April 25, through 5:00 AM, Monday, April 28),” the notification explained. “Consequently, there will be detours and traffic restrictions in certain areas.”

While the exact timing of the construction is well after Friday’s debarkation and embarkation, and should end well before Monday’s cruise travelers arrive, setup for the work and any subsequent congestion may extend past those hours.

Interstate 45 (I-45) is the main highway leading from Dallas and Houston to Galveston. It is a critical route not only for cruise travelers who fly into Houston, but also those who may live in the metro area and are planning to drive to the cruise terminal.

Typically, the drive between George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and the Galveston cruise terminal is approximately 90 minutes with average traffic.

With road closures, detours, and only single lanes available, however, that drive could be significantly longer.

“Since this could impact your commute to the cruise terminal, we encourage you to include ample travel time to ensure prompt arrival within your pre-selected Terminal Arrival Appointment,” the notification urges.

Guests who are driving themselves to the cruise terminal should leave earlier than they may have anticipated, while those who have arranged ride shares or other transportation may want to adjust their pickup times accordingly.

Any travelers who have booked airport transfers through Carnival Cruise Line will want to stay in close contact with the cruise line in case there are adjustments to their transfer schedule.

To be clear, there are no delays for any of the Carnival ships departing Galveston this weekend. All guests must be onboard by the published final boarding times for their respective sailings.

This is not the first time road work has impacted cruise travelers heading for Galveston. A complete reconstruction and widening of I-45 began in late 2019 and is expected to be completed in mid-2028.

Carnival Cruise Line does try to notify guests whenever extensive closures are planned, but all cruisers setting sail from the Lone Star State over the next three years should be prepared for potential traffic difficulties.

Sailing From Galveston – Impacted Ships

Carnival Breeze is departing Saturday, April 26, on a 5-night Western Caribbean cruise with visits planned to Progreso and Cozumel.

Carnival Jubilee is also leaving Saturday on a 7-night sailing that will visit Isla Tropicale in Honduras as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel.

Finally, Carnival Dream will be leaving Sunday, April 27, on a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary to Costa Maya, Belize, and Cozumel.

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No itinerary changes have been noted for any of the ships, though ports of call are always dependent on weather conditions.

In addition to the three Carnival cruise ships, Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas is departing Galveston on Saturday, but without guests aboard as she changes homeports from Galveston to Fort Lauderdale.

Harmony of the Seas is setting sail on Sunday on a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing, followed on Monday, April 28 by Mariner of the Seas on a 5-night cruise.

Guests aboard those ships should also take note of the potential traffic difficulties and plan their trip to the cruise port accordingly.

Being a cruise director can seem like the most amazing job in the world – always smiling, sailing around the world, leading the fun, living the best life, right?

While this is all true, one of Carnival Cruise Line’s newest cruise directors is offering great insights into the hard work, dedication, and flexibility necessary to gain that amazing title.

Gabby Gamboa was promoted to a full cruise director earlier this month, following years of effort. She shared her accomplishment and what it required with her social media followers on Facebook and Instagram, excited to make the official announcement.

“Did someone say… FULLY PROMOTED!” she said. “After 3.5 years of blood, sweat and a whooooole lot of tears I am so grateful to announce that I have officially been promoted as a full time Cruise Director for Carnival Cruise Line!”

Texas native Gamboa has worked as a Fun Squad member aboard six different Carnival ships, including two inaugural start ups – a rare and exciting opportunity for any crew member. In her time with Carnival Cruise Line, she has visited 34 countries and undoubtedly shared smiles and fun with countless guests.

She has also covered four ships in the past year as acting cruise director, but has now returned to Carnival Jubilee as a fully promoted, full-fledged cruise director.

“I cannot be more grateful for every leader I have had the honor of working with that saw my potential and helped me get to where I am, by giving me that push and helping me to see how far I really can go,” Gamboa acknowledged.

Many of those leaders chimed in on Gamboa’s announcement to wish her well as she sets sail on this new chapter in her Carnival Cruise Line career.

“Congratulations! Not surprised in the least but the most proud,” said fellow cruise director Kyndall Fire. “Can’t wait to see what is in store for you in the years to come!”

Many guests and fans of Gamboa’s infectious enthusiasm and boundless energy also spoke fondly of their sailing adventures with her, including hopes for more voyages in the future.

From Guest to Cruise Director

Gamboa has reflected that her amazing experiences with Carnival Cruise Line started not when she signed on her first contract, but in February 2020 when she sailed on Carnival Vista as a guest.

She loved the experience so much, including the great energy and attitudes of the cruise directors, that she made the goal the become one herself – a goal she has now realized!

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Director Schedule

Gamboa’s younger brother Jayden, who has Down Syndrome, has also been a huge source of inspiration to her in helping her achieve her goals. She fiercely calls him her right hand, her best friend, and her sunshine.

“When I am on stage and able to have my family there and I see him looking up at me from the audience with a smile and shine in his eye I know I’m making him proud,” she explained.

“I just want to show him it doesn’t matter where we come from or how different anyone is, anything is possible. I do everything I do. I am who I am, for Jayden.”

Worth Reading: Cruise Directors Revealed for Newest Carnival Ships

With Gamboa’s infectious smile, energy, and enthusiasm, she is surely an inspiration for many travelers who have the privilege to sail with her across the Carnival fleet.

So what’s next for the new cruise director? Making sure others can also realize their Carnival dreams!

“To my amazing teams that I’ve had the honor of caring for and working with this past year, thank you for helping me grow as a leader. Supporting you all while you spread your wings and reach for your goals has shown me why I love this position I am in,” she said.

Gamboa will be aboard Carnival Jubilee through May 17. Her next contract assignment has not yet been confirmed but should be posted soon.

A cruise vacation can be about many things – family time, beach getaways, exploring ports, and much more. For many guests, the food is a top attraction on any cruise ship, with delicious options available from morning to night, and even into the wee hours.

It is understandable that occasionally the food may not be to your liking, but shouldn’t there always be some top quality choices? Perhaps not.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has offered a startling insight into the cruise line’s dining. While diverse and always offering something to enjoy, Carnival’s food has never been intended to be the best for true cuisine connoisseurs.

“Apart from the fun, and the crew, I still believe that probably food is what’s on most people’s mind when they cruise,” he began.

He’s not wrong, given the extraordinary popularity of the embarkation day lunch at the Lido Marketplace buffet – don’t forget to grab a slice of Funfetti cheesecake, only offered at that very first lunch.

Heald goes on to note that he gets many, many questions and compliments about the food onboard Carnival’s 29 cruise ships. From delicious steakhouse dinners to the award-winning Guy’s Burger Joint to decadent desserts, most Carnival guests enjoy the food.

Most, but not all. There are always some travelers who are disappointed in the food selections, either in variety or quality.

“Let’s be honest, I also get comments that are not complimentary,” he acknowledged. “That’s understandable. Food is very much a personal choice and it’s something that is, and always will be, a very important part of the cruise experience.”

Heald goes on to note that he occasionally gets comments from apparently hungry guests who claim there was “nothing to eat onboard” or that they “left hungry” from meals.

“That’s nonsense,” he said. “You may not like everything, but there is always something to eat.”

What makes Heald most frustrated, however, is when guests reach out to him after a cruise and complain about various selections.

As an intermediary between guests and ships, he then contacts the ship and more often than not discovers the guest never made any comment onboard, never mentioned their dining concerns either to the wait staff in the dining room or at Guest Services.

Crew members cannot take any steps to correct a situation and make a guest happy if they don’t know what is making the traveler unhappy in the first place.

“I urge you, I implore you, please, please, please, if you’re not happy with something, tell your waiter, he or she will tell the dining room team or the chef directly, and they will do everything they can to do better for you,” Heald said. “The crew wants to help you.”

After a cruise, there’s no way for any changes to be made to help guests best enjoy their vacation.

I’ve been in this situation myself, with a less-than-firm chocolate melting cake. While I appreciate a molten middle, a cake that is nothing more than a puddle of syrup is not to my taste. After a disappointing dessert, I spoke to my server, and every evening thereafter I had a perfectly cooked melting cake – much to the dismay of my waistline.

A Surprising Admission

What is most surprising about Heald’s discussion of food is the idea that Carnival Cruise Line’s food has never been meant to be the best in the industry.

Read Also: Free Carnival Cruise Dining Options You’ll Want to Know – With Menus!

This follows a recent guest comment he received denigrating the food quality.

“Yesterday, and yes I’m looking at you, sir, you know who you are – you ripped into me saying that Carnival no longer has five-star cuisine,” Heald explained. “We’ve never had five-star cuisine, we’re not a five-star cruise line. We’re not. We’re America’s cruise line, we’re a family cruise line.”

He notes that in the 40 years he’s worked with Carnival Cruise Line, he’s never heard of anyone claiming that Carnival is a line for five-star cuisine.

He does, however, suggest the Queen’s Grill onboard Cunard Line ships, or vessels in the Seabourn Cruises fleet – both Carnival-owned cruise lines – for superior cuisine.

Has Carnival Cruise Line’s food changed over the years? Absolutely, yes. On my very first cruise onboard the then Fascination (even before she was Carnival Fascination), I enjoyed the strawberry bisque chilled soup, served with a mint sprig atop a garnish of finely diced fresh strawberries.

Most recently aboard Carnival Celebration, I still got the strawberry bisque, but now it is served with a blob of strawberry Jell-O rather than the fresh berries. While I much prefer the former presentation, the soup is still delicious, and I simply don’t eat the bite of Jell-O.

This simply goes to highlight that everyone’s food preferences are different, and of course everyone has a different idea of what “five-star” cuisine may be.

For me, not having to cook, serve, or clean up after meals is well worth five stars!