Jain Day 2

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Saturday October 31^st Mexico Cruise

 

Yesterday, after landing at Hobby Airport in Houston, we grabbed a cab and headed toward our hotel. Our driver, Herb, was right on time. We actually found him through online reviews — who knew taxi drivers had Yelp‑style fan clubs? — and he lived up to every glowing comment. reliable, friendly, and apparently the kind of driver who’ll even swing by Buc‑ee’s so passengers can stock up on snacks for the hour‑long ride to Galveston. We didn’t feel the need to stop for Buc‑ee’s sweet tea or that famous Beaver Nugget stuff — supposedly caramel‑coated corn puffs that Texans swear are perfect for road‑trip munching — but Herb still got us to Galveston to the Tremont Hotel without a hitch.

 

The Tremont House is a restored historic hotel in the middle of Galveston’s Strand District. The rooms are simple, comfortable, and have that “boutique historic” vibe instead of the usual chain‑hotel copy‑paste. The best part is the location — you can walk to restaurants, shops, and the cruise terminal without dealing with shuttles or chaos.

 

After a free breakfast we rolled our suitcases about a block to the Norwegian VIVA. The ship is beautiful. Our Haven Penthouse is, too. The Haven is NCL’s quiet little bubble: private elevators, butlers, and lounges with their own restaurant, bar, pool, and sun deck. This is what I call a Vacation with a capital V. It costs more — and yes, it’s worth it.

 

As with any first day on a cruise, people‑watching becomes the ship’s most unpublished activity, everyone does but nobody admits to. The characters are already in full bloom the moment you step onboard.

 

You’ve got Deck Walker already doing laps with the intensity of someone training for a triathlon. The Chair Napper, asleep in a lounger at 9 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM, the Overly Friendly Guy, determined to learn where you’re from, what you do, your cat’s name, and whether you’ve ever considered moving to Arizona. The Glamour Couple, dressed like they’re attending the Oscars even at breakfast — she’s in sequins, he’s in linen, both wearing sunglasses indoors. Of course, to balance those out the people there are those blissfully unaware that “smart casual” does not mean swim trunks and a tank top. And lastly of course, the ‘I Paid for this cruise lady’ loudly reminding everyone she intends to get her money’s worth while arguing with a bartender about the drink package or always at the concierge desk asking for something, anything.

 

And if you really want entertainment, head to the buffet. That’s where people‑watching goes from a casual pastime to a full‑blown art form. Every deck, lounge, and buffet line turns into a stage of characters who don’t even know they’re performing — that’s entertainment. Enough said. We’re seasoned cruisers at this point; we know what makes us happy. Give us easy luxury and comfortable surroundings, and we slip into cruise rhythm instantly. Meanwhile, we stay endlessly entertained by the people who haven’t figured it out yet.

 

It’s Halloween on the VIVA and many guests are dressed up. Some probably won’t look much different tomorrow morning.

 

See you tomorrow.