Getting from the Houston airports to the cruise terminal is without a doubt the biggest hassle about sailing from Galveston. It is the only thing that keeps the island from being a perfect cruise port.

We’ve compiled a lot of information to help you make sense of your transportation options, but we often get questions about renting a car in Houston to get to Galveston.

In fact, we’ve written about car rentals in the past, but it’s time for an update.

Here’s the low-down: Getting from the airport to the cruise port is expensive. Expect to spend about $200 at a minimum for round-trip service from a traditional shuttle service. That cost can go higher if you have more people or with the various options.

But if you rent a car, you could potentially save money. It all depends on the rate you can book and whether you can do a one-way rental.

One-way rentals: Currently, only Enterprise offers a rental car agency on the island. So if you want to pick the car up in Houston, and drop it off in Galveston, it’s Enterprise or bust.

Even so, one-way rentals with the company can be hit or miss. Sometimes cruise passengers can book a one-way rental from the airport, other times the company doesn’t offer them. Your best bet is to call the company directly or check on its website to see if you can book a one-way from the airport to Galveston.

You could also rent from other Enterprise locations in the Houston area, which will be more happy to accommodate a one-way rental. Keep in mind you may still have to pay for transportation to and from the rental agency.

Round-trip rentals: More than likely, you are going to have to book a round-trip car rental. This is convenient because you will have your ride back to the airport ready once you get off the ship. It is inconvenient, however, because you will have to pay for parking and the car rental while you are on your cruise. This extra cost is why is why the daily rental rates are so important to determining whether to rent a car or go with another transportation service.

We have seen times when daily rates for car rentals are as high as $60 for the cheapest option. But we have also seen rates for as little as $20 a day. At $20 a day, a 7-day rental plus parking would run about $200. That’s roughly the cost of the cheapest options from the Houston airports to the Galveston cruise terminal, but with the added benefit of having your own set of wheels.

Unfortunately, there is simply no universal best option for getting from Houston to the Galveston cruise port. The best option depends on the number of travelers, your personal schedule, and the current rental rates. But by knowing your options, you can be better prepared to save money and have a great vacation.

We love everything about Galveston cruising and know that our readers do as well. That’s why we’ve put together a cool infographic about Galveston and the cruise industry on the island. Take a look below — we’ll think you’ll learn some cool facts.

Of course, we encourage you to share this online. Feel free to tweet, like, or post it anywhere you like.

After years of flying under the radar, the norovirus — also known as the “cruise ship virus” — is making headlines again.

Recently, Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas had 600-plus passengers and crew come down with an illness that included diarrhea and vomiting. Meanwhile, the sickness spread through the ship like wildfire.

To be fair, it’s not yet known if the recent ships where passengers have fallen ill are victim of the norovirus. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) still lists the cause as “unknown.”

But all of those symptoms suggest of the cruise ship virus.

We’ve had similar bugs in the past (not on a cruise ship) and can tell you from experience that it’s not fun. The virus can come on fast — in our case we felt fine and just a few hours later we couldn’t stop vomiting. The symptoms last a few days, during which you feel exhausted.

Places like cruise ships are perfectly built for spreading the virus. It can live on surfaces, and be easily picked up. With so many people in close proximity, it spreads quickly.

So how can you avoid the virus on a cruise?

According to the CDC, the most important step anyone can take is to wash your hands frequently. The virus infects by getting on a person’s hands who then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth.

In case you can’t wash your hands, then the CDC suggests an alcohol-based sanitizer to kill the virus. Cruise ships are more than accommodating. Purell dispensers are everywhere. And in places where food is served, they usually have staff standing by the dispensers reminding people to sanitize their hands.

Apart from that, there isn’t much you can do to prevent getting the virus on the ship. The cruise line has to do the rest. For example, in the recent outbreaks Royal Caribbean has been extensively sanitizing the ships involved. You will the cruise lines doing this on unaffected ships as well.

But most of all, you should keep in mind that these viruses affect a very limited number of passengers. The threat is real, but your likelihood of getting sick on a cruise is pretty slim. Don’t let the headlines keep you from having a great time.

Hey everyone, just a quick note that we’ve added a new addition to the site. Going forward, we’ll be putting together a monthly list of upcoming cruises so that you can see what’s available. Here is the first update for April 2013:

Galveston Cruises — April 2013

Would you sail aboard the Carnival Triumph? You remember… the ship that had a fire and drifted in the Gulf of Mexico for days?

Would an absolutely dirt-cheap fare change your mind?

The Carnival Triumph isn’t sailing right now (it’s undergoing a rehaul following its ill-fated trip), but you can already book tickets for its upcoming cruises. And right now is a pretty good time to buy if you’re feeling a little adventurous.

According to Carnival’s website, you can book a 5-day trip on the Triumph that departs Galveston and has stops in Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico.

An inside stateroom for this trip is just $289. In other words, you can have an entire vacation for the cost of a typical airline flight.

Check it out…

The only catch? Some of you might think you’re tempting fate.