Cruise the Western Caribbean Aboard the Norwegian Dream

Visit Norwegian Cruise Line at
http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/home.html for more information about your cruise, NCL transfers, pre and post packages, and for all items related to your cruise.

In this section, you can find information relating to the Port of Houston Authority’s Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal, home of the Norwegian Dream, along with Houston and Bay Area destination information. The information here covers the following topics:

• Visitors Information – Lodging & Attractions - Houston and Houston Bay Area
• Houston Airport System
• Taxi and Shuttle Service (Taxi, Shuttles, Town Cars, Limousines)
• Rental Car Information (Including Enterprise Rent A Car, Rental and Return Policy)
• Written Directions to POHA Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal, Home of Norwegian Dream
• Map to the POHA Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal, Home of the Norwegian Dream
• Parking – Instructions, Fee, General Information
• Documentation – Do You Need A Passport?
• What Not To Take With You
• Miscellaneous Information – Security Card, Mobility Issues, Are You Under 21?

VISITORS INFORMATION
Lodging, Attractions

The Bay Area Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau will assist you with information regarding lodging, attractions, and restaurants near the cruise terminal. NASA, Johnson Space Center, and a number of other exciting waterfront attractions are located in Houston’s Bay Area, along with numerous hotel choices. The website http://www.visitbayareahouston.com.

The Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau can also help you with transportation and hotel choices for the greater Houston area. Their website is http://www.visithoustontexas.com.

HOUSTON AIRPORT SYSTEM

If you are flying in to board the beautiful Norwegian Dream, you’ll arrive either at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or at the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Specific questions about the airport system can be answered at the official website, http://www.fly2houston.com.

TAXI and SHUTTLE SERVICE

Here are some of the taxi companies and shuttle service companies that service the Houston Cruise Terminal. I am listing the information in no particular order and in no order of preference.

Taxi Companies:

Below are taxi companies offering transfers from the Houston airports to the Port of Houston Authority’s Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal. Expect the rate between $75 and $85 from Bush Intercontinental Airport to the Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal. From Hobby Airport, expect to pay between $50 and $60, excluding gratuity.

Yellow Cab Company
(800) 200-0011

Greater Houston Airport Taxi
(713) 236-9115

Square Deal Taxi
(713) 659-7236

Shuttle Service:

Clear Lake Shuttle Bus, Inc.
(281) 334-3873

AET Transportation Services – Tamara Barnes
(866) 376-TOURS

Super Shuttle
800-Blue-Van

Airport Shuttle America
(281) 530-4000

Limousines and Town Cars:

Z Limousines and Town Cars
(832) 607-8495

Mack’s Town Cars
(281) 332-4950

Towne Car – Houston
(713) 236-8877

AET Transportation Services
(866) 376-TOURS

RENTAL CARS

ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR
1815 Bayport Blvd
Seabrook TX 77586
Phone: (281) 474-4466
Fax: (281) 474-2017
E-Mail: stephen.r.mckenzie@erac.com

Information Enterprise Rent A Car asked me to post on the website, for your convenience:

Cruise Rental Car Return Instructions
Port Of Houston Authority’s Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal

The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Seabrook Office will service Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Dream, sailing from the Port of Houston Authority’s (POHA) Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal.

If you are an Enterprise Rent-A-Car customer renting a car and you are taking this cruise, please return the car to the POHA Parking Facility at the Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal.

When you arrive at the parking facility, park the car at the Enterprise Rent-A-Car parking section. It costs $3.00 to park there. Tell the gate attendant that you have a vehicle from Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The attendant will direct you to the Enterprise Rent-A-Car parking spots. Please leave the keys under the floor mat of the front seat and leave the car unlocked. The dropoff information is collected from the POHA Police Officers and Enterprise Rent-A-Car will pick up the cars shortly after drop off.

Cruise Rental Car Pickup Instructions
Port of Houston Authority’s Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal

Enterprise Rent-A-Car offers an exclusive service to Houston’s cruise customers. We can provide a car for you at the POHA Barbours Cut at the POHA Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal. There are no shuttle rides and there is no waiting. The paper work and keys will be ready at the Enterprise-Rent-A-Car kiosk as the front of the cruise terminal.

Making Reservations
You can reserve your rental car by:
1. Online Reservation: Go to www.enterprise.com. Locate the Seabrook Enterprise Rent-A-Car by its address at 1815 Bayport Blvd, Seabrook TX 77586. Follow the instructions online to make your reservation.

OR

2. Phone the Seabrook office of Enterprise Rent-A-Car directly at (281) 474-4466.

DIRECTIONS:

The Port of Houston’s Official Directions to the Port of Houston Authority’s Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal:

From Dallas, take 45 South into Houston (5 hour drive, at least)
From Downtown Houston (about a 30 minute drive)
1. Take I-45 South.
2. Take the 610 East Exit to Pasadena – Exit 40 B.
3. From 610 East, take Exit 30B to 225 East to Pasadena / La Porte. Stay on 225 East until it dead ends at Highway 146. You will travel on 225 East for 15 miles.
4. Take 146 South (No Exit Number). At the Exit, veer to the right).
5. Take the First Exit for Barbours Cut Boulevard.
6. Turn Left onto Barbours Cut Boulevard.
7. Travel on Barbours Cut Boulevard until you get to the First 4-Way Stop Sign. This cross street is called Broadway. Turn Left onto Broadway.
8. Take Broadway until you reach L Street. L Street is the only major cross street.
9. Turn Right onto L Street.
10. Drive about 1.5 miles to the entrance of the Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal.
When you enter the cruise terminal area, POHA Police Officers will direct you to drop off your luggage with the porters. Then, exit the terminal area by getting back on L Street. The long-term parking entrance is on your left. Pay your parking fee to the attendant. The long-term parking fee is $7 per day. We accept cash, check, or traveler’s checks. Park your car. Walk the short distance back toward the cruise terminal to check in and board the Norwegian Dream. Make sure your cruise documents, your proof of citizenship, and your government issued picture identification card are in your immediate possession. You will need these items to complete the check-in process to board the Norwegian Dream.
Please arrive between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The ship sails promptly at 4 p.m.
Have a great cruise!

FROM BAYTOWN:
1. Take 146 south
2. Cross the Fred Hartman Bridge
3. Take the exit for Barbours Cut Boulevard
4. Take the First Exit for Barbours Cut Boulevard.
5. Turn Left onto Barbours Cut Boulevard.
6. Travel on Barbours Cut Boulevard until you get to the First 4-Way Stop Sign. This cross street is called Broadway. Turn Left onto Broadway.
7. Take Broadway until it reaches L Street.
8. Turn Right onto L Street.
9. Drive about 1.5 miles to the entrance of the Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal.

FROM GALVESTON
1. Take I-45 North to 146 North.
2. Continue on 146 North until you reach the exit for Barbours Cut Boulevard. If you reach the exit for 225, you just passed your exit.
3. Turn right at the light for Barbours Cut Boulevard.
4. Travel on Barbours Cut Boulevard until you get to the First 4-Way Stop Sign. This cross street is called Broadway. Turn Left onto Broadway.
5. Take Broadway until it reaches L Street.
6. Turn Right onto L Street.
7. Drive about 1.5 miles to the entrance of the Barbours Cut Cruise Terminal.

MAP:

PARKING at the Port of Houston Authority’s Barbours Cut Terminal

Once you drive through the entrance of the cruise terminal, follow the PHA Police Officers’ directions so you can drop off your luggage. Our porters will assist you and take your luggage through our secure area, process the luggage per security guidelines, and then take your luggage onto the ship, where it will be delivered to your cabin. Make sure you have your cruise documents and your proof of citizenship with you in your carry-on luggage!

After you drop off your luggage, you will drive your car to the parking lot entrance, pay your parking fee of $7 per day in cash, check, or traveler’s check. We currently do not accept credit cards or debit cards. Then, park your car. You will then walk back to the terminal to check-in to your cruise.

Please note, arrive after 10 a.m., but before 3:30 p.m. at the latest! The ship sails at 4 p.m. SHARP!

Cars and Trucks:
Long Term Parking – Parking for the Duration of your Cruise
In cash or traveler’s check, $7 per day per vehicle, paid in advance. This price assumes you are parking your vehicle for the duration of your 7 day cruise. So, you would pay the parking attendant $49 upon entering the parking facility.

Short-Term Parking
$3 per day for short term parking, defined as parking for less than a 24 hour period.

RVs:
The daily rate of $7 per day is for one car length. Most RVs take up 2 car lengths, therefore expect to pay $14 per day. For a 7 day cruise in long-term parking, expect to pay $98.

• No Hook-ups Available
• No Overnight Stays
• Contact Bay Area Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau for nearby RV facilities at www.visitbayareahouston.com. Other contact information for the Bay Area Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau:
20710 Gulf Freeway (I-45), Suite 40
Webster, TX 77598
1-800-844-LAKE (5253) or 281-338-0333
Fax: 281-338-0302
E-mail: Pam Summers, Executive Director, at psummers@bahcvb.org or Barbara Ward at bward@bahcvb.org

DOCUMENTATION

United States Citizens:
When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you will be required to show proof of citizenship in order to board the Norwegian Dream. Please keep the following documents in your hand and assure they are not in your checked luggage.

United States Citizen’s Proof of Citizenship Documents include:
• U.S. Passport
or
• Original Birth Certificate AND state issued photo identification, such as your Texas driver’s license or Texas identification card.

All guests 16 years of age or older must provide government issued identification that includes a photograph.

Please make sure these important documents are not in your check-in luggage.

[Note: Expired U.S. Passports allowed as proof of citizenship if within 5 years of its expiration date. Can’t expire and hit the 5 year mark while on your cruise because you will have problems with the United States Immigration and Citizenship Services or with Customs and Border Patrol upon your return!]

Rule on New Passport Requirements – Taken from http://www.travel.state.gov/passport
Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), the proposed implementation timeline has two phases:
PASSPORTS COULD AFFECT YOUR FLIGHT, NOT YOUR CRUISE (YET)
• Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
PASSPORTS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR CRUISES AS OF JUNE 1, 2009
• By [June 1, 2009], ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

Non-U.S. Citizens
At check-in, non-U.S. citizens must present the following:
1. Original Residency Card or Visa
2. A non-expired passport from country of origin/citizenship with original visa or original I-94 card. Copies of your originals will be made at the time of check-in. You must present the originals at check-in. If the passport expires during the cruise, the passport will not meet the requirements, resulting in boarding being denied.

WHAT NOT TO TAKE WITH YOU

Please do not bring alcohol, knives (like a Swiss Army knife), pen knives, scissors, sharp objects, or illegal weapons. If you bring your own champagne or wine, NCL imposes at $15 per bottle corkage fee. Whatever you do, do not bring a weapon with you, even if it is licensed. You can’t have a weapon onboard even if you check it with your check-in luggage. Please visit Norwegian Cruise Lines specific policy, particularly if you are carrying a diving knife or golf clubs, at http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/staticPages.html?pageId=cruise_faq.

Norwegian Cruise Lines Official Policy – What Not To Bring:
“Passenger is not allowed to bring on board the vessel without the previous written permission of the Carrier any intoxicating liquors, or beverages, firearms, weapons of any kind, ammunition, explosive substances or any goods of a dangerous nature, nor animals of any kind, except service or guide animals, provided the passenger notifies Carrier prior to the cruise of his intention to bring such animal and agrees to take sole responsibility for any expense, damage, injuries or losses associated with or caused by such animal.”

You can read remaining policies regarding your cruise by visiting Norwegian Cruise Lines Frequently Asked Questions section, located at http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/staticPages.html?pageId=cruise_faq

If Your Item Is Confiscated Prior to Your Cruise:
If your item is confiscated, your item will be held on board ship throughout your cruise. In the morning of the last day, Saturday morning, you can pick up your item on your way off the ship by stopping at the Reception Desk of the Norwegian Dream at Mid-Ship, Deck 7. The item will be held by your name and your cabin number, and you must present valid picture identification, like your Security Card.

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

SECURITY CARD and WELCOME ABOARD INFORMATION:
Please note that your Security Card is your identification, your room key, and your charge card for the duration of your cruise. Your picture will be taken at check-in and your picture is digitally linked to the Security Card. You must show this Security Card to embark and disembark the ship while on your cruise.

For Welcome Aboard information, please look through Norwegian Cruise Line’s Welcome Aboard Booklet, which includes vast information regarding your cruise. The link is http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/pdfs/locale-us/welcome_aboard/8299_welcome_Bk.pdf.

MOBILITY ISSUES:
The gangway is about 1500 feet long, so if you have mobility issues, NCL porters will assist you. NCL offers hand disinfectant as you walk the gangway, so please take advantage of this service.

IF YOU ARE UNDER 21, NEED PARENT or LEGAL GUARDIAN CONSENT
If you are under 21 and traveling without your parents, you will need written authorization to cruise by your parents. You must bring an original, notarized, UNDER 21 AUTHORIZATION FORM filled out by one of your parents, hand-written in blue ink, with you at Check-In. There is not a specific form that must be filled out. A business letter written to Norwegian Cruise Lines with the information as described below will suffice.

Norwegian Cruise Lines Official Policy, located at http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/staticPages.html?pageId=cruise_faq states:
“Company policy states that a passenger under 21 years of age must be accompanied in the same or connecting stateroom by a passenger 21 years or older who expressly aggress to be responsible for the under 21 passenger throughout the cruise. This includes, but is not limited to, preventing under-age purchase or consumption of alcohol**, preventing under-age gaming activities and preventing violations of any ship’s rules. Passengers must be age 21 or older to purchase or consumer alcohol and age 18 to gamble on a ship. If the accompanying adult is not the minor’s parent or legal guardian, a NOTARIZED PARENTAL / GUARDIAN CONSENT LETTER that authorizes the minor’s travel and further authorizes medical treatment in case of an emergency must be delivered to an NCL representative at the pier [at the time of check-in]. Failure to produce this letter at embarkation may result in boarding being denied, with no refund of cruise fare provided.

NOTE: Two people under age of 21 may travel together in the same stateroom without someone over the age of 21 in the stateroom if they purchased the cruise under the family plan and have at least one person who is 21 years or older in the adjoining stateroom. The age limit will be waived for married couples less than 21 years of age provided [original] proof of marriage is presented to an NCL representative at the pier [at embarkation/check-in].

**With the exception of Alaska and Hawaii itineraries, NCL permits guests between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty (20) to purchase and personally consume wine and beer while on NCL ships with the consent of a parent or legal guardian (“Parental Consent”). Complete details and the Parental Consent Form are available on board at the Reception Desk.”

Again,
WELCOME to HOUSTON and your TEXARIBBEAN CRUISE aboard the NORWEGIAN DREAM.

Remember, while in Houston and on the Norwegian Dream, take Norwegian Cruise Line’s Freestyle Cruising advice and do whatever…

Wishing you Simply the Best cruise vacation -
Kay

Kay Adams
Cruise Manager – Port of Houston Authority
Direct (713) 670-2670
E-Mail: kadams@poha.com

Last updated: 01/23/07