CGBCruiser

With Galveston committing 10 million for terminal

It's longer than a year.

I will try to find out.

I'm glad to see they are going to do some much needed upgrades to the terminal. And you're right, it has to be more than a year. I'm happy to have another year round ship in port besides Carnival Magic. I love having a port so close to home!

Still only shows through the April 27th cruise on the RCCL website.:(

My TA just called and the RCCL rep called her with the news! Will be here through December, dry dock in January, and back in service in February. He said Navigator is totally ours after January! :)

My TA just tried to book it and Navigator is available for bookings all year. They still haven't made the announcement. She said it was pretty expensive for June and July but, of course, was much cheaper in October! So, looks like all the speculation was correct! :)

I know most of y'all have probably already seen this thread, but here is some great news in case y'all haven't!!!!! :D

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1835311

 

Thanks for finally returning to summer sailings out of Galveston, Royal!

I haven't seen it at all! I've heard rumors. Been looking at Royal's web page but it showed nothing for Navigator after they return on 5/4/14 from a Western Caribbean cruise.

Update from the Mariner...we talked with Christina (the LA) this morning, and she said she seriously doubts Royal will pull out of Galveston. She said the more likely scenario would be a year-round ship. I mentioned that the information should be out tomorrow, and she said she doesn't think so...they're still waiting for last week's release.

 

We booked Navigator for April 6th next year...the Roatan itinerary. :)

I hope she's right! I loved going to Roatan!

RCCL has only had one year round ship in Galveston and that was Rhapsody. The Splendour was only seasonal. We did two TA on her when she was repositioning to Galveston to share the port with Rhapsody for the winter.

 

There are some very nice cruise terminals around the country but most ports have very similar facilities as Galveston and sometimes worse. Miami and Ft Lauderdale, the mega cruise ports have fairly nice terminals but even some of Ft Lauderdale's terminals aren't much better than Galveston...and the customs problems are everywhere, including Ft Lauderdale. BTW, about the nicest terminal we've found is in Norfolk...with no ship.

I had forgotten Splendour was seasonal. Totally agree with you about terminals AND customs!

Just to add to the problems, I have read on another thread that Galveston will lose RCCL in 2015. I truly hope this is just a rumor. We love the ease of driving to the port.

 

The terminal has never been a problem to us, after all we are just walking through to GO ON A CRUISE!!!!! The people have always been very pleasant and done whatever they could to make any inconvience as easy as possible.

 

Just saying.

Sally

At this point it is just a rumor. It's out there because as of right now there is no Transatlantic scheduled for the Navigator from Galveston to Europe. So, who knows. I too love the ease of driving to the port as we're only 45 min. away! Used to have 2 RCCL ships in port year round, then Voyager came back part time in 2007 and we've had the part time ships since then.

The terminal has never been an issue for me either and I sail out of Galveston a lot! I couldn't agree with you more. But as you've probably noticed on these boards, some people just like to complain and are very loud about it. :rolleyes:

Very Good! Guess your the lucky one for Customs problems and I get the weather issues.. WOW! Wonder why the government is cutting entitlements? Guess our government needs a little boost. Looks like more tax revenue is required to help us on both ends.. Federal tax and local Galveston city taxes. More people for Customs and updated Galveston Port Authority buildings! Lets do it!

 

 

Earl

Whatever...

Wow Galveston as usual! If it's not the weather and standing out in foul weather, or if you're lucky a day like today, it's the dumpy curise terminal! Wonder what keeps us Texans in Galveston curises besides the fact you don't have to pay airfare!! Come on Galveston spend some money! We know you cannot control the weather but you could build a much nicer terminal! We Texans deserve better!!

 

 

Earl

The issues boarding last week had nothing to do with the terminal, it had to do with RCCL computer problems. The issues are usually with Customs and Immigration which come to Galveston from Houston.

They do however have to put ships where they max returns for investors

 

Indeed but when you look at the discounting in Europe (again) it would seem they're between a rock and a hard place. Example - Navigator's next few sailings out of Rome are already heavily discounted, are they making any more $$ there ?

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Multi_Dest/Special_Offers/rci_sales_event.pdf

Fuel costs are higher in Europe also...I know the market there is not what it used to be. I looked into sailing from Rome and it is very heavily discounted. They must be making some $$$ there as they keep returning every summer. :confused:

Agree

 

They do however have to put sips where they max returns for investors and if sailing from here is it as profitable we miss out on a ship. It would be sad as I really like to drive to the port as its so much easier.

Just my thoughts...I think a smaller ship would be more profitable for them out of Galveston. However, I think they all sail full out of Galveston on a regular basis. I've heard that ships sailing out of Texas don't make as much $$$ in the casino and on liquor (that one is really hard to believe!). And it is so much easier for us to sail out of Galveston, but we do tire of the same itineraries. Oh well...we'll just wait and see. We're taking a Hawaiian cruise in May and are looking forward to that. Not as easy as Galveston but I think it'll be worth it!

Also...asked Captain about Mariner being a charter by a Chinese travel company...answer: No..Ship is under full control of RCI, not through a travel company.

You mean there's a rumor on CC that's not true??? :rolleyes:

I don't see how they have avoided this so far...it's the only possible solution I feel. Only out of state passengers who need to catch flights should be allowed to self assist or go back to no self assist. People we are cruising with next Sunday are from Az and need to catch a 2:00 PM flight home....I tried to warn her but she thinks there will be no problem...I soooo hope she is right!

I agree...it should be available for folks that need to catch flights! Are your friends catching a flight out of Hobby or IAH? They could probably make Hobby with no problem, but I think it's pushing it to IAH. Hope they make it!

Just got back from a visit with my daughters in Florida and Georgia! Had a great week but ready to come back home for Easter Sunday. Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

Got to watch Mariner's departure on the webcams for the first time in a long, long time. Thanks for the pics Texas Teen!

I think the long lines for customs happen everywhere. The port authority can't do anything about the US Customs and Immigration people. For those that have never experienced it in other ports outside of Galveston, you've just been lucky! And Becci Boo, I think you're right...the self-debarkation is slowing things down. I've experienced that on other cruise lines as well. Maybe there needs to be a limited number of people allowed to self-debark??? I thought that some cruise lines were addressing that situation.

Morning fellow cam watchers. We are boarding the Norwegian Star this morning in NOLA. I will be glad to have Norwegian back in Houston in 2014. Have a great week everyone. Happy cam watching. :)

Have a great time! We have our first NCL cruise in May.

Has anyone stayed at the Howard Johnson? The price is $99 plus tax for a November sailing. They let you stay parked there and free breakfast! That sounds like a good deal to me. :) Anyone know if this is a good place and how far from the port?

It's close to the port although I don't know how secure their parking lot would be. I would definitely ask about security.

DH's (SSB) great, great grandparents were married in 1853 on the island, lived on O between 20th & 21st, house still there. They are buried in City Cemetery on Broadway. They lost approx. 27 family members in the great storm.

Ike was like deja vu.

It was a devastating storm. Don't know details as to where he was living and I don't know what he was doing there...possibly working. I don't think he and my great-grandmother were married yet. He did not stay in Galveston...they ended up in Talty, TX which is South of Dallas near Forney. It was known as the Irish Ridge and as you can tell by the name was an Irish settlement. I'm not sure if he was born in Texas or immigrated from Ireland. Lots of immigrants came through Galveston, but I know you know this too.

At the Seawall with the north wind

the beach will be calm

because the

Island was raised after 1000 storm,

and Seawall blvd. is generally the highest

area on the island.

The island slopes downward from Seawall

to the bay.

The island blocks the wind from being

on beach and gulf waterfront.

I know...actually my Great-Grandfather was a survivor of The Big Storm. I just looked so strange with all the wind and calm seas and it was low tide too so lots of beach to see.

Go To International Oleander Society booth

ask for Galveston Cruiser .

 

I will be over shortly also!

Hope we see you!!!!

Sorry I missed you...I went yesterday!!!

It is definately Brrrr outside. Yesterday wind chill was in the 40's. Winds 30 to 40 mph and seas were 10' plus. Mariner was so smooth though!

 

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It was freezing yesterday in Galveston...walked down the Strand and over to the Pier. The wind was definitely blowing hard! Weird thing is at the beach on the Seawall it was so calm, but the harbor was choppy. Last time we sailed this time of year we had 18+ ft. seas. No fun!

Headed to Galveston today for the Home Show at the Convention Center! Looking forward to seeing all the things I can wish for!!!

If Hong kong becomes a major home port...will CC get loaded down with threads about smoking and tipping and fog????

 

Ya cannot blame the major cruise lines for going where the money is!!!!!!!!!!

The Chinese govt has money, not the people.

We're counting down too. Three weeks until we leave...for Fort Lauderdale. It would be so much easier from Galveston.

Indeed and I don't mean to sound spoiled because we're getting to go on a nice vacation and I am very excited about it. It's just easy to drive 45 min to Galveston. Think I'm spoiled to that short commute!

Looks like a pretty day in Galveston...wish I was there to get on a ship!

Me too...it is so easy for us to cruise out of Galveston. Sigh! Have a Hawaii cruise in May...not so easy! Going to be a beautiful day down here for all the folks cruising and coming home today.

Latest update on Carnival Triumph is that the ship has drifted 90 miles to the north so it will now be towed to Mobile, AL. Due to currents it will be the same distance from Progreso as it will be to Mobile. Plus they have 900 pax on board with no passports!