Tall-Cruiser

Some CC members have already mentioned this deal here earlier today. Just thought to share this article from Sea Trade that talks about the deal.

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/galveston-nails-5-year-deal-with-royal-caribbean-including-$10m-terminal-upgrade.html

To essentially double in size by 2025. That is definitely a lot of growth in the next 10 years.

 

And he hit the nail on the head with Orlando. And I did not see the article. Thanks.

You are welcome. I also thought the increase in passenger movement from 4 million in 2014 to 5 million in late 2015 may suggest something about ship deployment and schedules at PC, unless I read it wrong.

I think that is also a very interesting thought. I would love for a brand spankin new ship to end up in Port Canaveral. I think the term "new" may be used loosly in that article though. New meaning newer than what is already available out of Port Canaveral.

Since you are in Orlando you may have come across this recent article from a day or so ago. There is a section with Q&A with the PC CEO, John Walsh. I thought the section quoted below is interesting in the proposed expansion taking place.

Source: Orlando Sentinel

http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-79064821/

Quote:

Q:*How will Port Canaveral meet its ambitious goals for cruise traffic, given the competition from ports in South Florida and elsewhere?

A:*South Florida has limited growth capacity based on large ships, while Port Canaveral has more ability to grow with available harbor and lands. Our growth will not be at the expense of South Florida, but along with it. In addition, we have the ability to finance and build our projects. We also benefit from a strong drive market that is three hours closer for northern cruisers traveling south. Our wide array of diverse destination and entertainment options in Central Florida are attractive for combining with cruise vacations.

We are confident because our projections are not guesses, but based upon the long- term reservations cruise lines are requesting for berths. Several lines are willing to guarantee us minimum volumes, so we project we will grow to five million passenger movements by late 2015 from our current four million. By late 2017, we expect to grow to six million. Beyond that, we will pause and assess how the overall market continues to grow and plan accordingly. Projections are that we can move to eight million by 2025.

End Quote

Good point. I wonder how long before this part of the build will look more like the rendering? Hope the next set of photos of the ship from Royal Caribbean show close-ups of this area, including the Windjammer(?) outside area below the FlowRider. Sure hope it's the Windjammer in that spot! Just like on the Radiance class.

 

 

 

 

 

I remember this photo from another post in one of the Countdown to the Quantum of the Seas threads.

 

That second image of the Windjammer is pretty cool

Best Hall 6 webcam update of Quantum we have seen thus far I think. She is looking great.

Could be an option. Yes, ADVENTURE should be able to call the Brazilian ports, MSC also deploys PREZIOSA in Brazil which is even larger than ADVENTURE (139072 GT, 333 m long - ADVENTURE 137276 GT, 311 m long).

 

But it also would be great too see an RCI ship doing the Cape Horn cruises!! :)

 

Of course, RHAPSODY could also be an option.

 

And I expect that ANTHEM will offer the 6-8 night cruises out of Fort Lauderdale.

There you might be right that INDEPENDENCE will replace FREEDOM out of Port Canaveral or INDEPENDENCE (or maybe LIBERTY) may move to Galveston in order to replace NAVIGATOR, which seems to sail out of San Juan year-round.

 

There is also the rumor that ALLURE will come to Europe a full season and may replace LIBERTY on the 7 nighter out of Barcelona - also she was listed in Rome every Thursday several weeks ago (ports before and after Rome: La Spezia and Naples), so there might be new options for LIBERTY.

ALLURE definitely must come to Europe for the dry dock.

It may make sense to deploy her a full season in the Caribbean.

Why would Indy replace Freedom out of Port Canaveral? What would be the rationale? Both ships are indentical, so why not just send Indy to Galveston? If on the other hand an Oasis class ends up in PC then it may make sense to have a Voyager class as well as a Vision Class to complete trio.

According to the attached article from FloridaToday, big ships and new ships will be coming to PC.

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20140116/NEWS01/301160025/Big-ships-big-plans-Port-Canaveral

Lloyd - Thanks for sharing these. She looks good and we thank her for being around in Hall 6 and allowing us to get a peak at Quantum.

Is that ice in the water on the first photo?

I've read a lot of threads along these lines lately :

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1862657

 

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1969031

Thanks for the links. Interesting perspectives and lots of possibilities. Well we will all know something soon about all these new builds.

All signs seem to be pointing towards Oasis III going to Asia, so I don't think that's going to have much impact on Oasis potentially coming to PC.

 

I wouldn't be shocked to see Oasis or Allure come to PC and Indy replace one of them in Fort Lauderdale year round, since Anthem will replace her in Southampton.

 

I could be off... but I see Enchantment staying put, Oasis coming to PC, Freedom going to Galveston (:mad: :( ), Indy going to Fort Lauderdale to replace Oasis, and Explorer going to Asia. Navigator could potentially do seasonal PC cruises, like Explorers ABC islands and short cruises.

Just curious as to what made you note "All signs seem to be pointing towards Oasis III going to Asia,". Have there been any new developments and or port agreements entered into? Thank you!

G85 SS - By the way I also think Oasis III may be named "Passion of the Seas" based on reading between the lines of Adams blog post below and just speculation. See last paragraph with the use of the word passion. I posted this awhile back in the Quantum Keel Block thread.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/connect/blog/the-importance-of-shipyard-visits/

Quote:

In St. Nazaire, we celebrated the first steel cutting of Oasis III.* It was a festive affair and underscored the mutual good feeling of the restoration of a relationship that had been extremely important to our development (Sovereign, Monarch, Majesty, Empress, Legend, Splendour, Rhapsody, Vision plus Celebrity’s Millennium-class) but had lapsed for about ten years before the Oasis III order. For a number of the top executives at STX France, their first project of their careers was the design and construction of Sovereign of the Seas in the mid/late 1980’s. So they are thrilled to have the opportunity to provide us with an Oasis-class ship.* An extra bonus of the day was absolutely spectacular weather on the Atlantic coast of France, not always the most hospitable of places.

I suppose when something is going to come into existence with its own unique name, everyone involved is going to feel a lot of passion for it.* Our new ships certainly fit that bill.* I thank all the men and women who work on these amazing projects for the shipyards, their affiliates and their suppliers.* We are very much looking forward to the fruits of their labors.

End Quote

Now back to RCi and PC.

Either one of those three are very good possibilities.

 

However, I tend to think it's going to be 2016 when the 3rd Oasis Class is called into service. I don't see Royal Caribbean leaving just one Oasis Class Ship in Port Everglades for 6 months or more given the amount of passengers they are projected to be pushing through that port in a given year.

 

A lot of people think Oasis of the Seas will be called to Port Canaveral. I am also one of them. But here's something that just popped into my head. I know Allure had the Azipod issue that was or has been fixed. What I haven't kept up on is has that affected it's dry dock schedule that would follow Oasis??

 

If not, maybe it's fare to say that Oasis returns to Port Everglades and remains there after it's scheduled dry dock. Allure of the Seas calls to Port Canaveral and Oasis III (I think Passion of the Seas will be it's name) will call to Port Canaveral. The timing of scheduled dry dock and maiden voyage of Oasis III seem to be more suited for something of that nature happening... :confused:

bigsteelerfan

Cool Cruiser

*

Join Date: Sep 2003

Posts: 259

Port Canaveral isn't investing $85million in a new terminal that is the same size as the Oasis terminal in FLL "just because". The question is not if, but when is a Oasis class ship coming to Port Canaveral? The three best scenarios I think in chronological order are

1) When the Oasis comes back from Europe this Oct/Nov.

2) May/June 2015 when the current itinerary schedule runs out.

3) When the 3rd Oasis class ship is put into service in 2016.

My "money" is on #2 IF RCI's contract with Port Everglades allows it.

------------

Not sure why a lot of people think Oasis will go to PC instead of Allure. Of the two I would guess Allure because of the two current Captains and their past history sailing out of PC (Capt. Johnny and Tore). I know it is not enough of a reason, but since we are speculating why not.

However, based on the FloridaToday article, with references to "New" ship and possible repositioning of other ships, I would think for RCI it would be the Oasis III and for NCL the second Breakaway Plus ship since the first is rumored to be going to Miami. If these are the only two companies PC is signing a deal with for the new terminal, one or both will bring a new ship to PC. Thoughts?

It very well may need to be modified.

 

Back about a month ago, Freedom of the Seas returned to Port Canaveral for an offload of a passenger needing medical attention. They docked just east of the Middle Turning Basin. After the passenger was offloaded, the ship was brough to the West Turning Basin, turned around then brought back out. That may be the only clue we have to work with. Given that, I think it's safe to say the Middle Turning Basin is not currently big enough to accommodate Freedom, much less Oasis.

Thanks for sharing this info about Freedom and turning basins.

Yes they are still nice pictures. More to add to the collection.

They can definately improve the webcam shots of Hall 6 if anything.

I personally would think that Port Canaveral would be less desirable because of the fact that there are no airports nearby unlike Tampa, FLL, and Miami. In those cases the airports are a less than 20 minute drive to the port.

 

I took one cruise out of Canaveral years ago, and we flew in the day of the cruise. We woke up at 3 AM, flew out of Providence at 6 AM, landed at 9 AM, finally got on the 11 AM bus to the port, and finally got on the ship by 2 PM at which time we basically crashed in our rooms until the mandatory drill. It was not enjoyable that first day.

 

OTOH, I have taken cruises out of FLL, and since the airport is right next to the port, we have shaved two hours off of getting on the ship.

 

I know that most people here fly in the day before, and I usually do that also, but sometimes schedules do not permit that (Saturday Cruises for example)

The other thing to consider is that there are lots of people who would rather drive to PC than FLL or Miami. Those addittional two to three hours makes a difference for those already driving from far north or west. So any improvements made at the port, additional ship, larger ships and varying schedules including Southern Caribbean makes it even more appealing to cruise from. Before or after a cruise there is also that option of driving to Orlando with the family.

They may have modified the turning basin back when they prepped the port for the arrival of Freedom of the Seas after Mariner of the Seas went to Cali.

Will the central turning basin (one across from proposed new terminal) need additional modification or expanding?

I just read it. Great news in that article and also a great rendering. Seeing how deals have been reached with RCCL and NCL, I would assume we may hear something from RCCL in the coming months.

 

However, I was wrong about the one terminal handling all three ships. Article says they hope to have cruise terminal 1 up and running by November to help with Explorer of the Seas.

 

But you don't just put out a rendering like that without there being some background noise being made about Oasis (or one of) being called to Port Canaveral. Definitely a huge hint as to what will be calling it home.

Great news indeed. I was surprised that it did not get more press as it is new news from last part of last week. In any case there are (could be) few clues in the article as you also noted, especially were it reads.

Source - FloridaToday.com

Quote:

The new terminal will be able to handle the biggest cruise ships in service or under construction.

"This will be labeled our big-ship, terminal," Walsh said.

End Quote

Found this website awhile back that has all sorts of port webcams worldwide. Here is the link to Bremerhaven where they delivered the Getaway.

 

http://www.wsa-bremerhaven.de/service/Webcams/webcam.php.html?webcam_id=2&refreshrate_id=0&info=noch%3A+13

 

Here is the link to the main site map for all the webcams.

 

http://www.cruiseshipportal.com/categories/other/webcam-cruise-ships-port-cams.html

Thank you for sharing Tina.

Looks like no Meyer Werft webcam update today.

I would love to keep Freedom here for extended cruises offered out of Port Canaveral. I just don't think there will be enough of a demand to fill her up year 'round for extended cruises. Especially when you factor in it's plausible an Oasis Class will end up there.

 

Let's assume for a second it is set in stone Oasis of the Seas calls to Port Canaveral and there will be a third ship. Here is what I would venture to guess we would see:

 

1) Vision Class; 3/4 night Bahama's Cruise.

 

2) Freedom of the Seas go bye-bye and a Voyager Class to return to Port Canaveral for varying year round itineraries; Southern Caribbean, ABC Islands, etc. Anything from 5 to 9 night or even longer. Or maybe even a Radiance Class for this option??...(I'm REALLY crossing my fingers for Panama Canal cruises)

 

3) Big Daddy Oasis of the Seas to take over the 7 night Eastern and Western Caribbean Itineraries Freedom is currently doing. However, something to keep in mind as well is Oasis of the Seas will not tender at CocoCay or Grand Cayman. So I suspect those two ports would be offered on the cruises the third ship offers to make up for losing Freedom of the Seas.

 

Don't we just love debates? Anything is possible! :D

See recent article from January 16th by Floriday Today. I posted the link earlier to this thread above, but here it is again. Notice the artist rendering? Hmmmm, guess who might be coming to town!

Source: FloridaToday.com, Jan 16, 2014

"Big ships, big plans at Port Canaveral"

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20140116/NEWS01/301160025/Big-ships-big-plans-Port-Canaveral?nclick_check=1

Recent update on Port Canaveral and Royal Caribbean by Floriday Today. The new artist rendering shows an Oais Class ship at the new terminal.

"Big Ship, big plans at Port Canaveral"

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20140116/NEWS01/301160025/Big-ships-big-plans-Port-Canaveral

I was able to make out "Grande Restaurant". Looks like 1/2 the deck aft of the elevators (port side, Deck 4, before the suspected kitchen). Another restaurant will most likely be on the starboard side. Closest we might get to traditional dining rooms on this ship based on all the rumors.

 

Here's a link to Deck 4:

http://d262eeuodmmgj0.cloudfront.net/quantumoftheseas/wp-content/themes/Quantum/img/decks/deck-4.png

I took the picture and rotated it and it fits nicely on the port side of deck 3 of the deck plan.

AlaskaGolden, in the thread 'QOS pictures', was able to get a great image of the restaurant.

 

Thanks for sharing here. I took the picture and rotated it and it fits nicely on the port side of deck 3 of the deck plan.

I won't bore you guys with the details but I have to pick one Carnival Dream or Navigator of the Seas. the itinerary is completely irrelevant they both have a similar one.

I have been on both Carnival Dream and Navigator OTS. I would pick Navigator again any day. When we went on Dream it was just after cruising on Oasis and being blown away. There was no way we could compare and wanted to be very objective and open minded. We only started talking about things when we heard some people on our tour bus that had only sailed on Carnival and how they did not like Dream compared to other Carnival cruises they had taken. We also had more fun and better cruise experience on Carnival Liberty than on Dream.

Dream at the time was also very new but still had some issues from a design and flow perspective (IMO). I remember sitting in the Lido deck for lunch on departure day at PC and rain water from the deck above was leaking down on the tables and floor. Strange for a new ship I thought. We were in a Spa Suite which seemed very noisy. Well, part of the noisiness was due to the fact that the cabin door had a vent (guess for air in-take not sure) whereby standing in your cabin and looking down at the vent you could see peoples feet as they walked by your cabin. Unusual I thought and maybe just I the cabins on our deck. I went around checking other decks were we had some friends and every cabin door was the same. I talk to friend who is a Naval Architect about this and he noted that lots of cruise ships have the air in-take in the bathroom ceiling and not the front cabin door. This may not be an issue for some at all. The other observation I had was the ceiling heights on Dream seemed lower. I specifically saw in the main theater (upper level) and somewhere in one of the promenade stairs were the structure right above was wrapped (with blanket looking thing) so that one would not hit their head. Again for a new ship design how did they miss that! The flow on the RC ships is also much better (IMO). Going to the dining room from our cabin involved elevator, walk along the promenade and then another set of stairs. On the RC ships, Voyager, Freedom and Oasis Class you can walk from one end of the ship to another in a straight shot. So for flow and design I give RC the edge.

Food is subjective. Deserts were better on Carnival but Main Dining experience and service was better on Navigator. The Promenade Cafe is always a great option for any time of the day snack especially late at night. Shows on Navigator were also better (Broadway style and Ice Skating). I prefer the Promenade parade on Navigator to the laser light show we had on Dream. Don’t forget the Quest show. A must see on RC ships.

The best thing about our cruise on Dream was the Itinerary which included Honduras and Belize. It was one of the best we have had. Another was the CD at the time. I believe his name was Todd Whittmeyer (not sure spelling). We had him on Carnival Liberty and he was great.

Last point, as noted above Navigator will be coming out of drydock soon, so she will have some new things and refresh cabins.

Enjoy your cruise regardless of what you pick:)

The correct term for that 'bit of metal' is a skeg, which is just an extension of the keel further aft. In terms of marine dynamics it increases the directional stability of the ship, which is the ability for it to stay on a predefined course without rudder correction, and it also helps with providing good unbroken flow to the propellers, which increases their efficiency.

Thanks for explaining the skeg. Always good to learn something new. I thought I had seen something similar being added to one of the RC ships in Drydock not too long ago.

Looking at this photo, I thought I'd seen one very similar related to the Oasis class.

 

 

 

 

Sure enough, I'd seen one in this RCI photo gallery of the Allure's construction:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/royalcaribbeanintl/sets/72157619573198773/detail/

 

And there is that bit of steel under it as well.

 

Good find from the past and comparison to today's new build.