Carnival Magic to Galveston

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-- It was big news when Carnival Cruise Lines first announced that the 130,000-ton, 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic -- the second in its brand-new Dream class -- would debut in May 2011 with a series of Mediterranean sailings. But cruisers wondered: When and where would the ship arrive Stateside?

 

All signs today point to Galveston, a move that would provide a massive boost to the mid-size Texas port, best known for homeporting "mature" hardware with a minimum of 10 years service at sea.

 

Word first came via the Cruise Critic's message boards, with readers posting actual booking confirmations -- minus personal details, of course -- for a 16-night transatlantic cruise departing Barcelona on October 28, 2011, and arriving in Galveston on November 13. Travel agents have confirmed to Cruise Critic that the ship will indeed arrive in Galveston on November 13, and, further, that space is being held for a Caribbean cruise departing out of Galveston on that date. Cruise Critic was unable to confirm additional details beyond the November 13 departure.

 

The port of Galveston's Web site cruise calendar has yet to include the dates, and a representative from the port was unavailable for comment. A spokesperson for Carnival told Cruise Critic, "We expect to announce her North American homeport and her itineraries in the next couple of weeks."

 

John Heald, Carnival's Senior Cruise Director and mischievous blogger, also teased at a forthcoming announcement from the line. "I have been promising that PA 007 our super spy would be breaking the news on where your Carnival Magic will make her home port. Well...I think this week....may well be the week..." It was Heald who first revealed Magic's European itineraries when he posted a video of himself in January reading aloud a copy of a press release said to be obtained "from a spy."

 

Interestingly, a Carnival cruise vacation specialist told Cruise Critic that the transatlantic cruise was initially opened up in error -- they intended to serve only a group booking, but briefly opened the channel to public traffic. As of now, the mistake has been "corrected," and the line has nothing in the system (for booking) beyond October 16, 2011, when the ship sails into Barcelona to conclude a Mediterranean cruise.

 

 

[tallyho8]

Magic will not sail out of Galveston on 11-13-11. It will sail out on a 6 day cruise on 11-14-11. Then it's next sailings will be on 11-20-11, 11-27-11, 12-4-11, 12-11-11, 12-18-11 and 12-26-11.

 

These dates are confirmed on Carnival's web site and the Port of Galveston web site.

 

The Triumph will also be sailing out of Galveston and the Ecstasy out of New Orleans which is confirmed by checking their sailing dates on the Carnival web site with the sailing dates on the Port of Galveston and Port of New Orleans web sites for the last months in 2011.

[ssb]

Rccl _one new ship in galveston

carnival _ two new ships in galveston

[EaglesRock]

Rccl _one new ship in galveston

carnival _ two new ships in galveston

Correction:

 

RCI - Mariner replaces Voyager (neither of which is new)

 

Carnival - One new ship in Galveston (Magic replaces Conquest) and one older

ship (Triumph) replaces another old ship (Ecstasy)

[ADD Boy]

Magic will not sail out of Galveston on 11-13-11. It will sail out on a 6 day cruise on 11-14-11. Then it's next sailings will be on 11-20-11, 11-27-11, 12-4-11, 12-11-11, 12-18-11 and 12-26-11.

 

These dates are confirmed on Carnival's web site and the Port of Galveston web site.

 

The Triumph will also be sailing out of Galveston and the Ecstasy out of New Orleans which is confirmed by checking their sailing dates on the Carnival web site with the sailing dates on the Port of Galveston and Port of New Orleans web sites for the last months in 2011.

 

Can you send a link to this info on the carnival website? I don't see any visibility to any cruises out of Galveston beyond Aug 2011

[Carlyzmom]

WOW! How exciting!!! I can't wait. I was thinking I would have to fly to Miami for a new ship. Now, it's gonna be only a little over an hour down the road!

[paradoc1]

Just found out about the Magic and Triumph going to Galveston ( ok, so I'm slow) I think it's great. it will be close enough for me to drive to. the best part for me is that the Conquest will be back in NO. she is my favorite class of ship and can't wait to get back on her. I think it's great that Carnival has enough faith in NO to put 2 big ships back there. The people of NO are great and need this boost in morale. well, see y'all there:D:D

[Alliezona09]

Can you send a link to this info on the carnival website? I don't see any visibility to any cruises out of Galveston beyond Aug 2011

http://www.carnival.com/cms/search2/default.aspx?ShipCode=MC

[dna1990]

What is age of Triumph? Not listed on CCL page Ship Facts.

[Alliezona09]

What is age of Triumph? Not listed on CCL page Ship Facts.

 

I *think* she was built in 1999~ not 100% positive on that ~

[troublemaker256]

You are Correct. I found that She was put in service in October 1999.

[Galveston Cruiser]

Correction:

 

RCI - Mariner replaces Voyager (neither of which is new)

 

Carnival - One new ship in Galveston (Magic replaces Conquest) and one older

ship (Triumph) replaces another old ship (Ecstasy)

 

Semantics. Even the media calls them new. New to Galveston!

[CGBCruiser]

Semantics. Even the media calls them new. New to Galveston!

 

You're right!!! Even if the other two are not "new" they are definitely new to Galveston and they will certainly add to the options we have for sailing out of Galveston. What a great boost to the tourism industry in Houston/Galveston as well! Very exciting news!

[troublemaker256]

This move gives Galveston a 27% increase in Available Bearths With 6406 up from 5030 and gives New Orleans a 82% Increase in Available Berths With 5030 up from 2758.

[Traveler353]

Agree, while it would have been nice if the Magic had come to New Orleans I believe that NOLA is coming out very well in the deal. It is good to have two Carnival ships full time. Along with the NCL and RCL also coming to New Orleans with more dates New Orleans is starting to look like a major cruise port/destination. It would have been nice to see some new itineries for a change in both New Orleans and Galveston. Maybe that will change in the furture if people let their wishes be known to Carnival.

[arby70]

I think it's great that Carnival is showing such great support to NOLA and Galveston. I hope to take some cruises in the future out of both ports. I really want to try one of those cove balconies.

[bobcatcruiser1331]

FINALLY! I am happy now! I am so tired of having to fly to Florida or somewhere just because we are tired of going on Conquest, we have basically become Royal Caribbean converts because of that but perhaps we will try Carnival again!

[nlt46]

While the Conquest if one of my all time favorite ships, I'm excited about the Magic. I'm especially excited that I can just drive to the ship rather than fly. I would be even happier still if NCL would come to Texas too.

 

Nancy