east coast ships

[Patty00]

Does anyone know if RC plans to expand their ships that said our of Baltimore? The Enchantment always sails full and in my opinion they could use more ships either another RC ship or Celebrity. What do you think?

[BND]

Officlal RCI line is no. There are lots of rumors about Baltimore and Cape Liberty though.

 

And, all ships sail "full" according to RCI.

[crusingdave]

Does anyone know if RC plans to expand their ships that said our of Baltimore? The Enchantment always sails full and in my opinion they could use more ships either another RC ship or Celebrity. What do you think?[/quot

 

The Explorer out of New Jersey and the Enchanment out of Baltimore are sailing full, Carnival is putting a ship in New York full time, there is a Celebrity ship in Bayonne all year, but all Royal Caribbean is concerned about is Europe and Asia. We are Diamond plus, very loyal to Royal, but are now also crusing on Carnival. There have been very inexpensive cruises in Europe, but they are getting high prices due to lack of capacity in the U.S. The executives in Miami in my opinion don't care about the US market.

[will773]

It would be great if these ports would just get different ships, not necessarily new. Just a change for people who cruise out of these ports regularly would be nice.

[crusingdave]

It would be great if these ports would just get different ships, not necessarily new. Just a change for people who cruise out of these ports regularly would be nice.

 

We are from King of Prussia also I agree with you 100%.

[patrioticgirl]

I would love to see a different choice of ship sailing out of Baltimore. Royal Caribbean has had Grandeur and Enchantment there for nearly a decade on and off. The Vision class ships are not my favorite, though, even though I usually opt for the smaller size vessels. Celebrity had Mercury sailing out of Baltimore but stopped when Mercury left the fleet. :(

Perhaps wishful thinking, but I would absolutely love it if one of the Radiance class ships were reassigned to either Baltimore or even Norfolk. Are there factors (such as ship size) that would make this impossible? Just curious if anyone knows this information.

I have often wondered why Norfolk, VA is not utilized anymore as a cruise port by RCI.... Norfolk sports a nice new terminal; the three times I sailed from Norfolk it was an easy/quick embarkation. The 7 day to Bermuda voyage out of Norfolk has been one of my all time favorite voyages, and in my opionion, far exceeds the 5 day sailings out of Baltimore or Bayonne that seem to be the trend lately. Does anyone know the scoop about why RCI has not had a ship assigned to Norfolk recently? My curious mind would like to know.....??:)

[Pumbaamd]

Simple math. More people in the Baltimore-Washington-No.VA.-PA./NJ area than in Southern Virginia.

[patrioticgirl]

Simple math. More people in the Baltimore-Washington-No.VA.-PA./NJ area than in Southern Virginia.

 

It is indeed true that the population of the DC/Baltimore metro area exceeds the population of southern Virginia. However, it goes beyond the number of people living in southern Virginia... the demographics of the surrounding states needs to be factored into the equation.

 

Norfolk as a homeport would draw many cruisers who reside in the Baltimore-Washington-No.VA.-PA./NJ area. (For me, it's a flip of the coin for distance... both Baltimore and Norfolk are a hundred mile drive, but I would much rather the drive be the smooth one hour and 30 minutes down Interstate 95 and 64 than the 2 and 1/2 hours in stop and go traffic on Interstate 95/495 to get to Baltimore.)

 

Additionally, Norfolk would offer a viable "drive to port" for cruisers who reside in Virginia and the surrounding DC metro area, as well as the states of West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The Carolinas have experienced a population surge in the last decade, with growth nearly double the national average; they now boast a combined population of over 15 million, with most of the growth due to job and retirement relocations combined with low housing costs and mild climate. The urban areas in these states are booming; the majority of new jobs were in the fields of science, education, and health care. A prime example is the city of Charlotte, who's population has doubled in the last ten years. (By the way, another high growth area worth mentioning are the three northeastern most counties of NC, which showed large population increases mainly due to the employment opportunities in southern Virginia's Hampton Roads area.)

 

It seems to me that a good portion of the growth in these states has been from the relocation of retirees and young professionals, which make up a good chunk of the cruising population. What more could a cruise line want? ;) RCL might need to re-examine the math and reconsider Norfolk as a homeport .....:D

[BillB48]

Let's not forget that our friends in Tampa, New Orleans, Galveston would like a year 'round ship and all the left coasters would just like a ship;)!!

[Paulxyz2004]

 

The Explorer out of New Jersey and the Enchanment out of Baltimore are sailing full, Carnival is putting a ship in New York full time, there is a Celebrity ship in Bayonne all year, but all Royal Caribbean is concerned about is Europe and Asia. We are Diamond plus, very loyal to Royal, but are now also crusing on Carnival. There have been very inexpensive cruises in Europe, but they are getting high prices due to lack of capacity in the U.S. The executives in Miami in my opinion don't care about the US market.

 

 

RCI, just as any other global operating company will never be concerned or care about Europe, the US or Asia. The only thing they are concerned about is their bottom line.

I know people will start to question the decisions and tell they have to discount European cruises and get high prices in the US, that´s all OK and we can discuss if the decision was right or wrong but that´s always easy to do when a deal was done. Nobody can tell in advance he could have done it better, the only prove would be to run the exact same business and product at the same time and have more success with it.

 

There´s several posts about RCI abandon the US market, aliniate the US customers and then it often boils down to certain parts of the US like California, Texas, ....

I know Americans are very patriotic and there´s nothing wrong with it, but even though the headquarter of RCCL is in the US and they are listed at the NYSE they are not an US company. They are global operating and they are incorporated in the Republic of Liberia. Running a business is not about being patriotic it´s about money.

 

 

Just to throw one a little OT point into the mix as well. The same I said above goes for loyalty programs. They are not in place because a cruise line loves their customers so much. Nope the only thing they love is the money theis customers spend and the only reason to give some perks is to make you spend more money and the only reason to please you is to have you spend your money with them.

[patrioticgirl]

Let's not forget that our friends in Tampa, New Orleans, Galveston would like a year 'round ship and all the left coasters would just like a ship;)!!

Very true!

I'd even be pleased with a part time ship in Norfolk. A ship shared by Charleston and Norfolk would give additional cruising options to east coast cruisers, especially if Bermuda and the southern Caribbean were alternating destinations.

[BND]

As for Norfolk, Captain Rob on Freedom in Oct told us that they just didn't have the demand they do in Bayonne or Baltimore. They weren't selling the ship out at the rate they needed to. There are a lot of variables to the demographics in Norfolk area that aren't as significant in the NE. Incomes in Norfolk are lower than farther north and the unemployment rate is higher. There's also a lot of military in the Norfolk area, and while the average age is young, they just don't have the money to cruise, or take vacations as often. Driving to Norfolk (I-64) also just isn't as convenient as Baltimore or Bayonne (both right off I-95). I know the VA Beach/Norfolk area well. We used to live there and my sister is in Yorktown. It's a very different demographic overall than No VA. The average age in Norfolk/Va Beach used to be about 24 due to all the young sailors and families there. Not the prime cruising candidates.

[bus man]

Perhaps wishful thinking, but I would absolutely love it if one of the Radiance class ships were reassigned to either Baltimore or even Norfolk. Are there factors (such as ship size) that would make this impossible? Just curious if anyone knows this information.

 

The Radiance class ships are able to fit under the Key Bridge and Bay Bridge, and thus could be operated out of Baltimore. Forgive me for being greedy, but I would love to have one of those here, in addition to the Enchantment; then expand the available itineraries. Probably not enough business in the winter, but maybe the Baltimore market could fill up two ships in the summer.

[patrioticgirl]

The Radiance class ships are able to fit under the Key Bridge and Bay Bridge, and thus could be operated out of Baltimore. Forgive me for being greedy, but I would love to have one of those here, in addition to the Enchantment; then expand the available itineraries. Probably not enough business in the winter, but maybe the Baltimore market could fill up two ships in the summer.

Or bring one of the smaller Vision class ships to the east coast to sail to Bermuda for 7 night voyages, especially if the ship is able to manuever through the cut and dock in St. George and also in Hamilton. I much prefer this itinerary to the Royal Dockyard because there is much more to do in the evenings in town... the 7 day option allows for the opportunites to explore on land past the typical 5 P.M. departure time faced at most one day ports stops. I'd love to see a Radiance class ship nearby during the summer months...it could alternate 8-12 night sailings between Canada/New England and the Southern Caribbean... not the Bahamas, but a true Southern Caribbean option ... perhaps St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados. Probably not feasible due to hurricane season, but again, wishful thinking on my part. A week's cruise to Bermuda or perhaps longer voyages with interesting Southern Caribbean stops departing from an east coast port equals this teacher's summer vacation dream... one cruise each month in June, July, and August! ;) Sigh.... guess I will keep dreaming!:)

[superduper123]

The Radiance class ships are able to fit under the Key Bridge and Bay Bridge, and thus could be operated out of Baltimore. Forgive me for being greedy, but I would love to have one of those here, in addition to the Enchantment; then expand the available itineraries. Probably not enough business in the winter, but maybe the Baltimore market could fill up two ships in the summer.

I love this idea!:)

[edbk35]

I would love to see a different choice of ship sailing out of Baltimore. Royal Caribbean has had Grandeur and Enchantment there for nearly a decade on and off. The Vision class ships are not my favorite, though, even though I usually opt for the smaller size vessels. Celebrity had Mercury sailing out of Baltimore but stopped when Mercury left the fleet. :(

Perhaps wishful thinking, but I would absolutely love it if one of the Radiance class ships were reassigned to either Baltimore or even Norfolk. Are there factors (such as ship size) that would make this impossible? Just curious if anyone knows this information.

I have often wondered why Norfolk, VA is not utilized anymore as a cruise port by RCI.... Norfolk sports a nice new terminal; the three times I sailed from Norfolk it was an easy/quick embarkation. The 7 day to Bermuda voyage out of Norfolk has been one of my all time favorite voyages, and in my opionion, far exceeds the 5 day sailings out of Baltimore or Bayonne that seem to be the trend lately. Does anyone know the scoop about why RCI has not had a ship assigned to Norfolk recently? My curious mind would like to know.....??:)

 

Can I ask why you like the 7 day to Bermuda? We have friends taking the 5 day out of Baltimore next July. We are scheduled to take the Explorer out of New Jersey on a 9 day cruise. Our friends want us to switch to their cruise. Their cruise only goes to Bermuda and it is on an older ship. I am just curious why people would want to go for a long stay in Bermuda. I would love your opinions. It is our friends first cruise as well. Thanks so much.

[patrioticgirl]

Can I ask why you like the 7 day to Bermuda? We have friends taking the 5 day out of Baltimore next July. We are scheduled to take the Explorer out of New Jersey on a 9 day cruise. Our friends want us to switch to their cruise. Their cruise only goes to Bermuda and it is on an older ship. I am just curious why people would want to go for a long stay in Bermuda. I would love your opinions. It is our friends first cruise as well. Thanks so much.

 

Gladly willing to share my opinions on this query.:)

 

A Bermuda cruise is a bit different from your typcial cruise in which you arrive in the early morning and depart for another destination the same evening. You have only the destination of Bermuda, which is actually many little islands dubbed as one location. There are many places to see and lots of things to do.

 

I have been on 19 cruises, visited many ports in my 140 days at sea, but Bermuda is among my favorite all time port destinations. The island is spotlessly clean, people are friendly, you don't encounter the vendors who will haggle you to death like they do in the Caribbean, and the beaches are breathtakingly beautiful.

 

A five day cruise allows you only a day and half in port; a 7 day sailing allows you three and a half days to see the many great spots Bermuda offers. Bermuda has three main areas that are must see, Hamilton, St. George, and the Royal Dockyards .... and that does not include the fabulous beach spots that are available, such as St. Catherine's or Horseshoe Bay... there are numerous others, too. Because of their size, most ships dock at the Royal Dockyard, which, in my opinion, is the spot that offers the least options of things to do. Granted, you can take the ferry or the bus to or even a moped to the other locations ( there are no rental cars in Bermuda), but with only a day and a half, you will be hard pressed to actually see the best that Bermuda has to offer. (I have been to Bermuda on three 7 day trips and have only began to touch the tip of the iceberg in visiting the places that are on my bucket list for the destination.)

 

If you can find a 7 day voyage, there is a likelihood that you may get to berth in the towns of Hamilton or St. George, which would allow you the flexibility of getting directly off the ship at any hour and stepping directly into town rather than having to take the bus or ferry from the Dockyard. You can wander at your leisure, even staying out until the wee hours of the morning, if you so desire.

 

When you book a cruise that berths in Royal Dockyard, you are sort of like Cinderella... you must meet the curfew, which is the last bus or ferry run of the evening, to make it back to your cabin for the night... and you don't want to be stranded; cab fares are expensive and hotel prices are upward of 300-400 dollars per night. :eek:

 

Bus and ferry passes for the extent of your visit can be purchased for a reasonable rate, and I would advise doing this in lieu of taking a taxi. Part of the fun in Bermuda is actually taking the ferry to the various small towns along the way.... you are on the water and you get to meet tons of people, local and other tourists.

 

The Downside of Bermuda Voyages:

If you gamble, the longer trip may not be for you as the casino is closed when you are in port. The ship may be more low key in the evenings because many folks venture out into town. Shows will go on, but attendance may be lower when you're docked because people are out and about.

 

To sum it up, Bermuda is an expensive place to visit if do a land vacation, especially if you plan to stay at a hotel and eat at the restaurants; hence, that is why Bermuda is such a popular and ecomomical cruise destination. Your ship becomes your hotel and your meals and entertainment are provided, but you have the option of being off the ship if you choose. You can still sightsee and go to the beaches without the high cost of a land vaction. Because there is so much to do, I wouldn't worry that the ship is older or smaller.... you will find plenty of options to keep you entertained in Bermuda!

 

Hope this answers your questions!:)

[pjlee3333]

Gladly willing to share my opinions on this query.:)

 

A Bermuda cruise is a bit different from your typcial cruise in which you arrive in the early morning and depart for another destination the same evening. You have only the destination of Bermuda, which is actually many little islands dubbed as one location. There are many places to see and lots of things to do.

 

I have been on 19 cruises, visited many ports in my 140 days at sea, but Bermuda is among my favorite all time port destinations. The island is spotlessly clean, people are friendly, you don't encounter the vendors who will haggle you to death like they do in the Caribbean, and the beaches are breathtakingly beautiful.

 

A five day cruise allows you only a day and half in port; a 7 day sailing allows you three and a half days to see the many great spots Bermuda offers. Bermuda has three main areas that are must see, Hamilton, St. George, and the Royal Dockyards .... and that does not include the fabulous beach spots that are available, such as St. Catherine's or Horseshoe Bay... there are numerous others, too. Because of their size, most ships dock at the Royal Dockyard, which, in my opinion, is the spot that offers the least options of things to do. Granted, you can take the ferry or the bus to or even a moped to the other locations ( there are no rental cars in Bermuda), but with only a day and a half, you will be hard pressed to actually see the best that Bermuda has to offer. (I have been to Bermuda on three 7 day trips and have only began to touch the tip of the iceberg in visiting the places that are on my bucket list for the destination.)

 

If you can find a 7 day voyage, there is a likelihood that you may get to berth in the towns of Hamilton or St. George, which would allow you the flexibility of getting directly off the ship at any hour and stepping directly into town rather than having to take the bus or ferry from the Dockyard. You can wander at your leisure, even staying out until the wee hours of the morning, if you so desire.

 

When you book a cruise that berths in Royal Dockyard, you are sort of like Cinderella... you must meet the curfew, which is the last bus or ferry run of the evening, to make it back to your cabin for the night... and you don't want to be stranded; cab fares are expensive and hotel prices are upward of 300-400 dollars per night. :eek:

 

Bus and ferry passes for the extent of your visit can be purchased for a reasonable rate, and I would advise doing this in lieu of taking a taxi. Part of the fun in Bermuda is actually taking the ferry to the various small towns along the way.... you are on the water and you get to meet tons of people, local and other tourists.

 

The Downside of Bermuda Voyages:

If you gamble, the longer trip may not be for you as the casino is closed when you are in port. The ship may be more low key in the evenings because many folks venture out into town. Shows will go on, but attendance may be lower when you're docked because people are out and about.

 

To sum it up, Bermuda is an expensive place to visit if do a land vacation, especially if you plan to stay at a hotel and eat at the restaurants; hence, that is why Bermuda is such a popular and ecomomical cruise destination. Your ship becomes your hotel and your meals and entertainment are provided, but you have the option of being off the ship if you choose. You can still sightsee and go to the beaches without the high cost of a land vaction. Because there is so much to do, I wouldn't worry that the ship is older or smaller.... you will find plenty of options to keep you entertained in Bermuda!

 

Hope this answers your questions!:)

 

Couldn't agree with you more. Would love more time in Bermuda. Just to be a possible naysayer - if they ever did 7 day cruises to Bermuda don't count on 3 1/2 days in Bermuda. We were on a rare 7 day cruise on Gradneur out of Baltimore (the other 7 days were a charter and Bermuda was an easier way to get back on the normal track than Canada/New England or the Caribbean iteneraries). We spent 2 1/2 days in Bermuda and took an extra day to get back to Baltimore and, according to the websites I looked at, a ship waiting for the berth.

[superduper123]

Gladly willing to share my opinions on this query.:)

 

A Bermuda cruise is a bit different from your typcial cruise in which you arrive in the early morning and depart for another destination the same evening. You have only the destination of Bermuda, which is actually many little islands dubbed as one location. There are many places to see and lots of things to do.

 

I have been on 19 cruises, visited many ports in my 140 days at sea, but Bermuda is among my favorite all time port destinations. The island is spotlessly clean, people are friendly, you don't encounter the vendors who will haggle you to death like they do in the Caribbean, and the beaches are breathtakingly beautiful.

 

A five day cruise allows you only a day and half in port; a 7 day sailing allows you three and a half days to see the many great spots Bermuda offers. Bermuda has three main areas that are must see, Hamilton, St. George, and the Royal Dockyards .... and that does not include the fabulous beach spots that are available, such as St. Catherine's or Horseshoe Bay... there are numerous others, too. Because of their size, most ships dock at the Royal Dockyard, which, in my opinion, is the spot that offers the least options of things to do. Granted, you can take the ferry or the bus to or even a moped to the other locations ( there are no rental cars in Bermuda), but with only a day and a half, you will be hard pressed to actually see the best that Bermuda has to offer. (I have been to Bermuda on three 7 day trips and have only began to touch the tip of the iceberg in visiting the places that are on my bucket list for the destination.)

 

If you can find a 7 day voyage, there is a likelihood that you may get to berth in the towns of Hamilton or St. George, which would allow you the flexibility of getting directly off the ship at any hour and stepping directly into town rather than having to take the bus or ferry from the Dockyard. You can wander at your leisure, even staying out until the wee hours of the morning, if you so desire.

 

When you book a cruise that berths in Royal Dockyard, you are sort of like Cinderella... you must meet the curfew, which is the last bus or ferry run of the evening, to make it back to your cabin for the night... and you don't want to be stranded; cab fares are expensive and hotel prices are upward of 300-400 dollars per night. :eek:

 

Bus and ferry passes for the extent of your visit can be purchased for a reasonable rate, and I would advise doing this in lieu of taking a taxi. Part of the fun in Bermuda is actually taking the ferry to the various small towns along the way.... you are on the water and you get to meet tons of people, local and other tourists.

 

The Downside of Bermuda Voyages:

If you gamble, the longer trip may not be for you as the casino is closed when you are in port. The ship may be more low key in the evenings because many folks venture out into town. Shows will go on, but attendance may be lower when you're docked because people are out and about.

 

To sum it up, Bermuda is an expensive place to visit if do a land vacation, especially if you plan to stay at a hotel and eat at the restaurants; hence, that is why Bermuda is such a popular and ecomomical cruise destination. Your ship becomes your hotel and your meals and entertainment are provided, but you have the option of being off the ship if you choose. You can still sightsee and go to the beaches without the high cost of a land vaction. Because there is so much to do, I wouldn't worry that the ship is older or smaller.... you will find plenty of options to keep you entertained in Bermuda!

 

Hope this answers your questions!:)

Thanks for the great info. I am on a 6-day Bermuda next June from Baltimore.

[somerandomidiot]

An earlier post mentioned this but if you're a gambler like I am, a cruise that stops only in Bermuda, is horrible when the boat is docked. At night I typically hit the gym and the casino and for the two or three days you're there it's just no fun at all.

[yarlenna]

An earlier post mentioned this but if you're a gambler like I am, a cruise that stops only in Bermuda, is horrible when the boat is docked. At night I typically hit the gym and the casino and for the two or three days you're there it's just no fun at all.

 

Oh, but there is nice night life in Bermuda. I know - different strokes - - - -

I wish that there was a RCI ship doing 7 days to Bermuda from Florida! I would do that one over and over again - - Ah I could just dream

[Eng23]

As for Norfolk, Captain Rob on Freedom in Oct told us that they just didn't have the demand they do in Bayonne or Baltimore. They weren't selling the ship out at the rate they needed to. There are a lot of variables to the demographics in Norfolk area that aren't as significant in the NE. Incomes in Norfolk are lower than farther north and the unemployment rate is higher. There's also a lot of military in the Norfolk area, and while the average age is young, they just don't have the money to cruise, or take vacations as often. Driving to Norfolk (I-64) also just isn't as convenient as Baltimore or Bayonne (both right off I-95). I know the VA Beach/Norfolk area well. We used to live there and my sister is in Yorktown. It's a very different demographic overall than No VA. The average age in Norfolk/Va Beach used to be about 24 due to all the young sailors and families there. Not the prime cruising candidates.

 

It not only was the demand but it also involved the fact that folks in the DC/NOVA/Baltimore area have higher incomes which translates to more disposable income and Royal Caribbean can charge higer fares out of Baltimore than Norfolk. I live in the Norfolk area and would love nothing more than to have more cruise choices out of Norfolk than having one Carnival ship here two months out of a year. I do feel that the cruiselines in general have left a bad taste in Norfolk's mouth, the city spent $15 million dollars to build the new cruise terminal at the behest of multiple cruiselines and once it was built they all bailed out with the exception of Carnival. So in this case Norfolk lost out to the cruiselines wanting to increase their bottom lines which makes sense because they are in the business of making money.

[Room Service!]

Does anyone know if RC plans to expand their ships that said our of Baltimore? The Enchantment always sails full and in my opinion they could use more ships either another RC ship or Celebrity. What do you think?

 

Can't answer your question, ..... but there has been talk of a 2nd port in Baltimore. CCL and RCI are doing very well here. Seems to me IF that happens we would definitely see different/more ships AND different itineraries. Fingers crossed. :)

[sunsetswizzle]

Patrioticgirl....I couldn't agree with you more!!! Norfolk to Bermuda would be fantastic for those living in the Carolinas. Charleston SC had the NCL Majesty for years doing a 7 day cruise to Bermuda docking in St. George.

That was awesome! 3 1/2 days in port - so much to see and do!! Getting to know some of the wonderful people in Bermuda was a delight!! So many southerners do not want to travel up north to get to Bermuda..the water/air is colder than traveling from Charleston..never been out of Norfolk but I know lots of people willing to go if there was a 7 day cruise to Bermuda. The ship stayed full from Charleston...Carnival tried last year but we were in port 24 hours at the most, even though to me it was worth going back, lots of people wanted more time in port....Carnival stopped going, I talked to some of the crew a couple of months ago and they were not happy about Carnival stopping the Charleston/Bermuda cruise...one crew person said - I know who was responsible and I don't think they tried hard enough. Anyway, I believe there are enough people in the south to keep the ship full if they had about 5-6 cruises going out of Charleston or Norfolk. Again, couldn't agree with you more!!! I'll keep dreamin too....