Would you sail out of Houston again?

[DrivesLikeMario]

You make a good point, but since I am from the midwest, my preferred ports are in Florida. I've never gone out of CA. Houston has fog, LA has traffic. I don't prefer either. I'm really surprised more ships don't go out of San Diego. The airport is very close to the port. Public transportation is great. Its a great city.

 

The point I was trying to make was in response to a previous poster that Hobby airport was close to Bayport terminal in Houston, even mentioning being able to watch the ships, which is incorrect information. I'm not sure if he was saying that tongue in cheek, its hard to tell with posts.

 

I think the reason why Princess doesn't sail out of San Diego is because it costs much more to dock there than LA. HAL sails regularly out of San Diego and it's my favorite port by far to sail from, the location is only 10 mins. from the airport or train and the facilities are good. Wish they'd sail from there!

[iceleven]

I was on the CB in January. We had a fun cruise, but going out of Galvaston or Bayport in Houston would not be a preferred choice for me.

 

One of the things I most enjoy on my Princess cruises, is sitting in the atrium and listening to the beautiful music, usually easy listening or familiar classic pieces. Very nice.

 

On the cruise out of Houston the music in the atrium was primarily country/western type, not the relaxing back ground music I love. Sure there was a pianist who played some classic pieces, but often the country western band played, which is just not my style.

 

Many if not most of the passengers were from Texas so the cruise line is trying to fit the music with the passenger base. I understand that and am not critical of it. Its just that the ships going out of Florida seem to be a better fit for me.

 

I certainly can agree with you there. I wouldn't want to be listening to country/western either. But then again, we took a cruise out of SF this year to Hawaii and got stuck with Hawaiian music the entire 15 days. Ugh. Ear buds and your own music becomes necessary sometimes.

[DrivesLikeMario]

I was on the CB in January. We had a fun cruise, but going out of Galvaston or Bayport in Houston would not be a preferred choice for me.

 

One of the things I most enjoy on my Princess cruises, is sitting in the atrium and listening to the beautiful music, usually easy listening or familiar classic pieces. Very nice.

 

On the cruise out of Houston the music in the atrium was primarily country/western type, not the relaxing back ground music I love. Sure there was a pianist who played some classic pieces, but often the country western band played, which is just not my style.

 

Many if not most of the passengers were from Texas so the cruise line is trying to fit the music with the passenger base. I understand that and am not critical of it. Its just that the ships going out of Florida seem to be a better fit for me.

 

Is this new? I've done 2 cruises out of TX and never heard country-western music in the atrium or any other venue. Maybe this is something that has changed since I last sailed in Jan. of last year? It would bother me too - I much prefer classical music in the atrium.

[iceleven]

I think the reason why Princess doesn't sail out of San Diego is because it costs much more to dock there than LA. HAL sails regularly out of San Diego and it's my favorite port by far to sail from, the location is only 10 mins. from the airport or train and the facilities are good. Wish they'd sail from there!

 

I did read a while back that San Diego was reluctant to either build a new pier or they had one that wasn't being used for some political reasons. I'd love cruise out of SD again. I've done it twice with HAL and it is perhaps one of my favorite cruise ports. Town is within walking distance to the ship, the airport is about 5 miles away, if that. SD can have bad fog, as well though but not sure if it has the same hazards as Houston to get out to sea.

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

Never again! We were the only cruise that didn't have fog problems but it's still not something I want to worry about.

 

And the limited alcohol on embarkation day was a problem. No glass of champagne first drink as is our tradition. No martinis in the wheelhouse as our pre dinner cocktails. Major problem. Did it ruin the cruise? Of course not. But why do we have to go without when we have the other option of FLL.

[MrMan]

You make a good point, but since I am from the midwest, my preferred ports are in Florida. I've never gone out of CA. Houston has fog, LA has traffic. I don't prefer either. I'm really surprised more ships don't go out of San Diego. The airport is very close to the port. Public transportation is great. Its a great city.

 

The point I was trying to make was in response to a previous poster that Hobby airport was close to Bayport terminal in Houston, even mentioning being able to watch the ships, which is incorrect information. I'm not sure if he was saying that tongue in cheek, its hard to tell with posts.

 

Watching the ships and ship traffic while leaving the port not watching ships from Hobby.

People we're complaining that the ships were too close to each other in the Houston ship channel. One of the busiest ports in the world.

 

Hobby is about same ride from airport to port as New Orleans, LAX, New York ports, and a lot close than Cape Canaveral and Anchorage, and one does not hear the wining one does with Houston

Edited February 1, 2014 by MrMan

[sminfiddle]

Is this new? I've done 2 cruises out of TX and never heard country-western music in the atrium or any other venue. Maybe this is something that has changed since I last sailed in Jan. of last year? It would bother me too - I much prefer classical music in the atrium.

 

 

Must be new. There was no C&W band in December. "Passion" played the C&W Theme Night, bless their hearts.

 

What was the name of the C&W band?

 

 

~sent using Cruise Critic app~

[MrMan]

Must be new. There was no C&W band in December. "Passion" played the C&W Theme Night, bless their hearts.

 

What was the name of the C&W band?

 

 

~sent using Cruise Critic app~

 

This would be equivalent of complaining of calypso bands in the Carribean, mariachi in Mexico, and hulu dancers in Hawaii

[tarps]

Never again. We always fly in a day before departure because we can often have weather issues flying out of Toronto. But for this cruise we also decided we would be best to stay over one night post cruise as well because of possible fog problems and not wanting to miss our return flight. So another added expense. And then a one hour cab ride fare to and from Bush Airport.....another big expense. Can't book Princess transfer when you come in early and leave a day later.

 

We were on the fortunate January 18th cruise.....no fog issues and made all 3 ports. Only cold, rainy, rough seas on last day at sea....so, not bad at all.

 

But we leave Canada in search of sun and warmth.....and we didn't get that for the duration. We sill feel lucky that we didn't experience a lot of the problems that this cruise has had, but we won't be back. Fort Lauderdale or Puerto Rico from now on

[MauiLvrs]

When boarding is delayed, the shuttle will take you to Kemah where there are restaurants and attractions. it's @ 7 miles from the terminal.

We landed that close to the terminal in LA last week...

 

Seriously thinking of moving our cruise to FFL...

[Kbears]

We did Galveston last year. Loved it. We leave next week. Even if delayed, the cost is too low to pass up for a week away from work. Should be about a 5 hour drive. No airport and again a week away from work.

 

This is our quick no frills getaway.

[Bimmer09]

Just off the Caribbean Princess. We had a great time but I didn't come across anyone (except people from Texas) who would go out of Bayport (Houston) again. I know we will be sticking with FLL from now on.

 

Port Everglades is the best! I would however sail out of Houston (Bayport) again.

My cruise was delayed by 5 hours but once onboard that was soon forgotten.

If I were to sail from there again and have similar issues I might think twice at that point. But for Bayport I might never have visited Houston-a city I am now dying to visit again.

 

Norris

[marazad16]

Just off the Caribbean Princess. We had a great time but I didn't come across anyone (except people from Texas) who would go out of Bayport (Houston) again. I know we will be sticking with FLL from now on.

 

Thank you for the start of this thread! I had no idea it was an issue and almost booked The Emerald - now, not a chance. Other options that work for us. SO thankful for this thread!

[timbom]

I live in Houston and try and avoid the port. Love new Orleans and only five hours down road. Plus I get free parking at Harrah's.

[iceleven]

I live in Houston and try and avoid the port. Love new Orleans and only five hours down road. Plus I get free parking at Harrah's.

 

We cruised out of NOLA once in December and there was a long delay due to fog. I feel that most of us would all agree that once you are on board, regardless of which port, the vacation begins. I don't know what other cruise lines use NOLA other than NCL. It's a really great port city because there is so much to see and do there.

[satxdiver]

Watching the ships and ship traffic while leaving the port not watching ships from Hobby.

People we're complaining that the ships were too close to each other in the Houston ship channel. One of the busiest ports in the world.

 

Hobby is about same ride from airport to port as New Orleans, LAX, New York ports, and a lot close than Cape Canaveral and Anchorage, and one does not hear the wining one does with Houston

 

There are those that simply hate Houston no matter what. Nice part of cruising is that there are many US ports being used so you can pick one you like. Personally I have sailed out of five so far. NCL sailed out of the old Houston cruise port for several years without any significant problems. They are returning next winter season.

 

RCCL also sails out of NOLA. Leaving NOLA the ship has to travel over 50 miles down the Mississippi River before reaching the Gulf. That port like many southern US ports is impacted by fog. Of course you are in NOLA, the land of casinos, cajun food, jazz and party time 24 hours. Not a bad deal and was lucky enough to work there for 6 months next to the French Quarter.

[BridgeMates]

I certainly can agree with you there. I wouldn't want to be listening to country/western either. But then again, we took a cruise out of SF this year to Hawaii and got stuck with Hawaiian music the entire 15 days. Ugh. Ear buds and your own music becomes necessary sometimes.

 

We're just off the CB. There was a guitarist and a small band with two singers in the atrium several times. Only once did I hear some country music (which I like). I think they had a great variety. It was nice to sit there with a drink before dinner. The piano player in the Crooner's Lounge (just 2 decks up over the atrium) drew a big crowd every night playing people's choices. There was a large band in the Explorer's Lounge at night which played Neil Diamond, etc. Seemed like enough choices to me.

[tip]

Why would I want to sail out of Houston? I have absolutely no desire to even visit Texas!

[Mekamax]

Why would I want to sail out of Houston? I have absolutely no desire to even visit Texas!

 

 

Your loss... It is a great state and that is from someone who used to live in NY. Every state is fun to visit and has something to offer.

[Mekamax]

Looks like CCL Magic is fogged out right now - out of Galveston. Guess the forcasters for fog for the Caribbean Princess were right - according to the news they were late leaving last night on the Carib Princess because of fog.... It is not just Houston but Galveston gets it too... Along with New Orleans and Tampa have all had fog issues - it is the ports along the Gulf Coast.

 

Also it was fun to sit outside and listen to the fog horn every 2 minutes while sitting off shore and hear the answering fog horns while watching the sea fog close in around the ship. Pretty cool!

[DebJ14]

Sure, we will cruise out of Houston again, and Galveston too. Either pier is about an hour drive for us.

Back in the day when NCL, Premier and Royal Olympic sailed from the old terminal at Barbour's cut we had 5 great cruises out of Houston.

 

We were on the Dec 14 sailing of the Caribbean Princess that had a fog delay on both ends of the cruise. It did not ruin our cruise. What made it disappointing was the cool day in Cozumel (because the cold front came with us) and the pouring rain in Roatan and the coolsea days. Obviously, not the fault of the cruise line.

 

Over the years we have probably sailed 25 or 30 times out of Galveston on Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Carnival. We sail every year in January. We have only had 3 fog delays. We have boarded at late as 5:30 pm and not left until 3:45am, but still made all the ports. We have sat in long lines (3 hours) for the parking lots because they could not let anyone park until people got off the ship and in their cars. But, aside from some minor inconveniences we still had great cruises. We booked the Navigator of the Seas months ago for January 2015 .

[DebJ14]

Why would I want to sail out of Houston? I have absolutely no desire to even visit Texas!

 

Your loss. DH and I are transplanted Yankees who got transferred to Houston 30 years ago. We love the Houston area and in fact DH turned down a huge promotion so that we did not have to move back up north. It is a great place to raise kids. Our oldest son took jobs in CO, KY and PA and when the opportunity to move back to Houston came up, he grabbed it with gusto. In fact he turned down a huge raise to move back to PA and gave up a great job so he could stay here. Thankfully, he found another job here in Houston. Old job ended on Friday and new job starts on Monday. He thought taking the risk was worth it so he could raise his kids here. We have a quality of life you will never get to experience because of your attitude. I am glad I won't have to cruise with you. Give me a boat load of Texans anytime.

Edited February 2, 2014 by DebJ14

[wdrl]

Would I sail out of Bayport again yes, but that could be because I live in Texas. The biggest problem with cruises from Bayport (Houston) or Galveston is the limited itineraries. Every cruise line sailing from either port does the same route, the Western Caribbean. Sure there have been a few variances. Disney actually went to the Bahamas, last year (we took that cruise). But usually all of the cruise lines sailing from Texas do the same routine. That in of itself would keep me from cruising out of Houston regularly and I live here.

 

When you add it the problems getting to Houston when flying (limited airlines and most flights are one stops) then I can't see Texas being a place to cruise from. There is less fog in Houston in the summer, but the heat and possibility of hurricanes won't make it attractive then either.

 

The cruise lines have a big problem, there are too many cruise ships and not enough ports that people are willing to cruise from to go to the itineraries the ship can reach within a week.

[Kbears]

Why would I want to sail out of Houston? I have absolutely no desire to even visit Texas!

 

 

Transplant from So Cal. I never had texas on my radar until the company was going to open up a call center. Visited San Antonio for 3 days and decided to make the move. Other than the weather, I love this place.

Cost of living blows away California, NY, etc. There is a friendliness that I did not always find in Cali. Thr drivers in Texas are not the best, but I can get over it.

 

The best is that I can take more cruises, vacations, etc because more of my money goes into my pockets. Not into housing (bigger house, half the cost) or absurd taxes. I had 23 years left on a Mortgage in Cali. Now I only have 12 years left here in Texas.

 

Retirement is on the way sooner than I could imagine.

 

But that is ok Tip, you can stay out of Texas, we will do just fine without the Northeast Attitiude.

Edited February 2, 2014 by Kbears

[douglinc@msn.com]

Why would I want to sail out of Houston? I have absolutely no desire to even visit Texas!

 

I would recommend that you stay where you are...

 

Doug