Jade Relocating to Tampa 2016

[Chelly]

With the Jade relocating from Houston to Tampa in 2016, does anyone know what NCL ship will home port in Houston?

http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/12907-port-tampa-bay-announces-norwegian-jade-program-for-nov-2016.html

[Bluefox]

I have no clue- but I hope they don't pull out of here or we probably won't be cruising with them again for awhile.

[Demonyte]

NCL didn't have a ship in Houston for seven years before 2014 so there is nothing saying that they would replace Jade either. Clearly the port isn't that profitable for them as they would probably announced a replacement at the same time as others.

 

OTOH, they had three year deal with the port so if that sticks, they would need to keep a ship there still during winter 2016/2017 season.

Edited August 6, 2015 by Demonyte

[time2cruise1]

With the Jade relocating from Houston to Tampa in 2016, does anyone know what NCL ship will home port in Houston?

http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/12907-port-tampa-bay-announces-norwegian-jade-program-for-nov-2016.html

 

No replacement planned. Texas without a NCL ship once again.

[Chelly]

So, looks like NCL is pulling out of Houston. Disappointing for many.

[Bluefox]

I know this will seem minor but some people forget there even IS a Port of Houston. A lot of people search on say, a price line, and the search has Galveston and Houston listed. With everything but Princess being down there I think Houston can be a forgotten port. Oh well, I guess after this next cruise we are back to RCCL...

[DebJ14]

I know this will seem minor but some people forget there even IS a Port of Houston. A lot of people search on say, a price line, and the search has Galveston and Houston listed. With everything but Princess being down there I think Houston can be a forgotten port. Oh well, I guess after this next cruise we are back to RCCL...

 

Princess already announced they are pulling out. NCL does not have Houston listed as a homeport after April 2016. We already booked RCCL for our 2017 trip. Surprised that so many rooms in our category were already booked. I expect prices to only climb from here once RCCL decides to take advantage of Princess and NCL leaving.

 

We are not happy about this. We did Princess 3 years in a row and will do NCL in Jan 2016. At least it will be the Liberty of the Seas for RCCL, not the Navigator, which we have already done.

Edited August 6, 2015 by DebJ14

[hawk1972]

Living in Texas, I was hoping NCL would stay in Houston. Their Saturday departures were more convenient for me. We cruised on RCCL once out of Galveston and wouldn't mind going back. I was also trying to earn Latitudes points with NCL by being loyal to one cruise line for a while.

[camarodrivenrs]

Not surprised. The Port of Houston has many problems--weather and its location in relation to the airports and also that its a major industrial area with no real tourist hotels or attractions. I imagine it doesn't attract a lot of passengers besides those who live within driving distance. I'm surprised Galveston couldn't attract either NCL or Princess or both and keep them in Texas, especially with the improvements being made to the terminal.

[zdcatc12]

I'm surprised Galveston couldn't attract either NCL or Princess or both and keep them in Texas, especially with the improvements being made to the terminal.

 

I don't think that there would be room with Carnival going to 3 ships out of there in the near future.

[Chelly]

I don't think that there would be room with Carnival going to 3 ships out of there in the near future.

 

Stuck with Carnival for cruising out of TX I guess.

[time2cruise1]

Not surprised. The Port of Houston has many problems--weather and its location in relation to the airports and also that its a major industrial area with no real tourist hotels or attractions. I imagine it doesn't attract a lot of passengers besides those who live within driving distance. I'm surprised Galveston couldn't attract either NCL or Princess or both and keep them in Texas, especially with the improvements being made to the terminal.

 

The Texas liquor policy did not help.

[aubreyc1988]

Port of Galveston/Houston could be so great

 

to me, I feel like its a missed opportunity

 

how many ships can you have going out of Florida? I guess never too many!

 

They just need to figure out a way to draw people to Texas :D

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Houstons itinerary offered three ports, while New Orleans offers four. I think this made a difference for many people. Prior to the Jewel locating in Houston, we were talking to officers at the platinum party about whether NCL would return to the Texaribbean. They all said the channel to Houston was very difficult to navigate and that no one relished sailing it. Combined with the fog issues they could not see it happening. Well, it did happen and we were delighted. We were aboard the Jewel when we brought her in to Houston and have sailed her twice since then.

 

I am sorry it has not worked out. The area put a great deal of money into that nice facility and many people's jobs will be lost.

[rvsullivan]

While we are from and live in Texas, we pass through Houston every time and always cruise out of New Orleans. Despite what many locals say, NO offers so much more for before and after cruising. And weather (fog) is never an issue. Houston cruising on NCL has always been much more expensive than NO and NO offers four ports versus three out of Houston. The extra five hour drive to NO has always been worth it.

[pspercy]

Not surprised. The Port of Houston has many problems--weather and its location in relation to the airports and also that its a major industrial area with no real tourist hotels or attractions. I imagine it doesn't attract a lot of passengers besides those who live within driving distance. I'm surprised Galveston couldn't attract either NCL or Princess or both and keep them in Texas, especially with the improvements being made to the terminal.

 

It's a lot better than Galveston for airport transfers. Still, I guess NCL has met its commitment so now opts to leave.

[camarodrivenrs]

It's a lot better than Galveston for airport transfers. Still, I guess NCL has met its commitment so now opts to leave.

 

I'll give you that, but at least Galveston justifies the longer transfer. Its a fun place to spend a night pre or post cruise. The Strand area feels a lot like many Caribbean ports and the Seawall has some nice attractions. I believe during the winter season the weekends are full but there are many days during the week that the terminal is not in use.

 

The channel is a problem, especially the further in a ship has to go like Bayport, but Galveston is the first turn in so it isn't near as difficult.

 

I wish Galveston would invest a little money into Scholes and work with Southwest to bring some flights in on cruise days. 6,000 ft runway can handle a 737 and I think that would really boast our economy with flights and more cruises.

[Laszlo]

Tampa is so much nicer than either Texas location. Very easy modern airport, nice waterfront. So glad the Jade is coming and doing some longer cruises!!

[Chelly]

Tampa is so much nicer than either Texas location. Very easy modern airport, nice waterfront. So glad the Jade is coming and doing some longer cruises!!

 

Agree that Tampa is a nice cruise port. However, many of us who live in the west prefer to fly in day of cruise or be able to easily drive to port. Texas ports allow that.

[NMLady]

We will miss cruising out of Houston. We could always get a nonstop flight to Houston. All of the FL ports require us to have a connection in Dallas. Husband is mobility impaired so, even with wheelchair escort, we have to make sure connecting time is longer than 45 minutes. Not always easy to get.

[zdcatc12]

 

I wish Galveston would invest a little money into Scholes and work with Southwest to bring some flights in on cruise days. 6,000 ft runway can handle a 737 and I think that would really boast our economy with flights and more cruises.

 

This would never happen with HOU 40 miles away. SWA is more point-to-point than hub and spoke, there would be no good place for those flights to come from. I don't think that any airline going to HOU would ever go to GLS.

[DebJ14]

This would never happen with HOU 40 miles away. SWA is more point-to-point than hub and spoke, there would be no good place for those flights to come from. I don't think that any airline going to HOU would ever go to GLS.

 

In the old days when Continental still existed they used to run commuter planes between Bush and Sugar Land and Bush and Ellington Field. It was great - we could hop on the plane in Sugar Land and be up at Bush in about 20 minutes or so, rather than spending an hour in traffic. It only added about $15.00 to the cost of a ticket. It would be great for cruisers if they would fly the commuter planes into Scholes, but I am sure the residents would hate it.

We are spending the week in a rental on Offat's Bayou directly across from Scholes Field. Even with just helicopters and small planes landing and taking off, some days have been pretty noisy. It is fun at night to watch all the runway lights suddenly come on and then watch a plane land.

[camarodrivenrs]

In the old days when Continental still existed they used to run commuter planes between Bush and Sugar Land and Bush and Ellington Field. It was great - we could hop on the plane in Sugar Land and be up at Bush in about 20 minutes or so, rather than spending an hour in traffic. It only added about $15.00 to the cost of a ticket. It would be great for cruisers if they would fly the commuter planes into Scholes, but I am sure the residents would hate it.

We are spending the week in a rental on Offat's Bayou directly across from Scholes Field. Even with just helicopters and small planes landing and taking off, some days have been pretty noisy. It is fun at night to watch all the runway lights suddenly come on and then watch a plane land.

 

 

I live right there on the Seawall a couple of streets east of the airport. I love seeing the occasional business jet coming in or departing, though I'm a fan of aviation. An old T-6 Texan usally flies out on the weekend, keep an eye out for it.