jewopaho Posted August 8, 2015 #1 Share Posted August 8, 2015 (edited) After the 2015-16 Caribbean season, both NCL and Princess will cease operations out of the Bayport (Houston) terminal. Frankly, I'm not surprised. It took a bunch of money and incentives just to get them here ... as in no docking charges and $80,000 paid to the cruise lines for each sailing ... and they still couldn't make it work. Granted, the fare is only part of the overall revenue, but how many $299 cruises can the bottom line endure? It's all about following the money, and it's not here. Right now, the hot markets are in Asia and Australia ... very similar to Europe a few years back. Five ships sailing virtually the identical itineraries from a region as small as this makes no sense. Given the obstacles ... long, winding trips through the Ship Channel (no casino, no bar, no shops), the location (in the midst of one of the most active freight terminals in the country, with absolutely nothing for visitors to do), a capacity of one (count' em, one!) ship, the expense of getting to and from the airports, and the proximity to Galveston (a pretty decent tourist area, with two cruise lines sailing year-round) ... it was simply a matter of time. We sailed from there once ... that was enough for us. The terminal was built as part of a political boondoggle in the first place, and was doomed from the beginning. Al Edited August 8, 2015 by jewopaho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevCruise Posted August 8, 2015 #2 Share Posted August 8, 2015 My guess is it was the texas liquor policies that did them in. Although, I'm sure all the rest that you were listed were also contributing factors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted August 8, 2015 #3 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Build it and they will come, and leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluefox Posted August 8, 2015 #4 Share Posted August 8, 2015 What are the TX liquor policies? I'm very sad, as I am about to take my first NCL cruise, and probably my last for awhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamcruising Posted August 8, 2015 #5 Share Posted August 8, 2015 That blows - At least there's Carnival from Galveston for cruises... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda the Book Lover Posted August 8, 2015 #6 Share Posted August 8, 2015 I am happy to enjoy our cruise from there in April. I will at last get to visit the Space Center. Bluefox - I am guessing it is the liquor taxing of cruise customers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewopaho Posted August 8, 2015 Author #7 Share Posted August 8, 2015 My guess is it was the texas liquor policies that did them in. Although, I'm sure all the rest that you were listed were also contributing factors. I don't think the liquor tax had anything to do with it ... Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships sail full all the time. It's simply trying to fit round pegs into square holes ... just doesn't work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadien Posted August 8, 2015 #8 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Well that's a bummer. Our airport just got direct flights to Houston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluefox Posted August 8, 2015 #9 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Well, there's always RCCL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnytman Posted August 8, 2015 #10 Share Posted August 8, 2015 (edited) After the 2015-16 Caribbean season, both NCL and Princess will cease operations out of the Bayport (Houston) terminal. Frankly, I'm not surprised. It took a bunch of money and incentives just to get them here ... as in no docking charges and $80,000 paid to the cruise lines for each sailing ... and they still couldn't make it work. Granted, the fare is only part of the overall revenue, but how many $299 cruises can the bottom line endure? It's all about following the money, and it's not here. Right now, the hot markets are in Asia and Australia ... very similar to Europe a few years back. Five ships sailing virtually the identical itineraries from a region as small as this makes no sense. Given the obstacles ... long, winding trips through the Ship Channel (no casino, no bar, no shops), the location (in the midst of one of the most active freight terminals in the country, with absolutely nothing for visitors to do), a capacity of one (count' em, one!) ship, the expense of getting to and from the airports, and the proximity to Galveston (a pretty decent tourist area, with two cruise lines sailing year-round) ... it was simply a matter of time. We sailed from there once ... that was enough for us. The terminal was built as part of a political boondoggle in the first place, and was doomed from the beginning. Al We're on the Jade out of Houston in Dec. I've heard about the long Ship Channel, but how long does it take to get through it before they open the bars, casino and shops? Edited August 8, 2015 by vinnytman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildcatRock Posted August 8, 2015 #11 Share Posted August 8, 2015 We're on the Jade out of Houston in Dec. I've heard about the long Ship Channel, but how long does it take to get through it before they open the bars, casino and shops? It's quite a while - don't remember exactly how long. It's several hours. We were on the Jewel last Nov and I think they had to wait until they were a few miles in to the Gulf, which takes a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waitingtogo Posted August 8, 2015 #12 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Freestyle Dining caused NCL to lose out in Houston. even tho i love it, most people down here did not understand what it was and therefore were afraid they would not like it. change comes hard. i hope they change their minds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda the Book Lover Posted August 8, 2015 #13 Share Posted August 8, 2015 It's quite a while - don't remember exactly how long. It's several hours. We were on the Jewel last Nov and I think they had to wait until they were a few miles in to the Gulf, which takes a while. Whoa I though the bars were open from embarmation:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camarodrivenrs Posted August 8, 2015 #14 Share Posted August 8, 2015 The bars are open, at least on Carnival, but its a limited selection of what the cruise line purchases in Texas. I believe they can only sell what alcohol they purchase in Texas until they clear Texas waters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildcatRock Posted August 8, 2015 #15 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Whoa I though the bars were open from embarmation:eek: They are. Limited selection though. We were in a GV and didn't receive our bottles of alcohol until we were in the Gulf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda the Book Lover Posted August 8, 2015 #16 Share Posted August 8, 2015 They are. Limited selection though. We were in a GV and didn't receive our bottles of alcohol until we were in the Gulf. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfaaa Posted August 8, 2015 #17 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Not a fan of 7 days Caribbean cruises out of Houston. Only give you 3 port of calls instead of 4 if you sail out of Miami. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascaldog Posted August 8, 2015 #18 Share Posted August 8, 2015 The Bayport Cruise Terminal is not located in the Houston ship channel, it is located in Trinity Bay near the mouth of the ship channel. The last time I cruised from there it took about an hour and a half for the Casino to open. Another problem there is in the winter and spring they often have issues with fog requiring frequent schedule changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted August 8, 2015 #19 Share Posted August 8, 2015 (edited) We cruised from there last April and will do so again next April. I am going to miss the nonstop flight to Hobby. Transportation to the port was much easier and cheaper than transportation to Galveston. Not sure what we'll do for next cruise after April's ta. The return ta on Jade from Barcelona will evidently be going to Tampa instead of to Bayport. No direct flights for us, just connecting flight. :( Edited August 8, 2015 by NMLady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranknBeans Posted August 8, 2015 #20 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Well for us from Toronto it's over a 3hr flight then at least an hour drive to the cruise pier. Plus the cost of flights are not cheap from Toronto. Would never do a cruise out of Houston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triptolemus Posted August 8, 2015 #21 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Another problem there is in the winter and spring they often have issues with fog requiring frequent schedule changes. Indeed, this was a constant issue for the Jewel this past season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyJoneses Posted August 8, 2015 #22 Share Posted August 8, 2015 That blows - At least there's Carnival from Galveston for cruises... Will that leave Carnival as the only line in Galveston? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettienets Posted August 8, 2015 #23 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Well for us from Toronto it's over a 3hr flight then at least an hour drive to the cruise pier.Plus the cost of flights are not cheap from Toronto. Would never do a cruise out of Houston. You're not kidding about flights from Canada being expensive. In Nov. I am on Carnival Triumph from San Juan to Galveston. It is cheaper by far to fly one way to San Juan ($269 CDN, change in Philly) than home from Houston ($499 CDN direct) to Toronto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zdcatc12 Posted August 8, 2015 #24 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Will that leave Carnival as the only line in Galveston? No RCCL is still in Galveston at least until 2017, as of now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvsullivan Posted August 8, 2015 #25 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Even though it is five hours closer for us to Houston, we've always bypassed and gone on the New Orleans. Never get fogged in, the city is non stop action and there are four ports instead of three. On top of that, our cruise is always at least $1,000 or more cheaper from New Orleans. Plus the NO airport is about 15 minutes or so from downtown and the port!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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