Second ship soon?

[Rothko1]

2 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Only if they convince NCLH to sell them the Pride of America.  There is no other suitable ship that I know of that has a PVSA exemption.  Then they would have to staff it with US citizens.  Otherwise, a foreign port is required.

 

Oh, I didn't consider the US regulations.

[CarnivalShips480]

On 6/28/2023 at 11:05 AM, Rothko1 said:

I suppose the ship wouldn't have to go international.  Maybe a Tampa to New Orleans, or a Tampa to Key West itinerary?

It would have to be US flagged

On 6/28/2023 at 11:18 AM, Host Jazzbeau said:

Only if they convince NCLH to sell them the Pride of America.  There is no other suitable ship that I know of that has a PVSA exemption.  Then they would have to staff it with US citizens.  Otherwise, a foreign port is required.

They allowed the German built Norwegian Sky to be American flagged for a few years. Also Norwegian Jade was American flagged for a few years too. So its possible for it to happen, but I think its very unlikely that Margaritaville would do it, let alone the chances of it approved by the US.

[Host Jazzbeau]

Just now, CarnivalShips480 said:

They allowed the German built Norwegian Sky to be American flagged for a few years. Also Norwegian Jade was American flagged for a few years too. So its possible for it to happen, but I think its very unlikely that Margaritaville would do it, let alone the chances of it approved by the US.

Those were unique circumstances where the US Government was on the hook for the incomplete hulls.  Giving this one-time waiver got the taxpayers' money back.  It won't happen again.

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

1 hour ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Those were unique circumstances where the US Government was on the hook for the incomplete hulls.  Giving this one-time waiver got the taxpayers' money back.  It won't happen again.

Yeah, and it took an act of Congress.

As you said, not going to happen again.

[toad455]

Tamp could accommodate a second ship, but it would need to be longer cruises. 5-day cruises to Cozumel & Key West?

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

On 9/2/2023 at 6:34 PM, toad455 said:

Tamp could accommodate a second ship, but it would need to be longer cruises. 5-day cruises to Cozumel & Key West?

The other cruise lines in Tampa are already doing that so why would Margaritaville try to compete with that? Sorry to be a skeptic but MAS niche in South Florida is 2-night cruises, a market that they have to themselves.

[toad455]

On 9/4/2023 at 10:33 PM, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said:

The other cruise lines in Tampa are already doing that so why would Margaritaville try to compete with that? Sorry to be a skeptic but MAS niche in South Florida is 2-night cruises, a market that they have to themselves.

 

I still believe that whenever they bring in a second ship, let it do 3 & 4 day cruises to Nassau and utilize the Margaritaville Resort in Nassau.

[Host Jazzbeau]

8 hours ago, toad455 said:

I still believe that whenever they bring in a second ship, let it do 3 & 4 day cruises to Nassau and utilize the Margaritaville Resort in Nassau.

Then why not have 2 ships alternating days for the 2-day cruises?  They could still offer a package with the Margaritaville Resort to make a longer vacation of any number of days, and not lose the 2-day cruisers.

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

18 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Then why not have 2 ships alternating days for the 2-day cruises?  They could still offer a package with the Margaritaville Resort to make a longer vacation of any number of days, and not lose the 2-day cruisers.

Well that's what they did as Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and it was tough for them to sell out two ships day after day. Under the current format they only have to try to sell out a ship every other day. Also, the Resort is in Nassau so one ship would have to sail there overnight and back the next night. It's feasible but requires much more fuel to make it there versus Grand Bahama which is a very close sail away from Palm Beach.

[Host Jazzbeau]

27 minutes ago, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said:

Well that's what they did as Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and it was tough for them to sell out two ships day after day. Under the current format they only have to try to sell out a ship every other day. Also, the Resort is in Nassau so one ship would have to sail there overnight and back the next night. It's feasible but requires much more fuel to make it there versus Grand Bahama which is a very close sail away from Palm Beach.

Thanks for explaining it.  I was assuming that BPCL had worked out a business plan that having two ships would be workable.  May be better to stay put at one ship.

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

14 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Thanks for explaining it.  I was assuming that BPCL had worked out a business plan that having two ships would be workable.  May be better to stay put at one ship.

Host Jazzbeau, I'm not privy to their financials so this is just an opinion based on observations. Post-covid they were quick to be rid of one of their ships. I think if the current model works they'll stick with it and if anything, get a newer ship that still fits into Port of Palm Beach.

[toad455]

Still thinking a 3/4 day schedule with a second ship could workout. 3-day sailings would do an over night in Nassau while the 4-day sailing could do Bimini & Nassau.

[CarnivalShips480]

On 9/9/2023 at 7:57 AM, toad455 said:

Still thinking a 3/4 day schedule with a second ship could workout. 3-day sailings would do an over night in Nassau while the 4-day sailing could do Bimini & Nassau.

True, but they would have to sail from a different port because the embarkation days would conflict with the 2 day ship

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

5 hours ago, CarnivalShips480 said:

True, but they would have to sail from a different port because the embarkation days would conflict with the 2 day ship

With a 4-night (or any even number) sailing, the ship would return on the day the original ship is over in Freeport.

[Hansenrk]

Heard from a Margaritaville Official representative the the will add a second larger and newer ship with approx 1200 cabins in 2024.  It will be home based out of the Tampa Port. Fins Up 🦜😎🏝️

 

[CarnivalShips480]

Here are some possibilities:

Costa Magica - 1358 cabins

Majesty of the Seas - 1777 cabins

Oceana - 1008 cabins

 

Majesty seems to fit the best

[AtSeaAlways]

21 hours ago, CarnivalShips480 said:

Here are some possibilities:

Costa Magica - 1358 cabins

Majesty of the Seas - 1777 cabins

Oceana - 1008 cabins

 

Majesty seems to fit the best

I would select a secondhand ship with some balcony cabins.  I think the ex HAL Veendam is out there laid up still.    Majesty has a ton of tiny inside and outside cabins which are unpopular lately.  Tampa is a good choice as you are not competing with the new jumbo liners, which will not fit into the port.  

[Brighton Line]

My first cruise ever was on a Sovereign Class ship Monarch of the Seas in 1995 sadly has gone to the Breakers but I might plan a nostalgic cruise if they use Majesty. Back then they were the largest cruise ships afloat at 73,000 GT compared to Wonder of the Seas at 236,000 GT LOL. 

[CruiseAdict218]

On 9/26/2023 at 8:25 PM, Hansenrk said:

Heard from a Margaritaville Official representative the the will add a second larger and newer ship with approx 1200 cabins in 2024.  It will be home based out of the Tampa Port. Fins Up 🦜😎🏝️

 

Speculation is now pointing to the former Costa Atlantica (a Spirit Class) which was renamed Mas Islander. 

[Fla Mike]

6 hours ago, CruiseAdict218 said:

Speculation is now pointing to the former Costa Atlantica (a Spirit Class) which was renamed Mas Islander. 

 

Interesting as per Wiki:

Costa Atlantica was sold to CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping in late 2019.^[3]On the 12 October, 2023, the ship was renamed Mas Islander, however, the buyer is undisclosed.

 

So, the ship was sold today, (Oct 12, 2023).

I would love this, if it comes to pass, Spirit Class ships are my favorite from Carnival, minus the gawd awful dinning room on the Miracle.

 

Will she fit in the Port Of Palm Beach???

[coaster]

Seen some ramblings today online about Costa Atlantica. Expanding sailings from Tampa to Cozumel would be nice. We are used to older ships here. Less competition from newer ships here also. 

Edited October 13, 2023 by coaster

[coaster]

Atlantica’s interiors are gaudy as heck compared to the older Royal ships that sail from Tampa.  You can’t have it all I guess. Still a smart move if the speculation is true..

Edited October 13, 2023 by coaster

[tidecat]

2 hours ago, coaster said:

Atlantica’s interiors are gaudy as heck compared to the older Royal ships that sail from Tampa.  You can’t have it all I guess. Still a smart move if the speculation is true..

Given how long Atlantica had been laid up, I would think that the decor is going to be largely redone out of necessity.

[CruiseAdict218]

15 hours ago, Fla Mike said:

 

Interesting as per Wiki:

Costa Atlantica was sold to CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping in late 2019.^[3]On the 12 October, 2023, the ship was renamed Mas Islander, however, the buyer is undisclosed.

 

So, the ship was sold today, (Oct 12, 2023).

I would love this, if it comes to pass, Spirit Class ships are my favorite from Carnival, minus the gawd awful dinning room on the Miracle.

 

Will she fit in the Port Of Palm Beach???

It wouldn’t fit into Port of Palm Beach, Tampa seem like a good place for the ship. 
 

 

14 hours ago, coaster said:

Atlantica’s interiors are gaudy as heck compared to the older Royal ships that sail from Tampa.  You can’t have it all I guess. Still a smart move if the speculation is true..

Certainly has an interesting atrium for starters, wonder how much would change and stay initially. Would need to make the ship more attractive compared to her sisters that rotate out of Tampa (should the ship end up there). 

[rikitikitavii]

Cruise Radio is announcing that Margaritaville at Sea has bought the Costa Atlantica . The ship will be named MAS Islander!