Galveston after April 13, 2008?

[em_in_murphy]

Does anyone know if another ship will come to Galveston after the Voyager leaves? I was looking for cruises out of Galveston for next summer and the last one available is 4/13/2008. Is RCI really going to stop sailing out of Galveston?:confused:

[wolfganghowell]

They won't announce the rest of their 2008 schedules until this April I hear. I too can't imagine they will abandon the Texas market. A lot may depend on what ships are sailing where, where the highest bookings are etc. If the advance sales on Voyager are strong, we should get a Voyager class ship. If not, we may get a smaller ship. And if Rhapsody does not do well in Asia, maybe they will send her back "home".

[mrBit]

Wow, no RCI from Sept. to the end of December. I am suprised they did not replace Rhapsody at least for the temp period until voyager arrives, it is a market loss IMO.

[TEXASMUNK]

FUEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

It is very expensive. Take a look at a map, while many ships slowely work their way back to Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Tampa, Galvestopn means full speed to get home at the end of the week and full speed to get to their first port every week. LOTS of fuel.

 

Additionally, onboard spending is below average. Texans (of which I am one) are friendly and smiling but they they tend to not spend onboard (drinks...casino....shops....tours....photos) at the same level as other RCI ships.

 

I personally fear we may have seen the last of RCI out of Galveston.

[mrBit]

Hmmm, I would disagree as to fuel; Tampa and Miami is just as far in with the Cozumel and mainland Mexico. Ships have set cruising speeds, I was on the Sensation out of Canaveral and the posted speed was the same as when I was on the Conquest and Holiday.

 

As for Texans spending less, where did you get this information?

Carnival is strong in Galveston and has not moved the Conquest or Ecstasy for a while now. Bringing the Voyager to Galveston would also contradict the notion that Texans spend less. That is a Voyager class ship and surely if what you say is true would not make any sense in bringing Voyager.

 

As far as I know the Rhapsody is being refurbed before going to Asia so my opinion is that there are no available ships or the cost to cancel an existing route out ways moving to Galveston.

I am just surprised at the gap left in the schedule, although the Rhapsody is sailing for the peak of summer and not when the prices usually drop make sense as to the fact Rhapsody is getting refurbed. Voyager is sailing during peak holiday times as well so the planning is good as far as Voyager.

It is just wishful thinking that the time gap would have not been as big.

I am in firm belief that RCI will have a ship ready when Voyager leaves.

[tugboat]

FUEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

It is very expensive. Take a look at a map, while many ships slowely work their way back to Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Tampa, Galvestopn means full speed to get home at the end of the week and full speed to get to their first port every week. LOTS of fuel.

 

Additionally, onboard spending is below average. Texans (of which I am one) are friendly and smiling but they they tend to not spend onboard (drinks...casino....shops....tours....photos) at the same level as other RCI ships.

 

I personally fear we may have seen the last of RCI out of Galveston.

 

I don't think fuel is as big of a factor is TEXANS DON'T SPEND AS MUCH MONEY ON THE SHIP. I am with Jim I think we are losing the year round RCL ship.

[TEXASMUNK]

You got me!

My source, regarding fuel, is not very reliable. The Captain of the Rhapsody of the Seas.

My source regarding onboard spending: The Casino Manager.

Sorry, but that is the best I can do.

[ShrinkinTexas]

I just got back today from the Splendour. I asked many of these same questions while on board to future cruise sales man (sorry, can't recall his name). He said that RCI will NOT pull out of Galveston, but that they just don't know about April 08 yet (ship, etc.). The Splendour is not coming back, but he promised that there would be a ship there. Don't know how accurate his info is, but that's what he said.

[em_in_murphy]

I just got back today from the Splendour. I asked many of these same questions while on board to future cruise sales man (sorry, can't recall his name). He said that RCI will NOT pull out of Galveston, but that they just don't know about April 08 yet (ship, etc.). The Splendour is not coming back, but he promised that there would be a ship there. Don't know how accurate his info is, but that's what he said.

 

Thanks for the info. I will be on Splendour in 19 days and was thinking about booking a cruise while sailing; hence, why I was looking at summer schedule of next year. I guess I can't book any summer sailing out of Galveston then. I'll just have to wait and see.

 

BTW, how was the Splendour? This will be my first time on Splendour. I've been on Rhapsody. Any difference?

[mrBit]

Whatever the sources which I cannot see how Going from Miami to Cozumel is any different than Galveston to Cozumel in terms of business planning as schedules are set and determined ahead of time before the investment is made including fuel.

 

Interesting article

 

"Rising fuel costs

 

Although the future is looking extremely positive for an industry based on such strong foundations, there are a couple of worrying clouds on the horizon. These are the likely increase in fuel charges, and the changing rules on passports in the US. However, the impact of both is likely to be short-term.

 

The rising cost of fuel is the biggest threat, due to a combination of factors, including market conditions, economic or political instability in the oil-producing regions of the world and the natural disasters, such as the recent hurricanes that have devastated parts of the US.

 

Forward curves for the type of fuel used by many of the cruise operators have risen in the last few months of 2005, and if fuel costs match the 2006 forecasts, operating margins and profitability in the cruise industry will be hit. The good news, though, is that the cruise industry will not be impacted as dramatically as airline operators. This is because aircraft fuel costs often exceed 20% of revenues and 15–20% of total operating expenses, whereas fuel cost equates to only around 9% of a cruise ship’s revenue."

 

http://www.4hoteliers.com/4hots_fshw.php?mwi=1300

 

 

Moreover, had it occurred to you that a Casino especially a casino would give you a line only to get you to do more business? Come on RCI, as any cruise line is there to do business. It is a bit of a presumption to assume it is just going to be Texans, the cruise lines did not simply choose Galveston because of Texans, NO again they plan to put ports where the distance to drive or fly is more reasonable, hence the move to create more ports away from FL.

 

Bottom line I have posted multiple articles on Galveston being the #4 cruise port in the other Galveston thread and with cruise lines investing their own money says other wise about Galveston.

 

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070121/FEATURES05/701210372/1010/FEATURES

 

Anyway cheers to you, to Galveston and to Cruising.

[cruiseknots]

Galveston to Cozumel is just over 200 miles more than Miami to Cozumel. So that would equal a higher fuel burn for that segment. But I don't think it is enough to cause RCI to pull out of Galveston. I don't understand where all this talk is coming from anyway. There are no schedules beyond April, 2008 for most of RCI's ships. As of now, the Voyager is NOT scheduled to return to Europe in 2008. We should know soon but my guess is that RCI will be in Galveston for a long time.

[Host Kewlguy]

I just got back today from the Splendour. I asked many of these same questions while on board to future cruise sales man (sorry, can't recall his name). He said that RCI will NOT pull out of Galveston, but that they just don't know about April 08 yet (ship, etc.). The Splendour is not coming back, but he promised that there would be a ship there. Don't know how accurate his info is, but that's what he said.

 

We were told eventually another Vision class ship would be in Galveston after Voyager leaves. Also the "future cruise sales man" would be Renato the loyalty ambassador. Great guy.

[mrBit]

Cruiseknots I agree with you, I do not know where this talk comes from but it pops up every now and then.

 

What i meant about Fuel costs is not that it is farther, but that indeed RCI plans the routs ahead of time before the investment and must estimate fuel costs with set schedules at certain cruise speeds among many other variables. So what I mean is that business planning a cruise route from Tampa cannot be any different from Galveston.

[vettecruiser1]

To answer the question above about Splendour. She is nice lots are the same between her and Rhapsody, some lay outs different in relation to being on one deck different from Rhapsody. Also the top deck Aft is different on Splendour due to the putt-putt. Also the wife told me the shopping area is much better on Splendour due to it be more wide open. She said the Rhapsody everything was stuffed in a narrow hallway and the splendour was much wider.

 

Jason

 

Splendour 1/2007

[cruiseknots]

Cruiseknots I agree with you, I do not know where this talk comes from but it pops up every now and then.

 

What i meant about Fuel costs is not that it is farther, but that indeed RCI plans the routs ahead of time before the investment and must estimate fuel costs with set schedules at certain cruise speeds among many other variables. So what I mean is that business planning a cruise route from Tampa cannot be any different from Galveston.

 

 

You're absolutely right about fuel costs being considered in planning. As fuel gets more and more expensive, I think it will play a more important role in planning new routes.

[wolfganghowell]

We were told by Captain Michel in November 06 that he believed RCCL would keep a ship in Galveston - he just didn't know which ship. His quote "We're all waiting to hear who will be here." I think we will still have a ship for many reasons -one that has not been mentioned is that with all the new builds they are doing they are going to run out of berths. Florida and San Juan can handle only so many.

[mrBit]

speaking of that, I read in one of the articles I posted that capacity will be limited as demand goes up thus making cruising more expensive. Ouch, build more ports, terminals please.:D

[bulldogmommy]

I have posted this comment many times, but will state again. I had dinner with the Staff Captain of the Splendour and I specifically asked this question. In fact, I asked if we get to keep the Voyager....he smiled and looked away and said...."What I can tell you, is that Royal will not be leaving Texas"....so sit tight people, we are going to keep a ship, Now will which one and will it be Galveston or the new Houston terminal (I hope not)??? who knows....

 

By the way, the loyalty ambassador said the same thing....

[Host Kewlguy]

I have posted this comment many times, but will state again. I had dinner with the Staff Captain of the Splendour and I specifically asked this question. In fact, I asked if we get to keep the Voyager....he smiled and looked away and said...."What I can tell you, is that Royal will not be leaving Texas"....so sit tight people, we are going to keep a ship, Now will which one and will it be Galveston or the new Houston terminal (I hope not)??? who knows....

 

By the way, the loyalty ambassador said the same thing....

 

Sorry to have to out rank you but we received our information from the Captain himself. :D

[mrBit]

well maybe they will move to bayport then:

 

http://www.portofhouston.com/cruiseinfo/POHA_SimplyBestBayport_MED.wmv

 

here is the video, the ship looks a little like RCI .... lol but who knows.

 

The terminal looks great though!

[vettecruiser1]

If you build they will come!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well based on the video the terminal is ready summer 2007, so get ready they will be coming. At least someone will be and I doubt it will be Carnival!

[rwillis9]

Well it sounds good that they plan on keeping a ship in Texas. My wife and I are flying into Houston from Raleigh, NC this March for a 5 Day Splendour cruise. It is our first cruise with RCI and we are really looking forward to it. Not to mention I have family in Houston that I get to see and has offered to drive us to and from the port and be our post stay location any time we want. I'll take that over leaving out of Miami any day.

 

As for the capacity issue. There is some good news for that on the East coast anyway. The port of Norfolk (Va) is very close to completing their new cruise terminal and when I went to see my parents last, there was word that they were trying to get a few ships there year round (Carnival for sure, RCI has Empress there to Bermuda for part of the year now.) They even built a RCI VIP Lounge and catered to what they wanted.

[rwillis9]

Double post again

[crazy 4 cruising]

According to one of the head waiters on the Voyager--we went on her to try her out this past December since we will be stuck with her (I like Vison class), lots of the crew want to go to Galveston because "Texans tip so well". Not my words, words from a crew member when I told him that I heard that lots of the Rhapsody crew said they wanted to stay in Galveston. We also talked to a bar waiter that was on the Voyager that we knew from the Rhapsody and he said he would much rather go ouot of Galveston than Miami as the passengers are nicer and tip better. We HATED going out of Miami. Passengers sure weren't friendly, polite Texans!!!

 

I too was shocked that we have NO ship for such a long time. Am anxious to see what we get. I too wonder if the new bayport will be a possibility. MAYBE, they will put one ship there and leave 1 in Galveston. Guess we will have to all wait a couple more months to see.