HAL out of Texas or New Orleans in 2006

[kruzkeen]

It has been a while since this topic has come up.

Now that 2005 is cast in stone, I and perhaps others in the West are wondering if there are any new rumors or speculation about HAL doing the West Caribbean out of New Orleans and/or Galveston in 2006 or beyond.

[Randyk47]

I wish HAL would as I'm taking Celebrity out of Galveston because of the convenience of not having to fly to a port for a change. Wanted to do the Panama Canal next year and there was no way that even brand loyality could make up for the difference in the price.

[kruzkeen]

Bringing this to the top after two months.

Has anyone heard anything? If those of us who are interested asked out TA or even wrote to HAL it might help.

[peaches from georgia]

New Orleans I would do in a heartbeat and would select a cruise simply because it was round trip NO. Having such a great pre- or post- cruise stay there, plus a cruise, is ideal. :D

Galveston- no way. If you didn't live within very short driving distance I can't imagine why anyone would make it a destination port.

[Randyk47]

I'm biased since I can drive to Galveston but I also don't see where the Houston/Galveston situation is any worse than Orlando/Port Canaveral. The positive news right now is that 4 cruise lines are sailing out of Galveston and seem to be doing quite well. I haven't seen the schedules for 2006 but at least for this year and 2005 Celebrity joined Carnival, RCI and Princess out of Galveston.

[kruzkeen]

New Orleans I would do in a heartbeat and would select a cruise simply because it was round trip NO. Having such a great pre- or post- cruise stay there, plus a cruise, is ideal. :D

Galveston- no way. If you didn't live within very short driving distance I can't imagine why anyone would make it a destination port.

Peaches:

I think that New Orleans is like San Freancisco and Vancouver. Everybody who visits has a time that they remember.

I have never been to Galveston. A friend and her husband did, cruised on RCI. They flew to Houston IGA and there was a shuttle bus to Galveston. It was only an hour, no worse than from MIA to FLL.

She said that it was charming, Victorian historic houses, nice walkway along the beach, close to the pier, good seafood and Texas bar-b-que.

[iluvcruzin]

I've sailed out of New Orleans and loved the location. Many families from the midwest drive to the pier. I met people as far away as Wisconsin driving with their families and stayed in New Orleans for a few days pre & post cruise. Hal could attract more families if they positioned a Western Carribean out of this port. Right now though.. there isn't enough piers to accomidate lots of cruiseships.

[Randyk47]

Right now Galveston only has pier capacity for two ships at a time so unless they convert/build new they're getting pretty close to full capacity. In fact, they really only have one terminal and kind of a makeshift arrangement for the second but I understand from another CC'er that they're working on expanding at least the terminal situation this coming year.