Ports Hurt $$$ by cruiseline cuts ????

[FIRELT5]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26608500/

[bigwally]

RCI won't be getting any of my money for cutting Quebec. Part of the whole point of doing a northern US/Canada itinerary for me would be visiting there and/or Montreal.

[herb]

RCI won't be getting any of my money for cutting Quebec. Part of the whole point of doing a northern US/Canada itinerary for me would be visiting there and/or Montreal.

I agree... IF I did a Canada cruise again it would definitely be to see Quebec/Montreal. Once was more than enough for Halifax/St. John!!

[JimVrhovac]

It will be interesting to see what HAL does.

HAL over the past few years has gone to the more unusual and exotic ports as a way of attactracting and maintaining their clientel. If they start stuff like this they will loose a lot of their long time cruisers who have seen all the normal ports....

Ruth & Jim

[Twickenham]

Cutting Quebec City and only going as far as Halifax puts RCI's cruises into another category IMO, and demographic. This becomes a cruise where the ship really is the destination. However, Quebec has proved far too popular with cruisers for it to be abandoned by lines where the port is key - indeed, cruises that go to QC or Montreal regularly sell at a premium compared to 7-day loop itineraries going to St John/Halifax. This is not a diss on these cities, love Halifax in particular but just stating a fact.

As for HAL abandoning Quebec ports, I would be shocked, considering the commitment they have made to this cruising region - the Maasdam remains the only cruise ship sailing the St. Lawrence during the summer (and is one of the only ships that can go all the way to Mtl), and they have positioned their brand-spanking-new ship, the Eurodam, on the 10-night cruise itineraries between NY and QC for not only this year but next year as well...

...Which reminds me - only 2 days 'til the arrival of the Eurodam :eek: ! I can't wait!!!

[sail7seas]

We sail Canada/New England itinerary at least one set of back-to-backs each season. Eliminating both Quebec City and Montreal would so hugely impact the experience we would have to rethink. We don't particularly care about ports as much as most cruise guests but nevertheless want to visit at least a few ports we enjoy.

After being badly disappointed with the treatment in Bar Harbor our two visits this year and not having much we wish to do in Sydney, Montreal and Quebec are very important to us. We enjoy Charlottetown but that isn't enough to substantiate the high per diem on that cruise. Having been to Halifax so many times, it is fine but aside from great lobster lunch and nice walk along the boardwalk, we' ve 'been there and done it'.