When is Celebrity Coming to Port Canaveral

When was Celebrity in Charleston? The current terminal has been used for cruises for only about 5 years old - was there something before that for cruise ships?

In 2010 we sailed Mercury from Charleston and that was done for a while. Celebrity then removed her from the fleet and discontinued sailing from Charleston. Yes, the port area ia horrible. Way too congested because it is in downtown near the Market. Maybe if they did complete a port/terminal further up it would be feasible. Right now, it was the most ridiculous way we have EVER had to board a ship. From dropping off luggage, being put on a BUS in the parking area, waiting to be moved 1 BLOCK to the terminal. When we disembarked we had to board a bus to be taken to a garage for our luggage. Just plain idiotic.

Charleston has had cruises for quite some time. We did our first from here in 2006 when NCL had a ship here for six months out of the year. We were on the 2010 Mercury cruise with PatC (one of our best!) and have done a couple of Carnival cruises from here since. At that point things were definitely crazy for embarkation but some improvements have been made. You are no longer required to take the shuttle into the terminal, you can just walk in. And the set up in the terminal is better. I think its due to Charleston now having cruises year-round. Having said that a new terminal is definitely needed and I think will happen. Charleston cruises consistently sell at higher fares than comparable Carnival cruises from Jacksonville and Port Canaveral, the next closest ports. Charleston is a fantastic pre and post-cruise city (if I do say so myself!). I would be over the moon if Celebrity were to return, or Royal.

I honestly feel Celebrity will go back to either basing a ship year round in Bayonne or seasonally from a West Coast port such as LA/San Francisco/San Diego before they ever consider basing a ship, even seasonally, from Port Canaveral.

I think you are completely correct. All of these ports are mainly drive-to ports for people in the region who are more price-conscious. I’m sure the budget cruise lines can make a killing in these ports, because there will be some people who will be willing to pay early premiums, but these lines can sustain themselves on low-fare vacationers. Celebrity is not targeting that crowd, so I doubt we will see them in second-tier ports.

Michael

Charleston has had cruises for quite some time. We did our first from here in 2006 when NCL had a ship here for six months out of the year. We were on the 2010 Mercury cruise with PatC (one of our best!) and have done a couple of Carnival cruises from here since. At that point things were definitely crazy for embarkation but some improvements have been made. You are no longer required to take the shuttle into the terminal, you can just walk in. And the set up in the terminal is better. I think its due to Charleston now having cruises year-round. Having said that a new terminal is definitely needed and I think will happen. Charleston cruises consistently sell at higher fares than comparable Carnival cruises from Jacksonville and Port Canaveral, the next closest ports. Charleston is a fantastic pre and post-cruise city (if I do say so myself!). I would be over the moon if Celebrity were to return, or Royal.

We're in Charlotte. Charleston is one of our favorite cities. I'd love to be able to have a shorter drive but Carnival just doesn't appeal to us. Someday, maybe........

Their prices are absurd even out of the other ports they leave from besides Port Canaveral. You can take two Celebrity cruises of an equivalent time for one Disney Cruise.

Do you think it’s worth it?

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Do you think it’s worth it?

 

 

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Not for us, no Casino and the one knock against Disney from day 1 is the food not being the greatest. Just our choice. I have followed Disney board since Disney launched and the fanaticism to me is not something I wish to deal with. By the way we have a time share in Disney, spend about 8 weeks a year there.

Not for us, no Casino and the one knock against Disney from day 1 is the food not being the greatest. Just our choice.

Okay. Never tried Disney but always like to hear others opinions. Not huge into the parks like others so Celebrity is fine for us.

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We had an Infinity cruise cancelled on us back in 2003 (the infamous pod problems). One of the substitute sailings offered to us was the Galaxy, which at that time was sailing from Charleston. And I do remember Mercury briefly sailing from there as someone else mentioned.

Last year, luxury line Crystal sailed one of their Holiday cruises from Charleston. Sales lagged, and the itinerary was adjusted so that people could also board/disembark in Ft Lauderdale. The scuttlebutt was that Charleston, not being a major airline hub, was proving as difficult for some to arrange air. Yes, of course there’s air service, but very little as far as nonstops like you can get to major ports such as MIA/FLL, NYC/EWR, BOS, LAX, SFO, etc.

So I believe ships homeporting in places such as CHS, SAV and JAX pose a problem when it comes to attracting cruisers outside reasonable driving range.

Okay. Never tried Disney but always like to hear others opinions. Not huge into the parks like others so Celebrity is fine for us.

 

 

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I was on my phone before, can't type real well on it, now on computer and let me explain a little further. I'm sure many will say they have the greatest food but as I stated earlier I have followed the reviews since Disney launched and consistently cruise review magazines have also knocked their food. The thing about the fanaticism is just me, as I stated I have read Disney boards for years, going back to when Cruise Critic was exclusively on AOL. I remember the days when if you disagreed on the Disney board with anything you were severely criticized to the point that people would jump all over you not only on the board but on instant message. Not as bad now because there are other boards for Disney but there are still some fanatics there.

Many interesting replies. Some reflections:

1) In many cases, Celebrity comes in cheaper than RCCL and Carnival, especially on their new ships, such as Oasis.

2) Disney indeed is the most expensive of the non-luxury cruise lines. To stay that the individuals who cruise are disney are a "select" or niche group, while possibly true, disregards the fact that one can also say this about Celebrity, stating that the individuals who sale on Celebrity want an "upscale" ship at non-luxury prices. Individuals who sale are RCCL can also be called a niche groups since individuals who sale on this cruise line want to have an active life-style while cruising.

3) Orlando International Airport is modern, convenient, easy to get to, and from there easy to get to the cruise terminals. Its air-service is fairly inexpensive due to competition.

4) Port Canaveral is much more "cruise friendly" than many other ports. Its terminal's are brand new, or recently modernized. Parking is available both in the port and outside.

5) One also goes to an area for its activities before and after cruising. Pt. Canaveral has the beaches, the Kennedy Space Center, and the major theme parks.

6) Would one rather have to endure several days of bad weather out of N.J., or travel two hours to leave out of the sun.

7) While Orlando has many budget hotels, it also has many upscale hotels include the Waldorf, Ritz Carlson, Marriott World Center etc. When one considers the cost of Disney, one finds that besides budget travellers one gets many upscale travelers, not only from the United States, but from S. America and Europe. These individuals also like to cruise.

8) Celebrity is owned by RCCL. Perhaps the real reason is that RCCL does not wish to add more competiton to its own line by adding on Celebrity.

Just some points.

I was on my phone before, can't type real well on it, now on computer and let me explain a little further. I'm sure many will say they have the greatest food but as I stated earlier I have followed the reviews since Disney launched and consistently cruise review magazines have also knocked their food. The thing about the fanaticism is just me, as I stated I have read Disney boards for years, going back to when Cruise Critic was exclusively on AOL. I remember the days when if you disagreed on the Disney board with anything you were severely criticized to the point that people would jump all over you not only on the board but on instant message. Not as bad now because there are other boards for Disney but there are still some fanatics there.

There are individuals who are fanatical in regards to every crise line.

Disney has a unique product. They do run a very high class operation in which they are able to provide a fun cruise to not only the children, but to the adults. Everything they do can be regarded as being first class.

Negetive reviews: not all, but a good numer is from people who do not wish to pay for the price of the product. On Celebrity I often see a similar thing when an individual will state that he or she does not feel that "Aqua Class" is worth it. However, I have never heard of anyone turning it down, or for that matter a Disney Cruise, if it was free.

I, personally, would turn down a free Disney cruise. Not interested at all.

I, personally, would turn down a free Disney cruise. Not interested at all.

Not trying to defend Disney....but in most cases, I find that the individuals who do not like Disney have never cruised on them (how can one decide if he or she has not tried it) or they do not wish to pay the price, but will not acknowledge this.

Again sort of like the individuals who say that do not like Club Class on Princess or Aqua Class on Celebrity.

Many interesting replies. Some reflections:

 

1) In many cases, Celebrity comes in cheaper than RCCL and Carnival, especially on their new ships, such as Oasis.

2) Disney indeed is the most expensive of the non-luxury cruise lines. To stay that the individuals who cruise are disney are a "select" or niche group, while possibly true, disregards the fact that one can also say this about Celebrity, stating that the individuals who sale on Celebrity want an "upscale" ship at non-luxury prices. Individuals who sale are RCCL can also be called a niche groups since individuals who sale on this cruise line want to have an active life-style while cruising.

3) Orlando International Airport is modern, convenient, easy to get to, and from there easy to get to the cruise terminals. Its air-service is fairly inexpensive due to competition.

4) Port Canaveral is much more "cruise friendly" than many other ports. Its terminal's are brand new, or recently modernized. Parking is available both in the port and outside.

5) One also goes to an area for its activities before and after cruising. Pt. Canaveral has the beaches, the Kennedy Space Center, and the major theme parks.

6) Would one rather have to endure several days of bad weather out of N.J., or travel two hours to leave out of the sun.

7) While Orlando has many budget hotels, it also has many upscale hotels include the Waldorf, Ritz Carlson, Marriott World Center etc. When one considers the cost of Disney, one finds that besides budget travellers one gets many upscale travelers, not only from the United States, but from S. America and Europe. These individuals also like to cruise.

8) Celebrity is owned by RCCL. Perhaps the real reason is that RCCL does not wish to add more competiton to its own line by adding on Celebrity.

 

Just some points.

You make some great points but in Celebrities case they only have nine ships, some of the other lines have two or three times that amount. Believe that s the main reason.

There are individuals who are fanatical in regards to every crise line.

 

Disney has a unique product. They do run a very high class operation in which they are able to provide a fun cruise to not only the children, but to the adults. Everything they do can be regarded as being first class.

 

Negetive reviews: not all, but a good numer is from people who do not wish to pay for the price of the product. On Celebrity I often see a similar thing when an individual will state that he or she does not feel that "Aqua Class" is worth it. However, I have never heard of anyone turning it down, or for that matter a Disney Cruise, if it was free.

As I stated years ago if you simply disagreed with something on Disney you were attacked on both the board and instant message, never saw anyone criticized on instant message on any other board. It was also not just once but frequently.

Wow, where do some folks get their information?

 

 

 

CARNIVAL has just re-committed to Jacksonville where they have been sailing from for many years, not Celebrity.

 

 

 

Cruises out of Port Canaveral are hardly all for the budget-minded. We paid quite handsomely for our Oasis of The Seas cruise last year compared to what we have paid previously for cruises out of For Lauderdale and Bayonne.

 

 

 

And someone needs to explain to my bank account that when Celebrity sailed out of Charleston that I paid a deeply-discounted fare. Hardly the case. I would love to see X come back to Charleston as I am 20 minutes from the port. It is a very small, albeit vocal minority that have fought against our local cruise business. Primarily its a bunch of snotty elitists that moved to Charleston from up north and are obsessed with fighting against tourism. To me, it is not unlike moving to Orlando and complaining about the tourists. No logic whatsoever.

I live in Mt. Pleasant and 100% agree with this.

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I was on my phone before, can't type real well on it, now on computer and let me explain a little further. I'm sure many will say they have the greatest food but as I stated earlier I have followed the reviews since Disney launched and consistently cruise review magazines have also knocked their food. The thing about the fanaticism is just me, as I stated I have read Disney boards for years, going back to when Cruise Critic was exclusively on AOL. I remember the days when if you disagreed on the Disney board with anything you were severely criticized to the point that people would jump all over you not only on the board but on instant message. Not as bad now because there are other boards for Disney but there are still some fanatics there.

Understood. There are hostile people all over. I live cruising but it’s not always perfect.

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As I stated years ago if you simply disagreed with something on Disney you were attacked on both the board and instant message, never saw anyone criticized on instant message on any other board. It was also not just once but frequently.

I have cruised for many years, and have like to comment from time to time on these boards. I have seen one commonality in regards to these boards. Many individuals, for whatever reason, become very loyal to one cruise line, almost as if they regard it as their own, or are major stockholders. When one criticizes the line, or a specifc cruise on the line, they are often met with fierce criticism.

Disney cruisers are no different. Some are very very loyal.

However, in the case of Disney they have been able to achieve what many thought was impossible. Provide an upscale cruise in which both the children....and the adults are kept happy. This is indeed costly, but to many individuals the ability to go with your young child or children, not to worry, and to be able to have a great time is well worth the price.

But to get back to the point of this thread/blog. Disney is one of the most expensive mainstream cruise lines out there. But in addition, RCCL has been doing quite well with its Oasis Class Ships at the Board, which are also quite expensive.

I don't think that it is a matter of cost, as to why a line does or does decide to use Pt. Canaveral. I think in the case of Celebrity at this time, I think it is a limited number of ships that they have. However, within the next several years, I would be suprised if Celebrity which is owned by RCCL does indeed decide to port at Canaveral given its many advantages.

Many interesting replies. Some reflections:

 

 

 

1) In many cases, Celebrity comes in cheaper than RCCL and Carnival, especially on their new ships, such as Oasis.

 

2) Disney indeed is the most expensive of the non-luxury cruise lines. To stay that the individuals who cruise are disney are a "select" or niche group, while possibly true, disregards the fact that one can also say this about Celebrity, stating that the individuals who sale on Celebrity want an "upscale" ship at non-luxury prices. Individuals who sale are RCCL can also be called a niche groups since individuals who sale on this cruise line want to have an active life-style while cruising.

 

3) Orlando International Airport is modern, convenient, easy to get to, and from there easy to get to the cruise terminals. Its air-service is fairly inexpensive due to competition.

 

4) Port Canaveral is much more "cruise friendly" than many other ports. Its terminal's are brand new, or recently modernized. Parking is available both in the port and outside.

 

5) One also goes to an area for its activities before and after cruising. Pt. Canaveral has the beaches, the Kennedy Space Center, and the major theme parks.

 

6) Would one rather have to endure several days of bad weather out of N.J., or travel two hours to leave out of the sun.

 

7) While Orlando has many budget hotels, it also has many upscale hotels include the Waldorf, Ritz Carlson, Marriott World Center etc. When one considers the cost of Disney, one finds that besides budget travellers one gets many upscale travelers, not only from the United States, but from S. America and Europe. These individuals also like to cruise.

 

8) Celebrity is owned by RCCL. Perhaps the real reason is that RCCL does not wish to add more competiton to its own line by adding on Celebrity.

 

 

 

Just some points.

I always find Royal more expensive than Celebrity, but maybe it’s just the time of year we choose to sail.

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I am a Disney World fanatic. I live less than 3 hours from WDW and Port Canaveral. I have never, and have no plans to cruise Disney. Here is why.

1. I don’t have young children and would most likely be solo. Yes, they have plenty of activities to keep the kiddos occupied and, therefore, not pressing all the elevator buttons and running around the halls out of boredom. Yes, they have adult only areas.

2. Most of the Disney cabins are designed to hold families. Four people can comfortably fit into their cabins. The standard, non-suite cabins have more sq footage than comparable cabins on other cruise lines. Most of the cabins have families, not couples. The ships sail very, very full.

3. For what a standard cabin, paying double, would cost, I can sail solo in Aqua on Celebrity, with one or two perks.

4. Just as it is with many who love Disney World, the passengers board the ship as Disney cheerleaders. (Referring to energy level here, not necessarily thinking Disney can do no wrong.) The energy level, all over the ship, is off the charts. Despite the adult areas, the energy level is pervasive. Not going to be a relaxing cruise.

5. I understand, from friends who could reasonably be called foodies, that the food is excellent. These friends cruise Regent regularly and use that as their benchmark. In fact, I haven’t talk to anyone, who has cruised Disney, who complains about the food. Just as in the parks, there are plenty of options for those with dietary issues.

Disney does a great job, but for the needs/likes/dislikes, it is in a whole different “World” from Celebrity, Hal, Princess, etc. It is specifically aimed at families. They offer a number of 3,4,7 day cruises which are packaged with a few days at WDW, pre or post cruise.

I’m not sure if this was mentioned, but I’m not so sure that another cruise line would fit in Port Canaveral. Not enough dock space.

Roliie

As far as dock space, it would depend on day of sailing. There is usually dock space on Saturday, where the oasis now docks. That is usually empty on Saturday.

I’m not sure if this was mentioned, but I’m not so sure that another cruise line would fit in Port Canaveral. Not enough dock space.

 

Roliie

Pt. Canaveral authority is rebuilding one older dock. modernizing it, and adding on an additional dock in the hope that it will attract at least one additional mega-ship.

Plenty of space for examination.

Wow, where do some folks get their information?

 

CARNIVAL has just re-committed to Jacksonville where they have been sailing from for many years, not Celebrity.

 

Cruises out of Port Canaveral are hardly all for the budget-minded. We paid quite handsomely for our Oasis of The Seas cruise last year compared to what we have paid previously for cruises out of For Lauderdale and Bayonne.

 

And someone needs to explain to my bank account that when Celebrity sailed out of Charleston that I paid a deeply-discounted fare. Hardly the case. I would love to see X come back to Charleston as I am 20 minutes from the port. It is a very small, albeit vocal minority that have fought against our local cruise business. Primarily its a bunch of snotty elitists that moved to Charleston from up north and are obsessed with fighting against tourism. To me, it is not unlike moving to Orlando and complaining about the tourists. No logic whatsoever.

Actually it's more of wanting more commercial over recreational in Port...brings in more $$$. Buy Lindsey a scotch and he'll explain it all to you;););)

I am a Disney World fanatic. I live less than 3 hours from WDW and Port Canaveral. I have never, and have no plans to cruise Disney. Here is why.

 

1. I don’t have young children and would most likely be solo. Yes, they have plenty of activities to keep the kiddos occupied and, therefore, not pressing all the elevator buttons and running around the halls out of boredom. Yes, they have adult only areas.

 

2. Most of the Disney cabins are designed to hold families. Four people can comfortably fit into their cabins. The standard, non-suite cabins have more sq footage than comparable cabins on other cruise lines. Most of the cabins have families, not couples. The ships sail very, very full.

 

 

3. For what a standard cabin, paying double, would cost, I can sail solo in Aqua on Celebrity, with one or two perks.

 

 

4. Just as it is with many who love Disney World, the passengers board the ship as Disney cheerleaders. (Referring to energy level here, not necessarily thinking Disney can do no wrong.) The energy level, all over the ship, is off the charts. Despite the adult areas, the energy level is pervasive. Not going to be a relaxing cruise.

 

 

5. I understand, from friends who could reasonably be called foodies, that the food is excellent. These friends cruise Regent regularly and use that as their benchmark. In fact, I haven’t talk to anyone, who has cruised Disney, who complains about the food. Just as in the parks, there are plenty of options for those with dietary issues.

 

 

Disney does a great job, but for the needs/likes/dislikes, it is in a whole different “World” from Celebrity, Hal, Princess, etc. It is specifically aimed at families. They offer a number of 3,4,7 day cruises which are packaged with a few days at WDW, pre or post cruise.

As someone who is a former Disney fanatic (also own a DVC timeshare there still) and has done several Disney cruises, I feel like I can give an opinion about the cruise line. In my opinion, the food is not excellent. But neither is the food on X. They are about the same (to us that is), just good. I have complained about the food on DCL. Breakfast for example. Ugh. DCL does have excellent specialty restaurants, but add another $50+ each for the meal.

We love cruising out of Port Canaveral (we drive) so if we find a great deal on DCL, we will take it. But those deals are few and far between these days. Our last was in 2014 (Panama Canal, a real bargain) and I don't see any in the future.

DCL ships are beautiful and their entertainment is much better than X. But I would never pay the price they ask on DCL, it is simply not worth it to us.

I wish X would go to Port Canaveral!