Galveston RUMOR!!!!

[buckanear]

I would LOVE a ship year round for Galveston (for work and sailing) and I have said for a long time that with the Oasis taking a large chunk of passengers from Florida, they'll have a few spare ships to shift around.

[txskier]

I would LOVE a ship year round for Galveston (for work and sailing) and I have said for a long time that with the Oasis taking a large chunk of passengers from Florida, they'll have a few spare ships to shift around.

 

 

Erica, here's a quarter. One day a year rounder will appear

Hey, what are you and Jeff up to?

[Mrsg324]

I've only sailed one Carnival which was Fantasy. There was NO comparisson to Rhapsody or Splendor. I am going on Conquest in Nov but I am more excited about Voyager in Feb.

Although Rhapsody is my preference, I don't care what ship it is, just bring me a RC ship for the summer. Please.

[Krazcruiser]

I've only sailed one Carnival which was Fantasy. There was NO comparison to Rhapsody or Splendor. I am going on Conquest in Nov but I am more excited about Voyager in Feb.

Although Rhapsody is my preference, I don't care what ship it is, just bring me a RC ship for the summer. Please.

 

I cruised on the conquest back in Dec. of 2007, very nice ship, shortly after that we cruised voyager and it was somewhat laid back but none the less she's a beauty, enjoy

[Mrsg324]

I cruised on the conquest back in Dec. of 2007, very nice ship, shortly after that we cruised voyager and it was somewhat laid back but none the less she's a beauty, enjoy

 

Everyone that I've talked to told me we would enjoy Conquest & I sure hope so but I'm really excited about VOS.

[buckanear]

Erica, here's a quarter. One day a year rounder will appear

Hey, what are you and Jeff up to?

 

Thanks LOL! I hope that one day will come a lot faster!

 

We've just been plugging along, wondering why we live so close to you guys and yet we never get together. :D We got lots to talk about!

[KITKAT0229]

Not only do we need another ship or cruising line to really compete with Carnival out of Galveston/Houston, we need more variety in itineraries. RCCI please bring us a year round ship and some variety! I heard a "rumor" on another board that Princess was coming to Galveston/Houston in 2011. Only time will tell. When/if that days comes, we're booking the second we find out. We are addicted and especially out of Texas because the drive is so convenient.

[PudgiPoo]

It looks as if this thread has turned into a I love Rhapsody thread so I need to add my love as well. She is a wonderful ship, we sailed her to Alaska this past summer and she is the same. I think the people in Austraila are treating her right. We miss her, but they love her, too. Saying that, if you look at the RC web site the Splendour and the Vision are not booked for 2011. We will take either one. They both are doing South Am and Europe, so we can have one, don't you think? I love the Vision class ships. If we can't have our Rhapsody back give us the Splendour back we love her too. Would love to see 4/5 day cruises with a couple of 9/10 days to the southern islands. Come on RC give us more options so we can cruise more and more and more.

[Amy1118]

I loved the Rhapsody the three times I sailed on her and I loved being able to drive to the cruise. After sailing 4 times on a Radiance class ship, though, I'm still hoping for the Radiance or one of her sisters to come to Galveston. They have everything I loved about the Rhapsody, only more and better - the perfect size and such beautiful ships! Also, I think it would be great to have a mix of the shorter and longer cruises from Galveston like the Radiance is doing now from San Diego. Ah, well, I can dream, can't I? :rolleyes:

[bilyclub]

The main problem with Galveston is its too far from the big airport. A lot of non-Texans don't want to deal with the hassles of a tour bus that cost just as much as a one day rental car. If Galveston would get some car rental companies to be open on Sunday, things would be better. Flying in a day early is pretty normal, but the extra day rental charge returning a car is a killer. A little more competition is alsoneeded. Enterprise and Hertz are price gouging because there is no competitors.

[Pumbaamd]

Agreed. We really had a great time on Voyager back in February and and on our pre-cruise stay in Galveston. We dropped a lotta $$$ in Galveston and enjoyed helping the economy. However, the transport to and from IAH was quite frustrating. Our Galveston Limo van made several stops both ways. We were lucky to make our return flight home. Not blaming them, they are just trying to make a buck. With all this in mind, it is doubtful we will sail from Galveston again, although we did love the town and the local folks.

Rick and Deirdra

[AuzzieCruiser]

Being a Sydneysider, it is great to have a RCI ship based in Australia for 6 months of the year.:) Having being on the Voyager, I was a bit hesitant about the Rhapsody. I loooove the Rhapsody. It is my favourite ship by far.

The crew are still a friendly bunch. The best by far. Then again, I did have to spend 5 weeks with them.:p

During our cruise, we were constantly told by staff from the CD, Hotel Manager, Head Chef down to waiters and shop staff that they were looking at basing the Rhapsody here in Australia full time. That would be great!! I'm not holding my breath.:rolleyes:

Most people here like cruises 10 night and longer. We get a minimum of 4 weeks paid leave every year, so most people can fit in 2 or 3 cruises a year.:D

There are many reminders onboard of the ship being a 'Texan' ship. The massive Map of Texas with the Texan flag still takes pride of place on Deck 5 between the Pursers Desk and entrance to the Casino.

We'd be sad to see her leave here too, but someone is going to have to miss out.:(

[theozwalrus]

Not too sure about the status of ships in/out of Texas, but having just stepped off Rhapsody and spending 16 nights from Honolulu to Sydney with Derek Lewis in the "Adult Day Care (...at night)" program I would have to say as a first time cruiser .... I love it !!!!!!

 

Derek left the ship in Sydney after 10months away from home and told us he was off for 7 or 8 weeks then was going to be joining Voyager out of Galveston for your winter(???) he also told us that after this he would be joining Rhapsody again for some of the Alaska runs and then the Vancouver-Honolulu-Sydney reposition in September 2010.

Guess who is booking for the B2B from vancouver to Sydney next year ....??????:D

 

I feel I must add my 2c worth regarding Rhapsody and her crew.....

ALL the staff we had contact with over the 16 days were wonderful, happy, helpful, smiling and just the best people in the world. This was every body we dealt with from the waiters in the dining room to the housekeepers, the bar staff .... EVERYBODY!!!

As for the entertainment, Derek was the BEST !!! a friend of mine suggested going to see him on the first night and I was there everytime he was on ..... even on the last night we were still there at 1.30am!!!!!

 

just my 2 c worth but I hope The wonderful Rhapsody of the Seas continues the trips to Australia (even the nice people from Texas can tag along too!!) ;)

 

Cheers

David

[sas80]

The main problem with Galveston is its too far from the big airport. A lot of non-Texans don't want to deal with the hassles of a tour bus that cost just as much as a one day rental car. If Galveston would get some car rental companies to be open on Sunday, things would be better. Flying in a day early is pretty normal, but the extra day rental charge returning a car is a killer. A little more competition is alsoneeded. Enterprise and Hertz are price gouging because there is no competitors.

 

Oh pish posh! The Houston airport is not much further than Orlando is to Port Canaveral.

[JJSMaine]

Seems to me that Galveston is on thin ice considering the article below. Especially considering that Houston does have that nice new port up the ship channel.

 

Port Backs Cruise Lines Law Suit

 

I don't know enough to have an opinion on this, but it would seem that the pilot operators are being a bit greedy... but what is the norm for other ports? Something the article fails to discuss?

[Let'sGo!]

Responding to the orginial post... I would LOVE to see another ship coming back to Galveston for longer than Voyager. 2011 is better than 20-never.

 

We have been toying with trying our first Carnival cruise - simply because of the Galveston option. I love driving to the port.

 

I read someone's post earlier complaining about having to fly into Houston and get transportation to Galveston. My response to that: Try taking a cruise out of San Pedro some time. We're doing our second on Mariner next year (thanks to the Swine flu re-route) and let me tell you, that's no easy task either! I think I would trade traffic on Interstate 10 to whatever freeways we took from LAX to San Pedro anytime!

 

Of course that's my laid back Texan opinion ;).

[KITKAT0229]

Responding to the orginial post... I would LOVE to see another ship coming back to Galveston for longer than Voyager. 2011 is better than 20-never.

 

We have been toying with trying our first Carnival cruise - simply because of the Galveston option. I love driving to the port.

 

I read someone's post earlier complaining about having to fly into Houston and get transportation to Galveston. My response to that: Try taking a cruise out of San Pedro some time. We're doing our second on Mariner next year (thanks to the Swine flu re-route) and let me tell you, that's no easy task either! I think I would trade traffic on Interstate 10 to whatever freeways we took from LAX to San Pedro anytime!

 

Of course that's my laid back Texan opinion ;).

 

We've only been on the Rhapsody with Royal but this year we have gone on the Carnival Conquest & the Fantasy. We really enjoyed our cruises with Carnival so I do hope you give them a chance :-)

[jewopaho]

Oh pish posh! The Houston airport is not much further than Orlando is to Port Canaveral.

 

You're right ... if you're referring to Hobby International. The only airline that flies there with any regularity is Southwest. JetBlue, AirTran and Delta have limited service.

 

George Bush Intercontinental is served by virtually all other major carriers, and is both distant and expensive when getting to and from Galveston. It's about a 90-minute ride, and fares average around $100 each way. If you're considering renting a vehicle, Enterprise Rent-a-Car is the only game in town, and there's a $100 one-way dropoff charge. To further complicate matters, the Galveston office is closed on Sundays, when most ships depart and return.

 

This is, to my way of thinking, the primary reason why the brand-new Houston cruise terminal has attracted exactly zero ships. IAH is also a haul to and from there. If you are, (a) flying into Hobby, or (b) live within driving distance to the port, Galveston can be an attractive alternative. Otherwise, there are more accessible venues offering different itineraries that are preferred by most cruisers.

[yogimax]

My impression is that Galveston is not the easiest place to fly into.

[Puffinater]

Oh pish posh! The Houston airport is not much further than Orlando is to Port Canaveral.

 

Check the shuttle pricing. Much more expensive sailing from Galveston.

[restasured]

(Oh yeah, the new Port of Houston was part of a bond issue from the City of Houston...which does NOT own Galveston's Port facilities. The folks that follow local politics in Houston are not pleased. The facility was built with no contracts, very poor parking facilities and no local support facilities (hotels, restaurants, etc)..another example of spend it since we got it...)

 

Actually I beg to differ with this. I live in La Porte which is where the new port is. We have a number of hotels that are local and the Kemah Boardwalk with many great restaurants is within about 8 miles or less from the port. We were on one of the sailings that went out of the new port after Hurricane Ike tore up the Port in Galveston. It was much easier getting into the terminal and parking than the 4 or 5 times I have gone out of Galveston. It is very well laid out and seeing we were on the second sailing out of the new port there were a lot of new people working there and even with the lack of experience the time to get on board and the ease of check in was much better than Galveston. The only reason I have heard yet for a ship not docking at the new port is because it takes about an hour longer to get in and out of the dock. An hour of fuel for a ship is considerable and I have heard no other reason for a ship not being there. The new port blows Galvestons away 10 times.

[restasured]

You're right ... if you're referring to Hobby International. The only airline that flies there with ......

This is, to my way of thinking, the primary reason why the brand-new Houston cruise terminal has attracted exactly zero ships. IAH is also a haul to and from there. If you are, (a) flying into Hobby, or (b) live within driving distance to the port, Galveston can be an attractive alternative. Otherwise, there are more accessible venues offering different itineraries that are preferred by most cruisers.

 

Actually the taxi fare from Intercontinental Airport is about $40. It costs more than that to get from Orlando to Port Canaveral. It takes about 40 minutes which is less about the same as Orlando to Port Canaveral and they seem to be doing very well.

[Tucker in Texas]

(Oh yeah, the new Port of Houston was part of a bond issue from the City of Houston...which does NOT own Galveston's Port facilities. The folks that follow local politics in Houston are not pleased. The facility was built with no contracts, very poor parking facilities and no local support facilities (hotels, restaurants, etc)..another example of spend it since we got it...)

 

Actually I beg to differ with this. I live in La Porte which is where the new port is. We have a number of hotels that are local and the Kemah Boardwalk with many great restaurants is within about 8 miles or less from the port. We were on one of the sailings that went out of the new port after Hurricane Ike tore up the Port in Galveston. It was much easier getting into the terminal and parking than the 4 or 5 times I have gone out of Galveston. It is very well laid out and seeing we were on the second sailing out of the new port there were a lot of new people working there and even with the lack of experience the time to get on board and the ease of check in was much better than Galveston. The only reason I have heard yet for a ship not docking at the new port is because it takes about an hour longer to get in and out of the dock. An hour of fuel for a ship is considerable and I have heard no other reason for a ship not being there. The new port blows Galvestons away 10 times.

 

While I'm all for the ships using the new port since it is a 15 minute drive from my house, there are other issues.

 

One problem is that the ships have already set the itineraries for the near future and signed contracts. Maybe the pilot situation will give them an out to move to the new port.

 

Yes, there is (and being built) infrastructure near the port but you would need a rental car/transportation to get to them and the nearest drop off location I can think of off hand would be Enterprise in Seabrook which is closed on Sundays like Galveston. Once in Galveston, you are at a tourist destination and can get by using public transportation, short taxi rides, or your feet. Many hotels offer transportation to the pier. At the new Houston port, you are not close to anything within walking distance. A Comfort Inn is opening nearby that has said it will provide transportation within a five mile radius which would cover the Space Center, nearby restaurants, Kemah and the port. Maybe other hotels will fall in line.

 

I agree that the extra fuel to get out to the Gulf adds to the equation. Another problem might crop up is the ship channel being closed down due to an accident, oil spillage, etc. As far as I know, it never happened when NCL was here but the ship channel does get closed down periodically. If the ship is out, you can bus people back to the port but the other way around, you could lose a day or two of the cruise with nothing but the beautiful oil refineries for a view until it reopened.

 

Tucker in Texas

[bilyclub]

Oh pish posh! The Houston airport is not much further than Orlando is to Port Canaveral.

 

 

But they kow how to cater to tourist in Florida. Last time I cruised out of Canaveral the rental was under $20 a day. Granted rentals have gone up, I am only paying $30 in January for a car. Last time out of Gavelston it cost me almost $100 from Hertz for one day. I believe there are at least 5 rental companies that serve Canaveral. What has Galveston got, Hertz, thats it. Enterprise closes at 12 on Saturday, and is not even open on Sunday.

[Tucker in Texas]

But they kow how to cater to tourist in Florida. Last time I cruised out of Canaveral the rental was under $20 a day. Granted rentals have gone up, I am only paying $30 in January for a car. Last time out of Gavelston it cost me almost $100 from Hertz for one day. I believe there are at least 5 rental companies that serve Canaveral. What has Galveston got, Hertz, thats it. Enterprise closes at 12 on Saturday, and is not even open on Sunday.

 

Hertz isn't either open on Sunday. In fact, I'm not sure they have reopened their lot down there since the storm.

 

Tucker in Texas