Carnival developing new port?

[Seago2]

Drop one of the most diverse, culturally rich, and attraction-filled destinations in the Caribbean in favor of yet another man made, cookie cutter destination whose main allure is Señor Frog's?? :confused:

 

I can think of ports that I don't ever want to visit again, but San Juan is, without a doubt, one of the most amazing and unique ports in the Caribbean. The only problem that I see with San Juan is too little time to truly enjoy it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

 

Excellent post! Not only do I enjoy PR but I can only handle one cookie cutter port per cruise- and I usually stay on the ship and watch everyone else march off, bake, and shuffle back on. MSC took me to Cartagena- phenomenal. Aruba and curaçao- loved Aruba, curaçao not as much- but at least they were different and had a lot to offer. Panama- so much to do. You can always go to an AI at one of these places if you want a beach day with amenities.

[cruzeluver]

Drop one of the most diverse, culturally rich, and attraction-filled destinations in the Caribbean in favor of yet another man made, cookie cutter destination whose main allure is Señor Frog's??

 

Agreed! When they "develop" a port they just make it feel more like America with the same tired chain stores (Diamonds International anyone?. Like we need another one) and the same tired chain bars/restaurants (Senor Frogs, Margaritaville).

 

I am all for new places to visit, but how about a bit of diversity?

[Aplmac]

This may be a bit of a harsh reality for some of us, average joe cruisers, to accept,

but I don't think that we will EVER see a Carnival ship pull into St. Barth's.

 

If you think that the wealthy conservationists of Charleston have created an uproar over Carnival,

you have no idea what the upper crust, creme-de la-creme residents and visitors that frequent St. Barth's would do

if they ever saw a Carnival ship with over 2,000 passengers pull up to this island.

We are exactly what they are trying to avoid. :(

You are SO right on that one! :D

 

.

[SMSACE6]

This may be a bit of a harsh reality for some of us, average joe cruisers, to accept, but I don't think that we will EVER see a Carnival ship pull into St. Barth's.

 

If you think that the wealthy conservationists of Charleston have created an uproar over Carnival, you have no idea what the upper crust, creme-de la-creme residents and visitors that frequent St. Barth's would do if they ever saw a Carnival ship with over 2,000 passengers pull up to this island. We are exactly what they are trying to avoid. :(

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

I am visualizing this and having a good chuckle with my morning coffee:) You are right Tapi. St Barth's as a Carnival cruise destination will not be likely.

[Casco Bay Kid]

Drop one of the most diverse, culturally rich, and attraction-filled destinations in the Caribbean in favor of yet another man made, cookie cutter destination whose main allure is Señor Frog's?? :confused:

 

I can think of ports that I don't ever want to visit again, but San Juan is, without a doubt, one of the most amazing and unique ports in the Caribbean. The only problem that I see with San Juan is too little time to truly enjoy it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

They won't dump San Juan. Hopefully they dump Belize.

 

Sent from my HTC One mini using Forums mobile app

[golfadj]

They won't dump San Juan. Hopefully they dump Belize.

 

Sent from my HTC One mini using Forums mobile app

 

NP with SJ think that two beaches and two ports per cruise would be great.

[Lovefuninthesun]

Happy to hear this. Maybe they will drop Nassau :p

 

This would make me happy.:)

 

Dropping San Juan would make me very, very sad!:( We LOVE san Juan! It is one of our favorites -- history, beauty, great food, nice people!

 

We live in Florida -- we have plenty of beaches here for free, so we don't cruise for the beaches. But that is why they need something for everyone! ;)

[Big_G]

Why would Carnival 'dump' any port? They've over saturated the Caribbean and there are only so many ports of call.

[golfadj]

Why would Carnival 'dump' any port? They've over saturated the Caribbean and there are only so many ports of call.

 

True but nice to see some new ports to try.

[manmtnmike]

This may be a bit of a harsh reality for some of us, average joe cruisers, to accept, but I don't think that we will EVER see a Carnival ship pull into St. Barth's.

 

If you think that the wealthy conservationists of Charleston have created an uproar over Carnival, you have no idea what the upper crust, creme-de la-creme residents and visitors that frequent St. Barth's would do if they ever saw a Carnival ship with over 2,000 passengers pull up to this island. We are exactly what they are trying to avoid. :(

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

So true!

Tho they need the tourist $$...Sometimes cruise ship groups are not welcomed by those who enjoy their quiet paradise lifestyle.

 

I spoke to some locals when visiting a southern Caribbean island.

They dreaded an upcoming cruise visit by a large group of Motorcyclists .

 

Imagine it from their point of view...the pristine landscape and quietness versus a few hundred bikes:eek:

[crewsweeper]

I thought this was old news. They started this a couple of years ago. It will probably replace La Romana, By using the north coast, it'll make it more accessible to Eastern C ships. But yeah, it's going to be a Grand Turk experience, not a Half Moon Bay experience.

[Big_G]

True but nice to see some new ports to try.

 

Agree, new ports are a good thing but there's rally no need to dump the old as others have suggested.

[Cruzaholic41]

I thought this was old news. They started this a couple of years ago. It will probably replace La Romana, By using the north coast, it'll make it more accessible to Eastern C ships. But yeah, it's going to be a Grand Turk experience, not a Half Moon Bay experience.

 

It's in a location that's convenient to both Eastern and Western cruises, as already proven by Royal Caribbean.

 

If Carnival does develop this port, I can only hope they do as much as RCI does to help the local community. what'll be even better is if both RCI and CCL are eventually able to book excursions outside the private area, like to Citadelle Laferriere.

[golfadj]

I thought this was old news. They started this a couple of years ago. It will probably replace La Romana, By using the north coast, it'll make it more accessible to Eastern C ships. But yeah, it's going to be a Grand Turk experience, not a Half Moon Bay experience.

 

Been to la romana and no desire to go back.

[kybluecruiser]

Been to la romana and no desire to go back.

 

 

Anything beats calica (sp) lol It seamed like every 5 night cruise from Mobile went there until they dropped it for Progresso

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Tapi]

Been to la romana and no desire to go back.

 

 

We were "forced" to like La Romana. When we sailed for our honeymoon 10 years ago on Royal Caribbean's Empress of the Seas, a dispute at another port of call forced us to dock at La Romana for 3 days/2 nights :eek:. We ended up loving the place. We went horseback riding in Casa de Campo, took a day trip to Catalina Island, toured the artist village of Altos de Chavon, and shopped for bargains in La Romana. I'm pretty sure that if we had only been there for the original 8 hours, we would've never discovered what this place has to offer. Our impression would've been completely different if we had only done a bit of hurried sightseeing around the downtown area, which is pretty ugly. :o

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited August 4, 2014 by Tapi

[golfadj]

We were "forced" to like La Romana. When we sailed for our honeymoon 10 years ago on Royal Caribbean's Empress of the Seas, a dispute at another port of call forced us to dock at La Romana for 3 days/2 nights :eek:. We ended up loving the place. We went horseback riding in Casa de Campo, took a day trip to Catalina Island, toured the artist village of Altos de Chavon, and shopped for bargains in La Romana. I'm pretty sure that if we had only been there for the original 8 hours, we would've never .discovered what this place has to offer. Our impression would've been completely different if we had only done a bit of hurried sightseeing around the downtown area, which is pretty ugly. :o

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

We went to artist colony and it was just ok. However screwed up itinerary that we had to leave GT at 1 pm and got to Curacao at 2 pm during the winter so very little daylight.

 

Just did a southern of GT, Aruba and Curacao and much better way to do it.

[cruiseaway7522]

Any truth to this next year in DR instead of La Ramona?

 

 

http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/01/25/3885807/new-and-larger-ports-in-works.html

[Towel Critter]

If it's a new HMC private island type port of call, I'll be excited - love HMC. But if it's yet another Grand Turk shopping mall/tourist trap... big deal, at least for my tastes. I'm sure there are those who disagree, but that's my personal take on it.

[kybluecruiser]

If it's a new HMC private island type port of call, I'll be excited - love HMC. But if it's yet another Grand Turk shopping mall/tourist trap... big deal, at least for my tastes. I'm sure there are those who disagree, but that's my personal take on it.

 

 

I have no clue but I say more like grand Turk with beach access off the pier

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[evandbob]

Carnival likes to herd their cruisers into controlled environment shopping centers - look at Mahogany Bay, Cozumel, Costa Maya, etc.

 

If their new port is like any one of these, I'll find myself looking for excursions outside their corral.

[evandbob]

We went to artist colony and it was just ok. However screwed up itinerary that we had to leave GT at 1 pm and got to Curacao at 2 pm during the winter so very little daylight.

 

Just did a southern of GT, Aruba and Curacao and much better way to do it.

 

My first stop in La Romana was an eye opener, I went to an AI resort and had a blast!

 

I enjoyed it enough to go back for a week at Secrets La Romana, which was another excellent choice.

 

Punta Cana is the real 5* premier beach in the DR, but no cruise ships can dock or anchor anywhere near it.

[pspercy]

" Carnival Corp. & plc signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a new cruise port in Ile de la Tortue, or Tortuga, a small barrier island off the north coast of Haiti. A $70m investment is planned. "

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/carnival-confirms-plan-to-develop-$70m-haiti-cruise-facility.html

[Stateroom_Sailor]

This may be a bit of a harsh reality for some of us, average joe cruisers, to accept, but I don't think that we will EVER see a Carnival ship pull into St. Barth's.

 

If you think that the wealthy conservationists of Charleston have created an uproar over Carnival, you have no idea what the upper crust, creme-de la-creme residents and visitors that frequent St. Barth's would do if they ever saw a Carnival ship with over 2,000 passengers pull up to this island. We are exactly what they are trying to avoid. :(

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

When we cruise, we want at least 1/3 of the ports to be new destinations to us. Grand Cayman and San Juan are our favorites so far, so they hold some repeat weight. While I would honestly prefer doing the Caribbean on fun ships, we may eventually lean towards Holland America that goes to places like St. Barts. :rolleyes:

[9876]

I don't like Labadee; I hope this is better. I would love Carnival to have an itinerary with just their private beach destinations. That would be so nice!