Empress Returning to RCCL?

[lovetocruiserccl]

BillB48

In round numbers, Philly is about a 100 miles and B'more is about double that.

 

I haven't left from Baltimore. So it's 200 miles to International Waters

 

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Edited November 14, 2015 by lovetocruiserccl

[BillB48]

BillB48

In round numbers, Philly is about a 100 miles and B'more is about double that.

 

I haven't left from Baltimore. So it's 200 miles to International Waters

 

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Correct, 200 in nice round numbers. There is a shorter route to open waters from B'more, but I think the Empress is too tall for that option. The last time I sailed out of B'more, upon leaving the Patapsco and turning south towards the Bay Bridge the ship headed North and transited the C and D Canal reaching international waters from the Delaware Bay. Think that is about 140 miles. That was a real treat!

[north29]

Cuba;)

 

My thought also

[shipgeeks]

Correct, 200 in nice round numbers. There is a shorter route to open waters from B'more, but I think the Empress is too tall for that option. The last time I sailed out of B'more, upon leaving the Patapsco and turning south towards the Bay Bridge the ship headed North and transited the C and D Canal reaching international waters from the Delaware Bay. Think that is about 140 miles. That was a real treat!

 

What ship?

[Charles4515]

Correct, 200 in nice round numbers. There is a shorter route to open waters from B'more, but I think the Empress is too tall for that option. The last time I sailed out of B'more, upon leaving the Patapsco and turning south towards the Bay Bridge the ship headed North and transited the C and D Canal reaching international waters from the Delaware Bay. Think that is about 140 miles. That was a real treat!

 

 

The canal is not deep enough for today's mega cruise ships. I doubt that Empress could use it either but what ship were you on?

 

 

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Edited November 14, 2015 by Charles4515

[BillB48]

The canal is not deep enough for today's mega cruise ships. I doubt that Empress could use it either but what ship were you on?

 

 

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Actually the draft wouldn't be the limiting factor for the big ships, the C&D draft limit is 33' which is enough for most if not all of today's larger cruise ships. The problem is the other draft... air draft which is 132' on the C&D. The ship I was on was the Norwegian Crown (ex Crown Odyssey now sailing for Fred Olsen as the Balmoral). NCL had just returned her to the fleet. She had the ability to fold over the forward mast to clear the bridges on the Canal. I'm pretty sure the Empress is in the too tall category as well.

 

Really a unique cruise, not only did we do the C&D but also transited the Cape Cod Canal.

[conwakr]

Empress is still my all time favorite ship. We pulled in across the pier from her in Cartagena earlier this year and I took a gazillion pictures and remembered her fondly. I'd love it if she came back into the fleet on an interesting itinerary. Cuba would be a no-brainer. I sailed on Empress in 1997, such a beautiful, classy ship.

Edited November 14, 2015 by conwakr

[FLASHINGLIGHTS83]

In round numbers, Philly is about a 100 miles and B'more is about double that.

 

Do you know how far it is from the Port of Tampa to the Sunshine Skyway bridge? It takes about 2 hrs to get past it.

[BillB48]

Do you know how far it is from the Port of Tampa to the Sunshine Skyway bridge? It takes about 2 hrs to get past it.

 

Pretty close to 25 miles.

[KMVigs]

Actually the draft wouldn't be the limiting factor for the big ships, the C&D draft limit is 33' which is enough for most if not all of today's larger cruise ships. The problem is the other draft... air draft which is 132' on the C&D. The ship I was on was the Norwegian Crown (ex Crown Odyssey now sailing for Fred Olsen as the Balmoral). NCL had just returned her to the fleet. She had the ability to fold over the forward mast to clear the bridges on the Canal. I'm pretty sure the Empress is in the too tall category as well.

 

Really a unique cruise, not only did we do the C&D but also transited the Cape Cod Canal.

 

That's so awesome. I live close to the C&D canal and drive over it often. Would have LOVED to sail through it.

[temple1]

Slot machines were legal in Charles County until 1968. During the 50's Waldorf (and the whole 301 corridor pretty much) was known as "Little Vegas" and some reports say that Charles County had more slot machines than Vegas did. Some of the weirder buildings in Waldorf (most of which are now gone) had their starts as casinos.

 

For more information you can see: http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2008/11/marylands-sordid-slots-history-about-to.html

 

Back in the day, Colonial Beach, VA was quite the hot spot because the Potomac River is in Maryland. All along the Virginia side of the river were piers with bars and casinos.

 

Savannah, Charleston, Jacksonville all would be good for us. Norfolk might work with an auto train trip to VA once we have more time available

 

Charleston would be difficult, until they make the decision about the port, Carnaval has most of the available days slated for their ship.

[SherriZ366]

B

 

 

 

Charleston would be difficult, until they make the decision about the port, Carnaval has most of the available days slated for their ship.

A lot of environmental and preservation groups would like to stop cruise ships homeporting as well as making port calls. The newly elected Mayor may be more sympathetic to their issues.

[Scotty G]

A comment made to me by someone who attended the HD / Captain meeting two weeks ago said she will undergo a major refurb before starting "special cruises" - not further defined.

[Pumbaamd]

A lot of environmental and preservation groups would like to stop cruise ships homeporting as well as making port calls. The newly elected Mayor may be more sympathetic to their issues.

We loved our port stop in Charleston last year on Vision. Spent lots of $$$ there on shopping and lunch/drinks. Our lunch waiter especially enjoyed us being there ($$$). Lots of cash went directly in to the local economy. If Charleston doesn't want that $$$, someone else will get it. Would love to sail there again.

R&D

[Tapi]

A lot of environmental and preservation groups would like to stop cruise ships homeporting as well as making port calls. The newly elected Mayor may be more sympathetic to their issues.

 

 

It's not "a lot of environmental and preservation groups". It's mainly one preservation group, small but very vocal and with money, and they've already been struck down in court several times.

 

From what I gather, their beef is specifically with Carnival. They had no issues when Celebrity or NCL used to sail from there regularly, or with the calls from more upscale cruise lines like Crystal, Regent, Silversea, Princess, Oceania, Etc. Their movement is directed specifically at Carnival, with their "anti-cruise" propaganda sporting a Carnival whale tail funnel. They have said that Carnival brings the "wrong kind of cruise passenger" and they cite increased crime in the city as a byproduct.

 

Carnival may be a budget cruise line, but citing increased crime as a result of their presence made this group loose a lot of credibility and showed their true elitist agenda, which is why they've had little success with their efforts to stop cruise ships from coming to Charleston. In addition, the environmental argument makes no sense since Charleston is a very busy cargo port, with less environmentally friendly, massive ships docking down the water from the downtown area.

[Ourusualbeach]

There was a report last week in the blood website about a meeting between the Panamian president and Royal executives including Michael Bayley and Richard Fain. Panama is looking to get Royal back there offering cruises out of Panama after pulling out a few years ago.

 

Could this possibly be a home for the Empress with its lower passenger count. Sounds like it may be a good way to test the market again and provide a home for Empress until something possibly opened up for Cuba.

[hoffyhof]

The best thing about the Empress was that ALL PASSENGERS were treated like gold. The best little ship ever.

[Tapi]

The best thing about the Empress was that ALL PASSENGERS were treated like gold. The best little ship ever.

 

 

I agree. I think that the Captain's party aboard the Empress was the last time I had a chance to actually meet and talk with him, not like it's done today where the Captain appears on a stage, says a few words and then disappears. The party on the Empress was held in the small Centrum, and the Captain just walked around and mingled as if he was another passenger. Pretty cool.

[SherriZ366]

It's not "a lot of environmental and preservation groups". It's mainly one preservation group, small but very vocal and with money, and they've already been struck down in court several times.

 

From what I gather, their beef is specifically with Carnival. They had no issues when Celebrity or NCL used to sail from there regularly, or with the calls from more upscale cruise lines like Crystal, Regent, Silversea, Princess, Oceania, Etc. Their movement is directed specifically at Carnival, with their "anti-cruise" propaganda sporting a Carnival whale tail funnel. They have said that Carnival brings the "wrong kind of cruise passenger" and they cite increased crime in the city as a byproduct.

 

Carnival may be a budget cruise line, but citing increased crime as a result of their presence made this group loose a lot of credibility and showed their true elitist agenda, which is why they've had little success with their efforts to stop cruise ships from coming to Charleston. In addition, the environmental argument makes no sense since Charleston is a very busy cargo port, with less environmentally friendly, massive ships docking down the water from the downtown area.

Hope you're right -- would love to sail on an RCI ship from Charleston. Very convenient for us.

[RetiredBert]

Just returned from Brilliance of the Seas and talk on board was Pullmantur was in talks with RCCL to return the Monarch of the Seas? Official word would come out in March/April 2016 timeframe. Rumor?

[Clarea]

Just returned from Brilliance of the Seas and talk on board was Pullmantur was in talks with RCCL to return the Monarch of the Seas? Official word would come out in March/April 2016 timeframe. Rumor?

That would be something if Monach returned.:)

[MADflyer]

Just returned from Brilliance of the Seas and talk on board was Pullmantur was in talks with RCCL to return the Monarch of the Seas? Official word would come out in March/April 2016 timeframe. Rumor?

 

RCL, the parent company of RCI, already have Monarch and Sovereign in their fleet and could easily move around any ships they would wish. They did just announce this week some major work will be done on Pullmantur's other 2 vessels, the former Celebrity Horizon and Zenith. There was no mention in the press release about any further activity with Monarch and Sovereign.

 

A travel website where you can 'go' to book 'vacations' just sent me an offer today for the revised Monarch and Sovereign sailings.

 

Empress was pulled back on the same website to only include sailings up to the final 7 night sailing on February 6th. Empress should leave for dry dock on the 13th of February.

[MADflyer]

This is similar to what I have thought RCI might do with a smaller ship. They could have a small RCI ship like Empress serve the Asian market outside of Asia or use it for a major source of whole ship charters from Asia and other regions.

 

Star is the Asian line owned by Genting Hong Kong that holds NCL, Regent and Oceania Cruises.

 

http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/13350-star-cruises-headed-for-mediterranean-summer-2016-ship-leaving-asia.html