Galveston...Princess is moving in.

[Goodtimes57]

So Princess is returning to the Texas market once again and this time out of Galveston instead of the Port of Houston (Ship Channel). I find this interesting as the Port of Galveston is now suddenly getting crowded. Well....relatively anyway. I mean it isn't Miami or Ft.L but for Galveston and those that cruise out of Galveston... suddenly there are choices and options for Cruise Lines, Ships, and lengths of cruises. But pretty much the same port of calls. We've been loyal to Royal since... well forever. We've never cruised w/ any other line. But evidently someone or somebodies think the Galveston market can handle it. We'll see.

 

What I like most about them moving in is they're offering longer cruises than 7 days. Although they're pretty much going to the same, same port of calls. I hope that RCL will respond and do the same. We would book 10 or 12 day Southern Caribbean cruises if they were offered. But so far that hasn't happened yet, Anyway I did a bit of price comparison. Using the same dates, same type of balcony cabin w/ same location, and w/ the same ports, straight up RCL has Princess beat by $400 for two people. And that was even w/ Harmony of the Seas. But when you add Gratuities, WiFi, and Alcohol Bev Packages, Princess smokes RCL by $800 for two people. I doubt we would cruise w/ Princess unless they did a A,B,C Island, Southern Caribbean type cruise. But I do hope the competition will force RCL to re-think pricing and longer cruises out of Galveston. 

[twangster]

Princess may have an opening because Royal built a new terminal and is moving.  Without the new terminal it may have been difficult for Princess to secure weekend berthing.  

[matj2000]

Nothing really new

 

Princess use to sail out of Galveston.

 

NCL is coming soon also.

Edited October 7, 2022 by matj2000

[Spurschick]

We moved to fl from tx but was very frustrated with the RC options out of Galveston when we lived there. Prima looks nice but isn’t there long either. Galveston needs fresh blood. 

[Jingerwoppy]

RC is running longer cruises out of Galveston. We're on a 10 night out of Galveston at the end of January. 

[George C]

I wish celebrity would join them, I am happy rccl has a newer oasis class ship Harmony coming to Galveston next year . With the price of airfare there will be lots of Texans wanting to cruise from Galveston . 

[c-leg5]

38 minutes ago, Jingerwoppy said:

RC is running longer cruises out of Galveston. We're on a 10 night out of Galveston at the end of January. 

And February. There are several runs but it is temporary

[Spurschick]

29 minutes ago, George C said:

I wish celebrity would join them, I am happy rccl has a newer oasis class ship Harmony coming to Galveston next year . With the price of airfare there will be lots of Texans wanting to cruise from Galveston . 

My Celebrity BDM said no intention of sailing from Galveston any time soon. 

[PolicromaSol]

I really hope we get more offerings out of Galveston. It's within reasonable driving distance for me, and there's a lot of resorts on the way. Makes a good family road trip. 

 

 

[c-leg5]

1 hour ago, Spurschick said:

My Celebrity BDM said no intention of sailing from Galveston any time soon. 

Celebrity have sailed from Galveston before.
 

Unfortunately Celebrity doesn’t have a very big fleet to spread around.

[Spurschick]

41 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

Celebrity have sailed from Galveston before.
 

Unfortunately Celebrity doesn’t have a very big fleet to spread around.

My BDM said they don’t view it as a money maker hence why no plans to return in near future.

 

Disney have an even smaller fleet but put a ship in from Galveston for a few months a year so not sure what fleet size has to do with it. 

Edited October 7, 2022 by Spurschick

[c-leg5]

3 minutes ago, Spurschick said:

My BDM said they don’t view it as a money maker hence why no plans to return in near future.

I don’t doubt but it would be nice if they could try it again. I would think even less chance now Princess has moved in.

 

you can only spread a fleet so far. Disney have often had a ship for a few months. 
 

 

Edited October 7, 2022 by c-leg5

[firefly333]

3 hours ago, matj2000 said:

Nothing really new

 

Princess use to sail out of Galveston.

 

NCL is coming soon also.

I started on princess out of Galveston.  I think was the grand princess. 

 

I was sad when princess left. 

[joeyancho]

6 hours ago, Goodtimes57 said:

So Princess is returning to the Texas market once again and this time out of Galveston instead of the Port of Houston (Ship Channel). I find this interesting as the Port of Galveston is now suddenly getting crowded. Well....relatively anyway. I mean it isn't Miami or Ft.L but for Galveston and those that cruise out of Galveston... suddenly there are choices and options for Cruise Lines, Ships, and lengths of cruises. But pretty much the same port of calls. We've been loyal to Royal since... well forever. We've never cruised w/ any other line. But evidently someone or somebodies think the Galveston market can handle it. We'll see.

 

What I like most about them moving in is they're offering longer cruises than 7 days. Although they're pretty much going to the same, same port of calls. I hope that RCL will respond and do the same. We would book 10 or 12 day Southern Caribbean cruises if they were offered. But so far that hasn't happened yet, Anyway I did a bit of price comparison. Using the same dates, same type of balcony cabin w/ same location, and w/ the same ports, straight up RCL has Princess beat by $400 for two people. And that was even w/ Harmony of the Seas. But when you add Gratuities, WiFi, and Alcohol Bev Packages, Princess smokes RCL by $800 for two people. I doubt we would cruise w/ Princess unless they did a A,B,C Island, Southern Caribbean type cruise. But I do hope the competition will force RCL to re-think pricing and longer cruises out of Galveston. 

You should try Princess.  It's a great cruise line.  Superior to Royal in certain areas.  Besides,  it's fun to sleep around..

 

[Tin can]

 

7 hours ago, George C said:

I wish celebrity would join them, I am happy rccl has a newer oasis class ship Harmony coming to Galveston next year . With the price of airfare there will be lots of Texans wanting to cruise from Galveston . 

 

We are cruisers from the UK and have been tempted by Harmony from Galveston in 2024. As a casual observer we keep reading and hearing really positive things over here about Texas and its cruise market.

 

Really looking forward to our trip and some different ports (for us).

[cynt]

I would love longer cruises out of Galveston to southern ports on any ship. 

[Goodtimes57]

11 hours ago, matj2000 said:

Nothing really new

 

Princess use to sail out of Galveston.

 

NCL is coming soon also.

Must've been many years ago because the last time Princess was in the Texas market they sailed out of the Port of Houston. 

[Galveston Cruiser]

2 hours ago, cynt said:

I would love longer cruises out of Galveston to southern ports on any ship. 

April 23, 2023 the Radiance of the Seas sails from Galveston through the Panama Canal to Los Angeles.

[c-leg5]

2 hours ago, Goodtimes57 said:

Must've been many years ago because the last time Princess was in the Texas market they sailed out of the Port of Houston. 

According to this chart 2004, not sure how long they stayed.

https://www.princess.com/news/backgrounders_and_fact_sheets/factsheet/The-History-of-Princess-Cruises:-A-Timeline-of-Key-Events.html

I do recall a short time from Houston later, along with Norwegian, in an effort to utilize the port.

 

Edited October 7, 2022 by c-leg5

[Texas Tillie]

7 hours ago, Goodtimes57 said:

Must've been many years ago because the last time Princess was in the Texas market they sailed out of the Port of Houston. 

 

I sailed out of Galveston on the Crown Princess in 2013. I think that was after the Port of Houston (Barber's Cut) was closed down to cruise ships.

[matj2000]

8 hours ago, Goodtimes57 said:

Must've been many years ago because the last time Princess was in the Texas market they sailed out of the Port of Houston. 

It was 2013.   

 

Crown Princess

 

2014 was in that crappy Port of Houston

 

Caribbean Princess

[txjim09]

On 10/7/2022 at 12:01 AM, firefly333 said:

I started on princess out of Galveston.  I think was the grand princess. 

 

I was sad when princess left. 

My story as well, first cruise ever on the Grand out of Galveston.  Did sail on the Caribbean Princess out of Houston, definitely not as nice an experience.

Edited October 11, 2022 by txjim09

[BallFour4]

On 10/7/2022 at 7:27 AM, Goodtimes57 said:

Must've been many years ago because the last time Princess was in the Texas market they sailed out of the Port of Houston. 

They sailed from the Bayport Terminal in Pasadena, Texas for three years. When they left so did the gangway, effectively ending the "build it and they will come" foolishness from the Port Authority. The actual Port of Houston further inland has not had a cruise ship.

 NCL had a pitiful ship here in 1998 that lasted a short time. It sailed from Barbours Cut in La Porte with a Texarribean moniker that was a musty old bathtub of a ship. 

 

Celebrity and Disney have had runs here in Galveston. The Galaxy was here for a short contract. 

 Galveston is a powerhouse. The ships are in international water quickly, full bar service and casino open long before the dining room starts service. The new terminal is looking great, and the ports long term business plan to include an additional hotel, parking garage and more make it a cruise port for a long time.

 

.

 

[cynt]

On 10/11/2022 at 10:54 PM, BallFour4 said:

 Galveston is a powerhouse. The ships are in international water quickly, full bar service and casino open long before the dining room starts service. The new terminal is looking great, and the ports long term business plan to include an additional hotel, parking garage and more make it a cruise port for a long time.

 

.

 

 

Adding a hotel and parking garage at the terminal would be fantastic!! I sure hope they are able to do that, especially if the hotel and parking garage is walkable to the terminal. Driving down a day early from the Dallas Metro area, parking and walking to my hotel and not having to move the car again until I return from the cruise sounds fabulous to me!! That would be a game changer. OMG! What if you could check in for the cruise when you check in for your hotel room!?!? Yes, I have a great imagination! That would be incredible. 

[Spurschick]

On 10/21/2022 at 1:19 PM, cynt said:

 

Adding a hotel and parking garage at the terminal would be fantastic!! I sure hope they are able to do that, especially if the hotel and parking garage is walkable to the terminal. Driving down a day early from the Dallas Metro area, parking and walking to my hotel and not having to move the car again until I return from the cruise sounds fabulous to me!! That would be a game changer. OMG! What if you could check in for the cruise when you check in for your hotel room!?!? Yes, I have a great imagination! That would be incredible. 

It’s called Moody Gardens. Get the cruise package. Valet park at the hotel, they shuttle you to the port. Then on return they have your vehicle ready for you to get straight into when you get back and parking is included for the duration of your cruise. So once you get to hotel no need to move you car again.