Houston building a "state of the art" cruise terminal?? (Merged threads)

[Cruisin Dave]

Last week on Ecstasy (Galveston) our CD was talking about Bayport, and suggesting that when the construction is finished Carnival might try to bring a couple more ships in to Texas.

Now that is good to hear.

[Cruise Cat]

Now that is good to hear.

 

Carnival seems to be the only cruiseline that wants the texas money as RCCL would rather spend most of their time in europe

[lovetexas]

You know - I don't get that?

 

The Texas economy (overall) had held its own compared to alot of the other parts of the world.

 

For our area- (until the last month or so) the gas and oil companies were really booming.... and I mean really...

 

So, I think all the ships that go out of Texas are full? And, don't yall think the prices in Texas are even somewhat higher than our of Florida???

[Little Elm]

I think the prices are higher.

[*Mach*]

I have asked some very highly placed folks at Carnival about the possibility of using Bayport... The indication was that they had no plans to use Bayport but were very grateful for being able to use the facility during the time after Ike...

The facility is built out. There are plans for three additional terminals but right now it's just the one.

[Snoozeman]

Docked next to the Lyrica last week in Costa Maya, that's the one I'm hoping comes. It's a natural as MSC is already the largest customer at Bayport container facility. Also MSC comes out with another new ship this year and next. Probably 2011 though, if we get it at all. Hoping for fall 2010, they hadn't put out a schedule last I checked, but may have by now. Probably would have heard if Bayport was on it. I'd take anything, just for the change.

[*Mach*]

I had been told, by a pretty reliable source, that MGM, owners of the Grand and several other properties in Vegas and elsewhere, was considering positioning a fair size ship at Bayport for two and three day gambling junkets...

Anyone heard anything additional about this???

[lovetexas]

I think that WAY too many of our Texas dollars go over the border---

 

We live near Oklahoma and tons of my friends go for the weekend to the tribal areas to gamble.. Lots of income from this. In the last year or so this place has become huge... couple hotels, campground, and the shows, plus the gambling.

 

We as Texas are really missing these dollars.

 

I think a gambling ship would be a great, profitable endeavor for some company.

 

I, for one, just want to cruise the ocean and go to fun ports, so it would not apply to me:(

[love2sale]

I have to agree with you there lovetexas! I think that they should convert the Astrodome into the Worlds Largest Casino. Instead they are just letting it sit there and rot. Why not keep our money here where it belongs. We give plenty to Louisiana!

[Carolyn1950]

I had been told, by a pretty reliable source, that MGM, owners of the Grand and several other properties in Vegas and elsewhere, was considering positioning a fair size ship at Bayport for two and three day gambling junkets...

 

Anyone heard anything additional about this???

 

OMG, I have 2 part time jobs.. If this goes thru I will need a 3rd one..lol

 

I am a frequent visitor to the Indian casinos in LA... I so agree our Texas dollars would be better spent here.. The majority of licenses plates read Texas in the casino's parking lots..

[lovetexas]

Isn't that the truth-- we go up to a lake in Oklahoma to ride atvs and camp. We past this huge resort. All the way from out town up is straight traffic. And they all exit at the casinos!!

 

They are PACKED!!!

[Galveston Cruiser]

Heard today some casinos were closing in Reno Nevado.

Everything is not as rosie as you think.

[Snoozeman]

I wonder if RCL pulling a ship from Alaska will give us our full time ship in Galveston?

[txskier]

I wonder if RCL pulling a ship from Alaska will give us our full time ship in Galveston?

 

Hey Snoozeman

which ship is RCL pulling from Alaska?

 

....we are on the Conquest in Sept too:D

[Snoozeman]

Hey Snoozeman

which ship is RCL pulling from Alaska?

 

....we are on the Conquest in Sept too:D

 

Serenade of the Seas

 

Yeah I'm in the group - just keeping a low profile.

[rsjc]

I wonder if RCL pulling a ship from Alaska will give us our full time ship in Galveston?

 

That would be great if they would go back to a year round commitment....

[clearlakecruisers]

I wonder if RCL pulling a ship from Alaska will give us our full time ship in Galveston?

 

 

We'll probably have to hijack the ship as it passes through the Gulf moving from Alaska to Florida as RCI seems determined to keep more ships than necessary in Florida instead of spreading them out to other ports. Of course, a few of us Texans could do that!

[lovetexas]

Just holler and I'll be ready.............:cool:

[Centexcruiseaddict]

I wonder if RCL pulling a ship from Alaska will give us our full time ship in Galveston?

 

I said it before on another thread and I'll say it again. Send Serenade to Oz and give us back our Rhapsody year round. Just think, Voyager and Rhapsody both out of Galveston

[Snoozeman]

I said it before on another thread and I'll say it again. Send Serenade to Oz and give us back our Rhapsody year round. Just think, Voyager and Rhapsody both out of Galveston

 

That was the original announced plan. Sharing Rhapsody with NOLA while the Voyager was here. There would have been at least one RCL ship in Galveston year round.

[rsjc]

I guess still no news .....

[txaggie78]

During the disembarkation talk on the Ecstasy out of Galveston this past Monday (02/02/09), Steve, the Cruise Director made an interesting comment. He said that the Ecstasy won the coveted Crystal Eagle trophy for its 2006 performance, and as a result, the Conquest was moved to Galveston. He continued, by talking about how well Carnival had been received in Houston during the month they sailed out of there after Ike, and how even though the port wasn't quite done at the time, how well it seemed to work for both parties.

 

He then followed that up by saying that the Ecstasy had won the Crystal Eagle for 2008. He did NOT say that there would be another ship anytime soon, but he did imply that there is the possibility that Carnival would look at adding a ship out of Houston, since they are being so well received in Texas. I don't know whether or not anything will come out of this, but it did give us some hope!

[yst347]

Steve is off an atleast one fact here, "He said that the Ecstasy won the coveted Crystal Eagle trophy for its 2006 performance, and as a result, the Conquest was moved to Galveston." The Conquest moved to Galveston in 2005 after hurricane Katrina. At the time Elation was sailing seven day cruises to Progreso, Cozumel and Belize, while the Ecstasy was sailing the 5/5/4 itineraries. Carnival leased Ecstasy to FEMA to house relief workers in New Orleans. Seven Day sailings for Elation were cancelled and re-booked on Conquest. The Elation replaced sister ship Ecstasy's 5/5/4 sailings., we were one of the groups booked on Ecstasy and switched.

[GregD]

Carnival and RCI CAN'T add any ship to bayport. They entered into a contract that states they cant sail any ships out of competing ports (essential HOU).

[p2lockhart]

While stuck in traffic for 2 + hours between Houston and Galveston on Saturday, we took an alternate route and saw signs to the new Bayport Cruise Terminal. We drove down there and checked it out. It looks good from the car, at least. I had been wanting to see it and now I have.

 

Patti