Time spent at ports.... Less than other lines...

[klfhngr]

I've noticed that RCI stays at port on an average less than other lines, is this part of their cost-cutting efforts?

[negc]

I've noticed that RCI stays at port on an average less than other lines, is this part of their cost-cutting efforts?

 

Can you provide some specific examples? Generalizations are easy to make but sometimes fail when examined more closely.:rolleyes: On most of our RCI cruises we have arrived and departed ports at approximately the same times as all of the other ships that were in port with us, so I think that the location and distance to the next port of call may have more influence on port times than efforts to cut costs, although cost-cutting is always a factor.

[smoosh21]

I've noticed that RCI stays at port on an average less than other lines, is this part of their cost-cutting efforts?

 

I think it is dependant on your schedule. On my recent Princess Cruise we were in Huatulco for only 6 hours, but on my upcoming RCI cruise we are in most ports for 10-12 hours.

 

If the next port is very close, the ship can stay longer. If the next port is a good distance away, the ship is going to leave early. It is usually the aggressive schedules that try and fit lots of distant ports that end up cutting port time.

[T2C]

I've noticed that RCI stays at port on an average less than other lines, is this part of their cost-cutting efforts?

Certainly couldn't be cost cutting as they use more fuel while at sea. RCCL does focus more on their ships being your destination though on a lot of itineries their ports are better, as well as their ships, then other lines

[Gonzo70]

Certainly couldn't be cost cutting as they use more fuel while at sea.

 

If it is true that they spend less time at port, it could be cost cutting. The ships get better mileage when they travel at a slower pace, so by cutting port time they could slow down and run at a more fuel efficient speed.

[pfman]

:confused: Lets see, what else can we cry about.

I Know :eek:

 

TIME IN PORT:rolleyes:

[negc]

Certainly couldn't be cost cutting as they use more fuel while at sea. RCCL does focus more on their ships being your destination though on a lot of itineries their ports are better, as well as their ships, then other lines

It does depend to some degree on the distance between ports, since allowing more time to get to the next port (by shortening time in port) allows the ships to sail at lower speeds to achieve more fuel economy. As others have also said, it doesn't appear to be more of a practice with RCI than with any other line and what some may wish to portray as a cost cutting measure may only be a scheduling issue. Whenever comparing similar itineraries it is always wise to compare times spent in the various ports.:)

[NorbertsNiece]

I have an example. Recently we were on Jewel in Aruba. Celebrity Summit pulled in right behind us. We only had a half day there while they were there the whole day. I'm not complaining though. A half day in a jeep on Aruba was all my body could stand!

[negc]

I have an example. Recently we were on Jewel in Aruba. Celebrity Summit pulled in right behind us. We only had a half day there while they were there the whole day. I'm not complaining though. A half day in a jeep on Aruba was all my body could stand!

A lot might have depended on where the Jewel was next scheduled to visit as opposed to the Summit's itinerary. Lots of factors go into scheduling and without knowing all of them it is difficult to come to a valid conclusion.:)

[klfhngr]

No one's crying here, just thinking out loud and asking.. sorry for offending you and asking pfman.... Here are some examples for those that asked:

 

Examples:

 

RCI: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 8:00 AM 7:00 PM

CCL: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 10:00am 10:00pm

 

RCI: Philipsburg, St. Maarten 9:00 AM 5:00 PM

CCL: St. Maarten, NA 7:00am 5:00pm

 

RCI: George Town, Grand Cayman 8:00 AM 4:00 PM

CCL: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 7:00am 4:00pm

[Cuizer2]

I've noticed that RCI stays at port on an average less than other lines, is this part of their cost-cutting efforts?

It could be. The less time in port means the more time for traveling. The more time for traveling means a lower speed can be used. A lower speed means less fuel used. Less fuel used is money saved.

[snorkelman]

While time in a particular port may have to do with travel distance to the next port, I have noticed that Carnival seems to offer more ports on their eastern summer 7 day cruises than RCL, and I have to assume it has to do with RCL's desire to focus on the ship being the destination. The longer they keep you on the ship or their private island, the more of your money they get.

 

my wife and I had to choose between a Carnival ship that has no rockwall, no ice skating, no johnny rockets, no flow rider, etc. but more ports, or RCL that had fewer ports but many more options onboard. This sailing we chose RCL.

[klfhngr]

While time in a particular port may have to do with travel distance to the next port, I have noticed that Carnival seems to offer more ports on their eastern summer 7 day cruises than RCL, and I have to assume it has to do with RCL's desire to focus on the ship being the destination. The longer they keep you on the ship or their private island, the more of your money they get.

 

my wife and I had to choose between a Carnival ship that has no rockwall, no ice skating, no johnny rockets, no flow rider, etc. but more ports, or RCL that had fewer ports but many more options onboard. This sailing we chose RCL.

 

Good point about keeping people on the ship, never thought about that!

[GXmanDC]

...I have to assume it has to do with RCL's desire to focus on the ship being the destination. The longer they keep you on the ship or their private island, the more of your money they get. ...

 

But excursions in all ports make a ton of money for the cruiselines. I think it has more to do with time to get to the next port. With the cutback they can shave an hour or two off the time in port to sail slower to the next port. Personally I don't mind, I get bored after a 8 or 9 hours in the Caribbean ports.

[highseasredneck]

I do think the OP is partially right. I did notice that on our W. Carib RCCL Mariner cruise last year that we always arrived after the other ships and departed before them as well. I really think it boils down to where you are going, how much daily ship traffic is there etc... On the other hand the port times say for Adventure doing S. Carib are great. They are all 8-5, 6 or 7-5, 6. S. Carib seems to be less visited and maybe thats why. Cruise lines are like any other corporate operation, they have to bid and negotiate on their port times just like any other company would on any other business deal. When it comes down to it, there ships are nicer than some others so being back on a little early isn't all that bad IMHO.

[pltag]

:confused: Lets see, what else can we cry about.

I Know :eek:

 

TIME IN PORT:rolleyes:

This discussion isn't crying at all.

 

It's much more legitimate than Concierge lounges, or reserved pool chairs.

 

Back to the point. We have a stop in San Juan on an upcoming Liberty cruise that's a joke.....9:00 or 10:00 - 2:00!! :rolleyes: Not much you can do with that. Luckliy for us, we will just turn that into another sea day.

 

I love the calls where you can spend late afternoon or early evening in port. The Adventure call in Aruba (Midnight) is a blast!! :D I would love a few more like that!

[Gonzo70]

But excursions in all ports make a ton of money for the cruiselines. I think it has more to do with time to get to the next port. With the cutback they can shave an hour or two off the time in port to sail slower to the next port. Personally I don't mind, I get bored after a 8 or 9 hours in the Caribbean ports.

 

But if they trim an hour or two off the port stay, they still get the revenue from excursions, but also make extra revenue by decreased fuel expenditures as well as increased opportunity to have casino open, shops open, and people buying their cocktails.

[klfhngr]

Great points....

[NorbertsNiece]

Thanks.

I now have a headache.

If it takes a bath 30 mins to fill how many men will be needed to dig the hole in the road in 1hr 45mins. That sort of headache.

Thanks.

;)

[BadBoysDriveAudi]

:confused: Lets see, what else can we cry about.

I Know :eek:

 

TIME IN PORT:rolleyes:

 

I don't think people are crying. It's a legitimate question that doesn't need rude remarks such as this. When I first came to RCL, I also wondered why the time in port was much shorter than my first cruise on CCL. Of course, that first cruise had the first port in Cozumel, where we were in port from 7 am until midnight.

 

I think that spoiled me.

[BadBoysDriveAudi]

This discussion isn't crying at all.

 

It's much more legitimate than Concierge lounges, or reserved pool chairs.

 

Back to the point. We have a stop in San Juan on an upcoming Liberty cruise that's a joke.....9:00 or 10:00 - 2:00!! :rolleyes: Not much you can do with that. Luckliy for us, we will just turn that into another sea day.

 

I love the calls where you can spend late afternoon or early evening in port. The Adventure call in Aruba (Midnight) is a blast!! :D I would love a few more like that!

 

I think any port call where you are there until midnight or until the next day is great. I still have very fond memories of that Cozumel trip. If I were fortunate enough to be on one where we stop overnight, I KNOW I'll be hitting the clubs!

[brn2crz]

Simply, not true…

Caribbean Routes, June 09…I don’t see anything that would really warrant that statement..Someone else feel free to do Europe lol

 

RCI , Liberty St Martin 9-6, San Juan 8-2 , Labadee, 8-5

Freedom Lab 8-5, Jamaica, 9-5, Georgetown, 8-4 coz 10-7

Adventure Aruba 8-6, Curacao 7-5, Dominica, 9-5. St Thomas 8-6

 

 

Carnival

 

Valor

Georgetown, 7-4, Coz 8-5, Roatan 12-7, Belize 8-5

Freedom Key West 8-5, Georgetown 7-4 Jamaica 730-230

Liberty Jamaica 9-5 Georgetown 8-4.30 Coz 8-5

Glory Nassau 830-2, St Thomas 10-8, St Martin 8.6

[nbsjcruiser]

I've noticed that RCI stays at port on an average less than other lines, is this part of their cost-cutting efforts?

 

Nope. Actually designed to keep you on the ship and spending. If you're on land you're not buying booze and bingo tickets. This is why I decided last year to switch lines. Tired of things like this and 3 days at sea on 7 day cruises - notice that the newer ships are leaning towards that now? Keep you on the ship baby!

[klfhngr]

Simply, not true…

Caribbean Routes, June 09…I don’t see anything that would really warrant that statement..Someone else feel free to do Europe lol

 

RCI , Liberty St Martin 9-6, San Juan 8-2 , Labadee, 8-5

Freedom Lab 8-5, Jamaica, 9-5, Georgetown, 8-4 coz 10-7

Adventure Aruba 8-6, Curacao 7-5, Dominica, 9-5. St Thomas 8-6

 

 

Carnival

 

Valor

Georgetown, 7-4, Coz 8-5, Roatan 12-7, Belize 8-5

Freedom Key West 8-5, Georgetown 7-4 Jamaica 730-230

Liberty Jamaica 9-5 Georgetown 8-4.30 Coz 8-5

Glory Nassau 830-2, St Thomas 10-8, St Martin 8.6

 

 

Oh no?! Guess you didn't see this previous post, is this sufficient to 'warrant' the comment, lol?!

 

Examples:

 

RCI: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 8:00 AM 7:00 PM

CCL: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 10:00am 10:00pm

 

RCI: Philipsburg, St. Maarten 9:00 AM 5:00 PM

CCL: St. Maarten, NA 7:00am 5:00pm

 

RCI: George Town, Grand Cayman 8:00 AM 4:00 PM

CCL: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 7:00am 4:00pm

[borg1of2]

I think there might be other factors at play.

 

The first is knowing where the ship came from before arriving in port.

The second is knowing where the ship is going to after departing.

The third is knowing that two ships can't arrive and leave at the same time.

 

So, with those factors it may be just a scheduling occurrence to ensure sufficient time to get in and out and get to your next stop that is causing the perception.

 

Scott