New Orleans why doesn't RCI cruise from there.

[nolimits]

With all the help Haiti and Labadee threads I was wondering did they ever sail from New Orleans We are from NY and my DW has said we should vacation out of or in New Orleans to support our own. We are starting to plan next year ,

[soccerdad444]

They did cruise out of N.O a few years back. Not sure why they moved out of N.O. N.O was a very interesting city to visit.

[Sargent_Schultz]

They sailed out of New Orleans up until Katrina when cruising from the area ceased for a bit. NCL was the first to port a ship there when cruising returned, and Carnival and Royal weren't too far behind. RCI pulled out of the city after a few months, but Carnival and NCL still cruise from there.

[sweetcruiser106]

I, too, would love to have a RCCL ship sail from N.O. I only live about 6 hours from the port here in North MS. There are several issues at play. One is money (I'm sure that the port fees are pretty high). Second would most likely be the amount of time that it takes to get down the Mississippi River from New Orleans to the Gulf (around 8 hours or so). Lastly would be ship size. The last RCCL ship to sail from New Orleans was Grandeur. I don't know if a larger ship could sail from there. This would not necessarily be due to draft but instead height. There is a power line that stretches across the river at Chalmette, LA. Several years ago, the Carnival Conquest had to sail from Gulfport, MS instead of from New Orleans because of high water in the river and that power line (the ship was too tall). With that in mind, perhaps one day, a ship could sail from Gulfport. Of course, they would need a real cruise terminal, but the port is only about an hour from New Orleans and reaching the Gulf would not take nearly as long. You never know, it could happen.;)

Anne:)

[Sargent_Schultz]

The power lines were removed years ago so are a non-issue and sailing down the Mississippi is part of the attraction. The casinos and everything else open shortly after sailing - no need to wait for International waters.

 

Not too sure about the port fees, either. All three sailed from New Orleans prior to Katrina and I'm sure Louisiana offered some favorable tax incentives to get them back and still would.

[sweetcruiser106]

My mistake about the power line. I remember Carnival having to move the Conquest to Gulfport back in 2005 (obviously prior to Katrina) due to the high water and the power line. I would like to think that a RCCL ship will someday sail from N.O. I would love a Radiance class out of there:D.

[bluegirlum]

I imagine that if they thought there was demand and they could make money, they would be back there. Maybe their analysis showed it wasn't the right time?

[Rancher Dave]

With all the help Haiti and Labadee threads I was wondering did they ever sail from New Orleans We are from NY and my DW has said we should vacation out of or in New Orleans to support our own. We are starting to plan next year ,

 

RCCL runs Voyager from Galveston...did you realize Galveston was hit direct on by Ike which has recently been classified as the third costliest natural disaster to hit the USA? Come down and support Galveston, despite the Texas spirit which has much of Galveston recovered or on the way to recovery, there is still plenty of work needed and having businesses full of tourists help...

[Sargent_Schultz]

I imagine that if they thought there was demand and they could make money, they would be back there. Maybe their analysis showed it wasn't the right time?

 

Obviously it is a business decision for Royal, but the city and port are quite capable of handling more ships and lots of cruisers, other tourists, and conventioneers love the city.

 

 

 

WHO DAT!

 

 

[nolimits]

Thank you Rancher Dave .I have family in Dallas and I visit TX 2x a year although have to admit Iv never been to Galveston. Did Gal replace N.O. or was it always a port of call.I no carnival cruises also from Gal and N.O.. We will do Mardi Gras next year and then cruise would just like it to be RCI.We have done Tampa and Gasparella cruising on GOS.

[ehfl]

With all the help Haiti and Labadee threads I was wondering did they ever sail from New Orleans We are from NY and my DW has said we should vacation out of or in New Orleans to support our own. We are starting to plan next year ,

 

How is sailing out of New Orleans "supporting our own", any more than sailing out of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Los Angeles, or any other port?

[Rancher Dave]

Thank you Rancher Dave .I have family in Dallas and I visit TX 2x a year although have to admit Iv never been to Galveston. Did Gal replace N.O. or was it always a port of call.I no carnival cruises also from Gal and N.O.. We will do Mardi Gras next year and then cruise would just like it to be RCI.We have done Tampa and Gasparella cruising on GOS.

 

Galveston was a RCCL port before Katrina...in fact RCCL has been in Galveston a while...pulled back from 2 ships to 1 part time...although there is a push to get one homeported here year round again...

[bluegirlum]

Obviously it is a business decision for Royal, but the city and port are quite capable of handling more ships and lots of cruisers, other tourists, and conventioneers love the city.

 

I'm all for supporting NO and am rooting for the Saints--my bro went to Purdue with Drew Brees. I think maybe housing conventioneers and cruise ships are probably different propositions.

 

Good luck next weekend!

[nolimits]

New Orleans was destroyed long before Haiti .RCI hs stated over and over they are still cruising there to bring relief effort and PROVIDE JOBS AND SUPPORT BY PAYING PORT FEES. We would be spending where it could still help in US. PS IM not saying they shouldn't be going to Hatie Im like Deon Sanders Ill take both.

[bluegirlum]

New Orleans was destroyed long before Haiti .RCI hs stated over and over they are still cruising there to bring relief effort and PROVIDE JOBS AND SUPPORT BY PAYING PORT FEES. We would be spending where it could still help in US. PS IM not saying they shouldn't be going to Hatie Im like Deon Sanders Ill take both.

 

I'm guessing there is some impediment--political?--to them getting back to NO. I'm not an RCI cheerleader, but look at their track record. They are back in Galveston, they are back in Haiti. I imagine if they could get back to NO easily, they would. We don't know that they haven't tried.

[Sargent_Schultz]

I'm all for supporting NO and am rooting for the Saints--my bro went to Purdue with Drew Brees. I think maybe housing conventioneers and cruise ships are probably different propositions.

 

Good luck next weekend!

 

True. Far more people can fit in the city hotels, restaurants, and the convention center than on several Oasis class ships and the city does it without missing a beat ;)

 

The port facilities could easily handle another ship, too! :)

 

Thank you. Geaux Saints!

[Sargent_Schultz]

I'm guessing there is some impediment--political?--to them getting back to NO. I'm not an RCI cheerleader, but look at their track record. They are back in Galveston, they are back in Haiti. I imagine if they could get back to NO easily, they would. We don't know that they haven't tried.

 

RCI did come back to the city for a few months when cruising resumed after Katrina but pulled out.

 

The impediment was a lot of people thought that the city was still underwater and weren't booking cruises like they were pre-k.

 

The city - mostly residential areas - still has a way to go, but tourist, convention, and cruise facilities are all fine. It just takes a while for people to figure it out.

 

The New Orleans Saints in the Superbowl is helping to get the word out and the Superbowl itself will be hosted by New Orleans in 2013 - the first time since K and the 10th Superbowl hosted by the city!

 

Geaux Saints!

[seaofwonder]

I wouldn't cruise out of Nola (I live in Miami), but I have been 2x since Katrina and I absolutely LOVE that city!!!! We came a year after Katrina and the hotels were so grateful that we were there....many locals we encountered said they wished more tourists would come back.

Was there last year for a convention (for St. Paddy's day) and it was pretty busy on Bourbon for the parade.

 

Love that city!!!! Just has such a cool vibe!