Ships moved to different ports (merged)

[FireIce0010]

Seems like it.

 

Friends just returned from NO..3 days late. They were robbed and stayed a few extra days as the husband was beaten by the thugs and was in the hospital for 2 days.

 

Now he knows why NO is sometimes referred to as "The Big Sleazy".:(

 

 

I'm not a fan of New Orleans either and am sad that Royal is making the return there.

[Pumbaamd]

From what we've seen, it's a LA to Brazil run. Several local cruises from Brazil, then T/A to Europe. Back to Galveston T/A after European season.

R&D

[Galveston Cruiser]

Unless you can drive to the port, I do not recommend cruising out of Galveston. Event with the convenience of driving to the port (and we hate flying), I don't think we will sail from Galveston again.

 

Sorry you feel this way. Weather is not controlled by the city. We were delayed more than 4 hours in Ft. Lauderdale; we and about 2000 other people missed their flights. Not blaming the city. Inconveniences occur. We also had cold weather sailing out of Florida. And we have had hurricane force winds in the Mediterranean.

 

None of the above will stop us from enjoying traveling.

[printingchick]

Would one of you Galveston experts please estimate the cost to get from Hobby to the port? We'll be two people and arriving the day prior so I can't consider the cruise-line transfer.

 

The time (an hour) doesn't phase me. Every time I have cruised from Miami, I have flown into Fort Lauderdale. It's less expensive and the air fare savings make up for the transfer costs. No big deal.

 

Would be interested in a cost estimate, however.

[volleyballmom87]

As others have stated... getting to Galveston is a challenge, but there are many ports that have the same challenge. I won't likely be sailing out of them unless there is a MAJOR deal that I cannot refuse. Port Canaveral doesn't appeal to me, LA... same deal. Guess What?! Rome is also not on the water... but is a "port". Not sure I will cruise out of Galveston because I don't care for the iteneraries, BUT I will be going back to Galveston to see my peeps. I lived there 21 years ago this summer. Fun times!!! Great town!!! Go early and play on The Strand! :D

[Seatravelers3]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU ROYAL CARIBBEAN for not only coming back to New Orleans but sending the Voyager!! As a Diamond Plus member from Mississippi who ALWAYS has to fly to a port, this is EXCITING!! I know all of Mississippi's and Tennessee's frequent RC cruisers are excited. New Orleans is a WONDERFUL place, with so much to do and see before or after a cruise!! Just please do look at doing some different and unique itineraries after you come back and get established. With more choices, we will definitely want to cruise several times a year from New Orleans!

[Shekim]

I'm sure RC will have a Mardi gras cruise...........they usually did when the Granduer was in NO..........it was expensive.......but I think they even had a special 10 night itinerary if I remember correctly.......but the memory isn't what it used to be:rolleyes: but I would expect some special February cruises out of NO.........

We've been taking the Mardi Gras cruise out of Galveston (booked for 2011) for several years now and it's really no more expensive; just book early. We booked a future cruise and had a 3 cabin upgrade. and for some there has already been price reductions!

 

I guess I'll have to try Mariner! Sounds good; something different! Albeit the same class.

[mustangjoe]

Our first cruise was out of NO on the Grandeur, April '05. What a grand cruise. We then did the 13 night repor cruise on the Grandeur Nov'06 from Baltimore to NO. Again, waht w wonderful time. I justed called DW and we will be making plans to cruise on the Voyager in Nov '11. We have sailed on Voyager twice out of Galveston and were looking for a bit of a change. This is perfect. Thanks RC!!!!:)

[Pumbaamd]

Good morning Joe.

Keep us posted on your Voyager NOLA plans. Could maybe be a chance to sea you all again. And, also June and Charles.

Best to Sally.

R&D

[Pumbaamd]

Would one of you Galveston experts please estimate the cost to get from Hobby to the port? We'll be two people and arriving the day prior so I can't consider the cruise-line transfer.

 

We used this service. They were OK, nothing special to brag about.

http://www.galvestonlimousineservice.com/

R&D

[PH8]

I'm sure RC will have a Mardi gras cruise...........they usually did when the Granduer was in NO..........it was expensive.......but I think they even had a special 10 night itinerary if I remember correctly.......but the memory isn't what it used to be:rolleyes: but I would expect some special February cruises out of NO.........

and that is what we are hoping for.........we did the last Mardi Gras RCCL cruise on the NE out of Tampa.....we spent 3 nights docked in NO and it was the best way to see Mardi Gras........that was back in 2003 and an OV cost us a little over $900 total:)

 

However,we got fogged in and missed our port in Mexico......like galveston,I guess fog plays a big role there..

[wkrp]

Going on Mariner for the first time on our honeymoon in July. Havent been on a voyager class in a while.Any cant miss things or special places on the Mariner.booked a hump JS on deck 9...any info appreciated.Thanks in Advance

[Paul65]

Galveston is one of the harder ports to get to...you must fly into Houston and then Galveston is a ways away..I can't remember how far but its an ordeal....now what WILL happen for sure is a bunch of Texans will come on here and dispute this as they are VERY protective of their cruise port (and I dont blame them actually) BUT if you search around these boards you will find MANY threads complaining about cruising from Galveston...

 

I doubt many of them will dispute that point. It is more difficult to get to the port via the Houston airports than for most port cities. Most of the Texans love it, because they don't need to fly to get there.

 

As for the OP's question about fog...Yes! That is going to be a potential issue. It's not always foggy, but it can be that time of year. I was affected by that on my Voyager cruise that left on Easter Sunday. The ship was late coming in and boarding was very slow. But, if you are of the mind-set to make the best of it, it wasn't so bad, and they gave a little $20 OBC credit per passenger to make up for us having to wait around in Galveston.

[Daycare Provider]

Have a great time on a fabulous ship....don't misses for us were the following.

1.Solarium Pool area..no kids..which there will be a lot on Summer Vacation.

2.Chops Steak House was great-when we told them it was oiur anniversary they gave us a special dessert and sang to us.

3.the spa-all the services offered we over the top fantastic. Yes the prices are more than what i would pay at home but they have a capitive audience.

4.The Promenade was a lot of fun..the schnooers(sp) Bar..live music was great fun place to go to in the evening...

5.Read your cruise capers carefully..one night on teh Promenade a little kiosk stand was making rum drinks in a whole pineapple...

6.The casino...the roulliet table was very generous..

7.Portofino's for the Murder Mystery dinner..great food and fun entertainment..yes these are not broadway stars performing, they give it thier best and make it fun.

These are a few things that we thought were a not miss on teh mariner...

[Dave85]

I don't see any way that a Voyager or Freedom Class ship will replace MOS out of LA... if they felt that was a good option they would have just kept MOS there. I do hope for the sake of the LA folks that they get a Radiance Class ship. With smaller capacity it would probably make sense economically and would compete very effectively (IMHO) with Carnival Splendor which is having its own problems with capacity.

[Dave85]

Congrats NOLA area people! I'm also happy to hear this news... I may fly down to join you all in the future on VOS with a prestay in NOLA.

[Stevesan]

There are more than 5 other threads with this news posted already...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1187346

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1187361

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1187371

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1187359

 

and 3 have already been merged.

 

And this is one more.:)

[Fitnessmaniac]

Here's the full article regarding this change:

http://www.nationofwhynot.com/blog/?p=1194&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WhyNotRecentPosts+%28Why+Not%3F%29

Based on this article..Voyager and Mariner will only be in New Orleans and Galveston Nov-April?

No year round ship in either of these ports? :(

 

I know we would love to have a ship or ships in Galveston or even New Orleans year around. We live in Texas..we always have to travel to Florida or Calif. if we want to sail spring through fall. :(

[Cuizer2]

Sorry you feel this way. Weather is not controlled by the city.

 

No kidding. Everyone knows the weather is controlled by the cruise lines. Read the reviews if you don't believe me.

[SherriZ366]

Where is the allure going to? Becuase that should move a big ship out of that port. What about the previous rumors about the freedom moving?

Freedom's 2011/2012 itinerary was announced about a week ago. She is staying in Port Canaveral. RCI has a contract to keep a large ship in Port C for 5 years that began running last May when Freedom was moved up there.

[ssb]

There is ash, snow, ice, tornados, fog, earthquakes, waves,

volcanos, construction, customs, immigration, distances,

security check in, late flights, violence and people everywhere

Its always the City and Cruise lines fault !!

LETS JUST stop TRAVELING AND CRUISING

 

BTW... there is fog.... where ever there is water

and it combines with heat and cold.......

including the east and west coast, entire Gulf Coast and all Florida ports and the Louisana port.

 

]"Attitude is the difference between ordeal and adventure" [/color]

[Cuizer2]

There is ash, snow, ice, tornados, fog, earthquakes,

volcanos, construction, customs, immigration, distances,

security check in, late flights, violence and people everywhere

 

Its always the City and Cruise lines fault !!

 

Get your facts straight. It is only the cruise line's fault. :rolleyes:

[wolfganghowell]

We have sailed out of Galveston 8 times. We have been affected by fog exactly once.

 

We sailed out of California twice. Both times we had to spend a lot of money to be transported to the port - over an hour drive both times. We accepted that was part of the deal when cruising out of there. (Full disclosure - yes, I know there are some airports closer to the port but they were not an option for us for various reasons.)

 

Galveston is a great port with a lot to offer. Sure, it's not the most convenient port for flyers. Do your research and decide what is best for you. Like many things in life, what is great for one person is not great for EVERY person.

 

New Orleans is an amazing, one of a kind city that every American should experience once. The history and culture is quite unique. The only downside to cruising from there is that you might lose your first day onboard - you'll be so tired you'll be napping until muster drill. :D :D

 

We've had weather "issues" out of Ft Lauderdale, LA and Galveston. Weather is weather. Deal with it.

 

This is really interesting news - we may have to book Mariner AND Voyager during the season! I feel bad for California losing a ship but I can see why. Prices were heavily discounted and if our sailing was any indication, the onboard spending was marginal. The ship's lounges were empty every single night when we got out of late dinner. It was like being on a ghost ship at night. $$ talks.

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

I really don't see the airport drive as an issue for Galveston. I'm from LA, and have flown into Hobby for my Galveston cruises. I fly in the night before, get a supershuttle to Galveston, then stay overnigth in one of the Galveston hotels with a free shuttle to the port.

 

The airport ride is maybe $100 bucks for the five of us?? And it takes like 40 minutes, depending on traffic. It's REALLY easy, and I actually enjoy the ride.

 

I've also never been affected by weather in any of the ports I've sailed from, San Pedro, Long Beach, San Diego, Miami, FLL, PC, or Galveston.:D

[melbur]

From someone who has to fly everywhere to cruise, I don't get the gazillion posts about Mariner leaving. You would rather repeat the same itinerary over and over again (how many times a year would you do this?) and drive to the port than fly somewhere to do something different?

 

You still have options, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess etc all have MR itins.