Two Magics out of Galveston??

[ekatiel]

So, we've been talking about this a bit on the RCCL board, and I've gathered some info from other message boards today. There's pretty compelling information that Disney's Magic may dock from Galveston in late Fall 2012 to early Spring 2013. Here's the info I've come across so far. I've gathered it from other threads on this board as well as other threads on other message boards (thanks if you were someone who posted this news somewhere :)):

 

1) Beginning last summer (2010), Dinsey started asking about cruises out of Galveston in some of its surveys. Here's a copy of at least one of the surveys (I've turned the text red in the Galveston Itineraries):

 

7-NIGHT FLORIDA & BAHAMAS (Starting at $869)

 

Cruise Ports: New York, New York; Port Canaveral, Florida; Castaway Cay, Bahamas; New York, New York

 

8-NIGHT FLORIDA & BAHAMAS (Starting at $979)

 

Cruise Ports: Galveston, Texas; Key West, Florida; Port Canaveral, Florida; Castaway Cay, Bahamas; Galveston, Texas

9-NIGHT FLORIDA & BAHAMAS (Starting at $1099)

 

Cruise Ports: New York, New York; Charleston, South Carolina; Port Canaveral, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; Castaway Cay, Bahamas; New York, New York

 

6-NIGHT WESTERN CARIBBEAN (Starting at $769)

 

Cruise Ports: Galveston, Texas; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; Galveston, Texas

7-NIGHT EASTERN CARIBBEAN (Starting at $899)

 

Cruise Ports: Port Canaveral, Florida; St. Maarten, N.A.; St Thomas, U.S.V.I.; Castaway Cay, Bahamas; Port Canaveral, Florida

 

7-NIGHT WESTERN CARIBBEAN (Starting at $899)

 

Cruise Ports: Port Canaveral, Florida; Key West, Florida; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; Castaway Cay, Bahamas; Port Canaveral, Florida

 

5-NIGHT BERMUDA (Starting at $649)

 

Cruise Ports: New York, New York; King's Wharf, Bermuda; New York, New York

 

2)Disney says it has an important annoucement about itineraries on April 6th, 2011, 12:30pm EST. The announcement will be made from New York (there is lots of speculation that Disney Magic will sail the Summer of 2012 out of New York and then move to Galveston for the late Fall/Winter months).

 

3) Laura Elder's mentions in the Galveston Daily News of big news for Galveston crusing coming soon (frome March 31st-- In red):

Loose lips: Rumors still are under full sail that another cruise line is island-bound. Waterfront watchers are speculating about which ship might be sailing this way.

 

But Port of Galveston Director Steve Cernak this week said speculation that the Norwegian Spirit might soon homeport from Galveston isn’t true. In 2009, Norwegian Cruise Lines announced it had signed a contract with the Port of New Orleans and would continue seasonal sailings from the Big Easy at least through April 2014. The 1,966-passenger Norwegian Spirit sails seven-day Western Caribbean itineraries with Sunday departures.

 

Still, some sources in the know say another cruise announcement for the island is imminent. Last month, Princess Cruises announced it would resume sailing from the island. Beginning next year, the 3,070-passenger Crown Princess will launch its Caribbean season from the island port, planning 19 departures between Dec. 22, 2012, and April 27, 2013.

 

Carnival Cruise Lines will bring two new vessels to the island in the fall this year. Carnival said the 3,690-passenger Magic would begin sailing from the island port in November. The 2,758-passenger Triumph would be moved to the island from its New Orleans base a month before that.

 

Finally, Royal Caribbean International plans to replace its Voyager of the Seas with the 3,114-passenger Mariner of the Seas, one of the world’s 10 largest liners. Stay tuned.

 

4) Someone on another thread here posted a message from their TA about big news about Galveston crusing being revealed on April 6th (the same date that Disney is revealing its big cruising news.) Here's the message they posted from their TA (post is in red):

 

From Gulf Coast Departure Forum*

"Quote from a travel agents email I got yesterday...."

 

"but the vendor actually came into my office yesterday and asked that we NOT say anything prior their official announcement coming up this Wednesday, Apr. 6th....... If you are on Facebook, watch my Facebook status updates on Wednesday, Apr. 6 or watch the status updates at our page on Apr. 6 and we will post the news when it becomes official! We will also shoot out a special edition of our email that evening so look for it!

 

If what I told by some inside people at the company is the announcement this vendor will be making you will want to get into our offices ASAP starting Thursday and get booked, especially if you are a family needing a cabin for 4 or 5 people, want to cruise at Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years 2012 or Spring Break 2013. This really will be big news, especially here in Texas but for the entire Midwest!"

 

The TA's announcement specifically mentions "families" wanting to book quickly. . . hhmmmm.

 

Could it REALLY be true??? What do you guys think about having two Magics in Galveston? --Katie

[firefly333]

It would be great if it was true. I got the same survey I think?? and it seemed to point in whichever direction you said you were interested.

 

I sure would love another ship out of Galveston. I had two inside gtys on the 7 day Disney ship out of Port Canaveral for $599 the fall before last and sure wanted to go. I think I did crazies instead though which was also fun.

[JRock59]

well it could happen........not sure how the logistics would workout and where they would dock. But if true it could drop prices which would be nice!

[*Mach*]

There was also recent speculation ONBOARD the Ruby Princess that she would be moving to Galveston in 2013... Some claimed that blocks of cabins had already been sold.

I know a reporter at the Galveston newspaper and she's looking into it...

:)

[Cruisin Christi]

That is very interesting...My kids would love to cruise on a Disney ship...

[ekatiel]

It would be great if it was true. I got the same survey I think?? and it seemed to point in whichever direction you said you were interested.

 

I sure would love another ship out of Galveston. I had two inside gtys on the 7 day Disney ship out of Port Canaveral for $599 the fall before last and sure wanted to go. I think I did crazies instead though which was also fun.

 

I just came across most of this info today. There's a REALLY long thread on another message board about DCL's April 6th announcement, and many folks there think that it will include the Magic moving to Galveston. My boys will be just the perfect ages if it's true (6 and 8 that winter), and we'd book in a heartbeat. It's really hard to justify the extra cost of DCL when you have to book flights, too. Without the flights, I think we'd be able to swing it!

 

well it could happen........not sure how the logistics would workout and where they would dock. But if true it could drop prices which would be nice!

 

Not sure DCL is in the business of droppping anyone's prices :(. DCL cruises are more expensive than pretty much any other main stream cruise line. That being said, a DCL cruise out of Galveston without having to pay airfare would bring it into our budget range, and I'm betting there are lots of people like our family who might consider it if they could drive to the port!

 

There was also recent speculation ONBOARD the Ruby Princess that she would be moving to Galveston in 2013... Some claimed that blocks of cabins had already been sold.

 

I know a reporter at the Galveston newspaper and she's looking into it...

 

:)

 

Let us know what you hear. I have NO inside sources (unless you count Google :D), so all of this is speculation on my part and putting different posts together! We'll find out on April 6th, though, for better or worse! --Katie

[Jeano222]

I have sailed on Disney cruise 5 times but never with children. Has always been with my husband and my girlfriends. They really do have wonderful ships and the crew is the friendliest I have ever encountered. Other cruise lines could learn a thing or two about how they run their ships. The food while not bad is not my favorite although the alternate dining n Palo's is superb. The big drawback is there is no casino, but for others may not be important. Also some of the adult entertainment was pretty shocking in some of the lounges. MANY people get up and walk out, but they do warn and nobody gets through the doors unless they are adults. The price will be higher but you get what you pay for.

[ekatiel]

Just posted on another forum:

 

MAGIC 2012 ITINERARY ABOUT TO GO OUT (yes I'm screaming,lol)

This was posted not too long ago on the Facebook page of one of the travel agencies that I use. I'm so happy I just had to share with you guys Woohoo!!!

 

Quote:

You Heard it Here First!!!! Beginning Sept. 22, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail 12 seven-night cruises from the Port of Galveston to the Western Caribbean. Ports of call include Grand Cayman and Mexico’s Costa Maya and Cozumel. Call our office by Apr. 15, 2011 and book one of these sailings and get a special Disney Collectible!!!

 

If any of my media friends need a copy of the press release, email me and I will get a copy to you!

 

She will also sail from New York for 8 nights to Florida and the Bahamas, 5 nights to Canada and have two 2 night cruise to No Where from New York City from May 25 to Sept. 12, 2012!

 

 

It sounds like it's really going to happen! --Katie

[232271]

and this was posted too:

 

2012 Galveston Schedule - Beginning Sept. 22, 2012, the Disney Magic will sail 12 seven-night cruises from the Port of Galveston to the Western Caribbean. Ports of call include Grand Cayman and Mexico’s Costa Maya and Cozumel.

 

A Caribbean cruise on the Disney Magic offers families a tropical getaway with world-class entertainment and impeccable guest service found only on a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Guests will enjoy three magical days at sea to explore all of the fun aboard the Disney Magic and three days in port to lounge on warm, golden beaches, to swim and snorkel in azure waters or to shop to their heart's content in exotic marketplaces.

 

Rates for the seven-night Western Caribbean cruise itinerary departing from Galveston start at $840 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

 

Disney Magic 2012 – Galveston - Seven-Night Western Caribbean sailing on 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24, 12/1, 12/8, 2012

 

Galveston, 2 Days at Sea, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel, A Day at Sea, Galveston

[twarpula]

WOW!! Thanks for the INFO. We will be on the DREAM in 25 days and planned on booking the next one while on the ship to get the onboard credit etc.. I think this will be the next one since we live in TX!!

[jewopaho]

Now that it's official (see Cruise Critic homepage), there's going to be a rush to book. For families, avoiding both the hassle and cost of flying is huge. Of course, much of the savings would be "neutralized" by the fact that Disney cruises run about 40% higher than the competition. Whether or not it's worth it is a personal decision.

 

Based on the $840/pp figure, plus the taxes and fees currently being charged out of Galveston, the lowest fare one can expect to pay runs around $1000. Add in the extras (and there are plenty, at Disney prices), and the cost could add up quickly. I shudder to think what the Thanksgiving week cruise will run.

 

Our crew (son, daughter-in-law, 4 kids) is considering it, given that Galveston is less than an hour from home ... but cost is a major factor (thankfully, they can afford it ... but spending it is another matter). The convenience of not having to fly is a blessing (to the airline, as well!), but the Carnival Magic could well be a great option ... new ship, excellent kids' programs, and year-round sailings. By contrast, the Disney Magic is 13 years old, and certainly lacks some of the newer innovations. It's small (1750 pasengers, 88,000 gross tons), which appeals to some, but drives others to look at the newer and larger ships. It will not be here during Christmas and Spring Break school vacations.

 

Right now, our kids are putting pencil to paper (actually, keyboard to spreadsheet), and that 40% price differential seems to be holding, based on what numbers are available. From what they've gathered thus far, they could book a suite on Carnival for less than the cost of two staterooms on Disney ... certainly a consideration when young children are involved. Then again, it's Disney ... something "magic" about the name. But it's nice to have options, especially so close to home.