Galveston Freedom Class possibility

[ssb]

According to poster just off Navigator on a cruise critic

Royal Caribbean thread

 

 

And to quote:

 

"Went to the Captain's Corner, Capt. Claus said RCCL is in negotiations with Galveston right now trying to get changes made to the channel and port area so that RCCL can bring in the Freedom Of the Seas in 2015. The terminal is to be doubled in size with work starting in 04/14."

 

We were told same on Navigator TA in November.

but two larger class ships were mentioned as possibilities also.

But it was not the Captain.

 

Also the Houston Chronicle had reported

when year around RCL ship was announced.

there would be prox 10 million in improvements were to made to terminal 2 as part of the agreement.

Those have yet to be started on.

Edited December 24, 2013 by ssb

[jonbgd]

That sounds good

Maybe after the Freedom they will bring in the what ever the ship is after the Anthem:D

[ssb]

That sounds good

Maybe after the Freedom they will bring in the what ever the ship is after the Anthem:D

 

Hi Jon

We were told on TA in Novemver by staff that an oasis or anthem were being considered also .

I guess it will be determined on demand based on how well the Navigator does here on year around basis.

You know with commitments by port on deepening and widening channel and doubling size of terminal

larger ships are coming !

 

And with Panama Canal situation and more efficient ships being built,

better and longer itineraries are attainable.

There are a number of anthem and oasis ships planned and being built now and others planned.

I have another thread on this subject now.

Tomorrow I will post some of that info on planned ships.

[jonbgd]

Hi Jon

We were told on TA in Novemver by staff that an oasis or anthem were being considered also .

I guess it will be determined on demand based on how well the Navigator does here on year around basis.

You know with commitments by port on deepening and widening channel and doubling size of terminal

larger ships are coming !

 

And with Panama Canal situation and more efficient ships being built,

better and longer itineraries are attainable.

There are a number of anthem and oasis ships planned and being built now and others planned.

I have another thread on this subject now.

Tomorrow I will post some of that info on planned ships.

 

Hi Lee

I don't see how the Oasis class would work but I see Anthem class fitting.

Hopefully The Nav will do well year round and newer ships will come.

 

It would be nice if they changed up the itineraries and did some 10-11 day cruises.

Havnt done a Panama canal cruise yet but would like to in next couple years

[ssb]

Hi Lee

I don't see how the Oasis class would work but I see Anthem class fitting.

Hopefully The Nav will do well year round and newer ships will come.

 

It would be nice if they changed up the itineraries and did some 10-11 day cruises.

Havnt done a Panama canal cruise yet but would like to in next couple years

 

Merry Christmas Jon

 

Just relaying on what was told to us recently by staff on Navigator .

Everything is relative to demand from Texas and Midwest for cruising;

And nature and extent of dredging to port of galveston channel;

And nature and extent of improvements to terminals.

 

There are four ships in Galveston presently!

[ssb]

We were told on recent Navigator cruise by staff

when the Navigator leaves Galveston in a 2 to 3 years,

Galveston will be getting a bigger ship!

 

We were actually told an Anthem or Oasis Class

But did not quote that to start something.

If the Navigator captain is openly saying

negogiations are in progress ,

then they probably are.

We certainly will take a Freedom class,

with other larger ones later.

 

 

 

So about that time and coinciding with Panama Canal expansion,

there will be a number of new RCCL ships,

and there will still be the other bigger ships larger available

than the Navigator that are in service presently and available.

 

So with Panama Canal expansion,

and with more larger ships

with more paying passengers for better economy,

and better fuel efficiency in the new ships,

the further destinations and itineraries should be attainable out of Galveston.

-----------------------------

 

ACCORDING to other sources for whats in place today for the future

CONFIRMED Ship Orders:

 

Quantum of the Seas

Ship Class: First Quantum Class

Passengers: 4,180

Expected inaugural cruise: November 14, 2014

 

 

Anthem of the Seas

Ship Class: Second Quantum Class

Passengers: 4,180

Expected inaugural cruise: Spring 2015

 

Unnamed Third Oasis class ship

Ship Class: Oasis Class

Passengers: 5,400

Expected inaugural cruise: Mid-2016

 

Unnamed Third Quantum class ship

Ship Class: Quantum Class

Passengers: 4,180

Expected inaugural cruise: Mid-2016

 

 

UNCONFIRMED Ship Orders:

 

Fourth Oasis class ship

Ship Class: Oasis Class

Passengers: 5,400

Expected inaugural cruise: Mid-2018

Status:

Option in place & expires in December 2013.

 

Fifth Oasis class ship

Ship Class: Oasis Class

Passengers: 5,400

Expected inaugural cruise: N/A

Status:

Option in place to build fifth Oasis-class ship

that would become available upon ordering of fourth Oasis-class ship.

Edited December 25, 2013 by ssb

[ssb]

We were told on recent Navigator cruise by staff

when the Navigator leaves Galveston in a 2 to 3 years,

Galveston will be getting a bigger ship!

 

We were actually told an Anthem or Oasis Class

But did not quote that to start something.

If the Navigator captain is openly saying

negogiations are in progress ,

then they probably are.

We certainly will take a Freedom class,

with other larger ones later.

 

 

 

So about that time and coinciding with Panama Canal expansion,

there will be a number of new RCCL ships,

and there will still be the other bigger ships larger available

than the Navigator that are in service presently and available.

 

So with Panama Canal expansion,

and with more larger ships

with more paying passengers for better economy,

and better fuel efficiency in the new ships,

the further destinations and itineraries should be attainable out of Galveston.

-----------------------------

 

ACCORDING to other sources for whats in place today for the future

CONFIRMED Ship Orders:

 

Quantum of the Seas

Ship Class: First Quantum Class

Passengers: 4,180

Expected inaugural cruise: November 14, 2014

 

 

Anthem of the Seas

Ship Class: Second Quantum Class

Passengers: 4,180

Expected inaugural cruise: Spring 2015

 

Unnamed Third Oasis class ship

Ship Class: Oasis Class

Passengers: 5,400

Expected inaugural cruise: Mid-2016

 

Unnamed Third Quantum class ship

Ship Class: Quantum Class

Passengers: 4,180

Expected inaugural cruise: Mid-2016

 

 

UNCONFIRMED Ship Orders:

 

Fourth Oasis class ship

Ship Class: Oasis Class

Passengers: 5,400

Expected inaugural cruise: Mid-2018

Status:

Option in place & expires in December 2013.

 

Fifth Oasis class ship

Ship Class: Oasis Class

Passengers: 5,400

Expected inaugural cruise: N/A

Status:

Option in place to build fifth Oasis-class ship

that would become available upon ordering of fourth Oasis-class ship.

 

I should have said quantum class versas anthem class

[jonbgd]

I should have said quantum class versas anthem class

 

Merry Xmas Lee

I did the same thing.:o

 

SO do you think, the Oasis class can maneuver (turn around), near the ferry landing. Is there enough area to remove from around there?

Im thinking that is the only area it wouldn't fit:confused:

Edited December 25, 2013 by jonbgd

[ssb]

Merry Xmas Lee

I did the same thing.:o

 

SO do you think, the Oasis class can maneuver (turn around), near the ferry landing. Is there enough area to remove from around there?

Im thinking that is the only area it wouldn't fit:confused:

 

the navigator and magic are backing

In/out now and turning around in front of Olympia grill

And sometimes not Turing around.

 

Heck in Houston bayport they princess is having to

Wait on high tide to get in or out sometimes.

Edited December 25, 2013 by ssb

[jonbgd]

the navigator and magic are backing

In/out now and turning around in front of Olympia grill

And sometimes not Turing around.

 

Heck in Houston bayport they princess is having to

Wait on high tide to get in or out sometimes.

 

Are they really flipping a turn I thought only the Triumph could do that

 

Im thinking we might have to come down after the 1st(if Lisa has recovered enough) to see them and get our Galveston fix.

The Oasis is almost 200ft longer don't know how wide the channel but:confused:

 

Wow didn't no Princess had to wait for the tide:eek: Does NCL also?

That's not good, im hoping they stay in HOU for years, it give better pricing on all cruises:D

Edited December 25, 2013 by jonbgd

[ssb]

Are they really flipping a turn I thought only the Triumph could do that

 

Im thinking we might have to come down after the 1st(if Lisa has recovered enough) to see them and get our Galveston fix.

The Oasis is almost 200ft longer don't know how wide the channel but:confused:

 

Wow didn't no Princess had to wait for the tide:eek: Does NCL also?

That's not good, im hoping they stay in HOU for years, it give better pricing on all cruises:D

 

You may be correct about triumph.

Let's look into that further.

[ssb]

Jon

We are glad Lisa's surgery went well and recovering.

Hope to see y'all soon.

[jonbgd]

Jon

We are glad Lisa's surgery went well and recovering.

Hope to see y'all soon.

Thank you

 

We are thinking of coming down this weekend or maybe Monday to look at the port area and channel. Besides seeing the cruise ships flip a ;) in the channel

 

Is there a link to Galveston plans for the port area refurb?

Edited December 27, 2013 by jonbgd

[txgood]

We are thinking of coming down this weekend or maybe Monday to look at the port area and channel. Besides seeing the cruise ships flip a ;) in the channel

 

If you have never done it, you might look into taking the free ship channel tour. It is way up the ship channel so it does not go anywhere near the cruise terminal (if I remember correctly), but it is a nice 90 minute boat tour for FREE. They even give you a free soft drink. You also have to make reservations in advance, more info on the port website.

 

http://boattours.poha.com/boattour/default.aspx

[jonbgd]

If you have never done it, you might look into taking the free ship channel tour. It is way up the ship channel so it does not go anywhere near the cruise terminal (if I remember correctly), but it is a nice 90 minute boat tour for FREE. They even give you a free soft drink. You also have to make reservations in advance, more info on the port website.

 

http://boattours.poha.com/boattour/default.aspx

 

Thanks for the link. We will have to check that out another time

If we wernt going to Galveston to watch the Triumph sailaway on Monday from Olympia grill that sounds great.

But I want to find out more info about the channel widening. SO I will be talking to some of the locals during Happy hour

[golfpccc]

The Magic and Navigator turn in the turning basin near the marina.

 

I was the poster that posted what Capt Claus told us - he only mentioned the Freedom of the Seas coming in 2015, if Galveston dredges the channel. He said that the Sunday we boarded (Dec 8th) that he had the Pres & VPres of Port Authority, Mayor and City Councilmen of Galveston on board for lunch and that RCCL is in negotiations to make this happen.

Edited December 29, 2013 by golfpccc

[jonbgd]

The Magic and Navigator turn in the turning basin near the marina.

 

Is that the area that SSB mentioned next to Olympia grill ?

 

The few times, we have been up early enough, Ive only seen them turn around right past the Bolivar Island Ferry area

[golfpccc]

Is that the area that SSB mentioned next to Olympia grill ?

 

The few times, we have been up early enough, Ive only seen them turn around right past the Bolivar Island Ferry area

 

That is where the large ships turn. The Triumph will turn right in front of Olympia Grill or Fisherman's Wharf, at least that is where it turned a couple of weeks ago

[ssb]

The Magic and Navigator turn in the turning basin near the marina.

 

I was the poster that posted what Capt Claus told us - he only mentioned the Freedom of the Seas coming in 2015, if Galveston dredges the channel. He said that the Sunday we boarded (Dec 8th) that he had the Pres & VPres of Port Authority, Mayor and City Councilmen of Galveston on board for lunch and that RCCL is in negotiations to make this happen.

 

Thanks for information!

[jonbgd]

That is where the large ships turn. The Triumph will turn right in front of Olympia Grill or Fisherman's Wharf, at least that is where it turned a couple of weeks ago

 

Thanks... That's what I thought.

Ive been on the Triumph a couple times but not any other ships out of Galveston

[ssb]

You may be correct about triumph.

Let's look into that further.

 

Thanks for clarifying triumph .

I never thought grand princess could get in and out of bayport.

 

The future in Galveston depends on ports commitment to cruising versas other industrial projects.

 

Heck Galveston could become a destination port.

 

WHO KNOWS what going to happen in this town.

 

AS Example:

 

 

Galveston Island is the only Texas location to make the most recently released list in an annual awards of a top ranked travel site.

 

Galveston ranked No. 7 on the 2013 list of the "Top 10 Destinations on the Rise in the U.S." The list features locations that have seen the greatest increase in positive traveler feedback and traveler interest year over year, according to a statement from the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau.

 

Site has compiled a list of 92 things to do in Galveston, with S-n-G Horseback Riding, La King's Confectionery and Rudy & Paco Restaurant & Bar highlighted as "don't miss" attractions.

 

"More than 30 miles of beaches plus a wealth of cultural and historic institutions make this island a Gulf of Mexico vacation hot spot," Article writes. "If you go, don't forget your walking shoes: With 14 museums and 20 art galleries, plus many historic homes and mansions, there's a lot of ground to cover."

 

Here's the full list, which was released last week:

 

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Anchorage, Alaska

Destin, Fla.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Santa Fe, N.M.

Jackson, Wyo.

Galveston Island Texas

Brooklyn, N.Y.

Moab, Utah

Edited December 30, 2013 by ssb

[ssb]

We are on a free cruise out of Galveston

Over to Bolivar

today to a bd party

At restaurant to eat oysters oysters and more oysters. :)

We are on the bolivar ferry

A free Texas highways ferry.