Mobile talking with Carnival & other lines

[roseaxel]

On the Mobile news last night, their new mayor talked about how they are talking with 3 cruise lines and that he just returned from Miami after meeting with Carnival officials. He said there is a good possibility Carnival might return within the next year to 18 months, and that there may even be some "test runs" out of Mobile in the next few months. The biggest problem is Mobile can't come up with incentives to lure the cruise lines, since they are still nearly 2 mil in debt on the cruise terminal/parking garage they built.

 

I really think there was more to Carnival's leaving than was told to the public.(financial reasons) We cruised out of there several times, and the ships were always full. I really hope they return. A 45 minute drive to get on the ship is just great. Here's a link to the story:

 

http://www.wkrg.com/story/24846673/mobile-mayor-talking-to-3-cruise-lines

[ata1976]

I'll go try out a test cruise. :) I only sailed out of Mobile one and it was an easy port. Easy drive from Atlanta too.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

Sailing full and sailing full at profitable prices are two different things.

[EZ4]

Mobile has no money for incentives because they blew all their money luring Thyssenkrupp to build a $5 billion steel plant and Airbus with their $650 million final assembly line for A320s. Both of those businesses are infinitely more valuable to Mobile than a cruise line. Mobile would like a cruise line, to fill up the unused cruise terminal, but they don't really need one at this point. There is definitely more to the story than Carnival not making any money in Mobile. I really doubt another cruise line will come to Mobile. These stories pop up a couple of times a year and nothing ever comes of them. Now ALDOT wants to build an I-10 bridge across the river to bypass the tunnels and that will effectively kill the cruise terminal where it sits. I'd rather have the bridge. Traffic backups at the tunnels are one of the worst interstate bottlenecks in the country.

[mrBit]

We sailed the Holiday out of Mobile before Carnival moved her to her next life. That was the best crew we have ever had and the port facilities were fantastic.

[Mysticks1]

Mobile has no money for incentives because they blew all their money luring Thyssenkrupp to build a $5 billion steel plant and Airbus with their $650 million final assembly line for A320s. Both of those businesses are infinitely more valuable to Mobile than a cruise line. Mobile would like a cruise line, to fill up the unused cruise terminal, but they don't really need one at this point. There is definitely more to the story than Carnival not making any money in Mobile. I really doubt another cruise line will come to Mobile. These stories pop up a couple of times a year and nothing ever comes of them. Now ALDOT wants to build an I-10 bridge across the river to bypass the tunnels and that will effectively kill the cruise terminal where it sits. I'd rather have the bridge. Traffic backups at the tunnels are one of the worst interstate bottlenecks in the country.

 

They have been talking about that bridge for years and I don't think it is any closer now than it was 5 years ago. The talk and studies will continue for awhile.

 

I do think our new Mayor is really trying to get another cruise line in here but I doubt that Carnival would consider Mobile again, I think it would be NCL that would be most likely since they aren't currently sailing year round from New Orleans. One of Celebrities smaller ships would be nice if they could get them interested. They don't currently sail from the Gulf Coast.

[EZ4]

They have been talking about that bridge for years and I don't think it is any closer now than it was 5 years ago. The talk and studies will continue for awhile.

 

I do think our new Mayor is really trying to get another cruise line in here but I doubt that Carnival would consider Mobile again, I think it would be NCL that would be most likely since they aren't currently sailing year round from New Orleans. One of Celebrities smaller ships would be nice if they could get them interested. They don't currently sail from the Gulf Coast.

 

The problem with everyone other than Carnival is that they want to do seasonal cruises, it seems. Triumph and Conquest proved that the big ships can turn in the basin, though. :)

[tdnosnhoj11]

A 45 minute drive to get on the ship is just great.

 

I completely agree, neighbor (or so I assume ;)). I've been patiently waiting for them to come back. I didn't start cruising until they were gone, so I never had the pleasure of cruising out so close to home.

[firespud]

I would love to see Carnival come back to Mobile. It is an easy drive from Atlanta so we can drive day of and not have to stay overnight. Had the pleasure of sailing on the Holiday twice from Mobile. I agree with mrBit about the crew. The crews on all of our cruises have been very good, but the crew on the Holiday was the best. May have been because of the small size ship.

Edited March 4, 2014 by firespud

[Fla Senior]

Sailing full and sailing full at profitable prices are two different things.

 

This hits the nail on the head. It is my belief that Carnival was not profitable out of Mobile. If they were then other cruise lines would've been there long before now.

 

The ship could be full, but it is the profit centers on the ship that make the difference. Casino, Bar, Photos, Spa, Excursions, etc. If there were profit to be made, then Carnival would not have left and RCCL or NCL would've been there in a heartbeat.

[Mysticks1]

The problem with everyone other than Carnival is that they want to do seasonal cruises, it seems. Triumph and Conquest proved that the big ships can turn in the basin, though. :)

 

Seasonal is better than what we have now. :)

[Shaded Lady]

Mobile has no money for incentives because they blew all their money luring Thyssenkrupp to build a $5 billion steel plant and Airbus with their $650 million final assembly line for A320s. Both of those businesses are infinitely more valuable to Mobile than a cruise line. Mobile would like a cruise line, to fill up the unused cruise terminal, but they don't really need one at this point. There is definitely more to the story than Carnival not making any money in Mobile. I really doubt another cruise line will come to Mobile. These stories pop up a couple of times a year and nothing ever comes of them. Now ALDOT wants to build an I-10 bridge across the river to bypass the tunnels and that will effectively kill the cruise terminal where it sits. I'd rather have the bridge. Traffic backups at the tunnels are one of the worst interstate bottlenecks in the country.

 

As someone who regularly drives I10 from Florida to Texas, I'd argue that Baton Rouge LA has the WORST bottlenecks along that whole stretch! I've parked my car and gotten out to stretch my legs more times on I10 in Louisiana!!!

 

And I'd really love another port option to drive to from Texas!

[LHP]

The clientele that Mobile seemed to draw would have to break some very bad habits in order for any cruise line to come and stay.

 

1. Filling the ship means little when it is done at discounted prices.

 

2. Once onboard, the passengers must spend money...which was not happening. The MARS on those ships were way below par.

 

3. (and I know this is a touchy subject) but you can not have large percentages that remove their tips. And sadly, while the Destiny was the ship that had this happen the most. Mobile was the Port that had this happen the most. Wait Staff and Cabin Stewards hated to hear they were headed to either.

 

We cruised out of Mobile 5 times. (and would again if it were available)

 

However, the least little glitch caused traffic to be a pain. (the trains made it worse)

 

IF I were a Mobile resident...I would vote for a new bridge over a cruise port too.

 

However, IF we could ever get anyone in Washington, DC to listen (I know, a hopeless case) and get the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 revoked....

Mobile would have their choice of cruise lines.

 

As for the 2 million....Mobile literally threw away that much over the 7 years that Carnival was there by allowing people to park for FREE on those spots by the bridge.

 

That is just the beginning of the mismanagement by ex Mayor Jones.

[EZ4]

The clientele that Mobile seemed to draw would have to break some very bad habits in order for any cruise line to come and stay.

 

1. Filling the ship means little when it is done at discounted prices.

 

2. Once onboard, the passengers must spend money...which was not happening. The MARS on those ships were way below par.

 

3. (and I know this is a touchy subject) but you can not have large percentages that remove their tips. And sadly, while the Destiny was the ship that had this happen the most. Mobile was the Port that had this happen the most. Wait Staff and Cabin Stewards hated to hear they were headed to either.

 

We cruised out of Mobile 5 times. (and would again if it were available)

 

However, the least little glitch caused traffic to be a pain. (the trains made it worse)

 

IF I were a Mobile resident...I would vote for a new bridge over a cruise port too.

 

However, IF we could ever get anyone in Washington, DC to listen (I know, a hopeless case) and get the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 revoked....

Mobile would have their choice of cruise lines.

 

As for the 2 million....Mobile literally threw away that much over the 7 years that Carnival was there by allowing people to park for FREE on those spots by the bridge.

 

That is just the beginning of the mismanagement by ex Mayor Jones.

 

Shoulda left your tips in place. ;):D

[jagsgirl2005]

I cruised out of Mobile twice. I live 45 minutes away and that was one of the easiest drives to make for a cruise. Now we have to drive to Jacksonville or N.O. I would love for carnival to come back to Mobile!