Emerald Princess Still In Houston

[SLCfirsttimer]

[quote name='Loonbeam']Two issues here.

Weather - not much Princess can do except reconsider the port in the future...

Communications - an oft repeated Princess problem. While it doesn't rise to the level of compensation, it consistently bugs me that this is such an easy to fix issue but they never do (and it happens on all ships and at the corporate level every time there is an abnormal operating condition)[/QUOTE]

Agreed, for me the part that is bothersome is the communication or lack thereof. I'm still quite new to cruising and have been fortunate thus far (knock on wood) to have not experienced any delays. If it were to happen in the future I think I could roll with the punches so to speak, but would be disappointed and frustrated of the cruise line wasn't communicating what they knew to the passengers. And I do understand that Princess is at the mercy of not only the weather, but several other factors like availability of tugs, the people who control the harbor, ship traffic, and so on.

[QueenofEverything]

[quote name='Cruisedolls']Just an FYI the New Orleans new cruise terminal is under construction ... Rumor has it that it will be home to both princess and disney cruise lines ! It will be located at Poland ave and is suppose to be complete sometime next year .
Also it will be capable of handling some of the larger ships due to the depth of the Mississippi ...[/QUOTE]

We were on a cruise out of New Orleans a couple of years ago. A tropical storm formed at the mouth of the Mississippi while we were gone and the Corps of Engineers closed the river. Our 7 day cruise turned into a 10 day cruise because we could not get back. Also, it takes 8 hours to get from New Orleans to the Gulf, it is further than you think. No place is perfect!

[RJ2002]

[quote name='Dudleydog73']I have to chuckle with this question. There are no refunds when "weather" issues affect this port. Princess says suck it up for choosing to sail out of a problematic Houston. They will quite readily refund any port fees for all of the ports that will be missed, but that is all. We were on the Thanksgiving cruise from Bayport last year that was nothing but problematic, and my view is still to avoid at all cost with other ports being available for getting our Princess fix.[/QUOTE]

Oh, I was chuckling as well. I was simply trying to get information from the poster that I quoted, who seemed to suggest that refunds were forthcoming. :)

Port fees are the only thing I've ever received for a missed port.

[caribill]

[quote name='Dudleydog73'] We were on the Thanksgiving cruise from Bayport last year that was nothing but problematic, and my view is still to avoid at all cost with other ports being available for getting our Princess fix.[/quote]

Depends on where you live.

If I lived in North Carolina, Bayport would probably not be high on my list of ports to use.

Living 8 miles from the port, it is near the top of my list.

[caribill]

[quote name='Loonbeam']

Communications - an oft repeated Princess problem. While it doesn't rise to the level of compensation, it consistently bugs me that this is such an easy to fix issue but they never do (and it happens on all ships and at the corporate level every time there is an abnormal operating condition)[/quote]

We were on the cruise that ended at Bayport Sunday.

There was certainly a great deal of communication Sunday morning about arriving late. About every 15 minutes they were announcing we would be arriving late, first saying at 9:30 and then changing to 8:45.

Soon after we arrived, there was a repeated announcement for a passenger to immediately report to the Purser's desk. As one passenger was arrested for credit card theft before disembarkation could start, speculation is that who was being paged.

However, no announcement was made that disembarkation was starting for the walkoff passengers. Many needed no announcement as they had been standing in line for quite a while. Others, who had been waiting in lounges, had no idea the disembarkation had started.

[RickEk]

For all the talk of lack of communication, y'all know that Princess generally does not make announcements into the cabins. So I'd bet that announcements were made, they just weren't heard by folks in their cabins at the time...

 

And they've had silent disembarkation for a long time now... :rolleyes:

[PenguinLife]

We were out of our cabin by about 8 am, well before the ship docked, first we were in the MDR for breakfast then on the Lido deck, finally moving down to a deck 7 lounge waiting for our color coded normal debarkation group to be called. In all that time I never heard an announcement regarding starting express walk off, and in fact the only express walk off notice I heard happened after the 3rd or 4th color group normal debarkation group was called and that was an announcement that all express walk off groups had already been called and anyone that was doing express walk off should already be off the ship. Our only clue that the debarkation process had started was in fact watching a flow of people through the terminal and out into the parking lot from our vantage point on the Lido deck.

[caribill]

For all the talk of lack of communication, y'all know that Princess generally does not make announcements into the cabins. So I'd bet that announcements were made, they just weren't heard by folks in their cabins at the time...

 

And they've had silent disembarkation for a long time now... :rolleyes:

 

You are 100% right about the normal practice, but when it was known the ship would be arriving late, the following announcement was made.

 

o Ship will be late (first said 9:30, later said 8:45).

o Only walkoff people should use the lounges on deck 7. All other people should not report to the assigned meeting places for their color.

o Once the walkoff people had disembarked, all others could use the deck 7 lounges if they wished.

o This would not be a silent disembarkation. Announcements would be made shipwide as each group could disembark.

 

Also, since passengers were supposed to leave their cabins by 8 AM, even those who were allowed to stay a little longer were certainly out of their cabins by 10 AM when disembarkation started and thus there was no need for announcements to be heard in the cabins.

 

Below shows some of those waiting at 9 AM, an hour before disembarkation started.

 

Edited November 18, 2014 by caribill

[Kiwicruiser25]

Does anyone know if they have changed the itinerary for the current cruise on Emerald Princess?

I thought they were going to Island of Roatan, Honduras

But webcam says bound for Costa Maya!!

[richstowe]

We were on a cruise out of New Orleans a couple of years ago. A tropical storm formed at the mouth of the Mississippi while we were gone and the Corps of Engineers closed the river. Our 7 day cruise turned into a 10 day cruise because we could not get back. Also, it takes 8 hours to get from New Orleans to the Gulf, it is further than you think. No place is perfect!

Absolutely true. We have cruised out of Jacksonville and Baltimore both of which have lengthy river

sections before you reach the sea . At Jacksonville we only returned at noon due to severe fog.

Embarkation began an hour later, 5 hours late.

At Baltimore our cruise was normal but the previous cruise left 4+ hours late due to tide/bridge issues.

At both ports, these issues are said to be quite "normal" during certain times of the year.

 

No port is perfect!

[capriccio]

For all the talk of lack of communication, y'all know that Princess generally does not make announcements into the cabins. So I'd bet that announcements were made, they just weren't heard by folks in their cabins at the time...

 

 

My DB and SIL - even on their 3rd Princess cruise - didn't realize that they should keep their TV set on the webcam channel to hear announcements in the cabin and missed some of the many and very informative announcements made regarding missing Charleston and the storm we were going through two weeks ago on the Ruby.

 

Some of those announcements were made in the gym (how they could work out while the ship was being tossed about is beyond me :D) -- they said that ship wide announcements weren't broadcast there. I think that should be corrected and told them to make sure they noted it on the post cruise survey.

Edited November 18, 2014 by capriccio

[caribill]

Does anyone know if they have changed the itinerary for the current cruise on Emerald Princess?

I thought they were going to Island of Roatan, Honduras

But webcam says bound for Costa Maya!!

 

That would be the change

[Julia’s Journey’s]

For all the talk of lack of communication, y'all know that Princess generally does not make announcements into the cabins. So I'd bet that announcements were made, they just weren't heard by folks in their cabins at the time...

 

And they've had silent disembarkation for a long time now... :rolleyes:

 

If Princess communicated Sunday evening and then Monday morning I'm not sure why more communication thru the night would be expected, I would be upset if they announced into my cabin all thru the night with nothing new to say and can you imagine the threads on CC about that:D

 

I also though Princess has silent disembarkation for years already.

[Dudleydog73]

Depends on where you live.

 

If I lived in North Carolina, Bayport would probably not be high on my list of ports to use.

 

Living 8 miles from the port, it is near the top of my list.

 

Bill, I know you are a Bayport cheerleader and your proximity allows you to put up with more BS, but I really do wish this port had been better thought out. I have family including two beautiful nieces in the Houston area that I would have loved to bring into cruising with a BVE or two but even that cannot override the fact that Bayport is just not a great cruise terminal for us.

 

We were also on the TA that brought the Emerald back from Europe and were part of the large group that debarked in Ft Lauderdale to avoid Bayport again.

 

I wish it was different, but it has proven two years in a row that this may be the normal for Bayport and any cruises that attempt to leave from it.

[Mekamax]

We just disembarked this morning from the 5 day, we were also delayed departing the port last Tuesday with similar north wind (currently 22 mph gusting to 30 mph) it is 4:50 am and she is still sitting there. My guess is the problem is probably lack of enough tugs / traffic, we had 2 assisting us out down the narrow 3-4 mile long east / west channel that connects the port to the main ship channel. On tuesday at one point we came very close to the southern edge of the channel when the north wind was gusting, close enough to concern me, as the starboard side tug was at full throttle trying to push the bow north and the wind was still pushing the ship progressively right of course (lost sight of the right side channel marker lights for a couple of minutes sighting down the starboard side balcony rail. Once we made it into the main HSC channel and had the wind coming from the aft the tugs departed and it appeared to be easy going.

 

Thank you for this - makes a lot of sense. So think it is the actual dock area and getting into the ship channel... When we left last year at night in winds they had tugs all around and we still barely missed the dock (what it looked like from where we were sitting) when turning. Very interesting to watch and I was praying we would miss the dock. The tugs were really struggling! We were in Skywalkers.

[Mekamax]

Bill, I know you are a Bayport cheerleader and your proximity allows you to put up with more BS, but I really do wish this port had been better thought out. I have family including two beautiful nieces in the Houston area that I would have loved to bring into cruising with a BVE or two but even that cannot override the fact that Bayport is just not a great cruise terminal for us.

 

We were also on the TA that brought the Emerald back from Europe and were part of the large group that debarked in Ft Lauderdale to avoid Bayport again.

 

I wish it was different, but it has proven two years in a row that this may be the normal for Bayport and any cruises that attempt to leave from it.

 

 

The port area has been used for many years - including cruises on NCL out of the old port just up from the new one. Really love the size of the port - small and personal and don't have to take a shuttle to the ship from the parking like in Galveston. Weather is weird for us. Last year very weird. This year already have freezing temps last night - normally not till dec and most times till Jan do we see that. Will be back to 70 degrees by Thursday which is our norm. Give it time to get all the kinks worked out of the new port.

[caribill]

Bill, I know you are a Bayport cheerleader and your proximity allows you to put up with more BS, but I really do wish this port had been better thought out.

 

I would not say I am a Bayport cheerleader, just that being so near it makes it perfect for me.

 

The terminal sat empty for years ("build it and the cruise lines will come") except for short period after Hurricane Ike meant that Galveston could not be used for cruise hips.

 

Princess and NCL are there now only because the Port of Houston gave them a great deal (no port charges and a share of parking revenue, as I understand it) for at least two years.

 

Boarding last week was a disaster for many passengers, but I suspect that was mainly because of the security inspection immediately after entering the terminal.

 

There were two lines, one for elite/platinum/suite/handicapped and one for the rest. The priority line had a single agent and metal detector while the everyone else had three agents and detectors. I am not sure which line moved faster (or accurately, less slowly). When we got on the line, there were only about ten people in front of us outside and it took us 15 minutes to make it into the termianl for the inside part of the line.

 

Even though passengers did not have to remove laptops from carryon luggage and could keep their shoes on, many seemed unaware of the need to remove metal (including cell phones) from their pockets and this delayed both lines. It also meant that many passengers were outside uncovered in the rain and cold waiting in that line, sometimes for an hour or more.

[photokay]

Been reading about the fog problems. Thanks for the heads up on the wine. May need to get some just in case. Sailing in Dec. Fingers cross for better weather.

[mom2tcdx2]

We are on the 30th sailing too, I hope we have decent weather. I have never sailed from Houston before and haven't been to Texas since my family moved from Conroe in 1981.

 

I am sure it would be horribly disappointing to be stuck in the port overnight, though I think I would prefer the ship to make sure it is ok and safe to travel. While some compensation would be nice, I really don't think I would expect anything other than to reimburse for a missed port, which is usually only the port fees.

 

Though interesting reading on the sale of alcohol. I had noticed Carnival mentions you can't buy the drink packages on the first day of a cruise out of Houston, though I saw nothing like that mentioned on Princess pages at all. If we are buying a package does that mean we only pay for 6 days and not 7?

[photokay]

We are on the 30th sailing too, I hope we have decent weather. I have never sailed from Houston before and haven't been to Texas since my family moved from Conroe in 1981.

 

I am sure it would be horribly disappointing to be stuck in the port overnight, though I think I would prefer the ship to make sure it is ok and safe to travel. While some compensation would be nice, I really don't think I would expect anything other than to reimburse for a missed port, which is usually only the port fees.

 

Though interesting reading on the sale of alcohol. I had noticed Carnival mentions you can't buy the drink packages on the first day of a cruise out of Houston, though I saw nothing like that mentioned on Princess pages at all. If we are buying a package does that mean we only pay for 6 days and not 7?

 

Hi,

Hope you have a great cruise. My sister lived in Conroe,Tx. during that time. Small world.

[caribill]

 

I am sure it would be horribly disappointing to be stuck in the port overnight, though I think I would prefer the ship to make sure it is ok and safe to travel.

 

Even if stuck in port overnight, all normal activities and entertainment go on as if you were at sea except for:

o casino remaining closed

o shops remaining closed

o limited brands available for alcohol and some bars closed because of that

Though interesting reading on the sale of alcohol. I had noticed Carnival mentions you can't buy the drink packages on the first day of a cruise out of Houston, though I saw nothing like that mentioned on Princess pages at all. If we are buying a package does that mean we only pay for 6 days and not 7? You would pay for 7 days on a 7 day cruise and can start using it immediately. Of course while in Texas waters, your alcohol brands will be limited.

 

See above in red

[mom2tcdx2]

What I found interesting is Carnival states on cruises departing from Texas no drink packages can be bought the first day and that they only begin on the second day. It is pretty wide knowledge on the Carnival board. I would think with Princess being owned by Carnival that the same would apply. I then was reading reviews that stated they don't sell the drink packages the first day due to the taxes then owed to the state of Texas for selling the package while in port.

 

As for the casino and shops I don't frequent either, so personally those things wouldn't bother me either. I am sure many get bored depending on what activities might be planned.

[PenguinLife]

On our cruise aboard Emerald Princess last week out of Houston, which was also delayed a few hours, for a variety of reasons, I was very surprised that the shops were opened around the time we untied from the dock ( I think shortly before, but don't remember the exact timeline). I do know for sure that they were open before we ate dinner at 7:40 pm on the first night.

[Cruisedolls]

We are on the 30th sailing too, I hope we have decent weather. I have never sailed from Houston before and haven't been to Texas since my family moved from Conroe in 1981.

 

I am sure it would be horribly disappointing to be stuck in the port overnight, though I think I would prefer the ship to make sure it is ok and safe to travel. While some compensation would be nice, I really don't think I would expect anything other than to reimburse for a missed port, which is usually only the port fees.

 

Though interesting reading on the sale of alcohol. I had noticed Carnival mentions you can't buy the drink packages on the first day of a cruise out of Houston, though I saw nothing like that mentioned on Princess pages at all. If we are buying a package does that mean we only pay for 6 days and not 7?

 

Princess told us today that drink packages can be bought BUT only beer and wine can be served until u pass the breakwater ....I have been on over 20 cruises and ports all over and never have I heard such a crazy thing ... I know princess has nothing to do with this ... Houston really needs to get its act together .... New Orleans was just named one of the best places to sail out of and with the new Poland ave terminal opening next year word is that princess will have a new home along with the disney cruise line ! We sailed out if Galveston 5 times and didn't have any of these issues .

[Beermam42]

Princess told us today that drink packages can be bought BUT only beer and wine can be served until u pass the breakwater ....I have been on over 20 cruises and ports all over and never have I heard such a crazy thing ... I know princess has nothing to do with this ... Houston really needs to get its act together .... New Orleans was just named one of the best places to sail out of and with the new Poland ave terminal opening next year word is that princess will have a new home along with the disney cruise line ! We sailed out if Galveston 5 times and didn't have any of these issues .

 

Texas and Liquor, if memory serves me well, was late 70s before you could go into bar or restaurant and get Liquor by the glass. or a mixed drink. I can remember going to Texas with friends stopping in Liquor store and buy a bottle and bring it to restaurant or dance put it on the table and the place would sell you set ups to cover profit. Took long time to get were they are. They have always collected State Excise Tax on Liquor at the Mexican border but this year the started collecting it when you buy from duty free shop. I have seen the numbers on this and it is a large sum of money. A large number of Texan's were going on board buying the limit and bring it home to avoid State Taxes. You still are exempt from Federal Excise tax up to a limit. Think like 5 quarts. The cruise ships are picking up liquor with no taxes and selling it on board to you. This is 50% of the cost of the Liquor. So they do not what to get into having to carry two inventories to keep states or Texas Happy. Most cruise ships you are only on them 4 to 5 hours before they can open bar and sell anything they want. Texas could exempt the cruise ships from the rules for on board consumption and just stick with collecting State Taxes on Duty Free Sales. But not being in the industry any more do not how many problem this creates. Some of the biggest Liquor and Wine importers and Wholesalers are based in Texas and will not give up a penny.

 

I would say like many little things in this industry that has some really strange rules, this is one we are going to need to work around. Do not see It changing in the rear future. Or sail out of Galveston you will be in Gulf 2.5 hours quicker. If you were on a DCL ship this is not a problem they allow you to carry on all the liquor and wine you want. But it is built into the price of the cruise just like the fact that they do not have casinos That is built in also. Pay me now or pay me later. Ship like the Emerald, Royal, Regal, D Fantasy, and D Dream all take a lot of money to run at the levels they are operating at.

 

The one thing I am sure about if it could be changed Carnival would of had it done by now. They have been sailing out of Galveston for a long time.