NCL Call It Quits In Houston

[jewopaho]

After the 2015-16 Caribbean season, both NCL and Princess will cease operations out of the Bayport (Houston) terminal. Frankly, I'm not surprised. It took a bunch of money and incentives just to get them here ... as in no docking charges and $80,000 paid to the cruise lines for each sailing ... and they still couldn't make it work. Granted, the fare is only part of the overall revenue, but how many $299 cruises can the bottom line endure?

 

It's all about following the money, and it's not here. Right now, the hot markets are in Asia and Australia ... very similar to Europe a few years back. Five ships sailing virtually the identical itineraries from a region as small as this makes no sense.

 

Given the obstacles ... long, winding trips through the Ship Channel (no casino, no bar, no shops), the location (in the midst of one of the most active freight terminals in the country, with absolutely nothing for visitors to do), a capacity of one (count' em, one!) ship, the expense of getting to and from the airports, and the proximity to Galveston (a pretty decent tourist area, with two cruise lines sailing year-round) ... it was simply a matter of time. We sailed from there once ... that was enough for us.

 

The terminal was built as part of a political boondoggle in the first place, and was doomed from the beginning.

 

Al

Edited August 8, 2015 by jewopaho

[DevCruise]

My guess is it was the texas liquor policies that did them in. Although, I'm sure all the rest that you were listed were also contributing factors.

[4774Papa]

Build it and they will come, and leave.

[Bluefox]

What are the TX liquor policies?

 

I'm very sad, as I am about to take my first NCL cruise, and probably my last for awhile.

[Pamcruising]

That blows - At least there's Carnival from Galveston for cruises...

[Linda the Book Lover]

I am happy to enjoy our cruise from there in April. I will at last get to visit the Space Center.

 

Bluefox - I am guessing it is the liquor taxing of cruise customers.

[jewopaho]

My guess is it was the texas liquor policies that did them in. Although, I'm sure all the rest that you were listed were also contributing factors.

I don't think the liquor tax had anything to do with it ... Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships sail full all the time. It's simply trying to fit round pegs into square holes ... just doesn't work.

[cadien]

Well that's a bummer. Our airport just got direct flights to Houston.

[Bluefox]

Well, there's always RCCL.

[vinnytman]

After the 2015-16 Caribbean season, both NCL and Princess will cease operations out of the Bayport (Houston) terminal. Frankly, I'm not surprised. It took a bunch of money and incentives just to get them here ... as in no docking charges and $80,000 paid to the cruise lines for each sailing ... and they still couldn't make it work. Granted, the fare is only part of the overall revenue, but how many $299 cruises can the bottom line endure?

 

It's all about following the money, and it's not here. Right now, the hot markets are in Asia and Australia ... very similar to Europe a few years back. Five ships sailing virtually the identical itineraries from a region as small as this makes no sense.

 

Given the obstacles ... long, winding trips through the Ship Channel (no casino, no bar, no shops), the location (in the midst of one of the most active freight terminals in the country, with absolutely nothing for visitors to do), a capacity of one (count' em, one!) ship, the expense of getting to and from the airports, and the proximity to Galveston (a pretty decent tourist area, with two cruise lines sailing year-round) ... it was simply a matter of time. We sailed from there once ... that was enough for us.

 

The terminal was built as part of a political boondoggle in the first place, and was doomed from the beginning.

 

Al

 

 

We're on the Jade out of Houston in Dec. I've heard about the long Ship Channel, but how long does it take to get through it before they open the bars, casino and shops?

Edited August 8, 2015 by vinnytman

[WildcatRock]

We're on the Jade out of Houston in Dec. I've heard about the long Ship Channel, but how long does it take to get through it before they open the bars, casino and shops?

 

It's quite a while - don't remember exactly how long. It's several hours. We were on the Jewel last Nov and I think they had to wait until they were a few miles in to the Gulf, which takes a while.

[waitingtogo]

Freestyle Dining caused NCL to lose out in Houston. even tho i love it, most people down here did not understand what it was and therefore were afraid they would not like it. change comes hard. i hope they change their minds.

[Linda the Book Lover]

It's quite a while - don't remember exactly how long. It's several hours. We were on the Jewel last Nov and I think they had to wait until they were a few miles in to the Gulf, which takes a while.

 

Whoa I though the bars were open from embarmation:eek:

[camarodrivenrs]

The bars are open, at least on Carnival, but its a limited selection of what the cruise line purchases in Texas. I believe they can only sell what alcohol they purchase in Texas until they clear Texas waters.

[WildcatRock]

Whoa I though the bars were open from embarmation:eek:

 

They are. Limited selection though. We were in a GV and didn't receive our bottles of alcohol until we were in the Gulf.

[Linda the Book Lover]

They are. Limited selection though. We were in a GV and didn't receive our bottles of alcohol until we were in the Gulf.

 

Thanks!

[sfaaa]

Not a fan of 7 days Caribbean cruises out of Houston. Only give you 3 port of calls instead of 4 if you sail out of Miami.

[rascaldog]

The Bayport Cruise Terminal is not located in the Houston ship channel, it is located in Trinity Bay near the mouth of the ship channel. The last time I cruised from there it took about an hour and a half for the Casino to open. Another problem there is in the winter and spring they often have issues with fog requiring frequent schedule changes.

[NMLady]

We cruised from there last April and will do so again next April. I am going to miss the nonstop flight to Hobby. Transportation to the port was much easier and cheaper than transportation to Galveston.

Not sure what we'll do for next cruise after April's ta. The return ta on Jade from Barcelona will evidently be going to Tampa instead of to Bayport. No direct flights for us, just connecting flight. :(

Edited August 8, 2015 by NMLady

[FranknBeans]

Well for us from Toronto it's over a 3hr flight then at least an hour drive to the cruise pier.

Plus the cost of flights are not cheap from Toronto.

 

Would never do a cruise out of Houston.

[triptolemus]

Another problem there is in the winter and spring they often have issues with fog requiring frequent schedule changes.

 

Indeed, this was a constant issue for the Jewel this past season.

[DavyJoneses]

That blows - At least there's Carnival from Galveston for cruises...

 

 

Will that leave Carnival as the only line in Galveston?

[lettienets]

Well for us from Toronto it's over a 3hr flight then at least an hour drive to the cruise pier.

Plus the cost of flights are not cheap from Toronto.

 

Would never do a cruise out of Houston.

You're not kidding about flights from Canada being expensive. In Nov. I am on Carnival Triumph from San Juan to Galveston. It is cheaper by far to fly one way to San Juan ($269 CDN, change in Philly) than home from Houston ($499 CDN direct) to Toronto.

[zdcatc12]

Will that leave Carnival as the only line in Galveston?

 

No RCCL is still in Galveston at least until 2017, as of now.

[rvsullivan]

Even though it is five hours closer for us to Houston, we've always bypassed and gone on the New Orleans. Never get fogged in, the city is non stop action and there are four ports instead of three. On top of that, our cruise is always at least $1,000 or more cheaper from New Orleans. Plus the NO airport is about 15 minutes or so from downtown and the port!!