NCL Call It Quits In Houston

[texastennis]

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

 

I'm really saddened by this news. I was on the Jewel out of Houston in March and loved the convenience since I live in Houston. It only took me 40 minutes to drive to the Bayport terminal.

 

I've talked to several people who have taken cruises out of Galveston and all have said that it is a hassle for various reasons, i.e., parking, embarkation, transfers, etc. Nevertheless, I will give Galveston a shot in 2017 and find out for myself. Probably on Royal Caribbean.

 

Sigh. These cruise lines...

[klingoncruiser]

We are really bummed that NCL will be leaving Houston. It is a MUCH better port than Galveston. (Although, rumor has it they are trying to upgrade that mess down there.)

 

Texas drinking laws are a hinderance to all the cruise lines. I wish my beloved state would wake up and try to make it "cruise ship" friendly.

 

In the end, it really is probably about the darned fog in the ares. Even Galveston has the same problem from time to time. Nothing anyone can do about it. (Our first cruise out of there at Thanksgiving being a good example as we returned in to port nearly 12 hours early just to make sure we did not get blocked out to sea for a couple of days and everyone with plane fights in a big mess. It was very odd to watch the sun set on your car in the parking lot and could not get off the ship until the following day.)

 

I will bet that Houston may try once again to lay out some serious bait to try to get them to stay. Doubt it will work. This time, the Houston cruise port may well be a VERY dead issue. Funny thing was, they were planning a second port when we were there in March for our second cruise out of there.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

When shopping for cruises the Houston/Galveston ports are the bottom of my list of options. As I have to fly to the embarkation port, the additional cost and time of transfers make these ports unattractive. Flights to Tampa or New Orleans are similar in cost as going to Houston with less ground transfer hassle, and I can reach all the same destinations/ports.

 

Houston also offers little of interest to me for a pre or post cruise visit when compared to her neighbor port of New Orleans. I've done three cruises in/out of New Orleans and it is one I will cruise from in future, especially if I can combine the cruise with JazzFest as I did last year!

[aubreyc1988]

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

 

 

They are open! And there are tons of choices to choose from, people make this into SUCH a big deal when in reality it's not! Full selection was available by 7pm, if not earlier.

 

I know Houston may not be the first choice for everyone, but for those of us who liv in Texas or in driving distance, it's great! And I think if they offered longer cruises out of Texas, there might be greater interest!

 

And eventually, Florida and New Orleans will get very crowded, so I would love for Houston/Galveston to offer great itineraries to bring in more ships. I hope carnival doesn't pull out, I hope to sail them out of Texas at some point

 

 

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[rochelle_s]

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.

 

You should check out Southwest, they have fares in November Houston to Buffalo for $135. Easy enough to get a shuttle home if you do not have a ride. Travel wise it is not much further than traveling to TO.

 

Have a great cruise. :)

 

 

Rochelle

[mediccruzin]

They are open! And there are tons of choices to choose from, people make this into SUCH a big deal when in reality it's not! Full selection was available by 7pm, if not earlier.

 

I know Houston may not be the first choice for everyone, but for those of us who liv in Texas or in driving distance, it's great! And I think if they offered longer cruises out of Texas, there might be greater interest!

 

And eventually, Florida and New Orleans will get very crowded, so I would love for Houston/Galveston to offer great itineraries to bring in more ships. I hope carnival doesn't pull out, I hope to sail them out of Texas at some point

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Carnival has 3 ships out of Galveston, Magic, Freedom and Triumph ( soon to be Victory). Plus RCI sails out of there year round and I believe that Disney sails out of there part time.

 

The issue with the Houston terminal is that is a long sail to open water, the ship channel is very crowded and since NCL and Princess only sail out of there in the winter and spring season fog tends to be an issue also. The terminal is also actually in Pasadena/ La Port area and I think I have heard of parking issues.

 

I was really hoping to sail on NCL out of Houston when I retire in 4 years.not worth the cost to fly to different port just to sail another cruise line.

[DMH15]

Exactly. But those of us from Texas, Oklahoma, nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, etc. liked the convenience. I went on Carnival Magic 11/14 and NCL Jewel 4/15. Both times easy 1 hour flights on Southwest.

 

My Jade 2/17 got canned. So will resched for 2/16.

 

But guess I will be on another line after. Will still cruise NCL but will mix it up.

[mediccruzin]

I'm really saddened by this news. I was on the Jewel out of Houston in March and loved the convenience since I live in Houston. It only took me 40 minutes to drive to the Bayport terminal.

 

I've talked to several people who have taken cruises out of Galveston and all have said that it is a hassle for various reasons, i.e., parking, embarkation, transfers, etc. Nevertheless, I will give Galveston a shot in 2017 and find out for myself. Probably on Royal Caribbean.

 

Sigh. These cruise lines...

 

Sailed out of Galveston twice, never an issue, parking is easy, embarkation has never been an issue. My two cruises out of New Orleans took longer to embark than Galveston.

[sirfuller]

I hope carnival doesn't pull out, I hope to sail them out of Texas at some point

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Carnival isn't pulling out of Galveston any time soon. They recently went "all in" with plans to move some popular ships there such as the Liberty and the Breeze in addition to the Freedom just repositioning there earlier this year.

[TXGalAJ]

I've loved cruising on NCL out of Houston! I'm in Texas so it is a short drive for me and the Houston port was super easy. You park right in front of the ship and disembarking was always about half the time it usually takes in Galveston.

 

The liquor rules in Houston were the same in Galveston, you could get drinks immediately but they were only the Texas liquors. I've never found that to be a big deal on any of the Texas cruises. I don't go to the casino so don't know at what point they open.

[Jane Don]

I've loved cruising on NCL out of Houston! I'm in Texas so it is a short drive for me and the Houston port was super easy. You park right in front of the ship and disembarking was always about half the time it usually takes in Galveston.

 

The liquor rules in Houston were the same in Galveston, you could get drinks immediately but they were only the Texas liquors. I've never found that to be a big deal on any of the Texas cruises. I don't go to the casino so don't know at what point they open.

 

The Texas liquor laws my not affect you much, but think of it from a logistical stand point. Keeping track of TX vs. other liquors and ensuring compliance costs money. What a PITA for everyone involved in bar service and annoyance for those who enjoy a drink upon embarkation.

[klingoncruiser]

Looks like we will be going back to NOLA now for our NCL fix. However that ship is NOT a good one. Not impressed with the dawn after they took out the front area to make it into cabins. :mad:

[tammyjw305]

We will also miss the convenient NCL TX port location!

[DebJ14]

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.

 

Texas liquor policies have not done in Carnival and RCCL who sail round trip from Galveston and are subject to the same laws. In fact Carnival has added a ship so we have 3 Carnival ships and one RCCL year round from Galveston.

 

We enjoyed both cruises we took on Princess from Bayport. We did have one cruise with fog at both ends, but we were driving so it was not a big deal for us. We are looking forward to our NCL Jade cruise in January.

 

Our embarkations and debarkations at Bayport were some of the easiest we ever had on any cruise. Nice terminal. Very sad to see them go, especially Princess.

[Bluefox]

I still don't understand the TX laws- can someone explain?? Thank you!

[Linda the Book Lover]

fgThis is an old internet URL I am not sure if there is any update.

 

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2014/09/articles/taxes/its-always-bigger-in-texas-cruise-passengers-taxed-on-cruise-booze/

 

Basically this:

 

You will be charged a tax. Carnival has a nice letter to cruise passengers on their web site.

Edited August 10, 2015 by Linda the Book Lover

[DevCruise]

Texas liquor policies have not done in Carnival and RCCL who sail round trip from Galveston and are subject to the same laws. In fact Carnival has added a ship so we have 3 Carnival ships and one RCCL year round from Galveston.

 

Perhaps it is the difference between having 24 ships in Carnival's case vs NCL only having 14 ships. RCCL also has 23 ships. NCL probably just figures there are better places to put its ships right now and not having to deal with it.

[lettienets]

You should check out Southwest, they have fares in November Houston to Buffalo for $135. Easy enough to get a shuttle home if you do not have a ride. Travel wise it is not much further than traveling to TO.

 

Have a great cruise. :)

 

 

Rochelle

I usually travel alone and meet my friends on ship. Driving over border to Buffalo by myself doesn't appeal to me, nor staying &parking at hotel/airport etc. Infrequent shuttle from there is hassle. Prefer TO. At least I got airmile flight for the expensive leg!

 

When I do Galveston I take ship transfer, cheaper if travelling alone than shuttle/taxi, long trip. This time it is $45US Galveston to Houston airport. Because of high costs I would not normally do this port unless part of a TA or repo.

Edited August 10, 2015 by lettienets
H

[sweetpee_1993]

I'm really saddened by this news. I was on the Jewel out of Houston in March and loved the convenience since I live in Houston. It only took me 40 minutes to drive to the Bayport terminal.

 

I've talked to several people who have taken cruises out of Galveston and all have said that it is a hassle for various reasons, i.e., parking, embarkation, transfers, etc. Nevertheless, I will give Galveston a shot in 2017 and find out for myself. Probably on Royal Caribbean.

 

Sigh. These cruise lines...

 

We live in Kemah. Bayport terminal is 10 to 15 minutes tops for us. :(

[sweetpee_1993]

Perhaps it is the difference between having 24 ships in Carnival's case vs NCL only having 14 ships. RCCL also has 23 ships. NCL probably just figures there are better places to put its ships right now and not having to deal with it.

 

Disney still comes to Galveston for November & December thru the end of 2016. They haven't announced into 2017 yet. Disney has 4 ships but still they make a quick jaunt here. They don't have casinos to worry with, tho. ;)

[GORDONCHICK]

The trip to the gulf cannot the be the sole answer. If it were, why in the world would they be sailing out of NOLA? We loved our one sailing out of Houston - easiest embarkation EVER! Not to mention, parking was right next to the ship. Heck, we could see our car from our balcony! I did miss the extra port that you get when sailing from NOLA, which is why we will be on the Dawn this Thanksgiving.

[Jane Don]

The trip to the gulf cannot the be the sole answer. If it were, why in the world would they be sailing out of NOLA? We loved our one sailing out of Houston - easiest embarkation EVER! Not to mention, parking was right next to the ship. Heck, we could see our car from our balcony! I did miss the extra port that you get when sailing from NOLA, which is why we will be on the Dawn this Thanksgiving.

 

Because New Orleans is fun.

 

It is a destination unto itself.

 

Parking may be great at Bayport, but resources are seriously lacking for those who fly in. Limited transport, limited hotel options close by and limited activities. In New Orleans you can literally walk to the port from the French Quarter.

[GORDONCHICK]

Because New Orleans is fun.

 

It is a destination unto itself.

 

Parking may be great at Bayport, but resources are seriously lacking for those who fly in. Limited transport, limited hotel options close by and limited activities. In New Orleans you can literally walk to the port from the French Quarter.

 

Houston can be fun as well, if you know where to go & what to do.

[fshagan]

Perhaps it is the difference between having 24 ships in Carnival's case vs NCL only having 14 ships. RCCL also has 23 ships. NCL probably just figures there are better places to put its ships right now and not having to deal with it.

 

From what I've read, the Texas liquor laws allow only certain liquor to be served while in territorial waters, and the mini-fridges with alcohol and the bar set ups people buy cannot be available until out of territorial waters. Weird, but then liquor laws in America are very strange anyway.

 

I think the Star was ported out of Houston, wasn't it? In the conference call for investors the company said that they were moving it to Asia because it was the "lowest yield" ship in the fleet, meaning either that they couldn't fill it up or they had to heavily discount to get people on board. I suspect that's the real reason; ships are too expensive to have sailing at less than 100%+ capacity.

[Retiring cajun]

we just booked Princess cruise out of Houston, January 2016! is it the end of 2016 that NCL & Princess will call it quits? POA in 3 days!!! hope hurricanes go away[emoji15]