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The future of RCCL in Baltimore

coolcruiser777
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coolcruiser777

coolcruiser777

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I happened to stumble upon these two discussions today... https://goo.gl/q0JEek (I had to shorten the url because it stars it our for some reason... and http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2494217

 

If the Rhapsody and Grandeur are, in fact, for sale, that means the rest of the Vision class will be down in the Gulf. Since Royal Caribbean has a multi-year agreement with the port of Baltimore, who could replace her? The clearance of the shortest bridge going into the port (FSK bridge) is 185'. Do any ships have a height less than 185'? Radiance class maybe? I would assume that they wouldn't move Majesty or Empress up to Baltimore...

 

More details (this is definitely the Grandeur):

http://www.qpsships.com/cruise-ship-2400-passengers--s2388

Edited by coolcruiser777
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Pumbaamd

Pumbaamd

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RCCL has stated several times that RD class ships can do in Baltimore. Problem is, they are needed elsewhere.

Here's the bigger problem. Grandeur can not open the casino or shopping in the Bay because of recent changes from the State of Maryland. This goes both ways in the Bay and costs RCCL (and CCL) big $$$. Could not blame either cruise line if they bailed out of Baltimore.

Rick and Deirdra

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coolcruiser777

coolcruiser777

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RCCL has stated several times that RD class ships can do in Baltimore. Problem is, they are needed elsewhere.

Here's the bigger problem. Grandeur can not open the casino or shopping in the Bay because of recent changes from the State of Maryland. This goes both ways in the Bay and costs RCCL (and CCL) big $$$. Could not blame either cruise line if they bailed out of Baltimore.

Rick and Deirdra

 

Once they get to the part of the bay that Virginia owns, can they open them?

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chengkp75

chengkp75

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I'm not saying that these ships definitively aren't for sale, but most of these shipbroker ads are "stalking horses" priced well above the fair market value, and are designed to see what the market trends look like. Most ship sales on this level are done quietly, face to face between potential buyer/seller. The Norwegian Sky has popped up on these types of ads since 2004.

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Ocean Dancer

Ocean Dancer

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Enchantment used to sail from Baltimore, we did a 12 nighter on her.

 

Serenade stopped there from NYC on way to Florida after her Inaugural TA.

 

Empress also repoed there from San Juan in '96, our first Royal cruise.

 

Baltimore really needs to rethink this, a lot of money and much needed jobs are at stake.

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Biker19

Biker19

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Do they really miss a lot of revenue on the return? Everyone's asleep.

Also :confused: about the revenue statement. It might make sense partially on departure day, but the whole arrival is in the middle of the night.

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Clarea

Clarea

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Also :confused: about the revenue statement. It might make sense partially on departure day, but the whole arrival is in the middle of the night.

I've not done the Baltimore approach, but we have done the New Orleans approach, and that starts about 9pm the night before arrival.

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pjlee3333

pjlee3333

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With changes in laws for 2016, the revenue sources (casino, photo gallery, shops, etc.) that used to stay open until about 8:30 and the actual arrival into the bay now have to close between 5 and 5:30 when the ship gets into US waters and not in international waters. Leaving, it wouldn't make a lot of since to open since the ship arrives in international waters after midnight. In about 2007 rules had been changed to allow the casino and shops to open after the ship past the Annapolis Bay Bridge, about two hours into the cruise. Unfortunately that changed last year.

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Lady Hudson

Lady Hudson

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When we first sailed out of Baltimore in the early 90s there was a restriction on the casino the first and last nights. Then things changed and the casino could be open on both. Now we are back to the restrictions. Things could change again.

 

Having been on Grandeur many times (and in the casino a lot) the first and last nights are usually fairly light as far as folks in the casino. I don't know whether or not the casino being able to open then would be a determining factor as far as RC leaving Baltimore. Grandeur also has the highest number of returning passengers in the fleet voyage after voyage. Grandeur is a smaller ship that appeals to older retirees who sail many times per year.

 

So . . . Maybe this is my wishful thinking but I do not believe RC is going to abandon Baltimore anytime soon. Katherine

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nelblu

nelblu

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With changes in laws for 2016, the revenue sources (casino, photo gallery, shops, etc.) that used to stay open until about 8:30 and the actual arrival into the bay now have to close between 5 and 5:30 when the ship gets into US waters and not in international waters. Leaving, it wouldn't make a lot of since to open since the ship arrives in international waters after midnight. In about 2007 rules had been changed to allow the casino and shops to open after the ship past the Annapolis Bay Bridge, about two hours into the cruise. Unfortunately that changed last year.

 

 

Not to sound ignorant, what was the cause for the change?

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scgirlatheart

scgirlatheart

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Do they really miss a lot of revenue on the return? Everyone's asleep.

 

We used to love Baltimore until their murder rate jumped.

 

 

I've lived just outside Baltimore since 2001. I have Ravens season tickets and we frequently go to Oriole's games. I have taken my children to the Inner Harbor and Little Italy. I have never once felt unsafe driving or walking around the city or taking the light rail. Like any other city you need to pay attention to your surroundings and who is around you.

 

I love the Grandeur and just booked our 3rd cruise on her. Hoping Royal Caribbean will continue sailing out of our beautiful city.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

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alfaeric

alfaeric

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Arrival at the tunnel is around midnight.

 

Not my experience. We have watched cars "disappearing" into the tunnel while at the 8:00 dinner seating. Katherine

 

I recall seeing the tunnel prior to midnight, too. Both times we've sailed out of Baltimore.

 

(I also recall how great it was to be out on our balcony on the way out, watching the shoreline and drinking wine. That was really cool)

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bowler15547

bowler15547

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Just throwing this out there... RCCL has a signed contract in Baltimore through June of 2020. Yes, they have broken them before. However, I believe Baltimore is a profitable port for RCCL, despite the lack of Casino in the bay.

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MichaelCMTX

MichaelCMTX

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despite the lack of Casino in the bay.

 

The news of New Orleans sailings coming back seems to make this a minor issue. It's close to 6 hrs. on the Mississippi until you get to open water and open casinos.

 

But I suppose in NoLa if you have an itch that just can't wait for scratching, hit Harrah's before you board.

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BND

BND

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Arrival at the tunnel is around midnight.

 

Having sailed out of Baltimore 7 times I can say as a fact that arrival at the tunnel is around 1130 pm-midnight when you leave Baltimore, but it's closer to 8 pm on the return. There's been lots of rumors, but at this point RCI has cruises out of Baltimore into 2019. DH asked after the Captain's Corner and was told yes, Radiance class will fit under the Key bridge. But, Radiance is also an "older" ship class and they aren't making small ships anymore so that's only a matter of time until something has to be done. We have a very good friend who has friends and associates/contacts in the MD state government and the goal is to keep the cruise ships in the state and there are improvement plans being discussed for a cruise port/ship access whether it's where it currently is, or possibly closer to Annapolis. Maryland and RCI both know what a deal it is to have the cruise port. The ships are always full and they never have to have a "sale" to fill them, unlike some ports/ships.

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dctravel Great Review Rare

dctravel

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The news of New Orleans sailings coming back seems to make this a minor issue. It's close to 6 hrs. on the Mississippi until you get to open water and open casinos.

 

But I suppose in NoLa if you have an itch that just can't wait for scratching, hit Harrah's before you board.

 

There is a casino near the ballparks (Orioles and Ravens) too, for those who wish to gamble pre-cruise :).

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