Galveston plans third cruise terminal, with Royal Caribbean as operator

[ssb]

Liberty in Galveston till April 2021 . 

 

[ONECRUISER]

On 12/9/2018 at 9:43 AM, HBE4 said:

 

Gently used.🙂

 

It's more like someone else had them for the break-in period, and then gave them to you and they were ready.😉

With some disagreement about the Welds...

[Gasmanctsv]

On 12/8/2018 at 4:11 PM, HBE4 said:

 

Love it.  One of these days when I'm down in Texas, I'll make my way over to Shiner for a tour of Spoetzl Brewery.

 

It is heavenly....

[ssb]

11 hours ago, Gasmanctsv said:

It is heavenly....

 

Try to make for Bocktoberfest and then on to Gruene and/or on to Fredericksburg (wine/beer capital of Texas) . Enjoy! 

 

 

 

[pspercy]

Oasis to Cape Liberty NJ for summer 2020.

[Ladysilver]

I've been hearing this for years. It will be great to finally see it happen.

[Iamcruzin]

On 12/5/2018 at 6:42 PM, Biker19 said:

Newark might even better than Bayonne.

On the Oasis sailings out of Cape Liberty. Cape Liberty is the best port on the itinerary with the close distance to Manhattan Island. You can walk through the real Central Park, see a real Broadway play, Shopping galore, museums any type of food you can imagine. Wow I think I just talked myself into staying home. DW would never go for it. She island hops every day from Long Island to Manhattan to get to work. She would never want to vacation there.

[BecciBoo]

On 12/5/2018 at 3:36 PM, Host Clarea said:

 

Totally agree, I'd take any port in Florida, New Orleans, San Pedro, Seattle, and beautiful gorgeous Newark over Galveston. 

Of course you are not from Texas Bob.....we love to cruise out of Galveston, but agree those folks who live there make it really hard for fly in's. That's why we stay on the mainland side in Holiday Inn Express mostly.  Or just drive in day of.  We like both sides of the Gulf though.  But Florida does have its issues as well, like cheap flights on SW only fly into Ft. Lauderdale, why not Miami???  Had to pay almost double for next September's Symphany.  And redundancy is rampant there as well, we've been to St. Maarten and St. Thomas just as many times as Cozumel.

[ssb]

1 hour ago, BecciBoo said:

Of course you are not from Texas Bob.....we love to cruise out of Galveston, but agree those folks who live there make it really hard for fly in's. That's why we stay on the mainland side in Holiday Inn Express mostly.  Or just drive in day of.  We like both sides of the Gulf though.  But Florida does have its issues as well, like cheap flights on SW only fly into Ft. Lauderdale, why not Miami???  Had to pay almost double for next September's Symphany.  And redundancy is rampant there as well, we've been to St. Maarten and St. Thomas just as many times as Cozumel.

 

Everthing is relative!!!!

[Biker19]

2 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

  But Florida does have its issues as well, like cheap flights on SW only fly into Ft. Lauderdale, why not Miami???  Had to pay almost double for next September's Symphany. 

I assume you know it's a simple $40 Uber 45 min ride from FLL to POM on a Sunday.

[wolfganghowell]

Ssshhh - let's just let the non Galveston lovers be.  Don't try to convince them.  That way, we can still book our hotels and get our rooms.  It's a major ordeal to find a GS on Galveston cruises.  And all the port complaints - do some geography research.  Only so many ports can be reached within a 7 day RT window.  There's a reason Galveston cruises have a reputation among passengers AND crew for being the friendliest sailings around - the majority are drive-in cruisers, mainly Tx, the Southwest and mid America.  Let's not ruin a good thing. 😉

[ssb]

27 minutes ago, wolfganghowell said:

Ssshhh - let's just let the non Galveston lovers be.  Don't try to convince them.  That way, we can still book our hotels and get our rooms.  It's a major ordeal to find a GS on Galveston cruises.  And all the port complaints - do some geography research.  Only so many ports can be reached within a 7 day RT window.  There's a reason Galveston cruises have a reputation among passengers AND crew for being the friendliest sailings around - the majority are drive-in cruisers, mainly Tx, the Southwest and mid America.  Let's not ruin a good thing. 😉

 

Royal Caribbean Adds Bahamas Sailings from Galveston, TX

 

With the release of their latest itineraries, Royal Caribbean announced the addition of new ports of call from Galveston.  Enchantment of the Seas will sail 7-night itineraries from Galveston, TX, including stops in Key West, FL, Nassau, Bahamas, and CoCo Cay, Bahamas.

Perfect Day at CoCo Cay, New Water Park

CoCo Cay, Bahamas is Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, which is currently under construction to be upgraded to the new “Perfect Day at CoCo Cay” experience.  The upgrades include new cabanas, a massive water park, a zip-line, a balloon ride, a new beach club, and upgraded beach facilities.  The private island will be able to accommodate Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, the largest cruise ships at sea.

The addition of this itinerary to Royal Caribbean’s Galveston offerings represents a major change to the company’s gulf coast strategy.  Previous itineraries were limited in the variety of ports of call.

Royal Caribbean recently announced the development of a new cruise terminal in Galveston, TX.  This will enable the cruise line to sail their Oasis-class ships from the Texas port, which currently serves as homeport to Liberty of the Seas and smaller vessels.  

[longhorn2004]

This-

New details have emerged about the new Royal Caribbean Terminal 3 coming to Galveston, TX in 2021.  Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley confirmed interest in relocating not only an Oasis-class ship to Galveston, but also a new Icon-class ship.

This is huge news for the Texas cruise market.  Most new ships sail from the East Coast, so for Royal Caribbean to be planning a new terminal with an Oasis-class ship and a new Icon-class ship represents a major investment in the Gulf Coast cruise market, which is currently dominated by Carnival Cruise Line.

http://setsailblog.com/new-details-about-galveston-cruise-terminal/

[Biker19]

8 minutes ago, longhorn2004 said:

New details have emerged about the new Royal Caribbean Terminal 3 coming to Galveston, TX in 2021.  Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley confirmed interest in relocating not only an Oasis-class ship to Galveston, but also a new Icon-class ship.

Anyone could have guessed that (Icon class), the unknown is timing.

 

Biker, who would bet a free D drink it won't be the first ship of the class coming in 2022.

[HBE4]

16 minutes ago, longhorn2004 said:

This-

New details have emerged about the new Royal Caribbean Terminal 3 coming to Galveston, TX in 2021.  Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley confirmed interest in relocating not only an Oasis-class ship to Galveston, but also a new Icon-class ship.

This is huge news for the Texas cruise market.  Most new ships sail from the East Coast, so for Royal Caribbean to be planning a new terminal with an Oasis-class ship and a new Icon-class ship represents a major investment in the Gulf Coast cruise market, which is currently dominated by Carnival Cruise Line.

http://setsailblog.com/new-details-about-galveston-cruise-terminal/

 

Interesting bit at the end.  Maybe Galveston is shooting for the #3 spot??

 

"Additionally, new details also emerged about Royal Caribbean’s current Galveston terminal, which is currently shared by Disney Cruise Line and Carnival.  Royal Caribbean will continue to have the option for shared access to Terminal 2, plus exclusive use of Terminal 3.  Carnival has exclusive use rights to Terminal 1 and shared access to Terminal 2.  This implies the overall number of Royal Caribbean ships home-porting in Galveston is expected to increase and Royal Caribbean won’t simply swap out their current Galveston ships for larger ones.

Port of Galveston officials are also floating the idea of a Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.  They hope to grow the Galveston cruise market, which is currently number 4 in the nation."

[longhorn2004]

43 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Anyone could have guessed that (Icon class), the unknown is timing.

 

Biker, who would bet a free D drink it won't be the first ship of the class coming in 2022.

Those of us who cruise out of Galveston often have read and heard of rumors for YEARS that an Oasis class ship was coming. It took 10 years but its happening. To read that RCL is looking at bringing a new Icon class ship right off the bat is pretty exciting stuff. Will it be the first? Who knows, will Miami or Ft Lauderdale have their LNG infrastructure up by then? No one knows, maybe Galveston will. Exciting times for sure though. 

 

After watching Carnival base three ships at Galveston,  RCL is finally getting into the game.  How will Carnival respond to this news?

 

Does Galveston has its flaws? Yes, it will never have the convenient airport to port experience that FTL offers. The shuttle operators between the Houston airports and Galveston cruise port will have step their game up to deal with increased traffic. And the long term parking is going to have to get better (though I like Galveston Cruise Parking with their hokey old school buses as shuttles). But as SSB so eloquently posted it is the gateway to middle America and happens to be placed in one of and near some of the fastest growing metro areas in the country.

[ssb]

51 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

 

Interesting bit at the end.  Maybe Galveston is shooting for the #3 spot??

 

"Additionally, new details also emerged about Royal Caribbean’s current Galveston terminal, which is currently shared by Disney Cruise Line and Carnival.  Royal Caribbean will continue to have the option for shared access to Terminal 2, plus exclusive use of Terminal 3.  Carnival has exclusive use rights to Terminal 1 and shared access to Terminal 2.  This implies the overall number of Royal Caribbean ships home-porting in Galveston is expected to increase and Royal Caribbean won’t simply swap out their current Galveston ships for larger ones.

Port of Galveston officials are also floating the idea of a Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.  They hope to grow the Galveston cruise market, which is currently number 4 in the nation."

 

 Bagley CEO of Royal for a while has been saying  Galveston is a 5 terminal port . And was instrumental in bringing Roger Brees to Galveston for developing  cruise port  along side Royal . 

Edited December 14, 2018 by ssb

[ssb]

9 minutes ago, longhorn2004 said:

Those of us who cruise out of Galveston often have read and heard of rumors for YEARS that an Oasis class ship was coming. It took 10 years but its happening. To read that RCL is looking at bringing a new Icon class ship right off the bat is pretty exciting stuff. Will it be the first? Who knows, will Miami or Ft Lauderdale have their LNG infrastructure up by then? No one knows, maybe Galveston will. Exciting times for sure though. 

 

After watching Carnival base three ships at Galveston,  RCL is finally getting into the game.  How will Carnival respond to this news?

 

Does Galveston has its flaws? Yes, it will never have the convenient airport to port experience that FTL offers. The shuttle operators between the Houston airports and Galveston cruise port will have step their game up to deal with increased traffic. And the long term parking is going to have to get better (though I like Galveston Cruise Parking with their hokey old school buses as shuttles). But as SSB so eloquently posted it is the gateway to middle America and happens to be placed in one of and near some of the fastest growing metro areas in the country.

 

In a free enterprise system , Supply will be commensurate with demand . 

Long term parking is already better . 

[BecciBoo]

Yes, been there done that twice, but still a hassle.

 

Oops forgot to quote Biker....

Edited December 14, 2018 by BecciBoo

[euphscott]

On 12/6/2018 at 4:26 AM, HBE4 said:

 

Is that true? I was advise on the Gulf Coast departure threads that weekends are always a 2 night minimum stay. The info came from Galveston residents so I assume it to be true.

 

 

I have done two cruises this year (one in June, one in December).  One was a Sunday departure, one a Thursday.  I did not encounter a 2 night minimum requirement in either case.  

[ssb]

42 minutes ago, euphscott said:

 

I have done two cruises this year (one in June, one in December).  One was a Sunday departure, one a Thursday.  I did not encounter a 2 night minimum requirement in either case.  

 

Good news 

[wolfganghowell]

Love the Enchantment itinerary - just not excited about the ship itself.  Too small, too old, not enough for us onboard. I admit to being spoiled by Voyager and Freedom class.  But glad that Galveston is getting more options.

[John&LaLa]

3 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

Interesting bit at the end.  Maybe Galveston is shooting for the #3 spot??

 

"Additionally, new details also emerged about Royal Caribbean’s current Galveston terminal, which is currently shared by Disney Cruise Line and Carnival.  Royal Caribbean will continue to have the option for shared access to Terminal 2, plus exclusive use of Terminal 3.  Carnival has exclusive use rights to Terminal 1 and shared access to Terminal 2.  This implies the overall number of Royal Caribbean ships home-porting in Galveston is expected to increase and Royal Caribbean won’t simply swap out their current Galveston ships for larger ones.

Port of Galveston officials are also floating the idea of a Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.  They hope to grow the Galveston cruise market, which is currently number 4 in the nation."

 

I really don't see that happening.  The big 3 in Florida all have more than twice the passenger traffic.  

 

They'd need at least 6 terminals to compete for #3

 

Bigger isn't necessarily better

[ssb]

On 12/14/2018 at 4:10 PM, John&LaLa said:

 

I really don't see that happening.  The big 3 in Florida all have more than twice the passenger traffic.  

 

They'd need at least 6 terminals to compete for #3

 

Bigger isn't necessarily better

 

Florida has its own market. 

Galveston has its own market . 

Royal has done it research , and is just reacting to the marketplace with a commitment with  Galveston of 60 years  including options.   

 

Galveston Will have  new more efficient ships and be going to Bahamas , Cuba, Eastern  and Southern Caribbean in the future . 

Florida is already going to Western Caribbean. 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 16, 2018 by ssb

[ssb]

13 minutes ago, ssb said:

 

 

Quote

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 16, 2018 by ssb