Stevesan Posted June 24, 2010 #3976 Share Posted June 24, 2010 The Conquest is leaving Galveston for New Orleans! To be replaced by Magic: Galveston gets largest cruise ship in Texas history By HARVEY RICE 2010 HOUSTON CHRONICLE June 23, 2010, 8:47PM GALVESTON — While the Port of Houston's $87 million cruise terminal sits vacant two years after being built, the Port of Galveston on Wednesday said it has snagged the largest cruise ship ever to be based in Texas. The Carnival Cruise Lines vessel Carnival Magic will begin sailing from Galveston on Nov. 14, 2011, Galveston Port Director Steve Cernak said. Cernak said the Magic is so large, with berths for 3,690 passengers, that the port will have to build a new gangway to accommodate it. The new ship is expected to boost Galveston's reputation as a cruise-line home port and add revenues to the city's economy. "This puts us in the upper echelon of home ports," Cernak said. The largest cruise ship now based in Texas, in passenger size, is the Carnival Lines' 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest, one of two Carnival cruise ships based in Galveston. The Carnival Conquest and the 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy will move to New Orleans and be replaced in Galveston by the Carnival Magic and the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph. The Triumph moves to Galveston on Oct. 6. A Royal Caribbean Lines cruise ship is based in Galveston part of the year. The 130,000-ton Carnival Magic will boost the number of Carnival passengers coming through the Galveston cruise ship terminal by 28 percent, Cernak said. The two ships are expected to carry more than 450,000 passengers per year once they begin operation. 'Pretty significant' The Carnival Magic is a new ship, and the company's decision to base it in Galveston rather than the prime Florida market shows how important Texas is, Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer De la Cruz said. "The commitment of a new ship outside Florida is pretty significant and is pretty rare," De la Cruz said. "We have built up our presence in Galveston over many years, and we have been able to do that because the Texas and Southwestern market is so strong for us." De la Cruz said Carnival chose Galveston over Houston because of the cruise line's long-standing relationship with the port and its closer access to the Gulf. The Port of Houston Authority's Pasadena cruise terminal has yet to have a regular cruise service. The facility was built in 2008 and is next to the Port's Bayport Container Terminal. The only time cruise ships called on it was when Hurricane Ike damaged the Port of Galveston. Two Carnival Cruise Lines ships relocated to Houston for more than a month. "It's a beautiful facility with state-of-the-art everything," said Chris Matthews, a principal in the Dallas office of A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm. "The Houston cruise terminal is an example of some mis-estimating. The demand has not materialized for many reasons." Part of the problem is that the 96,000-square-foot facility is located near industrial plants and about a 45-minute drive from downtown Houston, he said. "Travelers are looking for an attractive destination on both ends of the cruise," Matthews said. "Galveston and New Orleans have much more to offer right there than the Houston cruise terminal." Ricky Kunz, vice president for origination at the Port of Houston, said the port is continuing to talk to cruise companies about home-porting vessels at the facility. "Because of required cruise marketing and vessel redeployment, it can take a cruise line up to two, three years before moving into a new port or market," Kunz said. The chairman of the Galveston Wharves Board, which oversees the Port Authority, said the revenue source of the two port districts may help explain why Houston's terminal remains vacant. Chairman John Eckel said the Galveston port is supported by its own earnings and the Houston port by tax dollars. "That's why they did engage in a 'build it and they will come' Field of Dreams arrangement," Eckel said. $8 million in upgrades Norwegian Cruise Line did operate from the Port of Houston's Barbours Cut Terminal from 1997 until 2001 and again from 2003 until April 2007. Cernak said the Galveston port is investing more than $8 million in improvements to serve the Carnival Magic, including more walkways and moorings. The improvements will allow the cruise terminal to handle any cruise vessel in the Western Hemisphere, he said. The increased number of passengers is expected to have a big economic effect on the port and the city, Cernak said. The port gets its income from cruise line and passenger fees, including fees for parking in port-owned parking lots. Cernak couldn't immediately give an estimate of how much the new ships would add to the port's earnings. A state-by-state 2009 economic impact study by the Cruise Line International Association showed $1.1 billion in direct purchases related to the cruise line business in Texas for 2008. The numbers apply to Galveston because it has the only operating cruise line terminal in the state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbiepete Posted June 24, 2010 #3977 Share Posted June 24, 2010 Yeah she is coming home to New Orleans :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reyesj226 Posted June 25, 2010 #3978 Share Posted June 25, 2010 Does anyone know if Laser Tag is offered on the Conquest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris&Krystal Posted June 27, 2010 #3979 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Does anyone know if the waiters will bring you any drink you want at the past guest party on the conquest? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prattmom Posted June 27, 2010 #3980 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Does anyone know if Laser Tag is offered on the Conquest? Yep. $5 for 5 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarapdot Posted June 27, 2010 #3981 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Does anyone know if the waiters will bring you any drink you want at the past guest party on the conquest? I'm not sure if the waiter will bring it to you but I believe you can order whatever you like at the bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbh7 Posted June 27, 2010 #3982 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Does anyone know if Laser Tag is offered on the Conquest? Just got off the Conquest and my 18 yr old son said the Laser tag was a joke - you got to play for about 5 minutes, it was an inflatable laser tag and the lines were long. he said it wasn't worth the wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gijoe76 Posted June 27, 2010 #3983 Share Posted June 27, 2010 My Wife and Mother-in-law are ice tea fanatics (coffee not so much) and are asking about bringing/making their own. Any thoughts to this? Perhaps room service can bring a pot of hot water each morning? CRAZY idea to me. What do you think? Thanks, once more! It is unbelievable to me that cruise ships (not just Carnival) can not make iced tea. They use syrup of some sort--yuck! You can order "hot tea" from room service. I usually just stick the tea bags in the pot and hide it is one of the cabinets. When it cools, I pour it over ice. Room service also makes a great alarm clock. Sometimes I run up to the Lido buffet and use tea bags and hot water. I then let it cool and pour it over ice. It works fine until I get back to my own kitchen! Seriously, it's the south--we need real iced tea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KsCrafter Posted June 28, 2010 #3984 Share Posted June 28, 2010 are there lockers available at sunset beach? and has anybody tried their spa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williebcruisin Posted June 28, 2010 #3985 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Anyone sailing the Conquest on the 11th of July??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williebcruisin Posted June 28, 2010 #3986 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Hate to hear laser tag was no fun...we have 2 teenage boys in our group that might like to play! It's their first cruise, so we want them to have a good time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratgrr1 Posted June 28, 2010 #3987 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Anyone sailing the Conquest on the 11th of July??? My husband and I are. there is a whole roll call for this sailing on the roll call board. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1114156 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisefan#1 Posted June 29, 2010 #3988 Share Posted June 29, 2010 Will be sailing on Conquest July 4, 2010. Have plans for Cayman & Cozumel but still kicking around Jamaica. Traveling with 2 teens and they want to zip line. I have 2 questions, #1) will there be time to zip line and still visit a beautiful beach? #2) which zipline is best, Chukka or Jamaica zipline adventure tours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenNBarbie Posted June 29, 2010 #3989 Share Posted June 29, 2010 Would a recent Conquest guest please let us know what the major productions shows are. A copy of the Fun Times entertainment section would be a god send. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenNBarbie Posted June 29, 2010 #3990 Share Posted June 29, 2010 (edited) Is the limit of 1 liter/adult enforced when returning into Galveston? Is it cheaper to buy from the Duty Free ship board store, or a DF shop in Grand Cayman? Edited June 29, 2010 by KenNBarbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjt3 Posted June 30, 2010 #3991 Share Posted June 30, 2010 Is the limit of 1 liter/adult enforced when returning into Galveston? Is it cheaper to buy from the Duty Free ship board store, or a DF shop in Grand Cayman? Not sure if the limit is strictly enforced, but I was asked when I came in how many bottles I had (I was within the limit). I found the prices in Grand Cayman to be a little better than the ship on the few things I compared. The ship selection is limited as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjt3 Posted June 30, 2010 #3992 Share Posted June 30, 2010 Would a recent Conquest guest please let us know what the major productions shows are. A copy of the Fun Times entertainment section would be a god send. Shows for last week (June 20-27) were: Sun - Welcome Aboard (w/ Comedian Dean Gaines) Mon - Voila Paris! Tue - Motown Showtime (w/ Ron Joseph) Wed - Magic & Illusion (w/ Lady Hellevi) Thu - Point & Click Fri - Variety Showtime (w/ Juggler Manuel Zuniga and Comedian Marc Rubben) Sat - Carnival Legends I have all of the Fun Times from last week. I'll post them as soon as I have a chance to scan them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesheltonj Posted June 30, 2010 #3993 Share Posted June 30, 2010 (edited) On the June 6th sailing the ship on the first night had great sale on Johnny Walker Black Label, but it was for 4 bottles, that was 2 over the limit for Texas residents. I found the best price in Grand Cayman @ the Torgura Rum Cake Shop. I bought 2 bottles for $9 each of Mount Gay rum. Other shops in Grand Cayman were selling it for $10.50 each Edited June 30, 2010 by wesheltonj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjt3 Posted June 30, 2010 #3994 Share Posted June 30, 2010 Would a recent Conquest guest please let us know what the major productions shows are. A copy of the Fun Times entertainment section would be a god send. Here are the Fun Times from June 20-27: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prattmom Posted June 30, 2010 #3995 Share Posted June 30, 2010 Is the limit of 1 liter/adult enforced when returning into Galveston? Its certainly a gamble. Customs declarations aren't checked for every debarkation, but if you end up with the full check you get into pretty serious trouble - especially for lying on the customs form... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenNBarbie Posted June 30, 2010 #3996 Share Posted June 30, 2010 Shows for last week (June 20-27) were: Sun - Welcome Aboard (w/ Comedian Dean Gaines) Mon - Voila Paris! Tue - Motown Showtime (w/ Ron Joseph) Wed - Magic & Illusion (w/ Lady Hellevi) Thu - Point & Click Fri - Variety Showtime (w/ Juggler Manuel Zuniga and Comedian Marc Rubben) Sat - Carnival Legends I have all of the Fun Times from last week. I'll post them as soon as I have a chance to scan them. Perfect, and thanks so much CJT3 for the Fun Times scans! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenNBarbie Posted June 30, 2010 #3997 Share Posted June 30, 2010 On the June 6th sailing the ship on the first night had great sale on Johnny Walker Black Label, but it was for 4 bottles, that was 2 over the limit for Texas residents. I found the best price in Grand Cayman @ the Torgura Rum Cake Shop. I bought 2 bottles for $9 each of Mount Gay rum. Other shops in Grand Cayman were selling it for $10.50 each Suspect I'll shop in GC, thanks for the suggestions. Have read you have to allow shore side shop a couple hours to package and forward the liquor to the ship. Figure to shop early, then bus to 7-Mile beach for sun, then close out day at M'ville. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILuv2CruiseWithU2 Posted July 1, 2010 #3998 Share Posted July 1, 2010 If we board early with kids are the pools open? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjt3 Posted July 1, 2010 #3999 Share Posted July 1, 2010 If we board early with kids are the pools open? The pools were already in use when we got on the ship at noon last week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmdiver Posted July 2, 2010 #4000 Share Posted July 2, 2010 Suspect I'll shop in GC, thanks for the suggestions. Have read you have to allow shore side shop a couple hours to package and forward the liquor to the ship. Figure to shop early, then bus to 7-Mile beach for sun, then close out day at M'ville. :) Be sure to get a Tortuga Rum Cake as well. I swear the ones you buy on Grand Cayman are much better than the ones you buy elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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