Why the short port times?

[360]

I understand the ship activity money making theory, so before that is posted as an answer, I am already discounting that.

 

If a ship is capable of sailing at 25 knots, and can clear Central America to Central Florida in 12 hours, why don't they add more time ashore?

 

It drives me nuts that you only get 6-8 hours of listed time ashore, but in reality it usually comes down to about 2 hours less, due to crowded gangways, or tender stations. They could do 12 hours in port easily.

[CruzVinnieCruz]

Same say it's because security at the port is only there for that period of time. Other's say that the ship pays for each hour it is in port which is probably true. The bottom line is the bottom line. We have spent 18 hours on some cruises going 120 nautical miles. I know you have discounted the cruise line making money but I think that is the answer. When we first start cruising it was common to port over night.

[EricaLovesCats]

Perhaps it depends on the port itself. Here in Key West we don't have ships in port past 4 because we don't want the ships blocking the sunset.

[360]

Perhaps it depends on the port itself. Here in Key West we don't have ships in port past 4 because we don't want the ships blocking the sunset.

You replied to another post I made, and between the two responses, I REALLY hope you are being sarcastic.

[Cruzman]

Hmmmm! Apx 1500 nautical miles from central America to central FL at 22k (listed max cruising speed for most cruise ships) would require 68 hours to navigate. Granted it isn't that far to Coz or Belize, but you did say Central America, as in Costa Rica/Panama. If my math is incorrect, please inform.

[360]

Hmmmm! Apx 1500 nautical miles from central America to central FL at 22k (listed max cruising speed for most cruise ships) would require 68 hours to navigate. Granted it isn't that far to Coz or Belize, but you did say Central America, as in Costa Rica/Panama.

No, from Roatan Honduras to Tampa at 25 knots would have taken about 12 hours. We we left Roatan at 5 pm, and were past Cozumel that evening. Then the ship slowed to about 16 knots. I wanna say it is a wee bit less than 1000 nm from Roatan to Tampa Bay. We cruised at 24 knots leaving Roatan. So my math says about 40 hours. I guess I should correct myself a bit and say that the ship REALLY slows down between islands. It is only 70 miles from Belize to Roatan. We left Belize at 3:15 pm, and were on the pier at 8 am in Roatan. Grand Cayman to Cozumel is only a hop skip and a jump, yet it took over 15 hours to get there too. I would rather spend more time on the islands that roaming the ship looking for something to do.

[EricaLovesCats]

I take it you have never been to Key West. Our sunset celebrations are famous...or so I thought. Everyone gathers in Mallory Square to see the sun go down and if all the ships are there they would block the sunset. As you told me in the other post, why don't you GOOGLE IT.

 

Geez what is up with all the nasty remarks on cruise critic lately. You asked a question, I gave my answer, and you belittle me. Whatever. I'm done.

[360]

I take it you have never been to Key West. Our sunset celebrations are famous...or so I thought. Everyone gathers in Mallory Square to see the sun go down and if all the ships are there they would block the sunset. As you told me in the other post, why don't you GOOGLE IT.

 

Geez what is up with all the nasty remarks on cruise critic lately. You asked a question, I gave my answer, and you belittle me. Whatever. I'm done.

 

Good grief, you sound like my wife.

 

I know where Mallory Square is, and your reason sounded dumb. So did your remark about the reef.

[cruisecastle]

You replied to another post I made, and between the two responses, I REALLY hope you are being sarcastic.

 

Uh no it's true no ships in dock to block sunset. they have a sunset festival everynight

[ladyvet]

Key West is famous for its sunsets. The whole square is filled with artists and performers and wonderful restaurants. Everyone gathers in the square for the sunset, and it's a lot of fun. I'm not from Key West, but I have visited and enjoyed the "ritual."

 

I can see how big ships in port would diminish the experience greatly.

Beth

[Cruzman]

I think one of the biggest reasons the ships leave ports early is because the ships stores and casino cannot open until the ship is at sea. A classic case has to be the ships that depart Cozumel at 5 or 6 PM with the next port being Calica, a scant 12 miles away. What is the ship doing until 7 AM the next day? Dunno but the shops and casino are open.

[maxamuus]

With oil at almost 120 dollars a barrel i would think it would make sense to keep those big ships parked whenever possible.

[Karshrimp]

Perhaps it depends on the port itself. Here in Key West we don't have ships in port past 4 because we don't want the ships blocking the sunset.

 

Yep, the Key West sunsets are infamous. They have a big party everynight down at Mallory Square to celebrate the sunset. Lots of street entertainers are there. Hundreds (if not thousands) of people gather there to watch the sun go down. It's a great experience.

It was even a greater experience to walk down to Margaritaville after that and have Jimmy Buffett come out of the kitchen! :p

[Cruzman]

Key West is famous for its sunsets. The whole square is filled with artists and performers and wonderful restaurants. Everyone gathers in the square for the sunset, and it's a lot of fun. I'm not from Key West, but I have visited and enjoyed the "ritual."

 

I can see how big ships in port would diminish the experience greatly.

Beth

 

We Were aboard the Grandeur of the Seas in April 2003 and arrived in Key West at 2 PM Thursday afternoon. We didn't depart until 7 AM Friday. Yes, this was a scheduled stop every other week when this ship sailed from New Orleans.

[jessemon]

You replied to another post I made, and between the two responses, I REALLY hope you are being sarcastic.

This poster is not being sarcastic. In Key West they do not want Mallory Sq. blocked at sunset. It is a big tourist attraction. people go there to watch entertainers that do their thing there. Bird shows...juggling...fire eating....and all sorts of other things.

The posters is correct and not sarcastic....;)

[jessemon]

I think one of the biggest reasons the ships leave ports early is because the ships stores and casino cannot open until the ship is at sea. A classic case has to be the ships that depart Cozumel at 5 or 6 PM with the next port being Calica, a scant 12 miles away. What is the ship doing until 7 AM the next day? Dunno but the shops and casino are open.

That would be a wrong...Key West itself does not allow ships to stay in port past a certian hour due to that sunset and the entertainment....

[Captain Funtime]

Mallory Square is only one area where the ships moor. Truman (Navy) is the other. I doubt having a ship still at the Navy pier would cause any problem.

[tcha]

360 you're going to the time out chair! (kidding)

[Cruzman]

This poster is not being sarcastic. In Key West they do not want Mallory Sq. blocked at sunset. It is a big tourist attraction. people go there to watch entertainers that do their thing there. Bird shows...juggling...fire eating....and all sorts of other things.

The posters is correct and not sarcastic....;)

 

Yeah, I watched all of that from my balcony on the Grandeur in April 2003.

[jessemon]

Mallory Square is only one area where the ships moor. Truman (Navy) is the other. I doubt having a ship still at the Navy pier would cause any problem.

There is an end of the piers that does not interfer with the main area where they do the nightly entertainment...;)

[fllady61]

Most ports, the shops close up at 6 pm. so unless you are a drinker, there is nothing to do, so they just cut the time down and give more ship time. I can understand Nassau being so short on the Eastern Caribbean cruise because it is a long way to the next port.

[CruzVinnieCruz]

That would be a wrong...Key West itself does not allow ships to stay in port past a certian hour due to that sunset and the entertainment....

 

Give the original OP a break he was asking about ports in general not Key West in particular. What about all the rest of the ports who would not mind the sunset being blocked if it brought in more tourist dollars....

[Captain Funtime]

There is no question that the ships "drive around" between ports. I always travel with a GPS that I velcro somewhere on my balcony. Follow the track and you will find that they do not take the most direct route to the next port.

[360]

Give the original OP a break he was asking about ports in general not Key West in particular. What about all the rest of the ports who would not mind the sunset being blocked if it brought in more tourist dollars....

 

Well thanks for the support. You are right. I didn't ask about Key West, and I did not intend to get into a pissing match. The reply just rubbed me wrong.

 

I have seen some cruises that dock overnight. I would like one of those.

[jessemon]

Give the original OP a break he was asking about ports in general not Key West in particular. What about all the rest of the ports who would not mind the sunset being blocked if it brought in more tourist dollars....

I was not replying to the "OP" I was replying to someone else....Give me a break ......;)