Galveston New Ship Question

[neekaemt]

 

Very true regarding the Port of Houston (Bayport). That's why it is still empty today....

 

and there are no talks of even trying to get a contract until maybe 2011.

[nurseone]

Has been talked about many times and I just this week read an interesting article. It indicated that Galveston is the ONLY port that requires 2 harbor pilots thus doubling the costs and they are asking for increases of 5%-8% a year for the next couple of years. They had come to some agreement with the cruise lines and talk they would drop the second pilot (was it a safety thing in the beginning and if so now why are they willing to drop it) but there were some rules that the agreements were illegal (didn't really understand all of it) and now they still want the 2 pilots and Carnival and Royal Caribbean are suing Galveston. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

[TexBear]

I have to disagree to a certain extent. The Conquest certainly was not 'old, broken down' etc.

 

The makeup of return guests on the ships sailing from Galveston is typically 55% or better.

 

There really is no such thing as a 'newer ship capable of doing a new itinerary other than the Western Caribbean.' The ports you can reach is a function of a ship's cruising speed. The newest ships still have pretty much the same cruise speed. Add days to an itinerary and more ports come into reach.

 

Still, the Conquest could easily to Roatan, Belize, and Costa Maya as an alternative Western route! Once Cuba opens up and is ready for cruises, there could be a Key West, Santiago de Cuba, and La Habana (Havana) eastern route.

[TexBear]

I would like to see this run:

 

Panama, Costa Rica, Roatan, Belize.

 

Or

 

Panama, Costa Rice, Roatan, Cozumel

 

Those itineraries would have to be 10 or more days. Personally, I'd like similar routes.

[dawyv]

Has been talked about many times and I just this week read an interesting article. It indicated that Galveston is the ONLY port that requires 2 harbor pilots thus doubling the costs and they are asking for increases of 5%-8% a year for the next couple of years. They had come to some agreement with the cruise lines and talk they would drop the second pilot (was it a safety thing in the beginning and if so now why are they willing to drop it) but there were some rules that the agreements were illegal (didn't really understand all of it) and now they still want the 2 pilots and Carnival and Royal Caribbean are suing Galveston. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

The article in question can be found here: http://www.breakbulk.com/content/?p=934

 

Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association have filed suit in Texas State District Court against the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Galveston County Ports. They are seeking review of the Commission’s failure to enact a tariff agreed on for the Galveston-Texas Pilots Association in August after complex and sometimes contentious rate hearings.

[TexBear]

Originally Posted by mariemorgan

The Carnival Freedom does an 8 day from Florida does the Panama Trip.. I would think that Galveston is closer than florida.

 

 

Actually, no it is not. Miami to Panama is about 1450 miles. Panama to Houston is about 1800 miles. That is measured as a ship would sail, not as a jet would fly.

 

Also, ships from Galveston have to sail around the Yucatan Peninsula!

[forwardcabin]

To avoid flying--which is not fun anymore--the only ports we can drive to in one morning are Galveston and New Orleans. I hope Carnival continues to offer more than one cruise option out of these ports. There is a significant price difference in Galveston and NOLA departures, but we will continue to cruise from both ports.