Hey RCCL, we just booked on Carnival in Galveston

[Fitnessmaniac]

We've wondered too why RCL only has Voyager out of Galveston and only 4 months out of the year! Why?

I don't understand.

We loved it when Rhapsody and Splender were there.

We would REALLY love for Voyager to come and stay year around!

We live in Dallas area. It's so much easier to travel 4 hours south to Galveston and not have to worry about planes and hotels!

Texas has many large cities that have cruisers that would enjoy the Voyager out of Galveston.

Also..I've also noticed that when Voyager is in Galveston...the cruise prices a much higher than other ports. What's up with that?

We are very loyal to Royal..I don't think we will try Carnival out of Galveston (been there done that) However..would be even MORE loyal to Royal if it were more convenient. :)

[buckanear]

Also..I've also noticed that when Voyager is in Galveston...the cruise prices a much higher than other ports. What's up with that?

 

Supply and demand. Voyager sailed at capacity just about every single week it was here for the last 4 months which is exactly what happened last season. A high demand for staterooms means they can charge more (and they get it) for a room. Which also probably explains why they only have a ship here part time. Limiting the amount of sailings there creates demand as well.

[seeship]

We are booking a Carnival for this summer due to no RCI ships in Galveston. We are going on the Mariner in August out of LA but only because we have family there and makes the airfare double duty.

[klingoncruiser]

I suggest you keep letting them know! Keep up sending letters and emails about how we want a ship full time here (especially me!) and preferably the Voyager.

 

Ya know... we all want another choice than Carnivore. Not that they are bad, just that I like RCL better. Not only did they abandon Galveston, but ALL of the Gulf Coast. (Don't count Tampa as Gulf Coast, just another Florida sailing). They really don't care or they would have already figured out how to put at least one ship back on the Gulf Coast.

 

The draw is much larger than Texas. (They know that). There is a brand new port for Houston with no ship. I bet they would make a heck of a deal for ANY ship. (They know that). People whine about Key West, whine about Cozumel, whine about Jamaica. Still we go, even on Carnivore. (They know that) Bottom line, ain't happening no matter how many letters or pleadings.

 

Best hope...... Open up Cuba. That might just draw a ship back to the Gulf Coast. God we all miss the Rhaphsody!

 

Sorry I missed you at Spring Break, but it was a bit hectic when we got there. My next two sailings will be on Celebrity. (Florida at Xmas- yuck but no choice) and Alaska this summer. No plans for now to sail the Voyager next year. As a teacher I am stuck on when I can sail and spring break is double the price and I prefer the other run. (This last one was for free on the RCL card. No more points left.)

[Hypo]

We are in central Arkansas and also cast our votes for a year round ship option from Galveston. (or New Orleans or Mobile).

 

We have sailed on Rhapsody (twice) and Voyager (twice) out of Galveston, and Grandeur (Twice) out of New Orleans; and we too prefer RCL. That said, we are going to do Carnival conquest this fall as we prefer a ship that sails from a port closer to home. We are tired of having to fly to Florida to take a cruise. Also, with all of the extra fees and hassles of flying the various legacy airlines, we now try to limit our travel to Southwest, which means that going to FL we are going to probably be flying into Fort Lauderdale, and there are few ship options from that port in the summer. We therefore have to make our way down to Miami in order to sail during that time frame.

 

Hypo

[constantcruiser]

The explanation we've been given when we asked crew members why there's not an RCI ship sailing out of Galveston year-round is that on-board spending is significantly lower on Texas cruises than on those departing from other ports.

 

Let's face it, we all know cruiselines make their biggest profit from bars & casinos...so no matter how many cabins we fill, RCI says we just ain't drinkin" & gamblin' enough! Come on, Texans, we don't want to be in second place. We gotta show RCI we can lose just as much money in their smoky casinos as Floridians can!

[Texas Teen]

Europe is a Continent, Galveston is a city. That may explain why there are 8 ships in Europe vs 1 ship in Galveston. But I, too would love to see more ships in Galveston. They would probably have to offer some of the longer sailings though since Galveston is so fat away from the Eastern Caribbean.

 

It's more than just the Galveston population departing Texas! The whole state is within driving distance of the port! I've also learned here on CruiseCritic that many people from Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas drive down, too!

[CavePearl]

The explanation we've been given when we asked crew members why there's not an RCI ship sailing out of Galveston year-round is that on-board spending is significantly lower on Texas cruises than on those departing from other ports.

 

Let's face it, we all know cruiselines make their biggest profit from bars & casinos...so no matter how many cabins we fill, RCI says we just ain't drinkin" & gamblin' enough! Come on, Texans, we don't want to be in second place. We gotta show RCI we can lose just as much money in their smoky casinos as Floridians can!

 

You didn't mention a need to keep up with the Floridians in the drinkin' category. Does this mean us Texicans can stand proud as doin' plenty of that? :D

[alonzo14]

I too would like the Voyager year round in Galveston given the airline fees and prices and reduced flights!! I have been on all RCCL shipos out of Galveston except Voyager.

[shmthaus]

notree - I think I saw you in some pics from a running website. Email me at shmthaus@verizon.net

 

formerfuzz - cool avatar - when did you retire????

[notree]

notree - I think I saw you in some pics from a running website. Email me at shmthaus@verizon.net

 

formerfuzz - cool avatar - when did you retire????

 

 

Sent you an Email. I redied again from the 32 dist court as bailif.. first tiem in 35 years not totin a badge!!

[slickmouse]

We're in Arkansas and would definitely prefer an RCL sailing out of Galveston - and more options than just Spring Break week - which is the only time I could find this year. Add my vote to the list.

[shmthaus]

notree - didn't get your email.

 

FYI - I am running in a 5k this weekend. Not bad for an old fat man...:D

[CruisinFromTx]

Here to 2nd the motion - Our last RCCL cruise was a Repo on the Voyager - we moved right after that and have done 5 Carnival and one NCL cruise because we would rather spend money on cruise ticket than plan tickets.

 

We would do the Voyager again if the price was right - but RCCL can't touch Carnival's military rates.

 

We have NCL cruise points to use this year - but we're hoping to book an Oasis or Freedom class after that.

 

If you haven't done Carnival in a while - you'll be pleasantly surprised - IMO, food shows and service are better - but we the WOW factor of RCCL ships will pull us back to them sooner or later.

 

Just so everyone is aware Carnival is out of Galveston after April 2010. They will not be an alternative then...

[mek]

I sailed out of Bayport in February and I'm not sure I would do it again. Both ports are not close to either airport, 7 night itineraries are limited to the western Caribbean and there seems to be few longer cruises offered. Also the weather problems continue to plague the ports - not so much of problem if you drive, but a major pain when flying.

 

For the right price and a different itinerary, I might cruise out of the Houston area again, but it doesn't look like anything will be changing soon.

 

I understand the convenience of driving to the ports, but I don't understand why people would want to do the same itinerary over and over again.

[SonicShip]

This is 6 year old thread.

[Big Beer Gut]

There is 1 Very good reason for RCCL not to sail out of Galveston.

 

The port is not convenient to any airport, Most of the passengers on the ship are not locals and need to travel to Galveston. In Fort Lauderdale, I can see the airport from the ship, why do I want to go to Galveston and need a 70 mile ride

[chermilo]

There is 1 Very good reason for RCCL not to sail out of Galveston.

 

The port is not convenient to any airport, Most of the passengers on the ship are not locals and need to travel to Galveston. In Fort Lauderdale, I can see the airport from the ship, why do I want to go to Galveston and need a 70 mile ride

 

Most of the passengers on the ship are Texans and most do drive -- 4 hours for me which is easier then flying to catch a ship. The ship is always filled and a majority of the passengers are first or second time cruisers. I do agree that they have the same ports over and over again but I go on it because I have met alot of people that go for the cruising .. not just the ports.

 

I do wish they would just every now and then do something different out of Galveston for a week or two.

[nealstuber]

There is 1 Very good reason for RCCL not to sail out of Galveston.

 

 

 

The port is not convenient to any airport, Most of the passengers on the ship are not locals and need to travel to Galveston. In Fort Lauderdale, I can see the airport from the ship, why do I want to go to Galveston and need a 70 mile ride

 

 

Hobby is less than 30 miles. And I would disagree with your statement that most of the PAX are not locals.

 

For a those flying in, the biggest drawback is likely the lack of a rental car place on the island. Sounds crazy to rent a car for 7 days to pay $60 to park it at the pier, but it works out even vs a shuttle for a family of 4 and you have it for a pre or post cruise excursion.

[pcur]

I just booked my 3rd cruise out of Galveston. I find the drive from the airport isn't that excessive; there are lots of ports where it takes that long (Los Angeles comes to mind because of the traffic, not the distance).

 

If we space the cruises so we go every few years, the itinerary is not as monotonous. The prices are usually a lot cheaper for a 7 day cruise, too. We are booked on the Liberty this December for $1,258 for two people with a small obc. We will be driving home from a visit with relatives, and driving down to New Orleans to take the southern route home in CA. So, stopping off in Galveston, paying $65 for parking, and getting a 7 day cruise for $679 each, taxes and fees included, seems like a great deal to me.

[krazy4kruisin]

It's more than just the Galveston population departing Texas! The whole state is within driving distance of the port! I've also learned here on CruiseCritic that many people from Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas drive down, too!

 

 

I live in Missouri and have driven down 4 times. I would love to see more ships sailing out of Texas. I would cruise more.

[xxoocruiser]

Texas has a higher poplation than Florida! Why does Florida get 5 ships, while Texas gets none?!?! More importantly, Why does Europe get 8 ships, while Texas gets none???

 

Doubt that RCCL's decision was based on the population of Florida vs. Texas. Florida offers a much broader customer base for RCCL as it attracts Europeans, South Americans , Canadians as well as a broader base of Americans.

Edited July 19, 2015 by xxoocruiser

[pspercy]

Most of the passengers on the ship are Texans and most do drive -- 4 hours for me which is easier then flying to catch a ship. The ship is always filled and a majority of the passengers are first or second time cruisers. I do agree that they have the same ports over and over again but I go on it because I have met alot of people that go for the cruising .. not just the ports.

 

I do wish they would just every now and then do something different out of Galveston for a week or two.

 

YES. How about stopping at Progreso once in a while ? Much better than Coz for the Mayan sites. Regarding itineraries RCCL seems to lack imagination these days. They should offer a longer trip out of Galveston every so often, for example, I bet it'd sell out fast.

[Thoie]

Zombie thread :)

[spookwife]

There is 1 Very good reason for RCCL not to sail out of Galveston.

 

The port is not convenient to any airport, Most of the passengers on the ship are not locals and need to travel to Galveston. In Fort Lauderdale, I can see the airport from the ship, why do I want to go to Galveston and need a 70 mile ride

I am going to get sucked into the dead thread.

 

we sailed NAV back in January. it was 95% local Texans. hell half the people we met lived IN GALVESTON!!!!

 

while I agree with you that it is not convenient to either of Houston's airports the fact is, that most of the pax DRIVE to the port. stay in a hotel just off the island to save money then drive on in day of embarkation