Texas cruiser

 I am not feeling too confident on August sailings. Remember, no cruises can sail until the CDC deems it safe and notice all the media hype over the raise in virus cases in Florida and Texas. Where was cruising supposed to startup again...That right Florida and Texas...We will have to see.

10 hours ago, twangster said:

I imagine that Royal wanted to validate if a Quantum class ship could make port into Galveston as it is today, pre-expansion.  These types of inquiries are routine and involve engineering analysis of the port, water depths, turning radius, predominant winds, pier mooring points, etc.  

For example when Victoria B.C. could not expand the designated pier for Quantum class when the custom steel they had ordered fell off a cargo ship coming from China they needed to determine if it was possible to use an existing pier as it was built at the time.  They went to the port, met with port officials and they did a technical analysis before determining they could in fact still safely bring Quantum class into the port and use the one pier that could accommodate her.   

While Allure may be out of the question (that analysis was done long ago) it's possible Royal was simply validating IF a Quantum class ship could use Galveston as it stands today.  This analysis would let Royal know if it was even an option to consider as the situation unfolds.  What if NYC area ports remain closed but Texas ports opened for cruising?  Could they consider moving Anthem to Texas in that scenario?  Without the study they wouldn't know. 

So Royal does the study and someone from the port announces that Royal is looking to move Anthem to Texas while in reality they just wanted to know if it was even possible.  

I agree 100% with most everything you said, and I always enjoy reading your comments as it obvious you know what your talking about. 

2 hours ago, Pima1988 said:

Agreed.

Now back on point.  Anthem is not on the books for 2020 or 2021.

Kind of laughing here. We can all recall the IT oops $18 pp/pd DBP.  I would hope and think that RCL would believe in the saying:

Spit on me 1x shame on you, 2x shame on me.  

I seriously can't see them not checking, double checking, triple checking from the RCL side!

The way I read what Matt posted is that RCL did not say it would send Anthem, but the PORT of GALVESTON stated that the Head Engineer worked with RCL on the POSSIBILITIES of Anthem coming to Galveston.  Key here this is the Port of Galveston saying it. not RCL.  They cannot control what the Port of Galveston says publicly.

•  The port is saying that they talked to RCL about the possibility of receiving Anthem at Terminal 2.
•  RCL booking wise does not show Anthem through spring 2021 in Texas. Nor any announcement of her going there.  
• Look deeper into what Galveston was saying.  It is incredibly vague.  The head engineer stated nothing more than worked with RCL about possibilities.  Galveston did not say they talked to RCL and they agreed that they will be sending a Quantum or Oasis class to Galveston. 

It just said, this is a re-cap for April, and people jumped on it that it was a done deal.

FWIW, I am not a huge Anthem fan.  Her moving to TX is no sweat off of my back, sailed her 2x.  It might be an amazing ROI for their company bc I bet many will flock in that area to be able to sail out of TX on a Quantum ship.  If I am correct they have not had a Quantum ship yet.  New product, and the ship is still considered new.  RCL will be fine as long as they keep an Oasis class in NJ.  

RCL will never mention anything publicly until all is agreed too and no it was not a mistake. I have been hearing lots of chatter throughout the industry about this. Here is the article she is referring too: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/04/27/port-of-galveston-meeting-week-discuss-delay-new-port-construction-and-anthem-of-the-seas

1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said:

I was actually wondering if perhaps that presentation bullet point that we're all basing this rumor of Anthem on was a mistake and they meant to say Allure -- that they were going to look into whether Terminal 2 could accept her.  I had assumed that the port didn't have anything built that could accommodate an Oasis class ship, but I had read that even if they could physically fit at the dock, but it's more that the terminal wouldn't be able to handle the number of people.

It can happen...I think the city and the port are concerned about traffic flow around the port.

1 hour ago, Pima1988 said:

My last response.  I am chiming out after this.  I will read your response, but will not bite. We just need to agree to disagree.

1. 25+ Million.  

•  My amazing son has lived in TX as an AF pilot (2 different bases).  My amazing hubby served in the AF too.  We did x-country road trips and always drove through TX.  An entire day from entering and exiting TX.   I mean pure 8 - 10 hrs driving.
•  Now let's do that same 8 hrs. for Bayonne.  You have NY/CT/NJ/DE/MD/PA and VA within 4 hrs at tops when we are talking. Manhattan, Long Island, Hartford, anywhere in NJ, Philly, anywhere in DE. Baltimore, DC, northern VA.  Heck if you live in VT, MASS., NH. RI, WV or NC you can make it there  in 8 hrs by car.  

 You can take a direct flight from Raleigh NC or Boston to Newark, and be an uber car ride away.  Can you say that about Galveston?   Please remember I may book a balcony and do the UDP and DBP plus excursions, but I do have a limited budget.  You move my sailing to a new port, I have to add in that cost.

2. Please show me the link that RCL sails more out of Galveston.

•  NJ and Baltimore BOTH sail to NE.  Said it before, will say it again.  Not every cruiser wants a beach experience...shocking bc I can't fathom it.  Many want the east coast version of wilderness.  They want to get out of the heat.  Galveston, nor Miami can do that.  Now add on the fact they cancelled all AK cruises, the only comparable cruise would be NE and that means Bayonne.
•  Granted come late October they only sail southbound, but for this debate we are talking AUG when they start rolling out.  They  can sail both north and southbound out of NJ.
•  Plus, ships like Adventure move from Liberty to FLL end of Oct.  That is their schedule.  They do the repositioning cruises up to Canada and down to FL.

3.  RCL making a mistake not sailing to Coco Cay/Bahamas out of Galveston.

•  That to me makes huge sense.  Galveston can hit their private island, Labadee. Mexico and even Jamaica.  It means less ships at Coco Cay.  Passengers are already fearful that it will be too crowded.
•  How many days would that cruise take?  
•  Bahamas?  You ain't missing a thing.  RCL knows from their own research, hence the twisting of the arm with the Bahamian govt to get them to build a new terminal.
•  Bermuda. I do have pity.

4. Yes, they get west coasters out of FL., but this is what I will say from someone that rotates annually (Miami/Bayonne). 

• I have always found there are a ton more Europeans on our Miami sailings.  I think it is because for them they see it as a bucket list trip, and hit Disney and Orlando at the same time.  Which means west coasters are not a factor.
•  Our NJ sailings seemed to have more west coasters bc they, like Europeans wanted to see NYC.  

I recall sitting at the 1st night on all of those cruises and each time NJ sailings had way more US citizens compared to international, yet out of Miami it was the opposite.

I get your defense of Galveston.  However, this is not personal.  It is business.  If you go through faking bookings through the summer of 2021, there is no Oasis or Quantum class on the books.  Bringing us back to the OP and the question of ANTHEM out of Galveston.

 

 

I respect your families service to our country.

Galveston is the 4th largest cruise depart port in the country is a "FACT." https://blog.cruise.me/top-10-busiest-us-cruise-ports-86558be3f44

As for everything else we will agree to disagree and hope things get back to some sort of normal asap.

3 minutes ago, Pima1988 said:

Yes, I know it was the class. Hence, why I said Oasis is located in NJ.

Please share the link.  I have no problem eating crow, just let me make some brown gravy so it is doable for me to eat.

I agree that currently TX is doing so much better reopening than NJ/NY.  However, we are also putting the cart before the horse since before any ship leaves port they need the CDC to let them go.  NJ  is going to relent on reopening.  Why?  Because impo, they can't keep the tourism reason as a defense when many people in NJ work in NYC and they are will open the beaches for Memorial Day.  OH and add in those huge containers ships docked in NJ.  

Can I see TX also sailing early?  Yes, because they can hit Labadee.  However, NJ can hit Coco Cay.  

The thing is nobody knows where these ships will end when they come back from repatriating the crews.  Yet, what we do know is simple.  

•  Anthem and Oasis have sailings booked out of Cape Liberty for this summer.  If they turn and say you now have to fly to Miami or TX, many will cancel.  What will be their chances to rebook that ship with the same occupancy at a short notice?  SLIM.  
•  I sail out of Miami or Bayonne.  Bayonne bc I can drive there.  My Oasis sailing out of NJ this yr was cancelled.  If they turned to me and said, Oasis was now going to sail out of Galveston, you can cancel with 125% booking or sail at 50% with OBC.  I would cancel and take the 125%.  My husband has no desire to do a Mexico cruise.  My Symphony cruise 5/2021 is going to both Labadee and Coco Cay. Getting to Galveston will require airports and extra travel.  I live in VA, it is a 4 hr at tops car ride.  The 50% off would be eaten up with airfare at such a short notice, plus a hotel since we never fly on the sail date.  
•  I am betting Galveston is like NJ regarding passengers.  More passengers drive than fly to the port compared to Miami.  I will say the same is true for me if they told me my Oasis or Anthem sailing would be out of Miami.  Give me the 125%.  I am not going to drive 13 hrs. to a port.  Direct flights to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale will cost an arm and a leg at short notice.  

In the end I think RCL has and is doing market research while working hand in hand with reservations and ports.  Yes, Miami impo will be the 1st to roll out.  

 

You are missing a very important point. You have 25+ million people that are within driving distance to Galveston which is why it will be one of the first to open and why RCCL is building their own terminal.

It not about distance as it is itinerary options as to why more sailing go to COCO Cay from NJ/NY than Galveston. Royal has limited options out of the northern ports, so that is why more sailing go there than Galveston. 

I do think that royal is making a huge mistake not sailing more cruises from Galveston to COCO Cay and the Bahamas....I really think it has to do with not wanting to disrupt the Florida market as they get a lot of travelers from all over the US and especially the west coast. I think things will change once terminal 3 is completed. 

2 minutes ago, Pima1988 said:

I don't want to fight.  My intention was not to offend.  This thread is about ANTHEM moving, which is a Quantum class.  You keep bringing up Oasis class.  Nowhere in the rumor mill is there any word that Symphony, Harmony or Oasis is moving to TX.  Thus, to me mentioning Oasis class is mute.

Granted if an Oasis class can fit, than I am sure a Quantum class. 

 

HUH?  Adventure is already at Cape Liberty/Bayonne.  I sailed on her July 2019.  Actually, you are behind the 8 ball.  Adventure is on the books to go to TX next season.  Freedom will be replacing her out of Bayonne.  Liberty will now be in FL. 

Going back to @Chadster's  question who will replace Anthem at Bayonne?   I think due to CoVid it is up in the air.  I think this season was "suppose" to be a trial run for the Bayonne market regarding demand.  They would have had both Oasis and Anthem, plus Adventure, and I believe Empress.  This is on top of their Celebrity ships.  If they saw they could sail 100% occupancy on all 4, than it would make sense to have 4 different classes.  NCL sails out of NYC with similar itineraries.  It would be about gaining more market share.  

 

Not offended....Just don't get your argument. 

My point exactly about Adventure....It's already there and is an older class ship. Smaller and would not be the PR nightmare it would be if it was Anthem...

Liberty is moving to Florida now???  If all stays the same..Liberty is not set to head to leave Galveston until October 2021.

The highest density of Covid Cases in the US and you think RCCL will sail 4 ships out of Cape...really how does that make good financial sense? 

My thought process is based on actual evidence of things to possibly come...Anthem was in the latest Power Point from the port of Galveston and Allure is currently booking Galveston.

12 minutes ago, Pima1988 said:

I am guessing you missed what the CEO, Michael Bayley stated yesterday.

To summarize.  Best ships, best itineraries, and best destinations. 

• He went onto say he thinks Coco Cay will be one of the 1st to roll out.  NJ can and does sail there all of the time.  I have done it multiple times, albeit, you are probably looking at a 5 night sail compared to the 3 -4 night out of Miami.
•  He also stated that he believed it would be the Oasis class will be rolled out 1st since from a density aspect, due to more balconies, more dining options, more pools, plus the neighborhoods (Central Park and Boardwalk) it is more feasible.  Want to guess the port Oasis is located for this season?  Not TX.  Not FL.  NJ?  Ding Ding Ding!.  

 

Also...you do realize when he says Oasis Class....He means the fleet not the ship (Oasis/Allure/Harmony/Symphony)....That is why I see RCCL moving the entire Oasis Class fleet at least in the short term to Florida....FYI. I saw it and last I checked NJ and NY area are little down the list of cruise ports in the US...1 2 and 3 being Florida and which port is 4th...oh that right...it's Galveston, TX. Which is why Carnival is opening in those states first...

1 minute ago, Pima1988 said:

@Texas cruiser  Anthem is not an Oasis class, it is a Quantum class.  

Reread my post....Where did I say that Anthem is an Oasis class ship class?

17 hours ago, Chadster said:

So in your scenario, which ships will be moved and prepped to sail from Cape Liberty if they move Anthem? This is the part of the whole theoretical exercise I don't get.

One of the smaller class ships at first..... Adventure Of The Seas. What's not to get....Ships move all the time. 

16 hours ago, Pima1988 said:

I agree Chadster.

@Texas cruiser  Anthem is Quantum class not Oasis.

RCL is booking Anthem through 2021 out of Bayonne.  If you do a fake booking you will see they are pretty full right now for a Dec 2021 sailing.

Will it eventually go to Galveston? Maybe, probably, but I doubt it will happen before 2022.

As far as the North East I see it happening at the get go, but with limited ships.

Anthem, Adventure, Oasis and LadyG can all sail out and hit Coco Cay, Labadee, Miami, FLL, etc. for southern routes.  Texas is limited.  

OBTW, remember RCL, unlike NCL sails out of NJ, not NY!

 

Things will look as normal on the website and the call centers until final decisions are made....Plus not saying this will happen...just saying don't be surprised if it does. 

The Norht East opening at roll out....Yeah Good Luck With That....It will be one of the last ports to open. I am hearing chatter that it could be January 2021 before sailing resume there. Why would RCCL risk contaminating some of their newest ships in the fleet....That makes no sense at all. You have to look at from a marketing stand point. Image if Anthem or Oasis were to be come infected and constantly on the evening nation news.... It would be a PR nightmare! You don't want to take a chance on tarnishing the best ship classes in the fleet. Not to mention the extreme cost to disinfect ships of those sizes....

I"m in the industry...so I know what ships are what class. Most likely what I think may happen is all Oasis class ship will move to Florida for the foreseeable future. What I am saying regarding Galveston is that terminal 2 in Galveston can already house an Oasis Class ship in theory based unless the concept art for the terminal 2 revamp is wrong....If royal decided to bring an Oasis class to Galveston this would be a good time, because the CDC most likely limit the number of passengers which would help the port ease into passenger increase. I think it is very possible for ships not to sail full until 2021.

I personally don't see any cruising out of West coast and Northern East coast until Fall at the earliest. I think royal will take the same approach as Carnival with one exception.... I see massive ship deployment shake-ups very possible as the president of RCCL said they will be taking baby steps to restart the company. That is why I see Anthem moving to Galveston asap....If your Royal you need those newer ships sailing ASAP! This one may be a stretch, but another option RCCL could be considering is to bring Oasis to Galveston at limited capacity which will most likely be mandated by the CDC anyway. This would give the port time to ease into the increased capacity and deal with traffic issues. This would be based on if terminal 2 can take an Oasis class ship...which based on the concept art it can. 

3 hours ago, WannaCruise said:

So based on the presentation (which I assume is just possible option) and speculation....are we guessing that Anthem will be at Galveston this fall and return to New Jersey next fall?  So torn of what to do....whether to try and Lift and SIft to next year (which may not even work for us), or keep our Dec booking out of New Jersey.  If they move it to Galveston this Dec, we may not be able to even get there with our current passport situation.  I suppose if they move it for next year too, we'd look at the option of flying to Galveston (although not ideal port for us). Or if we keep it, would they compensate? Dec 2021 is $$$$ so we wouldn't book it flat out.

If Anthem moves to Galveston I believe she will stay until Allure arrives. It's marketing 101....You need to draw excitement and people back to cruising and Galveston is probably going to be one of the first ports to open not to mention its importance to RCCL. With 25+ million people within driving distance of the port and people scared to fly it makes perfect sense.  Also, as I have said time and time again just because terminal 3 has been delayed doesn't mean Allure is not coming. Terminal 2 can already house an Oasis Class Ship. Don't be surprised to see some major ship deployments shake ups due to the virus. Ships that were supposed to be here now there...just my opinion thou.

47 minutes ago, WannaCruise said:

Starting when?  This fall?

Not sure....But it would make sense, because Galveston is one of RCCL most popular ports.

On 5/5/2020 at 1:09 PM, Pima1988 said:

@Texas cruiser  I thought Adventure was going to Galveston.

@jaredhamburg  I would be shocked if they send Enchantment.  If they do I think it would be for a short time.  Enchantment is take over for Lady G out of Baltimore.  Lady G was suppose to do her last sailing in spring of 2021.  If the sale has been delayed due to CoVid, than maybe.  Yet, I still  don't see Enchantment going.

 

Adventure is not set to arrive until much later this year.

On 5/5/2020 at 10:12 AM, twangster said:

There was an unconfirmed rumor but nothing official.  Like all the "which ships will head where" speculation prior to virus the rumors are even more speculative with the virus.

In a recent UK based report there was a suggestion that Anthem would still operate from the UK once cruising returns to normal.  She has to get her technical maintenance complete in a dry dock soon so that suggestion appears somewhat more plausible at this point.  The marine maintenance cannot be deferred, she requires it to be certified to sail.

Until you see Royal announce it, it's just another rumor or possibility subject to change.  

I would assume the term "normal" to imply when the ships are all back sailing.....If RCCL take the same approach as Carnival they will be running a very limited fleet.

"Anthem of the seas" was in the latest Power Point presentation from the latest Galveston wharf meeting...Makes lots of sense to have a newer ship out of Galveston as Royal will most likely follow the same coarse of action as Carnival.....Miami, PC and Galveston.

I can't see Royal sailing out of any other port in the US...especially NY.

Is Anthem of the Seas replacing Liberty Of The Seas???? Would make sense since RCCL will most likely restart with only a limited fleet and Liberty has now left Galveston to take current employees home....Anyone heard anything else?

Just confirm via RCCL! ALLURE OF THE SEAS Galveston dates to be released later today! WOOOOHOOOO!

2 hours ago, BB1 said:

I'll bet one winds up in Galveston since they have the infrastructure. An Oasis class and Icon class would sure make that a key port.

2 hours ago, BB1 said:

I'll bet one winds up in Galveston since they have the infrastructure. An Oasis class and Icon class would sure make that a key port.

That is the rumbling I have been hearing for months... BA even mentioned the Icon class to Galveston in their recent brochure. Make perfect sense considering the current ships sail at capacity year round.

13 hours ago, twangster said:

Only rumors.

Icon class will be powered by LNG and requires special refueling facilities that can provide LNG in bulk to a ship.  So far no port in North America has this capability.  Carnival also has plans to build LNG ships.  Initially Port Canaveral is known to be thinking about or working on LNG fuel facilities but there is local opposition from residents who fear it may be unsafe and blow up.  Local fire departments seem to support the concept.  Since Carnival also has an interest in LNG it would be logical for the Port of Galveston to evaluate LNG fueling capabilities.  

If we hear that Galveston is exploring the concept of LNG fuel capabilities that would be a pre-cursor to the possibility that Icon class MIGHT come to Galveston.  No LNG on the Port roadmap is a sure bet that Icon class is NOT coming to Galveston.

Galveston is already LNG capable with an LNG plant located just south of Galveston in Freeport. Also they are in the process of building a plant in Texas City. Port Canaveral gets their LNG from out of state. "BA" Bermello Ajamil & Partners the company that has been hired to build the new terminal states the following in their brochure: https://www.bermelloajamil.com/flipbooks/MaritimePublication2019/36-37/index.html

I have heard Galveston is getting not just an Oasis class ship, but also an Icon class. Anyone hearing the same?

I keep hearing that Symphony of the Seas will be moved to Galveston, replacing Liberty of the Seas by Fall 2021, so I assume she will be replaced by the new Oasis-class Ship currently in construction. It would not shock me at all if Odyssey ends up going to Galveston as well replacing Adventure of the Seas with the Grand opening of the New RCCL Terminal. Just makes a lot of sense due to the fact that RCCL is investing a lot of money with the new terminal, and the Galveston cruise industry is booming!

South Padre Island is trying to build a port to be a port of call. I think New Orleans would be a better port of call, but with Galveston and NO in competition with each other, I don't see it happening. I think a great itinerary would be a 7 day sailing out of Galveston going to New Orleans, Key West and Cozumel (Alternate Grand Cayman).

22 hours ago, Oliver said:

May I ask where it was reported about Symphony ?

I found out by a local cruise forum.

19 hours ago, Oliver said:

Freeport is 46 miles away from Galveston. 

Takes captains no time at all to get from Freeport to Galveston via the intercoastal canal.

19 hours ago, Oliver said:

Freeport is 46 miles away from Galveston.