Will RC stay in Los Angeles beyond 2023?

[csrsue]

Anyone have any insight on whether RC will stay in Los Angeles into 2024?  (Fingers crossed!) 

Thanks!

[twangster]

[Cactus527]

I sure hope so. Navigator had no cruises in March 2024, then resumes in mid April, so I'm hoping it stays put or we get a better ship. It's my closest port! If they leave LA entirely, I will be most disappointed.

[twangster]

53 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

I sure hope so. Navigator had no cruises in March 2024, then resumes in mid April, so I'm hoping it stays put or we get a better ship. It's my closest port! If they leave LA entirely, I will be most disappointed.

Likely a drydock break.

Royal has limited ships that can meet CARB so it seems likely that Navigator will remain or switch to seasonal service if they deem it appropriate to send her to Oz for the US winter.  

[Cactus527]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

Likely a drydock break.

Royal has limited ships that can meet CARB so it seems likely that Navigator will remain or switch to seasonal service if they deem it appropriate to send her to Oz for the US winter.  

CARB! I'm going to read up on that now. It seems like such an appropriate acronym for California... 

[twangster]

54 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

CARB! I'm going to read up on that now. It seems like such an appropriate acronym for California... 

Ships have to plug into shore power while in CA ports and turn off engines.  Navigator was specifically modified for this capability as are new ship being built now, but few Royal ships built before 2020 qualify.  

[Temeculaguy]

So frustrating how California goes out of it's way to ruin good things, I hope navigator stays or for Royal to increase it's offerings, it seems a likely spot to reposition after Alaska if even for a short while as well. It's not a small market, it is arguably one of the the biggest markets with almost 24 million people in Southern California most of who m are less than a 2 hour drive to the port. That's more than the state of Florida and just 5 million less than all of Texas, which is far more spread out. If So Cal was a state it would be the 2nd largest behind Texas as Nor Cal is 1/3 less populated. Carnival has had 3 ships permanently in so cal for 30 years plus princess and their other lines permanently or at least when not in Alaska. Understandably the 3 and 4 day cruises in order to fire up the casinos only go to Ensenada which has little to offer however on our recent 3 day Navigator trip we went to El Valle Guadalupe wine country and I found it to be more enjoyable than Nassau for the Florida short cruises. I love Cabo and even more so Puerto Vallarta but admittedly the pacific is rougher and colder than the Eastern shore of Mexico plus there are no island nations to visit, I just hate that our preferred cruise line is the one that until recently was almost non existent on the left coast. From a marketing perspective it would be a huge mistake to leave the West coast if for no other reason than to introduce people to the brand as most start with a shorter and a conveniently located cruise, plus it's closer to Asia and already gets significant numbers of tourists from around the globe. We drug along with us about 25 friends and family on our little Navigator 3 day cruise in March, most of whom had never experienced Royal before, alll of whom became fans. Put a quantum, oasis or icon class ship on this coast and they will get more loyal customers than any amount of commercials can buy. As a shareholder I'd be unhappy if they left the West as a resident I'd be forced to look for other options on occasion.

[twangster]

4 hours ago, Temeculaguy said:

So frustrating how California goes out of it's way to ruin good things, I hope navigator stays or for Royal to increase it's offerings, it seems a likely spot to reposition after Alaska if even for a short while as well. It's not a small market, it is arguably one of the the biggest markets with almost 24 million people in Southern California most of who m are less than a 2 hour drive to the port. That's more than the state of Florida and just 5 million less than all of Texas, which is far more spread out. If So Cal was a state it would be the 2nd largest behind Texas as Nor Cal is 1/3 less populated. Carnival has had 3 ships permanently in so cal for 30 years plus princess and their other lines permanently or at least when not in Alaska. Understandably the 3 and 4 day cruises in order to fire up the casinos only go to Ensenada which has little to offer however on our recent 3 day Navigator trip we went to El Valle Guadalupe wine country and I found it to be more enjoyable than Nassau for the Florida short cruises. I love Cabo and even more so Puerto Vallarta but admittedly the pacific is rougher and colder than the Eastern shore of Mexico plus there are no island nations to visit, I just hate that our preferred cruise line is the one that until recently was almost non existent on the left coast. From a marketing perspective it would be a huge mistake to leave the West coast if for no other reason than to introduce people to the brand as most start with a shorter and a conveniently located cruise, plus it's closer to Asia and already gets significant numbers of tourists from around the globe. We drug along with us about 25 friends and family on our little Navigator 3 day cruise in March, most of whom had never experienced Royal before, alll of whom became fans. Put a quantum, oasis or icon class ship on this coast and they will get more loyal customers than any amount of commercials can buy. As a shareholder I'd be unhappy if they left the West as a resident I'd be forced to look for other options on occasion.

The West coast is a lucrative market but the lack of port of call diversity remains to be a challenge.  That issue directly leads to cruise fatigue.  It's easy to fill a new ship several times when it's new to the market but sustaining load factors twice per week, after week, after month is another matter.  The short weekend getaway is more popular because no one cares where they go for 3 nights but that leaves the ship with empty berths in between the weekends.

Navigator is arguably the best Voyager class ship.  They struggle to fill the best in class so up-sizing is unlikely. 

It's not that a ship can't make money on the West coast, the fact is that same ship can make more money somewhere else.  As a business it would be foolish to place ships where they will make less money. 

Plus I don't buy the argument that a new ship will draw in new customers that otherwise would not have booked Royal and that will convert to Royal from that point forward even now flying to sail Royal in other regions over other options.  They'll get one booking from a new guest who will then go back to looking for the cheapest cruise or the other line they are already dedicated to.  A handful may be converted but you can't build momentum with a handful of converts. 

[Matt]

From what I've gathered in talking with various executives, I don't see Royal leaving the LA market in the short term.

[Cactus527]

2 hours ago, twangster said:

The West coast is a lucrative market but the lack of port of call diversity remains to be a challenge.  That issue directly leads to cruise fatigue.  It's easy to fill a new ship several times when it's new to the market but sustaining load factors twice per week, after week, after month is another matter.  The short weekend getaway is more popular because no one cares where they go for 3 nights but that leaves the ship with empty berths in between the weekends.

I wonder if a port shake up is needed. For example, Princess does a great California coast cruise (6 and 7 nights) that hits Ensenada for the out-of-the-US requirement. A trip like that on RC would be a fantastic change, but I know I'm preaching to the choir here. The repositioning cruises with Brilliance and Radiance are great options too, but those only happen 1-2 times annually. For whatever reason, RC isn't doing anything out of San Diego anymore - BLARGH. 

[WAYNO]

Less than a month ago we cruised, 7-days from L.A. to the Mexican Riviera.  And we've booked the exact same cruise two more times in the next couple of months.

Our endeavor was to discover how much truly easier it would be for a West Coaster to cruise from the West Coast.  And, at least partially, it is easier, or at least, cheaper.  We are envious of all the Southeastern folks that have easy and quick access to the cruise ports of Florida.

What I really felt, was L.A. is not taking the cruise business seriously, as if they're expecting the cruise industry to leave, or at least downsize.  When we were dropped off at the circus tent outside the ship, it was poorly organized.  Nothing like the Love Boat terminal I used to see on TV.  Folks didn't know where to be, and there were few folks if any, to direct the passengers of where they should be. 

 

And even at the beginning of our booking process, I discovered  ground shuttle  transportation is very lacking in choices or services provided.  It was like, gee we'll get you there, but it's not really what we do.  I had to settle on a limo, which was nearly as costly as the airfare to get us there.  I know many folks say ground transportation is easily available, but in every case other than a limo, we weren't allowed more than one piece of luggage each.  That's tough.  For me, a 7-day vacation requires a suitcase, and a carry on.  Best they could say was sorry, can't do it.   And no, I don't want an Uber Prius with suitcases on my lap.

So what I see, or saw, was the cruise was magnificent.  But the local cruising services just didn't take it seriously.

[cruisellama]

6 hours ago, WAYNO said:

Less than a month ago we cruised, 7-days from L.A. to the Mexican Riviera.  And we've booked the exact same cruise two more times in the next couple of months.

Our endeavor was to discover how much truly easier it would be for a West Coaster to cruise from the West Coast.  And, at least partially, it is easier, or at least, cheaper.  We are envious of all the Southeastern folks that have easy and quick access to the cruise ports of Florida.

What I really felt, was L.A. is not taking the cruise business seriously, as if they're expecting the cruise industry to leave, or at least downsize.  When we were dropped off at the circus tent outside the ship, it was poorly organized.  Nothing like the Love Boat terminal I used to see on TV.  Folks didn't know where to be, and there were few folks if any, to direct the passengers of where they should be. 

 

And even at the beginning of our booking process, I discovered even ground transportation is very lacking in choices or services provided.  It was like, gee we'll get you there, but it's not really what we do.  I had to settle on a limo, which was nearly as costly as the airfare to get us there.  I know many folks say ground transportation is easily available, but in every case other than a limo, we weren't allowed more than one piece of luggage each.  That's tough.  For me, a 7-day vacation requires a suitcase, and a carry on.  Best they could say was sorry, can't do it. 

So what I see, or saw, was the cruise was magnificent.  But the local cruising services just didn't take it seriously.

Is the port in San Pedro?

 

[WAYNO]

33 minutes ago, cruisellama said:

Is the port in San Pedro?

 

Yes. 

[Cactus527]

9 hours ago, WAYNO said:

Less than a month ago we cruised, 7-days from L.A. to the Mexican Riviera.  And we've booked the exact same cruise two more times in the next couple of months.

Our endeavor was to discover how much truly easier it would be for a West Coaster to cruise from the West Coast.  And, at least partially, it is easier, or at least, cheaper.  We are envious of all the Southeastern folks that have easy and quick access to the cruise ports of Florida.

What I really felt, was L.A. is not taking the cruise business seriously, as if they're expecting the cruise industry to leave, or at least downsize.  When we were dropped off at the circus tent outside the ship, it was poorly organized.  Nothing like the Love Boat terminal I used to see on TV.  Folks didn't know where to be, and there were few folks if any, to direct the passengers of where they should be. 

 

And even at the beginning of our booking process, I discovered even ground transportation is very lacking in choices or services provided.  It was like, gee we'll get you there, but it's not really what we do.  I had to settle on a limo, which was nearly as costly as the airfare to get us there.  I know many folks say ground transportation is easily available, but in every case other than a limo, we weren't allowed more than one piece of luggage each.  That's tough.  For me, a 7-day vacation requires a suitcase, and a carry on.  Best they could say was sorry, can't do it. 

So what I see, or saw, was the cruise was magnificent.  But the local cruising services just didn't take it seriously.

 

I find this very interesting to compare to my experience in port (October). We had an easy drop off with Lyft, easy to find the lane we needed to be in for boarding, and everything was quick and easy and clear. Upon departure, the lines to exit the ship (since we were near the end) were long but moving. We used a porter to skip the long line waiting for customs, and then ended up waiting for Lyft for about 30 minutes to depart. No problem with 5 bags with our Lyft XL. Again, this is all probably because we waited until near the end to get off the ship. I thought that the way everything was arranged was clear and easy to follow. Using advice learned online (like here on RC Blog) helped me know what to expect. I really thought San Pedro was set up well and easy to do everything needed before, during, and after. 

[twangster]

Have sailed from San Pedro and Long Beach (other line).  Have stayed on the QM in Long Beach and used Lyft to get to San Pedro.  It was no more difficult than any other cruise port in the US.  

[Temeculaguy]

14 hours ago, Matt said:

From what I've gathered in talking with various executives, I don't see Royal leaving the LA market in the short term.

Thanks, that is great news.

[CrznTxn]

We love the West Coast cruises even though we are in Texas and try to get back as often as possible. We were on Navigator on the Royal restart of the western cruises and actually sat next to the local governor in Puerto Vallarta who was presenting Royal with a plaque commemorating the event. We keep checking the air fares so we can go back.

[cruisellama]

Are there any recommendation for hotels near the port?

[Cactus527]

There are a number of hotels in Long Beach, just across the bridge from the port. We've done both the Hyatt Centric and Hyatt Regency and liked both. The Centric is connected to The Pike shopping area with stores, restaurants, food trucks, and an awesome ferris wheel. The Regency is connected to the convention center and closer to the actual beach itself. Lyft from either hotel to the port is about 10-12 minutes.

[Cactus527]

12 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

There are a number of hotels in Long Beach, just across the bridge from the port. We've done both the Hyatt Centric and Hyatt Regency and liked both. The Centric is connected to The Pike shopping area with stores, restaurants, food trucks, and an awesome ferris wheel. The Regency is connected to the convention center and closer to the actual beach itself. Lyft from either hotel to the port is about 10-12 minutes.

I forgot to mention - the Regency is just on the opposite side of The Pike shopping area, so definitely not far walking to food.