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teddy Pinnacle

teddy

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We were originally booked b2b Aug 29-Sept 5 and Sept 5-Sept 12.  The first week was to be a family cruise after our oldest got married.

The wedding was postponed till 2022, so we rescheduled that cruise (with family) to 2022.  My wife and I are really hoping to go on the Sept 5th sailing, but the news of Liberty going to Spain makes it look less likely.

 

 

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Galveston Steve
Galveston Steve

UPDATED 13 February 2024 (Added Allure's return in 2026. Removed  Liquor Taxation Section - Have not seen them in the terminals since 2022.) Galveston is home to Royal Caribbean's newest Cruise T

Galveston Steve
Galveston Steve

It’s been a long time coming, but this is happening! (Actual photograph, not an artist’s rendering) 🤣

twangster
twangster

Global pandemic nearly wipes out the entire cruise industry.  Royal prioritizes the Galveston terminal project above everything else including other Perfect Day and private destination projects. 

Posted Images

Galveston Steve Diamond Plus

Galveston Steve

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Posted
21 minutes ago, Zurc said:

@Galveston Steve, any further news on the Pier 10 terminal?  If I recall, Royal Caribbean still had until sometime this April for due diligence.   Will you keep us up to date when you hear any news, groundbreaking date, etc. ?   

thanks!

I will definitely keep you posted, and you will probably hear it here first.  As my update last week noted, there are now regular project update meetings between RCI and the Port of Galveston, and RCI is getting ready to start test piles to confirm the foundation load bearing capacities.  Things are moving forward, even if the final sign-off hasn't occurred.

Zurc Diamond Plus

Zurc

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, Galveston Steve said:

I will definitely keep you posted, and you will probably hear it here first.  As my update last week noted, there are now regular project update meetings between RCI and the Port of Galveston, and RCI is getting ready to start test piles to confirm the foundation load bearing capacities.  Things are moving forward, even if the final sign-off hasn't occurred.

Thank you!!

  • 2 weeks later...
AlmondFarmer Pinnacle

AlmondFarmer

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Posted
On 4/7/2021 at 11:10 AM, Galveston Steve said:

I will definitely keep you posted, and you will probably hear it here first.

Any equipment moved in or surveying? 10 days left in April. 
If nothing happens soon, those who booked first Allure sailings will have reason to be nervous. 

steverk Pinnacle

steverk

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, AlmondFarmer said:

Any equipment moved in or surveying? 10 days left in April. 
If nothing happens soon, those who booked first Allure sailings will have reason to be nervous. 

I can't speak for Galveston Steve, as he seems to always be in the know. But in my experience, the view from the road isn't all that great. Therefore, any work would have to be very large to be visible.

kadmgs Diamond Plus

kadmgs

Posted
Posted
22 hours ago, steverk said:

I can't speak for Galveston Steve, as he seems to always be in the know. But in my experience, the view from the road isn't all that great. Therefore, any work would have to be very large to be visible.

I agree with Steve. It is difficult to see the work site from Harborside. It sits much farther back from the street than the other terminals. There's always cranes and equipment around there so it is difficult to tell what's "new" and what's always there. We need someone who works at John Sealy across the street who can see into the worksite from the top of the parking garage. ?

wordell1 Pinnacle

wordell1

Posted
Posted
On 4/20/2021 at 10:23 AM, AlmondFarmer said:

Any equipment moved in or surveying? 10 days left in April. 
If nothing happens soon, those who booked first Allure sailings will have reason to be nervous. 

Construction in Texas tends to be easier than most states, there should be no problems with the deadline if they want it done by then.

Galveston Steve Diamond Plus

Galveston Steve

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Posted
On 4/20/2021 at 10:23 AM, AlmondFarmer said:

Any equipment moved in or surveying? 10 days left in April. 
If nothing happens soon, those who booked first Allure sailings will have reason to be nervous. 

RCI has completed installing the test piles at the new terminal site.  I've attached a rather poor photo of the pile rig from the Port Director's monthly report.  The pile load testing will begin next week to determine the actual pile capacity at the site. RCI has some Pier 10 wharf repairs in their scope and they are issuing a request for bids on that work this month.  RCI and the Port of Galveston are continuing to hold bi-weekly project meetings. Things are progressing but it's typically a slow ramp-up in activity at first.

image.thumb.png.65ec6047ac2003812e5f53c8ab1d6c78.png

Zurc Diamond Plus

Zurc

Posted
Posted

Interesting reading from the posted agenda for next Port of Galveston meeting.

Section C.3.  Port Directors report (PDR)

PDR attachment - One slide shows Royal Caribbean Terminal Update - the due diligence period is waived, hard contract now.  However extend final completion date and rent start date 3 months.   

Business section F.11   -  attachment shows a proposed 2nd amendment to RC new Terminal ground lease. 

Here is the entire agenda with links
https://www.portofgalveston.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272021-394?html=true

 

(Note:  PDR last slide also shows 2 Carnival ships & Crew returning to Galveston May 2, 2021.)

 

@Galveston Steve, just saw your update posted above. Thanks

Galveston Steve Diamond Plus

Galveston Steve

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1 hour ago, Zurc said:

Interesting reading from the posted agenda for next Port of Galveston meeting.

Section C.3.  Port Directors report (PDR)

PDR attachment - One slide shows Royal Caribbean Terminal Update - the due diligence period is waived, hard contract now.  However extend final completion date and rent start date 3 months.   

Business section F.11   -  attachment shows a proposed 2nd amendment to RC new Terminal ground lease. 

Here is the entire agenda with links
https://www.portofgalveston.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272021-394?html=true

 

(Note:  PDR last slide also shows 2 Carnival ships & Crew returning to Galveston May 2, 2021.)

 

@Galveston Steve, just saw your update posted above. Thanks

Thanks @Zurc.  Yes, the proposed 2nd Amendment to the contract waives the due diligence period, which is great news.  It still has a Target completion in September 2022 which is ahead of Allure's arrival in November 2022.  However it provides for an extension of the completion Deadline and Rent Commencement Date to give RCI some additional time in the event of a delay in their ability to finance the project.  RCI must begin paying rent on the lease when the first cruise ship docks at the new terminal, but if no ship docks by the Rent Commencement Date in 2023 they must begin paying rent then even if no ships have docked there yet.  The information in the pre-read had several conflicting dates so I was planning to listen in on the meeting next week to sort out the dates and provide an update then.

Galveston Steve Diamond Plus

Galveston Steve

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2 hours ago, DanielB said:

Not sure if this has been shared or how correct it is.  I know Steve certainly is the expert here.

 

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ports-destinations/royal-caribbean-asks-more-time-galveston-cruise-terminal-financing?fbclid=IwAR2PSaCnv8JG2GnE-NNOO-txIQJGC2sggr-aDBBwh7kmj7-buxJZcX2zmyw

Thanks for posting this @DanielB. I think/hope the headline in this article is a bit misleading.  Since the agreement says RCI will use "commercially reasonable efforts" to reach substantial completion by 9/1/2022, I believe this request by RCI to extend the completion deadline and rent commencement dates by a few months into late 2023 is to give them a little breathing room in case financing becomes difficult or the CDC continues to make life difficult for cruise companies within US ports.  I'll continue to monitor the situation and report back.

Galveston Steve Diamond Plus

Galveston Steve

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The headline here should have been "Royal Caribbean Removes Cruise Terminal Contingency, Project Is A Go!" but I guess I'm just too optimistic ?.  Royal is being prudent by giving themselves the potential to delay the project if the CDC continues to screw over the cruise industry. I'm thrilled that RCI didn't outright cancel the contract like they had the right to do because now they are committed to Galveston.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/04/27/royal-caribbean-asks-galveston-extra-time-complete-new-cruise-terminal-case-ships-cannot

Galveston Steve Diamond Plus

Galveston Steve

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On 3/30/2021 at 4:16 PM, Galveston Steve said:

Representatives from the Battleship USS Texas, currently moored as a museum near the ship channel in Houston, are working to get agreement on moving the ship to Pier 20 in Galveston (adjacent to the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Museum). 

The Port decided today to discontinue negotiations with the Battleship Texas Foundation. They were considering locating the historic ship at Pier 20 near the cruise ship terminals. The concerns were related to the location at Pier 20 interfering with the views and access of other Port tenants. They think it would be better at another location like Seawolf Park on Pelican Island. The ship may still end up in Galveston but it looks like it won't be right downtown.

Oliver Diamond Plus

Oliver

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Posted

@Galveston Steve Do you by any chance know what happens to Royal Caribbean’s current terminal once the new terminal is completed? Are they going to keep both or would it be a chance for other cruise lines to maybe come into Galveston as well? I would love to see Celebrity come although I doubt that would happen. Maybe Norwegian or Princess might come with a ship. 
If this has been posted before I apologize. I looked thru most of the pages and didn’t see it. 

Galveston Steve Diamond Plus

Galveston Steve

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1 hour ago, Oliver said:

@Galveston Steve Do you by any chance know what happens to Royal Caribbean’s current terminal once the new terminal is completed? Are they going to keep both or would it be a chance for other cruise lines to maybe come into Galveston as well? I would love to see Celebrity come although I doubt that would happen. Maybe Norwegian or Princess might come with a ship. 
If this has been posted before I apologize. I looked thru most of the pages and didn’t see it. 

Great question @Oliver. I'm assuming that once the new terminal opens, RCG would maximize that investment by sailing all of their ships from that new terminal.  Since they would already be paying rent on it I don't think they would want to also pay rent on the existing terminal. I'm definitely with you on having a Celebrity ship in Galveston!  That would be great.  They could easily have a 7-night ship on both Saturday and Sunday, plus 4 and 5-night ship/ships during the weekdays.

Prior to the Covid craziness, Carnival had announced a 4th ship for Galveston.  I assumed that 4th ship would force Carnival to use both of the existing terminals, which they have done sometimes in the past.  

The Port also has a fourth cruise terminal in their Master Plan. It would be located at the current Del Monte pier.  Del Monte's lease expires in 2023 I believe, and that would allow the Port to move them to another part of the Port. Harborside Drive from 10th Street to 27th Street would become "cruise ship row".

Zurc Diamond Plus

Zurc

Posted
Posted

I just read @Matt’s Harmony dry dock blog, and noticed these comments:

” According to the shipyard, Jewel of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas will follow in May 2021, followed by Liberty of the Seas in July 2021.  “.  

So, IF Royal is able to begin cruising in July, I assume it excludes Liberty, who will be at dry dock location ?     Funny thing, though, Liberty does not show a break in its Galveston cruises schedule.    Any ideas?  Is it possible only Explorer will start off in Galveston?   

Just musing.   I am ready to cruise, and curious on Royal’s plan to bring us back to sea.  
 

p.s.  Shouldn’t Royal have already canceled the weeks planned for Liberty’s Drydock and transit?  

twangster Pinnacle

twangster

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Zurc said:

I just read @Matt’s Harmony dry dock blog, and noticed these comments:

” According to the shipyard, Jewel of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas will follow in May 2021, followed by Liberty of the Seas in July 2021.  “.  

So, IF Royal is able to begin cruising in July, I assume it excludes Liberty, who will be at dry dock location ?     Funny thing, though, Liberty does not show a break in its Galveston cruises schedule.    Any ideas?  Is it possible only Explorer will start off in Galveston?   

Just musing.   I am ready to cruise, and curious on Royal’s plan to bring us back to sea.  
 

p.s.  Shouldn’t Royal have already canceled the weeks planned for Liberty’s Drydock and transit?  

She is due for a technical drydock to get routine mandatory marine maintenance performed.  I'm guessing shipyard availability has been impacted by the virus with some work taking longer and schedules for a number of ships being impacted.  

The changing availability of space in shipyards is likely causing new plans to be considered for all ships, i.e. cargo, container, tanker and cruise ships.

The dust may not be settled on a Liberty shipyard visit in July so they may be waiting for greater confidence in the plan before committing to a change.  

CrznTxn Pinnacle

CrznTxn

Posted
Posted

Have Liberty in July. Hoping they can work out the logistics so we can go on the 4th.

Watching the live feed from one of the YouTube Vlogs showing the two Carnival ships coming in now. Even though they are not RCCL it is a great day to see cruise ship arriving for the first time in over a year in port!

cruisellama Pinnacle

cruisellama

Posted
Posted
On 4/27/2021 at 4:29 PM, Galveston Steve said:

The headline here should have been "Royal Caribbean Removes Cruise Terminal Contingency, Project Is A Go!" but I guess I'm just too optimistic ?.  Royal is being prudent by giving themselves the potential to delay the project if the CDC continues to screw over the cruise industry. I'm thrilled that RCI didn't outright cancel the contract like they had the right to do because now they are committed to Galveston.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/04/27/royal-caribbean-asks-galveston-extra-time-complete-new-cruise-terminal-case-ships-cannot

They (and we) need to get a larger ship in there so isn't the new terminal is a must?  Already booked (for the 2nd time) on Allure in '23.

Galveston Steve Diamond Plus

Galveston Steve

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56 minutes ago, cruisellama said:

They (and we) need to get a larger ship in there so isn't the new terminal is a must?  Already booked (for the 2nd time) on Allure in '23.

Yes, the new terminal is a must for Oasis Class ships in Galveston.  At the beginning of the Covid craziness the port looked at the possibility of bringing Allure into the existing terminal and concluded it wasn't feasible, which resulted in the one year delay in the new terminal construction.

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