Disney Leaving Galveston?

[LullabeeDisney]

Someone mentioned on the "watching for 2018 dates" thread that the rumblings is that Disney is leaving Galveston. Has anyone else heard this? A quick googling hasn't shown me anything, but I'm new to Disney cruising so it's very possible I just don't know where to look.

I'm really hoping they aren't - it's so much closer to me and everyone in the Midwest - than San Diego or PC.

 

[MUN]

It's possible. The cruises don't seem to sell well.

 

[LullabeeDisney]

It's possible. The cruises don't seem to sell well.

I imagine it's probably because it doesn't have the pull that San Diego, PC/Miami or New York has. Sigh. It just adds SO much more expense to have to go to one of those spots vs just drive to Texas. Like, 'don't know if we could swing it' if they don't. Big disney lover. Hater of how they seem to discount us Midwest folks.

 

[cruiser21]

I'm sure it has more to do with time of year then because it's out of Galveston. I'm sure cruises out of Galveston in the summer would do very well.

 

[dcassetta]

The last couple of years the Wonder has been in Galveston for 2 months, the 2017/2018 winter season will be 3 months. This does not seem to indicate they are leaving to me.

 

[LullabeeDisney]

The last couple of years the Wonder has been in Galveston for 2 months, the 2017/2018 winter season will be 3 months. This does not seem to indicate they are leaving to me.

I was kind of hoping since they've always done a christmas cruise since coming over in 2013, they'd do one next year too. But who knows. They're only going to be in Galveston for January of 2018, and then heading to San Juan, PC, then San Diego in May.

 

[thornton0511]

I'm sure it has more to do with time of year then because it's out of Galveston. I'm sure cruises out of Galveston in the summer would do very well.

I for one would book one in a heartbeat. We are from Texas and I hate flying to one coast or the other for Disney!

 

[DIS_Ag]

We did Galveston in April 2013 but haven't gone again due to the time of year. We were planning for nov 18 if they stay. We live in Houston so it's obviously great

 

[LullabeeDisney]

We did Galveston in April 2013 but haven't gone again due to the time of year. We were planning for nov 18 if they stay. We live in Houston so it's obviously great

I bet that's fun! I'd probably go all the time if I lived that close.

We're in Tulsa. So not terribly far but not close either.

 

[cruiser21]

We've cruised out Galveston the last two years the Friday after Thanksgiving. It's an easy flight from Az, the prices have been good, and weather great. There's always been a ton of school age kids onboard and the cruises have been sold out. They have had to offer GT and military rates, but they do eventually sell out.

 

[soniam]

If they don't do well, I suspect it's due to price. Royal Caribbean offers great deals out of Galveston, especially if you are a Texas resident. Last time I looked at DCL out of Galveston, there wasn't a Texas resident discount. However, that was when they first started out of Galveston. Also, most of the Galveston itineraries on DCL don't go to Castaway Cay, and that's a huge reason to do DCL.

 

[anricat]

If they don't do well, I suspect it's due to price. Royal Caribbean offers great deals out of Galveston, especially if you are a Texas resident. Last time I looked at DCL out of Galveston, there wasn't a Texas resident discount. However, that was when they first started out of Galveston. Also, most of the Galveston itineraries on DCL don't go to Castaway Cay, and that's a huge reason to do DCL.

I live in Texas and I agree with this assessment. We always look and think it would be so much easier since we're only a few hours away but the itineraries are the pits and the cruises are all ridiculously priced. The only one I was slightly interested in ends in San Juan and that's tricky for us because then we have a car stuck three hours from home and I hardly want to fly back to Houston from Puerto Rico, pick up the car and then drive back to Austin. Bleh. They need to work out more compelling itineraries and lower the price quite a lot or provide some kind of incentive for Texas residents to snatch these up.

 

[Super Pint Size]

I'm in Houston and I never look for the Galveston cruises only because for 4 nights out of Galveston, I can get 7 nights out of Florida. I wished they offered better prices here and dates. Plus castaway is a big hit with us.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I bet that's fun! I'd probably go all the time if I lived that close.

We're in Tulsa. So not terribly far but not close either.

We live about 30 minutes from Galveston. Have sailed from there twice. We so enjoy going to watch the Disney ships sail away and have dinner at the pier. A problem with sailing from Galveston is lack of transportation options from the airports to the island.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

If they don't do well, I suspect it's due to price. Royal Caribbean offers great deals out of Galveston, especially if you are a Texas resident. Last time I looked at DCL out of Galveston, there wasn't a Texas resident discount. However, that was when they first started out of Galveston. Also, most of the Galveston itineraries on DCL don't go to Castaway Cay, and that's a huge reason to do DCL.

The first year when Magic was here they offered kids sail free promo. While it's a good deal, it's chaos onboard.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just a little history on Galveston/DCL. When DCL first sailed out of Galveston, they didn't sell well. In fact, they sold very badly. They were offering Military, Kid's Sail Free, and any other discounts they could to fill the ship.

After a year, DCL wanted to break the contract with Galveston (I think the original contract was for 5 years, but could have been shorter) , and were able to with the provision that they would have "limited sailings" out of Galveston, for a period of time. I believe they are still fulfilling that requirement with the cruises they're doing out of Galveston.

 

[LullabeeDisney]

Just a little history on Galveston/DCL. When DCL first sailed out of Galveston, they didn't sell well. In fact, they sold very badly. They were offering Military, Kid's Sail Free, and any other discounts they could to fill the ship.

After a year, DCL wanted to break the contract with Galveston (I think the original contract was for 5 years, but could have been shorter) , and were able to with the provision that they would have "limited sailings" out of Galveston, for a period of time. I believe they are still fulfilling that requirement with the cruises they're doing out of Galveston.

Boo. I just hate not being able to access Disney and this is a reasonable thing for us. It's all about $$ to Disney and I get that, but boy does it suck.

 

[LullabeeDisney]

2018 would be 5 years from them bringing the wonder over in 2013, so it will be interesting to see if it's the final year.

I'm also curious how the sailings will be with the two new ships being added in 2021/2023. I can't imagine running all of the ships out of Florida. 4 is manageable with European/Alaskan cruises but 6 would be a lot.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

2018 would be 5 years from them bringing the wonder over in 2013, so it will be interesting to see if it's the final year.

I'm also curious how the sailings will be with the two new ships being added in 2021/2023. I can't imagine running all of the ships out of Florida. 4 is manageable with European/Alaskan cruises but 6 would be a lot.

Well, they're already using Miami fairly frequently. And I think New York (or some other New England) port would also sell well.

I holding out hope that one of the classics will wind up permanently on the west coast.

 

[elvispursley]

I holding out hope that one of the classics will wind up permanently on the west coast.

Would love this! But am hoping they have cruises longer than 5 days (other than AK)! Flying from Pacific NW to FL is just an ordeal The flights (direct) either leave as a red-eye or early-early bird in the AM!! And the flights are LONG!! The time change is another thing!!! So while I can understand the OP hope that DCL continues to sail out of Galveston, Mid-west is at least closer to the east coast, where the ships tend to sail from. The San Diego cruises are too short and have terrible itineraries. AK is perfect for us but way to $$. Regardless, if DH continues to agree to fund my addiction, I'll be happy to fly to wherever!!