Is Key West a port the majority will miss?

[Boopuff]

My take on KW: I stayed there for 4 days. I think it's really more of a "slow down" type of place. Not a whole lot to do on a few hours cruise ship stop. Yes there's Duval street, lots of bars, the beaches aren't great compared to the sugary sands of the Caribbean, some local history (Hemingway house -crowded with ship guests). That's it. I assume many folks like it since its a difficult place within the states to get to, but IMO I wouldn't want to waste a cruise port here.

 

[auntlynne]

My take on KW: I stayed there for 4 days. I think it's really more of a "slow down" type of place. Not a whole lot to do on a few hours cruise ship stop. Yes there's Duval street, lots of bars, the beaches aren't great compared to the sugary sands of the Caribbean, some local history (Hemingway house -crowded with ship guests). That's it. I assume many folks like it since its a difficult place within the states to get to, but IMO I wouldn't want to waste a cruise port here.

Thanks for using the words that communicated my feelings.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Key West is awesome. A 5 night double dip with a stop at Key West would be my perfect itinerary.

 

[mom4fun]

What is concerning about this is, will other ports decide to do do the same thing? I can definitely see Hawaii doing this and maybe even Vancouver. There seems to be a lot of people happy that there are no longer cruise ships around.

 

[T & R]

So you have a couple of cruise lines that already have scheduled Key West stops out until 2022. What happens if this ordinance passes? Are those stops grandfathered in like an already existing contractual obligation or something? Also, I was reading over the studies that this committee put out that is pushing the no/limited cruise ships ordinance. Some of their data about how little cruising contributes to the local economy was sourced from 2005. I guess if you go back far enough you can find any numbers that will help justify your agenda. If I was a bar owner or store owner I would love to have 3k-5K people dumped on my doorstep every morning and then they're whisked away at 4pm after they've given me their money. Especially bars because normally this would be their slow part of the day. According to the Florida Ports Council the port at Key West has a local annual economic impact of over $85 million a year. Is Key West really going to just pass on $85-$90 million a year because this small group/committee pushing the ordinance wants it to remain a smaller more quaint community? If you read some of the quotes of the members on why they want the ordinance they actually say they want to be smaller, unique, less crowded or even complain about the non-uniqueness of some of the T-shirt stores. Hardly an overwhelming reason to cut up to $90 million a year from your community.

 

[vegs1]

I actually really enjoyed Key West and would definitely go back. I thought it was quaint and unique.

I also imagine that it’s a double edged sword for those living there. The income generated from cruise ships would help the economy but locals don’t like the daily influx of people and having witnessed what’s happened with the Coronavirus, fear ships bringing infected guests to their home. It’s tough. Venice and Sitka are two other ports of call that want their cruise visitors decreased.

 

[JM23457]

What is concerning about this is, will other ports decide to do do the same thing? I can definitely see Hawaii doing this and maybe even Vancouver. There seems to be a lot of people happy that there are no longer cruise ships around.

I think Hawaii will not be letting cruises return for a year at least. It's like pulling teeth to get them to let any travelers in at this point. It would make sense for them to ban cruises permanently, since that is a destination that (when open) gets a lot of non-cruiser tourism dollars already. Removing cruises from the equation, while allowing non-cruise tourism, might be good for Hawaii, even for its tourism industry, by reducing crowding at tourist spots. That would make it an even more desirable land vacation than it already is.

I love cruising, but have to admit that for some destinations (like Hawaii & Venice) with very high popularity & limited space, cruising is detrimental. Travel to both locales would likely be more enjoyable with cruise crowds removed from the equation, and those world class destinations aren't going to fall off the tourism map & go broke without cruising.

 

[Illini_Fan]

. What happens if this ordinance passes? Are those stops grandfathered in like an already existing contractual obligation or something?

I read through the ballot sponsors site and to me it looks like if this passes it will be effective immediately. I saw no reference to existing contracts being grandfathered in, but I was wondering the same thing as you.

If our MerryTime cruise out of Galveston actually sails, we have a stop at KW and I wonder what DCL would use as a replacement. I don’t know if they can make Cancun or Cozumel work.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I like Key West, and we have spent two land vacations there, and have been on a cruise ship stop there many times. We could do a land stay if we miss going there on cruises.

 

[mmouse37]

I also enjoy Key West. We have been several times via DCL and have done 3 different several day long land vacations there. It is a just a nice place to chill, I for one will miss Key West. I do agree that the beaches are nothing compared to other places but I like the overall vibe of KW.

MJ

 

[Cruising Engineer]

I read through the ballot sponsors site and to me it looks like if this passes it will be effective immediately. I saw no reference to existing contracts being grandfathered in, but I was wondering the same thing as you. If our MerryTime cruise out of Galveston actually sails, we have a stop at KW and I wonder what DCL would use as a replacement. I don’t know if they can make Cancun or Cozumel work.

We have the same question for our January 7 night out of Galveston with a stop in KW.

 

[JM_97]

I've always wanted to visit Key West so I hate that there are talks of cruises to there being phased out.

But I agree with a lot of other people that Nassau is very blah.

 

[Texas_Buckeye]

We have been following this post, and several others with great interest. Currently, have a Concierge cruise, on the Magic, booked for end of January 2021. One of the stops is Key West, someplace that I have always wanted to visit. Not sure, IF this cruise actually happens and this Port gets canceled, what we’ll actually do. Have paid over 3K in deposits, and still owe 11K+. Of course, without this port, I’d be seriously disappointed. Losing the deposit, etc is an entirely different subject. So, yes, missing this Port would be disappointing and missed.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

We have been following this post, and several others with great interest. Currently, have a Concierge cruise, on the Magic, booked for end of January 2021. One of the stops is Key West, someplace that I have always wanted to visit. Not sure, IF this cruise actually happens and this Port gets canceled, what we’ll actually do. Have paid over 3K in deposits, and still owe 11K+. Of course, without this port, I’d be seriously disappointed. Losing the deposit, etc is an entirely different subject. So, yes, missing this Port would be disappointing and missed.

We have a concierge booked on the Wonder Jan 15. Our 2 cruises for September were canceled. We are hopeful this one will sail and go to KW. We've been there many times and I love the town.