Why Galveston?

[Piper]

I can no longer fly because of health issues--so sailing out of Galveston means I can actually take one more vacation. And since I've always wanted to try DCL--that makes it perfect. I could take much cheaper lines that sail out of Galveston, but DCL is something I've always wanted to do.

 

[jenandjuice]

Amen Piper!

And we're at 100 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PrincessYessenia]

I've been a Floridian all my life and I'm so thankful that I don't have to pay for airfare to the port. I live about 2 hours and 45 minutes away so I usually just drive there in the morning if I'm not doing Disney or Universal the day before. I've always felt bad for people who have to spend tons of money on airfare. So naturally I think it's great that others get a chance to save all that money the same way I always do.

It's just making it easier for more people to be able to enjoy a Disney cruise

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

So naturally I think it's great that others get a chance to save all that money the same way I always do.
It's just making it easier for more people to be able to enjoy a Disney cruise

I agree - I love being able to not do airfare, so am happy DCL is trying out a few new ports to give the chance to others.

I wouldn't mind the Magic coming back here though for a little while and do some Southern Caribbean ports out of PC, and then go onto Galveston a bit later on.

 

[ekatiel]

Well, we're in the NE, so it's a flight for us either way. But at least Orlando has a good sized airport - Galveston's is so flying to Houston and driving 90+ minutes on a 2 lane highway is a PITA, never mind that you're driving to a city with limited infrastructure due to hurricanes.

But really what I dislike is the stench - the waters on the coast of TX/LA SMELL - especially as it gets hot in early summer. You have to spend the first two days in your cabin. It's awful!

Is this the "2 lane road" you're talking about ? I'm not sure which road you took last time you visited, but the quickest way to Galveston from either airport is I-45, which at its VERY tiniest is a 6 lane freeway (3 lanes on each side). Hobby, as others have mentioned is the closest airport (about a thirty to forty minute drive). Southwest is the main carrier at Hobby. Try them for tickets first . And while the water is not clear, I really don't think it smells in Galveston. Maybe I'm just used to it!--Katie

 

[Madhattr]

We are flying to Houston from northern Virginia to sail on The Magic over Christmas week for our third Disney cruise. Would I prefer PC? Sure, but hey I'm going on a Disney cruise. Don't much care about the port city except the added cost in getting there.

 

[towels]

I wish the cruises would depart from the cities I'd most like to visit beforehand like Boise, or Denver...

 

[ekatiel]

O/T, but I just realized that my freeway pic keeps updating itself (it is from the cameras on the freeways, so that makes since, but I just thought I was getting a screen shot when I pulled it up!). Y'all will get to see rush hour here soon ! --Katie

 

[CruisingGoddess]

I attended a cruise seminar a few months ago and they said Galveston is the fastest growing U.S. cruise ports. Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Disney all have ships there at some point during this year. The cruise fares are also higher than out of Florida because there is less supply and high demand so the cruise lines are probably making a higher margin from the cruises as well.

 

[OldtechCM]

I wish the cruises would depart from the cities I'd most like to visit beforehand like Boise, or Denver...

Hmmmm.

 

[llachance]

you trash Galveston please visit it. I have only sailed Carnvial from there but looking forward to my 5th Disney Cruise (I can drive to the port) from there! I have sailed from PC and from Long Beach and they each have their good and bad points...but I am going to be cruising for my double nickel birthday, on Disney and with family. Can't get much better then this.

 

[kmcford]

We are very excited to be able to take on that tiny 6 lane highway into Galveston in January. We are delighted that Disney is cruising out of there because we are a family of and saves us a ton of airfare. i am guessing that if there truly a smell it can't be any worse than the lovebugs at PC at certain times of the year.

 

[jenerra11]

So don't do it.

And, it's so not awful... no better or worse than any other place at the mercy of US Customs. Plus, Galveston itself is a beautiful, incredibly fascinating place with amazing history.

But certainly no one is forcing you to sail from there...

Man I wish I could hit a like button

 

[pixie08]

Well here is my take..

Galveston is a growing cruise port. Is is smack in the middle of the country which means they can get people from both sides (although this sadly means no Castaway).

I just came back from an Alaskan cruise- leaving from the West Coast obviously. There were few east Coasters, we were in the minority which unusual for a DCL cruise on our Dream, Magic 7 day and Med cruise the ship was definitely majority East Coast.On the Alaskan cruise there were sooo many Texans, our table mates from Austin were cracking up that they left Texas to go to Alaska with a bunch of Texans.The entertainment staff would bring it up too.

So I think DCL is just trying to tap into this market as well. They have their ships in FL. and Med itineraries for east Coaters, Doing Alaska, Mexico for CA. So I think they covering all angles. Makes sense.

 

[farfalla818]

I don't personally know anything about Galveston as a port. But, I think it's great that Disney sails from various ports throughout the US. We were able to go on a Disney cruise in May because they sailed out of NYC. In the past when we looked at cruise prices and then added in travel to Florida it always just added up to too much money for us. So, it gives others the opportunity to sail from ports closer to home.

Perfectly said!

 

[farfalla818]

Well, we're in the NE, so it's a flight for us either way. But at least Orlando has a good sized airport - Galveston's is so flying to Houston and driving 90+ minutes on a 2 lane highway is a PITA, never mind that you're driving to a city with limited infrastructure due to hurricanes.

But really what I dislike is the stench - the waters on the coast of TX/LA SMELL - especially as it gets hot in early summer. You have to spend the first two days in your cabin. It's awful!

Can't ever remember it smelling on the Gulf Coast except of the sea or seafood and the cruise ship isn't spending the summer there anyways..... And if we weren't playing nice we could talk about smells at Jones Beach or in major NE cities.

Galveston is decently recovered from its latest hurricane. I was in Houston last month for a business meeting and we went to Galveston for dinner. It was an hour's drive tops from downtown Houston. But the bottom line is, it's awesome the cruise ships are going out of other ports. It gives people opportunities they never had. DCL only has 4 ships. The East coast will always have 1 ship available to them forever (honestly probably 2).

Half the fleet is going out of Florida year round!

 

[jdb in AZ]

I wish the cruises would depart from the cities I'd most like to visit beforehand like Boise, or Denver...

True. Loonnngggg time ago there was a song about an earthquake destroying California and making Idaho beachfront property. (It's so ancient even Google can't come up with the lyrics.) Something about "better get ready to tie up the boats in Idaho."

No disrespect to California, but if a ship left from Denver, could we ski to the port?

 

[Yokelridesagain]

Minor point, but Hobby is really not 30 or even 40 minutes from the cruise port. From the Galveston causeway maybe, but assuming you're going something vaguely resembling the posted speed limit 50-60 minutes is closer to the mark.

As others have pointed out, unless you decided to take a three hour detour into South Texas, there is literally no way to get from either airport to Galveston on a two lane road.

And I don't get the smell reference either...once you are 30 knots out in the ocean, you can't smell anything from the mainland. There is a booming refinery industry in Texas City (Galveston's neighbor to the northwest, affectionately known as 'Toxic City') and it can make the port smell bad if the wind is blowing in the right direction.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Galveston is a growing cruise port. Is is smack in the middle of the country which means they can get people from both sides (although this sadly means no Castaway).

Carnival does a 7 day out of Galveston that goes to Key West, Nassau and Freeport. Surely Disney could swap out Freeport or Nassau for Castaway...

 

[NancyIL]

I can certainly understand the appeal of sailing from Galveston - especially for those who live within driving distance of the port. However, starting the Transatlantic cruise in Galveston without lengthening it means that DCL has had to eliminate 2 European port days that were on previous eastbound cruises.

I moved a dummy booking to this cruise due its length and reasonable price. But having just returned from two port-intensive cruises in Europe - I realize how important a good itinerary is to me. With 10 sea days and only 2 European ports (plus Castaway Cay) - I'm having a hard time getting excited about this cruise.