Why Galveston?

[justmestace]

It's not starting a war, but talking like this can certainly hurt feelings.

I've read several posts, both here and on another cruise forum, where Florida residents were really complaining about the Magic not sailing out of Port Canaveral. There seems to be some real resentment about needing to fly to Galveston.

I don't mean to be harsh, but I'm not sympathetic in the least. PC (and nearby Miami) has hundreds of sailings a year. There are choices aplenty. We are in the UK, and so far every cruise we've taken has involved an overseas airfare (x 4 people). Even if we were to sail out of Southampton we would require four plane tickets.

We save for our holiday and make the trip because cruising makes us really happy and we love to do it as a family - it's worth it to us. But to hear people complaining about having to pay extra for short flights gets my knickers in a twist, if you'll forgive me. Cruising is expensive, but for some of us it's REALLY expensive! I'd love not to have to fly first!

I totally agree with you! We live in Arizona, and have had to fly to Florida for almost all of our multiple DCL cruises...only took 3 out of LA.....it's about time we had someplace closer to cruise out of.

 

[justmestace]

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?

I'm still dreaming about owning "Oceanfront Property in Arizona"!!

 

[justmestace]

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!

I just returned from a Carnival Magic (beautiful ship!!!) cruise out of Galveston, and while I didn't care for how crowded Galveston was during the Memorial Day weekend, I didn't smell anything. AT. ALL. Not IN Galveston, and definitely not after we set sail.

I've also cruised out of NOLA, and didn't smell anything there, either.

 

[RoniBoBoni]

I am actually ecstatic that Disney is sailing out of Galveston. We sailed out of Barcelona last year and the airfare killed us.... so Galveston is near home (i'm in NM) and I am so happy, I hope they keep this port, especially for quick getaways.

 

[Flossbolna]

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.

I very much agree with you there. I was very dissappointed about the itinerary for the EBTA. Especially since I have no interest at all in visiting Gibraltar. So that just leaves Madeira and Castaway Cay as ports that I would like to visit on a 14-night cruise. That's the issue I have with Galveston - but to be fair it is more an issue of Disney's itinerary planning and Galveston's location in relation to Europe.

 

[Piper]

I have sailed 4 times out of Galveston--obviously on different lines. Never smelled anything bad on any of the cruises........ Not in Galveston or the way out of or into the port itself.

Don't know where the OP gets this!!

 

[abbyar]

I have sailed 4 times out of Galveston--obviously on different lines. Never smelled anything bad on any of the cruises........ Not in Galveston or the way out of or into the port itself.

Don't know where the OP gets this!!

From personal experience!! Last time I sailed the Gulf it smelled like fish guts that had been in the sun for 3 days - both sailing out of and into the port. And it was only April! I can only imagine how bad it is in the summer months!!

 

[riley2008]

From personal experience!! Last time I sailed the Gulf it smelled like fish guts that had been in the sun for 3 days - both sailing out of and into the port. And it was only April! I can only imagine how bad it is in the summer months!!

So that means you won't be on our cruise!

Glad Disney didn't take your opinion into consideration. I am looking forward to Galveston in September.

 

[MedicGoofy]

Basically, if you don't like Disney sailing out of Galveston, then don't sail with Disney out of Galveston. Sail from one of the other ports. I think it's pretty simple

I have to fly to get to any port offered. I am super excited to be coming into Houston. Texas is some place I have never been so Im going to enjoy it while Im there. In fact, Im coming in 2 days early just to enjoy what I can. Gonna hang out in Houston for a day and in Galveston for a day. Pack in as much as I can.

You can put me on the list of thanking Disney for adding Galveston. Cross off another place for me to visit

 

[TXDavis]

It would be soooo nice (for me) if Disney would add cruises out of Galveston during the summer too!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

From personal experience!! Last time I sailed the Gulf it smelled like fish guts that had been in the sun for 3 days - both sailing out of and into the port. And it was only April! I can only imagine how bad it is in the summer months!!

Abbyar, all along the gulf coast there are fish plants, processing plants.........they put out a terrible smell.....and if the wind is right you may smell them for a short while coming in and out of any port.


No biggie!


I love the New york sailings, but I certiantly do not object to Glaveston having thier cruises........fish plants or not!

AKK

 

[valbob89]

DCL just posted a Special Offer for sailings out of Galveston.

"Special Verandah Offer
Book a verandah stateroom for the price of an oceanview stateroom, available on most sailings from Galveston, Texas from September 22 through December 21, 2012!"

Like the MR cruises, perhaps sailings out of Galveston aren't selling as well as they had hoped.

 

[justmestace]

DCL just posted a Special Offer for sailings out of Galveston.

"Special Verandah Offer
Book a verandah stateroom for the price of an oceanview stateroom, available on most sailings from Galveston, Texas from September 22 through December 21, 2012!"

Like the MR cruises, perhaps sailings out of Galveston aren't selling as well as they had hoped.

I'm not wanting to start a fight....but...the other lines that sail out of Galveston, Carnival in particular, are always full to capacity. And they're full of people who live in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas....places where people are THRILLED to be able to drive to the port.
If Disney isn't filling up, I can only imagine it's because they're more expensive.

And before someone decides that they have to say "But Disney's so much better!" ......the Carnival Magic out of Galveston is brand new, and it's beautiful. It has features DCL hasn't even dreamed of yet. And it ISN'T a giant party boat....just a bunch of nice, normal families with a great water playground and slides for the kids, along with other things for the kiddos to do. Other than not having Mickey Mouse onboard, I doubt that any of these Carnival (and other line) cruisers think they're missing anything at all. In fact, I'm certain they're enjoying the extra spending money they saved by not cruising DCL.

I have to say that I also think this is why DCL has had a harder time selling their cruises out of LA.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

It would be soooo nice (for me) if Disney would add cruises out of Galveston during the summer too!

Agreed!

 

[TXDCLfan]

I'm not wanting to start a fight....but...the other lines that sail out of Galveston, Carnival in particular, are always full to capacity. And they're full of people who live in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas....places where people are THRILLED to be able to drive to the port.
If Disney isn't filling up, I can only imagine it's because they're more expensive.

And before someone decides that they have to say "But Disney's so much better!" ......the Carnival Magic out of Galveston is brand new, and it's beautiful. It has features DCL hasn't even dreamed of yet. And it ISN'T a giant party boat....just a bunch of nice, normal families with a great water playground and slides for the kids, along with other things for the kiddos to do. Other than not having Mickey Mouse onboard, I doubt that any of these Carnival (and other line) cruisers think they're missing anything at all. In fact, I'm certain they're enjoying the extra spending money they saved by not cruising DCL.

I have to say that I also think this is why DCL has had a harder time selling their cruises out of LA.

Perfect reason to enter the Galveston market.

 

[peachygreen]

I'm personally very happy to see that the Wonder will be coming to Galveston in the fall of 2013. That means we'll keep a ship here for the winter at least for the short term.
Now to figure out how I can get on one.

 

[TXDCLfan]

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!

REALLY Also Houston to Galveston is more like 40 min in normal traffic.

 

[SonicGuy]

I'll give you 30 million reasons why Galveston:

Population of Texas: 25,000,000
Population of Louisiana: 4,500,000
Population of Oklahoma: 3,500,000

Those three states alone have 33,000,000 residents (and potential customers) within driving distance.

 

[TXDCLfan]

I'll give you 30 million reasons why Galveston:

Population of Texas: 25,000,000
Population of Louisiana: 4,500,000
Population of Oklahoma: 3,500,000

Those three states alone have 33,000,000 residents (and potential customers) within driving distance.

Exactly

 

[TheTexasGal]

I just wish I had know Wonder would be coming next year. My daughter loves Ariel but, alas, we are on the Magic this Fall... I would have opted for the Wonder cruise instead, but it is what it is! Hubby says no to going on both. Maybe he will change his mind AFTER the cruise!