Why Galveston?

[towels]

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.

Yeah, but the 37,000,000 residents in California don't seem to be influencing Disney to keep a west coast presence...never mind Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Western Canada...

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I'm personally very happy to see that the Wonder will be coming to Galveston in the fall of 2013.

I just wish I had know Wonder would be coming next year.

The Wonder in Galveston? Did I miss something?

 

[SunnyP4Disney]

I attended an executive speaker series featuring the VP of sales of DCL. He said TX and surrounding states tend to not visit WDW too often and they feel it's an untapped market for Disney. He said DCL is very enthusiastic about the sailings coming out of Galveston,

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

The Magic will be in Galverston at that time.

 

[peachygreen]

The Wonder in Galveston? Did I miss something?

They released the remainder of 2013 for The Magic and Wonder finally yesterday. The Wonder is coming to Galveston after its Panama Canal Crossing for the rest of 2013 and doing 7 night westerns out of Galveston.

Well they were listed yesterday. I don't see them today. That is just weird. Now I feel like I missed something.

 

[Euphscott]

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.

Yep!! A DCL Gold member here sailing the Carnival Magic this weekend - looking forward to it - I am expecting lots of fun! The savings is immense and trying different products is good for us (this is my 4th Carnival sailing - so I am a vet - and it's a good product!).

 

[peachygreen]

I seriously looked at the Carnival Magic for Spring Break but the itenary was just awful. I do not have any desire to leave from Galveston and go to Nassau, Freeport and Key West. Plus it was more money when I looked at it than the Fantasy I had already booked (I looked at about the same time mind you) so the difference in airfare wasn't going to help.

Why do they insist on the "eastern carribean" which is nothing more then a Bahamas cruise for Spring Break every year. 2014 is the same cruise.

I would consider it in the future if the price and time were right. It looks like a fun ship when I saw it in port this spring.

I feel like I must be doing something wrong though because I am never seeing anything that looks like a deal on the Carnival Magic out of Galveston. I guess it is because I will only sail when school is out but summer, spring break, Thanksgiving and Christmas all have prices equal to opening day prices on DCL.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Yep!! A DCL Gold member here sailing the Carnival Magic this weekend - looking forward to it - I am expecting lots of fun! The savings is immense and trying different products is good for us (this is my 4th Carnival sailing - so I am a vet - and it's a good product!).

I'd love to hear about your trip!

 

[Huey duck]

Half of our extended family lives in CA and we live on the Al FL border. Galveston which appears to be just outside Houston is a perfect port for us because my siblings can fly nonstop to Houston and my kids, husband, and parents can drive 7 hours to meet them for a cruise. Actually we are almost half way between pt. canaveral and Galveston. We are cruising on the pt canaveral Dream in Dec but plan to check out Galvestons Fantasy on a later date. I like the idea of having different destinations. I would not want all of the Disney ships to be docked in the same port.

 

[cruisecrasher]

Half of our extended family lives in CA and we live on the Al FL border. Galveston which appears to be just outside Houston is a perfect port for us because my siblings can fly nonstop to Houston and my kids, husband, and parents can drive 7 hours to meet them for a cruise. Actually we are almost half way between pt. canaveral and Galveston. We are cruising on the pt canaveral Dream in Dec but plan to check out Galvestons Fantasy on a later date. I like the idea of having different destinations. I would not want all of the Disney ships to be docked in the same port.

I wish Galveston were getting the Fantasy! So far it's one year of the Magic then the following fall of the Wonder.

 

[cruisecrasher]

The Wonder in Galveston? Did I miss something?

The Wonder will be here Fall 2013. This fall/next spring, the Magic will be here.

 

[dato63]

Yep!! A DCL Gold member here sailing the Carnival Magic this weekend - looking forward to it - I am expecting lots of fun! The savings is immense and trying different products is good for us (this is my 4th Carnival sailing - so I am a vet - and it's a good product!).

I'd love to hear about your trip!

Me too. We are looking at the CCL Magic for next Christmas (2013).

 

[weHEARTmickey]

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!!

You are probably talking about the Sargassum seaweed, which is a very important part of the ecosystem. As it travels through the Atlantic, it houses & protects many little fish/shrimp, etc... Once it washes ashore, the animal life dies & gives off an odor.
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8655482

On a side note...we are looking into a Galveston cruise We are thrilled to have Galveston as an option! What is the best value for the cruise to Grand Caymen? Thanks!

 

[mickeys girl 52]

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

Cruised 4 times out of Galveston. Never smelled anything but the sea air .

 

[mom2val]

.

 

[Texas lady]

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!

Actually why not, Galveston? Its a beautiful and very historical city! I don't think I-45 south had been a 2 lane highway since the 60's! Its is only 40 miles from Hobby to Galveston, and if you do the speed limit ( or drive like us Texans do) an easy 30 minutes!!
"limited Infrastructure"? Its because we are in a Hurricane area, that our
Infrastructure is one of the best! They can response to any emergency that arises, being its hurricane season they are always on full alert!
Cant say Galveston has ever smelled bad or has a stench? Been there many times.
I am so glad that DCL is in Galveston, It will only take me less than an hour to drive to the port!!! Now that the Wonder will be here next year, I see my 3rd cruise coming up!!!

And for those who will be on the Disney Magic sailing on September 29,2012
with me........87 days

 

[Texas lady]

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.

 

[sherilynn]

I just returned from a week in Galveston and had a wonderful time. There was no odor, although I don't doubt that the OP did smell something on her cruise. I think that must be the exception, not the rule.

I drove by the port twice so that my daughter could see the Carnival ships in port. She loved that and has no idea she is going on the first sailing out of Galveston in Sept.

The ONLY reason we are pulling her out of school to do this cruise is because we can drive from home. It's just too close to miss out on this chance.

Welcome to Texas, DCL!

 

[sherilynn]

oops, had to edit, multi-tasking not working for me today.

 

[WenInTexas]

I don't wish to start a war. To me, sailing out of PC/ Miami would be easier and cheaper for DCL - hence why Galveston (or even New Orleans) wouldn't make sense. Plus I didn't realize Galveston was the winter home - I thought Magic was sailing back to TX for the Repo. But if it's already there then I get it.

It works out for a lot of families who can't fly/drive to Florida to then start a fabulous DCL vacay!