The rivalry between California and Texas has been going for decades.
One is a bastion of natural beauty, an economic powerhouse, and home to a wonderful melting pot of culture… the other is California. (Just kidding Californians!)
But there is no doubt that the two states seem to compete for everything and that includes cruising. Well, while California is in the lead right now, it looks like Texas is likely to leapfrog its rival. Continue Reading »
Five years ago, the Bayport Cruise Terminal in Houston opened its doors… to nothing. In fact, apart from a few cruises in 2008 the terminal has sat unused — leaving many to call the $108 million project a boondoggle.
But that’s about to change. Starting later this year the terminal will welcome a total of 102 cruises from Princess and Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Even that deal, however, took some large incentives that totaled nearly $7 million, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Incentives or not, it’s now clear that the Port of Galveston — which has enjoyed a booming cruise industry during the past decade or so — now has some competition for cruise lines.
So could the terminal in Houston one day overtake the port in Galveston in popularity and departures? Continue Reading »
If you’re near the Port of Galveston, keep an eye out. You’re about to see something that’s you haven’t seen in months…
The Carnival Triumph.
After its oft-reported mishaps, the ship is set to sail from Galveston starting on June 13. For the past several months, the Triumph has undergone extensive repairs and updates after its several day ordeal in the Gulf of Mexico.
The big question is will people feel comfortable booking to sail aboard a ship with such a rocky past.
If Carnival’s pricing is any clue, there seems to be plenty of demand. The only real “deal” for the Carnival Triumph is a 5-day September trip from Galveston to Progreso and Cozumel. This itinerary costs just $259 for an interior room — about $52 a night.
But the rest of the ship’s departures are roughly in line with those of its sister ship, the Carnival Magic. For example, a 7-day trip to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands aboard the Magic costs $719 in mid-July, or about $102 per night. Around the same time, a 5-day trip about the Triumph is $449 — $90 a night.
We’ll have to keep an eye out to see if bigger discounts appear, but for now, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Photo: lynn dombrowski
When the Disney Cruise Lines’ Magic starting sailing from the Port of Galveston in 2012, it was another feather in the port’s cap. In the span of just about a decade, Galveston had become a major cruise port, serving millions of passengers. Four different lines sailed from the island.
But in late 2012 (just a few months after beginning service), Disney announced it would not sail from Galveston starting in 2014. The company has been tight-lipped on the decision, but rumors are that the demand just wasn’t there for Disney. Considering that Disney charges considerably more than the competition, that wouldn’t be surprising.
So while the Disney Magic will return to Florida, it begs the question — will another ship take its place? Continue Reading »
Hopefully cruising with a warrant is something that you have to worry about… but the question does come up from time to time.
So what will happen if you cruise from Galveston while you’re wanted by the law? Continue Reading »
