More Ports For Bigger Ships?

SCIROCCO · August 7, 2006

Ok Gang heres something to dwell On! :wink:

As more and more Bigger ships are being built theres not enough ports to handle the big boys! Or Ladies should I say Girls! :wink: The Western Caribbean Ports and especially the tendering ones have 15 to 16 ships at times! :wink:

The topic is:

Do you think they should find more Islands,build more piers and dredge so the ships can get to a Dock? I know that Dredging or building more Ports is a invironmental Reef Thing? But they are Running out of Destinations and The Ports now especially in Cozumel havent gotten Back to their Original State! Is it Feasable to build a Pier in The Caymans? I think that I had read an article that the Grand Caymans has that proposal up to vote on about Building Several Piers there for Docking! Wouldnt Cuba be a Good Tourist Destinations, Especially all the Old Cars! :wink: Any Ideas Discussions and some Opinions about this would be Interesting! And if you think its a bad Idea well just fire away but have Pity on me! :tongue:

KeithnRita · August 7, 2006

We would like to see cruise ports in the Florida panhandle and not just for the large cruise ships. We don't know if it would be feasible, however places like Panama City and Destin along the "Redneck Riviera" would sure be convenient. We can drive to those cities in 10 hours. The Carnival Holiday is ported in Mobile and they are supposed to get another ship. The only reason we have not booked on the Holiday is the shortness of their cruises--just five days.

JohnG · August 8, 2006

There are no ports with 15 or 16 ships at a time. St Thomas with 8 is about tops.

However, people are getting tired of the same old, same old. Those who have been to the Caribbean many times are seeking out South America (their summer is during our winter), alternatives. Europe has never been more popular. And many of the cruise lines have added Southeast Asia anc China itineraries. The problem, is that most of those itineraries, other than Europe (if you don't count the flying days) are more than 7 days.

Dan · August 8, 2006

I think as more and more big ships come online, the lines will be relegating more and more smaller ships to shorter cruises, thus gaining use of many of those ports on days that weren't popular port days during a typical 7 day cruise. Instead of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday being the big port of call days, they will spread out more onto weekends as these shorter cruises take up those days.

eagleforest · August 8, 2006

Many towns in the Caribbean do not allow ships on Sundays. I think what will happen is the cruise lines will buy empty islands and turn them into money makers.

I read an article that stated they are building six flags on a remote caribbean island. They will not say where it is but it sounds like they are gearing this toward the cruise industry. It would be cool to have a water slide off the ship onto the island. Thus eliminating tenders. But the docks will be a mile long just to accomodate enough ships.

I think in the summer months the mega ships should cruise the great lakes. Thus allowing more people to cruise without flying so many hours. Yet still enjoy the life on a ship

Dan · August 8, 2006

I would love to see a mega ship cruising the Great Lakes. Only problem is they can't get there. Quebec City is as far as the big ones can go, and Montreal is as far as the mid sized ships can go.

SCIROCCO · August 8, 2006

Sorry,

Got carried away with that One! :grin:

schatje · August 8, 2006

I have heard from many that the ship is the destination and if the bigger ships are limited to where they can port then maybe the ship will become first choice over ports.

SCIROCCO · August 8, 2006

:wink: So! Everyone,

Bigger is not always better HUh! :wink: Maybe not enough Oceans to handle them or the ports! Kinda like Eagle_Forest stated Buy bigger islands and make it a cruise Park Destination! Dan would like to have the bigger ones Cruising the great Lakes, John G stated that people are getting tired of the same old destinations and are seeking other Ports of call but you would have to fly and are more than seven days! Then there is the problem there! More money for the flying, and cruising days! :wink:

Dan has a great Idea by changing up the Smaller and bigger Ships Iteniaries! By having Weekend Days in Ports! :wink: I also learned something new that I never really thought about is what Eagle_Forest said about Ports and Cities not allowing ships on Sundays! :shocked:

Keith and Rita would like to see some more Ports in Florida because of the driving time to the two ports would be easier for them, Destin and Panama City so they wouldnt have to fly to take a longer Cruise for more than 5 Days! :wink: By the Way Keith What is a Redneck Riviera! :tongue: :shocked: So Pretty much we are locked into our Styles and modes of cruising, unless we decide to Fly, or Change our Destinations and to some this just isnt feasable right now! :wink: We shall see if anything discussed here comes true or not in our Lifetime! :wink: Until then we will just have to go where the Seas take us! :grin: :cool: Thanks everyone! I wonder if the Cruise Lines ever reads any of these conversations! :wink:

Longboysfan · August 8, 2006

More ports - Why worry.

In a word CUBA<].

I think the entire Cruise industry is banking on the opening of at least three ports in Cuba once Castro, and the brother, go.

They would be addrd to the East - west - southern swings.

They have good examples of what a cruise port should be from just about half the islands.

The cruise industry is also talking to the islands to increase their ship capacity. And the ability of their ports and port areas to withstand a large storm.