quote:

---

Originally posted by Dolphins:
. Don't be surprised if other cruise lines follow NCL's example.

---

On my recent QM2 voyage, people drove in as far as Ohio, and a few people from California.

There is still no experience like sailing in and out of NY Harbor, I get up at 5am to do so.

quote:

---

Originally posted by desirod7:
When I was a child and long before discount airfare. NYPST was a year round cruise destination.

---

Me too. I remember Home Lines and their "Linger Longer" Caribbean cruises on the OCEANIC quite well. There were various other ships that would call at NY during the Winter as well. It's nice to see this trend coming back, although I hope some other lines jump in as well and offer more itineraries and ships. I am not a fan of NCL so I would like something else to choose from.

I agree that sailing out of NY is second to none. Only Sydney Australia was more spectacular for me. On the QM2 especially it was quite a thrill. Sailing down the Hudson on that massive proud liner with inspiring music playing, and a blast of that amazing whistle gave me goose bumps. I hope to do it many more times!

Somehow I don't expect it to be quite the same out of Bayonne on VOYAGER OF THE SEAS this October , but none the less I think my partner will enjoy it (he has never sailed out of NY harbor).

[ 07-08-2004: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by eroller:

I agree that sailing out of NY is second to none. Only Sydney Australia was more spectacular for me.

---

You should try sailing into San Francisco Bay under the Golden Gate Bridge.

New York, Sydney, and San Francisco are probably the three most spectacular/beautiful cities in the world to sail into or out of.

[ 07-09-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by CGT:

You should try sailing into San Francisco Bay under the Golden Gate Bridge.

[ 07-09-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

---

Yes, I would imagine it's spectacular. I have not yet had the opportunity to sail in or out of SFO. I hope to someday.

As a resident, I too hope to do that some day. I was SOOOOO jealous of the people boarding Pride of Aloha a couple of weeks ago. I just happened to be on the Embarcadero during embarkation. Ditto for the passengers of the Mercury on some of the unseasonably warm/clear days we had last spring.

Currently, Cruise Industry News estimates the two companies will bring less than half a million passengers to NYC in 2004. So at the very least each company will have to double it's NYC capacity and this most likely will mean a year round ship for Carnival, as well as more ships from both lines during the Summer season.

[ 07-10-2004: Message edited by: petede ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by eroller:
In return, NCL and Carnival have agreed to bring 13 million passengers to NYC over the next 13 years and pay $200 million in port charges.

---

It's important to remember that the agreement is not between NYC and the Carnial Line but between NYC and the Carnival Corporation which means year round cruises can also come from HAL, Princess, and theoretically even Cunard (even though Cunard doesn't have a ship for that). All HAL, Princess, Cunard and Carnival Line passengers will count towards Carnival Corporation's end of the bargain. Even the once in a while stops from P&O will count.

[ 07-10-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by CGT:

It's important to remember that the agreement is not between NYC and the Carnial Line but between NYC and the Carnival Corporation which means year round cruises can also come from HAL, Princess, and theoretically even Cunard (even though Cunard doesn't have a ship for that). All HAL, Princess, Cunard and Carnival Line passengers will count towards Carnival Corporation's end of the bargain. Even the once in a while stops from P&O will count.

[ 07-10-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

---

Yes this is true. None the less I have a feeling that if any Carnival Corp. brand gets based in NY year round, it will be from Carnival Cruise Lines. No doubt Carnival will want to steal as much market share as possible away from NCL, and I think the best way to do this is to base a similar well known product right at their doorstep. I think Carnival Cruise Lines fits that bill, probably with a Spirit Class ship which has the speed and enclosed pool necessary for Winter cruises from NY.

If Royal Caribbean were to base a Voyager Class ship in NY year round, I think it blow NCL and Carnival right out of the water. Has anyone seen the prices VOS is getting this Summer for the 5 and 9 day cruises? Unbelievably high per diems. The only thing missing is a glass enclosed pool, which I understand Ultra-Voyager will have. I think it would also be relatively easy for RCI to enclose the Solarium Pool on the current Voyager Class ships if they wanted to. I still can't used to leaving from "Bayonne", but I'll find out first hand how it is this October. So far reports seem to be mixed, with most saying it has a lot of potential but a ways to go yet.

Just my two cents.

quote:

---

Originally posted by CGT:
A couple weeks ago, I took the Staten Island Ferry across the bay with my father who was visiting. As we made the crossing, I could see the VOS parked way over in Bayonne. I don't know what the RCI PR people have been smoking but "spectacular views of Manhattan" as the ship approaches and departs from Bayonne they 'ain't.

---

I agree. We passed Bayonne when leaving on QM2 a couple months ago. I made a point to see exactly where the Royal Caribbean ships dock at. It did not look impressive and much of the good view was already past by the time we reached the Bayonne pier. I guess there is still a good view of the Statue of Liberty and maybe of Manhattan from a far distance.

In any case we will be spending a few days in NY prior to the cruise, so I'm only looking at Bayonne as a jumping off point to pick up the ship. Christopffre will have to wait until QM2 next year to get a true NY sail out.... unless of course she departs from Brooklyn on a temporary basis! That would be just my luck.