| Date Published: August 21, 2001 |
 |
 Profile and Reviews
Latest Cruise News Headlines
|
|
|
| RCI Homeports in Gulf Cities |
Tampa, New Orleans and Galveston may never rival Miami and Port Everglades as cruise port meccas but Royal Caribbean’s announcement that it will base ships in all three cities during the winter 2002-2003 cruise season gives these Gulf metropolis’ a boost.
This is an expansion of Royal Caribbean’s first test drive, which occurs this winter. Rhapsody of the Seas will sail western Caribbean itineraries, in two-month stints, from Tampa, New Orleans and Galveston. The big fuss about today’s announcement is that the cruise line will expand its presence in the following winter season not only by giving each city a ship of its own but also by home porting the vessels in that market for the entire winter season.
Nordic Empress will sail from Tampa (November 2002 - April 2003). Grandeur
of the Seas will base in New Orleans (November 2002 - April 2003). And
Rhapsody of the Seas will operate out of Galveston (December 2002 - March
2003).
Itineraries will hit the usual western Caribbean hot spots -- Grand Cayman,
Cozumel, the line’s private island -- with a few interesting additions, such
as Belize City, Progresso (Mexico) and late night (or overnight) stays in
Key West.
Royal Caribbean’s strategy is one pioneered a few years ago by Carnival
which, in an effort to reach what is called the “drive-to” market (i.e.
seasonally base ships in ports near big population bases), created seasonal
alternatives to the usual Florida ports. Carnival has already established a
presence along the Gulf of Mexico but other occasional "home ports" are
Charleston, S.C. and Norfolk, Va. Numerous cruise lines, including Carnival,
Holland America, NCL and Celebrity operate Bermuda and/or Canada/New England
itineraries out of New York City. | |
Cruise News Headlines
More News
Reviews
|
|
|
|
|
|