Cruise Liner for Our Island?

[SamFamAustin]

Help me out here, I'm getting hammered from our local development and political folks because they want to lure a Cruise Ship to stop here at South Padre Island. They are sure that the cruise-tourists would bring in a bazillion dollars on these 8-hour port stays, thus fixing the economy, building more resorts, and lining our purses with cash and tax money.

Basically, I said the idea stunk.

So now I am the worst of "negativity," and stupid and arrogant as well. I said I know port operations and some experiences on other small islands, and the picture is not all that rosy. Plus, here in the States with all these new Homeland Security issues and environmental laws, it would be quite a challenge to even consider it. Youch, did they ever kick my Ess for saying that! :confused:
Thanks for any advice,
Sammie

[BahamaAngie]

I agree with you Sammie, keep them out.

[DaGoose]

Ugh, but I can understand why the businesses would want it.

Keep up the good fight and keep us posted, Sammie.

Tina

[DrRalph]

Sammie, I don't have hard facts or numbers, but there is a ton of anecdotal evidence that suggests that the "8-hour visitor" may buy a couple of trinkets or cheap T-shirts, might take a cab a short distance, but typically doesn't spend significant $. They have a big investment on the ship, they've already paid to eat, they've seen other ports and bought their junk. The presence of the ship creates a logistical mess disproportionate to the money generated.

You want to attract a tourist who is specifically interested in your area, who will pay for lodging, food, local entertainment, goods and services; that ain't these folks.:(

[Steamboat]

As a research project, take a trip to Grand Cayman and watch downtown Georgetown when the 7 or 8 cruise ships are all in port at the same time. Unless South Padre has a deep water berthing area, the ship(s) will have to tender everyone to and from the dock which limits the amount of time the tourist have to spend money to help the local economy. The shops right around the dock area seem to do OK but they are the same type tourist shops as on any other island so Dr. Ralphs comments apply.

[Alan Brown]

If you can't beat em', open a t-shirt shop!

[SamFamAustin]

I appreciate the replies ... we've got more T-shirt shops than you can shake a stick at, and there's a rumor that if gambling ever passes, they'll turn into Keno and video slot machine joints. Oh well ... BTW, the idea is like you say, the ship would anchor offshore and excursion boats would ferry them back and forth. Sounds expensive but less than a dock, I guess. /sam

[greenebud]

http://68.162.252.209/scripts/PortWeb.dll?quickfind=eleuthera&catalog=skypic&template=SkyPic&offset=45

Take a look at the images of Bannerman Town private cruise ship beach on the south end of Eleuthera from the arial shots on this page. The people come of the ship play around in the water, lay on the beach and leave. The area is roped off to locals and if you look at the shot of the ship leaving, you can see there is no town anywhere near the private beach. The tourists never even leave the area.

The shops within the beach area are operated by the cruise line while locals have little straw stalls outside the roped off area. Not much benefit to the area.

[BahamaAngie]

Some of those pictures are absolutely amazing. The one with the narrow strip with a road and a bridge....absolutely amazing and beautiful.