Royal Caribbean, Galveston to Build New Cruise Terminal

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) and the Port of Galveston have signed an agreement for a new, $100 million cruise terminal. Through the public-private partnership, RCL will build the terminal, then lease it from the port for an initial term of 20 years, with four 10-year extension options.

The two-story terminal will have a footprint of approximately 170,000 square feet on 10 acres in the eastern section of the port, which is known as Pier 10. Construction is expected to begin in April 2020. Anticipated to open in fall 2021, the facility will incorporate a number of new technologies, including mobile check-in and facial recognition to expedite guest arrival. The terminal will be designed and developed sustainably to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental) certification standards.

Improvements to the pier bulkhead and apron will be made to safely accommodate the cruise line’s largest vessels. In addition, a staging and loading area, bus and taxi staging areas and substantial parking will be constructed.

The port will be responsible for items including maintenance, parking and improvements to the dock so that it can accommodate the larger vessels. RCL will contribute to the cost of improving the docks.

According to a national report, Galveston’s cruise business grew by 13 percent in 2018, resulting in $1.5 billion in cruise industry direct expenditures and 26,241 jobs with total wages of $1.75 billion in Texas.

The port began its partnership with RCL in 2002 with the inaugural sailing of Rhapsody of the Seas. Currently, the port is home to Enchantment of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the state of Texas.

In November 2021, the newly completed terminal will welcome one of the largest cruise ships in the world, Allure of the Seas. Following the ship’s $165 million renovation, Allure will be home to the 10-story Ultimate Abyss slide; The Perfect Storm, a trio of multistory waterslides; and more restaurants, including the introduction of Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar and the returning Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and El Loco Fresh. Allure will sail seven-night Caribbean itineraries from Galveston and will be the biggest ship sailing from the Lone Star state.

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