US port secures a potential 20-year agreement with the family-oriented cruise line
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Disney Cruise Line has extended its preferential berthing agreement at the Port of Galveston in Texas, US for 10 years and also has an option to renew for two additional five-year periods.
The new agreement outlines plans for a shared cruise terminal that will accommodate a ship equal to, or larger than, the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder class of vessels.
“22 September 2012 marked the first time ever that a Disney Cruise Line ship set sail from the state of Texas with the maiden voyage of Disney Wonder,” said Roger Rees, Port of Galveston’s CEO and port director. “The port has been seasonal homeport to both Disney Wonder and Disney Magic ever since. We are thrilled to be able to continue to give Texas and the southwest region of the US the opportunity to experience Disney cruise vacations from their own backyard. We are proud to be one of the few selected homeports for Disney Cruise Line.”
Predictions suggest that Disney will almost double its sailings from Galveston over the first five years of the potential 20-year agreement, particularly because it has three new ships on order.
“Our guests have loved visiting Galveston and setting sail from this historic port to the western Caribbean, Key West and the Bahamas,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Disney Signature Experiences and Disney Cruise Line. “As we plan to expand our fleet and introduce new experiences and entertainment aboard our ships, we couldn’t be more excited to extend our commitment with the Port of Galveston.”