By
Alice Chambers |
Galveston Cruise Terminal in Texas is beginning a $53 million expansion of the 20-year-old Cruise Terminal 25 to accommodate Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Jubilee, which will operate from the port in December.
The construction will include modifying gangways and installing a new roof, ramp, two elevators and an escalator to embark and disembark guests more efficiently. The port also aims to improve its U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming the beautiful new Carnival Jubilee to our improved cruise terminal,” said Rodger Rees, port director and CEO of Galveston Wharves. “We’re proud to have Carnival Cruise Line, our long-time cruise partner, choose Galveston as the homeport for its newest ship. Carnival was the first major cruise line to homeport in Galveston more than 20 years ago. They believed in us then and believe in Galveston’s growing prominence as a top cruise port today.”
The port generates two-thirds of its revenues from its cruise business each year and the renovation aims to increase business further. Galveston is on track to set new records for cruise calls and passengers in 2023 by breaking its current records set in 2022.
Cruise operations will continue while the project is being carried out. The expansion will be funded with cash reserves, a proposed bond issue and an agreement with Carnival.