By
Rebecca Gibson |
Carnival’s 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic is set to make its inaugural voyage from Galveston today (14 November), part of a move which has seen three new ships transferred to Texas this year.
“It shows the major cruise lines understand the appeal of Galveston and are choosing to invest in it over popular markets,” said Leah Cast, a spokeswoman for the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The move comes about one month after Carnival’s Triumph began voyages from Galveston, with the ships having the potential to bring more than 100,000 visitors to the island, with an estimated direct economic impact of US$10 million per year.
The port recently underwent a US$12.5 million terminal renovation in anticipation of Magic’s arrival, which will also share the port with Royal Caribbean’s 3,114-passenger Mariner of the Seas.