Royal Caribbean this week shared progress on its new $125 million cruise terminal in the Gulfport of Galveston, Texas.
The 161,300-square-foot facility is scheduled for completion in November 2022 and, upon completion, will welcome the largest cruise ship in Galveston’s home port: Allure of the Seas.
Construction of the building, located on Pier 10, began in the summer of 2021 and has lasted for the past year. More recently, contractors have completed the installation of the electrical and air conditioning systems. The final fit-out continues with things like furniture, interior design and IT systems.
The project created 400 construction jobs and will create 400 permanent jobs.
The front design of the 68-foot-tall building includes colorful blue paneling, decorative vertical windows, and the Royal Caribbean anchor logo. The sunlit interior will be decked out in vibrant tropical colors as a preview of what’s to come on the Galveston cruise.
When completed, the terminal building will be one of the most technologically advanced cruise passenger embarkation and disembarkation facilities in the United States. Features that will enhance the passenger experience include mobile check-in and facial recognition to allow guests to board the ship as quickly and easily as possible.
The Port of Galveston is investing about $20 million in improvements associated with the new terminal, including an indoor walkway, utilities, landscaping and cruise ship parking. The parking garage with 1,550 terminal spaces will serve as a new source of income for the port.
In addition to the Oasis class ship Allure of the Seas, which is one of the five largest cruise ships in the world, Adventure of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas will also be located at the new terminal from November to January. The three ships will operate voyages to the Western Caribbean lasting four to 10 nights.