Port Galveston Texas - currently ranked North America's 4th largest cruise port, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on August 14, to mark the beginning of construction of RCI-Royal Caribbean’s new USD 125 million "Cruise Terminal 3".
To be finished in fall 2022, the Port’s 3rd passenger terminal is being constructed by RCI in order to homeport the Oasis-Class liner Allure of the Seas.
One of the world’s biggest liners and the first of its kind to be homeported in Galveston, Allure OTS will sail 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries starting November 2022.
Port Galveston is currently homeport/departure port for two RCI ships - Independence OTS and Liberty OTS, which are the largest so far homeported in Texas.
The construction project is expected to generate an estimated ~400 Texas construction jobs and ~400 local operations jobs. The 161300-ft2 terminal will cover 10 acres at Pier 10 in the port's easternmost area on Galveston Island. The cruise port will build and operate 1800-lot parking at the terminal.
The Port signed a long-term contract with RCI for the facility in December 2019. Via the public-private partnership, the cruise company will build "Terminal 3", and then lease it from the port for the initial term of 20 years with four 10-year options.
The facility is expected to feature state-of-the-art technology enabling mobile check-in and facial recognition to expedite passengers’ arrival experience. Terminal 3 is designed to meet global Leadership in Energy and Environmental (LEED) efficiency, sustainability, and health standards.
Port Galveston started its partnership with Royal Caribbean in 2002 with the inaugural voyage of Rhapsody of the Seas.