Two different ports, Galveston, Texas and Savannah, Georgia are looking to the cruise industry as a way of growing the economy in their cities.
Galveston, Texas
The port in the city of Galveston, Texas is spending $190,000 at the Texas Cruise Ship Terminal to triple the amount of seats. Money will also be used for crowd control barriers. The Carnival Magic, Carnival’s newest cruise ship that holds 3,690 passengers, will begin serving 7 nights cruises out of Galveston on November 14. The Carnival Triumph will also move to the Port of Galveston from the Port of New Orleans. Carnival’s ships the Conquest and the Ecstasy will move from Galveston to New Orleans.
Disney Cruise Line and Princess Cruises have recently announced that they will soon be basing ships out of Galveston as well. The plan is for the Disney Magic (1,754 passenger) and the Crown Princess (3,070 passenger) to be sailing out starting in 2012.
Joining these ships in the winter will be Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas.
Savannah, Georgia
The Savannah city council is working on adding a cruise port to their city. Several cruise lines have already expressed interest including ongoing talks with Royal Caribbean. There are 3 possible places for the cruise port to be located but there are problems with all 3.
The city sees the cruise port as a vital way of expanding the economy and bringing in much needed cash for downtown business. Studies have shown that cruise ships would bring in millions of dollars to the city. There are talks of the Ocean Terminal being a temporary port until a permanent one can be built. Either way, it is still likely 2 years away from this becomes a reality.
