The Port of Galveston serves over one million passengers per year, ranking it fourth in the United States, and plans to expand its infrastructure with strategic updates in the near future.
The port is investing approximately $33 million in cruise-related infrastructure upgrades, with the goal of reaping millions more in future revenues and economic growth for the community and region, according to a statement by the Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees.
Galveston’s capital improvements are part of the port’s strategic master plan, which was approved by the board in 2019 and will last for the next 20 years. Other projects planned by the port include upgrades to accommodate more and larger ships, as well as more passengers. All of these are funded by the port through cash reserves, operating income, loans, grants, and public/private partnerships.
According to Rees, the port’s most significant expansion will be the addition of a third cruise terminal at Pier 10 in November 2022, a project which was brought to life through a public/private partnership with Royal Caribbean International. The latter is constructing a 161,000-square-foot terminal to homeport its Allure of the Seas and will contribute an estimated $110 million to the project to build the terminal. The port is investing nearly $22 million in pier repairs, site work, utilities, and cruise parking for 1,800 vehicles. This new terminal is expected to generate significant revenue and jobs for the port and regional economy.
As Rees further noted, Galveston also plans to spend about $11 million on improvements at cruise terminals 25 and 28 in preparation for the Carnival Jubilee, which is scheduled to homeport starting in November 2023.
To accommodate the new ship, the port will construct a second gangway, internal improvements to allow for more efficient passenger processing, and a federally mandated facility for US Customs and Border Protection. In addition, beginning this year, the Ruby Princess will sail from December 2022 to April 2023 from cruise terminals 25 and 28.
With the CDC dropping its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, Cruise Industry News looks at the timeline that led to the decision.
Week of March 9, 2020: Despite efforts by the industry’s lobby group CLIA, cruise lines decide to voluntarily suspend operations in the United States. Most companies plan 30-day operation pauses, aiming for early April resumptions.
March 14, 2020: The CDC issues a No Sail Order, essentially banning cruise ship operations in U.S. ports for 30 days.
April 9, 2020: The No Sail Order is extended for the first time and is now valid for an additional 100 days. During the same announcement, the health agency defines additional parameters for the expiration of the ban, such as the official end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
July 16, 2020: The CDC extends the No Sail Order again, this time setting a September 30 expiration date.
July 23, 2020: After extending the No Sail Order, the CDC asks for public input on new cruise protocols.
September 30, 2020: Previously set to expire on September 30, the No Sail Order is extended for another month.
October 30, 2020: The CDC finally drops the No Sail Order, replacing it with a new Conditional Sail Order. The 40-page regulation plan is said to allow cruise lines to start planning their return to service through a framework of phases and public health measures.
November 21, 2020: While cruise operators work to meet the Conditional Sail Order requirements, CDC raises its warning for cruise travel. The health agency now advises against cruising, with a Level 4 warning.
December 31, 2020: As the year ends, no operator has been granted permission to return to service in the U.S. under the original Conditional Sail Order guidance.
March 24, 2021: After Royal Caribbean’s then-CEO Richard Fain speaks out against CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sail Order, calling it “unworkable,” more pressure is put on the organization to relax its set of rules for cruising. Mentioning the advance of the COVID-19 vaccination across the country, CLIA asks the health agency to allow for a return of operations by the beginning of July.
April 2, 2021: The CDC issues the first new cruise guidance since October 2020, outlining a technical framework that would allow for the resumption of sailing.
April 3, 2021: Three U.S. Senators introduce an act to revoke the Conditional Sail Order. Called CRUISE Act, the bill requires the CDC to provide mitigation guidance for cruise lines to resume safe domestic operations.
April 5, 2021: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announces a lawsuit against the Biden Administration, the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services to allow cruises to restart in the United States.
April 25, 2021: The CRUISE Act is blocked from passing in the Senate and the Conditional Sail Order continues to be the way for the service return.
April 28, 2021: In a letter sent to cruise lines, the CDC says it is looking at a timeline that will allow restarting of the U.S. cruise industry by mid-July.
May 5, 2021: In yet another step for cruise resumption, the CDC publishes technical instructions for cruise ship operators preparing to conduct simulated voyages in advance of restricted passenger voyages under the COVID-19 Conditional Sail Certificate.
May 15, 2021: The CDC releases further updates to the Conditional Sail Order, paving the way for the restart of cruise operations in the United States. The changes add new rules for screening of embarking passengers, vaccination requirements and more.
May 18, 2021: The State of Florida’s lawsuit to reopen the cruise industry against the CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services heads to mediation.
May 25, 2021: Under the Conditional Sail Order, Royal Caribbean International becomes the first cruise line to receive the CDC’s approval for a simulated voyage with volunteers.
May 26, 2021: The CDC significantly relaxes cruise ship regulations for passengers and crew that have been vaccinated against COVID-19, allowing a quicker restart of the industry.
June 17, 2021: Seven months after raising it, the CDC lowers its warning against cruise travel from Level 4 to Level 3.
June 26, 2021: As more cruise lines get ready for test voyages, Celebrity Cruises becomes the first cruise major company to resume service in North America. Sailing from Port Everglades, the Celebrity Edge launches the first U.S.-based cruise in over 15 months.
First Week of July 2021: More operators resume service in the U.S., including Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International.
August 21, 2021: The CDC issues updated guidance that says that people who are at high risk of severe complications from COVID-19 should avoid cruise ships.
October 25, 2021: With most of the U.S.-based cruise lines and various ships now in service, the Conditional Sail Order is extended by the CDC. The extension of the framework is valid through January 15, 2022.
December 30, 2021: The CDC once again raises its warning for Americans going on cruises, telling them to avoid cruise travel, regardless of vaccination status. After being lowered just a few months back, the warning returns to Level 4, the highest such level.
January 15, 2022: Despite pushbacks from some U.S. politicians, the CDC lets the Conditional Sail Order expire. To replace the guidance, the health agency prepares a new voluntary plan, which cruise lines will opt-in.
February 9, 2022: The CDC finally releases its new COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships operating in U.S. waters. The program is recommended and includes the continuity of the agency’s colour status system for disease cases on ships.
February 19, 2022: Ten days after the revelation of the new CDC program, 18 cruise brands and 110 ships have officially enrolled in it.
March 15, 2022: After being initially lowered in February, the CDC’s warning for cruise travel goes down once again. For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk is classified with a Level 2 (moderate) warning.
March 30, 2022: The CDC finally drops its cruise health travel warning notice after two years.
July 18, 2022: The CDC ends its COVID-19 program for cruise ships. The health agency also reportedly stops tracking cases of the disease on cruise vessels.
Citing changes in maritime regulations, Royal Caribbean International is swapping the upcoming deployment between two ships.
“The International Maritime Organization recently shared new speed regulations we must adhere to and as a result, we’ve repositioned some of our ships for the upcoming 2023/2024 season,” the company said in a letter sent to booked guests.
With the changes, the Brilliance of the Seas is taking over the itineraries previously announced for the Enchantment of the Seas.
Originally slated for programs in Europe and Florida in 2023 and 2023-2024, the Radiance-Class vessel will now sail in Alaska starting in April. The new schedule includes a series of cruises departing from Vancouver, Canada.
In October, the vessel debuts in the South Pacific, kicking off a winter program in Australia, with cruises departing from Sydney.
The Enchantment of the Seas, meanwhile, is assuming Brilliance’s place and offering similar itineraries in Europe in 2034 and Florida in 2023-2024.
According to the letter, the Vision-Class ship will sail in the Mediterranean between May and November before returning to the United States for the winter.
Sailing from Tampa, the 1997-built vessel is set to offer five- to seven-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Affected passengers are being automatically moved between ships, receiving cruises departing on the same dates as their original bookings.
The guests are also being assigned to like-for-like accommodations and keeping the originally booked amenities.
Still, according to the statement, passengers are being offered other options as well, including the possibility to rebook on other Royal Caribbean International sailings or a full refund of the cruise fare.
In a separate statement, Royal Caribbean also informed booked guests of the redeployment of the other two ships.
Offering short cruises to the Caribbean, the Voyager of the Seas will now be based in Galveston, instead of Port Everglades.
The Adventure of the Seas, meanwhile, will take over its original schedule offering Caribbean and Bahamas cruises departing from Fort Lauderdale.
Wetravel2u's Weblog 