New Royal Caribbean Galveston Cruise Terminal to Be Zero-Energy Facility

Posted on 15 October, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

Royal Caribbean Group’s new Galveston terminal, which is opening on Nov. 9, will be the first cruise terminal to generate 100% of its needed energy through on-site solar panels. According to a press statement, this makes the terminal, which will be used by the company’s Royal Caribbean International brand, the first LEED Zero Energy facility in the world.

We are focused on innovating across all aspects of our company, especially in our work to advance sustainability in the communities we visit,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, of Royal Caribbean Group. “We deeply value both the oceans we sail and the communities we visit and operate in, and the modern design and development features at our terminal in Galveston will work in service of both.”

The new cruise terminal at the Port of Galveston will be the first in Texas to achieve LEED Gold certification, an industry-leading certification expected to be received within the first two quarters of 2023.

The Galveston terminal marks the cruise company’s fourth LEED-certified facility and its first Gold certified. The previous projects include Terminal A at PortMiami; the Springfield, Oregon campus; and the Innovation Lab at Royal Caribbean Group’s corporate headquarters in Miami.

The $125 million, 161,334-square-foot Galveston Cruise Terminal significantly expands the company’s presence in the port, increasing the cruise line’s ability to accommodate up to 630,000 guests annually. The opening of the terminal will mark the first time Galveston welcomes Royal Caribbean International’s signature Oasis Class, the world’s largest cruise ship, with the arrival of Allure of the Seas and the first time the company is bringing its frictionless arrival and departure process to Texas.

Carnival Brings Texas Flair to Jubilee’s Keel Laying

Posted on 25 July, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

The Carnival Jubilee is set to sail from Galveston, Texas, next year and Carnival Cruise Line’s third cruise ship to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG) got its first taste of Texas today with the keel laying ceremony at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany., according to a press release.

Wearing cowboy-shaped hard hats, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy was joined by Meyer Werft Managing Director Bernard Meyer and Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Newbuilds Ben Clement, among others, to celebrate the construction milestone by placing coins under a 375-ton keel block.

The coins signify good luck for the ship and will remain under its foundation as the structure is built. the company said.

One of the ship’s lucky coins is an official ship coin. It commemorates an integral part of Carnival history while celebrating its future by showing the Carnival Jubilee alongside the original MS Jubilee from 1986. The coins will later be placed in a special compartment near Carnival Jubilee’s mast as permanent fixtures of the ship.

“Our plans for Texas are as big as the state itself, and we’re looking forward to bringing guests aboard our third Excel-class ship that will be just as magnificent as her sister ships Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. I’m ecstatic to be here for this important moment and witness construction now officially underway. Carnival Jubilee will significantly enhance our offerings from Galveston as the industry leader in the Texas cruise market and an important contributor to the Galveston tourism economy,” said Duffy.

The Carnival Jubilee will be the first Carnival Cruise Line ship built in Papenburg, Germany. Meyer Werft has already built four other LNG-powered ships for other cruise lines under Carnival Corporation.

“We are pleased to take another symbolic step in the construction of Carnival Jubilee with the keel laying. The Meyer team will once again produce an advanced and innovative cruise ship that will provide a great vacation for millions of passengers,” said Meyer.

Katy Perry as godmother of new-ship Norwegian Prima

Posted on 17 March, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

As godmother, Perry will not only fulfil the maritime tradition of blessing and officially naming the vessel, but she will perform during the christening ceremony in August before the vessel embarks on its inaugural voyage from Reykjavik.

Harry Sommer, president and chief executive of NCL, said the brand was “excited” to welcome the “one-of-a-kind artist” as godmother of Prima.

“We are so incredibly proud that she will be part of the Norwegian Cruise Line family and look forward to launching our beautiful, innovative ship with her in August,” he added.

Perry said her favourite form of a holiday with her family was on the water. “Every morning that you wake up, you get to experience an incredible new view,” she added.

“I love that I get to christen her with my good vibrations, and I’m so excited for this new, beautiful, high-end, high-tech ship to take the seas, and provide once-in-a-lifetime vacations for so many families.”

Prima will offer inaugural voyages to Northern Europe from Southampton, Amsterdam and Reykjavik from 12 August, sailings to Bermuda from New York from 6 October and Caribbean itineraries from Texas and Miami beginning 27 October.