Carnival Cruise Line has signed an agreement with landlord Urban Commons and the City of Long Beach in California to expand the Long Beach Cruise Terminal facility. The goal it to enhance terminal operations, and create the ability to accommodate bigger ships in the future. The deal will almost triple the size of Carnival’s current terminal, from about 66,000 to 142,000 square feet.
Carnival’s been at the Long Beach terminal since 2003, using a partial area of the Geodesic Dome that used to be the museum housing Howard Hughes’ “Spruce Goose” attraction. The agreement gives Carnival total control of the Dome. Construction will begin late 2017.
Plans include expansion of portside cold-ironing capacity for larger ships. The technology gives cruise ships the ability to plug into the local electric grid and reduce exhaust emissions while docked. The cruise line is also working with Urban Commons to redo the area surrounding the dome and the adjacent Queen Mary attraction, as well as expand parking to accommodate future growth.
Currently, Carnival Inspiration and Imagination operate in Long Beach year-round doing three and four-day Baja cruises. Carnival Miracle sails seven-day voyages to the Mexican Riviera and 14 and 15-day cruises to Hawaii and Alaska from the port.
