Cruisers will have more options from the Port of Galveston than ever. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) cemented a 10-year deal with Galveston Wharves, making the Texas home port a more permanent part of the cruise line’s operations.
According to the agreement signed last Tuesday, NCLH will homeport from Galveston’s upcoming terminal which will be ready by November 2025.
It enables the company’s brands—Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas, and Oceania Cruises—to sail from Galveston more frequently.
NCLH is by no means a stranger to Galveston. It’s been hosting seasonal sailings from Texas for the past three years.
The latest agreement highlights the cruise line’s decision to further grow local capacity by deploying vessels like the Norwegian Viva and the Norwegian Prima to the Port of Galveston.
❝We’ve been working with the Galveston Wharves team for several months,❞ announced Juan Kurlya, NCLH’s Senior Vice President of Port Development & Construction.
| ❝And we’re excited to announce this expanded long-term contract that will also introduce our new Saturday sailings from Galveston.❞ |
Although the partnership has already received the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees’ approval, there will be an official signing ceremony at the Galveston Economic Development Summit on October 16.
He added that the agreement creates ❝meaningful benefits for the local community, supporting jobs, tourism, and economic growth.❞
Home To a Growing Cruise Market
Galveston’s thriving cruise industry welcomed 1.49 million cruise passengers in 2023, 42% higher than 2022. During the same year, it also became the country’s fourth most popular cruise port.
The port began building a $151 million terminal last August to meet the growing demand. An old cargo warehouse at Pier 16 is being converted into Galveston’s fourth terminal. The development includes a $55 million parking facility to accommodate more passengers.
Meanwhile, NCLH declared in April that it was embarking on an aggressive 10-year growth strategy, including an order for eight new vessels.
