November 14, 2025
The Port of Galveston celebrated the opening of its fourth cruise terminal on Nov. 7 with a ribbon cutting, special guests and big media hoopla. We also welcomed the MSC Seascape, the first ship to homeport at the new terminal. In December, we’ll welcome another stunning ship – the Norwegian Viva.
The $156 million terminal complex is a major milestone in the port’s 25-year history as a cruise home port and brings big benefits for the port, the city of Galveston, our port partners, and our cruise customers.
For the port, it means additional operating revenues to fund infrastructure improvements, including our phased $106 million project to expand cargo operations. Our thriving cruise business generates more than 60 percent of port operating revenues.
The city benefits with job and economic growth. This terminal will create 1,085 new jobs and have an economic impact of $138 million, including personal income, business revenue, and state and local taxes annually.
The city of Galveston also benefits directly with passenger fees and port payments for cruise parking. Through October the port has paid the city $2.6 million in 2025. These funds go directly into the city’s general fund.
Then there’s the national and regional media coverage that our cruise growth brings. Galveston and the MSC Seascape were featured in USA Today, on the Today Show and several regional outlets, including the Houston Chronicle, Houston Business Journal and many more. This favorable news coverage is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in exposure for Visit Galveston, hotels, restaurants and other local tourism businesses.
Cruise growth also directly benefits island lodging, attractions, restaurants, retail and other businesses because more than one-third of cruise passengers stay overnight before or after their cruises. This further boosts local businesses and sales tax revenues for the city.
Our port partners benefit directly with jobs and revenues. Jobs range from onshore personnel and contract security who staff the terminals on cruise days to the ship pilots, tugboat crews and line handlers essential to moving these ships in and out of our harbor. Personal income from these jobs is spent locally to further boost our island economy.
Finally, our cruise customers enjoy a growing selection of sailings to more destinations on a greater variety of ships. Carnival, MSC, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and other major cruise lines are bringing their biggest and best ships to Galveston because of their confidence in our growing market.
Opening this terminal gives MSC Cruises, the world’s third largest cruise line, the opportunity to enter a new U.S. market – and for Norwegian to expand its presence with more sailings from Galveston. Having MSC and Norwegian Cruise Line homeporting in Galveston says a great deal about our position in the U.S. and global cruise markets.
U.S. Congressman Randy Weber summed it up best during his remarks at the terminal opening: “Today’s opening of Cruise Terminal 16 is a game-changer for Galveston. This project has already put hundreds of people to work and now it’s set to bring in more visitors, more business, and more revenue for our local economy. Every investment like this strengthens Galveston’s place as a premier gateway for America’s cruise industry. I will continue to fight for our ports in Congress to ensure they get the support they deserve!”
By Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO
