Galveston invests in design for new, third cruise terminal

Galveston is the fourth busiest cruise terminal in the U.S. and one of the top ten in the world. A million passenger a year travel from the Gulf coast city mostly en route to the Caribbean. Galveston is the fourth busiest cruise terminal in the U.S. and one of the top ten in the world. A million passenger a year travel from the Gulf coast city mostly en route to the Caribbean. Photo: Nick De La Torre, Staff Photo: Nick De La Torre, Staff Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Galveston invests in design for new, third cruise terminal 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

The Port of Galveston has approved spending up to $100,000 on designs for a new, third cruise terminal which would allow the port to host more ships as the city's cruise industry booms.

The port is already spending $10 million expanding cruise terminal number two as part of a five-year deal with Royal Caribbean, which sails year-round from Galveston.

A whole new terminal would mean much larger capacity and the potential for even more business as competition grows from the newly opened Bayport terminal, operated by the Port of Houston.

The port's governing body, the Wharves Board of Trustees approved spending a maximum of $100,000 on commissioing Los Angeles firm McTigue Architecture and Design for "programming, concept design, and preferred alternative development," spokesperson Cristina Gelago said in an email.

"Cruising is a big deal for the city and a big deal for the port," said port director Mike Mierzwa when the Royal Caribbean deal was announced. "Forty percent of our operating revenue comes from cruising."

Galveston sits as the fourth-busiest port for cruising in the U.S., behind Florida's big three: Miami, Port Everglades and Port Canaveral.

Mierzwa views Galveston as at the top of the second tier of global sailing, sitting alongside the likes of Rome, Barcelona and Southampton, England.

"Not bad for little old Galveston," Mierzwa said referring to the city's position, with its population of a mere 50,000.

The key for Galveston is its location. Caribbean cruises make up almost 40 percent of all cruising worldwide and the Gulf city sits right on its door step.

The push for a new terminal likely also comes down to competition. Galveston lost out when Princess Caribbean chose to sail from Bayport and they woulnd't want that to happen again.