Galveston’s cruise industry is on a course for success.
A recent study for the determined that the Port of Galveston ranks as the fourth busiest cruise port in the U.S., based upon embarkation numbers.
Last year, the island cruise port welcomed 863,000 passengers and crew, representing 4 percent of all passenger and crew visits at U.S. ports, according to the Port of Galveston.
The port embarked approximately 604,000 passengers, making Galveston the second fastest growing cruise port of last year.
“The Port of Galveston is committed to remaining in the top 20 cruise home-ports worldwide,” Port Director Mike Mierzwa stated in a press release. “We are dedicated to strengthening our existing relationship with the cruise industry and increasing the economic impact to the local and regional communities.”
The study found that Texas accounted for 6.3 percent of the cruise industry’s overall nationwide spending last year, raising the state’s ranking from fourth to third.
Last year, the state had over $1.2 billion in direct spending and almost 20,000 jobs, paying out nearly $1.1 billion in total income, according to the study by Business Research and Economic Advisors.
Next year also looks positive, with the addition of Royal Caribbean International‘s Navigator of the Seas’ year-round operation, offering vacationers seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries throughout the year.
The Carnival Cruise Line’s Magic and Triumph also offer year-round operations.
The Port of Galveston, known as Texas’ Star Cruise Port, is the primary point of embarkation for cruises to the western Caribbean and the Bahamas.
Three cruise lines – Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International – sail out of the Port of Galveston, according to the press release.
Passenger safety on cruise lines has been a hot topic lately after the occurrence of several incidents that have led to passenger deaths, emergency evacuations, and cancelled trips. The Cruise Lines International Association board has unanimously approved a 
After years of sitting empty, the
Lottery fever is sweeping across the Garden State — and across the rest of the nation — today as the hours tick closer to Saturday night’s huge Powerball drawing.