Princess has agreed to two additional seasons of 50 more sailings through 2016. Starting in 2014, the Emerald Princess will make Houston its home port for western Caribbean sailings. Noteworthy is the fact Princess Cruises has been named by cruise industry travel agents as having the “best cruise line itineraries.” The economic impact of these three cruise seasons by Princess is $155 million, according to the firm Martin Associates. An estimated $3 million in state and local taxes is anticipated. Additionally, a total of 736 direct, induced and indirect jobs will be created. Princess Cruises are on sale now at www.princess.com or call 800-PRINCESS.
Norwegian Cruise Lines and the Port Authority also reached an agreement covering three years for Norwegian to sail from the cruise terminal beginning in 2014, with a total of 75 calls. The agreement includes an option to extend for up to two years. Norwegian Cruise Lines will bring the 2,374-passenger Norwegian Jewel to Houston to sail seven-day Western Caribbean cruises.The deal marks a return to Houston for the cruise line, which last sailed from Houston in 2007. Norwegian’s cruises from Houston will go on sale to the public in mid-December 2013. To book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 800-327-7030 or visit www.ncl.com.
The Bayport Cruise Terminal provides some of the finest, most modern and traveler-friendly amenities available today. Located on the western shores of Galveston Bay (click here for map), Bayport Cruise Terminal’s proximity to fine restaurants and hotels and access to both regional airports, Intercontinental and Hobby, make it an ideal point of disembarkation. The state-of-the-art facility combines visual appeal, passenger convenience, accessibility and innovative security systems.
Passenger access from parking and drop-off areas is immediately adjacent to the front of the terminal. Covered walkways connect the building to bus and private passenger drop-offs and taxi stands.
Once inside the terminal, the passengers’ first-class experience continues in the expansive great area. The 96,000-square-foot terminal is designed with materials specially selected to allow natural light to brighten its open and airy features.
The terminal is designed to direct passengers without confusion, while wide areas inside the terminal minimize congestion. Ample security stations will reduce wait times for passengers while overhead plasma screens and signage display information. A sufficient number of counters will also minimize delays by accommodating passengers quickly and easily.
Once the check-in process is complete, passengers will move to the second floor of the terminal to the passenger jetway system. The Bayport Cruise Terminal and its gangway system are designed to accommodate most ships and their entry ways. The wide, unrestricted wharf allows for the loading of provisions aboard the ship quickly and efficiently.
The cruise terminal building’s low profile design and translucent blue-green wall panels are designed to give it an emerald-like presence reflective of the gentle waves of Galveston Bay. The cruise terminal is in Pasadena, a city nestled between Houston and Galveston Bay.
For general inquiries concerning the terminal and parking, please call 281-291-6200.
Bayport Cruise Terminal
4700 Cruise Road
Pasadena, Texas 77586