Extracted from The Port of Galveston Timeline
1974 - Cruise ships first docked at the Port.
1990 - The $2 million Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal was dedicated. $1.4 million of the project was financed through Tax Reinvestment Zone Bonds with additional financing repaid from the proceeds of a $1 million UDAG loan
1999 - Carnival Cruise Lines, the largest cruise line in the world, announced their decision to offer cruises\ from the Port of Galveston beginning in September 2000.
2000 - The Port held groundbreaking ceremonies in March to mark the beginning of construction on the $10.6 million renovation and refurbishment project on The Texas Cruise Ship Terminal on Galveston Island.
2000 - The week of September 24-30, 2000 was designated Texas Cruise Week by Governor George W. Bush.
2000 - The week of September 24-30, 2000 was designated Galveston Cruise Week by Mayor Roger Quiroga and the Galveston City Council.
2000 - The Texas Cruise Ship Terminal on Galveston Island was rededicated during ceremonies on September 27, 2000 to mark the $10.6 million renovation and refurbishment of the Mallory Building at Pier 25 -the greatest single investment in improvements in the Port's 175-year history
2000 - Carnival Cruise Lines' vessel M/S Celebration made her inaugural voyage from Galveston Island on September 30, 2000.
2001 - Galveston doubles cruise business as Carnival Cruise Lines announces plans to begin
homeporting a second cruise ship in Galveston in mid-summer 2002.
2001 - Plaques recognizing the 1927 builders of the Pier 27 warehouse, the 1989-1990 developers of the cruise terminal at Pier 24, and the 1999-2000 redevelopers of The Texas Cruise Ship Terminal on Galveston Island were ceremoniously set in the front of the building in July.
2001 - The 100,000 passenger to sail from The Texas Cruise Ship Terminal on Galveston Island was recognized by the Port of Galveston and by Carnival Cruise Lines.
2001 - Carnival Cruise Lines' first full year of operation at the Port of Galveston enticed almost 130,000 new visitors to Galveston Island.
2001 - Royal Caribbean International signed an agreement with the Port of Galveston to operate the Rhapsody of the Seas from Galveston Island for five years beginning in April 2002.
2001 - Royal Caribbean International operated eight seven-night sailings from Galveston Island as part of RCI's service in the Western Caribbean.
2001 - The Port of Galveston ranked number seven among U.S. ports serving the Caribbean region based on estimated passenger figures for 2001.
2001 - The Port of Galveston ranked number ten among all U.S. ports based on estimated passenger figures for 2001.
2002 - Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Rhapsody of the Seas began seven-day sailings in April 2002.
2002 - In August, Carnival Cruise Lines’ Jubilee began sailing from Galveston Island.
2002 - In September, the Galveston Port Facilities Corporation signed an Operating Agreement and Financing Document with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) for the development of Cruise Terminal #2 at Pier 27.
2002 - In September, the Galveston Port Facilities Corporation signed a Design Build Agreement with CH2M Hill for the design and construction of Cruise Terminal #2 at Pier 27.
2002 - The refurbishment of Cruise Terminal #2 began in September.
2003 - In June, the Port of Galveston began demolition of the 1930’s era-Elevator B as part of a $30 million plan to renovate the Port’s cruise terminals.
2003 - In July, Princess Cruises announced it would begin 7-day sailings from the Port of Galveston in November 2004 with the first sailing of the Grand Princess
2003 - In September, the Port of Galveston imploded Grain Elevator B, the second tallest building on Galveston Island, making way for expansion of the Port’s cruise operations.
2003 - In September, Carnival Cruise Lines’ Elation replaced the Jubilee and began sailing from Galveston Island offering 7-day cruises to Mexico and Central American.
2003 - In December, Carnival Cruise Lines announced it would replace Celebration, Galveston’s first year-round cruise ships, with the larger Ecstasy in October 2004, creating a 38% increase in capacity.
2004 - In February, the Port of Galveston was featured in the New York Times in an article based on the Port’s growing cruise business.
2004 - In March, Celebrity Cruises announced it would begin sailings from the Port of Galveston with 11 and 12-day cruises to the Panama Canal on the Galaxy.
2004 - In May, the Port of Galveston marked the one millionth passenger to sail from the Port of Galveston since the beginning of year-round cruise operations in September 2000.
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From The Port of Galveston - Facilities Pier 25 - 27 Cruise Ship Terminals.
Cruise Terminals
The Port of Galveston maintains two cruise ship terminals and two 2,000-foot berths. Each has a water depth of 30 feet and offers efficient passenger and luggage handling. The total cruise terminal area is 220,000 square feet.
Transportation
Port-operated parking facilities offer rapid shuttle services to and from the terminals and full security for passenger vehicles. Houston airports provide air lift to more than 150 cities and international markets.
Tourism
There is a strong drive-market of 13 million people within 300 miles of the Port. Existing shore excursions are available within walking distance or by motor coach.