Princess & Norwegian Cruise Line Ink Deals To Sail From Houston

We’ve often been asked when and if cruise ships will sail from the Port of Houston. Here’s the answer.

Bayport Cruise Terminal Press Release

The Bayport Cruise Terminal, located in the city of Pasadena Texas, just outside of Houston offers a one-of-a-kind experience from an exciting home port city for cruise travelers looking for efficient and world-class services before and after their cruise.

Princess Cruises’ new service is scheduled to begin in November of 2013 with a total of 26 departures planned for the season. Princess Cruises’ inaugural cruise is an unprecedented sailing aboard the Caribbean Princess to support U.S. veterans. Princess Cruises will go on sale immediately.

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.

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, 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. Valet parking and other VIP services will be available.

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 terminal will be layered with aesthetically pleasing enhancements, including ponds, landscaping and fountains, as well as a retail co-development area. 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.

For more information or to book your cruise, please call Premier Custom Travel at (800) 304-6789.