Galveston assures cruise terminal talks with MSC, NCL are still on

Trustees voted unanimously on Tuesday to hold off, pending more information about the cost and plans for converting a former Del Monte pier into a cruise terminal.

But on Wednesday, trustees were keen to endorse Cruise Terminal 16.

Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees Chairman Harry Maxwell said, 'We remain committed to working on a mutually beneficial partnership to bring these world-class cruise lines to homeport in Galveston.'

Added Jeff Patterson, chairman of the board’s Finance Committee: 'I’m strongly supportive of the fourth cruise terminal and am looking forward to finalizing the details so we can move forward together.'

$673,000 already authorized

The Wharves Board has already authorized the expenditure of $673,000 for design and pre-engineering cost estimates for the proposed terminal. 

In December, Port Director Rodger Rees announced discussions about a 'public-private partnership with a major international cruise company.'

Today, Rees said: 'We’re excited about the huge potential of this mutually beneficial public-private partnership. Adding MSC to our family of cruise lines would offer our cruise guests an elegant, European-style cruise experience. It would elevate our status as a top US cruise homeport, boost the regional economy and allow MSC to reach a new market of millions of cruise passengers in the central US.'

MSC Cruises and NCL still on board

Rubén Rodríguez, president, MSC Cruises USA, also voiced the company's commitment to a new homeport in Galveston as part of its ongoing North American expansion.

'Bringing our modern, glamorous ships to Texas would provide our guests and travel advisors even more opportunities to experience the future of cruising and enjoy our distinctive European style,' Rodríguez said. 'We’ve had productive discussions with the Galveston Wharves, and we’re continuing to negotiate with them as we chart MSC Cruises’ future in the US market.'

And a Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings spokesperson said: 'We continue to hold discussions with the Galveston Wharves on potential partnerships.'