Officials welcome Royal Caribbean's zero-energy Galveston terminal

They included US Rep. Randy Weber, Federal Maritime Commissioner Louis Sola, Galveston Mayor Craig Brown, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, Ceres Terminals CEO Craig Mygatt and Port Director Rodger Rees.

Potential for 630,000 cruisers a year

The city of Galveston also marked the day with a proclamation, recognizing Royal Caribbean's partnership starting more than 20 years ago when the line first set sail from the Texas port. With the introduction of Allure of the Seas, an Oasis-class ship, it's estimated the new terminal will welcome as many as 630,000 vacationers each year.

Home to Allure of the Seas, first Oasis-class ship to sail from Texas

Bayley said the 161,334-square-foot terminal 'opens up a world of vacation possibilities for families in the Southwest,' adding: 'Allure of the Seas is just the beginning.' He thanked the Port of Galveston, Ceres Terminals (joint venture partner in the facility) 'and all the teams involved for making this bold vision a reality.'

The terminal is designed by Bermello Ajamil & Partners as the first LEED Zero Energy facility in the world, generating 100% of the energy it needs through onsite solar panels. For futher details of the design and facilities, see this earlier story.

The terminal was designed by Bermello Ajamil & Partners to LEED Zero Energy standard

New jobs and revenue

Ress considers the terminal a 'game-changer for the port and the region,' forecasting it would bring 800 new jobs, $1.4b in local business services revenue, $5.6m in state and local taxes 'and incredible business development opportunities.'

Allure's first revenue cruise from Galveston is scheduled for Nov. 13. It will sail to the western Caribbean, calling at destinations such as Costa Maya, Cozumel and Roatán in the 2022/23 season.