Royal Caribbean begins building new Quantum terminal at Cape Liberty

The company entered into an agreement with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to develop the next phase of Cape Liberty, first announced in July last year.

The $55m project—initially announced as $70m—will include a new terminal to be ready in November for Quantum of the Seas. The facility will have 125,000 square feet of check-in, Customs and Border Protection and luggage space, as well as a 900-car parking structure and pier improvements.

The new facilities will be erected adjacent to the current terminal.

Quantum of the Seas will operate from Bayonne until April, when the ship repositions to China.

Liberty of the Seas will then homeport at Cape Liberty in summer 2015 as Royal Caribbean International’s largest ship to sail to Bermuda. In winter 2015, Anthem of the Seas will begin Bayonne service after completing its inaugural Europe season.

Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith welcomed the construction and permanent jobs, enhanced tourism and commerce that will be created by the expanded homeport.

Royal Caribbean's plans, the mayor added, 'fully complement our plans to develop Harbor Station South as a full service retail and commercial destination with flagship hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues close to the port.'