Princess Cruises has announced that it has scheduled 26 seven-night Western Caribbean departures from Houston beginning in November 2013, when the 3,100-passenger Caribbean Princess starts sailing from the Bayport Cruise Terminal, bringing the city nearly 100 new jobs and an estimated $941,000 annually in state and local taxes. The inaugural cruise, which will embark Nov. 5, is a fundraiser for U.S. veterans.
At the same time, Norwegian Cruise Line announced its return to Houston in 2014 after a gap of seven years. It will honor a three-year agreement with a total of 75 calls and the option for a two-year extension. Norwegian Cruise Lines will bring in the 2,374-passenger Norwegian Jewel for seven-day Western Caribbean cruises.
These are significant developments for the $108.4 million terminal, which is competing with the established cruise center in Galveston. www.princesscruises.com
