Royal Caribbean’s New Cruise Terminal Opens Questions about Liability
On November 9, 2022, a ribbon-cutting ceremony occurred at the Royal Caribbean’s new cruise terminal in Galveston, Texas. Let’s explore the details of the news with Ehline Law and our cruise ship personal injury attorneys.
$125 Million Cruise Terminal in Galveston, Texas, Welcomes Allure of the Seas
The ribbon-cutting ceremony of the $125 million cruise terminal took place at the Port of Galveston.
With the new terminal, Royal Caribbean can now accommodate 630,000 passengers annually and some of the world’s largest cruise ships, including the Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas.
Construction of the Galveston terminal began on November 17, 2021, and spans 161,334-square-foot. The mega project took one year to build and will provide 800 local employment opportunities.
It would also bring $1.4 billion in local business services revenue, millions of dollars in state and local taxes, and massive opportunities for business development. Galveston’s new terminal would help take vacation possibilities for Texans to another level.
Royal Caribbean Brings the Best Family Vacations to Texas, Royal Caribbean International President States
Michael Bayley, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Caribbean International, and Port Director, Rodger Rees, were at the special event alongside other Royal Caribbean executives, the city’s mayor, and the Federal Commissioner, Louis Sola.
The event was a milestone in a successful partnership between Royal Caribbean and Galveston, a city from where the Cruise Line launched its first cruise trip.
In a speech, the Royal Caribbean International president stated that the Cruise Line is more than excited to offer fantastic family vacations to Texas residents with its unmatched oasis-class ships, such as the Allure of the Seas. According to Bayley, introducing the Allure of the Seas to Texas is just the beginning.
Royal Caribbean Group Achieves Environmental Goals as New Terminal Powered by Onsite Solar Panels
The new cruise terminal in Galveston is also the first-ever zero-energy facility in the world with a LEED certification. Entirely powered by onsite solar panels, the cruise terminal in Galveston aligns with Royal Caribbean International’s environmental goals.
An intricate and culturally rich art sculpture, the Galveston beach trio, will stand tall at the $125 million cruise terminal.
Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas Will Set off to Costa Maya and Cozumel from New Terminal
On November 8, 2022, the day before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Allure of the Seas reached the new cruise terminal in Galveston with its 2,200 international crew members, making it the largest cruise ship to ever dock in Texas history.
On November 13, 2022, the Allure of the Seas set off from Galveston on a seven-day trip, including Costa Maya and Cozumel destinations.
Should Texans Rejoice at the New Terminal and Allure of the Seas?
Undoubtedly, the Allure of the Seas is an engineering marvel that will bring Texans stunning Aqua Theater entertainment.
The inauguration of the new terminal is an addition to the state’s infrastructure that would provide local job opportunities, attract investments, and increase local business revenue and tax generation.
That said, having proper operation guidelines and providing the necessary training to the staff is crucial to ensure Texan families have a great and safe vacation. Many accidents have been reported on cruise ships and terminals, which is why Royal Caribbean needs to ensure the safety of its guests at the new terminal.
However, at times, negligent employees and bad company policies can put profits and personal gains above guest safety, resulting in serious injuries to the passengers.
Are Cruise Lines Responsible for the Safety of Its Guests?
Cruise Lines owe their passengers a heightened duty of care and must take reasonable care in ensuring their guests are safe from physical harm and that they arrive at their destination safely. The special duty of care includes protecting the passengers from harm by other guests and the crew members, such as assaults, rapes, and criminal attacks.
Besides such accidents onboard, passengers can go overboard into the waters, and if that happens, the Cruise Line is responsible for conducting a reasonable search and rescue mission.
If a cruise line fails to perform a reasonable search or protect its passengers from any injuries sustained on the cruise ship (including embarking and disembarking), injured victims or surviving family members can pursue legal action to recover compensation for their loss.
Since Royal Caribbean International owns the terminal, they or their operators must also ensure a safe environment and take reasonable care by eliminating hazards to avoid harm to guests.
A passenger suffering from a slip and fall accident or any other accident on the cruise terminal may be able to bring a premises liability lawsuit against the property owner or operator.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one on a cruise ship, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation, as you may be eligible for compensation.
