In less than a month, Royal Caribbean is opening its Galveston, Texas terminal. The terminal will be the world’s first zero-energy cruise terminal generating 100% of its needed energy through solar panels.
Royal Caribbean Group’s new Galveston terminal will be the first cruise terminal to generate 100% of its needed energy through on-site solar panels. This makes the terminal, which will be used by the company’s Royal Caribbean International brand, the first LEED Zero Energy facility in the world.
“We are focused on innovating across all aspects of our company, especially in our work to advance sustainability in the communities we visit,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “We deeply value both the oceans we sail and the communities we visit and operate in, and the modern design and development features at our terminal in Galveston will work in service of both.”
Royal Caribbean has a goal to be fully carbon neutral by 2050 and that includes the Port of Galveston terminal. Allure of the Seas will make its home in the Port of Galveston making it the first time the port will welcome Royal Caribbean’s signature Oasis Class.
The Galveston Cruise Terminal will be able to accommodate up to 630,000 guests each year. Adventure of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas will also use the new terminal along with several other Royal Caribbean ships.
With the amount of ships and cruisers expected weekly, Royal Caribbean has been focusing on its energy consumption. What this terminal will achieve is massively impressive.
With the level of environmental innovation Royal Caribbean has achieved, the terminal will be awarded LEED Gold certification within the first half of 2023.
Since the 30,000 square feet of solar panels will provide more than all the energy needed for the terminal, the excess will be sent to the local power grid. Royal Caribbean is also providing bicycles for staff, and electric charging ports for vehicles.
The Port of Galveston will welcome Adventure of the Seas on November 10 where the ship will then sail a four-night Western Caribbean cruise. Then on November 13, Allure of the Seas will make her debut from Galveston in a seven-night cruise to Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.
How about you? Are you excited Royal Caribbean is going green?