Princess Cruises Announces 2013 Cruises From Houston Texas

Princess Cruises will launch new service from the Port of Houston beginning in 2013 when it starts sailing from the state-of-the-art Bayport Cruise Terminal.

Princess Cruises and the Port of Houston Authority confirmed an agreement Nov. 15 for the line to make passenger cruise calls during the 2013-2014 cruise season at the port’s cruise facility.

The new service is scheduled to begin in November of 2013. A total of 26 departures are planned for the season.

The inaugural cruise is an unprecedented sailing aboard the Caribbean Princess to support U.S. veterans. The historic cruise, which will sail between Nov. 5 and Nov. 9, is expected to raise $1 million for two U.S. veterans organizations, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) and Operation Homefront.

"We're pleased that Houston will be the home port for Caribbean Princess during her 2013-2014 season," said Jan Swartz, executive vice president. "We expect that the port's state-of-the-art facilities and convenient airport-close location will provide a great experience for our passengers embarking there."

The Port Authority’s agreement with Princess Cruises marks the first full contract with a cruise line to use the Bayport Cruise Terminal. Both Princess and the Port Authority project the cruise activity will have a significant positive impact on the economy of Harris County and the greater Houston area, including the cities of Houston and Pasadena. Smaller cities near the cruise terminal are also expected to benefit.

“We are very pleased with the decision by Princess, as it helps us fulfill our commitment to build Bayport as a means of spurring job creation and economic development for the entire Houston region,” Port Authority Chairman Jim Edmonds said.

Economic activity from a single cruise line is expected to generate $50 million annually, according to the firm Martin Associates, including local purchases of $3.6 million. Over a four-year period, this is expected to result in a $200 million dollar economic impact to the greater Houston region over the four year period.

A total of 222 jobs will be touched, including the creation of almost 100 new jobs. An estimated $941,000 annually in state and local taxes is anticipated.

When it began sailing in 2004, Caribbean Princess introduced Movies Under the Stars, a giant poolside movie theater featuring first run movies, concerts and sporting events, Onboard, passengers can also enjoy a variety of street performing acts in the Italian-inspired Piazza, indulge in a soothing massage from an outdoor cabana at The Sanctuary, or savor a premium steak cooked to order in the Crown Grill.

Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company taking more than 1.3 million passengers each year to more than 300 worldwide destinations on six continents. Princess currently operates a fleet of 16 ships, with two more under construction.

Princess Cruises has been named by cruise industry travel agents as having the “best cruise line itineraries.”

The Bayport Cruise Terminal, which was fully completed in 2011, is located in Pasadena, Texas, which is outside of Houston.

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Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Jewel to Sail Seasonally from Houston in 2013

Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Jewel to Sail Seasonally from Houston Texas

Norwegian Cruise Line and the Port of Houston Authority announced today that they have reached an agreement for Norwegian to sail seasonally from Houston for three years, totaling 75 calls, with an option to extend for up to two years.  Beginning in the fall of 2014, Norwegian will bring the 2,374-passenger Norwegian Jewel to Houston to sail seven-day Western Caribbean cruises. The line’s return to Houston marks the first time Norwegian has had a ship sailing from the city since Norwegian Dream in 2007.  Economic activity from the cruise line each season is expected to generate $50 million* annually, including local purchases of $3.6 million. A total of 222 jobs will be touched, including the creation of almost 100 new jobs. An estimated $941,000 in state and local taxes is anticipated.

“With the growth of our capacity from the upcoming additions of our two new ships -- Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, we can expand our existing fleet into new homeports,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer.   “We listened to the feedback from our travel partners and guests who have been requesting our return to Houston. We are also going back in a big way by sending one of our Jewel-class Freestyle Cruising ships to their very impressive new cruise terminal.”

“The Port of Houston Authority is elated that Norwegian Cruise Line has agreed to return to Houston and sail from its state-of-the-art cruise facility located in Pasadena, Texas,” said James T. Edmonds, Chairman of the Port of Houston Authority Commission. “Norwegian’s presence plays a critical role in Port-related activity, as well as the greater Houston’s tourism industry. We eagerly anticipate Norwegian’s Jewel’s arrival in 2014, when the Port of Houston celebrates its 100^th anniversary, and look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

The Bayport Cruise Terminal located in Pasadena, Texas is just outside of Houston is an exciting home port city for cruise travelers looking for efficient and world-class services before and after their cruise.  It is conveniently accessible to both major Houston airports.  The 96,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility combines visual appeal, passenger convenience, accessibility and innovative security systems. Passenger access from parking and drop-off areas is immediately adjacent to the front of the terminal. Covered walkways connect the building to bus and private passenger drop-offs and taxi stands. Once inside the terminal, passengers’ first-class experience continues in the expansive great area. The cruise terminal’s proximity to fine restaurants and hotels make it an ideal point of disembarkation.

The 93,500 gross-ton Norwegian Jewel offers an array of incredible accommodations including The Haven, Norwegian’s exclusive and luxurious suite accommodations, featuring the largest suites at sea – the 5,000 square foot, three-bedroom Garden Villas. The Haven also includes 10 Courtyard Villas that share a private courtyard, complete with swimming pool, whirlpool and a gym.  These villas also have access to a private sundeck with large two-person sun beds and hammocks.  Positioned high atop the ship, the villas boast incredible ocean views, and impressive amenities, typically found at five-star land-based resorts, including butler and concierge service.
Guests will also enjoy the beautiful views from comfortable mini-suite and balcony staterooms, in addition to an array of well-appointed ocean view and inside staterooms.

Vacationers sailing from Houston will also love all of Norwegian Jewel’s 14 delectable dining options including French, Asian, American, Norwegian’s signature steak house, Cagney’s; and the line’s newest restaurant, Moderno Churasscaria, a Brazilian-style steakhouse. 

As far as activities and entertainment go, Norwegian Jewel has it all. During the day, guests can lounge around the swimming pools or relax in one of four hot tubs, try their luck in the casino; grab at drink at one of the 10 bars and lounges; get pampered in the full-service spa and salon; work off the delicious food in the fitness center offering state-of-the-art exercise equipment or marvel at world-class entertainment.

Families will delight in the exclusive Nickelodeon programming found on board. Activities include breakfast with the characters, where kids – and adults – can eat, sing and play with SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Patrick, Diego and more; Dora’s Dance Party, where kids can join Dora and the Nickelodeon cast to dance and sing along; meet and greets with popular Nickelodeon characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and many more. There are also other family activities offered, including Nick Jr. story time, family trivia and special arts and crafts sessions.

Kid’s will also have a blast in the line’s new kid’s program, Splash Academy (ages 2 - 12), and teens program, Entourage (ages 13 - 17), supervised by high-qualified and trained youth counselors.  Both Splash Academy and Entourage feature a different theme every day. Whether it’s ocean-related, pirates, space cowboys, jungle fever or circus, every day offers a new surprise tailored to the individual age groups.

Read a review on the Norwegian Jewel

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