KTRK Houston
GALVESTON, TX -- The first of several new cruise ships makes its maiden voyage from Galveston Island today. The southeast Texas economy could use some magic from the Carnival Magic.
This is significant because Carnival's 'Magic' is the largest cruise ship based here at the port of Galveston year round.
The 3,690 passenger ship will operate seven-day Caribbean cruises from Galveston beginning today. Last month, the 2,758 passenger Carnival ship 'Triumph' moved from New Orleans to Galveston to operate year-round as well. The destination is also the Caribbean.
What this means for Galveston is revenue. The two ships represent the largest-ever capacity commitment by a cruise line to Texas. Carnival expects to carry more than 450,000 guests annually from Galveston, a 28 percent increase over the current year.
In a down economy, cruises tend to do well with people looking for a way to vacation at destinations they may not otherwise be able to afford.
The ship weighs in at an impressive 130,000 tons. At least $12 million in improvements were made to the Texas Cruise Ship Terminal on Pier 25 to accommodate it. It is expected to bring in $10 million or more in direct economic benefit to Galveston's tourism industry in 2012.
The cruise industry represents $34 million annually here in the Galveston area so businesses are excited to have another source of tourists.
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