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Royal Caribbean planning to base the region’s largest cruise vessel at the new Bayonne facility beginning in 2014
The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey Board of Commissioners has approved plans by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to build a new cruise terminal building at the Port Authority-owned marine terminal facility in Bayonne.
As part of its expansion plans, Royal Caribbean also agreed to base its new Quantum of the Seas vessel, the largest cruise ship serving the New York-New Jersey region, at Bayonne beginning in 2014. The new vessel, which can accommodate up to 4,180 passengers, will sail to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida and Bermuda.
The Port Authority acquired the Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal in June 2010 as part of its purchase of the 131-acre portion of the former Military Ocean Terminal at Bayonne.
As part of the agreement allowing construction of the cruise terminal building, the port authority agreed to extend Royal Caribbean’s operating agreement for the terminal for an additional five years through 2043.
“The cruise industry is one of this region’s most rapidly growing markets, and this private sector investment will enhance our ability to generate significant revenues from the waterfront property we own,” said Port Authority chairman, David Samson.
“With the region’s largest vessel scheduled to dock at this port facility, we will be able to grow the jobs and economic activity that the cruise business has generated for this region for many decades.”
The new US$70 million cruise terminal building, paid for by Royal Caribbean, includes a 36,000-square-foot check-in terminal, a 60,000-square-foot luggage area, a parking deck, additional parking and berth improvements.
Construction is scheduled to begin this summer and be completed by October 2014.
