Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd has signed an agreement with the Port of Galveston to build a third cruise terminal at the Gulf port.
A memorandum of understanding was signed for a new $85 million terminal with the cruise line awarded an initial 20-year lease, and options for further 10-year extensions.
Port management could approve the development by early 2019.
Port director Rodger Rees says would likely open in 2021.
"Galveston is on course for being a global destination for cruising and we are thankful for partners like Royal Caribbean," Rees posted on Facebook.
Royal Caribbean will fund costs for the terminal, measuring about 200,000 feet, and car parking.
The cruise line has attracted 2.4 million cruisers to Galveston in the past 15 years and the new terminal will help to increase cruise traffic by one million over a decade.
Royal Caribbean deploys two ships out of Galveston – Liberty of the Seas and Vision of the Seas.
Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line ships also offer Galveston cruises.
