This is a very exciting endeavor, particularly for the City of Pasadena as well as nearby La Porte and Deer Park. The ceremonial signing between the Port of Houston Authority and the CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line happened Wednesday morning.
The Norwegian is coming back to the Houston area after more than a decade. Local leaders are hoping this deal will re-energize the market and the Bayport Cruise Terminal. The agreement is a three year deal for now. It will bring in 200 jobs, half of which are new jobs. And with 75 committed sailings the dollars pumped into the local economy over three years are estimated to reach $150 million.
"We hope that your customers though will come in a day or two early and stay in our facilities, our hotels, go to our restaurants, go see the Battleship Texas, San Jacinto Monument and NASA. I mean, we have a lot to see around here. Houston has a lot to offer, too," said Pasadena Mayor Johnny Isbell.
Nearby attractions like the San Jacinto Monument, Space Center Houston and the Kemah Boardwalk all hope to benefit.
The Norwegian Jewel will offer 7-day sails to the western Caribbean. Cruises will begin in the fall of 2014.
Princess Cruise Lines is also going to sail out of Bayport.
Several 13 Undercover reports show how the terminal sat empty for several years after Harris County built the terminal for $106 million.
