Transforming a Storage Yard into Port of Galveston’s Cutting-Edge Cruise Terminal
Enhanced Terminal Operations
Converted a former cargo storage yard into an innovative and modern cruise terminal with enhanced amenities and multimodal access, helping develop the Port of Galveston into a premier cruise destination in Texas
Multidisciplinary Civil Services
Provided a variety of civil engineering and permitting services—including schematic design, construction documentation, and the development of at-grade, non-structural concrete, and asphalt paving—to meet the operational needs of the terminal
Supporting Sustainability
Designed the canopy and helped organize the civil engineering components for LEED, thereby supporting the cruise terminal’s status as the first LEED Zero Energy facility in the world
Royal Caribbean’s ambitious project at the Port of Galveston, Texas, transformed a former roll-on and roll-off cargo storage yard into the new home of its Oasis-class ship, Allure of the Seas. Unveiled in 2022, the state-of-the-art facility—officially named Terminal 3—marks a significant expansion of Royal Caribbean’s footprint in Texas and offers a vibrant gateway for Caribbean-bound travelers. Kimley-Horn supported the project by providing civil engineering services that brought this vision to life.
Project Recognition
- Featured in Visit Galveston “New Royal Caribbean Terminal Virtual Tour”
- Featured in Cruise Critic “Royal Caribbean Inaugurates New Cruise Terminal in Galveston”
Integrated Civil Engineering for Galveston’s Terminal 3
In coordination with Bermello Ajamil & Partners, our team performed a variety of critical civil engineering services to develop Terminal 3, including:
- Schematic design
- Design of the site around the building, including employee parking, drop-off areas, utilities, and loading zones
- Preparation of construction documents
- Permitting
- Construction phase services and coordination
- Site civil plans
The team also ensured that the proposed civil infrastructure aligned seamlessly with regulatory requirements and the operational needs of the terminal. While the project advanced to construction, we continued to serve as a trusted consultant, providing our expertise by attending construction meetings and site visits as well as reviewing shop and record drawings.
Looking to the Port of Galveston’s Future
Not only is Terminal 3’s design expanding its tourism capabilities, it is Royal Caribbean’s first zero-energy terminal and the first LEED Zero Energy facility in the world.
With a site designed to efficiently accommodate more than 4,000 passengers embarking and disembarking using various modes of transportation, the new terminal enhances the Port’s capabilities and helps further establish Galveston as a leading cruise destination in the Lone Star state.
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