Royal Caribbean expands in Texas, Eyes major growth in the Gulf Coast cruise market

Royal Caribbean Group is setting its sights on Texas as a high-potential market for growth, according to CEO Jason Liberty in the company’s third-quarter earnings call.

Liberty highlighted Texas as a major opportunity, noting that while the state’s cruise market is larger than Florida’s, it has only half the penetration rate.

To capitalize on this untapped potential, Royal Caribbean has made significant investments in the region. The company opened a state-of-the-art terminal in Galveston in 2022, designed to accommodate its largest ships, including the Oasis and Icon classes.

This new terminal is seen as a cornerstone of Royal Caribbean’s Gulf Coast strategy, enabling efficient service for high-capacity vessels and positioning Texas as a premier departure point for short Caribbean cruises.

Royal Caribbean’s plans for the region don’t stop at the terminal. Upcoming projects include the Royal Beach Club in Cozumel and a larger-scale development called Perfect Day Mexico.