Carnival Cruise Line has made an agreement with the City of Long Beach, California to upgrade the cruise terminal facility. The terminal will be expanded to 142,000 square feet which is almost triple the current size.
The Long Beach terminal will be upgraded to cater for larger ships and more passengers. Since 2003 the cruise line has been operating out of the terminal and that will continue while upgrades begin on an improved facility. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2017.
Carnival has also been given permission to use the Geodesic Dome as part of the new facility. The dome would provide much need space for two-way operations and increased passenger numbers.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line said:
“For years we have been working toward reaching an agreement to expand the Long Beach Cruise Terminal to accommodate larger ships on the West Coast, and we’re thrilled to finally be able to move forward with our plans to assume full usage of the Dome, making Long Beach one of our largest homeport facilities.”
“We would like to thank the City of Long Beach and Urban Commons for their efforts in facilitating this expansion that will ultimately enhance the guest experience and build upon our leadership position as the number one cruise operator from the West Coast.”
Plans also include expansion of portside cold-ironing capacity to accommodate larger vessels. The technology enables cruise ships to plug into the local electric grid and reduce exhaust emissions while docked. In addition, Carnival is working with Urban Commons on enhancements to the area surrounding the dome and the adjacent Queen Mary attraction, as well as ways to expand parking capacity to accommodate future growth.
Currently, the recently enhanced Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Imagination operate year-round 3Â and 4-day Baja cruises from Long Beach while Carnival Miracle sails seven-day voyages to the Mexican Riviera and 14- and 15-day cruises to Hawaii and Alaska round-trip from Long Beach.
