Royal Caribbean could bring one of the biggest cruise ships in the world to Texas.
Speaking at an event on the newly launched Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley was asked about plans for a ship like Star to sail from Galveston.
Mr. Bayley didn't confirm or announce any plans, but he certainly didn't dismiss the idea either.
A travel agent specifically asked, "when will an Icon class ship be arriving in Galveston, Texas."
Mr. Bayley quickly answered, "We're not going to answer that question. But I can tell you it's coming, baby."
The crowd erupted in applause.
As of now, the Icon Class ships are operating out of Florida. Icon of the Seas sails from Miami, Star from Port Canaveral, and Legend of the Seas will call Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) home when she begins cruising next year.
At 1,200 feet long and a gross tonnage of 250,800, the Icon Class ships are the biggest in the world. With 20 decks, she can accommodate 7,600 passengers (or 5,600 at double occupancy), plus another 2,350 crew members.
The ship is divided up into 8 neighborhoods and has six water slides, seven pools, and more than 40 places to dine, drink, and have a good time.
Ever since Icon of the Seas debuted, it's become a smash hit with both critics and consumers.
An Icon in Galveston: Inevitability?
Mr. Bayley's comment last week is one of many tips of the hat that strongly point to Royal Caribbean bringing an Icon Class ship to a Texas port.
At a similar event in January 2024, the same question was asked by a travel agent and once again, Mr. Bayley had an interesting response.
"It wasn't an accident that we built that 100 and whatever it was million dollar terminal in Galveston, Texas," he replied when asked about bringing a bigger ship there.
Royal Caribbean opened a brand new cruise terminal at Pier 10 that was designed to handle Oasis or Icon Class ships.
Later in the year, the Port of Galveston made a comment saying they could accommodate an Icon Class ship, "We can handle it" is what Port CEO Rodger Rees said in April 2024.
With Star of the Seas launched, there are at least two more Icon Class ships on order and the option to build an additional two more ships beyond that.
Galveston is also positioned right in the middle of Royal Caribbean's major plans.
The cruise line is on the precipice of building two major port projects in the Western Caribbean that are especially attractive to the Galveston cruise market.
Perfect Day Mexico will open in 2027 and be a crown jewel in Royal Caribbean's private destination lineup.
It adds a great deal of value and incentive to take Western Caribbean cruises since the repeat factor is substantially higher with a Perfect Day product there.
There's also a plan to build a beach club in Cozumel, a commonly visited cruise port located just north of where Perfect Day Mexico is going to be located.
Unlike Perfect Day, the beach club is an optional purchase offered exclusively to Royal Caribbean passengers. Think of it like an all-inclusive beach shore excursion that's run by Royal Caribbean.
And since cruises from Galveston are all but exclusive to the Western Caribbean, putting a big new ship in that market increases the return on investment for the company.
Executives haven't been shy about saying as much too.
"[Perfect Day Mexico] allows us to further grow the large and growing Gulf Coast area, including the Texas market, which...has a similar cruise consideration [to Florida] but only half the penetration," Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said in October 2024.
