As demand for cruise vacations continues to swell, multiple cruise lines are zeroing in on regions along the U.S. Gulf Coast as high-potential markets for growth.
Royal Caribbean invested heavily into Galveston, Texas, opening a new terminal at the cruise port in 2022 that can accommodate its largest cruise ships. The cruise line is adding more short Western Caribbean cruises from the port and developing new Royal Beach Club and Perfect Day private destination experiences in Mexico to support its Gulf Coast growth.
Related: US shares serious travel advisories for 2 Mexico cruise ports
Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises have also set their sights on expanding in Galveston. Both cruise lines will soon sail from a brand-new Galveston cruise terminal that’s opening in November 2025. The new terminal will allow MSC to sail its first cruises from Galveston while Norwegian Cruise Line increases its offerings from the port.
Another Gulf Coast cruise port, Port NOLA, is booming too. The New Orleans cruise port reported in October that it was on track for a record number of cruise passenger movements in 2024.
Now, a smaller Gulf Coast cruise port is gearing up for its chance to grow.
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Image source: Dan Kline/Come Cruise With Me
Mobile cruise port working to increase cruise capacity
Mobile, Alabama city leaders are working on a plan to expand the parking capacity at its cruise terminal in hopes of attracting a second cruise line to sail from the port in the future. The cruise terminal currently has 500 parking spaces and an additional 750 are needed to accommodate a second cruise ship.
Currently, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Spirit is the only cruise ship that sails from the Port of Mobile. Sailing seasonally, the ship offers mostly 6-8 day cruise itineraries to the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean.
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According to local news outlets in Mobile, city leaders say demand has been high for Carnival Spirit’s cruises, and they’ve been working to secure another cruise ship to fill the vacancy when the ship is not sailing from the port.
The city has reportedly been in talks with both Norwegian Cruise Line and Margaritaville at Sea about the possibility of bringing a ship to Mobile. City officials believe the cruise port parking expansion project will help them achieve their goal.
Margaritaville at Sea could be a good fit for Mobile
After launching its second cruise ship from Florida’s Gulf Coast cruise port, Port Tampa Bay, in summer 2024, Jimmy Buffett’s cruise line Margaritaville at Sea could find Mobile to be a fitting home for the line's third ship.
The late music legend grew up in Mobile and the city celebrated his life and music, and colorful Gulf Coast culture, with the inaugural Son of a Sailor (S.O.S.) Festival in September. Hundreds of “Parrotheads” flocked to the free festival in downtown Mobile. If the city is successful in attracting Margaritaville at Sea to its cruise port, perhaps the festival could expand to include a Son of a Sailor cruise in the future.
Related: Margaritaville at Sea expands its cruise offerings from Florida port
Margaritaville at Sea, which launched in 2022, brings Jimmy Buffett’s spirit to cruising, encouraging passengers to leave their worries behind and get into the island state of mind. With nautical details, island-inspired dining options and drinks, and a fun, laid-back atmosphere, Margaritaville cruises are all about embracing the relaxed, sense of freedom Buffett celebrated in his songs.
The cruise line’s maiden vessel, the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, offers trips from West Palm Beach, Florida to the Bahamas.
In June 2024, the cruise line’s second ship, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander, set sail from Port Tampa Bay. The Islander offers four- to seven-night cruises to Key West, Aruba, Curaçao, Montego Bay, Mexico, and New Orleans. In 2025, the ship will also introduce its first 10-day voyage, featuring stops at Grand Cayman, Aruba, Curaçao, and Ocho Rios.
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