Carnival Cruise Line Celebrates Grand Reopening of Expanded Terminal

Carnival Cruise Line celebrated its official grand reopening of the Long Beach Cruise Terminal renovation and expansion on Saturday.

Carnival had previously used only half the geodesic dome, once home to the storied Spruce Goose, but is now using the entirety of the space with the expansion. The renovation began in April 2017 to expand the cruise line’s usage of the space from 67,000 square feet to 146,000 square feet.

“We wanted to change the way that we sell the experience of the cruising to our guests and for more perspective, we wanted that experience to start the moment you walk through that door,” said Carnival Vice President Carlos Torres de Navarra during the event.

“It became apparent that they needed more than just half the dome and it’s just wonderful that all the entities involved with the city worked together with Carlos and with Carnival to make this happen,” said President and CEO of the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau Steve Goodling at the grand reopening.

The company has had issues with operating what was a one-way terminal in the past. The first thing they did was take the previously unused section of the dome to create a larger footprint for baggage. They also added an embarking and debarking ramp for guests.

“We believe there is potential that is intact in this market and part of the development you see here is because we believe Long Beach and the surrounding area have a lot to offer,” said Carnival President Christine Duffy during the event. “Having great terminal facilities is important to be able to embark and debark guests at the same time, to be able to have a better and more efficient processing for check-in.”