Photo: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, 2025. Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal, Galveston.
Due to their size and the large number of passengers they house, boarding a cruise ship can take several hours. As cruises are usually boarded by deck and section, with luggage delivered to the room, cruise terminals need a waiting area that acts as a buffer. These areas are usually spacious and comfortable as they represent the first experience of the cruise.