Royal Caribbean Cruises, the parent company of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, has signed a deal with Ravenna Port Authority to build and operate a new cruise terminal in the city.

The new cruise terminal in Porto Corsini is part of a major revitalization of the cruise facilities and waterfront in the quaint seaside town.

Ravenna main square Piazza del Popolo, Italy

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The agreement concludes a proposal process that began in the summer of 2020, when Royal Caribbeanpresented a public-private partnership option to develop the Port of Ravenna, the cruise line said in a statement.

The new cruise terminal will be designed to integrate with the existing environment of the port, and willcomplement the Port Authority’s new Park of Dunes green space project.

The terminal project is expected to be completed by spring 2024 and is intended to position the port of Ravenna as a key homeport for cruise ships to begin and end their cruise itineraries and not just as a port of call.

When the terminal is fully operational, the total number of guests is expected to increase to over 300,000 per year, most of whom will begin and end their cruises in Ravenna.

With convenient access to the airports of Bologna, Forlì, Rimini and the iconic city of Venice, the territory is expected to see a significant economic boon with pre- and post-cruise visitors.

“The fact that an international cruise operator of such worldwide importance as Royal Caribbean Group, has decided to invest in our port is an important signal for the entire Ravenna area,” said Daniele Rossi, President of the Ravenna Port Authority.

Ravenna Cruise Terminal

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“The proposal presented takes into the greatest consideration the issue of environmental sustainability and is based on a very thorough analysis of the territorial context in which it will have to be inserted,” he added.

The new cruise terminal will showcase integrated landscaping, spanning 12 hectares, with public green spaces, pedestrian and cycling pathways, and entertainment areas for residents and visitors, all celebrating the surrounding natural coastal environment.

There are also plans for LEED certification focusing on water and energy efficiency, renewable energy production, recycling and waste management, and sustainable sourcing of materials.

In addition, shore power will be available on the docks to enable ships in port to turn off their engines. To support these efforts, the Port Authority has obtained 30 million euros in funding from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza, PNRR).