Corpus Christi Port Commissioners voted earlier this week to move forward with a cruise ship feasibility study but some think that money could be put to better use.
This study will focus on how the Coastal Bend can make money off the cruise ship industry.
However, one travel expert says the study is a waste of money.
Stewart Chiron is the CEO of cruiseguy.com. He makes his living in the cruise ship industry, providing him unique knowledge of the operations of the industry.
Chiron maintains that Corpus Christi may not be the right fit for a cruise ship.
He classifies two types of ports. One is a “home port” which cruise ships originate from.
Others are “ports of call” which provide stopovers on a ship’s voyage.
“And Corpus Christi is just a little too close to Galveston, and the reality is that people that are going on cruises departing out of the United States want to visit a foreign port, ” Chiron said. “Which one? Any one.”
State Rep. Todd Hunter disagrees.
Hunter has been trying to bring the cruise ship industry to Corpus Christi for many years.
“I don’t think we’re too close to Galveston,” Hunter said. “The federal law is a cruise ship can only go out of Galveston and go back to Galveston or can leave Florida and stop there. Corpus Christi is under the same rule.”
Port of Corpus Christi CEO Sean Strawbridge thinks Corpus Christi would be a great stopover destination. Hunter says it would be a great full cruise destination spot.
But Chiron says, no chance.
“It’s just very important to be able to look at what are our options, as a home port? It’s zero,” Chiron said. “I mean that with all due respect.”
Hunter says the Port of Corpus Christi is feasible with a prime location for tourists from San Antonio, Austin and even Northen Mexico.
