A colossal cruise ship, among the largest in the world, is truly making its way to Texas this time.

It's confirmed: by the end of 2022, Texas will host one of the largest cruise ships globally.

On Wednesday, Royal Caribbean announced that the much-anticipated arrival of the 5,484-passenger Allure of the Seas to Galveston, Texas, is back on schedule for November 2022 after a year-long postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initially, the enormous ship was meant to arrive in Texas this year, but its debut was pushed back when plans for a $100 million ship terminal in Galveston were halted due to the pandemic. Construction on the terminal is now expected to start in the coming months and be completed by fall 2022.

This terminal will be the sole facility at the Port of Galveston equipped to accommodate a vessel as large as the Allure of the Seas.

Weighing in at 225,282 tons, Allure of the Seas ranks as the fourth-largest cruise ship globally. Launched in 2010, it is one of Royal Caribbean's four massive Oasis Class ships, each over 20% larger than any other cruise vessels currently in operation. This series includes the newly introduced Symphony of the Seas, the reigning champion of size in the cruise industry.

The debut of Allure of the Seas in Texas marks a significant milestone for cruising from the state. This 18-deck, 1,187-foot-long ship is over 40% larger than the previous record-holder that operated out of Galveston, Royal Caribbean's 3,798-passenger Liberty of the Seas.

Previously, Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class vessels primarily departed from major Florida cruise ports like PortMiami and Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades, along with select European ports.

According to Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley, the construction of the new terminal at the Port of Galveston, along with the arrival of Allure of the Seas, is expected to boost passenger capacity for ships leaving Galveston by 50%.

Prior to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, which effectively halted cruising in early 2020, the cruise industry in Galveston was thriving. In 2019, over 1 million cruise passengers traveled through the Port of Galveston, a significant increase from 641,650 just five years prior. During this same period, cruise ship visits soared from 181 to almost 300, making the port the fourth-busiest in the United States, following PortMiami, Port Everglades, and Port Canaveral in Florida.

The new terminal at the Port of Galveston will be constructed by Royal Caribbean's parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, although they will not own the facility. Instead, Royal Caribbean will lease the site for an initial 20-year period, which can be renewed. This state-of-the-art terminal will span two stories and 170,000 square feet, featuring advanced technologies like mobile check-in and facial recognition to streamline the arrival process for passengers.

Catering to vacationers who enjoy expansive, vibrant megaresorts, the Oasis Class ships are filled with more top-deck attractions, interior lounges, bars, restaurants, and show venues than any other cruise ship in existence.

Like its sister ships, Allure of the Seas includes three main pool zones, an exclusive outdoor lounge for adults, an outdoor "aquatheater" for diving performances, an ice skating rink, two rock-climbing walls, a basketball court, a sprawling spa, and a promenade that resembles a shopping mall, complete with shops, bars, and dining options. Additionally, there’s a beautiful, open-air area named Central Park featuring more restaurants, upscale shops, and bars, along with one of the largest show venues at sea.

Similar to other Royal Caribbean vessels, Allure of the Seas is currently not in operation due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, once cruising resumes, it is slated to sail to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Port Canaveral during the summer. In November, it will relocate to Port Everglades for the winter season before heading to Europe in the summer of 2022.

Upon arriving in Galveston, Allure of the Seas will offer week-long Western Caribbean itineraries that include stops at Roatan in Honduras, as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico.