Savannah moves forward on cruise ship terminal idea

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By Don Logana - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC/WCSC) - Charleston expects to cash in on their cruise terminal this coming year to the tune of $40 million.

Savannah city leaders hope a cruise line in the hostess city will do the same thing. The news of Charleston's expected cash surge has whet the City of Savannah's appetite for a cruise ship.

Last year, Charleston entered the cruise ship business. Three months in, local stores and businesses are seeing a positive impact.

"The people that are coming in they're telling us about their cruise ride and interested about seeing the coast line," one business owner said.

"The ships buy services here locally. They buy flowers, groceries and all sorts of things that support it," Byron Miller South Carolina Port Authority, said.

Miller has no regrets about bringing the cruise industry into Charleston. The numbers back up the decision.

In 2010, Charleston expects cruises to bring in $37 million to the local economy, 400 plus jobs, more than $16 million in salaries and wages and $3.5 million in state sales and income taxes.

"This is the type of data that supports the devolopment of a cruise ship terminal in Savannah," Tony Thomas, Savannah City Council, told WTOC.

Alderman Thomas says a task force set up to explore the cruise ship idea is moving fast, a feasibility study is close to being funded and officials have already met with the governor, state and county leaders, plus the Georgia Port Authority.

Thomas says all have given the green light to the idea.

"When you look at hundreds of jobs being created and millions and millions of dollars in economic development, you can't ask for anything more," Thomas said.

The task force has already looked at a number of possible cruise ship terminal locations in the area, including the Savannah River.

"There are several locations it may work at. We got to look at and see which is the absolute best and doesn't hamper the ports day to day operations, but is the best hand in glove fit for the city," he said. "There is absolutely no reason we can't be doing this in Savannah."

Thomas says if you still don't buy the idea, just look at Charleston and ask someone.

"It's really a win win win for everybody, the cruise business our neighbors and the economy," Miller said.

While Savannah continues exploring the idea, this year, 53 cruises will embark from Charleston while 16 other cruises will make ports of call in the city. Beginning this spring, Carnival Cruise Lines will permanently base its 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy in Charleston.