Cruise ships are set to return to Buffalo with the launch of a new outer harbor terminal, marked by recently released renderings from the governor’s office. This terminal will be installed at the Slip 2 site on Fuhrmann Boulevard, the former location of the Pier Restaurant which was demolished in 2007.
Construction is expected to commence in July 2026, with a grand opening scheduled for the summer of 2028. In the interim, the city will welcome its first cruise ship at a temporary docking site near the Erie Basin Marina next week.
Governor Kathy Hochul noted, “Buffalo’s waterfront is no longer a relic of our industrial past, but a premier gateway to the Great Lakes and a powerhouse for Western New York’s tourism economy…With this investment, we will welcome the world and provide visitors with new ways to experience the Queen City of the Great Lakes.”
The new terminal aims to facilitate both domestic and international travel, offering essential services such as customs inspections and public restroom facilities. Planned site improvements include:
- Upgrades to seawall shoring
- Site remediation
- Enhanced public access, including a multi-use path, promenade, and sunset point with seating
- Landscaping, drainage, lighting, and a small parking lot
Cruise lines have traditionally bypassed Buffalo while traveling between Toronto and Cleveland. However, a study conducted in 2024 assessed the potential for Buffalo to become a cruise destination, exploring six waterfront locations for operational viability.
Notably, Victory Cruise Lines, Inc. has committed to bringing its 200-passenger ships to Buffalo in 2027, while American Cruise Lines plans to introduce a new 14-day route from Buffalo to Milwaukee starting this summer.
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