Best Cruises Out of Galveston 8 Ships Through 2025

Table Of Content

• Hotel Reward Programs
• Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Guide: Everything You Need to Know
• Carnival Jubilee Arrives in Galveston; First New Cruise Ship to Call Texas Home
• What cruise trip options do I have from Galveston?
• Major Differences Between Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line
• Cruising from Galveston
• Book your OFFICIAL Port of Galveston Cruise Parking Now

Lucky for you, there are plenty of pros to consider whencruising from the Port of Galveston. The island holds a lot of history andoffers guests everything they could want from easy parking, attractions,beaches, dining opportunities, shopping, and lodging. The 2013 Royal-class ship is the 2nd of its class and offers 20 sailings during it’s homeport in Texas. This is especially true when visiting any foreign ports of call like Mexico or Grand Cayman.

Hotel Reward Programs

Galveston Island sits as a barrier island just off of Texas, attached to the mainland by Interstate 45. If you’re coming from the Houston area, you’ll approach over a short causeway that will bring you just a few miles from the port. Those coming from the east normally take the free ferry between Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula.

Port of Galveston welcoming new ships, cruise lines and eyeing more record-breaking growth in 2024 - San Antonio Express-News

Port of Galveston welcoming new ships, cruise lines and eyeing more record-breaking growth in 2024.

Posted: Mon, 25 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Guide: Everything You Need to Know

The debarkation process actually starts the night before your cruise ends. At that time you will set any large bags you don’t want to carry with you off the ship in the hallway outside your cabin. The crew will pick the bags and they will be transported to the terminal for you to pick up after debarking the ship.

Carnival Jubilee Arrives in Galveston; First New Cruise Ship to Call Texas Home

Additionally, Disney Magic sails four- to seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Texas. Cruise lovers within reach of the Lone Star State have a lot to celebrate. The following guide will brief you on everything you need to know about getting to and sailing from the very special Port of Galveston. SchlitterbahnThe famous Texas waterpark with several locations around the state has a park in Galveston.

Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels

The port says it expects more than 1 million cruise passengers in 2023, which would break the previous record from 2019. Those passengers will come from 362 sailings during the year, or roughly an average of one cruise ship a day. Its arrival marks a major milestone for the Port of Galveston and Texas cruising. In just over 20 years (less than the life of a cruise ship) the port has gone from being a sleepy departure point to the largest cruise port outside of Florida and the fourth-busiest in the nation.

Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises all sail from Galveston. In recent years, more ships have been deployed to Texas, including brand-new and popular vessels. To drop off passengers or pick up, head into the port entrance at the intersection of 22nd Street and Harborside Drive. From there, it’s as simple as following the signs to the correct area for passengers to get out. If traveling with a larger group, then these options can be cheaper as they charge by the car while shuttles charge per person. We have all the details on the major modes of transportation on our port transportation page.

Major Differences Between Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line

I cruised Royal Caribbean from Galveston for the first time. Here's what a cruise from Texas is like. - Royal Caribbean Blog

I cruised Royal Caribbean from Galveston for the first time. Here's what a cruise from Texas is like..

Posted: Mon, 09 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Leaving plenty of time before your flight will help you from feeling rushed to get to the airport. The ferry runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but the line can be backed up during the busy summer months. If you’d like to ride, simply park in the lot next to the ferry and walk aboard instead of driving.

One popular itinerary is the Western Caribbean cruise, where you can soak up the sun on pristine beaches in Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Dive into crystal-clear waters alongside vibrant marine life or explore ancient Mayan ruins for a cultural experience like no other. Come ready and raring for Texas-sized Gulf Coast adventure with cruises to Mexico and the Western Caribbean with a Royal Caribbean cruise from Galveston Island. Just offshore from Galveston, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea becomes your playground. Visit exotic, sun-soaked destinations such as Mexico, Belize, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas, and the Honduran island of Roatan. Outside of The Haven, the entire ship has a more elegant feel than you'll find on other Norwegian ships.

Taxi fares are USD 100 from George Bush Intercontinental and USD 75 from Hobby Airport. In 2016, it generated US$58,4M in local passenger spending, plus US$19,1M in port-provided services. According to the Port's statistical data, Texas receives from cruise ship operations ~USD 1,42 billion per year (direct spending).

At around 130,000 tons, it's about 29% smaller than Carnival's newer Excel-class ships and has fewer venues, from bars and restaurants to entertainment spaces. If either of those two attractions is a must-have for your next cruise out of Galveston, you'll want to book the Harmony of the Seas sailings that start in November. Harmony of the Seas will operate the same itinerary as Allure of the Seas does now.

Experience all this and cruise out of Galveston with Travel Weekly’s Best Cruise Line Overall 19 years running. But even with those few cons in place, Galveston is a greatplace to visit if you can work out your transportation. The good news is, with the Seawall in place now (which tookabout 60 years to build to completion), any damage from future hurricanes isgoing to be minimal. We recommend not visiting during the winter or high rainyseasons, as those will be prime times for hurricanes or similar storms to form.

On February 7, 2024, Galveston Wharves and MSC finalized the operating agreement for the new terminal complex. Starting in November 2025, in Galveston MSC inaugurates homeporting operations with the ship MSC Seascape. The construction works on "Terminal 3" were planned to start in April 2020, with scheduled completion in November 2021. However, due to the COVID crisis, in early-March RCG requested a 1-year extension for the construction's start (rescheduled for April 1, 2021). The initial plans included in 2021 here to be homeported Allure OTS (starting November 10th), but the ship's homeporting was rescheduled for Nov 2022.