Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Cruises from Galveston, Texas: Gateway to Diverse Adventures

cruise galveston texas

In the competition for business, these hotels look to provide guests with perks to attract those about to take a cruise. Cruise Terminal 28 (Formerly Terminal 2)Cruise Terminal 28 was the home to Royal Caribbean ships before they moved to the new terminal. If you’re walking to the terminal, it’s a bit farther than Terminal 25, but if you are taking a shuttle, they will drop you off right at the entrance. That proximity to so many people makes it easy to see why Galveston has blossomed into the largest cruise port outside of Florida.

Discover a Range of Cruise Options

There are also private car options available that can give you a ride for a bit more money, but offer direct service and can even make any stops you’d like. Cruise Terminal 25 (Formerly Terminal 1)Cruise Terminal 25 is the eastern terminal when facing the port. It’s right across the street from a number of parking options, making it extremely convenient to get to and from the ship on cruise day. And while the cruise port in Galveston may not be the biggest (that title goes to Miami), cruising from the island seems to get bigger every season. Now with three cruise terminals, more than a million passengers sail from Galveston in a year.

cruise galveston texas

Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America

Cruise ships out of Galveston, Texas - KHOU.com

Cruise ships out of Galveston, Texas.

Posted: Thu, 14 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

It caters heavily to first-time cruisers, as well as Texas locals and Southerners who can book on short notice and drive to the port for a quickie escape. Inside Allure of the Seas, you'll find all sorts of family attractions, including counselor-staffed play areas for kids, a teen club and an indoor ice skating rink. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Parking is available at the cruise terminal and will run about $10 a day.

Best for Disney fans: Disney Magic

Hands down, the 3,215-passenger ship offers the best Galveston cruises for luxury lovers. Interior venues on Carnival Breeze include a comedy club, piano bar, casino and showroom for big production shows. The dining options are similar to what you'll find on many Carnival ships, including an extra-charge steakhouse and Italian eatery, Cucina Del Capitano, as well as no-extra-charge main restaurants.

Explore Galveston’s Varied Cruise Options

Nestled along the Gulf of Mexico, the Port of Galveston is a bustling hub for cruise enthusiasts. With its convenient location just 50 miles southeast of Houston, it's no wonder that many travelers choose to embark on their Bahama adventure from this vibrant port. For instance, we recently sailed from Galveston and foggy weather made us arrive late (9 a.m.) to the port. Then it took another hour before people started to get off the ship. 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.

Caribbean cruises

You can read more and get all the details on our Galveston port transportation page. One thing to know is that a number of hotels in the area offer parking at their hotel while you cruise. So stay a night, and you can leave your car there for little or no cost. If you’re driving into the port and plan to stay the night, it’s hard to beat this deal. Click here to see our list of Galveston hotels with cruise parking. As we’ve mentioned, sailing from Galveston is easy and convenient if you live in the area.

Carnival Breeze, Cozumel Cruise from Galveston, April 3, 2025

Unwind along Galveston’s 50 kilometres of sun-drenched shoreline at one of the many county beach parks lining the Gulf of Mexico. Galveston Island State Park offers quiet seclusion and Stewart Beach is a great family-friendly option, while East Beach is a popular gathering space for livelier beach crowds. Galveston cruises often range from 6-9 nights providing cruisers with a variety of different entertainment and dining options. Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. Join our Princess fleet to sail on some of the best cruises from Galveston. Find the comforts of home along with the luxuries you deserve on board any of our ships.

MSC Cruises finalizes agreement for Galveston terminal - Travel Weekly

MSC Cruises finalizes agreement for Galveston terminal.

Posted: Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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Galveston to Bolivar FerryWhile there is only one main road on/off Galveston (Interstate 45), there is a free ferry that runs back and forth between the Bolivar Peninsula and the island. It’s a fun thing to do as the ride takes only about 15 minutes and gives great views of the bay. There aren’t a ton of hotels right at the port (but there are a few).

Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels

Sailing from Galveston offers a convenient range of cruise-friendly hotels, some of which provide parking or shuttle services to the cruise port. Whether you opt for complimentary shuttles or those with a nominal fee, these accommodations ensure a hassle-free transition to your cruise adventure. While in Galveston, explore attractions like the historic Pleasure Pier and Moody Gardens, or relax on our scenic beaches. Don't miss the chance to visit The Bryan Museum for a dose of Texan history, making your Galveston stay an enjoyable prelude to your cruise getaway. Official Port ParkingThe Port of Galveston operates ample parking that’s near the cruise terminals.

The ship stops at Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. Embark on an unforgettable cruise from the port of Galveston and immerse yourself in the rich history, stunning beaches, and Victorian charm that this remarkable destination has to offer. Princess® returns to Galveston, sailing once again from this city tucked within a quaint Gulf Coast barrier island.

cruise galveston texas

For cruisers flying in, shuttles pick up and drop off at both airports. These longer itineraries expand your horizons to include the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, as well as the captivating Panama Canal. From brief getaways to extended adventures, our cruise options cater to diverse tastes.

Situated near Houston, Galveston enjoys diverse weather patterns, crucial for planning your cruise. This guide helps you navigate the seasonal variations, ensuring your Western Caribbean cruise is as sunny or as cool as you desire. SchlitterbahnThe famous Texas waterpark with several locations around the state has a park in Galveston. Here you can relax on a lazy river, get extreme on tons of different slides, and even surf a standing wave. There are also a number of options for all ages so whether you have a toddler or a teenager, they will find a lot to do at Schlitterbahn Galveston.

Galveston’s cruises take you to a world where every port has a story to tell. The rich cultures of Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and the Bahamas await, alongside the rhythmic pulse of Jamaica and the luxurious touch of the Cayman Islands. One thing to note is that Galveston has moved to facial recognition, meaning you simply take a photo that’s verified instead of having to meet with an agent (if you have a passport). In some cases, we’ve debarked and barely had to stop before making our way out the terminal. From there, you enter the terminal and check your boarding documents with the cruise staff. Once they ensure you’re in the right spot, you’ll head through security.

As one of the oldest ports on the Gulf Coast, Galveston stands out with its rich history and convenient location. The city, situated on the picturesque Galveston Island, serves as the lone homeport in Texas for major cruise lines, making it a central point for embarkation on your next sea adventure. Home to some of the most well-known cruise lines, the Port of Galveston offers a range of choices for travelers. As is the case with all Princess ships, it's more of a ship geared toward middle-aged and older travelers without kids, including lots of retirees. Large wall signs with area maps have also been hung around the facade of the terminal building; codes on the maps are able to be scanned with cell phone applications for easy navigation of the city.

The George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is about 70 miles (roughly 1.5 hours) from Galveston. Hobby Airport (HOU) is closer at about 40 miles (45 minutes to an hour), but there are generally fewer flight options to and from Hobby.

These lots typically offer cheaper rates than the official port parking, while sometimes being even closer than the port’s parking. One of the best things about cruising from Galveston is that parking is easy, (relatively) cheap, and convenient. The area around the port offers ample parking, with official Port of Galveston parking lots competing alongside independent lots. Cruise Terminal 10With the size and growth of the Port of Galveston, it was only a matter of time until another terminal was built to accommodate more ships and passengers. Cruise Terminal 10 (complete guide here) is the new home to Royal Caribbean and has the ability to handle its largest Oasis-class ships. The terminal sits east of the current facilities, costing more than $130 million to build.

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