The best cruises from Galveston for every type of traveler

Table Of Content

• Learn About Credit Cards
• MSC Cruises and Galveston Port signed terminal agreement for homeporting Seascape ship
• Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels
• CardMatch
• Cruise ship terminal directions and parking
• Port of Galveston Cruise Guide: Everything You Need to Know Pre-Cruise
• Galveston cruise port
• CCL christens its newest cruise ship Carnival Jubilee at Port Galveston Texas

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. If you plan to fly to Galveston, you will arrive at either Hobby Airport, HOU, or George Bush International Airport, IAH, you have to rent a car or take a cruise line shuttle. There is no public transportation to Galveston from the airports in Huston.

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The George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) are both commercial airports in Houston serving Galveston. There is no direct airlift to the island of Galveston, so cruisers outside of driving distance must fly via Houston. 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. Cruises on this ship start at just $649 per person as part of the sale. However, if you are traveling with a larger group (whose luggage fits in a standard car!), this option might work out to be more cost-effective than a shuttle. The closest major city to the Port of Galveston is Houston, which is about 50 miles northwest of the port, so if you must fly to Texas to board your trip, set your sights on a Houston-based airport.

MSC Cruises and Galveston Port signed terminal agreement for homeporting Seascape ship

If there are enough people to make splitting a rideshare service worth it (i.e., less than the cost of individual shuttle tickets), then that is your best bet. Bush-Intercontinental has a superior flight network but is further outside the city and is situated 70 miles (about 75 minutes) from the Port of Galveston. IAH is United Airlines’ second largest hub and offers nonstop travel to over 185 destinations across 28 airlines. Hobby serves as Southwest Airlines’ operating base, so almost all flight traffic out of HOU is operated by the Texan airline.

Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels

Here you can find mingle with locals as you admire distinct architecture and enjoy great eats. The Strand District is within walking distance of Terminals 25 and 28, but if you are at Terminal 10, you will want to take a rideshare or taxi to reach this area. Otherwise, the shuttles provide an affordable and easy way to get to your ship. Service departs from the Houston Station and the drop-off in Galveston is the Moody Railroad Museum (on 25th and Strand).

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In 2018, the Port's cruise shipping grew by 13%, resulting in USD 1,5 billion in direct expenditures and supported Texas jobs (with total wages USD 1,75 billion). Galveston is Texas State's only homeport and was accounted for 6,3% of the USA's cruise industry overall spending, 6,2% of the industry's total employment impact, 7,6% of its income impact. In 2018, the port's passenger+crew arrivals were ~1,4 million (estimated USD 115M in ashore spending/goods and services). Alas, Norwegian Prima only is based in Galveston seasonally for the winter, from December to March. It offers seven-night sailings to the Western Caribbean with calls in Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Harvest Caye, Belize.

All family members received gifts, including a 3-night hotel package for Island Bay Resort, a basket with gourmet treats, a CVB-logoed gift bag and a Carnival-logoed beach bag with travel essentials. The cruise company also extended the family's standard onboard amenities with VIP services. Embarking on a cruise from Galveston, Texas, offers the perfect combination of thrilling high-seas adventures and the charm of a coastal city. With multiple cruise lines operating out of Galveston, you have plenty of options to choose from. For more information on parking at Galveston cruise port, click here. We break down all the options including location, price, and if shuttle service is available.

Port of Galveston Cruise Guide: Everything You Need to Know Pre-Cruise

Generated jobs are 20,000 (paying over USD 1,1 billion in total income). Cruise ship vacation-related spending in Texas is accounted for 6,3% of the industry's direct expenditures, and 5,6% of the industry's nationwide overall spending. The port also has facilities to handle cargo ships (bulk freighters and container carriers) and dry dock facilities for marine vessel refurbishments and repairs. The port can handle all types of cargo - containers, dry bulk, liquid bulk, breakbulk, RO-RO (roll-on/roll-off) vessels. There is a terminal switching railroad to facilitate larger cargo movements by rail.

Regal Princess cruises from Galveston: Insider's guide 2023 - Chron

Regal Princess cruises from Galveston: Insider's guide 2023.

Posted: Sat, 16 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Galveston cruise port

8 Incredible Things To Do Near Galveston Cruise Port - TravelAwaits

8 Incredible Things To Do Near Galveston Cruise Port.

Posted: Thu, 14 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Allure of the Seas sails out of Galveston every Sunday on seven-night voyages to the Western Caribbean. The ship stops at Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. Designed specifically to appeal to families, the world's fifth-largest cruise vessel is chock-full of more family-friendly activity zones than just about any other cruise ship at sea. The weather is generally warm and sunny, and you have a wide selection of cruise itineraries to choose from.

Highlights include kids’ pools, Broadway-caliber musicals, a Marvel Superhero Academy, and a range of eating options. 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. Unwind along Galveston’s 32 miles 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.

We've got just the ticket for you - Princess Cruises out of Galveston, Texas. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable cruise experience that combines luxury, relaxation, and exploration all in one incredible vacation. Galveston's fourth/newest cruise terminal project was unanimously voted at the Board's October 31st meeting and was included in the Port's "20-Year Strategic Master Plan" (2019-adopted). It was also announced that the port and MSC are negotiating an agreement related to the Pier 16 Terminal. In 2018, on Terminal 2's channel side were added new mooring structures (bollards) to allow docking of the longer Carnival Vista.

Today the main boulevard on the island runs along the Seawall, and hotels next to it offer unfettered views of the water. 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.

Shuttle service from the airport to Galveston is significantly cheaper than booking a rideshare through Uber or Lyft. Princess has returned to Galveston after years away, bringing Regal Princess and Ruby Princess for a variety of Caribbean itineraries as well as a special sailing through the Panama Canal. 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. We have the answers so your first  time will be nothing but smooth sailing. On a cruise from Galveston to the Western Caribbean, explore the beauty of unspoiled coral reefs and underwater caves as well as visit the ancient Mayan ruins throughout the region.

Stay active during your vacation with state-of-the-art fitness facilities including a fully equipped gym with sports courts for basketball and tennis enthusiasts. 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.

Payment options are cash, VISA / MasterCard or to pay in advance on the port's website. Four-day cruise parking costs US$45, 5-day - US$ 46.25, and 1-week/7-day – US$78.75. 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). Whether you'll have a better time on one of the other seven cruise ships that regularly sail out of Galveston will depend a lot on the type of traveler you are. The best ship for a cruise out of Galveston with your family might not be your top pick for a couple's cruise or girlfriends' getaway.