Cruises from Galveston, Texas
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Moody Mansion is another historic building in Galveston, located three minutes from the port by car (or a 15-minute walk). For $15 per person per house (children ages 5 and under can tour for free). Galveston Island’s Historic Pleasure Pier is a 1,000-foot-long amusement park that sits over the sea about a six-minute drive from the Port of Galveston. For $30 per person, you can get all-access all-day to this recently renovated nexus of fun, offering food, shops, carnival games, and 15 rides (including a roller coaster!). There are also miles of beaches to enjoy, along with water sports and other outdoor activities. For those looking for something a bit more laid-back, there are plenty of great restaurants, bars, and shops to explore.

Royal Caribbean, Cozumel, Mexico from Galveston, March 13, 2025
With areas designed for various age groups, from toddlers to teens, Schlitterbahn ensures a day filled with family fun. Admission prices vary, with discounts often available for online purchases and group bookings. Stepping onto Pleasure Pier feels like a journey back in time to the golden era of amusement parks. The Aquarium Pyramid showcases marine life from the Gulf of Mexico and beyond, with fascinating exhibits and touch tanks.
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In July 2016, Port Houston exited the cruise business as port commissioners decided to sell Bayport Cruise Terminal's gangway system. The 50-mi long (80-km) long Houston Ship Channel is USA's busiest deep-water inland waterway, serving annually 9000+ ship transits and 200,000+ cargo barge transits. Via Houston Ship Channel are accessed 200+ docks (private and public berthing areas). The Seawall is generally a seven-to-ten-minute drive from the Port of Galveston, so you will need to take a taxi or rideshare if you plan to visit 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).
Parking Near Galveston Cruise Port Port of Galveston, TX
Galveston, Texas, is not just a gateway to the Gulf but a destination in itself, known for its picturesque island setting, historic architecture, and sandy beaches. As the lone cruise homeport in Texas, Port of Galveston is your ticket to explore the Western Caribbean’s wonders and beyond. Compared to airports, checking-in and security on a cruise ship is a dream. While ports in Florida may as well be cities they are so large, Galveston in comparison is much smaller and easier to navigate. With the addition of a new terminal that is home to Royal Caribbean, there are now three cruise terminals on the island.
Most of the people boarding cruises at the Port of Galveston drive themselves there, as Galveston is only a short drive from many of Texas’ major cities. If you can drive yourself, this is a great option because parking at the port is easy and affordable. It hosts both Carnival and Princess Cruise Lines and is the easternmost terminal. There are a number of parking options directly across the street, making it convenient to get to on the day of your cruise’s arrival and departure. While it has grown exponentially in recent years, compared to other major cruise ports, the Port of Galveston is much smaller and easier to navigate. Windstar is a smaller cruise line that offers a more intimate and personalized experience for passengers.
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In 2017 the number grew to 950,000 (economic impact USD 2,3 billion) supporting local jobs. 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. It's hard to say goodbye to Texas — and harder to choose just where you'll sail to when you leave. Book cruises from Texas to Mexico, and dock at captivating ports like Cozumel and Puerto Costa Maya, as well as stop in postcard-worthy Roatán, Honduras.
MSC Cruises Confirms Galveston Home Port as Texas Continues Cruise Growth - The Maritime Executive
MSC Cruises Confirms Galveston Home Port as Texas Continues Cruise Growth.
Posted: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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The port is at approx 9 mi (15 km) from the open sea (Gulf of Mexico). The Port Authority company (Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves) is city-owned, self-sustaining and doesn't receive city property taxes. From the best beach spots to hotels, restaurants, and shopping, your beach trip to Galveston starts here. This charmingly fascinating Texas beachside town is teeming with history and tons of interesting facts. Royal Caribbean offers plenty of great itineraries to choose from if you’re looking for an unforgettable cruise from Texas. The volume of things to do in Texas is certainly one of the best reasons to take a cruise vacation getaway from Texas.
If you’d like to ride, simply park in the lot next to the ferry and walk aboard instead of driving. Pleasure PierJutting out into the water at the site of the old Flagship Hotel, the Pleasure Pier is a 1,000 foot long amusement park. On the pier you’ll find food, shops, rides, and even a roller coaster. Tickets cost about $30 for an all-day pass ($23 for those under 48 inches tall).
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]
Longer itineraries open up the possibility of exploring the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, as well as the iconic Panama Canal. 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. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. Carnival, Disney, MSC (soon), Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean.
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. Here, you place your bags on an x-ray machine and you will walk through a metal detector. Assuming everything checks out, you’ll then head to the check-in station. As you approach the terminal, you’ll see lots of porters ready to assist you with your bags.
Turn right onto Harborside Drive, then continue to Kempner (22nd Street) - some 20 city blocks. Turn right onto Kempner (22nd Street) and follow the signs to the terminal (Pier 25 or 27). 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. The USD 125 million (~EUR 107M) project was approved on December 11, 2019.
There aren’t a ton of hotels right at the port (but there are a few). Galveston isn’t that large, so in reality every hotel is just a few minutes away. 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. Many people instead choose to carry all their luggage with them as they get off the ship. The advantage is that those carrying all their bags are allowed to debark first.
To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. Houston cruise port was one of the busiest ports in the middle 1800s. With the start of it service in 2013, the authorities expect the economic impact for the next four years to be over USD 200 million. The future development plans are to overtake Galveston cruise port as Texas’ cruise capital. When planning a Texas cruise vacation, it's important to consider the driving distance to the cruise port.
She is the go-to source for tips, advice, and comprehensive information on cruising. As a tireless explorer and devoted family woman, Judith Eve embodies the essence of the adventurous spirit, inspiring readers to set sail and create their own sea stories. No trip to the Lone Star State is complete without trying some authentic Texas barbecue. Texas is famous for its slow-smoked meats, which are cooked over wood for hours to create a mouth-watering flavor.
When it comes to taking a cruise, the per person pricing can vary greatly depending on the cruise line, the length of the cruise, and the type of stateroom chosen. However, there are often deals and promotions available that can make cruising more affordable.
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