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Starting at just $287, choose the perfect cruise from Galveston that fits your traveling desires. As of early 2023, she’s still taking cruisers on dreamy voyages, but keep your ears to the ground because the fleet’s always shuffling around like a deck of cards. Carnival Breeze and Carnival Dream are your seafaring chariots, and come November 2023, Carnival Jubilee will join the party. So, pack your bags for an epic voyage straight from the Lone Star State.
Navigating the Seas in Style: Luxurious Accommodations on Carnival Galveston Cruises
Today, Port Galveston is one of the most successful Caribbean USA homeports. Galveston cruises often range from 6-9 nights providing cruisers with a variety of different entertainment and dining options. It offers a convenient departure point for travelers who want to embark on a cruise vacation without having to fly long distances or deal with extensive travel logistics. If you're taking a cab to the Port of Galveston on the day of your sailing, your driver will need to follow signs for your ship's specific terminal.
Cruises out of Galveston
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). In 2017 were handled a total of 258 ship calls and ~1,9 million passengers.
Onboard Dining
Most commonly, cruises from Galveston go to exciting destinations such as Transatlantic, Bahamas, Caribbean - All, Caribbean - Southern, and Caribbean - Western. By staying ahead of the curve, Carnival Galveston demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the traveler’s experience, proving that the true voyage lies in constant evolution. These experiences echo the transformative power of travel, which leaves an indelible mark long after the cruise has ended.
RCI Galveston Terminal was initially scheduled for completion/inauguration on September 1, 2022, but was officially opened on November 9th. The new facility is co-owned (50-50) by RCG and Ceres Terminals Inc (provider of stevedore and terminal management services, part of Ceres Terminal Holdings LLC). Ceres currently provides for RCG similar services at Port Canaveral, Tampa, Port NOLA/New Orleans and Baltimore. 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.
Galveston Wharves to open fourth cruise terminal in 2025 - Houston Chronicle
Galveston Wharves to open fourth cruise terminal in 2025.
Posted: Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Although the location of the closest commercial airport is in Houston, nearly an hour away, Galveston offers the Southern cruise market an appealing drive-to option bordering the Gulf of Mexico. According to the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, Galveston is the fourth most popular cruise port in North America, following the busy cruise ports of Florida. With more ships and cruise lines than ever before, Galveston will see a record number of cruise passengers flying and driving in to port. To put it in perspective, Galveston cruise port welcomed more than 1 million guests back in 2019. The 2023 cruise season out of Galveston cruise port is its busiest on record, with an estimated 362 cruise ship departures — nearly one for every day. Booking your parking spot in advance is highly recommended as availability may be limited during peak travel times.
Cruise Shuttles
There are a limited number of chairs for waiting guests prior to security screening. After check-in and security, there's a large waiting room as well as smaller lounge areas for VIP/elite passengers. Porters are available at the entrance to each terminal to assist with luggage on embarkation and disembarkation days. Other restaurants and shops for purchasing last-minute toiletries and other items can also be found in the hotel district along the Galveston Seawall. This beachfront area is home to chain and independent restaurants, family attractions, grocery stores and convenience stores. The Lyft rideshare app is readily available, as it is the exclusive rideshare option for the Port of Galveston.
Otherwise, the shuttles provide an affordable and easy way to get to your ship. Amtrak has a bus available, but tickets can only be booked in conjunction with a train ticket for around $90 per person. Porters will be available at each terminal to assist with baggage on embarkation day.
Upon checking before boarding Carnival Vista, the family (all first-time cruisers) was greeted by Rodger Rees (port's CEO) and Pavol Drimaj (ship's Hotel Director). 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. Galveston serves as a homeport for several prominent cruise lines, each offering unique itineraries and onboard experiences.
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. The main mooring was upgraded with 200-ton bollards (metal posts for the mooring lines).
The 2024 roster of ships departing from this port promises to be the most exciting yet. Taxis from George Bush Intercontinental Airport or from Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport are readily available. However, taxi service from the cruise terminals is less frequent and it is recommended to book ahead when planning disembarkation. The port recommends that drivers drop off passengers and luggage first before heading to the parking lot. If you're coming from either airport with a taxi or rideshare, you'll want to assess your arrival and departure options ahead of time, as the most economical options require advance planning.
The premium option at The North Lot is immediately next to the terminal, while the other parking lots offer guests a free shuttle service to and from the terminal. Physically closest to the cruise port is the Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21. Less than a half-mile away from the Galveston cruise terminal, the Harbor House is within walking distance. If you don’t want to lug your bags 8 minutes down the road, it’s an easy 3-minute ride.
Many parking lots offer discounted rates for early reservations, so take advantage of this opportunity to save. This option allows for quick drop-off and pick-up right at the terminal entrance – perfect for those who value efficiency above all else, but be prepared to pay for this convenience. Another advantage of choosing the official port parking is its close proximity to the cruise terminal. You won't have to worry about finding transportation from an off-site parking lot because you'll be just steps away from checking in for your cruise.
Terminal 25 (formerly Cruise Terminal 1) typically hosts Carnival and Princess ships and is located at 2502 Harborside Drive. Additionally, Disney Magic sails four- to seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Texas. 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.
Set sail from a historic jewel in the Gulf of Mexico on Carnival cruises out of Galveston, Texas. Perched on the Gulf Coast, Galveston was a major commercial port in the late 1800s and has the restored architecture and proud history to show for it. Galveston’s long seawall stretches from beach to beach and offers gulf views the whole way. Sprinkle in a few museums, amusement parks, attractive beaches and tasty seafood restaurants, and you’ve got a great start to your cruise from Galveston. Planning ahead for parking not only saves time but also allows you more opportunity to fully enjoy every moment aboard your Disney cruise ship.
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