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Four-day cruise parking costs US$45, 5-day - US$ 46.25, and 1-week/7-day – US$78.75. 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 port is currently in the conceptual stage (designs) for building a new (3rd) cruise terminal as the demand for large vessels leaving from Galveston on the weekends is constantly growing. 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).
Best for luxury lovers: Norwegian Prima
Lyft is Galveston terminal's exclusive rideshare company (pricing per vehicle /not per person) so Uber is not an option. Taxis are also available from both Houston airports, but the prices are significantly higher (~twice) than the rideshare service. 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.
Royal Caribbean Announces Cancellation of All Cruise Stops to Private Island
If you're seeking a touch of luxury on your Galveston cruise, you won't find dedicated luxury cruise lines like Silversea Cruises or Seabourn Cruise Line sailing from here. However, you can still experience a luxurious cruise by opting for the Norwegian Cruise Line's new Norwegian Prima, the sole mainstream vessel in Galveston offering a designated "ship-within-a-ship" luxury zone. Inside the Allure of the Seas, families can enjoy an array of attractions, including supervised play areas for kids, a dedicated teen club, and an indoor ice skating rink. By annual cruise shipping traffic (~1 million embarking passengers), Port Galveston is currently ranked USA's 4th busiest cruise port - an increase of 126% since 2010, when the homeporting business started.
Do you need a passport to sail from Galveston?
With the pre-paid parking program, the Port is offering parking rates for spots in the Port of Galveston's official parking lots. Cruise passengers can secure a spot in advance through our online service. After more than 20 years as a cruise port, Galveston has added a third, state-of-the-art cruise terminal and new ships and cruise lines all within the span of a single year.
More than 1 Million Passengers and 360+ Cruises from Galveston in 2023
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. To make things even more convenient for passengers sailing with Princess Cruises out of Galveston, advance reservations for Galveston cruise parking spots can be made online through the port's website. This allows you to secure a spot in advance and avoid any potential last-minute hassles when it comes time for departure. Not only are these parking lots secure, but they also provide easy access to the cruise terminals. The economy lots offer easy shuttle rides directly to the cruise terminal and the covered garage parking is within walking distance from the cruise terminal. When you're planning a Princess Cruise out of Galveston, one important aspect to consider is cruise parking.
Norwegian Cruise Line announces new cruise out of Galveston - KSAT San Antonio
Norwegian Cruise Line announces new cruise out of Galveston.
Posted: Thu, 14 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
TROPIC HOPS FROM TEXAS
It has more of the feel of the ships you find in the fleets of Norwegian's higher-end sister brands, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — albeit on a bigger scale. Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Breeze is the Galveston-based ship to pick when you're looking for a quick and affordable getaway — something that isn't a big commitment and won't break the bank. One overhaul to Disney Magic not too long ago brought such cutting-edge features as the AquaDunk — a 37-foot-tall body slide that careens over the side of the vessel — and a new outdoor kiddie fun zone called AquaLab. Whether you choose an interior stateroom or splurge on a lavish suite with panoramic views and personal butler service, expect nothing less than exceptional comfort throughout your stay. One popular itinerary is the Western Caribbean cruise, where you can soak up the sun on pristine beaches in Cozumel and Grand Cayman.
Conclusion: Is Galveston a good cruise port?

This new terminal can accommodate the largest vessels from its Oasis Class to its new Icon Class. The cruise line currently has a fleet of three ships sailing from Galveston including Allure of the Seas. 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.
MSC Yacht Club
Other ports of call visited by Disney Magic will include Progreso, Cozumel, and San Juan. Always consult with your cruise line on travel requirements for your entire party prior to booking or boarding. Take to the indoors with a museum visit or go fishing under the Texan sun along one of the Seawall’s many piers. Whatever the mood or the weather, Galveston shows up with plenty to see, do, and experience year-round. Shuttle service from the airport to Galveston is significantly cheaper than booking a rideshare through Uber or Lyft. Additionally, Disney Magic sails four- to seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Texas.
Best Hotel Pools
Fascinating history, well-preserved 18th century architecture, gorgeous beaches and thrilling outdoor adventures. Experience all this and cruise out of Galveston with Travel Weekly’s Best Cruise Line Overall 19 years running.
Hands down, the 3,215-passenger ship offers the best Galveston cruises for luxury lovers. That said, Carnival Breeze still has a huge amount to offer for all sorts of travelers, from couples to families with kids. The ship was, notably, the first Carnival ship to feature a 4D "thrill theater" and one of the first Carnival ships with a ropes course, both attractions that appeal heavily to teens and tweens. Based seasonally in Galveston from December to April, Disney Magic offers the best cruises out of Galveston for the Disney fan. It is, for the record, the only Disney Cruise Line ship that sails from Galveston.
In January 2014, the port signed a 5-year agreement with Royal Caribbean, generating USD 1,86+ million in annual revenues. The agreement required improvements to be made to Cruise Terminal 2 (Terminal 28) to accommodate larger vessels and more tourists. Terminal 2's size was increased to 150,000 ft2 / 13,940 m2 (passenger capacity up to 1000) at the cost of USD 10M. In 2022, the Port's cruise activities supported ~3500 jobs and generated US$568 million (local business revenue) and US$73,5 million (local purchases by cruise tourists/passengers and crew). That'll depend on your personal interests and travel style, as there are cruises from Galveston that appeal to everyone, including family travelers, budget travelers and retirees. The shortest sailings that the 10-year-old Princess Cruises ship operates out of Galveston are seven nights in length.
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. Galveston Limousine offers service to Galveston cruise ship terminal for USD 30. Taxi fares are USD 100 from George Bush Intercontinental and USD 75 from Hobby Airport. Galveston cruise port is approx 40 mi / 70 km from Hobby Airport (~60 min drive distance) and approx 70 mi / 110 km from Houston Airport (~90 min drive distance). For fly-cruisers is recommended to use rideshare (larger group travel) services.
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.
The requirement for a passport on a cruise is dictated by where your sailing begins and ends. If your cruise departs and arrives round trip from Galveston, that means it is considered a “closed loop” sailing within the U.S. Therefore, you would not need a passport; U.S. citizens just need a U.S. If you’re driving, the Port of Galveston can be reached from the north and west by taking Exit 1C off Interstate 45 South toward Galveston Island.
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