Based in Galveston year-round, the 11-year-old vessel operates short four- and five-night voyages to the Western Caribbean that are often on sale for under $500 per person or less. For off-peak travel, we sometimes see five-night sailings for sale for around $300 per person — or just $60 a night. This is a third of the cost of similar five-night sailings on Disney Magic. In 2023, the cruise port recorded 362 booked berthings (354 ship calls received) and ~42% increase in passengers (~2,98 million) over 2022. When completed, the newest/4th MSC Cruise Terminal is expected to generate an additional 925 jobs, ~US$177M in revenues, ~US$21M in local purchases. 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).
ADVENTURE JUST GOT BIGGER IN TEXAS
The waiting hall is fitted with comfortable sofas, restrooms, vending machines. 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).
Carnival Legend will become 4th cruise ship in Galveston in 2025 khou.com - KHOU.com
Carnival Legend will become 4th cruise ship in Galveston in 2025 khou.com.
Posted: Thu, 21 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Night Caribbean - Southern CruiseDetails
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). The deal also included building a new/shared cruise terminal with capacity to handle a vessel similarly sized or bigger than Disney's Magic-Wonder boats. The project included adding two new gangways, a new ramp, two elevators, one escalator, new roofing, improvements of facilities (including Customs & Border Protection). 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.
Best Deals to Galveston, Texas
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. One of three ships in the line's Dream class that date to the late 2000s and early 2010s, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze is no longer the newest or snazziest ship in the Carnival fleet.
Cruise Ship Sailing from Galveston
On November 21, 2023, was adopted Galveston Wharves' 2024 budget, with projected US$37M in net income, US$72,5M in operating revenues (12% over 2023's), US$35,5M in operating expenses, and ~14% increase in cruise tourists (~1,6M). Port Galveston (locode USGLS) is located on mainland Texas' upper coast and on the island's eastern end. 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. Disney Magic is also home to multiple pool areas and indoor children's zones that cover almost an entire deck, plus multiple themed restaurants that Disney fans will love.
Get to Know Carnival Jubilee
Independent shuttle services are provided by companies like Galveston Express, Galveston Limousine, Island Breeze Shuttle. In August 2021, Galveston Wharves signed an MoU with Stabilis Solutions to build and supply LNG bunkering/shore-to-ship fueling facilities in 2021. The deal was signed by Rodger Rees (Galveston Port's Director and CEO) and Jim Reddinger (Stabilis' President and CEO). Galveston is the second (after Corpus Christi) LNG bunkering port served by Stabilis (2013-founded, Houston Texas-based turnkey LNG company, part of LNG Investment Company LLC). The shortest sailings that the 10-year-old Princess Cruises ship operates out of Galveston are seven nights in length. For the most part, the top decks of Regal Princess only offer pools, whirlpools and sunning areas, as is typical for Princess ships.
New Texas-branded cruise ship soon headed to Galveston - Beaumont Enterprise
New Texas-branded cruise ship soon headed to Galveston.
Posted: Fri, 04 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Like all Disney ships, Disney Magic boasts many cabins with split bathrooms — a boon for families. That's not something you'll find on any of the other Galveston-based cruise vessels. It dates to 1998 and is the oldest cruise ship regularly sailing out of Galveston. But it still feels modern, thanks to major makeovers in recent years. 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. Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival offer roundtrip shuttle bus services (between Galveston and both airports in Houston) with prices per person / similar to Lyft's.
MSC Seascape ship to be homeported in Galveston Texas starting Nov 2025
Taxis are also available from both Houston airports, but the prices are significantly higher (~twice) than the rideshare service. Annually, Galveston's 4th cruise terminal is projected to support 925 new jobs and ~US$177 million in local business revenues (passenger fees and sales tax from parking). Galveston, Texas, offers a relatively wide range of choices for cruise ships and itineraries. Five different cruise lines sail four- to 11-night voyages that visit such Western Caribbean ports as Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Unlike the other major cruise ships that sail out of Galveston each year — operated by family-focused Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and Disney — Regal Princess wasn't built with families in mind as the core customer. 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.
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. The upscale turn included loading Norwegian Prima with an unusually large variety of suites (13 categories in all), including what the line says is the largest three-bedroom suites of any recently unveiled cruise vessel. If it's swanky digs you're after (and you have the money to spend), you'll find plenty of options on this ship.
Once called the “Wall Street of the South”, this charming commercial hub, along with the neighboring East End Historic District, is home to mansions-turned-museums, the Grand 1894 Opera House, plus loads of unique shops and cozy cafés. Oasis Class flavors, thrills and beats go full-throttle on the biggest, boldest ship to ever sail from Texas — Harmony of the Seas®. And when the sun goes down, head to the AquaTheater or experience the Broadway hit Grease. Galveston Island is a gem for Texas tourism — and it’s easy to see why. Fascinating history, well-preserved 18th century architecture, gorgeous beaches and thrilling outdoor adventures.
On February 7, 2024, Galveston Wharves and MSC finalized the operating agreement for the new terminal complex. Starting in November 2025, in Galveston MSC inaugurates homeporting operations with the ship MSC Seascape. 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.
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). 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. 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. Lyft is Galveston terminal's exclusive rideshare company (pricing per vehicle /not per person) so Uber is not an option.
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. The ~USD 20 million project also included the restoration and extension of the roads in the Old Port Industrial and Wharf. A direct road connection to highway I-45 can divert most of the cruise-related vehicle traffic directly to the Port. On December 9, 2018, Port Galveston welcomed its 10 millionth cruise tourist since 2000, when its cruising operations started. The lucky man was Yingtao Liu, who arrived from Norman Oklahoma together with his parents, wife and 3 kids.
That said, a seven-night Norwegian Prima sailing out of Galveston isn't necessarily the best Galveston cruise for you. Galveston cruises often range from 6-9 nights providing cruisers with a variety of different entertainment and dining options. On November 7, 2023, the Wharves Board signed a US$5.3M contract with Bermello Ajamil & Partners Inc (1939-founded engineering and architecture company/subsidiary of BAP Development Inc) for a fourth terminal at Pier 16. Terminal 3 has an area dedicated to Suite-booked passengers, accessed via an exclusive entrance.
Fares for off-peak sailings on Disney Magic often start around $800 per person for a four-night trip — significantly higher on a per-night basis than the lowest-cost sailings on many of the other ships sailing out of Galveston. That results in fewer and smaller attractions than the latter vessels. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel.
Today, Port Galveston is one of the most successful Caribbean USA homeports. Port Galveston cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Galveston, Texas. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. Regal Princess is based in Galveston on a seasonal basis from November to March. It operates some of the longest sailings from the Texas port, including 10- and 11-night trips to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Honduras, Belize and Mexico.
