Galveston Cruise Guide: Ports, Ships & Everything You Need to Know

Galveston Cruises are growing at a fast pace. Cruises now depart from Galveston year round.  The City of Galveston is located on the upper Texas coast of the Gulf of Mexico and occupies virtually all of a 32 mile long island located approximately two miles off the Texas mainland 50 miles southeast of Houston, Texas. Principal economic support is provided by the Port of Galveston and related interest, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and other health institutions, financial institutions, tourism, shrimping, and fishing.  Galveston Island is Texas’ top historic resort destination, offering 32 miles of beaches, fine hotel accommodations, superb restaurants, shopping, art galleries, a championship golf course and more.

If you are interested in taking a cruise that departs from Galveston, we’ve done all the research for you.

The most exciting news for Galveston cruises is the announcement that Carnival Cruise Line would send their new ship, the Carnival Magic to sail out of Galveston from November 14^th, 2011 through at least April 2013.  This is a brand new Carnival ship that was just completed in May 2011 and it is amazing! The imaginative Carnival Magic offers unparalleled entertainment and amenities for passengers of all ages, making the ship a perfect option for families. The Carnival Magic will offer 7 night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.  The Eastern Caribbean itinerary will visit Key West, Nassau and Freeport, while the Western Caribbean will visit Montego Bay Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

Beginning October 2011, the Carnival Triumph will sail out of Galveston offering 4 and 5 night Western Caribbean cruises.  The 4 night cruises visit Cozumel only with 2 days at sea, the 5 night cruise visits Cozumel and Merida/Progresso.  The Carnival Ecstasy is sailing June 1st, 2011 through September 3rd, 2011 on 4 and 5 night Western Caribbean cruises, with the same itinerary as the Carnival Triumph.  For travelers seeking a 7 day cruise option, the Carnival Conquest sail June 5th – November 6th, 2011 with both Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.  Montego Bay, Cozumel and Grand Cayman are the ports of call on the Western Caribbean option and Nassau, Freeport and Key West on the Eastern Caribbean option.

Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas arrives in Galveston on November 11^th 2011, and will offer 7 night Western Caribbean cruises until April 15^th, 2012.  The Mariner was built in 2003, and refurbished in 2007.  The Mariner offers lots of onboard options for cruisers including 16 bars and themed lounges and 7 restaurants, including a 1950s-style Johnny Rockets Diner and Royal Caribbean’s signature specialty restaurants; Chops Grille steakhouse and Portofino Italian restaurant. An ice skating rink and rock climbing wall are availbale for the adventures and an adults only Solarium for those looking for quiet time.

New for Galveston in 2012 is the Disney Magic cruise ship.  Beginning September 22^nd through the end of the year, the Disney Magic will offer 6, 7 and 8 night Western Caribbean cruises.  The 7 night cruises will visit Grand Cayman, Costa Maya and Cozumel.  The two 6 night cruises sailings December 15^th and for New Years on December 29^th, 2012 the ship will visit Grand Cayman and Cozumel.  A wonderful option for a Christmas cruise is the 8 night December 21^st sailing visiting Key West, Costa Maya and Cozumel.

Also new to the port of Galveston will be the Crown Princess.  The ship arrives there just in time for the holidays on December 22^nd 2012 through April 27, 2013, and will offer 7 night Western Caribbean visiting Costa Maya, Cozumel, Roatan Island and Belize City.

Galveston Cruises Frequently Asked Questions:

1.  What are the must see sites in Galveston?   

• Moody Gardens:  Dedicated to the environment and the oceans, this Rainforest Pyramid has an incredible tropical environment and is home to the largest bat exhibit in the Southwest. The accompanying Aquarium Pyramid is also the world’s largest tank  that showcases the waters of the world.
• Victorian Architecture:  Reminiscent of Charleston, South Carolina, many of the neighborhoods surrounding the city have beautiful Victorian-style homes with oak-lined streets.
• The Strand District:  The Strand National Historic Landmark District was the heart of Galveston in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, there are more than 100 shops, restaurants, and art galleries within the 26 square blocks of the district.  If you are interested in taking a cruise that departs from Galveston, we’ve done all the research for you.

2.  Can I have directions to the port?

Take I-45 South to Exit 1C – Harborside Drive (Highway 275). Turn left (East) onto Harborside Drive. Continue approximately 4.7 miles to Kempner/22nd Street. Turn left onto Kempner/22nd Street. Proceed to Cruise Terminal – Pier #25.