Guide to cruises from Galveston

Table Of Content

• Galveston Cruise Terminal 10 Sailing Guide (Location, Parking, Photos, & More)
• Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Guide: Everything You Need to Know
• Port of Galveston to construct 4th cruise terminal for MSC
• Tips for a Smooth Galveston Cruise Parking Experience
• Where to Stay on Galveston Island
• Port of Galveston Waiting Area and Seating

Electric vehicle charging stations are available in the parking area. I always recommend that guests who are flying into the port stay overnight. Even if the weather isn’t bad, the risk of flight delay is just too high. The Lyft rideshare app is readily available, as it is the exclusive rideshare option for the Port of Galveston.

Galveston Cruise Terminal 10 Sailing Guide (Location, Parking, Photos, & More)

Grandeur of the Seas offers limited 4 and 5-night Western Caribbean cruise itineraries in fall 2022, visiting Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. Adventure of the Seas will be offering shorter cruises from Galveston, with 4-night and 5-night Western Caribbean cruise itineraries. Allure of the Seas will begin sailing from Galveston in November 2022, and she will be the first Oasis Class cruise ship to ever sail from the port. Some passengers may look into renting a car from the airport in Houston and driving to the Port of Galveston themselves. While booking through the cruise line can be convenient, you’ll find a better shuttle price through independently operated shuttle companies in Galveston. Expect to pay between $50-60 one-way when traveling from Houston Hobby airport to the Port of Galveston and $ one-way when traveling from George Bush Intercontinental airport to the port.

Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Additionally, don't forget about any necessary travel documents or vaccinations required for your destination ports. It's always best to check with your local embassy or consulate well in advance to ensure you have all the necessary paperwork in order. Galveston, Texas is a vibrant coastal city that offers a variety of fun and interesting activities to enjoy before setting sail on a cruise. Visitors can explore the city’s rich history by visiting museums, historic sites, and beautiful Victorian architecture.

Port of Galveston to construct 4th cruise terminal for MSC

Final Decision Delayed for New MSC Cruises Galveston Terminal - Cruise Hive

Final Decision Delayed for New MSC Cruises Galveston Terminal.

Posted: Wed, 24 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

If you pre-book your parking in November, you can save $10 off with coupon code THANKYOU. The Port of Galveston is running a special for parking at the port during the month of November. Your SetSail pass gets scanned one last time and then you walk down a hallway, where you can stop to take a photo with the ship. Once you are past security, you will have a seat in the waiting area if the ship isn't ready to board yet. When you enter the terminal, there is a special entrance for suite guests. There are agents lined up to check you in by scanning your SetSail pass.

Tips for a Smooth Galveston Cruise Parking Experience

Bush-Intercontinental has a superior flight network but is further outside the city and is situated 70 miles (about 75 minutes) from the Port of Galveston. IAH is United Airlines’ second largest hub and offers nonstop travel to over 185 destinations across 28 airlines. In 2022, the Port's cruise business supported 3500 jobs, and generated US$568M in local business revenue plus US$73,5M in purchases by cruise tourists (passengers and crew). 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. In 2017 were handled a total of 258 ship calls and ~1,9 million passengers.

Where to Stay on Galveston Island

Because Royal Caribbean’s terminal is brand new, it’s best to call the parking companies to check whether or not they will provide shuttles from the lot to Cruise Terminal 3. There are several independently owned and operated parking lots near the Port of Galveston. All of these lots, however, are located near the original cruise terminals and not Royal Caribbean’s new Galveston terminal. Today, the Port of Galveston is one of the busiest cruise ports in the United States, with over 1.5 million passengers sailing from here each year. The port has continued to invest in infrastructure to keep up with the growing demand for cruises, including the addition of new terminals and parking facilities.

Cruise Terminal 10 Photo Tour

The port's cruise parking rate is US$11.25 per day (subject to change). Payment options are cash, VISA / MasterCard or to pay in advance on the port's website. Four-day cruise parking costs US$45, 5-day - US$ 46.25, and 1-week/7-day – US$78.75. Galveston Express offers affordable public shuttle service between Houston and Galveston, with pick-up and drop-off service from George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Houston Hobby Airport. Daily service is available to the Port of Galveston cruise terminals.

Port of Galveston One Step Closer to Cruise Terminal 16 - Cruise Hive

Port of Galveston One Step Closer to Cruise Terminal 16.

Posted: Sun, 12 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The Port of Galveston’s three cruise terminals are some of the most advanced and well-equipped cruise facilities in the world. Royal Caribbean's new Cruise Terminal 3's parking lots (, South, and Pier 14) are priced US$22/day (North Lot) and US$20 per day (at South Lot and Pier 14 Lot). Terminal 2's expansion works started in 2014, financed by Royal Caribbean. However, construction roadblocks delayed the project with roughly a year. The expansion also included longer docking pier with extra bollards (short, vertical posts used for mooring).

You will also be asked to provide a credit card for the settlement of your account during or at the end of your cruise. Keep paperwork, passports, medication and other items of value with you in your hand luggage as you board. If you’re keen to get out on deck, you might want to keep your swimsuit or change of clothing handy so you don’t miss a moment’s fun. Galveston cruise port is the fourth busiest in the USA after Miami, Port Canaveral and Port Everglades, Florida. It is well positioned for cruises with an estimated 30 million people living within a 300-mile radius. The new Galveston cruise terminal has a special area for suite guests.

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. However, much of this is used solely for cargo and commercial shipping. The cruise port has 2 terminals (Piers 23-28) with a third 10-acre cruise terminal due for completion late 2022.

Both are currently ranked the world's largest passenger shipping companies and both homeport here large-capacity liners for year-round roundtrip departures. Today, Port Galveston is one of the most successful Caribbean USA homeports. We ended up booking a hotel near the Houston airport so we didn’t have to drive far.

Head up and you’ll reach the second floor of the terminal that leads to boarding the ship. All this is to say that Cruise Terminal 10 is without a doubt a major addition to Galveston cruising. But with the new terminal also come a lot of new changes, including everything from the terminal location to where to park. We always recommend arriving at the cruise port the day before your cruise begins. Unexpected delays and airline cancellations are all too common, so planning to arrive a day ahead of time gives you more wiggle room in case of any mishaps.

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. 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.

In 2022, Royal Caribbean celebrated the opening of its brand-new, $126 million cruise terminal (pier 10 terminal 3), in Galveston. We were there to watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony and experience sailing on the largest cruise ship to sail out of Texas. It is the most convenient and secure parking for cruisers, just a short walk or shuttle ride from the cruise check-in.

This expansion is anticipated to create 800 new jobs and will create $1.4 billion in local business revenue as well as boosting state and local taxes. Built by Henry Fowler-Watt, the Elissa was named after a Phoenician princess. After many years transporting cargo, she was brought to Galveston to be restored.