Galveston cruise port: A information to cruising from Texas

The Port of Galveston is the fourth-most-popular cruise residence port within the U.S., having hosted 1.49 million cruise passengers in 2023.

Whereas that is nonetheless a small quantity in comparison with the Florida ports (Miami, Port Canaveral close to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades), the Port of Galveston continues to develop. The ships are getting larger, cruise traces are increasing the itineraries they provide from Galveston and, in 2025, MSC Cruises will start homeporting in Galveston with the introduction of year-round sailings on MSC Seascape. The full variety of ship calls on the port’s 2024 calendar is 388.

For cruise information, critiques and ideas, join TPG’s cruise newsletter.

Most cruises from Galveston go to the Western Caribbean locations of Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize; Jamaica; and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Nevertheless, yow will discover different choices; for instance, Carnival Cruise Line presents longer sailings (as much as 14 nights) that embody Japanese and Southern Caribbean ports.

Galveston itself is a seashore vacation spot value spending time in both pre- or post-cruise, with quite a lot of resort decisions starting from economic system to luxurious to historic. Households can discover a lot to get pleasure from, and adults can benefit from the metropolis’s vibrant nightlife.

Galveston cruise port overview

1 of 2

PORTOFGALVESTON.COM

Port of Galveston cruise terminal info

Addresses:

Terminals 25 and 28: 2502 Harborside Dr., Galveston, Texas 77550

Terminal 10: 1028 Harborside Dr., Galveston, Texas 77550

Terminal 16: 1401 Harborside Dr., Galveston, Texas 77550 (tentative tackle)

Day by day Publication

Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day publication

Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants

Variety of terminals: 4 (as of 2025)

Cruise traces crusing from the Port of Galveston

Terminal 10

Royal Caribbean bases three ships right here, providing a mixture of eight-night Bahamas cruises, which go to Excellent Day at CocoCay, and four- to eight-night cruises primarily within the Western Caribbean.

Terminal 16 (opening in November 2025)

MSC Cruises will base MSC Seascape year-round at a brand new terminal in Galveston. The ship will sail to the Western Caribbean, visiting Cozumel, Roatan and Mexico’s Costa Maya.

Terminals 25 and 28

A number of cruise traces share terminals 25 and 28. Carnival rotates a fleet of 4 ships year-round in Galveston, together with the road’s Texas flagship, Carnival Jubilee. The fleet presents four- to 14-night cruises all through Mexico, the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Princess Cruises sails seasonally from Galveston, providing four- to 11-night cruises within the Caribbean and Bahamas.

Norwegian Cruise Line rotates quite a lot of ships seasonally by means of the Port of Galveston, providing seven- to 14-night sailings all through the Caribbean, together with visits to the road’s personal island, Harvest Caye, in Belize. Norwegian additionally typically presents one-way cruises from Galveston on point-to-point sailings to different locations like Central and South America.

Disney Magic runs seasonally from Galveston, providing four- to six-night Western Caribbean itineraries.

You’ll find full calendars for the port on its web site.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is in north Houston, roughly 71 miles from the Port of Galveston. Airways that fly to IAH embody United Airways, American Airways, Delta Air Traces, JetBlue, Spirit Airways, Frontier Airways and Alaska Airways. Delta followers can save with the airline’s annual companion certificate through its American Categorical-branded bank cards.

IAH is a United hub, with airline-branded lounges in 4 of the 5 terminals, together with a Polaris Lounge in Terminal E. Terminal D at IAH options an Amex Centurion Lounge with entry for holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is a bit nearer to the port (41 miles) however is served by fewer airways. Search for flights on Southwest Airways, Jet Blue, American and Delta. Southwest presents the chance to fly two-for-one with the Southwest Companion Pass.

Houston Passion lacks luxurious lounges, however does have a Gameway gaming lounge, with entry out there to Priority Pass members through a number of bank cards just like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Methods to get to the Port of Galveston

Cruisers have a number of choices for attending to the Port of Galveston, together with:

Driving

The port of Galveston is on a coastal barrier island south of the town of Houston. The primary freeway into Galveston is Interstate Freeway 45. It’s doable to reach from the east utilizing the Port Bolivar automotive ferry, however the potential for ferry delays typically outweighs the additional driving time it takes to go across the bay to achieve the I-45 bridge.

Automobile leases between IAH or HOU and Galveston

At present, solely Enterprise presents rental drop-offs in Galveston. With one-way charges and gas, a midsize automotive or SUV may price $200 for an in a single day rental. This feature positive aspects worth in case your journey group has plans for exploring a bit pre- or post-cruise. You will nonetheless want transportation from the Enterprise facility to the port, a distance of roughly 3 1/2 miles.

Cruise line airport transfers

You may journey from both Houston airport to the Port of Galveston on embarkation day through transfers prepurchased from the cruise traces. These are often supplied to passengers who purchase air by means of the cruise line, however even those that e-book independently can name to make the acquisition.

Carnival has directions on-line for reserving transfers from Houston airports, together with flight timing restrictions. The fee is at present $58.99 per individual from IAH and $41.99 per individual from HOU. Return transfers could be equally priced.

Associated: Should I book my flight through my cruise line?

Impartial airport shuttles from Houston airports to the cruise port

Native firms function shuttle providers between each Houston airports and Galveston, both to the cruise port or to a Galveston resort. Galveston Categorical has shared van rides beginning at $40 per individual every method.

Impartial van/automotive providers

A number of firms provide personal automotive service from the airports to both the pier or a Galveston resort. SuperShuttle presents personal automotive service to the port beginning at $80 per individual. Blacklane presents chauffeured automotive service, averaging round $200 from both airport to the port, for as much as three folks and two luggage. A bigger Mercedes van for as much as 5 passengers will price round $250.

Resort shuttles

Roughly half of the resorts situated in Galveston provide free shuttles to the cruise pier. Inns outdoors of Galveston not often present shuttles to the port.

Taxis and ride-hailing providers

Getting from a Galveston resort to the port through ride-hailing service, resembling Uber or Lyft, is feasible, however not all the time your best option. Galveston is a comparatively small island and when two or extra ships are departing on the identical day, prolonged wait occasions for pickups at your resort could cause delays and surge pricing could make the journey dearer than you anticipated.

Taxis and ride-hailing providers can be found at each Houston airports. Taxis are metered, with fares averaging $165 from IAH. For ride-hailing providers, observe indicators and use your apps for instructions to pickup factors. We checked a prebooked Uber from IAH and had been proven a beginning fare of $98.

Associated: Frequent Uber or Lyft user? These are the best credit cards for you

Public transportation

Galveston doesn’t provide public transportation to the cruise port. The Galveston Island Trolley has bus and rail traces that are perfect for touring between pre- or post-cruise resorts and on-island sights, however it stops wanting the port.

Port of Galveston parking

Galveston cruise passengers typically drive to the port, so parking choices abound. These embody each official Port of Galveston parking and personal tons. For friends not staying in a Galveston resort, personal parking tons are the most affordable possibility. In case your plan features a resort keep and your resort presents a parking package deal, it’s nearly assured to be at a lower cost than the tons nearer to the port. Reservations made effectively prematurely are advisable for all parking choices.

On-site parking

Parking for terminals 25 and 28 is a bit unfold out. Some tons have shuttle service, others are strolling entry solely. The stroll might be so far as two blocks. You may select from coated and uncovered choices, with costs starting from $22 to $26.

Parking on the newer Royal Caribbean Terminal 10 contains shuttle providers for all tons. All parking at Terminal 10 is uncovered. The worth per day is $22 to $25.

Personal parking services

Personal parking choices close to the terminals embody indoor and coated parking, all with shuttles. Some service solely terminals 25 and 28, whereas others may also service Terminal 10. If the reservation kind does not checklist your cruise ship or crusing date, it signifies that lot does not serve the terminal you want.

Costs are aggressive and often decrease than official port parking. For instance, Lighthouse Parking beats the terminal’s official parking tons, providing coated parking for round $20 per day, with shuttle service to all terminals.

Some, like Galveston Park N Cruise, provide reductions for prepaying. That lot solely serves terminals 25 and 28 (Carnival and Princess) and doesn’t present a shuttle as a result of it is throughout the road from the terminal. Pay as you go charges for indoor parking are as little as $18.50 per day for a seven-night cruise.

Park-and-cruise

In the event you plan an in a single day keep in Galveston, the most affordable parking possibility is a resort with a parking package deal. Many Galveston resorts provide cruise parking to friends who keep both earlier than or after a cruise. Some provide parking freed from cost; most cost a payment for leaving your automotive behind. The perfect state of affairs is a resort with each a parking possibility and a shuttle to the port.

Associated: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Inns close to the Galveston cruise port

Inns are considerable in Galveston, all of them 10 miles or much less from the port. As a result of that is each a small port city and a trip vacation spot, charges and room availability fluctuate broadly. Whether or not you want a one-night keep as shut as doable to the port or are on the lookout for an extended keep to completely discover this charming seashore city, listed below are among the many decisions to contemplate.

Hilton resorts close to the Port of Galveston

For a fast in a single day earlier than your cruise, the DoubleTree is an efficient selection (32,000 to 168,000 Hilton Honors factors per night time). It has a pool and free Wi-Fi and is throughout the road from the seashore. It additionally presents parking package deal choices.

For a extra resort-style keep, contemplate the Hilton Galveston Island Resort (32,000 to 338,000 Hilton Honors factors per night time). It is inside strolling distance of the seashore and presents parking and shuttle packages.

Associated: Best Hilton credit cards

Marriott resorts close to the Port of Galveston

For an reasonably priced stick with seashore entry, try the Courtyard Galveston Island (30,000 to 59,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time). You may dine at its on-site restaurant or enterprise out — both by foot or through the island’s trolley — to pattern the island’s famend seafood. Wi-Fi is free for Bonvoy members.

The Grand Galvez, a part of Marriott’s Autograph Assortment, is the town’s signature resort. First opened in 1911 because the Resort Galvez, it’s the solely historic beachfront resort on all the Texas coast. A keep right here (from 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time) is a grand option to begin a cruise trip.

For a resort even nearer to the pier and the town’s famed downtown strand, the Tremont Home is a luxurious possibility from the Tribute Portfolio (from 55,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time). Its Blum & Co. bistro and wine bar is open all day and effectively into the night for these arriving from late flights into Houston. The resort has park-and-sail packages in addition to transportation to the terminal.

Associated: Best Marriott credit cards

Hyatt resorts close to the Port of Galveston

The closest Hyatt is the Hyatt Regency Baytown, a Class 3 resort (from 9,000 World of Hyatt factors per night time). It is an hour’s drive from the port, located not removed from Area Heart Houston and the Kemah Boardwalk, if these are in your to-do checklist pre- or post-cruise.

Associated: Why the World of Hyatt card is one of the best credit cards

Non-points resorts close to the Port of Galveston

A keep at Moody Gardens Resort, Spa and Conference Heart is a whopper of a family-friendly selection. In addition to the aquarium, rainforest and discovery museum on-site, the property boasts a beachy water park and lazy river, and a paddlewheel boat providing dinner cruises. The resort presents cruise parking and a cruise shuttle for a payment.

Leaving the youngsters behind? The San Luis Resort, Spa and Convention Heart is family-friendly, however its lack of sights for youngsters (aside from a pool) means fewer kids will seemingly be on the property. That makes it supreme for a {couples} or singles escape. The resort has ocean-view rooms and suites, 4 eating places and a luxurious spa to kick off (or end off) your cruise.

Associated: The best credit cards for dining

Issues to do in and round Galveston earlier than or after your cruise

The seashore is the No. 1 purpose folks go to Galveston. It stretches for 32 miles (greater than 10 miles protected by a seawall and promenade) and is dotted with fishing piers, overwater memento retailers and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier amusement park. The perfect half is that just about something you want in Galveston is throughout the road from the seashore, together with a lot of the resorts and eating places.

The bar scene alongside the seawall has a lot to supply, from rooftop out of doors seating at Pelican and the Shark on the 61st Road Fishing Pier to the well-known Poop Deck going through the seashore. The Strand has its personal focus of bars, from stylish wine bars to real dive bars.

Past the seashore, search for a Texas authentic water park — Schlitterbahn and Moody Gardens. Children and adults each can delight within the three Moody Gardens pyramids. One’s an aquarium that includes penguins, seals and a coral reef lab. One other is a rainforest, residence to over 1,700 unique vegetation and endangered animals, together with free-roaming sloths and birds that fly between the bushes as you stroll the paths beneath the cover. The third pyramid is a discovery museum with rotating displays. Anticipate animal encounters and hands-on “edutainment” in any respect three.

You will not have hassle discovering Galveston’s Walmart and Goal should you’re trying to buy last-minute snacks, sundries, bottled water, soda or wine to hold on board (where allowed).

Sizzling spots for beachwear, hats, sun shades and souvenirs particular to Galveston are Dolphin World and the Mermaid Pier.

Planning a cruise? Begin with these tales: