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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. On December 9, 2018, Port Galveston welcomed its 10 millionth cruise tourist since 2000, when its cruising operations started.
Night Eastern Caribbean ItineraryDetails
All of these lots, however, are located near the original cruise terminals and not Royal Caribbean’s new Galveston terminal. 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).
MSC Cruises Sailing from Texas Starting 2025
MSC will add Galveston cruises in 2025, expanding US footprint - USA TODAY
MSC will add Galveston cruises in 2025, expanding US footprint.
Posted: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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. Taxis are also available from both Houston airports, but the prices are significantly higher (~twice) than the rideshare service. Cruisers looking for a great value when it comes to driving in for their Galveston cruise can consider a stay at the Holiday Inn Resort Galveston (On The Beach, an IHG Hotel).
CRUISES FROM GALVESTON
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. Independent shuttle services are provided by companies like Galveston Express, Galveston Limousine, Island Breeze Shuttle. The project included adding two new gangways, a new ramp, two elevators, one escalator, new roofing, improvements of facilities (including Customs & Border Protection). 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. Although the location of the closest commercial airport is in Houston, nearly an hour away, Galveston offers the Southern cruise market an appealing drive-to option bordering the Gulf of Mexico.
Port of Galveston Location
Royal Caribbean’s Pier 10 (aka Terminal 3) is located about a mile east of the other legacy terminals at Harborside Drive and 14th Street. Terminal 28 (formerly Cruise Terminal 2) is where Disney and Norwegian will dock, as well as the occasional Princess or Carnival ship, and it’s located at 2702 Harborside Drive. Terminal 25 (formerly Cruise Terminal 1) typically hosts Carnival and Princess ships and is located at 2502 Harborside Drive. Additionally, Disney Magic sails four- to seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Texas. Cruise lovers within reach of the Lone Star State have a lot to celebrate.
Cruisers who drove in for their sailing can park their car at the hotel for $15 per night, plus tax. If you need a ride to the cruise port, then we suggest Uber/Lyft or an independent shuttle for most people (not the shuttles operated by the cruise line). Cruise shuttles offer roundtrip rides between the airports and the cruise terminal for as little as $50 per person.
MSC Cruises and Galveston Port signed terminal agreement for homeporting Seascape ship
This allows you to secure a spot in advance and avoid any potential last-minute hassles when it comes time for departure. Whether you'll have a better time on one of the other seven cruise ships that regularly sail out of Galveston will depend a lot on the type of traveler you are. The best ship for a cruise out of Galveston with your family might not be your top pick for a couple's cruise or girlfriends' getaway. Most of these parking lots will be about a 7-10 minute drive from the port (or a 30 minute walk). 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.
Galveston cruise port
Galveston Island sits as a barrier island just off of Texas, attached to the mainland by Interstate 45. If you’re coming from the Houston area, you’ll approach over a short causeway that will bring you just a few miles from the port. Those coming from the east normally take the free ferry between Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula.
Day 2: Fun Day at Sea
It’s a great way to spend the day (or evening) if you are traveling with a family. Galveston is a Texas tourist hotspot as it offers a lot to do and a completely different atmosphere than the rest of the state. The island isn’t that large (pop. ~50,000) and has a lot to do within just a few minutes of the cruise ship. We all know that waiting in line to check-in for a flight is mind-numbing. Once you are called for your turn, you’ll set up your onboard spending account, get your room keycard and then board the ship.
That results in fewer and smaller attractions than the latter vessels. Allure of the Seas sails out of Galveston every Sunday on seven-night voyages to the Western Caribbean. The ship stops at Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine. She loves to get active while at port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea. We always recommend arriving at the cruise port the day before your cruise begins.
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). Ceres currently provides for RCG similar services at Port Canaveral, Tampa, Port NOLA/New Orleans and Baltimore. The USD 125 million (~EUR 107M) project was approved on December 11, 2019. This is a long-term (20-year initial) lease deal that could be extended (via 4 consecutive 10-year options) up to 60-year exclusive terminal concession rights.
Hands down, the 3,215-passenger ship offers the best Galveston cruises for luxury lovers. Disney Magic sails a mix of four- to six-night voyages from Galveston to Mexico. Shorter voyages typically visit Progreso, Mexico, while longer sailings add a stop in Cozumel.
You can read more and get all the details on our Galveston port transportation page. Independent Parking LotsAs the Port of Galveston has boomed in popularity, nearly a dozen independent parking lots have sprouted up all around the port facility. These lots typically offer cheaper rates than the official port parking, while sometimes being even closer than the port’s parking. And while the cruise port in Galveston may not be the biggest (that title goes to Miami), cruising from the island seems to get bigger every season. Now with three cruise terminals, more than a million passengers sail from Galveston in a year. There are several independently owned and operated parking lots near the Port of Galveston.
No matter your budget of what you’re looking for, Galveston has something to fit your needs relatively close to the port. Cruise Terminal 28 (Formerly Terminal 2)Cruise Terminal 28 was the home to Royal Caribbean ships before they moved to the new terminal. If you’re walking to the terminal, it’s a bit farther than Terminal 25, but if you are taking a shuttle, they will drop you off right at the entrance. That proximity to so many people makes it easy to see why Galveston has blossomed into the largest cruise port outside of Florida. 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.
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