Complete Guide to Cruising From the Port of Galveston

Table Of Content

• HOU - Hobby Airport Shuttle
• Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America
• Dropping Off/ Picking Up Passengers
• Night Western Caribbean CruiseDetails
• Complete Guide to Cruising From the Port of Galveston
• Sir Richard Branson Cruises the Streets of London...
• Houston-Galveston fly cruisers information

Seating was increased from 500 to 2000 seats, baggage holding-, customs- and waiting areas were expanded, and 16 more check-in booths were installed. 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. Terminal 2's size was increased to 150,000 ft2 / 13,940 m2 (passenger capacity up to 1000) at the cost of USD 10M.

HOU - Hobby Airport Shuttle

A shuttle will transport you back and forth from your car and the ship for free. The cheapest rates run about $100 for a 7-day cruise and $70 for a 5-day cruise if you book ahead of time. There are also more expensive lots that are covered and/or closer to the terminal. Our Port of Galveston cruise parking allows passengers to reserve a parking spot when sailing out of Port of Galveston cruise terminals.

Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America

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. Galveston ship calendar 2024 provides a list of cruise ships scheduled to arrive in port with detailed information, including dates and estimated time of arrival and departure. To view how busy is the port we have included the maximum passenger capacity for each vessel.

Dropping Off/ Picking Up Passengers

November Update: Carnival Cruise Line Fleet Locations and Itineraries - Cruise Industry News

November Update: Carnival Cruise Line Fleet Locations and Itineraries.

Posted: Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

In total, the security and check-in process shouldn’t take more than about minutes. We have all the details on the major modes of transportation on our port transportation page. Below we hit the highlights of the major ways to get to the ships. 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.

Night Western Caribbean CruiseDetails

In February 2015, Carnival added the ship Freedom as its 3rd year-round boat (joining the fleetmates Magic and Triumph) which increased CCL's year capacity up to 600,000 passengers. The port also has facilities to handle cargo ships (bulk freighters and container carriers) and dry dock facilities for marine vessel refurbishments and repairs. The port can handle all types of cargo - containers, dry bulk, liquid bulk, breakbulk, RO-RO (roll-on/roll-off) vessels. There is a terminal switching railroad to facilitate larger cargo movements by rail.

Port of Galveston to construct 4th cruise terminal for MSC

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. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site.

Complete Guide to Cruising From the Port of Galveston

The port is currently in the conceptual stage (designs) for building a new (3rd) cruise terminal as the demand for large vessels leaving from Galveston on the weekends is constantly growing. On November 30, 2016, the port completed a USD 13 million project that expanded the passenger area at "Cruise Terminal 2". Terminal's both buildings are now connected by an enclosed, air-conditioned walkway. The passenger area was increased from around 90,000 to 150,000 ft2 (8360 to m2).

Once you are called for your turn, you’ll set up your onboard spending account, get your room keycard and then board the ship. One popular perk is free parking for the length of your cruise in return for a one-night stay. Some offer cruise parking as part of a package, others just let you leave your car while you cruise. One of the best things about cruising from Galveston is that parking is easy, (relatively) cheap, and convenient.

Houston-Galveston fly cruisers information

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. The debarkation process actually starts the night before your cruise ends. At that time you will set any large bags you don’t want to carry with you off the ship in the hallway outside your cabin. The crew will pick the bags and they will be transported to the terminal for you to pick up after debarking the ship. We all know that waiting in line to check-in for a flight is mind-numbing.

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. 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.

The area around the port offers ample parking, with official Port of Galveston parking lots competing alongside independent lots. Driving to the PortOne of the reasons that Galveston is such a popular cruise port is that millions live within a few hours’ drive of the port. That makes it convenient to get to the cruise port and not having to deal with airports or flying. As well, having your car means you can get to the port when you want, leave as soon as you get off the ship, and not have to meet anyone else’s schedule.