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Today the main boulevard on the island runs along the Seawall, and hotels next to it offer unfettered views of the water. One good thing about driving to Galveston is that there is ample parking right near the port that’s affordable. 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.
Guide to cruises from Galveston
Norwegian's over-the-top new liner launches Caribbean cruises from Galveston - CultureMap Houston
Norwegian's over-the-top new liner launches Caribbean cruises from Galveston.
Posted: Fri, 15 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Of course, a sea day wouldn’t be a sea day without a visit to the spa, and Valiant Lady offered an easy and inexpensive way to enjoy the spa with its Thermal Suite Pass. For two hours, we could take advantage of Redemption Spa’s steam room, sauna, salt therapy room, mud bath room, hot and cold plunge pools, and heated Turkish marble lounges. Sharing a room with a friend is always a tricky proposition, but even more so in the tight quarters of a cruise ship. My friend and I shared a 225-square-foot Sea Terrace suite and from the photos, it looked like we’d have some trouble squeezing in clothes for two.
Caribbean cruises
We suggest people don’t schedule a flight before noon if flying from Houston Hobby and 1 p.m. Cruise ships arrive early (around 6-7 a.m.), but it can take 2-3 hours for everyone to get off the ship. Then there is the time to get to the airport, going through security, etc. Leaving plenty of time before your flight will help you from feeling rushed to get to the airport. The island has a wide variety of places to stay, from historic hotels like the Grand Galvez to modern-day hotel chains that are abundant on Galveston. There are also a few resorts with large pools, restaurants and more.
Port of Galveston Location
But we were pleasantly surprised upon arrival, as the suite was filled with plenty of space to accommodate all of our clothes and toiletries. If you Google Virgin Voyages, you may find earlier articles indicating that adults-only cruises are meant for raunchiness. My friend’s husband read too many comments about “swingers,” “in-cabin toy packages,” and other tales that made him wonder why we chose Virgin. We, and the people we met on board, laughed at those exaggerated stories. The ferry runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but the line can be backed up during the busy summer months.
Assuming everything checks out, you’ll then head to the check-in station. To drop off passengers or pick up, head into the port entrance at the intersection of 22nd Street and Harborside Drive. From there, it’s as simple as following the signs to the correct area for passengers to get out. If traveling with a larger group, then these options can be cheaper as they charge by the car while shuttles charge per person. If you’re about to cruise from Galveston, we have this guide to answer everything you would want to know about sailing from the port. That proximity to so many people makes it easy to see why Galveston has blossomed into the largest cruise port outside of Florida.
That said, Carnival Breeze still has a huge amount to offer for all sorts of travelers, from couples to families with kids. The ship was, notably, the first Carnival ship to feature a 4D "thrill theater" and one of the first Carnival ships with a ropes course, both attractions that appeal heavily to teens and tweens. It dates to 1998 and is the oldest cruise ship regularly sailing out of Galveston. But it still feels modern, thanks to major makeovers in recent years.
Guests can eat at the two central dining rooms on payment of an extra fee, though all inclusive cruises come with complimentary access to the other restaurants and bars. Entertainment is provided by whirlpools, pools and youth clubs for children, while for adults there is a surf simulator, a mini golf course, a rock climbing wall, an ice skating rink, casinos and lounges. Apart from ten family zones and five youth clubs, this ship has seven areas reserved exclusively for adults. This Disney Cruise Line ship can accommodate 2,713 passengers and has been recently renovated. Disney Wonder, one of the best cruises that start from Galveston, can make your dream come true.
Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? Start here:
With several visits to the Cherry on Top candy store, your kids will have a packed cruise itinerary. This romantically named cruise leaves Galveston Port to make 3-day cruises and 4-day cruises to Miami and the Bahamas. Out of all the cruises leaving from Galveston, this Royal Caribbean International ship is one of most affordable cruises. From some of the top cruises in the world to more affordable cruises, Galveston has something to offer all lovers of the sea.
In total, the security and check-in process shouldn’t take more than about minutes. FireStorm Internet runs this website to provide the most accurate and up-to-day information about tourist attractions. However, in 2013, this cruise sailing from Galveston changed its name and underwent renovation. Cruises packages include daytime entertainment at the two swimming pools, the rock climbing wall, and the casinos. Book yourself one of the all inclusive cruises on the Carnival Valor. Opt for a sea-view suite as part of your cruise deal and have a memorable time.
Cruise shuttles offer roundtrip rides between the airports and the cruise terminal for as little as $50 per person. You can read more and get all the details on our Galveston port transportation page. When it’s time to pick up people at the end of the cruise, you follow the same route for picking up. One thing to know is that it can get busy on cruise day, with lots of pedestrians. If you want to avoid this, you can plan to drop off a couple of blocks from the port.
One word of caution is that many of the excursions are extremely large and crowded. One passenger complained of having 40 people on his sailing excursion, while a kayaking trip in Antigua had more than 60 guests. We wished we had known how many people were booked on each excursion before selecting, as we would have chosen smaller Experiences. By far, our best Experience was a day sailing to the Pitons in Saint Lucia, where we stopped to snorkel and dropped anchor in a quiet yet colorful bay for local eats and Piton beer.
If you arrive in Houston late at night, your best bet is to stay near the airport and catch a shuttle or rideshare service to Galveston the following morning. Be sure to still allow yourself plenty of time to travel between Houston and Galveston in case of traffic or other delays. If you live within driving distance of Galveston and plan to drive to the port yourself, you’ll find many parking options for the duration of the cruise. Here are some of the most convenient and/or best priced options. It can’t hurt to check pricing and availability, though, especially if you’re traveling with a large family and would prefer having a private vehicle.
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. One of the most affordable cruises that start from Galveston, this Carnival Cruise Line ship is large (accommodates almost 3,000 passengers) and yet offers a commendable 3 to 1 guest to crew ratio. Liberty of the Seas, which has sailed from Galveston for many years, will finish her time in Texas in October 2022.
Given the location of the island, we’ll be honest that some of the routes can get a little stale if you are a regular cruiser. To add more variety we’ve noticed cruise lines offering different routes to entice passengers, including some trips that go clear across the Gulf to to spots like Key West and the Bahamas. Before getting on a cruise from Galveston, start your vacation with a visit to the city’s museums, historic neighborhoods, and cultural icons. Take a walk along the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, home to family-friendly rides, games, and other attractions. Then relax on one of Galveston’s many iconic beaches and enjoy the 32-miles of coastline.
It is located about a mile from the other two terminals and features its own parking areas. Because Houston’s airports are located miles from the Port of Galveston, it’s important to budget enough time to disembark the cruise ship, travel to Houston, check-in for your flight, and go through security. Royal Caribbean offers a shuttle service to and from both the George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby airports, and this can be one of the most convenient options for travelers. Set sail from a historic jewel in the Gulf of Mexico on Carnival cruises out of Galveston, Texas. Perched on the Gulf Coast, Galveston was a major commercial port in the late 1800s and has the restored architecture and proud history to show for it.
With the addition of Terminal 3 — located about a mile from the original terminals –passengers also have official parking options at that port, instead of having to shuttle from Terminals 25 & 28. Cruise Terminal 10With the size and growth of the Port of Galveston, it was only a matter of time until another terminal was built to accommodate more ships and passengers. Cruise Terminal 10 (complete guide here) is the new home to Royal Caribbean and has the ability to handle its largest Oasis-class ships. The terminal sits east of the current facilities, costing more than $130 million to build.
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