Cruises

Operating out of Galveston Island, the Port of Galveston sits in the West Bay at the beginning of the Houston Ship Channel. This port currently has two cruise terminals (with another under construction) and serves, on average, over 1 million cruise passengers a year. Located at the intersection of Harborside Drive and 22nd Street in Galveston, the port is connected to the mainland via the San Luis Pass toll bridge and Interstate 45.

Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Disney cruise lines sail from Galveston to the Eastern and Western Caribbean and Bahamas, with itineraries ranging from 4 to 7 nights. At the end of 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line will also join the lineup. Below you will learn about the different cruise lines that operate out of the Port of Galveston, in addition to nearby hotel and parking accommodations.

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Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line operates 3 ships out of this port. The Carnival Vista cruise ship sails out of Terminal 1, while the Carnival Breeze and Carnival Dream operate out of both Terminals 1 and 2.

Carnival Vista – Offers two 7-day itineraries with ports of call in Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Mahogany Bay, and Belize. This ship was built in 2016 and includes the Havana Bar & Pool, SkyRide, and IMAX at sea.
Carnival Breeze – Built in 2012, this ship sails to Jamaica, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, and Roatan, in addition to stops in the Bahamas. Attractions include the RedFrog Rum Bar, the Punchliner Comedy Club, the Twister Waterslide, and Liquid Nightclub.
Carnival Dream – An innovative ship built in 2010, the Dream features 4 and 5-day Eastern Caribbean cruises. On board, discover the Alchemy Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar, and the Cloud 9 Spa.

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International sails out of Terminal 2 at the Port of Galveston. This 150,000 square foot space can accommodate up to 5,000 passengers and was built to meet the needs of the cruise line’s larger Freedom-class ships. Currently, Royal Caribbean sails several ships out of this terminal. RCL will host another ship, the Oasis-class, Allure of the Seas, at the brand new Terminal 3 that is due to be completed at the end of 2022.

Liberty of the Seas – Offers ports of calls such as Isla Roatan, Belize, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, and Costa Maya. Liberty of the Seas features a 3D theater, a surf simulator, an ice-skating rink, and a miniature golf course.
Adventure of the Seas – Choose from a 4 or 5-night Western Caribbean cruise on this ship built in 2001. It includes twin racer water slides, a Latin nightclub, and the Duck and Dog Pub.
Grandeur of the Seas – This longtime fleet favorite was updated in 2012 and offers several enticing attractions. It has a Vegas-style casino, a rock climbing wall, 6 whirlpools, an outdoor jogging track, and much more.
Allure of the Seas – This ship offers 7-night Caribbean itineraries and will sail out of the new, state-of-the-art Terminal 3 in the Port of Galveston. Attractions include laser tag, a 10-story water slide, and an Italian trattoria with hand-tossed pizzas.

Disney Cruise Line

The Disney Cruise Line sails the Disney Magic out of Terminal 2 at the Port of Galveston. Its sister ship, the Disney Wonder has previously had itineraries out of this Texas port as well.

Disney Magic – Recently updated in 2018, this popular ship offers 4 and 5-night itineraries to Western Caribbean stops such as Cozumel, Progreso, and Grand Cayman. It includes magical attractions such as Rapunzel’s Royal Table, Marvel Day at Sea, Tangled the Musical, and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Beginning in the last few months of 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line will join the Port of Galveston’s lineup of cruise offerings. Sailing out of Terminal 2, the brand new Prima ship is said to be the first in a new class of ships designed to elevate expectations.

· Norwegian Prima – Ports of call will include Costa Maya, Cozumel, Harvest Caye (a private island in Belize), and Roatan. This ship boasts the largest outdoor deck space of any cruise ship and offers attractions such as Ocean Boulevard, the Indulge Food Hall, and infinity pools.

Hotels

There are not many hotels located right by the Port of Galveston, but there are plenty of places to stay on the island (link back to hotels page) that are just a few minutes away.

Several accommodations offer parking at the hotel while you cruise, so you can stay one night and leave your car for free (or for a low cost). Here are some hotels on the island that offer cruise parking:

Beachcomber Inn – At only 4 miles away, this hotel is the closest to the port that offers complimentary parking. However, it does not offer shuttle service.
Comfort Inn & Suites Beachfront – Set 6 miles away, this hotel offers free on-site parking for guests and a $20 roundtrip shuttle to the Port of Galveston.
La Quinta Inn & Suites Galveston West Seawall – Hotel guests can park for free before heading to their cruise and it is only 5 miles from the port.
Inn at the Waterpark – Cruise guests only have to stay here 1 night to get free parking and the port is only 5 miles away.

Parking

If you do not wish to stay a night in one of the island’s hotels, there are other parking options available for cruise passengers. Below are some alternative choices for parking your vehicle before you set sail on a cruise out of Galveston, TX.

Port of Galveston Parking

Parking at the Port of Galveston is relatively affordable, at rates of around $70 for a 5-day cruise and up to $100 for a 7-day cruise. You can also opt to park in the covered garage for a rate of around $120 for a 7-day cruise.

If you park in the SMP or Express Lots, you will enjoy a short walk to the terminals. Lots A, B, and C are Park and Ride locations where a free shuttle will transport you to the port. Remember to book ahead of time for the best prices. You can pay by credit card, traveler’s check, or cash.

Independent Parking Lots

Many privately owned companies also offer off-site parking for cruise passengers and often feature more cost efficient rates than the Port of Galveston. Some of these companies are Discount Cruise Parking, EZ Cruise, and CruisePark.com. Expect to pay between $60 and $85 depending on the length of your cruise. These independent parking lots also offer free shuttle services to the Galveston, TX cruise terminals.

When you get back from your cruise, grab a bite at one of the island’s many eateries. Check out our list of top restaurants here.