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They are the Bush-Intercontinental (IAH) Airport, 75 miles north of Galveston Island, and William P. Hobby (HOU) Airport, 41 miles northwest of the cruise port. Princess® returns to Galveston, sailing once again from this city tucked within a quaint Gulf Coast barrier island. Galveston is also home to the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa, a 19th century ship that was designated a historical landmark in 1990. Elissa is featured as a part of the Galveston Historic Seaport, which is a three-minute drive from the cruise port. There are also miles of beaches to enjoy, along with water sports and other outdoor activities. For those looking for something a bit more laid-back, there are plenty of great restaurants, bars, and shops to explore.
Discover Galveston Island – A Coastal Gem
Here are a few attractions to tempt you to stay a few nights and enjoy this top resort. At the check-in desk, you will need to present your passport and ticket info, along with any visa/ESTA required. You will also be asked to provide a credit card for the settlement of your account during or at the end of your cruise.
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It is located at the extreme northeastern tip of this 27-mile-long barrier island. The cruise port is in sheltered waters at the entrance to Galveston Bay and the start of the Houston Ship Channel. It is just a short minute sail to reach the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Families can take a walking tour of the city’s historic downtown area, The Strand, which is home to beautiful Victorian architecture, museums, and unique shops. The Strand is also the center of Galveston’s seasonal celebrations, including Mardis Gras and the annual ‘Dickens on the Strand’ festival.
Cruising from Galveston Island - Galveston, TX - Galveston.com
Cruising from Galveston Island - Galveston, TX.
Posted: Thu, 16 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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Galveston's fourth/newest cruise terminal project was unanimously voted at the Board's October 31st meeting and was included in the Port's "20-Year Strategic Master Plan" (2019-adopted). It was also announced that the port and MSC are negotiating an agreement related to the Pier 16 Terminal. The deal also included building a new/shared cruise terminal with capacity to handle a vessel similarly sized or bigger than Disney's Magic-Wonder boats. In 2017 the number grew to 950,000 (economic impact USD 2,3 billion) supporting local jobs. Generated jobs are 20,000 (paying over USD 1,1 billion in total income).
PORTS OF CALL FOR SHIPS DEPARTING GALVESTON
What started as a humble Mexican trading post has since become a Texan-sized center of commerce. A family-friendly destination, Stewart Beach offers a wide expanse of sandy shores, lifeguard stations, and amenities like volleyball courts and a pavilion. It’s an ideal spot for sunbathing, swimming, and building sandcastles. Stretching for 10 miles along the Gulf of Mexico, the Galveston Seawall is an iconic structure built after the 1900 hurricane. It provides stunning ocean views, a bustling promenade, and a protective barrier against storm surges. Today, Galveston stands as a testament to resilience, blending its historic charm with modern attractions.
Cruise Ship Sailing from Galveston
However, if you are traveling with a larger group (whose luggage fits in a standard car!), this option might work out to be more cost-effective than a shuttle. Prices start as low as $65 for a five-day cruise and $70 for a seven-day cruise. Sitting about a mile east of Terminals 25 and 28, Terminal 10 has its own parking areas.
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. There are two terminals at the Port of Galveston so it is important to know which terminal your cruise ship will be using or you might try to drop your luggage off at the wrong one (like we did!). Thankfully there are lots of staff around to help guide you to the right location so don’t be afraid to ask questions, if only to confirm you are indeed in the right place. Disney Wonder is currently based in Galveston cruise port and offers a choice of cruise itineraries for families. In 2018, Disney signed a new option for two additional 5-year periods and was projected to double its sailings out of Galveston by 2028. Royal Caribbean is heavily invested in the Galveston cruise port with the development of the new third terminal to accommodate the larger Oasis-class cruise ships.
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The new passenger terminal has a modern building (height 68 ft/ 21 m) and docking capacity to accommodate even Oasis-class liners (the world's largest). 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. Flight tourists boarding in Galveston fly into one of Houston's two airports - George Bush/Intercontinental (IAH) or the smaller William Hobby (HOU/served mainly by Southwest Airlines). (Western Caribbean) From Galveston are also offered Mexico-only roundtrips that visit Cozumel (4-days) and Cozumel with Progreso (5-days).
Taxi fares are USD 100 from George Bush Intercontinental and USD 75 from Hobby Airport. Prices for parking at Galveston cruise port start at around $85 for 7 nights if you book ahead. Both airports are home to cruise-specific shuttle services that provide round-trip services from Houston to the Port of Galveston. These shuttles leave on a set schedule, with many providers offering several daily departure times seven days a week.
In August 2017 (25-27), the port was closed due to Hurricane Harvey's significant rains during the weekend. This affected the schedules of 4 liners (Carnival Breeze, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Valor, Liberty of the Seas). The port was shut down to all shipping traffic (cargo and passenger).
The shipping channel is also regularly deepened to maintain a 150-ft (46-m) wide waterfront marine zone that allows access to piers 10 and 41. In 2017 were handled a total of 258 ship calls and ~1,9 million passengers. In 2017, the port reported a record monthly cruise shipping volume (113,488 embarking passengers) on a total of 33 departures in December. Major contributors to the Port's current successful cruise business are Carnival Corporation and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group. 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.
Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, Galveston is sure to provide the stating point of an amazing cruise experience. Bush-Intercontinental has a superior flight network but is further outside the city and is situated 70 miles (about 75 minutes) from the Port of Galveston. IAH is United Airlines’ second largest hub and offers nonstop travel to over 185 destinations across 28 airlines. The closest major city to the Port of Galveston is Houston, which is about 50 miles northwest of the port, so if you must fly to Texas to board your trip, set your sights on a Houston-based airport. The park’s fishing areas and kayak launches invite outdoor enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the natural surroundings. While entry fees apply per vehicle, the experiences offered, including ranger-led programs, make it a worthwhile investment for a day of outdoor enjoyment.
Freedom and Valor were relocated to New Orleans, Breeze remained docked overnight in Cozumel, Liberty OTS was diverted to Miami. 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 Galveston (locode USGLS) is located on mainland Texas' upper coast and on the island's eastern end.
Galveston Island’s Historic Pleasure Pier is a 1,000-foot-long amusement park that sits over the sea about a six-minute drive from the Port of Galveston. For $30 per person, you can get all-access all-day to this recently renovated nexus of fun, offering food, shops, carnival games, and 15 rides (including a roller coaster!). Houston has two main airports, William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), both of which host domestic and international flights. Houston Hobby is generally more conveniently positioned, only 45 miles (about 50 minutes) from the port.
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