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One thing to know is that a number of hotels in the area offer parking at their hotel while you cruise. So stay a night, and you can leave your car there for little or no cost. If you’re driving into the port and plan to stay the night, it’s hard to beat this deal. Click here to see our list of Galveston hotels with cruise parking. 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.
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It’s easy to reach from major cities including Houston, Austin and Dallas as well as most southern states. Port Galveston is the fourth-busiest port in North America, serving over 1.7 million cruise passengers a year. Operations at the port began in 1825, when Texas was part of Mexico, making it the oldest U.S. port in continuous operation.
Port of Galveston Cruise Lines & Schedules

Pier 21 Theater offers three movies about various points in history for Galveston Island. Built by Henry Fowler-Watt, the Elissa was named after a Phoenician princess in the epic Roman poem the Aeneid. After a long life as a cargo vessel, she was brought to Galveston to be restored.
Tips for Sailing out of the Port of Galveston
Moreover, the terminal allows for the simultaneous embarking and disembarking of over 5,000 passengers at a time. The 150,000-square-foot facility was designed with Royal Caribbean’s Freedom-class ships in mind. It's a facility that has undergone many improvements to continue to provide clients with the ultimate guest service. Welcome to the Port of Galveston, a major cruise port in the U.S., with several reasons to choose it as your departure point for your next cruising journey. The port is well-known for its convenient access to most major southern cities, as well as for being closer to the ocean than other major ports in the country. Travelers arriving by car should allow at least 90 minutes to get to the cruise terminal from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
Port of Galveston has parking available at all terminals with each facility marked with blue banners reading "Port of Galveston Cruise Parking." Most people taking cruises out of Galveston live within driving distance. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. 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 expansion also included longer docking pier with extra bollards (short, vertical posts used for mooring). The expanded Terminal 2 now has capacity to handle up to 5,000 passengers at a time. The project included adding two new gangways, a new ramp, two elevators, one escalator, new roofing, improvements of facilities (including Customs & Border Protection). 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.
MSC to Construct New Hospital Ship for People in Africa
Port of Galveston welcoming new ships, eyeing record-breaking growth in 2024 - Houston Chronicle
Port of Galveston welcoming new ships, eyeing record-breaking growth in 2024.
Posted: Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
They believed in us then and believe in Galveston’s growing prominence as a top cruise port today,” Rees said. With a capacity of 6,500 guests, Carnival Jubilee is larger than the Carnival ships currently sailing from the terminal. Construction plans include gangway modifications, a ramp, two elevators and an escalator, and a new roof, among other things.
Cruise Parking Galveston
Meanwhile, providing a ride to the port saves a lot of money in paying for a shuttle or having to park during the cruise. 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.

It has been in business since 1825, when Texas was part of Mexico, and remains one of the oldest ports in the Gulf of Mexico. It is now the 4th busiest cruise port in North America, serving over 1.7 million cruisers in 2018. In December 2018, the Port of Galveston reached a whopping $125 million agreement with Royal Caribbean to construct a third terminal. The new terminal will boost the port's capacity and revenue, including state and local taxes. The Port of Galveston is the nation's largest cruise and cargo port, with an area of 840 acres.
Galveston Wharves approves engineering work for a fourth cruise terminal - Travel Weekly
Galveston Wharves approves engineering work for a fourth cruise terminal.
Posted: Wed, 08 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
You can reserve your Carnival Cruise Parking in Galveston spot ahead of time, to receive the lowest rate and avoid the stress of looking for parking on the day of your ship departure. Booking your reservation ahead will ensure a stress-free start to your Carnival cruise vacation. Additionally, planning ahead for parking allows you to factor in transportation logistics. If you're driving from out of town or need shuttle service from a hotel, knowing where you'll be parked in advance helps streamline your travel plans. Port of Galveston covers 840 acres and serves cargo, cruise and commercial shipping operations.
Both options (garage and economy lots) are port police patrolled 24/7 so that you do not have to worry about the security of your vehicle while you are away. One thing we know is the EZ Cruise Parking offers a sharp discount of $15 off of a week’s cruise parking if you choose to park and walk to the cruise port. Port of Galveston has two cruise terminals between Piers 23 and 28. Both terminals have 2000-foot berths to accommodate larger cruise ships to a depth of 30 feet. The terminals cover an area 220,000 sq.ft and include onsite cruise parking on open parking lots and in a parking garage.
In addition to passengers, the port provides safe and efficient movements of goods. Many consumers, businesses, industries, and communities rely on Port Galveston to handle their products or cargo needs. It also serves as an essential conduit for U.S. trade and is connected to multiple major highway systems via Interstate 45 and U.S. Galveston also has several private parking garages near the terminal.
When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. 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. In 2018, on Terminal 2's channel side were added new mooring structures (bollards) to allow docking of the longer Carnival Vista.
Once you are called for your turn, you’ll set up your onboard spending account, get your room keycard and then board the ship. Compared to airports, checking-in and security on a cruise ship is a dream. The port itself sits on the northern side of the island, protected from the Gulf of Mexico. Its location makes it a convenient spot to set sail as it only takes minutes for the ships to get out to the open water.
With so much to offer, cruisers should definitely consider the benefits of sailing out of Galveston cruise terminal on their next voyage. The port of Galveston is home to three cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean (RCL), and Disney. It’s expected that more lines will join the fleet once it’s fully operational. This state-of-the-art complex also offers all the amenities you need to enjoy a stress-free cruise vacation. For the most accurate directions to the cruise terminals, input 22nd Street and Harborside Drive on your GPS.
Remember that timing is everything when it comes to finding good deals on cruise parking in Galveston. If possible, try scheduling your trip during less busy times of the year when demand for parking is lower - this could mean lower prices for you. In this blog post, we'll explore different options for Carnival cruise parking in Galveston and help you find the best solution for your needs. Terminal 2 was expanded in 2016 to accommodate Royal Caribbean’s larger Freedom-class ships. Ft. facility can accommodate up to 5,000 passengers and allows for simultaneous handling of passengers embarking and disembarking. The Galveston Cruise Terminals are a popular departure point for cruises, and there are many reasons why.
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