Norwegian Jewel Sailing Canceled
Guests booked aboard the March 20, 2022 sailing of the Jewel-class Norwegian Jewel will be disappointed to learn that their cruise has now been canceled. That voyage was to have been a 9-day roundtrip sailing from Panama City, Panama, visiting Costa Rica, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, and Colombia.
This cancelation is described as due to revitalization of the cruise ship, but details of that project have not been released or clarified.
Guests are understandably upset, as this cancelation comes the day after final payment for that sailing was due. While cruise lines often need to make sailing adjustments at the last minute, the timing of this announcement seems unclear.
Booked passengers will receive full refunds back to their original form of payment. If a future cruise credit was used for the booking, that FCC will be returned to guests Latitudes account.
Getting There By Uber/taxi Or Private Car
Another option for getting to Galveston Island is by taxi, Uber or by hiring a private car service. If you are cruising as a family or group, these options can sometimes work out cheaper than paying a price per person for the shuttle.
All these options allow you to sit back and enjoy the ride while the driver navigates right to the drop-off point ship-side. Drivers are also happy to assist with your luggage. It starts your luxury cruise in a relaxed and comfortable way.
Youre Going To Need Parking
Dont forget this important part of any cruise: keeping your car safe while youre at sea. Our Galveston cruise parking lot offers 24 hour security and your car is protected by a 10 foot high wrought-iron enclosure topped with razor wire. We also offer lots elevated above street level. Our friendly and helpful staff are dedicated to providing the best cruise parking in Galveston.
Enjoy your trip with the peace of mind that your vehicle will be safe and secure. Reserve your cruise parking online and save $5!
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Other Deployments For Royal Caribbean Ships
In addition to the big news for Galveston, other Royal Caribbean ships will have new homeports in the coming years.
San JuanIn another homeport first, Enchantment of the Seas will make San Juan, Puerto Rico its winter port after summering in Galveston. Enchantment will sail 7-night voyages to the Southern Caribbean, including Barbados and Dominica. Freedom of the Seas, which will undergo refurbishment in March 2020 as part of the Royal Amplified fleet modernization program, will continue to homeport in San Juan year-round.
FloridaExplorer of the Seas will unveil her facelift with a summer season in Europe before returning to Miami. Explorers Miami-based voyages will include 5- and 9-night cruises sailings to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacoa. The ship will also visit Royal Caribbeans private destination in Labadee, Haiti as well as Royal Caribbeans private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas.
Independence of the Seas returns to Fort Lauderdale in November 2020, sailing 4- and 5-night cruises to the Western Caribbean and Nassau. Select sailings will call on Perfect Day at CocoCay. Vision of the Seas will also sail out of Fort Lauderdale. The ship will offer 10- and 11-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean, including St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Thomas, San Juan, Antigua and St. Maarten.
Window On The Waterfront
The excellent Window on the Waterfront has a collection of attractions close to Galveston cruise port. It has many unusual maritime attractions and museums that may interest cruise visitors including:
The Elissa
The Elissa is a 141-foot long sailing ship built in 1877. It is now permanently docked at Pier 21 as a maritime museum attraction. Tour the decks and imagine life as a sailor 150 years ago.
Built by Henry Fowler-Watt, the Elissa was named after a Phoenician princess. After many years transporting cargo, she was brought to Galveston to be restored. This fully-functional antique vessel makes for a popular and interesting attraction.
Pier 21 Theater
If you want to escape the heat or chilly wind, there are several theaters and art galleries including Pier 21 Theater. It shows three movies about Galveston Island history. These include The Great Storm about the hurricane that hit Galveston in 1900.
Another movie tells the story of The Pirate Island of Jean Lafitte and finally, Galveston Gateway on the Gulf, a movie about the immigrants who arrived in Galveston to start a new life.
Texas Seaport Museum
Ocean Star Drilling Rig Museum
Few of us can visit a drilling rig, so the Ocean Star Drilling Rig Museum is a great opportunity to learn about offshore drilling and exploration, seismology and much more.
With so much going on around Galveston cruise port, you might want to seriously consider Galveston for your next cruise.
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Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Further Sailings
Norwegian Cruise Line cancels the March 20 Norwegian Jewel sailing and Pride of America cruises through April 2, 2022.
In an update to its website travel advisory posted January 19, 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled further voyages for both the Norwegian Jewel and Pride of America cruise ships. This extends the pause in operations for Norwegian Jewel through the March 20, 2022 sailing, and voyages aboard Pride of America are now canceled through and including the April 2, 2022 sailing.
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Carnival Vista Is First Ship To Cruise Out Of Galveston Since The Pandemic Shutdown
GALVESTON, Texas Cruising is back! Carnival Vista cruised out of Galveston Saturday at 70 percent capacity and is headed to the Caribbean.
Carnival Vista was the first ship leaving out of Galveston and only the second ship to leave from the U.S. since the pandemic shutdown.
The first cruise ship that left the U.S. last week was a Royal Caribbean cruise ship Celebrity Edge that sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale.
There were only about 1,200 passengers on the ship that normally holds more than double that.
All of the adults onboard were vaccinated, and the children who accompanied them were tested for COVID since vaccines arent required for them.
Travelers had to show proof when checking in.
For those who boarded the ship and those who live on the island and benefit from cruises, the voyage is a symbol of things going back to normal.
Allan Debowsky and his family are on board.
Weve been waiting and waiting. Were so excited, Debowsky said.
For the last 16 months, cruise ships have been docked because of COVID-19.
Every time that we thought about going on vacation, we always thought about a cruise, and we couldnt do that, Patricia Debowsky said.
Avid cruisers like the Debowsky family have been waiting for the chance to be allowed back.
Hes been cruising since he was nine months old, Patricia Debowsky said about her son Zachary. He would rather cruise, out of his words, than go to Disney when he was a kid.
Carnival said UTMB provided vaccines for all of its crew.
Carnival Radiance To Galveston
Carnival Radiance will launch a new schedule of five- to 14-day voyages from the Port of Galveston beginning on May 14, 2021. On this route: Five-day cruises depart Sundays and feature the seaside Mexican ports of Cozumel and Progreso or Costa Maya. Three different nine-day options departing Fridays will be offered one calling at Cozumel, Limon , and a partial Panama Canal transit or a visit to Colon , another featuring Key West, Grand Turk, the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay and Nassau, and a third stopping at Grand Cayman, Mahogany Bay , Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel. Two eight-port, 14-day Carnival Journeys cruises visiting top destinations throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America and the Panama Canal will also be offered departing Oct. 24, 2021, and Jan. 16, 2022.
Carnival Radiance will undergo an extensive bow-to-stern $200 million renovation next year that will add all of the lines food, beverage, and entertainment innovations, bringing an exciting new option to the Galveston market.
The extensive 38-day renovation of the ship will add a host of new food and beverage outlets including Guys Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse created by Food Network star Guy Fieri, Cucina del Capitano family-style Italian restaurant, Bonsai Sushi, and Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub, and the first Big Chicken restaurant created by Carnivals Chief Fun Officer, Shaquille ONeal.
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More About Galveston Cruise Terminals
Terminal 1 is located at 2502 Harborside Drive, Galveston and east of Terminal 2. It currently serves Carnival and Disney Cruise Lines with parking right across the street. This original terminal was modernized in 2010.
Terminal 2 is located at 2702 Harborside Drive, Galveston. It is mainly used by Royal Caribbean until Terminal 3 opens in late 2022. It is within walking distance of the terminal and parking. There is also a shuttle service.
Terminal 3 is currently under construction since an agreement was signed between the port and RCL in 2018. It will accommodate many more passengers and the larger Oasis-class cruise ships, bringing more revenue to the port.
Plans for the Galveston cruise terminal are for a new 200,000 sq. ft. complex on 10 acres of land at Pier 10, east of the existing terminals. The project has an estimated cost of $125 million and will provide a state-of-the-art cruise terminal in Galveston. It will be the home port for some of Royal Caribbeans fleet including Allure of the Seas
This expansion is anticipated to create 800 new jobs and will create $1.4 billion in local business revenue as well as boosting state and local taxes. The $125 million project includes state-of-the-art technology.
Galveston Cruise Port: Essential Guide For Your Cruise
The ultimate guide to Galveston Cruise Port, covering all aspects of cruising from the Port of Galveston for a cruise vacation.
Galveston cruise port is the fourth busiest in the USA after Miami, Port Canaveral and Port Everglades, Florida. It is well positioned for cruises with an estimated 30 million people living within a 300-mile radius.
Galveston cruise port has many benefits for those living in Texas, Louisiana and the central and northern states. It is convenient, easy to reach, and offers a wide range of cruise itineraries with four major cruise lines.
Despite being on an island, the port is within an hours drive of Houston , which has two international airports for cruisers to fly into. Regular shuttle transport, limos or private taxis complete the smooth transfer to Galveston Island in about one hour.
For those who prefer to drive, there are many affordable hotels and cruise parking options around Galveston cruise terminals.
Galveston cruise terminals currently serve 2.2 million cruise passengers annually. Ambitious plans are already underway to create a third terminal at the port. This is expected to double the number of cruisers departing from the port from late 2022.
If youre thinking of cruising out of Galveston, read on to find out more about the port facilities, cruise parking option, airport transfers and terminal info. We also offer an insight into hotels and things to do in Galveston before or after your cruise. But first
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History Of Hosting Cruise Ships At The Port
In the 1970s, ocean cruises enjoyed a surge of popularity with American vacationers. The Love Boat, a silly, romantic television sitcom that aired from 1977 to 1986, undoubtedly fueled travelers newfound interest in cruising. In 1974, the Port of Galveston began hosting its first cruise ship year-round, and in 2001 a second Carnival ship began docking there permanently. The Ports 100,000th passenger sailed from the Port that same year.
The Port of Galveston is proud to be the year-round homeport to two Carnival Cruise Line vessels and one Royal Caribbean Cruise Line vessel. In 2003, Princess Cruises announced it would begin seven-day sailings from the Port of Galveston with the maiden voyage of the Grand Princess the following year. The Port also hosted Celebrity Cruise Lines for a time.
Cdc Approves Carnival To Restart Cruises From Galveston
The Port of Galveston says Carnival has the green light to start cruises again from Galveston.
Galveston Port Director Rodger Rees outlining the recent developments between Carnival Cruise Line and the Port of Galveston to get approval by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to restart cruises.
In the update, Mr. Rees said the CDC approved Carnivals restart plans.
On May 28, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved Carnival Cruise Lines processes and procedures to resume sailing, just three days after the plan was submitted to the CDC. This approval gives Carnival the green light to move forward with plans to resume sailing from the Port of Galveston as early as July 3, as planned.
On May 25, the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees, Galveston County Health District and Carnival signed off on the 40-page agreement detailing safe sailing processes and procedures that was submitted to the CDC.
According to the cruise line, Carnival also received approval for its Port Agreements with PortMiami and Port Canaveral.
Carnival confirmed Carnival Vista and Breeze will be the first ships from Galveston to carry guests as the line plans its July return to service.
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Cruises From Houston Or Galveston: Which Should You Choose
Editors note: As of April 2016, Houston is no longer an active cruise port.
When deciding whether you want to cruise from Houston or Galveston, youll need to weigh the pros and cons of each port city. How easy is each one to get to? How many cruise lines offer sailings from each port? Whats difficult about sailing from each city? If youre trying to decide between cruising from Galveston or cruising from Houston, read on for the key differentiators.
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Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Allure of the Seas – Arriving 2022
Adventure of the SeasRoyal Caribbean International’s Adventure of the Seas offers four and five-night Western Caribbean cruises seasonally including Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya, and the Yucatan as ports of call.
Liberty of the SeasRoyal Caribbean International’s Liberty of the Seas offers seven-night Western Caribbean cruises year round including Isla Roatan, Honduras Belize City Belize Cozumel, Mexico Falmouth, Jamaica Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Montego Bay, Jamaica and Costa Maya, Mexico as ports of call.
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Cruise Lines That Stop At The Port
The Port of Galveston recently announced that starting in the Fall of 2013, Royal Caribbeans Navigator of the Seas will sail year-round out of the Port of Galveston. The Navigator of the Seas will be the largest ship ever home ported in Galveston.
In addition, Disney Cruise Lines and Princess Cruise Lines also now sail from the Port to destinations in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Disney Cruise Lines sails the Disney Magic from the Port in the fall and winter seasons. Princess Cruises sailed the 951-foot Crown Princess to the western Caribbean from January to April 2013. Later in 2014, Princess will sail from the Houston Bayport Terminal, via the Caribbean Princess.
Pride Of America Suspension Continues
Norwegian Cruise Line has also canceled further voyages aboard Pride of America, which was slated to resume her Hawaiian cruises on February 26. Now, Pride of America cruises through and including embarkation on April 2, 2022, have been canceled.
The 80,439-gross-ton Pride of America was slated to have begun its inter-island Hawaii itineraries on March 5. The ship typically offers 7-night round-trip voyages from Honolulu, calling on various ports around the islands to give passengers a true Hawaiian experience.
Now, Pride of America will not resume sailing until its scheduled April 9, 2022 departure.
This further suspension is likely due to ongoing health and safety restrictions in Hawaii that make it challenging to accommodate cruise travelers, especially those arriving from international flights. In recent weeks, COVID-19 cases have risen sharply in Hawaii, and local restrictions are strictly enforced to protect residents.
Pride of America was scheduled to have restarted sailings this month, but that restart has now been pushed back twice and guests will have to continue to wait before setting sail around the Hawaiian islands. As with booked passengers on other impacted sailings, full refunds will be issued back to the original form of payment.
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Ez Cruise Parking Welcomes The Arrival Of The Norwegian Prima In Galveston
The Norwegian Prima is a first-of-its-kind luxury cruise ship from Norwegian Cruise Lines . At 965 feet long and with a capacity for 3,125 guests, the Norwegian Prima is one of NCLs largest ships and is the first of six new ships in their anticipated Prima Class.
Ready to set sail from Galveston in the summer of 2022, the Prima puts an emphasis on wide-open spaces and offers the most outdoor deck space and roomiest accommodations of any new cruise ship. EZ Cruise Parking will shuttle you, your family, and your luggage across the Port of Galveston cruise terminal, making it easy for you to embark on the trip of a lifetime!
As always, Norwegian Cruise Lines developed the Prima to focus on youboasting an expansive footprint, high staffing levels, and world-class experiences, including:
The experience of a lifetime is waiting for you! Set sail from Galveston and travel to Mexico, Belize, and Honduras aboard the Norwegian Prima.
For more than 20 years, EZ Cruise Parking has offered the finest parking services and most secure facilities for all Galveston cruise passengers who wish to safely park and set sail on a world-class dream vacation.