Pre And Post Cruise Options In Galveston
Galveston is an island that is 32 miles long on the upper coast of Texas on the Gulf of Mexico and one of Texas most popular tourist destinations. There are miles and miles of beaches, great lodging, wonderful seafood restaurants, and incredible shopping to enjoy in a semi-tropical climate. The many family friendly attractions in the area make it a perfect add on to a cruise that departs from Galveston.
Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum: Visitors enjoy experiencing the offshore industry first-hand on an actual retired jack-up drilling rig. The museum features three floors of models and interactive displays illustrating the exciting story of offshore oil and gas from seismic technology and exploration and production to pipelining and marine transportation.
Schlitterbahn Water Park: This water park is consistently rated tops by the Travel Channel due to the fact that it offers an extensive variety of activities and rides. There are also many different age appropriate rides and pools so that even young children can enjoy themselves with no safety concerns.
Johnson Space Center: Located in nearby Houston, the center offers unparalleled exhibits, attractions, special presentations and hands-on activities tell the story of NASAs manned space flight program. Its the only place in the world where visitors can see astronauts train for missions, touch a real moon rock, land a shuttle, and take a behind-the-scenes tour of NASA.
Port Of Galveston Location
Galveston Island sits as a barrier island just off of Texas, attached to the mainland by Interstate 45. If youre coming from the Houston area, youll approach over a short causeway that will bring you just a few miles from the port. Those coming from the east normally take the free ferry between Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula.
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 30-45 minutes for the ships to get out to the open water.
Whats not convenient is that the port sits at least 45 minutes from the nearest major airport . In other words, if you are flying in for your cruise, then you will need to figure out transportation to the ship
Given the location, many people choose to drive in for their cruise. If driving into the port, the address is:
2502 Harborside Dr.Galveston, TX 77550
What Will Be The Protocols
For both Carnival Dream and Carnival Glory, all guests age 12 and up should be fully vaccinated. The cruise line is making exemptions possible in some cases for under 12s and for those with medical conditions that prevent vaccination.
Unvaccinated guests will need to show a negative PCR test before boarding, taken at least three days before the cruises start. Those guests who have been vaccinated will need to be tested two days before the start of the voyage, although a rapid test suffices in this case.
Also Check: Travel From London To Southampton Cruise Terminal
Don’t Miss: What Cruise Lines Leave From Mobile Alabama
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.
First Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Restarts Operations From Galveston Texas
Independence of the Seas becomes the first Royal Caribbean cruise ship to resume operations out of Galveston, Texas.
Just in time for her first cruise, Royal Caribbeans Independence of the Seas received her conditional sailing certificate from the Centers for Disease Control last week. The cruise ship has now started cruising from her home port of Galveston, Texas.
Independence of the Seas became the first Royal Caribbean cruise ship to set sail from Galveston since the pause in operations in March of 2020. After starting up an additional 4 ships from Friday to Sunday, Royal Caribbean now has twelve cruise ships in operation worldwide.
Also Check: What Cruise Lines Go Out Of Mobile Al
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.
Disney Cruises Things To Do
- A Disney Cruise Line cruise is designed primarily for families and makes planning a family vacation super easy. Therefore, Disney Cruise Line vacations are directed to multigenerational families, particularly families with young children. However, that does not mean the cruise line forgets the adults, as it features adult-only specialty restaurants, nightclubs, and quiet pools on all its four ships. While the large staterooms attract families, they also invite interest from a small number of honeymooners, couples, and singles. Anyone who wants a more peaceful cruise vacation should choose sailing outside the summer months, as cruise-goers begin to subside and the pace is therefore slower. The people on a Disney cruise enjoy its youthful vibe, as is evidenced by the cruise line’s sail-away dance parties each of which connect some of Disney’s most lovable characters with Disney cruise guests. Pools are also designed for kid-friendly activities and adults who want to relive their childhood once again. If you love activities, such as miniature golf, ping-pong, or similar kid-friendly pastimes, you will feel right at home on a Disney cruise ship. In fact, anyone who loves Disney will also love a Disney cruise ship vacation.
Don’t Miss: Cruises To Hawaii From California 2018
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.
Liberty Of The Seas Sets Sail From Galveston Texas
Good news for those living in or near Galveston as their choice of cruise ships just increased once again. With several Carnival Cruise ships and Independence of the Seas already operating from the port, there is a good variety of cruise ships to sail on.
Liberty of the Seas set sail on October 3, 2021, on a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise calling in such ports as Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico and Roatan in Honduras. Guests will also have the chance to enjoy several days at sea and explore the ship at their leisure.
There is plenty to explore on the 2007-built former largest cruise ship in the world. With an Ice-skating ring, Royal Caribbeans Flowrider, the Perfect Storm waterslides, and Splashaway Bay waterpark there is more than enough to keep a maximum of 3798 passengers occupied.
Liberty of the Seas is the first of three Royal Caribbean cruise ships to set sail this October. The 155,889 gross tons vessels itinerary did change somewhat from the originally scheduled cruises.
Royal Caribbean had scheduled the vessel to sail to Falmouth in Jamaica and Georgetown in the Cayman Islands. While Jamaica is slowly but surely opening for cruise ship tourism, Falmouth is not open yet.
Also Check: What Cruise Ships Sail Out Of Mobile Alabama
Carnival Dream From Galveston
Guests can look forward to a cruise ship with a shiny new paint job when they join Carnival Dream in Galveston this weekend. Number 11 on Carnivals resumption of operations list, the ship is already the third Carnival cruise ship to start operations from Galveston. Carnival Vista sailed for the first time on July 3, while Carnival Breeze started operations from Galveston on July 15.
Carnival Dream will set sail on a 6 Day Western Caribbean cruise from Galveston on Sunday, September 19. The ship will call at Costa Maya, Mexico, after a day at sea, followed by a day in Belize, before she sails back to Mexico for a day in Cozumel. After another fun day at sea, the ship will return to port.
Royal Caribbean Breaks Ground On New Cruise Terminal Announces Fall 2022 Sail Dates Out Of Galveston
Royal Caribbean recently broke ground on a new cruise terminal slated to debut next fall in Galveston.
The opening of the new, $125 million cruise terminal comes just in time for the new fall 2022 sail dates out of the Texas port announced by the cruise line.
According to CultureMap, the terminal will serve as the homeport for Royal Caribbeans Allure of the Seas, which will sail seven-night western Caribbean itineraries starting November 2022.
Currently, Galveston, the sole cruise port in Texas, houses Royal Caribbeans Independence and Liberty of the Seas.
This new cruise terminal is a game-changer, said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, according to CultureMap. This much-anticipated project will bring 800 new jobs, $1.4 billion in local business services revenue, $5.6 million in state and local taxes, and incredible business development opportunities.
According to CultureMap, the new cruise terminal will boast modern technological features such as mobile check-in and facial recognition.
About the Author:
You May Like: What Cruise Ships Sail Out Of Mobile Alabama
Heavy Investments In Health And Safety Upgrades
Cruise ships are not alone in making upgrades to accommodate the CDCs demands on the various factors that make a cruise a success. As such, the Port of Galveston has invested more than $100,000 in health and safety measures. It is also reviewing the necessary changes required to port terminals, parking areas, and other operations.
As with the cruise lines, the various ports in the United States are waiting for updates from the CDC on what is expected of them, something that is taking far longer than anyone in the industry expected, Rodger Rees:
To date, weve voluntarily invested $100,000 in health and safety upgrades in our cruise terminals. We continuously monitor updates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop the guidelines that ports will follow for cruise terminal, parking and other operations.
Perhaps against better judgement, the Port aims to have everything ready for a return of cruising by July. However, Rees clarifies that the current expectation is cruising to resume by the end of the summer or early fall of this year. Something that is hurting the local economy, as it has done in Florida and Alaska.
Whats Changed On Board
As we noted yesterday, there have been some changes on board the Carnival ships that are noteworthy. Guests onboard will be happy to note that the embarkation day emergency drill is far less intrusive than what we are used to from the past.
As part of our new health and safety protocols, we are now servicing staterooms once a day to limit access to your stateroom. Aside from our daily service, should you need anything else, the team is only a phone call away. Anyway, you can choose either morning or evening service.
Other than that, Carnival is placing significant importance on the Carnival Hub App as we said before, the emergency drill is done mainly through the app.
Also, Fun Times, the daily program much loved by Carnival guests, has gone paperless, and the app serves as a handy tool to call up menus in bars and restaurants, order pizza and beers for delivery, and much more.
So there we are, a few days more, and another ship resumes sailing. While it certainly isnt every ship just yet, it is a promising start from Carnival Cruise Line!
Dont Miss: Cruise Line With The Best Food
Read Also: Alaska Cruise Cost Per Person
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.
Also Check: Royal Caribbean Bayonne Parking
Royal Caribbean Cruises In October : What To Expect
Fall is in the air, but Royal Caribbean cruises in October are still taking you to places that are plenty warm.
There are many Royal Caribbean cruise ships in operation in October, with one ship returning to service and a couple resuming service in a new market.
This post will share important information what you should know before going on a cruise in October. This month we see the end of cruising in Alaska for the season, but there is still time to see Europe before that season comes to an end. Meanwhile, Caribbean sailings will start to increase with ships returning to start winter itineraries.
Just like September, October is also one of the best times to get a great price on a cruise. The combination of school in session and the peak of hurricane season makes for some really low rates. In fact, last minute cruise prices are pretty good if you can take advantage of certain October sailings.
Recommended Reading: New York Passenger Terminal
Second Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Restarts Sailings From Texas
Liberty of the Seas becomes the second Royal Caribbean cruise ship to restart operations from the Port of Galveston, Texas.
Royal Caribbean continues the successful restart operations of its fleet this October with three different vessels. The first of those three set sail this weekend from Galveston, Texas. Liberty of the Seas sailed on Sunday on a 7-Night Western Caribbean cruise.
Read Also: What Cruise Ships Sail Out Of Mobile Alabama
Are Masks Required On Board Norwegian Cruise Line
At no point aboard the ship are passengers required to wear masks. The vaccination and testing requirement combined means guests can enjoy all parts of the ship without social distancing or wearing a mask.
However, when visiting ports of call, passengers will need to follow local health guidelines, including mask mandates where applicable.
Recommended Reading: When Is The Best Time To Cruise The Mediterranean
Read Also: Cruise Lines That Go To Jamaica
Carnival Cruise Lines New Ship Headed To Galveston In 2023
Carnival Cruise Line announced its newest cruise ship, Carnival Jubilee, will be delivered to and based out of Galveston starting in 2023. Carnival Jubilee is the third Excel-class ship from the line joining sister ships , currently sailing from Port Canaveral, and Carnival Celebration, which will be delivered and based in Miami starting late 2022.
The lines Excel-class ships utilize a liquefied natural gas technology platform. The Carnival Corporation pioneered the introduction of LNG fuel in the passenger cruise sector as part of the companys efforts in sustainability and compliance throughout its global operations.
Carnival was the first cruise line to offer year-round cruising from Galveston in 2000, and we have continued to grow our presence and support of the Port of Galvestons expansion, so we are thrilled to bring our brand-new Carnival Jubilee to Texas and the greater southwest region, said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. This beautiful, innovative ship will bring an entirely new cruise experience to our guests, and weve got some great surprises to fun it up in ways we know they are going to love.
Carnival Jubilee will offer a range of 7-night Caribbean itineraries. Sailings will open for sale in early 2022.
Read More:
Royal Caribbean Announces Fall Cruises And New Galveston Terminal
Steven DevadanamAllure of the SeasRendering courtesy of Royal Caribbean International
A state-of-the-art terminal is coming to Galveston in time for a return to serious cruising. Royal Caribbean International recently broke ground on a new, $125 million cruise terminal to serve as homeport for its award-winning Oasis Class ship, Allure of the Seas.
The techy new terminal is set to open by fall 2022, the company notes.
Those familiar with the cruise line will recognize Allure as one of the brands largest ships. The first of its kind to sail from Galveston, Allure will sail seven-night western Caribbean itineraries starting November 2022, per an announcement.
Royal Caribbean hopes to lure Allure guests with myriad entertainment options, including a zip line that flies across the ship 10 decks high, a pair of FlowRider surf simulators, dedicated spaces for kids and teens, entertainment across four stages air, ice, water and stage and the open-air AquaTheater.
Meanwhile, Houston and Texas cruise travelers concerned about the COVID uptick can take comfort. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirms to CultureMap that Galveston cruises are still on four-day western Caribbean itineraries sailing in September 2021 can be found here.
Currently, Galveston, the sole cruise port in Texas, houses Royal Caribbeans Independence and Liberty of the Seas, which are the largest cruise ships homeported in the area.
Also Check: How Much Is Norwegian Cruise Line