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There are two cruise terminals beside each other – Terminals 25 and 28 (formerly Terminals 1 & 2), with parking across the street and nearby (with free shuttle service). Galveston's cruise terminal offers a convenient departure point for cruises to the Caribbean and beyond. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, this vibrant coastal city provides opportunities for pre or post-cruise exploration, including historic sites, charming beaches, and delicious seafood.
Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal Port Guide
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. Independent Parking LotsAs the Port of Galveston has boomed in popularity, nearly a dozen independent parking lots have sprouted up all around the port facility. These lots typically offer cheaper rates than the official port parking, while sometimes being even closer than the port’s parking.
Houston to Galveston Cruise Transportation Options
Regardless of where you choose to park, drivers should drop off passengers and luggage before heading to the parking lot to reduce difficulty when boarding your ship. The port's cruise parking rate is US$11.25 per day (subject to change). Payment options are cash, VISA / MasterCard or to pay in advance on the port's website. Four-day cruise parking costs US$45, 5-day - US$ 46.25, and 1-week/7-day – US$78.75. Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival offer roundtrip shuttle bus services (between Galveston and both airports in Houston) with prices per person / similar to Lyft's.
Tips for Luggage and Passenger Drop-off
Another low-cost option is the Port of Galveston’s satellite parking lot, located off-site at 3212 Harborside Drive. This lot offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from the cruise terminals and charges a daily rate of $7 per vehicle. Seeing a need in the market, a number of shuttle services have popped up that provide rides to and from the Houston airports and the Galveston cruise port. While other options are cheaper for most parties, if you are traveling with a larger group then the shuttles can be a deal.
Wheelchair and Accessibility at Port of Galveston
The night before, you will be given colored luggage tags, a meeting point and a specific time for disembarkation. The above article also covers a good range of hotels offering Stay, Park and Cruise packages which can be the best priced options. They also allow cruisers the chance to relax before or after their cruise and enjoy sightseeing on Galveston Island. 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.
Daily service is available to the Port of Galveston cruise terminals. The Port of Galveston is located on Harborside Drive, at 22nd street. With plenty of parking options and nearby access to several hotels, restaurants and local attractions, the port is a great takeoff spot for a wide array of local and international ... Galveston is a popular port for cruise shipping, with millions of passengers passing through every year. The port is home to three major cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Disney Cruise Line. Let’s take a closer look at what each of these cruise lines has to offer.
Where to Stay on Galveston Island
Independent shuttle services are provided by companies like Galveston Express, Galveston Limousine, Island Breeze Shuttle. On December 9, 2018, Port Galveston welcomed its 10 millionth cruise tourist since 2000, when its cruising operations started. The lucky man was Yingtao Liu, who arrived from Norman Oklahoma together with his parents, wife and 3 kids. Upon checking before boarding Carnival Vista, the family (all first-time cruisers) was greeted by Rodger Rees (port's CEO) and Pavol Drimaj (ship's Hotel Director). The cruise company also extended the family's standard onboard amenities with VIP services.
Here you can find mingle with locals as you admire distinct architecture and enjoy great eats. The Strand District is within walking distance of Terminals 25 and 28, but if you are at Terminal 10, you will want to take a rideshare or taxi to reach this area. There is limited public transit options between Houston and Galveston. Amtrak has a bus available, but tickets can only be booked in conjunction with a train ticket for around $90 per person. Prices start as low as $65 for a five-day cruise and $70 for a seven-day cruise. The fast-growing cruise port is in the perfect location for residents of Houston and the surrounding area for getaways along the Gulf of Mexico and beyond.
Galveston Cruise Terminal 3 (Under Construction)
In this case, you’ll enter the terminal area at the intersection of Harborside and 14th Street/Royal Caribbean Way. Then, you can follow Royal Caribbean Way to Royal Caribbean Circle (and just follow the signage to the terminal). This will lead you right to the front of the terminal where you will see the large area for luggage drop-off. The first thing that you’ll notice is the large blue façade with the massive Royal Caribbean logo sitting proudly at the center. On either side of the main terminal building are luggage drop-off areas and plenty of space to pull up and drop off passengers or baggage.
Visitors can take a stroll along The Strand, which is a popular shopping district with unique boutiques and restaurants. 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. Once you have identified and collected your luggage, you will need to produce your passport at immigration to re-enter the USA. If you are importing alcohol and tobacco, dues will be collected by the TABC (Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission) as you pass through the terminal.
Sitting about a mile east of Terminals 25 and 28, Terminal 10 has its own parking areas. In 2018, on Terminal 2's channel side were added new mooring structures (bollards) to allow docking of the longer Carnival Vista. The main mooring was upgraded with 200-ton bollards (metal posts for the mooring lines). In 2022, the Port's cruise business supported 3500 jobs, and generated US$568M in local business revenue plus US$73,5M in purchases by cruise tourists (passengers and crew). Port's current schedule has two liners leaving on Saturdays, two on Sundays, one on Mondays, one on Thursdays.
The price you pay (and the length of your ride) will often depend on traffic along I-45 to Galveston. The Seawall is generally a seven-to-ten-minute drive from the Port of Galveston, so you will need to take a taxi or rideshare if you plan to visit this area. Other restaurants and shops to purchase last-minute items (like sunscreen!) can be found in the hotel district, which runs along the Galveston Seawall. This area is home to chain and independent restaurants as well as grocery stores. Porters will be available at each terminal to assist with baggage on embarkation day.
Port of Galveston Makes Traffic Improvements to Manage Growth - Cruise Industry News
Port of Galveston Makes Traffic Improvements to Manage Growth.
Posted: Thu, 14 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
One attraction that shouldn’t be missed while visiting Galveston is Moody Gardens. Royal Caribbean’s new state-of-the-art Terminal 10 is located at 1402 Harborside Drive, down the street from Terminal’s 1 and 2. A photographer will take an informal photo of you and your group, the first of many! There is no obligation to buy but they do make great souvenirs of your cruise. The Port of Galveston dates back to 1825 when it was actually part of Mexico! The ultimate guide to Galveston Cruise Port, covering all aspects of cruising from the Port of Galveston for a cruise vacation.
However, one downside of Terminal 25 is that it can get quite crowded during peak travel seasons. Since it only caters to two cruise lines, there are limited options available for travelers who prefer other companies. Nonetheless, if you’re planning a trip with either Carnival or Royal Caribbean International, Terminal 25 offers a convenient starting point. If you are wondering where is the cruise ship port in Galveston or how to get to Galveston Cruise Port? If you are driving from Houston, take Interstate 45 south until it becomes Broadway Avenue J in Galveston.
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