The Port of Galveston has existed as a commercial shipping port since 1825, when it was still a part of Mexico. In terms of the passenger cruises we know and love, however, it has a much shorter history, with the first cruise (Carnival’s MS Celebration) launching from Galveston in the year 2000. Since then, the island has continued to invest in building out the terminals of the port and attracting newer and larger ships to sail the Caribbean. Today, Galveston ranks as the 4th busiest cruise ship port in the US, and the busiest outside of the state of Florida. It is also the obvious choice for Texans like myself, in easy driving distance and with a wide variety of cruise lines and individual ships sailing from Galveston.
(Except for Virgin Voyages. I’ve got my fingers crossed that a lady ship will be making her way to Texan shores sometime this decade for those delightful kid-free escapes!)
Carnival Ships Sailing From Galveston
Carnival has well-deserved top billing for ships sailing from Galveston. Not only did this fun-focused cruise line debut the very first passenger cruise ship from the port, but this year Carnival is doubling down with a brand new best-of-class ship taking her maiden voyage out of Galveston in December, the Carnival Jubilee.
Carnival Breeze
Carnival Breeze is my top recommendation for clients looking for a quick getaway that delivers a solid value for the price. Built in 2012 and refurbished in 2017, she sails 4- and 5-night expeditions to Cozumel and either Costa Maya or Progreso, Mexico. Breeze offers a wide range of activities on board, from mini golf and pickle ball to water slides and a ropes course to the adults-only Serenity retreat with hot tub.
Carnival Dream
Carnival Dream is a sister ship to Breeze, with a very similar collection of amenities on board, but making longer voyages from 6-day ventures to Belize or Roatán, to 8-day cruises through the Bahamas featuring Carnival’s private island, Half Moon Cay, to 14-day journeys taking a tour of Eastern Caribbean islands. Dream has no ropes course or tipping bucket in its splash park, but it does boast twice the water slides on board and an extra hot tub within Serenity, as compared to the Breeze.
Carnival Jubilee
As an Excel-class ship, Jubilee has the best of everything Carnival has to offer. Sailing for the first time from Galveston in December 2023, she bears a Texas Lone Star on her bow, a proud symbol of her native homeport. In addition to the activities of her smaller siblings, Jubilee has a BOLT roller coaster on her top deck ($), an entire pool within the Serenity adults-only retreat, a Dr. Seuss Bookville dedicated space, and a variety of exciting new restaurants and venues.
Carnival Miracle
Starting in late 2024, Galveston will be welcoming a fourth ship, Carnival Miracle. This Spirit-class ship will be relocating from San Francisco to offer “Texas-sized” itineraries of 9- to 12-night voyages to visit distant, exotic ports from right here in Texas.
Royal Caribbean Ships Sailing From Galveston
Royal Caribbean is well-known (even named for) sailing the Caribbean, and the company has some solid offerings available out of Galveston as well. Royal Caribbean’s ships are a source of pride for featuring a large number of “firsts” at sea, not to mention the largest cruise ship to sail from Galveston.
Voyager of the Seas
Built in 1999 and refurbished in 2019, Voyager of the Seas was the first to feature an ice skating rink as well as a rock climbing wall on board. Other activities on board include mini golf, water slides, and the FlowRider surfing simulator, all of which are included with no additional charge. Voyager features short 4- and 5-night sailings to Cozumel and Costa Maya.
Mariner of the Seas
A sister ship to Voyager, Mariner of the Seas joined the Royal Caribbean fleet in 2003 and was refurbished in 2018. In addition to the activities mentioned above, Mariner also features an escape room on board as well as 3 additional restaurants. Mariner takes on longer 6- to 8-night sailings to Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Eastern Caribbean, even taking in a private island on some itineraries.
Harmony of the Seas
When Harmony’s sister ship, Allure of the Seas, came to Galveston in 2021, it was a newsworthy event for the port, as the Oasis-class ship is one of the largest in the world. This Fall, Allure will move back to Florida, to be replaced by her newer and larger sister ship, Harmony of the Seas. Harmony features seven distinct neighborhoods on board, including the Boardwalk with a carousel and the innovative AquaTheater water shows, as well as Central Park featuring beautiful greenery and live guitar music in the evenings. For the more adventurous travelers, Harmony of the Seas offers a kid-friendly water park, a pair of 10-story dry slides collectively called The Abyss, and a zip line that sails 10 decks above the Boardwalk. This is in addition to the Royal Caribbean standbys: mini golf, rock climbing, an ice skating rink, and the FlowRider surfing simulator. Harmony sails 6- and 8-night itineraries taking in Roatán, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and even briefly venturing to Perfect Day at CocoCay for the private island experience.
Jewel of the Seas
Starting in late 2024, Galveston will also welcome Jewel of the Seas. This Radiance-class ship was built in 2004 and fully refurbished in 2016. Lighter on kid-friendly activities than most of Royal Caribbean’s fleet, this class of ship makes up for it instead in sheer elegance, with 3 acres of glass decorating the ship, from exterior-facing glass elevators to a retractable glass roof over the pool area.
Norwegian Cruise Line Ships Sailing From Galveston
Further proof of the continued growth of the Port of Galveston, Norwegian Cruise Line is joining the action in 2023 and beyond, with two ships slated to homeport in Texas.
Norwegian Escape
Built in 2015 and refurbished in 2022, Escape features many of the cruise line necessities: mini golf, a water park, a 3-story ropes course including a zip line over the ocean. It also has an impressive spa experience, including a snow room and a salt room.
Norwegian Prima
The newest NCL ship, debuting in 2023, Norwegian Prima offers the very best of the cruise line, including a new tech-immersive mini golf course, a 3-story go kart racetrack, a virtual reality roller coaster, and even a Topgolf-branded golf simulator.
Other Cruise Ships Sailing From Galveston
Regal Princess
Princess is a “premium mass market” cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation. Princess stopped sailing from Galveston after 2007, but is returning in late 2023 with the Regal Princess. Although this ship features mini golf and a kids club like other lines, the true value comes in offerings for older adults, with a beautiful glassed-in Seawalk path, an elegant afternoon tea, and a huge multi-colored fountain display that dances in time to a musical performance.
Disney Magic
Not to be left out, Disney Cruise Line is also experimenting with sailing from Galveston starting late 2023. It’s a slow start, bringing their oldest and smallest ship, Disney Magic, but it is still a landmark to welcome a new cruise line to town. Through Spring 2024, Magic will feature short 4- and 5-night sailings into the Caribbean, alongside well-loved Disney characters including Marvel heroes.
MSC Cruises (ship unknown)
MSC Cruises also has their eye on our fair state, as they are making plans with the Port of Galveston to bring a ship sometime in 2025, pending the construction of a new terminal.
Cruise ship deployments are constantly changing, as the lines move ships from homeport to homeport in an effort to chase the best weather and the most interested passengers. Ships will continue to come and go as the Port of Galveston develops, but the current lineup of 13 ships across 6 different cruise lines is very exciting and speaks to the incredible growth this port has experienced since its first passenger cruise ship sailed just two decades ago.
