Inside Galveston Cruise Terminal Benefits, Directions & Parking Official Website

Table Of Content

• Port of Galveston Waiting Area and Seating
• How and When to Book Your Cruise to Get the Best Rates
• Royal Caribbean International Cruise Terminal 10
• Manhattan Cruise Terminal Parking: New York Port Guide
• Picking Up/Dropping Off at the Terminal (Including Luggage)
• Park & Cruise Hotels
• Royal Caribbean Announces Cancellation of All Cruise Stops to Private Island

There aren’t a ton of hotels right at the port (but there are a few). Galveston isn’t that large, so in reality every hotel is just a few minutes away. If you think people are excited to get on the cruise ship, then wait until the ship gets back home.

Port of Galveston Waiting Area and Seating

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]

For other transportation options to Cruise Terminal 10, you can see our Galveston transportation page here. All this is to say that Cruise Terminal 10 is without a doubt a major addition to Galveston cruising. But with the new terminal also come a lot of new changes, including everything from the terminal location to where to park. Galveston’s Historic Strand District features restaurants, bars, and shops in buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 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.

How and When to Book Your Cruise to Get the Best Rates

The closest airport to Galveston Island is William P. Hobby (HOU) Airport, 41 miles northwest of the cruise port. From there you can rent a car and drive 45 minutes to the port via Hwy 45. However, it is much cheaper and more convenient to drive your own vehicle to Galveston and then use cruise parking, or book a hotel package that includes free cruise parking.

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Terminal 10

There are several independently owned and operated parking lots near the Port of Galveston. All of these lots, however, are located near the original cruise terminals and not Royal Caribbean’s new Galveston terminal. With the upcoming completion of Royal Caribbean’s brand new, $125 million cruise terminal in Galveston, cruises from Texas are set to increase in popularity. Check out our guide to family cruising, with posts about popular cruise terminals, cruise ships, and cruise lines, as well as tips for cruising.

I cruised Royal Caribbean from Galveston for the first time. Here's what a cruise from Texas is like. - Royal Caribbean Blog

I cruised Royal Caribbean from Galveston for the first time. Here's what a cruise from Texas is like..

Posted: Mon, 09 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

If you’re using a GPS program, input 22nd Street and Harborside Drive to get the most accurate directions to the cruise terminals. However, if you plan to park at the port, input 33rd Street and Harborside Drive in your GPS. If you’re itching for an educational twist on your pre-cruise recreation, Galveston has plenty of historical offerings. Bishop’s Palace is an ornate 19th century home that sits six minutes from the port by car. Moody Mansion is another historic building in Galveston, located three minutes from the port by car (or a 15-minute walk). For $15 per person per house (children ages 5 and under can tour for free).

Eastern Canada & Quebec

It is located about a mile from the other two terminals and features its own parking areas. If you live within driving distance of Galveston and plan to drive to the port yourself, you’ll find many parking options for the duration of the cruise. Here are some of the most convenient and/or best priced options. This option is best for those traveling with larger groups, as the cost of the Lyft is per vehicle and not per person like many shuttle services. Most Lyfts should be able to fit four passengers in addition to the driver.

Houston Hobby is generally more conveniently positioned, only 45 miles (about 50 minutes) from the port. The Port of Galveston’s three cruise terminals are some of the most advanced and well-equipped cruise facilities in the world. While it has grown exponentially in recent years, compared to other major cruise ports, the Port of Galveston is much smaller and easier to navigate. In the 1960s, the port began to see the potential for growth in the cruise industry and started to invest in infrastructure to accommodate cruise ships.

Park & Cruise Hotels

Once Adventure of the Seas departs Galveston in spring 2023, Voyager of the Seas will begin offering the same 4 and 5-night itineraries in the Western Caribbean. These cruises will be offered from November 2022 to April 2023. The terminal is 100% solar powered with 30,000 square feet of on-site solar panels. Electric vehicle charging stations are available in the parking area. I always recommend that guests who are flying into the port stay overnight.

If your cruise isn’t with Carnival, then you’ll have to find another lot. When it comes to Galveston cruise parking, you have lots of options on where to park while you take your trip. Liberty of the Seas, which has sailed from Galveston for many years, will finish her time in Texas in October 2022. Until then, she is offering 7-night Western Caribbean cruises visiting the ports of Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Belize City, Roatan, and Costa Maya. While once an industrial port, Galveston, Texas has since become one of the busiest cruise ports in the United States, offering year-round sailings to the Caribbean. Since the opening of the new terminal, the Allure of the Seas has moved on to Port Canaveral, Florida.

The premium option at The North Lot is immediately next to the terminal, while the other parking lots offer guests a free shuttle service to and from the terminal. Cruise ships Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream and Disney Wonder operate out of both Terminals 1 and 2. Galveston cruise terminals are well-positioned for offering 4/5 night and 7-night cruises in both the Eastern and Western Caribbean. In 2021, three major cruise lines have ships using Port of Galveston as their home port. More ships are likely to be based there once the third cruise terminal is fully operational. Currently, Galveston is home port to Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean (RCL) and Disney cruise ships.

The Port of Galveston is running a special for parking at the port during the month of November. Your SetSail pass gets scanned one last time and then you walk down a hallway, where you can stop to take a photo with the ship. There are agents lined up to check you in by scanning your SetSail pass. This is when completing the online check-in before the cruise pays off, because if you do everything ahead of time, this will take a matter of seconds. Keep in mind the waiting area if you have a later check-in time was uncovered from the sun on the day I was there.

The cheapest rates run about $100 for a 7-day cruise and $70 for a 5-day cruise if you book ahead of time. There are also more expensive lots that are covered and/or closer to the terminal. The port itself offers official parking, there are independent parking lots nearby, and some local hotels offer cruise parking. Regardless of which option you choose, we recommend that you book a spot early so that you can save money with advance-payment discounts.

These are available to book upon arrival to the airport, so you do not have to worry so much about timing. The North Lot is directly next to the terminal, and spots can be booked there for a premium price. The South and Pier 14 Lots are a bit further away but offer guests a free shuttle service to and from the terminal.

The cheapest way to get to the port depends on how many people you are traveling with. If there are enough people to make splitting a rideshare service worth it (i.e., less than the cost of individual shuttle tickets), then that is your best bet. Most of the people boarding cruises at the Port of Galveston drive themselves there, as Galveston is only a short drive from many of Texas’ major cities.

Terminal 3, Royal Caribbean’s new $125 million home for Allure of the Seas, is set to open in fall 2022. Several cruise lines use the Port of Galveston to showcase their newest and biggest ships. Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine. She loves to get active while at port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea. Adventure of the Seas will be offering shorter cruises from Galveston, with 4-night and 5-night Western Caribbean cruise itineraries.

The port provides both on-site and off-site parking facilities, with shuttle services to the terminals. Pre-booking parking online is advisable, ensuring not only a reserved spot but also access to the best rates. These parking services are tailored to accommodate the needs of cruise passengers, from short-term to long-term stays. 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.