Galveston, located south of Houston on the Texas Gulf Coast, is a major cruise ship home port. Galveston Cruises use three terminals (with a fourth going online in 2025), lined up in a row with plenty of nearby parking. Perched within an hour’s drive of one of the largest cities in the U.S., many cruisers choose to drive to your cruise and eliminate the hassle of flying. Best of all, Galveston and the historic Strand offer plenty to do before embarking, so arrive early and enjoy a seafood platter overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
Who Cruises Out of Galveston
In total, Galveston offers 415 sailings for 2025, up from over 300 in 2024. March is the busiest cruising month, with 52 sailings scheduled. Other top months are December, November and January. In all, Galveston is the fourth busiest home port in the U.S.
Both Royal Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line sail out of Galveston year-round. Royal Caribbean leads with 139 sailings in 2025 on several ships out of its dedicated Terminal 10. Carnival Cruises sets sail with 205 different cruises and uses two terminals: 25 and 28.
Disney Cruise Line offers 28 sailings in January, February, March, November and December. It cruises to the Western Caribbean on 4 and 5-day itineraries.
Princess Cruises sails 18 dates in 2025. Norwegian Cruise Line will offer 10 sailings.
MSC Cruises will start departing out of Galveston in November 2025. It will offer four sailings in both November and December and use the brand-new Terminal 16.
With four cruise terminals, the Port of Galveston offers a convenient departure point. Not just limited to the Western Caribbean, travelers will find cruises to the Eastern Caribbean, like the Bahamas. Cruisers will find 4-night, 5-night, 6-night and 7-night Western Caribbean cruises with ports-of-call like Cozumel, Mexico; Routan, Honduras; along with Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Belize.
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Top Galveston Cruises for Your Trip
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is the world’s third-largest cruise line, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. With a fleet of 22 ships, it is a favorite among European travelers. Starting in November 2025, MSC Cruises will depart from Galveston on the Seascape for your Galveston Cruise Vacation.
It is building a $100 million terminal, a $42 million parking garage, and other enhancements at Pier 16. The MSC Cruises Seascape will add another dimension to the Galveston cruise offerings.
I cruised on the Seascape in September 2024. I found the experience a balance of European sophistication on the Yacht Club level with the glitz of New York City, its design inspiration.
The Seascape features 19 decks in total. However, guests use decks five through 20. There is are four-story atrium with staircases with 10,000 Swarovski crystals. I found 11 restaurants onboard.
During my cruise, I stayed on the MSC Yacht Club Level. The experience was luxurious, the service was attentive, and the cabin was well-appointed.
For 2025, it will offer a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise with stops at Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico and Roatan, Honduras. The MSC Seascape can accommodate over 5,000 passengers.
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Royal Caribbean Cruises
Royal Caribbean Cruises sails 4-night, 5-night, 6-night, 7-night, 8-night, 9-night and 10-night cruises to the Western Caribbean. It uses the Jewel of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas out of Galveston.
It also offers longer cruises with ports of call like Jamaica and The Bahamas, including Coco Cay, its private island. One of Royal Caribbean’s largest ships, Harmony of the Seas, departs from Galveston for some sailings.
Royal Caribbean built a new 125-million-dollar cruise terminal in Galveston. It boasts a LEED Zero Energy ranking, the first in the world.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line sails out of Galveston with 4-day, 5-day, 6-day, 7-day, 8-day, 9-day and 10-day Western Caribbean. It also sails 7-day, 8-day, 10-day, 11-day and 14-day Eastern Caribbean cruises. Carnival sails Panama cruise itineraries out of Galveston and a transatlantic out of Barcelona.
Carnival Cruise sails the Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Legend and Carnival Miracle. It uses two cruise terminals at Galveston, so extra care is needed when departing, especially on Saturday when two ships depart.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is sailing out of Galveston in 2025. It sails 4-day, 6-day, 7-day, 8-day and 10-day Western Caribbean cruises out of Galveston. It also offers a 12-day Southern Caribbean cruise that departs from Galveston and returns to Fort Lauderdale.
Princess sails the Regal Princess out of Galveston.
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Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line sails the Magic out of Galveston. The popular Very Merrytime Cruises feature holiday decorations and activities, along with your favorite Disney characters for your Galveston Cruise Vacation.
Travelers will find 4-night cruises to Mexico. For longer Western Caribbean cruises, Disney offers 5-night, 6-night and 7-night Western Caribbean cruises with ports-of-call in George Town, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The 7-night Bahamian cruises depart from Galveston and depart in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Norwegian Cruise Line
The Norwegian Cruise Line will use the Escape, Prima and Viva out of Galveston in 2025.
Prima will depart for 14-day Galveston cruises. Popular ports of call include St. Maarten, the British Virgin Islands, the U.S.V.I, St. Kitts, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Norwegian will also sail 7-day Western Caribbean cruises with stops in Harvest Cay, Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Port of Galveston
With three cruise terminals and a new one opening at the end of 2025, the Port of Galveston offers a convenient departure point for your Galveston Cruise Vacation. However, due to construction, visitors might notice new street names and terminal numbers.
Since this area is compact, when in doubt, look for your ship. There will be directional signs on the day of departure, too.
Royal Caribbean International uses Terminal 10 at 1028 Harborside Dr.
Terminal 25 is located at 2502 Harborside Dr. Carnival Cruise Line departs out of Terminal 25.
Several different cruises use Terminal 28, located at 2702 Harborside Dr. Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and some of Carnival Cruise Lines usually depart from Terminal 28.
Terminal 16 will be located at 1401 Harborside Dr. MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line will use the new terminal.
Make it easy and reserve your parking ahead of time for your Galveston Cruise Vacation.
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