

In the past, Galveston’s cruise port struggled to compete due to its fleet of predominantly smaller and older ships. While the latest feats of maritime engineering graced Florida ports fresh from the shipyards,
Galveston was often overlooked. Additionally, the port’s geographical limitations confined cruise itineraries to the Western Caribbean.
However, recent years have marked a remarkable transformation for Galveston’s cruise scene. In 2022, Royal Caribbean inaugurated a sprawling new terminal, and MSC recently announced plans for another cutting-edge facility set to open next year. Consequently, Galveston now ranks as the fourth busiest cruise homeport in the United States, trailing only behind Florida’s Port Canaveral, Port of Miami, and the Port of Everglades.
Among the most thrilling developments are the arrival of several gleaming new cruise ships in Galveston:

- Carnival Jubilee: Sister to the Carnival Celebration, the Jubilee accommodates over 5000 guests and features the thrilling Bolt rollercoaster at sea.
- Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas/Allure of the Seas: Alternating between Galveston, these colossal Oasis-class vessels each accommodate over 6500 passengers and offer a plethora of attractions, including water slides, dry slides, a carousel, and even robot bartenders. Allure is set to undergo an amplification refit in early 2025, promising exciting upgrades.
- Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima: These cutting-edge ships from Norwegian Cruise Line, hosting over 3000 guests each, rotate through Galveston with innovative features like a speedway and a free-fall dry slide on the top decks.
- MSC Seascape: Debuting in 2022 and scheduled to dock in Galveston in November 2025, the MSC Seascape introduces the first-of-its-kind robotic arm coaster at sea, promising an exhilarating experience for passengers. MSC Seascape will offer seven-night trips to the Western Caribbean.
- Disney Magic: Sailing from Galveston from November through April, offering trips ranging from 4 to 7 nights.

Exciting developments extend beyond the Western Caribbean:

- Carnival Journeys: Offering unique experiences on select cruises of nine days or longer, with itineraries including Eastern & Southern Caribbean as well as the Panama Canal, along with traditional 4 – 7 night Western Caribbean sailings.
- Royal Caribbean International: Expanding its offerings to include Bahamian, Southern Caribbean, and Transatlantic options, ranging from 8 to 16 nights, in addition to traditional 4 – 7 night Western Caribbean sailings.
- Norwegian: With three ships sailing from Galveston, offering itineraries ranging 7-14 days covering the Western, Southern, and Eastern Caribbean, as well as the Panama Canal.
- Princess Cruises: Operating from October to March, offering Western and Southern Caribbean trips ranging from 4 – 12 Nights.

Excited about embarking on one of these newer, grander vessels from Galveston? With these remarkable additions, Galveston’s cruise port has firmly established itself as a premier destination for cruise enthusiasts seeking unforgettable voyages.