Table Of Content
- MSC Cruises
- The 5 best cruises from Galveston for every type of traveler
- Need Help with Parking? reach us at parking@portofgalveston.com or 409-766-6163
- Royal Caribbean, Honduras & Mexico from Galveston, April 20, 2025
- GALVESTONCRUISES.COM: Carnival, Royal Caribbean, & Disney Cruises from Galveston Texas
- Galveston, Texas
- Royal Caribbean, Honduras & Mexico from Galveston, March 30, 2025

Check specific sailing dates, explore intriguing itineraries, and get ready to set sail from the charming port of Galveston. For would-be Galveston cruisers, Carnival Breeze serves as a sort of "test the port" ship. Its short sailings and low pricing mean you're not out a lot in time or money if you don't love the experience. It caters heavily to first-time cruisers, as well as Texas locals and Southerners who can book on short notice and drive to the port for a quickie escape.
MSC Cruises
With renowned cruise lines like Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruises, Princess Cruises, and NCL docking at Galveston’s port, you’re spoilt for choice. Each cruise offers a unique experience, making Galveston the perfect starting point for both short escapes and extended voyages. Galveston serves as the primary homeport in Texas for major cruise lines, offering convenient embarkation for your journey. Galveston’s proximity to Houston and its well-connected transportation options, including easy access to Houston Airport, make it a gateway to the world.
The 5 best cruises from Galveston for every type of traveler
Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Breeze is the Galveston-based ship to pick when you're looking for a quick and affordable getaway — something that isn't a big commitment and won't break the bank. Disney Magic is also home to multiple pool areas and indoor children's zones that cover almost an entire deck, plus multiple themed restaurants that Disney fans will love. (In Disney Cruise Line tradition, passengers — and their waiters — rotate each night among three main restaurants.) The ship also has a large showroom for nightly Disney-themed shows. Most commonly, cruises from Galveston go to exciting destinations such as Transatlantic, Bahamas, Caribbean - All, Caribbean - Southern, and Caribbean - Western. For us, we would have to save more than $75 per person on a round trip flight to make the extra distance and cost of getting to the port worth our while.
Need Help with Parking? reach us at parking@portofgalveston.com or 409-766-6163
Read this guide to familiarize yourself with everything from location to transportation, hotels, cruise lines and more. The major difference is getting from Intercontinental to the cruise ships takes considerably more time and money than compared to Houston Hobby. Carnival, Disney, and Royal Caribbean have sailed from the island for years, with Royal Caribbean now homeporting one of its largest Oasis-class ships at the Texas port. Meanwhile, other lines including Norwegian and Princess are also bringing their ships to the port. Starting November 2025, MSC Cruises will call Galveston home when MSC Seascape begins year-round sailings to the Western Caribbean. Get ready to discover new horizons on one of our newest ships as you enjoy award-winning entertainment, world-class dining, and thrilling experiences like Robotron, the only robocoaster at sea.
Royal Caribbean, Honduras & Mexico from Galveston, April 20, 2025
Additionally, the 8-day and longer journeys broaden your adventure to include the Bahamas and beyond. These extended itineraries offer insights into the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, plus the Panama Canal. The Port of Galveston, located about 51 miles southeast of Houston, is a crucial gateway for Western Caribbean cruises. Its proximity to Houston, a major city with a significant international airport, makes it an easily accessible starting point for many travelers.
The city is served by Houston Hobby (HOU) and Bush-Intercontinental (IAH). That makes it even more confusing for cruisers who aren’t familiar with the area or the airports to decide which one they should fly into. Disney Cruises bring every child’s imagination to life and provide an opportunity for the entire family to reconnect and unplug from the chaos of everyday life.

Whether you'll have a better time on one of the other seven cruise ships that regularly sail out of Galveston will depend a lot on the type of traveler you are. The best ship for a cruise out of Galveston with your family might not be your top pick for a couple's cruise or girlfriends' getaway. While we live in the area, if we had to fly in for a cruise, then we’d pick Houston Hobby 10 times out of 10. The shorter distance between Hobby and the cruise port makes the airport much more convenient to get to the cruise ship. Also, we like that Hobby is a much smaller airport in general, making it easier to get in and out.
Royal Caribbean, Mini cruise to Mexico from Galveston, April 14, 2025
MSC Cruises Opens Cruises Out of Galveston, Texas - Cruise Hive
MSC Cruises Opens Cruises Out of Galveston, Texas.
Posted: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Furthermore, the state is home to the natural beauty of Big Bend National Park. This diversity offers a rich tapestry of experiences for every traveler. In doing so, you’ll enhance your cruise experience with a seamless blend of coastal beauty and Lone Star allure. Galveston Island offers the ideal opportunity to extend your cruise vacation with a variety of amenities and attractions just minutes from the harbor. Most cruise departures typically occur between 4 PM and 5 PM, allowing you to make the most of your time by enjoying the city's captivating offerings before setting sail.
Find the comforts of home along with the luxuries you deserve on board any of our ships. Princess® returns to Galveston, sailing once again from this city tucked within a quaint Gulf Coast barrier island. Whether you prefer a quick mini cruise or an immersive longer journey, Galveston’s cruise options cater to every preference. Longer itineraries open up the possibility of exploring the Eastern and Southern Caribbean, as well as the iconic Panama Canal. That'll depend on your personal interests and travel style, as there are cruises from Galveston that appeal to everyone, including family travelers, budget travelers and retirees. Looking for a cruise out of Galveston that isn't jammed full of families with children?
Disney Magic sails a mix of four- to six-night voyages from Galveston to Mexico. Shorter voyages typically visit Progreso, Mexico, while longer sailings add a stop in Cozumel. Based seasonally in Galveston from December to April, Disney Magic offers the best cruises out of Galveston for the Disney fan. It is, for the record, the only Disney Cruise Line ship that sails from Galveston. Allure of the Seas sails out of Galveston every Sunday on seven-night voyages to the Western Caribbean. The ship stops at Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.
Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. For example, the official Carnival shuttle between IAH and the cruise port runs $116 per person round trip, compared to $82 from Houston Hobby. Other services, including taxis will see an even larger price jump between the two airports. Galveston, Texas, is not just a premier starting point for Caribbean cruises; it’s a city pulsating with life and cultural vibrancy throughout the year. With its unique position on Galveston Island, the city showcases an intriguing mix of seasonal weather patterns.
Cruises from Galveston to the Western Caribbean take travelers on a journey through some of the most enchanting destinations in the region. In Mexico, ports like Cozumel, Progreso, and Costa Maya offer a rich tapestry of culture and natural beauty, from ancient Mayan ruins to vibrant coral reefs. The shortest sailings that the 10-year-old Princess Cruises ship operates out of Galveston are seven nights in length. It dates to 1998 and is the oldest cruise ship regularly sailing out of Galveston. Inside Allure of the Seas, you'll find all sorts of family attractions, including counselor-staffed play areas for kids, a teen club and an indoor ice skating rink. Located off the coast of Texas approximately one hour south of Houston, Galveston boasts 32 miles of expansive beaches and numerous historic buildings mingled among unique shops, art galleries and restaurants.