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Disney Magic at the Port of Québec, Québec City, 2018, sailing from Galveston, Texas

Cruise Frog guide

Cruises from Galveston, Texas

Galveston, an hour south of Houston on the Gulf, is Texas's cruise port, with sailings to Cozumel, the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Things to do in Galveston, Texas

  • The Strand Historic DistrictVictorian buildings, shops and cafés a few blocks from the piers.
  • Moody GardensThree glass pyramids holding a rainforest, an aquarium and a science museum.
  • Galveston Island Historic Pleasure PierRides and a boardwalk over the Gulf on the Seawall.
  • Space Center HoustonMission Control and the astronaut training halls, on the way down from Houston.
  • Bishop's PalaceAn 1890s stone mansion, one of the city's best-kept houses.

When to go

  1. Jan: shoulder season
  2. Feb: shoulder season
  3. Mar: high season
  4. Apr: shoulder season
  5. May: shoulder season
  6. Jun: high season
  7. Jul: high season
  8. Aug: shoulder season
  9. Sep: low season
  10. Oct: low season
  11. Nov: shoulder season
  12. Dec: high season

Spring break, the summer holidays and Christmas are the busiest weeks. Hurricane season peaks in September, the slowest month for sailings.

Flying in and getting to the ship

Long transfer: plan aheadGalveston is about 70 miles (110 km) from Houston's Bush Intercontinental (IAH), 1.5 to 2 hours, and about 50 miles (80 km) from Hobby (HOU), around an hour. Cruise lines and Galveston shuttle firms run buses from both airports; a taxi or rideshare is expensive at this distance.

Rental cars: Common, especially from Hobby. A few firms have Galveston branches that take one-way returns and run shuttles to the piers.

The airport for Galveston, Texas is George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), with 12 lounges to wait in before you board.

George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) on Lounge Frog

Ships sailing from Galveston, Texas

All ports
Disney Magic at the Port of Québec, Québec City, 20184.2 ★Disney Cruise LineDisney Magic1998 · 83,338 GT · 1,750 guests · Caribbean · Mexican RivieraDisney Magic is the first ship Disney Cruise Line put to sea and, with her sister Disney Wonder, one of its two mid-sized Magic-class ships. Fincantieri built her in Italy, and…Carnival Jubilee docked off Cozumel, Mexico, March 20244.0 ★Carnival Cruise LineCarnival Jubilee2023 · 183,521 GT · 5,228 guests · Bahamas · CaribbeanCarnival Jubilee is the third Excel-class ship and the first built by Meyer Werft at Papenburg, Germany; she was originally ordered for AIDA Cruises. Delivered on 4 December…Liberty of the Seas in Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 20254.0 ★Royal Caribbean InternationalLiberty of the Seas2007 · 155,889 GT · 3,798 guests · CaribbeanLiberty of the Seas, the second Freedom-class ship, entered service in May 2007 and shared the title of world's largest passenger ship with her older sister until 2009…Symphony of the Seas in Nassau4.0 ★Royal Caribbean InternationalSymphony of the Seas2018 · 228,081 GT · 5,518 guests · Caribbean · BahamasSymphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis-class ship, was the world's largest cruise ship by tonnage when she entered service from Barcelona in April 2018. Her facilities include a…Carnival Breeze docked in Cozumel, Mexico, 20223.7 ★Carnival Cruise LineCarnival Breeze2012 · 130,000 GT · 3,690 guests · Caribbean · BahamasCarnival Breeze is the third Dream-class ship, completed in June 2012 and the first Carnival ship not designed by architect Joe Farcus. She carries about 3,690 guests on 130,000…Carnival Dream docked in Key West, Florida, September 20223.7 ★Carnival Cruise LineCarnival Dream2009 · 128,250 GT · 3,646 guests · Caribbean · BahamasCarnival Dream is the lead ship of the Dream class, which also includes Carnival Magic, Carnival Breeze and Costa Diadema. Built by Fincantieri at Monfalcone and christened by…Carnival Miracle off Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, February 20243.7 ★Carnival Cruise LineCarnival Miracle2004 · 88,500 GT · 2,124 guests · Caribbean · Northern EuropeCarnival Miracle, the last of the four Spirit-class ships built for Carnival, was christened in Jacksonville in February 2004 by US Army soldier Jessica Lynch and left on her…MSC Seascape, 20233.7 ★MSC CruisesMSC Seascape2022 · 170,412 GT · 4,540 guests · CaribbeanMSC Seascape is the second Seaside EVO-class ship, delivered by Fincantieri in November 2022 and named at a ceremony in Manhattan. At 170,412 gross tons she holds about 4,540…Norwegian Viva at Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, March 20243.7 ★Norwegian Cruise LineNorwegian Viva2023 · 143,535 GT · 3,195 guests · Caribbean · MediterraneanNorwegian Viva is Norwegian Prima's sister, delivered by Fincantieri at Marghera on August 3, 2023, and sailing her maiden voyage a week later. She measures about 143,500 gross…

Quick answers

Which cruise ships sail from Galveston, Texas?

On Cruise Frog, 9 ships sail from Galveston, Texas: Disney Magic (Disney Cruise Line), Carnival Jubilee (Carnival Cruise Line), Liberty of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International), Symphony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International), Carnival Breeze (Carnival Cruise Line), Carnival Dream (Carnival Cruise Line), Carnival Miracle (Carnival Cruise Line), MSC Seascape (MSC Cruises) and Norwegian Viva (Norwegian Cruise Line).

Which cruise lines sail from Galveston, Texas?

Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line sail from Galveston, Texas.

What is the best-rated ship sailing from Galveston, Texas?

Disney Magic (Disney Cruise Line), at 4.2 out of 5 in Cruise Frog's editorial ratings.

Which airport do you fly into for a cruise from Galveston, Texas?

George Bush Intercontinental (IAH). Lounge Frog lists 12 open lounges there for the wait before boarding.

Related news about Galveston, Texas

All cruise news
  1. Galveston approves a lease for an LNG plant that could fuel ships at the port from late 2028

    Power LNG plans a Pelican Island plant making about 400,000 gallons a day, with a pier and fuel barges to serve ships in the Galveston and Houston area.

    Ports

  2. Galveston cruise parking: check the lot’s shuttle before reserving

    Some official Galveston lots use shuttles and some are intended for walking. Choose the route that fits your group and departure terminal.

    Ports

  3. Galveston continues negotiations for a fifth cruise terminal

    An October 2 port update says the Pier 14 talks are proceeding alongside broader waterfront mobility planning.

    Ports