First look at Royal Caribbean's new Galveston cruise terminal that opens today

Table Of Content

• Mariner of the Seas Schedule
• Royal Caribbean, Mini cruise to Mexico from Galveston, January 25, 2025
• Royal Caribbean, Grand Cayman, Honduras & Mexico from Galveston, March 10, 2025
• Royal Caribbean, Honduras & Mexico from Galveston, February 2, 2025
• Best Things to Do on Your Galveston Day Trip
• Category: Harmony of the Seas

With a wide range of durations and destinations, Royal Caribbean from Galveston caters to every preference. Whether seeking a quick getaway or an extended exploration, Royal Caribbean’s itineraries offer a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural discovery. Discover the serene beauty and vibrant culture of the Bahamas with stops in Nassau and Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay. Enjoy the sun-kissed beaches, engage in water sports, or explore the rich history of Nassau. Cruises from Galveston on Royal Caribbean offer a journey to the enchanting Western Caribbean.

Mariner of the Seas Schedule

There will be a few ships cruising out of Galveston in 2024, including Jewel of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas. Jewel of the Seas, known for its radiant charm, offers voyages from Galveston that cater to both relaxation seekers and adventure enthusiasts. Its elegant design and comprehensive amenities ensure a cruising experience that combines luxury with excitement. Before boarding your Royal Caribbean cruise, take the opportunity to discover the enchanting Galveston Island.

Royal Caribbean, Mini cruise to Mexico from Galveston, January 25, 2025

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. It dates to 1998 and is the oldest cruise ship regularly sailing out of Galveston.

Royal Caribbean, Grand Cayman, Honduras & Mexico from Galveston, March 10, 2025

Designed specifically to appeal to families, the world's fifth-largest cruise vessel is chock-full of more family-friendly activity zones than just about any other cruise ship at sea. The Mariner of the Seas is equipped with an array of amenities and facilities that promise enjoyment and relaxation. Luxurious pools, an exciting water park, and a tranquil spa area offer something for everyone. The ship also boasts various lounges, bars, and entertainment venues that cater to all tastes and preferences. Embark from the historic Port of Galveston on a voyage of discovery and delight aboard the Mariner of the Seas, a proud member of the Royal Caribbean fleet. This ship epitomizes modern cruising, offering a unique blend of thrilling adventures, luxury, and relaxation.

The next day, I kept this in mind when we disembarked Voyager of the Seas. After waiting for about 15 minutes, no one picked up my request for a ride to the airport. I once again was prepared to request a rideshare when our cruise was done to take my dad and I to the Houston airport.

An Icon-class ship could be in Galveston's future - Travel Weekly

An Icon-class ship could be in Galveston's future.

Posted: Thu, 25 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

One tip -- be sure to always get an "out the door" price on the car service before you book so there are no surprises. We suggest private car services for those wanting a little more privacy and comfort than riding in a shuttle van or charter bus. Royal Caribbean charges $77 round trip per person from Hobby and $92 per person from Bush Intercontinental (IAH). If you're traveling solo or as a couple, you aren't likely to beat these prices. Outside of The Haven, the entire ship has a more elegant feel than you'll find on other Norwegian ships. It has more of the feel of the ships you find in the fleets of Norwegian's higher-end sister brands, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — albeit on a bigger scale.

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. Terminal 3 in Galveston is Royal Caribbean's brand new cruise terminal, purpose built to allow the cruise line to send in the biggest cruise ships in the world. The 2013 Royal-class ship is the 2nd of its class and offers 20 sailings during it’s homeport in Texas. The first Vista-class ship, Carnival Vista is currently sailing out of Galveston and will offer cruises out of the port until the first week of November. Royal Caribbean offers a shuttle service to and from both the George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby airports, and this can be one of the most convenient options for travelers.

Best Things to Do on Your Galveston Day Trip

Harmony of the Seas, a marvel of maritime engineering, departs from Galveston to deliver a unique blend of innovative experiences and classic cruise comforts. With its state-of-the-art design and array of onboard activities, Harmony of the Seas promises a voyage filled with fun and elegance. The only thing better than the exciting destinations you can reach from Galveston is the world-class cruise ship that takes you there. Ports of call on some itineraries include Costa Maya, Belize, Cozumel, Mahogany Bay, and Montego Bay. A majority of the sailings offered on this ship are 7-nighters that stop at Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

Adventure of the Seas will be offering shorter cruises from Galveston, with 4-night and 5-night Western Caribbean cruise itineraries. Once Allure heads back to Florida in fall 2023, Harmony of the Seas will come to Galveston to offer 7-night Western Caribbean cruises visiting Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. Allure of the Seas will offer primarily 7-night Western Caribbean cruises visiting Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. It can’t hurt to check pricing and availability, though, especially if you’re traveling with a large family and would prefer having a private vehicle. It can also be a nice option if you plan to explore more of the Galveston or Houston areas before or after your cruise.

Galveston, Texas, offers a relatively wide range of choices for cruise ships and itineraries. Five different cruise lines sail four- to 11-night voyages that visit such Western Caribbean ports as Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Planning your cruise on the Mariner of the Seas is an exciting journey in itself. The ship offers a variety of packages and itineraries, ensuring there’s a perfect cruise experience for every traveler.

The most convenient way to reach the Port of Galveston from a Houston airport is through a rideshare service like Lyft. Besides Dr. Pepper, you'll also find Shiner Bock beer, as well as a few other Texas-based liquors. Exact options will vary, but Royal Caribbean wants to cater to the local crowd.

Guests can enjoy Broadway-caliber shows, live music performances, comedy acts, and a vibrant casino. The ship’s daily schedule is filled with activities and interactive experiences, ensuring endless fun and engagement for all passengers. If you were wondering, the Uber ride was an hour long to the HOU airport and cost $65.77, including a tip.

Here's how to plan the ultimate Galveston day trip, whether or not it is before or after a cruise out of Texas. Royal Caribbean offers plenty of great itineraries to choose from if you’re looking for an unforgettable cruise from Texas. It's hard to say goodbye to Texas — and harder to choose just where you'll sail to when you leave. Book cruises from Texas to Mexico, and dock at captivating ports like Cozumel and Puerto Costa Maya, as well as stop in postcard-worthy Roatán, Honduras.

It also offers a solid itinerary out of Galveston that visits several of my favorite ports in the Western Caribbean. Stay active and revitalized on the Mariner of the Seas with top-notch fitness and wellness facilities. The state-of-the-art fitness center, sports courts, and various exercise classes cater to fitness enthusiasts, while the spa offers a serene environment for relaxation and rejuvenation. Enjoy spectacular Broadway-style shows, live music, comedy acts, and a lively casino.

If either of those two attractions is a must-have for your next cruise out of Galveston, you'll want to book the Harmony of the Seas sailings that start in November. Harmony of the Seas will operate the same itinerary as Allure of the Seas does now. It's hard to go wrong with a sailing on Royal Caribbean's giant Allure of the Seas. That said, a seven-night Norwegian Prima sailing out of Galveston isn't necessarily the best Galveston cruise for you. I'm a big fan of this new Norwegian vessel's stylish design and upscale feel, and I love its luxurious Haven suite complex.

For the most part, the top decks of Regal Princess only offer pools, whirlpools and sunning areas, as is typical for Princess ships. As a result, it draws far fewer families than the vessels above and caters more to an older crowd of mostly couples. Notably, the 3,600-passenger Regal Princess lacks nearly all the gee-whiz attractions for families found on the other ships that sail out of Galveston. You won't find big waterslides, kiddie splash zones, zip lines or go-kart tracks on this ship. Unveiled in 2022, Norwegian Prima is the first of a new class of Norwegian vessel that the line has designed to be "elevated," in its words, as compared to earlier Norwegian ships.