The Port of Galveston in Texas has quickly grown from a niche port with a few cruises just a decade or two ago to offering some of the best cruises this side of Florida. In fact, it’s grown so much that the port in Texas is now the busiest departure port for cruises outside of the Sunshine State.
Today, Texas passengers have a wide number of ships to choose from. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Disney all sail from the port. Norwegian has made reference that it could place a ship in Galveston some day.
Meanwhile, there are also a number of ships sailing from the port. Carnival and Royal Caribbean both have multiple vessels homeported at the island, sailing year-round.
Different Routes Being Added to Galveston
So what kind of cruises can you expect from Galveston?
Given its location on the western side of the Gulf of Mexico, many destinations in the Caribbean are a considerable distance away. That’s why you’ll find many trips that focus on the Yucatan Peninsula and ports on the western side of the Caribbean like Belize City and Roatan.
In fact, one of the most common routes you’ll find are four and five-day cruises that sail from Galveston to Cozumel and Progreso or Costa Maya. There are dozens of these trips annually.
Given the location of the island, we’ll be honest that some of the routes can get a little stale if you are a regular cruiser. To add more variety we’ve noticed cruise lines offering different routes to entice passengers, including some trips that go clear across the Gulf to to spots like Key West and the Bahamas.
This variety adds some ports you normally don’t see from the island, expanding the reach of cruises from Galveston.
Best 2020 Galveston Cruises
If you’re looking for the best cruises from Galveston, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite options based on a mix of ports, cruise lines, and ships. These trips showcase the best of what the island has to offer to cruise passengers.
Links below are to our partner AvoyaTravel.com. Keep in mind that pricing can change.
6-Night Bahamas Cruise | December 5, 2020 | $1,424 | Disney Wonder
Disney has become a regular player in the Galveston cruise market, offering sailings seasonally during the winter. This trip is among the best itineraries, and heads for the Bahamas — a region not normally visited from the Texas cruise port.
On the six-night cruise you’ll head east to Key West, followed by a stop in Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island that earns rave reviews. It’s a unique trip that no other cruise line is sailing.
Of course, sailing on Disney comes at a premium and prices start at about $1,400 per person. Even so, many people rave that sailing on Disney is well worth the extra cost.
• Learn more about this cruise here
5-Night Mexico Cruise | December 4, 2020 | $333 | Adventure of the Seas
We will be honest in that this itinerary isn’t anything too unique; there are a number of trips that sail similar routes. Still, it’s a classic route from Galveston that’s a lot of fun — especially if you haven’t sailed it before.
This cruise takes you from Galveston to Costa Maya, Mexico and then to Cozumel aboard Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas. These are two fun ports that have a lot to do, particularly for families. As well, Adventure of the Seas is an upgrade over the smaller second ship that used to be ported by Royal Caribbean in Galveston. We’d much rather sail it than the older ships.
Best of all, this trip is only a few hundred bucks per person, right at the time that winter is starting to hit Texas. If this trip doesn’t meet your schedule, there are other regular sailings of the route.
• Learn more about this cruise here
7-Night Caribbean Cruise | September 6, 2020 | $414 | Liberty of the Seas
Looking for a 7-day cruise? This route is one of the most popular from Galveston, and one that we’ve personally taken. To us, it’s definitely one of the best routes not just from Texas, but in the whole of the Caribbean.
This trip — offered regularly throughout the year — makes stops in Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan. These three ports are all within a relatively short distance of each other, but that offer varied experiences. (We’re big fans of Roatan’s laid-back vibe.)
Because the route runs so regularly you can find a trip that will meet almost any schedule. You can also find some great deals by looking at cruises leaving during slower times of year, such as this one departing in September after school is back in session.
• Learn more about this cruise here
7-Night Caribbean Cruise | September 20, 2020 | $445 | Liberty of the Seas
Another popular 7-day route that runs regularly throughout the year, this cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas stops in three major cruise ports that are popular with passengers.
You’ll first sail to sunny Cozumel, home to the busiest port of call in the world. Here you can do everything from snorkel to parasail to simply hang out on the beach with a drink in hand. From there you will sail on to Grand Cayman and then Falmouth, Jamaica.
This trip is a great sampler of the different regions and countries of the Caribbean and perfect for those taking their first cruise as it gives you a lot of variety in your ports of call.
• Learn more about this cruise here
14-Night Panama Canal Cruise | January 19, 2020 | $1,339 | Carnival Freedom
As we said, one of the limiting factors for cruises from Galveston is the location. One way to get around that issue? Have a longer cruise.
Carnival has done just that with this 14-day cruise. Not only does it sail to farther ports than most Galveston cruises, it also transits the Panama Canal.
Leaving Galveston you’ll head to Grand Cayman. The cruise then has ports of call in Aruba and Curacao — two ports almost never visited by Galveston cruises. There is then a partial transit of the Panama Canal, a stop in Costa Rica, then Roatan and Cozumel before returning home to Texas.
Perhaps best of all is that this unique trip can be had for less than $100 per person, per day if you book an interior cabin.
• Learn more about this cruise here
7-Night Bahamas Cruise | June 19, 2020 | $807 | Enchantment of the Seas
What’s so special about this itinerary? It’s one of the few that sails from Galveston to Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay.
CocoCay is the cruise line’s private island that was completely revamped with a $250 million makeover. Today it boasts the largest pool in the Caribbean, the tallest waterslide in North America, and is earning strong reviews from visitors (including the staff of Cruzely).
After leaving Galveston, this route takes you to Key West and Nassau before making its stop at CocoCay. Coming back you will have two days at sea to rest up and work on your tan before heading back to the real world.
• Learn more about this cruise here
