Overview Galveston is a small island located right off the southern coast of Texas. With 32 miles of Gulf Coast beaches, nice dining options, beautiful Victorian architecture, numerous antique stores and much more, Galveston is a fine cruise departure port that is also a popular vacation area for those that live nearby.
Cruises departing from Galveston are especially popular with those that live nearby, as such cruises allow travelers to avoid flying. Currently only two of the world's major cruise lines depart from Galveston, Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
Destinations The following destinations can be visited on a cruise leaving from Galveston, Texas:
Caribbean (Western)
Currency The official currency of the United States is the dollar.
Language The official language is English.
Tourist Attractions Galveston is a romantic resort island. Aside from its beautiful (seemingly endless) beaches many travelers enjoy the 19th century Victorian architecture, fine dining, dolphin watching, shopping and art galleries.
Getting around Galveston is pretty easy, as there are lots of options. For instance, you can use the Treasure Island Tour Train, the Galveston Island Ferry, the Galveston Duck Tours or the Galveston Island Trolley...just to name a few.
Schlitterbahn Water Park is quite popular. It is a water park with sections that are open year-round. The Strand National Historic Landmark District was the heart of Galveston in the late 1800s, while today it is famous for great shopping and dining options. Moody Gardens features a 10 story Rainforest Pyramid, an Aquarium Pyramid, an IMAX 3D theater, and the largest bat exhibit in the Southwest United States.
History is quite important to the residents of Galveston. As such, there are quite a few museums in Galveston. The most popular of these include the Railroad Museum, the Lone Star Flight Museum, the Ocean Star
Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, and the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. Bishop's Palace, a Victorian castle built in 1888, is perhaps the grandest and most well-known building in Galveston.
The Galveston Seawall is a historic landmark, built in 1902 (after the Galveston Hurricane of 1900). This 10 mile wall is about 17 feet high and functions as protection for the island from natural disasters. Various portions of the wall have been painted with murals, to make the wall more interesting for visitors.
Port Location & Parking Fees The Port of Galveston is located about 40 miles from Houston Hobby International Airport (HOU). The port is located about 65 miles from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Taxis are available at either airport to take you to the cruise port. Another option is to purchase ground transfers through the cruise line.
Address:
Texas Cruise Ship Terminal of Galveston Island
Pier 25
Harborside Drive
Parking Fees (subject to change):
Parking should be paid for in advance. Limited covered parking is available on a first come, first served basis, for an additional price (not listed here). The following rates apply: 4-day cruise: uncovered for $45, or covered for $55. 5-day cruise: uncovered for $50, or covered for $60. 7-day cruise: uncovered for $70, or covered for $80.
