Galveston Texas is a waterfront trip city and barrier island, nevertheless it’s additionally residence to a cruise port the place you’ll be able to set sail on some fashionable cruise strains. In 2022, Royal Caribbean celebrated the opening of its brand-new, $126 million cruise terminal (pier 10 terminal 3), in Galveston. We had been there to observe the ribbon-cutting ceremony and expertise crusing on the biggest cruise ship to sail out of Texas.
The opening of the 161,334-square-foot terminal on Galveston Island was attended by executives, port officers, and authorities and enterprise companions, together with Royal Caribbean Worldwide President and CEO Michael Bayley, U.S. consultant Randy Weber, Federal Commissioner Louis Sola, Metropolis of Galveston Mayor Craig Brown, and Port of Galveston Director Rodger Rees.
Disclosure: My journey to Galveston TX and crusing on the Attract of the Seas was complimentary. All opinions are my very own. This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks and a purchase order/click on via one among these hyperlinks could lead to a fee paid to us for gratis to you.
Galveston Cruise Port: What We Realized Crusing Out of the New Terminal
Attending to Galveston
Galveston Texas is positioned alongside the Gulf of Mexico, south of Houston. If you’re flying into the Houston space, the closest airports are both Passion or George Bush. Houston’s Passion Airport is about 45-60 minutes away, whereas Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport is about an hour and a half away from the Galveston cruise terminal.
I all the time advocate that visitors who’re flying into the port keep in a single day. Even when the climate isn’t unhealthy, the chance of flight delay is simply too excessive.
I arrived the night time earlier than my flight and flew into Houston’s Passion Airport at virtually midnight. I opted to remain on the DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Houston Passion Airport. Whereas I wasn’t there for very lengthy, I discovered the lodge to be extraordinarily snug and handy. There’s a lodge shuttle proper from outdoors the airport, and I used to be in my room inside quarter-hour of touchdown.
If you happen to do arrive early within the day, I’d advocate going on to Galveston to spend the night time. It’s an attractive island with a number of nice resorts and eating places. The realm close to the airport isn’t too thrilling, so it will be finest to get up on Galveston.
It’s not essential to hire a automobile except you’ve trip plans past your cruise. It’s simple to get transportation to the port. Whereas I took a journey share, there are additionally shuttles that may take you on to the port.
Driving to the Galveston Port? The Galveston Wharves additionally supply loads of parking areas, together with parking heaps and a parking storage. Free parking shuttles can be found for the heaps that aren’t inside strolling distance. Cruise parking might be reserved on-line.
Highlights of the Royal Caribbean Terminal
The brand new Royal Caribbean Terminal – Terminal 3, is predicted to convey 800 new jobs to the world. It’s the primary zero-energy cruise terminal in Texas and is on observe to attain U.S. Inexperienced Constructing Council’s Lead Gold in 2023.
The terminal is 100% photo voltaic powered with 30,000 sq. toes of on-site photo voltaic panels. Electrical car charging stations can be found within the parking space.
Upon getting into the brand new cruise terminal, you’ll instantly see how a lot work was put into making it an efficient option to board your cruise. There may be loads of seating within the ready space if that you must wait earlier than being known as to board, and there’s a lot of capability for check-in. As you stroll to the tip of the terminal, you’ll cross the Galveston Seashore Trio sculpture, which was designed by Texas-based Brad Oldham Sculpture.
Along with the brand-new Royal Caribbean terminal, there are two further present cruise terminals (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) on Harborside Drive.
Cruises Crusing Out of Galveston
Royal Caribbean has introduced one among its iconic Oasis-class ships to cruise from Galveston as its new homeport. The Attract of the Seas, one of many world’s largest cruise ships, is now the biggest ship to set sail from Texas.
Because the opening of the brand new terminal, the Attract of the Seas has moved on to Port Canaveral, Florida. The present slate of ships contains Voyager of the Seas and Concord of the Seas, and ports of name on these sailings together with Roatan Honduras and Cozumel/Costa Maya Mexico. Nevertheless, you’ll wish to have a look at the Royal Caribbean web site for particular particulars of ships since they do transfer residence ports steadily.
Embarking in Galveston (on the new Terminal 3)
Upon getting into the cruise terminal exterior, I used to be greeted by various porters. As a result of my bag was heavy, I made a decision to test it and obtained it in my stateroom a couple of hours later. Take into account that these porters don’t work for the cruise line, so be ready with small payments for a well-earned tip.
I’d already accomplished cellular check-in and obtained my SetSail Go on the app, so I confirmed that and my passport to the closest cruise worker. Then, after a fast image, and affirmation of my well being particulars, I used to be guided to the higher degree of the terminal.
There may be loads of seating in case your group hasn’t but been known as to sail. I used to be cleared to go up instantly, so I used to be in a position to cross via and enter the ship.
Disembarking at Galveston (on the new Terminal 3)
I made a decision to not obtain baggage help on disembarkation day, so I used to be in a position to depart at my leisure. In any other case, teams are known as when baggage is prepared and obtainable within the terminal. They’re simply labeled, so you’ll be able to stroll proper over to the place your baggage is and seize it.
The brand new Terminal 3 makes use of facial recognition software program. So, in case you are touring with a passport, you’ll be able to go right into a separate line and stroll as much as the facial recognition machines. After a fast scan of your face, you need to be cleared to go away. It’s a quite simple course of that will get you out of the ship and the place that you must be as quickly as doable.
When you exit the terminal, you’ll discover floor transportation choices and parking shuttles. Except you’re from the world, I’d advocate spending at the least a day or two exploring the Galveston space, both earlier than or after your crusing.
See extra info on the Port of Galveston web site.
Contemplating a household cruise? Try our information to household cruising, with posts about fashionable cruise terminals, cruise ships, and cruise strains, in addition to suggestions for cruising.
