The Galveston Cruise Port, located in Galveston, Texas, is officially named “Port of Galveston,” and it serves as a major cruise departure point along the Gulf Coast, often servicing cruises headed to the Western Caribbean, including ports of call such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, Progreso, and Roatan. The port located on Galveston Island, situated off the coast of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico.
Many of the major cruise lines sail from the Port of Galveston, including Carnival, Princess, Disney, MSC, and Norwegian, and these ships dock at one of two terminals: Cruise Terminal 25 or 28. Royal Caribbean has its own pier, which is the newest, Cruise Terminal 10.
Port of Galveston Address
The address of Port of Galveston varies depending on your departure terminal. Cruise Terminal 25 is 2502 Harborside Drive, Cruise Terminal 28 is 2702 Harborside Drive. and Cruise Terminal 10 is 1152 Royal Caribbean Way.
It’s important to note that the newer Cruise Terminal 10 isn’t in the immediate vicinity of the other two terminals, but rather is about a mile away.Cruisers can consult their cruise documents to determine the specific terminal from which their sailing departs, or they can consult signage at the port.
Alcohol Rules in Galveston
If you’re sailing from Galveston, note that the rules around drink packages and duty-free alcohol purchases differ here from most other cruise ports. Due to state law, specifically the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code (TABC) 28.07, cruisers are bound to some unique parameters.
When Drink Packages Take Effect When Sailing from Galveston
First, depending on the cruise line you’re sailing with, cruisers may be unable to take advantage of a drink package, such as Carnival’s CHEERS! package immediately upon their sailing, and it may not take effect until the ship is in international waters. Royal Caribbean, in contrast, does make alcohol through drink packages available immediately, but within a limited menu. The differences here depend on the various licenses purchased and held by the various cruise lines, as well as the distributor from which they purchase the alcohol.
Taxes on Alcohol in Galveston
Another difference in alcohol when sailing from Galveston is related to taxation. Also due to TABC requirements, cruisers who buy duty-free alcohol or tobacco must pay state tax upon their return. State tax is also applied to any beverage purchases (alcohol or otherwise) while the ship is in US waters.
Getting to the Galveston Cruise Port
Most cruisers who come in by air to sail out of Port Galveston fly into George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), neither of which are close to the cruise port. Hobby is, closest, at 41 miles, and IAH is around 70 miles. The direct route to the cruise port from both airports is via Interstate 45. Unfortunately, traffic and construction are common, so the average time from IAH airport to the cruise port can exceed an hour and a half.
Pro tip: If flying in to Houston and making the drive to Galveston, note that there is a Buc-ee’s en route. It’s right off I45 in Texas City. I highly recommend checking it out if you’ve never been to one. It’s a famous gas station/convenience store chain with massive store locations, holding several world records and –of all things– being known for having “America’s cleanest bathrooms.”
Given that Galveston is quite a distance from Houston and its airports, hotels in the Houston area do not generally offer shuttle service, even for a fee, although some of the Galveston hotels do. Here are the best ways to get from the Houston area airports to the Galveston Cruise Port:
- Cruise Line Transfer: Most cruise lines offer transfer service, and Carnival’s service from IAH to port, as one example, is $59 per person. This is booked directly through your cruise line.
- Rideshare: When it comes to getting to port, I typically recommend using Uber, but in this case, the long distance means that the ride can cost $65-110, depending on the time of day and other factors, but that is for up to four passengers.
- Private Transfer: Cruisers can book their own private transfer service, which is much more convenient than cruise line transfer service or hotel transfer services, which is typically on a bus or shuttle with other cruisers. Get Transfer offers transfer service for up to three people from IAH to Port of Galveston starting at $97, or cruisers traveling in a larger group can book a private van for up to eight people starting at $149.
- Public Transportation: There aren’t any easily accessible public transportation options to get to Port of Galveston.
Best Galveston Hotels for Cruisers
This is a lengthy topic, and cruisers who fly in are faced with the choice of staying in Houston versus Galveston, so check out this post to learn more about the best hotels near the Galveston cruise port, including some with shuttle service.
Galveston Cruise Port Parking
The Port of Galveston offers official parking in several locations, and all of the port’s parking facilities are secure and patrolled around the clock, with ADA handicap-accessible spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking starts at $18 per day, with valet services available at an additional cost and a higher daily fee for oversized vehicles. Advance parking reservations are not required here, but the port offers discounted pricing through its advanced reservations parking program. Disabled veterans are eligible for a parking discount.
Parking at Cruise Terminals 25 and 28 in Galveston
Port of Galveston provides three multi-level “park and walk” garages for cruisers departing from Cruise Terminals 25 or 28. Travelers cruising from Terminal 25 generally park at either the SMP Garage located at 150 25th Street or the Pier 25 Lot at 2502 Harborside, and those departing from Terminal 28 will find parking closest to the terminal what is called the Express Lot at 2702 Harborside.
All three of these “park and walk” locations are a short walk across the street to the two respective cruise terminals and provide covered and uncovered spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, there are two lots (Lot A and Lot B) a bit further from the two Galveston cruise terminals, and the port offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from the cruise terminal, making it easy for passengers to get to the ship.
Port of Galveston Map of Cruise Terminals 25 and 28
Parking at Cruise Terminal 10 in Galveston
Royal Caribbean cruisers sailing from Terminal 10 can park either the Port of Galveston’s North or South lots, as well as the Pier 14 lot. These addresses are as follows: North Lot, 1152 Royal Caribbean Way; South Lot, 1201 Royal Caribbean Way; and the Pier 14 Lot, 1390 Royal Caribbean Way.
Port of Galveston Map of Cruise Terminal 10
Galveston Cruise Schedule
The Port of Galveston cruise schedule is located on the port’s website. Scroll to the bottom of the page to view .pdf schedules by year.
Things to Do in Galveston Before a Cruise
If you’re staying at a Galveston hotel the night before your cruise from the Port of Galveston, or have a morning to kill before your cruise, The Strand is a great place to explore and enjoy a pre-cruise meal or drinks. This is Galveston’s historic district, lined with ornate late 1800s buildings filled with restaurants, art galleries, museums, shops, and more, and it’s just blocks away from Terminals 25 and 28.
Rainforest Cafe is another option close to port that is great for families, although this one isn’t walkable at about 4 miles in distance. Another family-friendly site is the Galveston Railroad Museum, which provides interactive exhibits at a location that’s less than a mile from the cruise port. The museum has forty pieces of rolling stock, a substantial collection of dining car china, and two incredible model railroad layouts, and runs weekly caboose rides on Saturdays.
