Galveston
Texas, US
Port Report Card
Port Stats
The Tea
Galveston is proof that you don't need a fancy port to have a great cruise experience. This scrappy Texas port has grown from a one-terminal operation to a legitimate cruise hub, and the prices reflect its "we try harder" energy — parking at $12/day is a breath of fresh (sea) air.
The catch? If you're flying in, Houston's IAH airport is a solid 60-90 minutes away depending on traffic (and Houston traffic is… a personality). But if you're driving from anywhere in Texas, Galveston is the move. The historic Strand District near the port has actual character — restaurants, shops, and bars that aren't just cruise-themed gift shops.
The tea: Galveston punches well above its weight for value. Lower parking, cheaper pre-cruise hotels, and a port that doesn't treat you like a walking ATM. The cruise lines would rather you sail from Miami at twice the cost, but Texans know the deal.
Weather by Month
| Month | Avg Temp | Rain Days | Good Weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 54°F | 11 | 65% |
| Feb | 60°F | 5 | 83% |
| Mar | 65°F | 8 | 74% |
| Apr | 71°F | 8 | 73% |
| May | 78°F | 13 | 58% |
| Jun | 83°F | 9 | 70% |
| Jul | 83°F | 15 | 52% |
| Aug | 85°F | 11 | 65% |
| Sep | 81°F | 8 | 73% |
| Oct | 77°F | 4 | 87% |
| Nov | 72°F | 9 | 70% |
| Dec | 62°F | 10 | 68% |
Day-in-Port Budget
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | $— | $— | $— |
| Drinks (2) | $— | $— | $— |
| Taxi to Strand District | $— | $— | $— |
| Excursion | $— | $— | $— |
| Souvenirs | $— | $— | $— |
Galveston on the Cruise Schedule
13 of the ships we track are scheduled to sail from Galveston 376 times over the next 12 months, most often on 7-night voyages (trips run 4 to 17 nights). Liberty of the Seas has the most departures, with 49. Those ships sail for 6 different cruise lines. The busiest months on the schedule are December 2026 and January 2027.
Ships Sailing From Galveston
| Ship | Cruise Line | Departures (12 mo) | Next Departure | Latest CDC Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | 49 | Nov 5, 2026 | 97 |
| Carnival Breeze | Carnival | 48 | Nov 2, 2026 | 86 |
| MSC Seascape | MSC | 48 | Nov 8, 2026 | 100 |
| Carnival Jubilee | Carnival | 45 | Nov 8, 2026 | 100 |
| Symphony of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | 40 | Nov 8, 2026 | 99 |
| Disney Magic | Disney | 33 | Nov 20, 2026 | 100 |
| Carnival Miracle | Carnival | 28 | Nov 5, 2026 | 98 |
| Carnival Dream | Carnival | 25 | Nov 7, 2026 | 98 |
| Carnival Horizon | Carnival | 24 | May 19, 2027 | 96 |
| Norwegian Viva | Norwegian | 22 | Nov 7, 2026 | 100 |
| Icon of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | 8 | Aug 16, 2027 | 100 |
| Carnival Spirit | Carnival | 3 | Oct 11, 2027 | 100 |
| Seven Seas Splendor | Regent Seven Seas | 3 | Nov 30, 2026 | 100 |
More US Gulf Cruise Ports
Explore CDC inspection scores and outbreak data for every cruise ship that sails from Galveston.