As the cruise industry continues its recovery from the global pandemic, the Port of Galveston has announced it expects to set new records this year.
In a news post, port director and CEO Rodger Rees wrote that the port expects 362 cruises in 2023, a new record in the port’s 22-year history as a cruise location. Galveston is the only cruise port in Texas and is the fourth most popular in the United States.
Over one million cruise passengers are expected in Galveston next year, breaking the previous record of 2019. This is due to additional cruises, larger ships and fuller ships.
Ships sailing from Texas in 2023
Carnival Cruise Line will operate regularly Carnival breeze, dream, AND Vista from Galveston. In November 2023, brand new Carnival jubilee will replace Vista.
Royal Caribbean will operate The lure of the seas from January to October, Adventure of the seas from January to May and December, The brilliance of the seas from January to April, The traveler of the seas from May to December and Harmony of the seas in November and December from the port.
Norway Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian primawill visit Galveston for October sailings, then homeport there beginning in December 2023. This will mark the first time NCL will sail regularly from the Texan Island.
Disney and Princess Cruises offer seasonal sailings from the port: Disney Magic AND Princess Ruby from January to April and The royal princess in November and December.
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More about Galveston
Over 30 million people live within a 300-mile radius of the Port of Galveston, making it a very lucrative market for driving to destinations including Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, Dallas, Oklahoma City and Little Rock. The cruise industry generates over half of the port’s revenue and the increased revenue will fund the West End cargo complex and repairs to aging infrastructure.
The waterfront shopping area, which includes restaurants, hotels, museums and other attractions, offers a front-row seat to the working port. It is adjacent to historic downtown Galveston with blocks of restaurants, shops, historic architecture and other attractions.
New cruise terminal
The biggest news for Galveston’s expansion right now is the addition of a third cruise terminal – Royal Caribbean International’s Terminal 3 at Pier 10. The 161,000-square-foot facility will include 1,900 on-site parking spaces. It is scheduled to open next month.
With the opening of the third terminal at Pier 10, the existing terminals are being renamed to correspond with their pier locations.
Renovations are being planned for the renamed Cruise Terminal 25 (formerly Cruise Terminal 1) to handle the increased number of passengers connected to Carnival jubileeFinal arrival 2023. These renovations will include two new passenger boarding bridges, an expansion of the screening area, and an updated and expanded US Customs and Border Patrol area.
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