Cruises Out Of Galveston – Gateway to the Caribbean

Cruises out of Galveston are offered by Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean. They depart for a whole range of destinations, but some of the most popular go along the Mexican coastline. Galveston is a smaller port, with easy access and without the longer lines of the ports you usually associate with cruises, like Miami.

Galveston is known as one of the top resort destinations in Texas, and even the Gulf coast. Beautiful architecture and gardens, miles of sandy beaches and The Strand, with its hundreds of shops are all parts of Galveston that will add to your cruise vacation, either before you depart or after you return.

Carnival sails their “Fun Ship” Ecstasy out of Galveston. She was built in 1991 and refurbished in 2006. At 855 feet long, she displaces over 70,000 tons and carries about 2,600 passengers. There are 618 outside cabins and 408 inside cabins, and 22 wheelchair-accessible cabins. The ship boasts twelve bars, a fitness center, two pools, Internet service and an arcade, among other amenities for the kids.

The Ecstasy’s itineraries include a 4-day round-trip cruise from Galveston to Cozumel, Mexico, and back again. The 7-day cruise out of Galveston visits Progreso, Yucatan and Cozumel, Mexico before returning to port.

Carnival also offers sailings on the Conquest, a 952-foot, 110,000-ton ship with décor inspired by the great Impressionist painters. The Conquest was completed in 2002, making her one of the newer cruise ships. She can carry 2974 guests and offers a crew of 1150 to serve you in one of the 1487 staterooms.

The Conquest sails from Galveston and has port calls in Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and then returns to Galveston.

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas also calls Galveston home. She was built in 1999 and refurbished in 2002. At an amazing 1,020 feet, she was the largest cruise ship in the world when she was put into service. At 142,000 tons, she can carry 3,114 guests who are catered to by 1,176 crewmembers. Voyager of the Seas offers the only ice-skating rink at sea. In addition, you’ll find an art auction, golf simulator, scuba instruction, sauna, spa and rock-climbing wall, and a fitness center.

Voyager of the Seas sails on a 7-day journey to Cozumel, Roatan, Costa Maya, and Yucatan before returning to Galveston. If you want to extend your journey, choose the 13-night transatlantic eastbound cruise, which leaves Galveston for a stop in Miami before sailing across the Atlantic to arrive in Ponta Delgada, in the Azores Islands. A shore stop is scheduled in Ponta Delgada, and then the ship leaves for Cartagena, Columbia and then on to Barcelona, Spain, where your cruise terminates.

Cruising out of Galveston offers some options and ships that are not found in other destinations.

Especially for a seasoned cruiser, this is a way to try a little something different while still enjoying your favorite type of vacation.