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Embark Day
Illustration of the Port of Galveston with a cruise ship dressed in signal flags

Galveston cruise port guide

Which terminal is yours?

Four cruise terminals on Harborside Drive and five cruise lines, with a sixth arriving in 2027. Here is how to park, where to stay, and which terminal is yours.

Terminals, prices, and schedules checked . How we check

Departure day, in order

  1. Step 1

    Get to the port

    Flying in? George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is about 70 miles away, about 1.5 hours by car.

    Airport transfer options
  2. Step 2

    Park or stay the night before

    24 parking options. With a shuttle or a walk to the terminal, 7 days costs $125 to $240. 10 hotels on our list run a port shuttle.

    Compare parking
  3. Step 3

    Drop your bags at the terminal

    Porters take checked luggage at the curb. Keep medication, documents, and a change of clothes with you.

    Find your terminal

Arriving a day early?

Flying in the day before gives you a buffer for delays and a free afternoon in Galveston. Tours, boat trips and attractions there can be booked on Viator.

Things to do in Galveston

The Port of Galveston is the fourth-busiest cruise homeport in the U.S. The port expects 446 sailings and about 3.9 million passenger movements in 2026. All four cruise terminals sit along Harborside Drive on the north side of the island, at the end of I-45 South. Take Exit 1C and follow the port signs.

Big changes are coming in 2027. Icon of the Seas arrives in August, Carnival Horizon in May and Carnival Sunshine in November. Margaritaville at Sea starts weekly sailings in October, and Norwegian begins sailing year-round from late 2027. Symphony of the Seas, Carnival Dream and Carnival Miracle all leave Galveston during 2027.

Cruise lines sailing from Galveston

Cruise lineShipsTerminal
Royal CaribbeanSymphony of the Seas (until August 2027), Mariner of the Seas (final sailing October 26, 2026), Liberty of the Seas (from October 31, 2026), Icon of the Seas (from August 2027)Terminal 10
MSC CruisesMSC Seascape (year-round)Terminal 16
NorwegianNorwegian Viva (October 2026 to April 2027), Norwegian Escape (from November 2027)Terminal 16
CarnivalCarnival Breeze (until May 2027, and from late December 2027), Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Miracle (until May 2027), Carnival Horizon (from May 2027), Carnival Spirit (October to November 2027), Carnival Sunshine (from November 2027)Terminal 25
CarnivalCarnival Dream (until May 2027), Carnival Breeze (most 7-night sailings, late May to December 2027)Terminal 28
Disney Cruise LineDisney Magic (November 2026 to April 2027, and from November 2027)Terminal 28
Margaritaville at SeaBeachcomber (Fridays from October 2027)Terminal 28
Every ship, sailing day and itinerary

Arrival tips

  • Check-in at most terminals opens around 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. The port says noon to 2 p.m. is the busiest stretch. Arrive before 10 a.m. and you will likely wait outside.
  • Port parking opens at 9 a.m. on most sailing days, later if passengers from the previous cruise are slow to get off.
  • Drop checked bags with the porters at the terminal curb, then go park. Bags are delivered to your cabin.
  • Add at least 30 minutes for traffic on the Galveston Causeway, and 15 to 20 minutes for lot shuttles on busy days.
  • Port parking is credit card only. Uber and Lyft are the port's rideshare providers. The Galveston Island Trolley does not stop at the port.

Common questions

Which terminal does my cruise leave from?

Carnival mostly uses Terminal 25, but Carnival Dream and many Carnival Breeze sailings use Terminal 28. Royal Caribbean uses Terminal 10, MSC and Norwegian use Terminal 16, and Disney and Margaritaville at Sea use Terminal 28. Terminal assignments occasionally change, especially during construction, so go by the terminal printed on your boarding pass.

What time should I get to the Galveston cruise port?

Arrive during the check-in time your cruise line assigned you. Most terminals open check-in around 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Before 10 a.m. you will likely wait outside, and noon to 2 p.m. is the busiest stretch.

Can I drop off my luggage before parking?

Yes. Pull up to your terminal, hand checked bags to the porters at the curb, then drive to your lot. Your bags are delivered to your cabin.

Can I take an Uber or Lyft to the cruise terminal?

Yes. Uber and Lyft are the port's rideshare providers. During 2026 roadwork on Harborside Drive, Carnival asked rideshare drop-offs to enter and exit on 33rd Street.

Is Princess sailing from Galveston?

Not in the 2026 to 2027 season. Princess cancelled its Galveston sailings for November 2026 through March 2027.

Sources