Introducing Galveston
Galveston is a port city located on a barrier island lying parallel to the mainland of Texas below Houston.
The city’s name comes from the year 1785 when a Spanish ship’s navigator, José de Evia, called the island Galveztown after the Count of Galvez, a nobleman from Spain. In 1836 Michel Menard a native of Canada bought 4,605 acres slice of the island from the Austin Colony for $50,000 to build a town. The city flourished and by the mid 1800s Galveston had turned into a successful city, the center of a large port and affluent business sector. But in 1900 an enormous hurricane swept in from the Gulf bringing a tidal pulse that covered the island, killing more than 6000 inhabitants and ruining any buildings in the way. Galveston’s concrete seawall was constructed following the hurricane, and has since succeeded in defending the city from the worst of over a dozen hurricanes.
Today the city has risen to become a major city with an important commercial harbor and a successful tourist business.
Touring Galveston
Texas Seaport Museum
Visit the Texas Seaport Museum to tour the 1877 tall ship Elissa, which operated as a cargo vessel for almost 100 years. The ship first called at Galveston back in 1883. Walk the decks to visualize life on a freighter sailing ship in the late nineteenth century. The museum is positioned a short walk from the cruise port.
Bishop’s Palace
To experience how the moneyed lived in the late nineteenth century drop by at the fantastic Bishops Palace. The railroad magnate Walter and Josephine Gresham hired Nicholas Clayton, Galveston’s foremost architect, to design and build what is arguably the finest house in old Galveston. The house has an impressive façade with a round turret with spire, stone gables, carved window transoms, intricate coats-of-arms and stone built walls. The souvenir shop in the basement sells a range of ornaments, jewelry and history books. The Bishop’s Palace is sited on Broadway Avenue on the southern side of the East End, one of Galveston’s historic areas.
Moody Gardens
Anybody driving across the causeway to Galveston Island will spot the three huge pyramids of Moody Gardens rising on the western side of the island. The Aquarium Pyramid, the biggest of the pyramids, contains many species of creatures from across the world. One favorite attraction is the amazing penguins. The Rainforest Pyramid is alive with tropical animals butterflies, reptiles, birds and plants. The Discovery Pyramid focuses on science interactive exhibits. Moody Gardens also features the Palm Beach waterzone, a golf course and a 4D theater. Moody Gardens is positioned by Galveston’s airport, around 7 miles south west of the cruise terminals.
Stewart Beach
Lively Stewart Beach Park boasts a wide sweep of grayish sand on the Gulf of Mexico coastline of Galveston island. During the summer season, the beach is swept clean regularly, and controlled by lifeguards.The park is open throughout the week summer, but is closed for winter. Stewart Beach Park is located about a mile south east of the cruise terminals.
Cruise Ideas
A week long excursion around the Caribbean is the most popular itinerary for cruise ships leaving from Galveston. The variety of destinations on offer make for a fabulous holiday
You’ll be able to travel to a wide range of interesting attractions - in Belize enjoy lazy Cave Tubing in the Sibun Caves, in Key West sample tasty Key Lime pie at the legendary Sloppy Joe’s, in Grand Cayman amble along the beautiful sands of gorgeous 7 Mile Beach and in Roatan swim in the crystal clear waters of Half Moon Bay Beach.
For a full calendar of cruises see cruises from Galveston.
Galveston Cruise Terminals
The first large cruise ship to homeport at Galveston was Carnival Celebration, which started operating Caribbean cruises from Galveston in 2000. In 2001 the port’s cruise infrastructure was added to when a second cruise terminal was built to enable a Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines cruise ship to homeport at Galveston.
Cruise Terminal 1
Terminal 1 is used by Carnival and Princess Cruises. The terminal boasts an expansive cruise passenger embark and debark area, efficient baggage handling services and streamlined customs facilities.The terminal services a single ship berth
Cruise Terminal 2
Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean operate cruise terminal 2. The terminal boasts streamlined security, a streamlined cruise passenger embarkation and disembarkation floor and baggage handling services. The terminal has access to a single ship berth
Long-term secure car parking is available for both terminals 1 and 2 at two large parking lots. There is a free shuttle service running between the parking lots and the cruise terminals.
For the port authority website see Port Of Galveston.
Transport To The Cruise Terminals
By Car
From the North
Take I-45 to Galveston Island. Leave at Exit 1C. Follow the blue Galveston cruise terminal sign and turn left onto Harborside Drive (H275). Continue nearly 5 miles to Kempner/22nd Street, make a left onto Kempner/22nd to arrive at the cruise terminals.
From the East
Take State Highway 87 West towards Galveston. Take the Port Bolivar ferry. Leave the ferry onto Highway 87/Ferry road. After ¾ mile turn right onto Harborside Drive/H275 Carry on for one mile then turn right onto Kempner/22nd street to reach the cruise terminals.
By Air
There is no public transport from either George Bush or Hobby airports to Galveston, so most cruisers either rent a car or catch a cruiseline shuttle bus.