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Galveston Island (Photo: Cire notrevo/Shutterstock)
Galveston Island (Photo: Cire notrevo/Shutterstock)

Port of Galveston Cruise Port: Parking, Address & Amenity Info

Galveston Island (Photo: Cire notrevo/Shutterstock)
Galveston Island (Photo: Cire notrevo/Shutterstock)
Contributor
Lori A. May

Last updated
Dec 12, 2022

Read time
6 min read

The Port of Galveston is located on the island of Galveston on Galveston Bay and has three terminals dedicated to cruise ships. The island's Seawall, which is where the beaches are, is on the opposite end of the island. The Port of Galveston is also conveniently located as it's in close proximity to the charming Strand Historic District.

Read on for our breakdown of the Port of Galveston, including address information, cruise line terminals, directions, services and more. Also, be sure to check out Cruise Critic's ranked cruise deals from the Port of Galveston and see what tips, tricks and secret advice our Cruise Critic members have to say about cruises from the Galveston cruise port.

Port of Galveston Address

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Balmoral

Terminal 25 (formerly Terminal 1) 2502 Harborside Dr. Galveston, TX 77550

Terminal 28 (formerly Terminal 2) 2702 Harborside Dr. Galveston, TX 77550

Terminal 10 1152 Royal Caribbean Way (previously 1028 Harborside Dr.) Galveston, TX 77550

A note on Terminal 10: Roads have recently been built and names have been changed, including Terminal 10's address, so some apps respond differently to either street names. For example, Google Maps has both addresses available but Lyft may not show the new address (1152 Royal Caribbean Way).

Port of Galveston Terminal Information: Cruise Line by Cruise Line

Galveston Island (Photo: Cire notrevo/Shutterstock)
Galveston Island (Photo: Cire notrevo/Shutterstock)

The Port of Galveston has three cruise terminals servicing five cruise lines. Terminal 25 and Terminal 28 neighbor one another, but Terminal 10 requires an additional five-minute drive. Below is a list of the terminals at Port of Galveston and where each cruise line docks:

Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal 25: Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises

Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal 28: Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line

Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal 10: Royal Caribbean

Port of Galveston Directions

CTH | Driving

Most people taking cruises out of Galveston live within driving distance. For those arriving by air, taxis and rideshares are available.

Travelers arriving by car should allow at least 90 minutes to get to the cruise terminal from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). If arriving from William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), allow at least 60 minutes of driving time.

If you're coming from either airport with a taxi or rideshare, you'll want to assess your arrival and departure options ahead of time, as the most economical options require advance planning.

From the North or West to Port of Galveston: Take Interstate 45 South to Galveston Island, then follow Exit 1C toward Harborside Drive. Turn left onto Harborside and follow signs for each terminal entrance.

From the East to Port of Galveston: Take State Highway 87 West to Galveston Island. Use the Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry system and exit onto Ferry Road/ Highway 87. Turn right onto Harborside Drive and continue for five minutes to Terminal 10 or about 10 minutes to Terminals 25 and 28. Follow signs for each terminal entrance.

Port of Galveston Parking

Carnival Valor (Photo: Carnival)
Carnival Valor (Photo: Carnival)

Port of Galveston has parking available at all terminals with each facility marked with blue banners reading "Port of Galveston Cruise Parking."

For Terminal 25 and Terminal 28, Lot A (160 33rd Street) and Lot B (224 33rd Street) offer free shuttle bus service for cruisers both to and from the terminal. An Express Lot (2702 Harborside Dr.) is within walking distance of Terminal 25 and Terminal 28.

Terminal 10 offers several parking options. The North Lot (1152 Royal Caribbean Way) is onsite and within walking distance of the cruise terminal. The North Lot also has a premium section for covered parking.

The South Lot is at 1201 Royal Caribbean Way, and The Pier 14 Lot is at 1390 Royal Caribbean Way. The premium option at The North Lot is immediately next to the terminal, while the other parking lots offer guests a free shuttle service to and from the terminal.

The port recommends that drivers drop off passengers and luggage first before heading to the parking lot. Porters are available for baggage assistance on embarkation day.

The Galveston port for cruise ships accepts the following forms of payment for parking: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards. Cash is not accepted. Guests may also pre-book parking at Port of Galveston.

Visit Port of Galveston for current parking rates. Spots are available for those with disabled parking permits.

Galveston also has several private parking garages near the terminal. In addition, several Galveston hotels offer Park and Cruise/Fly packages that allow you to leave your car for the duration of your cruise.

Getting from Houston Airports to Port of Galveston

Interior shot of an empty Air Canada A320 Airbus during the COVID-19 pandemic
Empty Air Canada A320 Airbus (Photo: Aaron Saunders/Cruise Critic)

Cruisers departing from Port of Galveston can fly into George Bush Intercontinental Airport or Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport. Airport to terminal shuttles may be pre-arranged directly through your cruise line when arriving on the same day the cruise departs, while a public shuttle service is available for hire throughout the week.

Taxis and the ridesharing app Lyft are also available.

Public Transit from Houston Airports to Port of Galveston

Public transit options between Houston and Galveston are limited. Amtrak has a bus available, but tickets can only be booked in conjunction with a train ticket.

Galveston Express offers affordable public shuttle service between Houston and Galveston, with pick-up and drop-off service from George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Houston Hobby Airport. Daily service is available to the Port of Galveston cruise terminals. Reservations are recommended.

Houston Airport Taxi Service to Port of Galveston

Taxis from George Bush Intercontinental Airport or from Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport are readily available. However, taxi service from the cruise terminals is less frequent and it is recommended to book ahead when planning disembarkation.

If you're taking a cab to the Port of Galveston on the day of your sailing, your driver will need to follow signs for your ship's specific terminal. Specific drop-off locations are designated at each terminal, and each terminal has its own designated taxi area. Look for signs or ask a port official for more details.

The Lyft rideshare app is readily available, as it is the exclusive rideshare option for the Port of Galveston. Schedule a ride in advance for increased savings.

Restaurants Near Port of Galveston (Plus Shopping and Other Services)

Healthy Salmon Meal (Photo: its_al_dente/Shutterstock)
Healthy Salmon Meal (Photo: its_al_dente/Shutterstock)

The Strand Historic District is within walking distance of Terminal 25 and Terminal 28, while passengers at Terminal 10 will want to take a rideshare or taxi. A national historic landmark, The Strand includes buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s, peppered with eateries, bars and shops.

Other restaurants and shops for purchasing last-minute toiletries and other items can also be found in the hotel district along the Galveston Seawall. This beachfront area is home to chain and independent restaurants, family attractions, grocery stores and convenience stores.

Train Service to Port of Galveston

Taking the train to your cruise can be a viable alternative to flying (Photo: Amtrak)
Taking the train to your cruise can be a viable alternative to flying (Photo: Amtrak)

As mentioned above, Amtrak has a bus, not a train. The Amtrak bus can also only be booked with a train ticket. Service departs from the Houston station and the drop-off point in Galveston is the Moody Railroad Museum (25th and Strand).

Wheelchair and Accessibility at Port of Galveston

Group laughing on Celebrity Apex (Photo: Giles Duley/AIPP)
Group laughing on Celebrity Apex (Photo: Giles Duley/AIPP)

The Port of Galveston has wheelchairs available for use during embarkation and disembarkation. If wheelchairs are required for the duration of the sailing, passengers are responsible for providing their own or contacting their cruise line to inquire about rentals.

Arrangements should be made with your cruise line in advance if you require wheelchair assistance to board the ship.

Porters and Red Caps at Port of Galveston

Porters are available at the entrance to each terminal to assist with luggage on embarkation and disembarkation days.

Bathrooms at Port of Galveston

Each terminal at Port of Galveston has multiple restrooms available.

Port of Galveston Wi-Fi

Woman on laptop (Photo: Leszek Czerwonka/Shutterstock)
Woman on laptop (Photo: Leszek Czerwonka/Shutterstock)

The Port of Galveston offers free Wi-Fi within each of the terminals.

Port of Galveston Waiting Area and Seating

There are a limited number of chairs for waiting guests prior to security screening. After check-in and security, there's a large waiting room as well as smaller lounge areas for VIP/elite passengers. The waiting area is spacious, and it has an ATM and vending machines.

More Tips About the Port of Galveston

There is no luggage storage or locker service within the Port of Galveston.

Publish date December 12, 2022
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