cruise ship port texas

Texas Cruise Ports: A Guide to the Best Ports Of Call In The Lone Star State

by Judith Eve | Jul 20, 2023 | Destination Guides & Ports

One of my favorite ships, Allure Of The Seas currently cruises out of Galveston.

Texas is a state with a rich maritime history and a thriving cruise industry. The state boasts several cruise ports, including the Port of Galveston, which is one of the busiest cruise ports in the country. The port is conveniently located near Houston and offers a variety of cruises to destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and beyond.

Cruise ships departing from Texas offer a unique blend of Texas charm and beachside relaxation, making them a popular choice for travelers looking for a fun and convenient vacation. With a variety of itineraries and ships to choose from, there is something for everyone, from families to couples to solo travelers. Whether you are interested in exploring historic architecture, beautiful beaches, or lively entertainment districts, a Texas cruise has something to offer.

Understanding Texas Cruise Ports

Texas is home to several major ports that serve as departure points for cruise ships. These ports offer a variety of itineraries, ranging from short weekend getaways to longer voyages to the Caribbean and beyond. In this section, we will take a closer look at Texas cruise ports and what they have to offer.

The following table provides an overview of the major cruise ports in Texas:

PortLocationAuthorityPort of GalvestonGalvestonGalveston WharvesPort of HoustonHoustonPort of Houston AuthorityPort of Corpus ChristiCorpus ChristiPort of Corpus Christi AuthorityPort of BeaumontBeaumontPort of Beaumont Navigation DistrictPort of Port ArthurPort ArthurPort of Port Arthur Navigation District

The Port of Galveston is the busiest cruise port in Texas, with several major cruise lines operating from its terminals. The port offers a variety of itineraries to destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and beyond. The other ports in Texas also offer cruise services, although on a smaller scale.

Texas cruise ports are operated by port authorities, which are responsible for managing the ports and ensuring that they meet the needs of cruise lines and passengers. The port authorities work closely with cruise lines to provide a range of services, including terminal facilities, parking, and transportation.

In recent years, Texas cruise ports have faced some challenges due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the ports have adapted to the changing circumstances and have implemented measures to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

Overall, Texas cruise ports offer a convenient and accessible departure point for passengers looking to embark on a cruise. With a range of itineraries and services on offer, Texas cruise ports are an important part of the state's tourism industry.

Popular Texas Cruise Ports

Texas is home to several popular cruise ports that offer a range of destinations and attractions for travelers. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly vacation or a romantic getaway, Texas has something for everyone. Here are some of the most popular Texas cruise ports:

Galveston Cruise Port

Galveston is a coastal gem that offers a blend of Texas charm and beachside relaxation. The Galveston Cruise Port is the fourth busiest cruise port in the United States and serves as the homeport for several major cruise lines. From Galveston, you can sail to a variety of destinations, including the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America.

Galveston offers plenty of attractions for travelers, including historic architecture, museums, and amusement parks. Some of the top things to do in Galveston include visiting the Moody Gardens complex, exploring the Strand Historic District, and relaxing on the beach.

Houston Cruise Port

The Port of Houston is one of the busiest ports in the United States and serves as a major hub for shipping and commerce. The Houston Cruise Port is located just a short drive from downtown Houston and offers easy access to a variety of attractions and amenities.

From Houston, you can sail to destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. The Houston Cruise Port is also home to several major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Carnival.

Corpus Christi Cruise Port

Corpus Christi is a vibrant coastal city that offers a range of attractions for travelers. The Corpus Christi Cruise Port is located just a short drive from downtown Corpus Christi and serves as the homeport for several major cruise lines.

From Corpus Christi, you can sail to destinations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. To fully enjoy Corpus Christi, a visit to the Texas State Aquarium, USS Lexington Museum, and a beach relaxation are highly recommended.

Beaumont Cruise Port

Beaumont is a historic city located in southeast Texas that offers a range of attractions for travelers. The Beaumont Cruise Port is located just a short drive from downtown Beaumont and offers easy access to a variety of amenities.

From Beaumont, you can sail to destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico. The Beaumont Cruise Port is also home to several major cruise lines, including Carnival.

Overall, Texas offers a range of popular cruise ports that cater to a variety of travelers. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly vacation or a romantic getaway, Texas has something for everyone.

Cruise Lines Operating in Texas

Texas is a popular departure port for many cruise lines, offering a variety of itineraries and destinations. Here are some of the major cruise lines operating in Texas:

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is one of the largest and most popular cruise lines operating out of Texas. They offer a range of itineraries, from short weekend getaways to longer trips to the Caribbean and beyond. Some of their most popular ships include the Liberty of the Seas and the Adventure of the Seas, both of which offer a wide range of onboard activities and amenities.

Norwegian Cruise Line is another popular option for those departing from Texas. They offer a variety of itineraries, including trips to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Some of their most popular ships include the Norwegian Joy and the Norwegian Breakaway, both of which offer a wide range of dining and entertainment options.

Holland America

Holland America is a more upscale cruise line that offers a range of itineraries from Texas, including trips to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Their ships are known for their elegant decor and high-end amenities, including gourmet dining and luxurious spa treatments.

Windstar is a smaller cruise line that offers a more intimate and personalized experience for passengers. They offer a range of itineraries from Texas, including trips to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Their ships are known for their luxurious accommodations and excellent service.

Overall, there are many different cruise lines operating out of Texas, each offering a unique experience for passengers. Whether you're looking for a fun-filled family vacation or a romantic getaway, there's sure to be a cruise line that meets your needs.

Top Destinations from Texas Cruise Ports

Caribbean destinations.

Texas is a great starting point for a Caribbean cruise, with many exciting destinations to choose from. Western Caribbean destinations like Cozumel, Honduras, and Costa Maya offer beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a variety of water sports. Jamaica and Roatan are also popular Caribbean destinations that offer unique cultural experiences and stunning natural beauty.

Falmouth, Jamaica, is a laid-back island port with a slower pace of life. Visitors can choose from a variety of beaches, including the world-famous Chukka Beach and its quieter, more secluded counterpart, Burwood Beach. Grand Cayman is another popular Caribbean destination known for its crystal-clear waters and world-class snorkeling and diving opportunities.

Mexico Destinations

Mexico is another popular destination for cruises departing from Texas. Cozumel, a beautiful island off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, is a popular stop for many Caribbean cruises. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, and other water sports, or simply relax on the island's beautiful beaches. Costa Maya, another popular Mexican destination, offers a variety of cultural and historic attractions, as well as beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters.

Central America Destinations

Panama is a popular Central American destination for many cruises departing from Texas. Visitors can explore the Panama Canal, one of the world's most impressive engineering feats, or visit the country's beautiful beaches and rainforests. Honduras is another popular Central American destination, with beautiful beaches and a rich cultural heritage. Roatan, one of Honduras' Bay Islands, is known for its stunning coral reefs and world-class diving opportunities.

Overall, Texas is a great starting point for a variety of exciting destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Whether you're looking for beautiful beaches, cultural experiences, or world-class diving opportunities, there's something for everyone on a Texas cruise.

Travel Preparations for Texas Cruises

Driving distance.

When planning a Texas cruise vacation, it's important to consider the driving distance to the cruise port. Galveston, the most popular cruise departure port in Texas, is approximately 50 miles southeast of Houston. If you're flying into the area, Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport are both within driving distance of the port.

Hotels Near Cruise Ports

There are several hotels near the cruise ports in Texas, making it easy to find accommodations that suit your needs. In Galveston, many hotels offer shuttle service to the port, which can be a convenient option for travelers. Some popular hotels near the Galveston cruise port include The Tremont House, Harbor House Hotel and Marina, and Hotel Galvez & Spa.

Shore Excursions

Shore excursions are a great way to explore the local area and make the most of your Texas cruise vacation. In Galveston, popular shore excursions include visiting the historic Strand District, exploring the Moody Gardens complex, and taking a dolphin-watching tour. Other popular activities in the area include visiting the Space Center Houston, touring the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, and exploring the beaches and parks along the Gulf Coast.

Overall, travelers planning a Texas cruise vacation should consider the driving distance to the port, choose a hotel near the port, and book shore excursions to make the most of their trip.

Cruise Deals and Prices

Per person pricing.

When it comes to taking a cruise, the per person pricing can vary greatly depending on the cruise line, the length of the cruise, and the type of stateroom chosen. However, there are often deals and promotions available that can make cruising more affordable.

For example, Royal Caribbean Cruises offers 4-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston starting at USD $302 per person and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston starting at USD $312 per person onboard Voyager of the Seas. Mariner of the Seas also offers 5-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston starting at USD $322 per person.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers 7-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston starting at USD $599 per person onboard Norwegian Breakaway.

Taxes and Additional Costs

It is important to keep in mind that the per person pricing does not always include taxes and additional costs. These costs can include port fees, government taxes, and gratuities.

For example, the 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from Norwegian Cruise Line starts at USD $599 per person, but also includes additional costs of USD $250.04 per person for port fees, government taxes, and gratuities.

When comparing cruise deals and prices, it is important to take into account all of the costs associated with the cruise to get an accurate picture of the total cost.

In summary, there are many cruise deals and promotions available that can make cruising more affordable. However, it is important to consider all of the costs associated with the cruise, including taxes and additional fees, to get an accurate picture of the total cost.

Unique Experiences on Texas Cruises

Texas cruises offer unique experiences that are hard to find anywhere else. From exploring NASA to savoring authentic Texas barbecue, there is something for everyone. Here are some of the top experiences to look forward to on a Texas cruise.

A visit to NASA is a must-do experience for anyone interested in space travel. Texas is home to the Johnson Space Center, which is the headquarters for NASA's human spaceflight program. Visitors can take a tour of the center and see firsthand how astronauts train for space missions. The tour includes a visit to the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility, where visitors can see full-size replicas of the International Space Station and other spacecraft.

Texas Barbecue Experience

No trip to the Lone Star State is complete without trying some authentic Texas barbecue. Texas is famous for its slow-smoked meats, which are cooked over wood for hours to create a mouth-watering flavor. Many Texas cruises offer barbecue excursions, where guests can sample some of the best barbecue in the state. Visit well-known barbecue spots such as Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Lexington's Snow's BBQ, and Kreuz Market in Lockhart.

Whether you're a space enthusiast or a barbecue lover, a Texas cruise offers unique experiences that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

It seems to me as if each year there are more and more cruise ships that cruise from Texas cruise ports. As this article suggests, it is for some very good reasons.

Judith Eve, loves to write riveting articles on crusingtonpost.com. She hails from the sun-kissed regions of South Florida, residing within a stone’s throw of the bustling Fort Lauderdale and Miami cruise ports. As a native Floridian, Judith’s love for the ocean and cruising extends as far back as her memory can recall.

Her lifelong passion for travel has taken her to countless destinations around the globe, but cruising, undeniably, holds a special place in her heart. Judith has embraced the elegance of luxury liners, relished the intimacy of boutique ships, and marveled at the innovation found on the newest megaships. This varied experience makes her a well-rounded and knowledgeable commentator on everything cruise-related.

Balancing her writing career and family life with effortless grace, Judith is happily married, mother to two wonderful children, and a doting grandmother to three grandkids. Much like Judith, her family shares her enthusiasm for the sea, often accompanying her on cruise adventures and enriching her articles with their unique perspectives.

Her work for crusingtonpost.com provides readers with insightful, engaging narratives of her travels, from vivid descriptions of the picturesque locales she visits to in-depth reviews of the cruise lines she travels with. Her writing is not only an exploration of travel and cruising; it is a testament to her zest for life, her commitment to family, and her love for the ocean.

Endearing herself to readers with her warm, personable writing style, Judith has become a trusted voice in the cruising community. She is the go-to source for tips, advice, and comprehensive information on cruising. As a tireless explorer and devoted family woman, Judith Eve embodies the essence of the adventurous spirit, inspiring readers to set sail and create their own sea stories.

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Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal Port Guide

Located in the heart of Galveston, Texas, the Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal (also called Galveston Cruise Port) on Galveston Island is the gateway to exciting Caribbean cruises and beyond.

Cruises from Galveston are offered year-round and the most frequented ports of call are the Bahamas, Costa Maya or Cozumel in Mexico, Western Caribbean and Central America.

This article will help you to learn more about the Galveston Cruise Port and Terminals plus a handy guide to Galveston to help you make the most of your cruise experience.

Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal: How to Get There

In This Post...

To reach the Galveston Cruise Terminal, one can utilize several transportation options. If arriving by air, the closest major airport is William P. Hobby Airport in Houston (HOU), approximately 42 miles away.

From there, renting a car or utilizing shuttle services are convenient choices. Additionally, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston is another option, situated about 70 miles from Galveston.

Parking at Galveston Cruise Port

For those driving to the port, the official Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal parking facility offers safe and secure parking options. The cost for parking varies but generally ranges from $15 to $20 per day. You should check the current rates before you arrive for your cruise.

You can also reserve and pre-pay for your parking space at the on-site parking lot and structure. This is probably an excellent idea, especially as more of the really big ships move into Galveston.

The Port of Galveston cruise facility is the only one located on port property.

Hotels in Galveston with Shuttle to Cruise Port

We always suggest that you arrive at least one day before your cruise. After all, this being Galveston, there’s so much to see and do.

Even though many of Galveston’s hotels offer free parking for cruise passengers, not all offer shuttle service.

To make this an easy decision, here are several hotels near the Galveston Cruise Terminal with shuttles to and from the port.

• Harbor House Hotel & Marina at Pier 21 Location: 28 Pier 21, Galveston, TX 77550 Check with hotel for shuttle reservations.
• The Tremont House Location: 2300 Ships Mechanic Row, Galveston, TX 77550 Confirm shuttle reservations with hotel.
• San Luis Resort 5222 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 7755 Check with the hotel regarding shuttle options.
• Homewood Suites by Hilton 110 Seawall Blvd. Galveston, TX 77550 Always confirm with hotel for shuttle reservations.

Worth a visit, the historic Grand Galves is a huge part of Galveston’s past. Though this beachfront hotel does not offer shuttle service to the port, they do offer 1 1/2 hour ghost tours through this 1911 haunted hotel!

Family-Friendly Activities in Galveston

If you have time either before or after your cruise, add a couple of days to explore Galveston’s family-friendly attractions. Here are some of the top things to see and do.

1. Moody Gardens

Location: 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554

Moody Gardens is a captivating entertainment complex that seamlessly blends education with recreation. The Rainforest Pyramid immerses visitors in a lush and diverse environment, featuring exotic plants, free-roaming wildlife, and even an interactive canopy walk.

The Aquarium Pyramid showcases marine life from the Gulf of Mexico and beyond, with fascinating exhibits and touch tanks. For families, the Discovery Pyramid offers hands-on exhibits exploring science and technology.

Admission prices vary, with combination tickets available for access to multiple attractions.

2. Pleasure Pier

Location: 2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550

Stepping onto Pleasure Pier feels like a journey back in time to the golden era of amusement parks.

Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, this historic waterfront attraction boasts a variety of thrilling rides, including a roller coaster that extends over the water, classic carousel, and a towering Ferris wheel.

Families can enjoy classic arcade games, indulge in delicious carnival treats, and take in stunning coastal views. Entry to the pier is free, with individual ride tickets or unlimited ride passes available for purchase.

3. Schlitterbahn Waterpark

Location: 2026 Lockheed St, Galveston, TX 77554

Schlitterbahn Waterpark offers a splashing good time for families seeking aquatic adventures. This expansive waterpark features an array of water attractions, including thrilling water slides, lazy rivers for a leisurely float, and wave pools for added excitement.

With areas designed for various age groups, from toddlers to teens, Schlitterbahn ensures a day filled with family fun. Admission prices vary, with discounts often available for online purchases and group bookings.

4. Galveston Island State Park

Location: 14901 FM3005, Galveston, TX 77554

Nature enthusiasts will find solace at Galveston Island State Park, where the Texas Gulf Coast’s beauty takes center stage. Families can explore hiking trails that wind through coastal landscapes, providing opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife observation.

The park’s fishing areas and kayak launches invite outdoor enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the natural surroundings. While entry fees apply per vehicle, the experiences offered, including ranger-led programs, make it a worthwhile investment for a day of outdoor enjoyment.

Discover Galveston Island – A Coastal Gem

A brief history:.

Galveston, located on Galveston Island along the Texas Gulf Coast, has a rich history that dates back to its establishment in the early 19th century.

Founded by French pirate and privateer Jean Lafitte, the city quickly grew into a prominent port, earning the nickname “The Wall Street of the South.” Galveston became the principal port for the Republic of Texas and a bustling center for trade, attracting immigrants, businesses, and cultural influences.

One of the most defining moments in Galveston’s history was the devastating Hurricane of 1900, the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. In response, the city constructed the Galveston Seawall and raised the island’s elevation, fortifying it against future storms.

Today, Galveston stands as a testament to resilience, blending its historic charm with modern attractions.

The Strand Historic District

A National Historic Landmark, The Strand is a downtown district featuring Victorian-era architecture, boutiques, galleries, and vibrant nightlife.

Visitors can explore historic buildings, dine at waterfront restaurants, and shop for unique souvenirs.

Galveston Seawall

Stretching for 10 miles along the Gulf of Mexico, the Galveston Seawall is an iconic structure built after the 1900 hurricane. It provides stunning ocean views, a bustling promenade, and a protective barrier against storm surges.

Bishop’s Palace (Gresham House)

Also known as Gresham House, this Victorian mansion is a marvel of architecture. Built in 1892, it features intricate detailing, stained glass windows, and is recognized as one of the country’s most significant Victorian residences.

Galveston Railroad Museum

Housed in the historic Union Depot, the Galveston Railroad Museum showcases the island’s railroading history. Visitors can explore vintage train cars, locomotives, and interactive exhibits.

The Grand 1894 Opera House

A historic performing arts venue, The Grand Opera House has been entertaining audiences since 1894. With its ornate design and impeccable acoustics, it hosts a variety of performances, from Broadway shows to concerts.

Stewart Beach

A family-friendly destination, Stewart Beach offers a wide expanse of sandy shores, lifeguard stations, and amenities like volleyball courts and a pavilion. It’s an ideal spot for sunbathing, swimming, and building sandcastles.

Known for its lively atmosphere and frequent events, East Beach is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike. With live music, festivals, and a vibrant nightlife scene, it’s a dynamic beach experience.

Seawolf Park Beach

Located near the Galveston Ship Channel, Seawolf Park Beach provides scenic views of passing ships and access to fishing piers. The park also features military exhibits, making it a unique blend of history and recreation.

Taking a few days before or after your cruise from the Galveston Cruise Ship Terminal reveals the city’s allure. Not only in its historical significance but also in its diverse attractions, lively beaches, and resilient spirit.

Whether strolling through historic districts, enjoying cultural landmarks, or relaxing by the seaside, visitors are sure to find a delightful mix of past and present in this charming coastal city. And the cruise port is so easy to navigate from parking to terminal to ship!

If you are a U.S. citizen and your cruise begins and ends at the same U.S. port (in this case Galveston) then a U.S. government-issued I.D. and a state-issued birth certificate with a raised seal is acceptable on these “closed-loop” cruises.

Carnival, Disney, MSC (soon), Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean. Currently, there are a total of 13 ships and then 14 when MSC Seascape moves to Galveston year-round.

There are two cruise terminals at the port of Galveston.

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Houston (Texas)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda

Local Time 2024-04-28 18:53

Port Houston Texas is located on the Bay Area Houston’s southeast corner. The Houston metro area comprises seven cities. Its waterfront has length of approx 35 mi (56 km) and connects Galveston TX and Houston TX. The city has population around 2,1 million (metro over 6,3 million) ranking it USA's 4th largest - after NYC New York , Los Angeles California and Chicago Illinois .

Houston cruise port terminal (Bayport) was finished in 2008 but officially opened in November 2013. It used to serve two cruise lines - Princess and NCL-Norwegian . Roundtrip Western Caribbean itineraries from Houston included as call ports Cozumel (Mexico) , Roatan Island (Honduras) and Belize City .

Port Houston

Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Port Houston (locode USHOU) is USA's largest container port, handling nearly 70% of all containerized cargo shipped through the Gulf. The port is ranked USA's largest (by foreign and domestic waterborne tonnage) and USA's 5th largest (by containership traffic) - following Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York-New Jersey, Savannah GA .

The Port currently has 8 public terminals plus ~200 private cargo terminals all positioned along Houston Ship Channel (length 52 mi / 84 km). The port's annual economic value is USD 800+ billion and it supports 2,1+ million American jobs (including 1,35+ million Texas jobs).

Port Houston's annual deepwater vessel traffic is almost the same as the combined totals for the next three USA's largest cargo ports (Los Angeles, Long Beach, NYC-New Jersey). Port's activities sustain ~3 million American jobs, generate USD 802+ billion (annual economic impact) and provide ~USD 38 billion in annual tax revenue.

Port's additional growth is partially due to the expansion of the petrochemical processing facilities along the Ship Channel. This also results in an increase in shipping of synthetic resins (a byproduct of the petrochemical process), many of which are containerized exports across port's docks. Retail imports are also growing in recent years.

The 50-mi long (80-km) long Houston Ship Channel is USA's busiest deep-water inland waterway, serving annually 9000+ ship transits and 200,000+ cargo barge transits. Via Houston Ship Channel are accessed 200+ docks (private and public berthing areas).

• On April 24, 2020, the USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers) was contracted for the Houston Ship Channel Expansion Project (aka "Project 11"). The deal followed a 4-year (USD 10 million) study. The project's sole sponsor is Port Houston. The project aims to increase the cargo shipping volumes by allowing larger-sized vessels to transit the waterway.
• Project 11 includes easing the channel's bends, widening the bay reach to 700 ft ()213 m, widening to 455 ft (139 m) Bayport Ship Channel and Barbours Cut Channel. Works also include deepening (dredging) the waterway between Boggy Bayou and the Main Turning Basin and sectional widening between Boggy Bayou and Greens Bayou.
• The dredged material was used to create ~400 acres (162 hectares / 1,6 km2) of tidal marshland/bird island habitat (~5 acres/~2 hectares) and an oyster reef (~377 acres/~153 hectares/1,5 km2) in Galveston Bay.
• Works on the new/man-made Long Bird Island (completed in 2023) included creating a lagoon, along with land elevations and coast protection.

In July 2016, Port Houston exited the cruise business as port commissioners decided to sell Bayport Cruise Terminal's gangway system.

• Initially, the port expected annually ~300,000 cruise passengers. Bayport Cruise Terminal was opened in 2008, but the first ships arrived in 2012, with Princess and NCL-Norwegian homeporting vessels here. Princess Cruises started turnaround operations in 2013-2014 (total 27 departures). NCL started operations in 2014, with total 75 ship calls (over 5-year period) plus 2 more years optional.
• To allure Princess and NCL, Bayport paid the companies, respectively, USD 0,685 million and USD 6 million. Both deals also included free of charge use of the cruise terminal facility. In addition, NCL received another USD 2 million if the company extended the berthing contract into 2017-2018. Cruise ship calls supported nearly 300 local jobs.

In September 2017, Houston Ship Channel suffered from Hurricane Harvey. Devastating torrential rains inundated the USA's Gulf Coast (coastline along which Southern USA meets Gulf of Mexico). During the storm, floodwater deposited tons of silt into Houston Ship Channel and throughout Galveston Bay. The port authority required significant canal dredging (done by USACE) to be able to restore normal shipping traffic for neo-Panamax vessels at port's authorized depth and width. Hurricane Harvey damages to the seaport included dramatic shoaling at the entrance waterways of the main cargo terminals.

In October 2017, the port installed 3 new (China-made) ship-to-shore-cranes at Barbours Cut Container Terminal.

• The new gantry cranes arrived on Oct 23 (after 3-months of shipping from China) and entered Houston Ship Channel with their booms raised (total height 113 m / 371 ft). They were transported via specialized heavy load carrier across Pacific Ocean.
• After installation, each crane stands 270 ft (82 m) high. All cranes became operational in 2018. They are part of Port Houston's USD 700 million Barbours Cut Container Terminal modernization program. The project increased the terminal's cargo-handling capacity and efficiency as more and larger container ships calli the port since the Expanded Panama Canal 's opening in June 2016. The larger vessels require larger and faster cranes.
• The new Sammax/Super Post-Panamax cranes (total cost USD 33,5 million) were ordered in 2015 and manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries ( Shanghai China ) - a renowned company specializing in building large-sized container and bulk cargo handling machinery. The first 4 cranes were delivered in 2015. Another 3 ship-to-shore cranes for Bayport Container Terminal were delivered in early-2018.

In May 2019, Port Houston reported for FY2018 (fiscal year, April-April) 9% increase in total tonnage (over 2017). Loaded TEU-container tonnage grew by 11%. TEUs grew 13% (15% year-over-year growth). Steel imports grew by 31%. Exports grew by 38%. Polyethylene exports grew by 62%.

In August 2019, the terminal operator company Kinder Morgan Inc (KMI) announced a series of USD 170 million (total investment) projects for KMI's Pasadena Terminal and Galena Park Terminal. These gas and liquids terminals were expanded to total 10 ship berths, 38 barge berths, 20 inbound pipelines (linking to 10 refineries/chemical plants), 15 outbound pipelines, and ~43 million barrels of on-dock liquid storage.

In November 2020, Port Houston was officially ranked USA's largest in terms of total tonnage (both domestic and foreign) and also by the number of handled vessels. In 2019 were handled nearly 285 million cargo tons (~47 million more than any other port in the USA) which was a 6% increase over 2018. The port surpassed even the Port of South Louisiana. For 24 years, Port Houston was #1 in foreign waterborne tonnage while Houston Ship Channel is the USA's currently busiest waterway used by ~50 deepwater vessels daily.

In 2021 was completed the "Houston Ship Channel Expansion Project 11", resulting in widening the channel (along Galveston Bay's reach) by 170 ft / 52 m (from 530 to 700 ft / 213 m). The waterway's upstream segments were also deepened (to 45 ft / 14 m).

March 2021 became the port's busiest month in TEU volumes when were handled total 297397 TEU-containers (20% increase over March 2020).

In December 2021, Odfjell SE (1914-founded company specializing in transportation and storage of specialty bulk liquids/including chemicals) announced the expansion of its OTH-Odfjell Terminal Houston. The company started the construction of new chemical tanks (at OTH's Bay 13) to increase the facility's storage capacity by ~9% (to 413,400 m3),

In January 2022, MSC shipping added the Port into its China-USA route (31-day roundtrip from Haiphong Vietnam) visiting China ( Shanghai , Ningbo ), USA (Houston, Charleston SC , New York City ).

Houston port statistics

Port's container shipping volume in 2017-Q1 increased by 14% (over 2016), driven mainly by import growth (26%). In the period Jan-Nov 2017, port's cargo shipping volume increased by 9% (over Jan-Nov 2016) - to nearly 35 million tons, with main drivers being containers (over 2,4 million TEUs) and steel imports.

• In 2017, the seaport reported its highest ever total cargo tonnage - 38,3 million tons. The previous record year was 2014 (37,8 million tons).
• 2017 was also a record-year for port's containership business, with handled total 2,46 million TEUs (13% increase over 2016's 2,18 million TEUs). The port reported 99% uptime in reliability for its total 22 ship-to-shore cranes.
• In 2017 were completed construction contracts with combined worth over USD 200 million. Among the projects were both container terminals (North and South), gantry cranes (Bayport terminals), Wharf 2 rehabilitation (Barbours Cut terminal).

In 2018 were completed Bayport Channel's dredging works (widening and deepening the waterway). This resulted in rapid growth (10% over 2017) in large boxships using port's cargo terminal facilities and a record number of TEU lifts (5700) on one vessel.

In May 2018, Houston was nominated "Best Seaport in North America" in an online vote by around 10,000 international marine shipping companies and industry experts, The ceremony was held in Shanghai China, following the survey done by "Asia Cargo News". Port's container import growth in 2018 continued to be driven mainly by East Asia trade, with reported for 2017 over 13 million tons of cargoes (2% increase) through Houston.

Part of USD 100 million investment plan, 8 ship-to-shore cranes (3x Super Post-Panamax, 5x rubber-tired) were delivered at Bayport Terminal in August 2018. All new cranes were installed at Bayport Wharf 2. The units are state's largest (height 82 m / 270 ft tall, boom length 64 m / 211 ft) with capacity to serve boxships up to 22 containers wide. The cranes cost USD 35 million (each ship-to-shore) and USD 2 million (each rubber-tired).

As of 2018, Port Houston has a total of 26 ship-to-shore cranes (at Bayport and Barbours Cut terminals), 13 of which super post-Panamax. Also in 2018, Houston Port Authority awarded USD 49 million contract for Bayport's Container Yard 7 (adding 50 acres of TEU storage area). In 2018 were ordered 8x diesel-electric RTGs (rubber-tired gantry cranes by Konecranes, lifting capacity 50 tons) with hybrid power packs and remote connection capabilities (TRUCONNECT). The RTGs were delivered in 2020-Q1 and installed at Barbours Cut, to total 32x operational gantry cranes.

FY2018 was a record year for container shipping - with 10% growth over FY2017. The handled general cargo reached 3,5 million tons (+8%). Container terminals averaged around 600 moves per hour. Total tonnage was another record (35,7 million tons, or +9%). Port's Operating Revenue was USD 366 million (USD 333 million in 2017). Port’s public facilities generated USD 162 million (USD 151 million in 2017). TEUs increased 10% (to 2,7 million). Steel tonnage increased 21% (to 4,4 million tons).

Port's 2019 container shipping increased 11% (18th consecutive year growth) with handled 2,987291 million TEUs. Container exports grew 17%, imports +5%. October was the busiest month. In October 2020, the handling increased to 296,000+ TEUs (port's ever-busiest month) with an 18% increase in loaded containers and revenue USD 36,6 million.

April 2022 was the Port's record month by handled TEUs (334,493), or 21% increase over April 2021 and 21% increase in year-to-date TEUs (1,237876 million). A 15% increase in TEUs was reported for FY2021 (over FY2020).

In June 2020, by the US Department of Transportation's INFRA program "Rebuilding America", Port Houston received USD 79,472 million (~EUR 70,8 million) for infrastructure restoration, improvements and upgrades at Barbours Cut Container Terminal. The INFRA grant was requested for Port Houston’s USD 198 million (~EUR 176,5) infrastructure development project that included 60% port funding and 40% INFRA funding. The 1975-opened cargo terminal has total wharf length 6000 ft (1829 m) and land area ~390 acres (158 hectares / 1,6 km2) including yards and service areas.

Port Houston's "2021 Capital Plan" (budgeted USD 239 million) targets primarily container terminals as well as redevelopments of existing facilities and infrastructure. In August 2021 was signed a contract (with USACE) for Houston Ship Channel's widening and deepening (Project 11/Channel's 11th major improvement). The US$ 1 billion expansion officially started on June 1, 2022, and is scheduled for completion in 2025.

On June 17, 2022, a USD 430M contract for completing Ship Channel's Galveston Bay segments was awarded to Weeks Marine (1919-founded as Weeks Stevedoring Co, marine construction and dredging) and Curtin Maritime Corporation (1997-founded, shipowner and maritime services). Curiously, ~52% of the contract's value was for creating natural habitats (marshes, bird islands, oyster reefs) using the dredged material.

In October 2022 were ordered a total of 26x hybrid RTGs from Konecranes (14x for Barbours Cut Terminal and 12x for Bayport Terminal). The new container cranes were scheduled for deliveries in 2023-H2 thru 2024-H1. As of 2024, Barbours Cut and Bayport are served by a total of 90x diesel and 26x hybrid RTGs.

2022 became the Port's record year by annual container volume (3,974901 million TEUs) or 14% increase over the previous record in 2021 (3,482375 million). The annual total tonnage was also increased (+22%) reaching 55,060963 million TNs/short tons. The handled steel imports were +49% (over 2021) including line and standard pipes, OCTGs/oil country tubular goods, heavy structural shapes, wire rods. Bagged goods were also increased (+50%) over 2021.

Houston cruise terminal

Houston cruise port terminal is an hour (45 miles) from George Bush Intercontinental Airport and the distance to Hobby Airport is 45 minutes (20 miles). It is 30 minutes closer compared with Galveston cruise port.

Bayport cruise terminal

Houston cruise port was one of the busiest ports in the middle 1800s. In 1837 it welcomed its first steamboat. The cruise terminal in Houston was built in 2008. Bayport Cruise terminal cost USD 108.4 million. With the start of it service in 2013, the authorities expect the economic impact for the next four years to be over USD 200 million. The future development plans are to overtake Galveston cruise port as Texas’ cruise capital.

Houston cruise port terminal is on the Galveston Bay’s edge, between the Kemah and La Porte suburbs. Houston Downtown is 30 miles away.

The easiest options to reach the Bayport cruise terminal is by taxi. Also you can use independent shuttles. If you come by car, there is a parking area with 1,000 spaces. It is located in fron Houston cruise port terminal and it is monitored by the Port authorities 24/7.

Parking costs USD 80 for a 7-day cruise (USD 11.50 per day), pre-paid discount: USD 5 for a 7-day cruise.

• Bayou Place: megaplex for entertainment. It is in the heart of the Downtown Theater District in Houston. The 130,000 square foot area comprises bars, theaters, restaurants and lounges. Here is the largest and most popular rock&roll nightclub in Houston – ROCBAR.
• Galleria Mall: the largest mall in Texas. It is located on Westheimer Rd.
• Johnson Space Center: located in the south-east part of Houston. It is the NASA astronaut corps’ home. There are 100 facilities span on 1,620 acres. Try the zero-gravity environment or a virtual launch of a rocket.
• Houston Zoo: placed 7th in the America’s most visited zoos. See over 4,500 animals in the amazing landscaped grounds. You can chose a guided tour from shadowing a veterinarian for a day to a lion cub feeding.
• Museum District: discover collections of galleries, cultural centers and museums including the Museum of Fine Arts, the John P. McGovern Health Museum, the Lawndale Art Center, Holocaust Museum and Houston Center for Photography.
• Splashtown: water park, great options for all the family. It is situated in the north part of Houston. There are attractions like a lazy river, several slides and a wild wave pool. The kids will enjoy the Crocodile Isle.

Houston tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

ACL-American Cruise Lines acquires 4 paddlewheelers/riverboats from AQV-American Queen Voyages

ACL-American Cruise Lines has completed the acquisition of all four paddlewheelers previously belonging to the AQV-American Queen Voyages fleet...

Port Galveston TX celebrates 1 millionth cruise passenger of 2023

The Port of Galveston Texas, recognized as the fourth most prominent cruise home port in North America, marked a significant milestone on August 28th...

2 CCL-Carnival Cruise Line's ships return to Port Galveston Texas

Two CCL-Carnival Cruise Line's ships returned to Port Galveston Texas on Sunday, May 2. After more than a year away, the liners' return is a glimmer...

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Houston - user reviews and comments

Press Releases

New royal caribbean terminal opens, welcoming largest cruise ship and the best family vacations in texas.

GALVESTON, TEXAS, Nov. 9, 2022 – Everything’s bigger in Texas, and the biggest, boldest adventure has arrived. Today, Royal Caribbean International’s new $125 million cruise terminal in Galveston, Texas, opened its doors and welcomed the Lone Star State’s largest cruise ship, Allure of the Seas . The cruise line held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Port of Galveston to mark the state-of-the-art facility’s opening and the Texas debut of its revolutionary Oasis Class.

Royal Caribbean executives, government and port officials and partners celebrated the milestone achievement, including U.S. representative Randy Weber, Federal Commissioner Louis Sola, Mayor Craig Brown, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley and Port Director Rodger Rees. The city of Galveston also marked the day with a proclamation, recognizing the cruise line’s commitment to the city and the successful partnership started more than 20 years ago when Royal Caribbean first set sail from Galveston. With the introduction of the Oasis Class, the world’s largest cruise ships, it’s estimated the new terminal will welcome as many as 630,000 vacationers each year.

“We are thrilled to take family vacations to a whole new level in Texas. Our new, 161,334-square-foot terminal opens up a world of vacation possibilities for families in the Southwest,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Now our unmatched Oasis Class ships, known as the best family vacations in the industry, can set sail from Galveston. Allure of the Seas is just the beginning, and we thank the Port of Galveston, Ceres and all the teams involved for making this bold vision a reality.”

Royal Caribbean’s Galveston facility is as bold in its sustainable design as the bold adventures that vacationers have in store. The terminal will break even more new ground as the first LEED Zero Energy facility in the world , generating 100% of the energy it needs through onsite solar panels. From the start, the design strategies used to develop the terminal were aligned with parent company Royal Caribbean Group’s wholistic environmental goals, its focus to advance the development of sustainable infrastructure as well as its decarbonization strategy – Destination Net Zero.

“This new cruise terminal is a gamechanger for the port and the region,” said Rodger Rees, Port Director, Port of Galveston. “This $125 million investment, in collaboration with Royal Caribbean, the port and Ceres, is expected to bring 800 new jobs, $1.4 billion in local business services revenue, $5.6 million in state and local taxes, and incredible business development opportunities. And, of course, Allure of the Seas means more cruising adventures for our Texas cruise guests.”

Welcoming vacationers in the terminal as they make their way to Allure is a new, dynamic art sculpture named the Galveston Beach Trio by Texas-based artists Brad Oldham and Christy Coltrin of Brad Oldham Sculpture. The cruise line selected the husband-and-wife team for their one-of-a-kind concept that’s inspired by Galveston’s rich musical heritage, which includes the likes of Galveston-native and Grammy Award-winning, bass-baritone singer and songwriter Barry White. As the embodiment of the city’s island time spirit, the stainless steel and lost-wax bronze sculpture is the perfect backdrop for the start of vacationers’ getaways.

Allure will set sail from the new homeport on its first cruise on Sunday, Nov. 13   . The Oasis Class ship has in store a lineup of thrills, ways to chill, restaurants, nightlife, entertainment and more across seven signature neighborhoods, including the open-air Central Park with thousands of real plants and the Boardwalk neighborhood filled with ways to play and the one-of-a-kind AquaTheater entertainment venue that comes alive with high divers, acrobats, aerialists and more. From a nine-story-high zip line and two FlowRider surf simulators to rock climbing, ice skating, and original productions that span four stages – air, ice, water and theater – there’s adventure from end to end.

When it comes to refueling in between the action, the 30-plus restaurants, bars and lounges on board serve up a range of flavors like family-style Italian classics at Giovanni’s Table, American steakhouse favorites at Chops Grille and fresh sushi and sizzling hibachi at Izumi. New concepts and dishes are coming to Allure as well, including Wipeout Cafe featuring El Loco Fresh . Fitting for the ship’s new home in Texas, the venue will serve up El Loco Fresh’s popular, grab-and-go Mexican delights like made-to-order quesadillas, tacos, nachos and more. Plus, joining the staples guests know and love at Giovanni’s Table will be menu items such as crispy calamari, eggplant parmigiana and caprese salad. Every member of the family can make memories together and on their own adventures any day of the week on Allure .

Vacationers can enjoy all that Allure has to offer on the new 7-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston and visit sun-soaked destinations, such as Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico ; and Roatan, Honduras , for the winter 2022-2023 season.

About Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International , owned by Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel that features the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to 240 destinations in 61 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay , the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 19 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com . For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

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Galveston, TX

• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Jubilee
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Miracle

* Coming Soon

Set sail from a historic jewel in the Gulf of Mexico on Carnival cruises out of Galveston, Texas. Perched on the Gulf Coast, Galveston was a major commercial port in the late 1800s and has the restored architecture and proud history to show for it. Galveston’s long seawall stretches from beach to beach and offers gulf views the whole way. Sprinkle in a few museums, amusement parks, attractive beaches and tasty seafood restaurants, and you’ve got a great start to your cruise from Galveston.

• Shop for antiques in the historic Strand District, near where Carnival cruises from Galveston dock.
• Hear the sounds of a Central American rainforest at the gardens.
• Treat yourself to spa day at a historical hotel.
• Bike the length of the mural-adorned Seawall.

See it all from Galveston.

* Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional per person.

• Departure Port »

Depart from the coastal gem of Galveston, Texas, and experience a blend of Texas charm and beachside relaxation. Delight in the city's historic architecture, beautiful beaches, and lively entertainment district before setting sail to exciting destinations aboard your cruise ship.

Port of Galveston, Texas

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Galveston, TX

Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston is a relaxed beach town with a rich history. Magnificent homes on Broadway, many now museums, recall Galveston's era of wealth and prosperity in the late 1800s, and The Strand entices visitors with its restaurants, bars, galleries and stores housed in picturesque Victorian-era buildings. La King's Confectionery, a 1920s-style ice cream parlor and candy shop, also awaits. Pier 21 is a jumping-off point for boat excursions, dolphin-spotting cruises and the adrenaline-pumping Jet Boat Thrill Ride. At the Texas Seaport Museum, you might search for ancestors in its database, which contains the names of about 130,000 immigrants who entered the U.S. at Galveston from 1846 to 1948, or climb aboard its 1877 tall ship Elissa. Other top sites include the family-friendly amusement park at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier and Moody Gardens, with aquarium and rainforest attractions, a private beach, ropes course and more.

Port of Galveston - Texas Cruise Ship Terminal Pier #25 2502 Harborside Drive Galveston, Texas 77550

The Texas Cruise Ship Terminal on Galveston Island is located 42 miles from the Houston Hobby International Airport and 70 miles from the Houston Intercontinental Airport. Parking is $16 per day (rates subject to change by the Port Authority).

Take I-45 South to Exit 1C - Harborside Drive (Highway 275). Turn left (East) onto Harborside Drive. Continue approximately 4.7 miles to Kempner/22nd Street. Turn left onto Kempner/22nd Street. Proceed to Cruise Terminal - Pier #25.

Port of Galveston - Pier 10 (for Royal Caribbean) 1402 Harborside Drive Galveston, TX 77550

From Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport: Keep left onto John F Kennedy Blvd then merge onto Beltway 8 East towards US-59. Take exit onto I-69 south, US-59 south towards Houston. Keep right to merge onto I-69 south. Take exit to merge onto I-610 east. Take exit 32 A to merge onto I-45 south. Take exit 1C towards Harborside Drive/Hwy 275. Turn left onto Harborside Drive. Continue on Harborside until you turn left into Royal Caribbean Way to Pier 10.

From William P. Hobby Airport: Keep left towards airport exit Beltway 8. Take slight right turn onto Terminal Loop towards airport exit Beltway 8. Take another slight right onto Airport Blvd. Turn right onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road. Keep left to merge onto I-45 south. Take exit 1C towards Harborside Drive/Hwy 275. Turn left onto Harborside Drive. Continue on Harborside until you left into Royal Caribbean Way to Pier 10.

Galveston, Texas

Port schedule.

Galveston, Texas cruise ship port calendar shows all scheduled arrival and departure dates in a timetable format. The cruise calendar displays the ship’s estimated time of arrival including related information such as how crowded is the port, as well as the ship’s next port-of-call.

The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise ship arrivals from all major cruise lines. In order to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departure times just follow the ship’s link.

• Voyager Of The Seas 3.938 passengers 01 May 2024 - 07:00
• Carnival Breeze 4.428 passengers 02 May 2024 - 08:00
• Carnival Dream 4.533 passengers 04 May 2024 - 08:00
• Carnival Jubilee 6.338 passengers 04 May 2024 - 08:00
• Harmony Of The Seas 6.410 passengers 05 May 2024 - 07:00
• Carnival Breeze 4.428 passengers 06 May 2024 - 08:00
• Carnival Jubilee 6.338 passengers 11 May 2024 - 08:00
• Carnival Breeze 4.428 passengers 11 May 2024 - 08:00
• Harmony Of The Seas 6.410 passengers 12 May 2024 - 07:00
• Carnival Dream 4.533 passengers 12 May 2024 - 08:00
• Mariner Of The Seas 4.001 passengers 13 May 2024 - 07:00
• Carnival Breeze 4.428 passengers 16 May 2024 - 08:00
• Mariner Of The Seas 4.001 passengers 18 May 2024 - 07:00
• Carnival Dream 4.533 passengers 18 May 2024 - 08:00
• Carnival Jubilee 6.338 passengers 18 May 2024 - 08:00
• Harmony Of The Seas 6.410 passengers 19 May 2024 - 07:00
• Carnival Breeze 4.428 passengers 20 May 2024 - 08:00
• Mariner Of The Seas 4.001 passengers 23 May 2024 - 07:00
• Carnival Breeze 4.428 passengers 25 May 2024 - 08:00
• Carnival Jubilee 6.338 passengers 25 May 2024 - 08:00
• Voyager Of The Seas 3.938 passengers 01 May 2024 - 17:00
• Carnival Breeze 4.428 passengers 02 May 2024 - 15:30
• Carnival Dream 4.533 passengers 04 May 2024 - 15:30
• Carnival Jubilee 6.338 passengers 04 May 2024 - 16:00
• Harmony Of The Seas 6.410 passengers 05 May 2024 - 16:00
• Carnival Breeze 4.428 passengers 06 May 2024 - 15:30
• Mariner Of The Seas 4.001 passengers 06 May 2024 - 16:00
• Carnival Breeze 4.428 passengers 11 May 2024 - 15:30
• Carnival Jubilee 6.338 passengers 11 May 2024 - 16:00
• Carnival Dream 4.533 passengers 12 May 2024 - 15:30
• Harmony Of The Seas 6.410 passengers 12 May 2024 - 16:00
• Mariner Of The Seas 4.001 passengers 13 May 2024 - 16:00
• Carnival Breeze 4.428 passengers 16 May 2024 - 15:30
• Carnival Dream 4.533 passengers 18 May 2024 - 15:30
• Mariner Of The Seas 4.001 passengers 18 May 2024 - 16:00
• Carnival Jubilee 6.338 passengers 18 May 2024 - 16:00
• Harmony Of The Seas 6.410 passengers 19 May 2024 - 16:00
• Carnival Breeze 4.428 passengers 20 May 2024 - 15:30
• Mariner Of The Seas 4.001 passengers 23 May 2024 - 16:00
• Carnival Breeze 4.428 passengers 25 May 2024 - 15:30

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WILD WEST ADVENTURE

Cruises out of texas.

Sparkling skylines, dreamy deserts, balmy beaches — everything's bigger in Texas.

On your Texas cruise vacation, you can have it all. Start your day trip before or after your cruise gazing up at sparkling skyscrapers, and end it with sunset cocktails on the beach. Have an urban adventure exploring food trucks and art museums, then head out to a cattle ranch and trade your baseball cap for a cowboy hat. Whatever you do, make sure to come with an empty stomach. From meaty Texas BBQ and steaks to sumptuous Tex-Mex favorites, the only thing bigger than the Lone Star State itself is the appetite you'll need to savor all its flavors. Cruises out of Texas set sail from Galveston to discover the western Caribbean, from Mexico's famed Riviera Maya to Central American treasure troves like Belize and Honduras.

THE BEST AND BOLDEST SHIPS FROM TEXAS

The only thing better than the exciting destinations you can reach from Galveston is the world-class cruise ship that takes you there.

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Things to do in the Lone Star State

In a state as big as Texas, planning an adventure is guaranteed — and so is assortment on things to do. Cruise travelers visiting will love the energy of Austin and the art museums of Dallas-Fort Worth, while the true western enthusiasts can look forward to riding toward the setting sun. After all west Texas has more desert than most other states have total land!

The Best of Both Worlds

The volume of things to do in Texas is certainly one of the best reasons to take a cruise vacation getaway from Texas. Begin your travels in the heart of Space City learning the history of NASA at Space Center Houston, then explore the Museum District for exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts or Children's Museum.

Double Take on Texas Culture

Enjoy the best Texas has to offer to cruise travelers. Immerse yourself in the history of The Alamo or experience the culture of downtown San Antonio River Walk before exploring a whole different side of history with a walking tour of the most haunted places in Austin.

An Entire Other (Hill) Country

Drive into the Hill Country, and take a dip in the otherworldly Hamilton Pool Preserve. Have more time? Continue all the way southwestward and camp in Big Bend National Park, the finest exemplar of desert majesty Texas has to offer.

Game changing OASIS CLASS MEETS TEXAS PRIDE

Texas is the perfect jumping-off point to the top-rated shores of the Western Caribbean . Wander to places like Mexico , the Bahamas , and even Honduras . All on 7-night adventures  onboard Harmony of the Seas®.

Caribbean Dreams

It's hard to say goodbye to Texas — and harder to choose just where you'll sail to when you leave. Book cruises from Texas to Mexico, and dock at captivating ports like Cozumel and Puerto Costa Maya, as well as stop in postcard-worthy Roatán, Honduras.

Explore CRUISES TO WESTERN CARIBBEAN

BEST CRUISES FOR TEXAS GETAWAYS

It’s time to reset adventure to a whole new level on the biggest, boldest ship to ever sail from Texas — Harmony of the Seas® . Twist, shout and let it all out down the tallest slide at sea. And when the sun goes down, the night heats up with AquaTheater spectaculars and the Broadway hit Grease. All while unlocking luxurious Western Caribbean destinations onboard this unmatched Oasis Class ship .

Explore Cruises from Galveston

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO An insider's Guide to Texas Day Trips

The Texas tourism board wasn't kidding when they said the Lone Star State was "like a whole other country." Enjoy award-winning art museums and mouth-watering meals in dynamic cities like Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Before your cruise take a walk on Texas' wild side, whether you camp on the beach in Galveston Island State Park, create a cowboy experience at a cattle ranch, or sunbathe along its hundreds-of-miles-long coastline.

If you do happen to plan your Texas vacation during the "winter" (a term that's relative around these parts) months of January and February, just pack a jacket — and an umbrella. While temperatures in Texas rarely fall below freezing — especially not in coastal Galveston — you never know when a scattered shower will pass. Likewise, make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and drink lots of water during Texas' long summer, which can begin setting in as early as April and can linger until October or November.

Where to Find the Best Texas BBQ | Royal Caribbean Cruises

March 8, 2024

Whether you are looking for brisket, sausage or ribs, here's where to go for the best Texas BBQ in restaurants across the state.

9 Things to Do in Galveston with Kids | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Family activities in Galveston range from exploring pirates and ghosts to heading to the beach and local water parks. Here's a list of our favorites.

[Infographic] Top 5 Museums in Galveston

Headed to the Texas Gulf Coast? Whether or not you stop there before cruising, these are the top five museums in Galveston you should check out.

Best Galveston Fishing Trip Ideas

When taking a cruise out of Texas be sure to put a Galveston fishing trip at the top of your vacation bucket list. Discover the best fishing spots.

Rainforest Pyramid | Moody Gardens

Travel tip when planning a Galveston vacation, don’t miss your chance to visit Texas’ Rainforest, Aquarium, and Discovery Pyramids in Moody Gardens.

Galveston Top Rated Attractions and Tours

From the historical Galveston Ghost Tours and the Taste of the Strand Tours to bird-watching at the Bolivar Flats and visiting the historical Bishop's Palace and Moody Mansion. Here are Galvestons top rated attractions and tours you dont want to miss.

Best Cruises From Texas

Royal Caribbean offers plenty of great itineraries to choose from if you’re looking for an unforgettable cruise from Texas. Keep reading to discover the best spots.

Texas Vacation | Cathedral Architecture

Uncover the most beautiful cathedral architecture in Texas as you plan a vacation getaway before your cruise out of Galveston.

Visiting Texas Rancher’s History Firsthand

What do ranchers do? Take a moment to make the most of your visit to Galveston. Uncover adventurous things to do on Texas ranches along with their history.

Galveston Camping: 10 Tips to Before You Go

Take a moment to make the most of your Galveston camping trip. Uncover the best campsites, when to visit, and adventurous things to do as you camp.

Best Things to Do on Your Galveston Day Trip

Planning to visit Galveston? Here's how to plan the ultimate Galveston day trip, whether or not it is before or after a cruise out of Texas.

Galveston Historic District: 9 Things to Do

The Galveston Historic District is a busy port city that is bursting with history and excitement. Explore some of the best things to do on the Strand.

Galveston to Caribbean Weekend Getaways

Start your western Caribbean weekend getaway from Galveston and visit the different attractions in Texas before or after your cruise vacation.

9 Galveston Vacation Must Know Facts

Galveston vacations are totally underrated. This charmingly fascinating Texas beachside town is teeming with history and tons of interesting facts.

Vacation the Best Beaches in Galveston

Planning a Galveston beach vacation? From the best beach spots to hotels, restaurants, and shopping, your beach trip to Galveston starts here.

Best Restaurants in Galveston

Enjoy this handy guide on the best local restaurants in Galveston when seeking the top places to eat on your visit to this Texas beach town.

If you're in Texas in March, don't miss the beautiful bluebonnet flowers that line just about every road in the state.

Thrill the kids at theme parks like Six Flags Over Texas in Dallas and Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio.

Stop for a Kolache , a Czech-inspired fruit pie that's Texas' ultimate roadside pick-me-up.

Bold Flavors Tastes of Texas

Texas is a foodie paradise, no matter what you're craving or how big your appetite is. Tear into tender barbecue, test your taste buds with dangerously spicy Tex-Mex or eat a steak the size of your plate.

The Beauty of Brisket

Barbecue can tie together your Texas travel, if you let it. Make sure to enjoy at least one plate of brisket, slow-smoked beef breast meat as famous for its melt-in-your-mouth texture as it is for the crispy layer of skin. Trim your meal with authentic Texas Fixin's like fried okra and baked beans, then wash it all down with a towering glass of sweet tea, and finish it off with a slice of pecan pie à la mode.

Queso Cravings

Order chile con queso cheese on your trip, but try not to think of it as a mere appetizer. With spicy pico de gallo and crumbly chorizo mixed into its creamy cheese, queso is a meal in itself and maybe even its own food group. Other Tex-Mex classics include burritos, chimichangas and breakfast tacos (in case you can't wait until lunch or dinner to get your fix).

Two Takes on Steak

You simply can't eat too much meat on your Texas getaway. Stick your fork into a juicy T-bone, a tender and flavorful loin steak that's rightly the claim to fame of the Texas steak world. Not a purist, or just seeking something more decadent? Order chicken-fried steak, which is exactly as over-the-top as it sounds.

RELATED PORTS

As hard as it'll be to say farewell to Texas, your next adventure is waiting onboard your vacation cruise. Board cruises from Texas to the Caribbean, for example, to head toward the glimmering ports of Belize City, Belize and Falmouth, Jamaica. Or consider Panama Canal cruises from Texas, stopping at the paradise beaches of Yucatan, Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico, or at Honduras' hidden gem of Roatán.

Roatan, Honduras

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Belize City, Belize

George Town, Grand Cayman

Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico

Falmouth, Jamaica

Cozumel, Mexico

Key West, Florida

Banana Coast (Trujillo), Honduras

Mazatlan, Mexico

Yucatan (Progreso), Mexico

Ensenada, Mexico

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Huatulco, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Manzanillo, Mexico

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The Biggest Cruise Ship Ever to Sail From Texas Arrives in Galveston

They say everything is bigger in Texas, but until now that hasn’t always meant the cruise ships. Starting today, that’s all changed.

Now, Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas arrived in Galveston , marking the first time ever that an Oasis-class cruise ship — the largest class of cruise ships on the planet — has docked in Texas.

Coming in at more than 225,000 gross tons, Allure measures a staggering 1,187 feet long and can carry nearly 7,000 passengers at full capacity. The ship also features 18 total decks, more than 2,700 cabins, and 16 different places to eat for guests.

Its arrival marks a major milestone for the Port of Galveston and Texas cruising. In just over 20 years (less than the life of a cruise ship) the port has gone from being a sleepy departure point to the largest cruise port outside of Florida and the fourth-busiest in the nation.

As another sign of that growth, Royal Caribbean has brought its largest class of ships to a brand-new cruise terminal on the island. Allure of the Seas is docked at the Port of Galveston’s new Cruise Terminal 10, which is dedicated to Royal Caribbean.

This brand new facility marks the first dedicated Royal Caribbean terminal at the Port of Galveston, complete with 161,000 square feet of space and nearly 2,000 parking spaces. It’s also the world’s first cruise terminal to generate 100% of its energy through on-site solar panels. All told, the cost of the new terminal measures a $125 million investment into Galveston cruising.

Allure of the Seas will sail 7-night cruises to the Western Caribbean throughout 2023. The ship will have a special invitation-only cruise departing November 9, before sailing regularly with the public starting November 13.

More than 1 Million Passengers and 360+ Cruises from Galveston in 2023

While the arrival of Allure of the Seas is a major milestone, it’s really just one more step in the steady growth of Galveston cruising.

For example, Norwegian Cruise Line called on the Port of Galveston for the first time in October with its newest ship — Norwegian Prima — sailing two trips from the port. Prima will return in 2023 to homeport on the island.

Also in 2023, Carnival will bring its newest ship, Carnival Jubilee, to the Port of Galveston. It will be the port’s first cruise ship powered by LNG. And later this year, Princess will also begin sailing seasonally from Galveston.

The port says it expects more than 1 million cruise passengers in 2023 , which would break the previous record from 2019. Those passengers will come from 362 sailings during the year, or roughly an average of one cruise ship a day.

With the largest ship ever to sail from Texas, a new cruise terminal, and more lines soon to be sailing from the island, Galveston is cementing its place as the top cruise port outside of Florida.

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Nearly 100 passengers fall ill with stomach virus on princess cruise, cruise news: carnival’s new ship, royal’s new beach club, ncl’s big milestone & more, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

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11 Reason To Sail on Cruises From Galveston

I n no uncertain terms, a cruise port makes all the difference regarding your entire vacation. After all, the location of your departure sets the tone for your trip moving forward, determining which destinations you’ll reach once you’re on the high seas.

While specific destinations like Miami or Canaveral boast unique strengths, something might also be said for the Port of Galveston, Texas. A smaller port overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston may not be the largest or busiest destination from which to depart. Yet, there are plenty of amicable reasons to look into this idyllic Texan island for your next cruise-going experience.

1. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Disney Offer Cruises From Galveston

Looking at it plainly, Galveston has three cruise terminals making up its port. In contrast, far larger alternatives, like the Port of Miami, have eleven terminals. Because of this, Galveston unfortunately cannot house many of the industry’s prestigious cruise lines. However, the port’s terminals support several large-scale cruise corporations, with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian, MSC, and Disney Cruises departing from Galveston regularly.

2. The Nearby Cruise Destinations Are Well Worth It

Admittedly, inevitable drawbacks are attached to cruises from Galveston. Considering how much farther west it is than ports in Florida or along the East Coast, most cruise lines out of Galveston cannot travel to their company’s private islands as many are in the Eastern Caribbean. However, Galveston’s location along the Gulf of Mexico has its distinct perks, including ready access to the Western Caribbean and parts of South and Central America. Though some guests might regret losing a chance at CocoCay, it’s hard to be upset when trekking along the shores of Mexico, Honduras, or Belize.

3. It’s Easier To Navigate Than Larger Ports

There’s no simple answer when it comes to determining the total cost of cruises from Galveston over any other port in the U.S. Like most ports, the final cost of the cruise depends on numerous factors, including the time of year you’re sailing, the location of your cabin, and the cruise line you plan on traveling with. However, the convenience of navigating the port itself makes Galveston a perfect option for anyone new to cruise vacations. Avoiding the large-scale crowds and tedious boarding lines as other major ports, Galveston remains a hassle-free destination for most novice travelers out there.

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4. galveston is conveniently located in the central u.s..

Given Galveston’s distinct location in eastern Texas , it’s one of the most readily accessible ports for travelers across the U.S. Located in the heart of America, travelers from the Western U.S. will have just as easy time reaching it as vacationers from the Midwest or East Coast. After all, who wants to sit on a lengthy plane ride to reach their port of call? Also, Galveston lacks the same high value of traffic as Miami or other popular ports, making it relatively hassle-free to reach.

5. The Port Terminal Is Reasonably Close to the Airport

Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport is the closest airport to Galveston. Roughly 41 miles northwest of the port, travelers can easily navigate from the airport to their cruise terminal in under an hour. Galveston is also close to several major cities, making it an option, albeit a farther one, for anyone flying into Austin or Dallas. However, given Houston’s short driving distance to Galveston, William P. Hobby Airport is your best bet for air travel.

6. The Boarding Process Is Quick and Seamless

As mentioned above, Galveston doesn’t have the same volume of passengers flooding through its port as Miami, Canaveral, or Port Everglades. As a result, boarding a ship is comparatively tamer—especially since the port opened up its third and latest terminal in 2022. Having been constructed in the past two decades and carefully refurbished, these terminals are in fantastic shape, making the onboarding process much more efficient for vacationers. The terminals also come equipped with innovative new features, with Terminal 3 offering mobile check-in and state-of-the-art facial recognition devices.

7. There Are Plenty of Hotels Nearby

Another notable feature of Galveston is the number of hotels near the port. (Because let’s face it: what’s more accessible than simply waking up, hopping in your car, and practically walking onto the ship without worrying about losing track of time?) What’s more, many of the hotels in the Galveston area have special offers for anyone traveling onboard a cruise ship. These offers include free or discounted parking rates and a helpful shuttle that ferry passengers back and forth from the hotel to the ship. While several hotels in Galveston have these amenities, some of the best include the Hilton Galveston Island Resort and the San Luis Resort .

8. Parking Is Easy

Don’t let Galveston’s size fool you—the port itself has plenty of options when it comes to parking. As previously suggested, anyone staying at a nearby hotel might want to consider leaving their car parked there and taking a shuttle, taxi, or Uber over to their terminal. Additionally, travelers can reserve a space in the port’s parking lot ahead of their trip. These parking spaces are safe and secure, and port employees will assist with any luggage brought aboard on cruises from Galveston.

9. Galveston Itself Is a Beautiful Place To Visit

The main reason we believe you should depart from Galveston on your next cruise is the opportunity you’ll have to see what it has to offer. Like most major cities, there’s plenty to do and see around town, with every prospective sight catering to travelers’ interests. For those interested in shopping, the Strand Historical District has plenty of independently owned stores that feature everything from odd tchotchkes to essential beach items. Galveston’s famous Moody Gardens is an educational park built around natural wonders such as exotic sea life, immaculate flowers, roaming monkeys, and sloths.

10. You’re Bound To Find Some Great Last-Minute Deals

As previously mentioned, Galveston is a more scaled-down port than Miami or Port Canaveral, but its three terminals still receive cruise ships constantly. Because of this constantly moving schedule, most travelers will find it incredibly easy to find last-minute deals on select cruises from Galveston—often days before the ship is booked to leave. Sure, it may not be practical for those traveling from longer distances to book something last-minute. Yet these last-minute deals are well worth it for anyone within a short distance of Galveston.

11. Galveston Is Steeped in Rich Maritime History

Galveston is a city rich in history, having first been settled by Indigenous Natives of the Akokisa and Karankawa tribes before the Europeans arrived in the 1600s. Over the next several centuries, Galveston became a hub for maritime trade, eventually attracting such notable figures as French buccaneer Jean Lafitte. All that being said, history buffs will delight at the chance to visit Galveston, taking in some of the numerous historical sights around town—like Lafitte’s personal hideaway at Maison Rouge or the Michael B. Menard House, named after one of Galveston’s original American settlers. Even those who don’t care for history will find these areas fascinating.

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Carnival Jubilee ship review: A guide to Carnival's third Excel Class cruise ship

Editor's Note

When Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Jubilee debuted in December 2023, it became the third ship in the line's Excel Class , closely mimicking sister ships Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. Although there are more similarities than differences among the three, Carnival has still found a way to make Carnival Jubilee innovative and fun by tweaking a few of the offerings.

The ship shares Carnival's "zone" concept with its two older sisters, meaning it has dedicated areas for dining, drinking, entertainment and outdoor fun, including Bolt, a top-deck roller coaster. The biggest differences on the newest iteration are in two reinvented zones, Currents and The Shores; respectively, they take the place of The French Quarter and La Piazza on Mardi Gras , and The Gateway and 820 Biscayne on Carnival Celebration .

On my voyage, the ship carried 5,676 passengers, plus crew. This meant it wasn't at capacity, but it still felt loud and crowded, and often was fraught with lines. However, the service was generally excellent, with an exceedingly friendly crew.

The vessel is also a ton of fun, featuring two new shows (one with a football tailgate theme and the other with an onboard wedding plot), plenty of daily activities and so many fantastic dining options — many of them free — that it'll make your head spin.

Here's the rundown on what you can expect on board so you can determine if Carnival Jubilee is right for your next sailing.

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Carnival Jubilee overview

Carnival Jubilee is a megaship, coming in at 183,521 tons and carrying up to 6,631 passengers at full capacity. It's tied with Carnival Celebration for the title of the largest ship in Carnival's fleet.

The vessel offers weeklong Caribbean voyages on a regular rotation from its home port in Galveston, Texas, meaning you'll find a healthy dose of Texas-style fun on board (more on that later). In fact, Carnival is so dedicated to keeping the ship in the Lone Star State that it had a Texas star painted on the ship's hull.

Carnival Jubilee's demographics run the gamut from families with young kids or extended family groups to groups of friends, couples and even solo cruisers (even though it doesn't have any cabins for singles). True to the rumors about Southern hospitality, the people on my cruise were some of the warmest and most polite I've ever encountered; fellow passengers were saying "excuse me," allowing others to go first in line and generally being more courteous than I've found on sailings from other places.

The ship is divided into six zones, where passengers can find a mix of bars, restaurants, live performances, water-filled fun and exhilarating activities like a ropes course, minigolf and, of course, the Bolt roller coaster . Here's a bit about each zone.

Carnival Jubilee zones

Grand Central: This bustling area rises up three decks — decks 6, 7 and 8 — and replaces the traditional atrium found on older Carnival vessels. The focal point is Center Stage, a starboard-side (on your right when facing the front of the ship) secondary theater that's home to events like bingo during the day and song-and-dance performances at night.

Surrounding the stage are tons of seating options, as well as JavaBlue Cafe, which serves coffee and snacks; Cherry on Top candy shop; the Center Stage and Grand View Bars; and Bonsai Sushi and Teppanyaki. It also serves as an access point for the onboard shops, Piano Bar 88, The Punchliner Comedy Club and the Jubilee Casino.

Currents: Currents is one of the other main social hubs on Carnival Jubilee. It starts on Deck 6, just aft of Grand Central and features two new bars. The Golden Mermaid has gilded decor and a custom-designed mural depicting mermaids and lots of hidden Easter eggs (look for SpongeBob SquarePants references). Meanwhile, Dr. Inks, Ph.D., is a bar based on the fictional character Dr. Inks — an octopus with academic credentials. Both bars have excellent drink menus.

Also in the space is Emeril's Bistro 717, a New Orleans-style, for-fee eatery developed by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.

On the wall above Dr. Inks, window-shaped screens provide a show for anyone passing through the length of the Currents promenade area. Programming rotates between underwater adventures, nature scenes and even artwork produced by passengers and kids from St. Jude's Children's Hospital. For a better view, head up one deck to the Alchemy Bar.

The Shores: If the Currents zone is the underwater-themed area of the ship, The Shores on Deck 8 is what you get when you pop your head above the metaphorical surface. Inspired by boardwalks and beaches, The Shores offers two walk-up food counters: Beach Buns (Carnival Deli on other ships) and Coastal Slice (the equivalent of Pizza Pirate or Pizzeria del Capitano). Offset by colorful, blinking carnival-style lighting, the venues all but scream, "Step right up!"

Other venues in the area include the Marina Bar for cocktails and coffee, complimentary Italian restaurant Cucina del Capitano and for-fee seafood eatery Rudi's Seagrill, created by food pop artist chef Rudi Sodamin.

Summer Landing: From The Shores, continue aft on Deck 8 to reach Summer Landing. It's an indoor space that encompasses Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, a Guy Fieri barbecue joint with its own microbrewery and live music; the Heroes Tribute Lounge, which honors members of the military; and soft-serve ice cream.

Outside, the area continues with The Patio, which features a pool and hot tubs, and neighboring The Watering Hole, a bar that serves the space.

Lido: A mix of food and fun, the Lido zone fans out on decks 16 and 17 around the ship's main Beach Pool, which serves as the center of the action. Around and above it, you'll find outdoor movies, dedicated teen hangouts, a video arcade, a two-story version of the RedFrog Tiki Bar, cruiser favorite BlueIguana Cantina, extra-fee Seafood Shack and Street Eats street food.

On the upper deck is the popular Guy's Burger Joint, which is oddly set a bit farther away from the action on Excel Class ships. Farther afield on Deck 16, passengers can check out Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken restaurant or venture to Lido Marketplace, the ship's complimentary buffet.

The Ultimate Playground: If you're looking for alfresco thrills to keep you busy, The Ultimate Playground is the place to be. It comprises a miniature golf course, a basketball court, a ropes course and the line's signature WaterWorks water park, all of which are free.

Of course, the highlight of this zone is the Bolt roller coaster. It's an added-fee experience during which passengers (one to two people per ride) zoom twice around the track on a motorcycle-style vehicle that allows you to throttle up or down to a speed that suits you.

What I love about Carnival Jubilee

Grand central.

Grand Central is one of my favorite spots on board. Although it's often loud, busy and difficult to navigate, especially on sea days, it's a prime place to sit and people-watch. I found myself gravitating there repeatedly to enjoy coffee or a snack from the nearby JavaBlue Cafe while watching the cast from that night's show rehearse at Center Stage — something you can't usually do on other ships.

Plus, the space is a bit of a throwback to the days when interior designer and architect Joe Farcus was responsible for Carnival's ship decor. The decor is midcentury modern style meets '80s quirk, featuring a pink and teal color scheme, fun light fixtures and a bar with colored mirror accents.

I'm not generally someone who cares about alcohol. Give me one or two pina coladas on a weeklong cruise, and I'm good to go. However, the massively creative options on the menus at both the Golden Mermaid and Dr. Inks, Ph.D., bars are absolutely worth a shoutout.

For the wow factor, the best drink I had was A Pearly Bubble. Found on the menu at the Golden Mermaid, it's a mix of gin, St-Germain liqueur, white cranberry juice, dragon fruit and lime juice. It was a bit too dry for me, so I didn't care for the taste; however, you won't want to miss the presentation, which involves a giant bubble atop the drink. It pops when you poke it, leaving behind a tiny poof of smoke.

For taste, which I know is subjective, my favorite is the Crimson Catch (Swedish Fish candy-infused vodka, lime juice, pomegranate liqueur, white cranberry juice and Swedish Fish candy). I prefer sweet drinks, and this hit the spot.

It's not unusual for the line at JavaBlue to snake around the corner and down the hall at peak times. The staff members try their best to keep things moving, but if you don't feel like waiting 10-15 minutes for a cuppa, head upstairs to Deck 8's Marina Bar instead.

There, you can order any of the same coffee beverages you'll find at JavaBlue but in far less time. If you're feeling more like a cocktail, you can grab one of those, too. On my sailing, the bartenders were phenomenal and even remembered that I prefer non-dairy milk with my lattes.

Bolt roller coaster

Cruise fans know that Carnival brought Bolt, the first-ever roller coaster at sea, to Mardi Gras in 2021. Carnival Jubilee offers the same ride — the third of its kind on a cruise ship — in the deck 18, 19 and 20 Ultimate Playground area.

Pay a fee to ride, and you (or you and a friend) can navigate two laps of twists and turns around the ship's funnel as you use the throttle and hyper-boost buttons to try to break the day's speed record. (Yes, you'll be timed, and don't forget to smile for a photo.) The ocean views from above are totally worth the cost.

What I don't love about Carnival Jubilee

There's no easy way to say this: The ship almost always feels crowded. If you want to enjoy it when it's not, you'll have to stay on board during port calls just to find some space to yourself. Many restaurants and walk-up counters have near-constant lines, particularly at the complimentary venues during peak dinner times every evening.

It's so common for JavaBlue to be backed up throughout the day that an easy-to-miss sign directs passengers to other locations where they can grab a cup of coffee. Meanwhile, lines at the onboard deli and pizzeria counters frequently snake so far down Deck 8 that they block the entrance to seafood restaurant Rudi's Seagrill. One night, as I was dining at Rudi's with some of my travel companions, we joked that the lines were dangerously close to melding with the line for the nearby guest services desk.

And it isn't just a problem with dining. I arrived 15 minutes early for a magic show at the Punchliner Comedy Club, and I couldn't find a single available seat in the entire place. On another night, I showed up on time for Family Feud Live in the ship's theater, and it was a standing-room-only situation. The sizes of the performance venues are generally way too small for the number of passengers wishing to watch the shows.

My cabin had some of the best soundproofing I've experienced on a new ship in a long time — I had balcony accommodations near an elevator bank and heard nothing when I was in my room. However, a couple of passengers told me they could hear noise from Bolt in their balcony cabin on Deck 15.

Most other places on board seem to be excessively loud. Even on port days, when most passengers are ashore, the public areas are filled with loud music that makes it hard to find a quiet escape. Some of it is understandable. After all, Carnival vessels are known as the Fun Ships, but some of it seems unnecessary.

One example is the Dr. Seuss-themed Seuss-a-palooza Parade that makes its way through the Currents zone once per sailing. I happened to be sitting at a table in the area when the festivities kicked off. I decided to stay to see what it was all about, and I'm sorry I did. As costumed Dr. Seuss characters arrived, Carnival staff asked the children to scream solely for the sake of screaming. Ear-piercing shrieks reverberated throughout the space, which was also blocked off to passengers trying to pass through.

The excessive upselling

Combining noise with the annoyance of hawking alcohol, the roving waiters visited every table at Chibang! — the ship's hybrid Mexican-Asian restaurant — one night while I was having dinner there. Their goal was to push Rumchata shots on everyone. Whenever somebody bought one, the waiter would demand that they yell "Shot, shot, shot!" before downing it. This was extremely disruptive and added to the already loud atmosphere.

One afternoon later in the sailing, two different crew members approached me a total of six times in less than half an hour while I was having lunch on the Lido deck. The first five times, I simply said, "No, thanks." After the sixth time, I had enough and told them nicely but firmly to stop asking me. I found the high-pressure sales tactics excessive and irritating when all I wanted to do was eat my meal in peace.

The inconsistencies

Oddly, there were some discrepancies on board that I was surprised to see on a ship that's been sailing for several months.

The first couple had to do with differences between the Carnival HUB app and the daily Fun Times printed schedule. On one occasion, the app said Seafood Shack opened half an hour earlier than it did, while the paper version of the daily schedule had the correct information. Another time, the printed daily had the wrong theater show listed for that night; the correct one was posted in the HUB. On another day, the printed schedule was missing part four of a four-part show, which did show up on the agenda in the app.

In terms of food and drinks, I had a strange experience at Chibang! when I ordered spring rolls. Usually, they don't have meat in them, nor was meat listed as an ingredient on the menu. When the waiter took my order, he said, "Spring rolls with chicken." When I asked him about it, he said he could request for them to be made without it, but that doesn't explain why something with meat in it wouldn't have meat in its list of ingredients. If I were a vegetarian or vegan, it would have concerned me.

As for drinks, I ordered a Snapping Pop at Dr. Inks., Ph.D. It was completely different — different color, different taste and different presentation — from what I received when I ordered the same drink on a sailing two months prior. I was told the drink had to be changed for several reasons. However, the old ingredients were listed on the menu, meaning passengers weren't getting what they thought they ordered.

Carnival Jubilee cabins and suites

Carnival Jubilee offers cabins in the usual varieties: insides with no windows or balconies, ocean-view accommodations with windows, balcony cabins with outdoor veranda space and suites that include additional perks. These include priority check-in, boarding and disembarkation; preferred dinner times in the main dining room; pillow-top mattresses; two large bottles of water and bathrobes; and extra square footage.

Within those categories, Carnival Jubilee offers three types of special cabins. First is Family Harbor, which offers nautically themed cabins that sleep up to five people and rooms that can be connected via an interior door. Families booked in Family Harbor cabins have access to a dedicated Family Harbor Lounge, which offers daily breakfast, snacks and drinks, as well as board games and TVs with a selection of movies and video games. They also receive a free night of babysitting in the kids club so parents can enjoy some alone time.

The second special cabin type is the Havana Cabana. Done up in bright, tropical colors, these rooms offer extended outdoor lounge space and private access to the Havana Pool and Bar area.

The third type is Cloud 9 Spa cabins. With calming seafoam green and yellow decor alongside extras like Elemis toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, these are some of the most relaxing cabins on any ship. These guests also receive priority spa appointments and free access to fitness classes and the onboard thermal suite.

Suites in all three of these special accommodation types also give passengers the suite perks mentioned above.

Excel Suites, Carnival Jubilee's highest-level accommodations, receive all standard suite perks plus additional ones. These include complimentary access to the private sun deck at Loft 19, priority cabana reservations at Loft 19, concierge services, guaranteed reservations at most extra-fee restaurants, free room service, upgraded toiletries, fruit and sparkling wine upon embarkation, a free soft drink package, free in-room movies, an in-cabin coffee machine and complimentary laundry service .

Standard amenities in all rooms include a queen bed that converts to two twins on request, bedside shelving with reading lamps and USB outlets, a desk and vanity area, a sofa or chair, a closet and drawers for storage, a safe for valuables, a house phone and a hair dryer.

Bathrooms feature a toilet, sink and shower with a door instead of a curtain. Complimentary toiletries are basic: bar soap for handwashing and dispensers of shampoo and shower gel mounted on the wall in the shower.

On my sailing, I stayed in a balcony cabin, which was elegantly decorated in neutrals with blue accents. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of storage space. I appreciated touches like ample vanity mirror lighting, adjustable shelving in the closets and a surplus of USB outlets throughout the room, including near the vanity and beside the bed.

Speaking of the bed, it was exceptionally comfortable, and I was excited to find that the TV across from it had a sizable selection of free movies (as well as newer releases for a fee). The TV also allows you to watch select live channels and shipboard programming and to check your onboard bill.

Dislikes for me include a shower door that opens toward you instead of into the shower, making the already tiny bathroom even tighter. I also didn't like the "SNOOZIN'" door hangers, which often got caught in my door when I closed it; I would've rathered a "do not disturb" button like many other new ships have.

I also would have liked a taller table on the balcony, but it only had room for two chairs (not lounger-style) and a small drinks table.

Carnival Jubilee offers 82 accessible cabins in a mix of types and categories: inside, ocean-view, balcony and suite, as well as rooms in the Family Harbor, Havana Cabana and Cloud 9 Spa categories.

Within those 82 options, there are fully accessible accommodations with access to both sides of the bed and rooms that are fully accessible with single-side access to one side of the bed, which work well for passengers who use wheelchairs and scooters. Ambulatory-accessible rooms provide accommodations for people who walk with the help of assistive devices like canes or walkers.

Fully accessible rooms are stair-free, flat-threshold cabins, which offer wider (32-inch) doorways, turning space and bathrooms equipped with grab bars and shower seats.

There are no solo cabins on Carnival Jubilee.

Cabin cleaning is limited to once per day. Unless you specifically request your cabin steward to come at night for turndown service instead of earlier in the day, your room will be made up in the morning. Hang the "SNOOZIN'" card on the outside of your door, and no one will bother you — but your room won't be cleaned that day.

Carnival Jubilee restaurants and bars

Carnival jubilee food.

One of the best ways Carnival provides value to its customers is through its food offerings. Complimentary dining abounds on Carnival Jubilee, and the variety of cuisines is impressive. You'll find more free options on Carnival ships than on just about any other fleet's vessels, and they're actually tasty. It's entirely possible to eat only food that's included in the cruise fare and not feel like you're missing out.

Excellent added-fee options include steak, seafood and teppanyaki, which might be worth trying if you're celebrating a special occasion or feeling like a splurge.

Dinner reservations are recommended for many eateries, even the main dining rooms. You can make them by visiting your restaurant of choice or by using the HUB app. If you don't make one, you might find yourself waiting 20 minutes or more for a table at peak times. If you make a reservation through the app, you'll receive a notification to report to the host stand when your table is ready.

In my experience, waiters were diligent in asking about dietary requirements and restrictions. However, it was disappointing to see that many menus weren't marked with specific options for vegetarians, vegans and people who can't eat gluten.

The ship has two main dining rooms: Atlantic Restaurant (Deck 6, mid) and Pacific Restaurant (decks 6 and 7, aft).

One of them is dedicated to passengers who select Your Time Dining, which lets you eat anytime between 5 and 9 p.m. (The dedicated YTD restaurant can vary by sailing, depending on how many people choose that option.)

Both serve the same menu for dinner, but only the larger Pacific Restaurant is open for Sea Day Brunch on sea days and breakfast (but not lunch) on port days.

I very much enjoyed an omelet with hashbrowns at Sea Day Brunch and salmon during the formal night dinner in the Pacific Restaurant. I also had a wonderful time at two special events — complimentary afternoon tea and an extra-fee Dr. Seuss-themed Thing 1 and Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast — held in the Atlantic Restaurant.

Tip: If you're a vegetarian or a fan of Indian food, don't miss the daily Indian dish on the main dining room menu.

The buffet is the other free food option that's a staple on just about any cruise.

On Carnival Jubilee, the Lido Marketplace on Deck 16 is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, but I found it largely uninspired and lacking in variety. The French toast I had for breakfast and the mahi mahi I had for dinner were tasty, but there are definitely better no-charge venues on board.

A little-known fact is that, at least for the inaugural season, passengers can dine at Mexican-Asian restaurant Chibang! and the Italian Cucina del Capitano, both on Deck 8, for free. Cruisers with YTD can eat there for dinner anytime; those with set seating can dine there after 7:45 p.m.

At Cucina del Capitano, I was exceptionally pleased with the spaghetti carbonara I ordered. The nachos and spring rolls are don't-miss items at Chibang!

Unfortunately, both the service and atmosphere at Chibang! are lacking. The space is simply packed with tables — so much so that there were only about two inches between my table and the one next to me, even though I was dining alone. It then took nearly 10 minutes for a waiter to bring me water and another 10 before someone came to take my order.

Also on Deck 8 are Coastal Slice and neighboring Beach Buns, which respectively replace the pizza and deli counters found by the pool on most other Carnival ships.

The former bakes several different types of pies nearly around the clock, and they're scrumptious. The latter whips up hotdogs, soups and a variety of sandwiches. (I was pleasantly surprised by the grilled ham and cheese.) Lines for both counters are often long, but I promise it's worth the wait.

Two great staples in the ship's outdoor Lido zone are the BlueIguana Cantina (Deck 16), where you can find yummy tacos and burritos throughout the day, and Guy's Burger Joint (Deck 17), which is the place to grab some of the best burgers at sea via Carnival's partnership with chef and TV personality Guy Fieri.

The breakfast burritos at BlueIguana are fantastic. My pick from Guy's is the Chilius Maximus — an 80/20 ground chuck patty with cheese, chili, onion rings and barbecue sauce.

Guy Fieri isn't the only celebrity affiliated with Carnival's free food.

Shaq's Big Chicken , a restaurant backed by basketball great Shaquille O'Neal (who is also Carnival's CFO, chief fun officer), is perfect if you have a hankering for some fried chicken. In addition to chicken strips, sandwiches and fries, the counter-service venue also serves breakfast. Do yourself a favor and try the chicken and biscuit combo with fries.

If you're seeking a between-meal snack or light bite, try the JavaBlue Cafe on Deck 6 in Grand Central. The cafe offers a sizable menu of specialty coffee beverages and tea, as well as free and for-fee snacks.

Breakfast pastries, bowls and English muffin sandwiches, as well as all-day options like salads, sandwiches, wraps, empanadas and calzones, are complimentary; cookies, doughnuts, cupcakes and cheesecake cost extra.

As a sucker for soft-serve ice cream, I was a frequent visitor to the three soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt machines on decks 8, 16 and 17. At some point, I lost count of how many cones I ate.

Since there are no toppings, I recommend you snag a bowl of dry Froot Loops from the buffet during breakfast, and stash them in your cabin to mix with your ice cream later. Or grab cookies from the buffet for a DIY ice cream sandwich.

Carnival Jubilee has so many places to eat that I ran out of time to try them all on my weeklong sailing.

I missed Fresh Creations, a salad station in the adults-only sun deck area on Deck 18, and Street Eats, a set of three street food-style walk-up windows on Deck 16 near the main pool. The walk-up windows include Steam Dream, which serves dumplings; Time Fries, offering creative takes on french fries; and Sizzle, a grill that specializes in kebabs and other dishes.

Extra-cost food

My favorite onboard dining experience of the whole sailing was at Emeril's Bistro 717 in the Currents zone on Deck 6. A version of this chef Emeril Lagasse-affiliated spot is on each of Carnival's Excel Class ships, bearing the hull number of the original vessel for which the new one is named. Simply walk up to order at the counter, have a seat and a waiter will take over from there.

During my visit, I ordered a pound of stone crab claws in garlic butter (market price) with red beans and rice ($3) and a brie bowl ($6). The food was fabulous, and the service was friendly. My only complaint is that, apart from a claw cracker, there were no other tools available to get to the crab meat. (I asked.) My waiter had no bibs or wet wipes to offer, which left me a bit messy afterward.

The food item I most recommend you try when sailing on Carnival Jubilee is an order of beignets at Emeril's. Pillows of soft fried dough coated in powdered sugar with chocolate and strawberry sauces for dipping are $5 for an order of six.

My second favorite experience was a calm, quiet and uncrowded lunch at Bonsai Sushi on Deck 8. I partook in edamame ($3) and a California roll ($8). It was fresh, tasty, filling and reasonably priced.

Another excellent dinner during my voyage occurred at Rudi's Seagrill (Deck 8), an upscale seafood restaurant named for chef and pop artist Rudi Sodamin. The lobster macaroni and cheese was the perfect indulgence to start my meal, and I followed it up with a delicious crab cake.

I wasn't overly hungry when I sat down, but the $49 cover charge ($15 for kids) would also have included a soup or salad and a dessert if I had wanted them.

No Carnival sailing would be complete for a carnivore without a visit to Fahrenheit 555, the onboard steakhouse . On Carnival Jubilee, it's adorned in neutral tans, dark browns and red tones.

The menu has several types of meat — including steak, of course, as well as lamb chops and chicken — and seafood items like fish and lobster tail. I went with a 9-ounce filet mignon, which was cooked to perfection. It came alongside several sauces and sides of broccoli and crinkle-cut fries for $49 ($15 for kids).

My two most disappointing extra-fee food encounters on Carnival Jubilee were Seafood Shack (Deck 16, in the Lido zone, near the pool) and room service.

The first one opened late, and despite my order being the first one of the day, it still took more than 20 minutes to be served. I chose a single crab cake for $15. When I received it, the bun was soggy, and no garnishes or sauces were offered until I went back to the counter to ask for coleslaw and tartar sauce, neither of which helped the flavor.

It didn't hold a candle to the crab cake from Rudi's, and I ended up abandoning most of it.

Room service, which comes with a la carte fees (except for free Continental breakfast), set me back almost $20 for a chicken quesadilla, chicken fingers with curly fries and a chocolate chip cookie, which I ordered sometime around 2 a.m.

Everything arrived quickly and at the right temperature. The fries and cookie were great, but the chicken fingers were rubbery and full of gristle. When I tried to order the quesadilla without chicken, I was told they were already made, which seems strange. Shouldn't room service be made to order?

Again, I couldn't fit every single restaurant into my time on Carnival Jubilee, so I missed out on Bonsai Teppanyaki, where chefs grill your food right in front of you, complete with corny jokes. I also missed Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, another Guy Fieri creation that serves barbecue fare, wings and microbrewed beer made right on the ship (lunch is free). I couldn't make it to Chef's Table, an exclusive multicourse small-group dining experience that's the most pricey meal on board, either.

Carnival Jubilee bars

Drinks are priced individually unless you have a Cheers beverage package that includes alcohol.

My favorite bar on Carnival Jubilee is the Marina Bar in The Shores zone on Deck 8. It offers a menu of adult beverages, but it also serves the same specialty coffees you'll find at JavaBlue, which often has a long line.

This nautically themed outpost is next to a popular access point to the outer decks, so the only downside is that you might be blasted with hot air while your drink is being made.

Unique to Carnival Jubilee are two new bars in the Deck 6 Currents zone.

The Golden Mermaid is a nod to treasures one might expect to find under the sea, and a mural on the opposite wall depicts underwater scenes, including mermaids. (For some "Where's Waldo"-style fun, try to spot a miniature likeness of the ship, a pair of custom sneakers and references to SpongeBob SquarePants.)

The menu of drinks is noteworthy, too, featuring names like From Far Seas and Atlantis Potion. My favorite, though, is A Pearly Bubble — a blend of gin, St. Germain liqueur, white cranberry juice, lime juice and dragon fruit that's as much for show as it is for taste.

The second new bar is Dr. Inks, Ph.D. In addition to a fun selection of cocktails — some of which involve candy — the bar's theme is tied to an animated octopus named Dr. Inks. She has a Ph.D., pet butterflies and extensive collections of both books and fashionable eyewear. Every so often, she'll appear on the screens above the area to chat.

Cruiser-favorite Alchemy Bar — where white-coated apothecaries prescribe drinks to heal what ails you (try the Cucumber Sunrise) — and the bar at Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse returned to Carnival Jubilee after finding success on other Carnival ships.

Besides beer that's brewed right on board — which you can order by the glass, flight or growler, or in cocktails — you can snag one of several whiskies or interesting cocktails like a smoky watermelon margarita and a black bourbon fizz. I tried a bacon Manhattan, but the taste wasn't my favorite. I also wasn't impressed with how long it took a bartender to ask for my order, especially since it wasn't particularly crowded.

I'm not a huge drinker, so I didn't personally try cocktails from the Center Stage Bar (Deck 6) or Grand View Bar (Deck 7) in Grand Central. The former features a bit of a retro vibe, and the latter is backed by a giant light-up wall that looks like wave.

I also missed out on the RedFrog Tiki Bar, a two-deck (decks 16 and 17), hut-style setup that replaces the RedFrog Rum Bar found on many other Carnival ships' pool decks. It's where you'll find the most quintessentially tropical menu of mixed drinks on board.

Other outdoor bar options include The Watering Hole near Summer Landing on Deck 8, the Serenity Pool Bar on Deck 18 in the adults-only area and the Loft 19 Bar on the exclusive Loft 19 sun deck. (Access is free for passengers booked in suites or anyone who reserves a cabana for anywhere from $250 to $500 per day.)

Back inside, Deck 6's Piano Bar is where passengers can order a tipple while an onboard pianist tickles the ivories. Make your way up a deck, and you'll find the Limelight Lounge, which serves as a secondary performance space and trivia outpost.

Go one deck farther, and you can choose between the Havana Bar, which serves Latin-themed cocktails, and the Heroes Tribute Lounge, which has a special menu of drinks dedicated to military members.

Carnival Jubilee entertainment

Carnival jubilee activities.

Carnival Jubilee offers a full roundup of daily activities on each voyage.

Passengers might choose to head to the casino, play bingo, enjoy an alcohol tasting, participate in a sports tournament, go on a digital scavenger hunt, mingle at a deck party, play minigolf, take a dance class, learn towel folding, or attend a spa, jewelry or shopping seminar.

Particularly notable are the rotating animations that pop up throughout the Currents zone during each voyage.

If you show up during "Soundwaves Jukebox," you'll see synthesizer-like graphics pulsating to the music on the giant screens above the space.

"Change the Currents" will allow you to view underwater scenes from different areas of the world, including the Arctic and swampy Everglades; other experiences take you on an underwater adventure in a submarine and display ocean-themed artwork drawn by kids at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Some of my personal favorite pastimes on board included trivia, pool deck movies, for-fee culinary classes and a particularly relaxing massage. (Watch out for discounts early in your sailing or on port days.)

In addition to treatments, the Cloud 9 Spa offers salon services and a thermal suite — access to which is free with the purchase of a pass or a spa treatment — with a thalassotherapy pool, heated tile loungers, a sauna and two steam rooms. The adjacent fitness center is on the small side but features for-fee personal training and organized fitness classes, as well as equipment that's free for passengers to use.

Looking to find a group of like-minded travelers on your sailing? Check out meetups for solo travelers, singles, veterans and members of the LGBTQ+ community listed in the daily program.

If you're interested in spending time outdoors working on your tan by the pool, you can do so at one of five onboard pools.

There's the Havana Pool (private access for cruisers staying in Havana Cabanas) and the Patio Pool, both on Deck 8 (the latter with hot tubs); the Beach Pool and Tides Pool on Deck 16 (also with hot tubs); and the Deck 18 adults-only Serenity Pool (with hot tubs). There's also a hot tub at Loft 19 on Deck 19, which charges a fee for access.

Cabanas are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis. Prices vary by sailing, but on my voyage, they were $500 per day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pool lifts accommodating up to 300 pounds are available for passengers with limited mobility.

On Deck 18, you'll find Waterworks, which offers waterslides and a splash area for kids.

Kids and adults who aren't afraid of heights will enjoy the top-deck ropes course, which offers two options for different levels of skill and bravery. The Bolt roller coaster, a minigolf course and a basketball court are also found in the SportSquare area within the Ultimate Playground zone.

Additional activities for youngsters take place in Camp Ocean, Carnival's kids club , which splits children into four groups: Turtles (up to 2 years old), Penguins (2-5), Stingrays (6-8) and Sharks (9-11).

Fun pursuits on the daily schedule might include arts and crafts, themed parties, science experiments, games and story time, depending on the age group.

Camp Ocean also has an interactive space wall, where astronauts lead kids on virtual expeditions, complete with a ceiling that lights up like the night sky to show the constellations.

Kids can also attend Build-A-Bear workshops, march along in a Dr. Seuss-themed parade led by the Fox in Socks and Thing 1 and Thing 2, and listen to the Cat in the Hat read stories.

Tweens and teens have their own dedicated hangout spaces. Activities here are less structured, and participants can come and go as they please. Plus, an onboard arcade offers video games for a fee.

Carnival Jubilee shows

Entertainment on Carnival Jubilee is a combination of passenger favorites from other ships and new shows that you'll only find on this vessel.

Of the performances, I most enjoyed two main-theater shows that are also found on some other ships in the fleet. "Celestial Strings" is a mix of classical and modern pop instrumentals partnered with ethereal costumes and sets; "Soulbound" is a song-and-dance performance with a Victorian steampunk vibe, set in what feels like New Orleans, during which a soul-stealer tries to mess with a twisted love story.

Another excellent show is "Rio Carnival," which occurs at Center Stage in the Grand Central zone instead of the main theater. Although the first half felt a bit shaky and slightly boring to me, the second half redeemed it all, featuring a parade of dancers and aerialists dressed in flamboyant costumes synonymous with Rio de Janeiro's Carnival.

The ship's two new shows are just OK. The first, "Dear Future Husband," is a song-and-dance theater show with a plot that involves a couple taking their closest friends on a cruise for a combination bachelor/bachelorette party and wedding. Musical numbers befit the wedding theme and include Bruno Mars' "Marry You" and, of course, Meghan Trainor's "Dear Future Husband."

After the performance, a "reception" (read: dance party with a DJ and visits from the cast) is held in one of the ship's public areas. When I saw this show several months ago, the reception was in the Limelight Lounge. On this more recent voyage, Dr. Inks, Ph.D., served as the reception location.

The second new show is the "Lone Star Tailgate." Drawing on Texas' love for all things football, Carnival has created four indoor/outdoor "quarters" of fun to mimic the four quarters of a football game. When I sailed, the first quarter, which is all about pool deck games for kids, was held on one sea day, and the other three were held on another sea day.

The second quarter involves pool deck games where passengers have to dress up in football gear to complete team races.

During "halftime," the ship's theater singers and dancers put on a show on the pool deck, dressed in team colors to support the fictional Carnival University — the team cruisers are supposedly cheering on during the festivities.

The third and fourth quarters occur in the Summer Landing zone; passengers can rope hay bales, participate in a hot wing-eating contest at Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse and follow it up with music from a live band.

Don't miss the audience participation-style game shows like "Family Feud Live," "Deal or No Deal" and the "Love & Marriage Show." The first pits two family teams against one another to guess popular answers to survey questions; the latter tests couples to see how well they know one another, often resulting in hilarious answers.

Other entertainment during my sailing included several day and nighttime comedy acts, an absolutely phenomenal magic show (be sure to arrive at the Punchliner Comedy Club at least 30 minutes early or you won't find a seat) and "We Are One," a farewell show that focuses on togetherness.

Carnival Jubilee itineraries and pricing

Through at least April 2026, Carnival Jubilee offers two seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries out of its Galveston home port on a regular rotation. Both types of sailings begin and end in Galveston and visit Mahogany Bay in Roatan and Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico with three sea days mixed in. The only difference between the two itineraries is the order in which the port calls and sea days occur.

At the time of publication, prices started from $709 per person ($101 per person per night) for an inside cabin or $919 per person ($131 per person per night) for balcony accommodations.

What to know before you sail on Carnival Jubilee

Required documents.

If you're a U.S. citizen on a cruise that starts and ends in a U.S. port, you'll need a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to sail. A few other forms of identification, such as a passport card, also are acceptable.

Passports must be valid for at least six more months. For cruises from international ports, you'll need a passport. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. All this said, we recommend checking Carnival's website before sailing for up-to-date requirements.

Related: Which documents do you need for a cruise?

Carnival Jubilee passengers will automatically have $16 per person per day added to their onboard bills. Cruisers staying in suites will pay $18 per person per day. (Children younger than 2 are exempt from gratuities.) An 18% gratuity is also added to bar and cafe bills, spa treatments and the cover charge of the Chef's Table.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships

Carnival Wi-Fi is generally fast and reliable, and Jubilee features StarLink connectivity. However, don't be surprised if you find yourself repeatedly and automatically disconnected, which is annoying.

Packages have increased significantly in price in recent years, and each plan is only for one device. (You can log out of one and into another with the same account, but you can't connect more than one simultaneously unless you buy additional plans.)

Three package tiers are available: Social (access to most social media and airline websites and apps for $18 per day or $126 for a weeklong cruise), Value (same as Social, plus access to financial and news websites and apps for $23 per day or $161 for a week) and Premium (everything from the Social and Value packages plus Skype access and video calling for $25 per day or $175 for a week). Passengers can also choose 24 hours of Premium access for $35.

Carnival claims that its packages don't allow FaceTime, iMessage or streaming from popular apps like Netflix and Hulu. However, TPG writers have had success using all of those services with the Premium package.

Carnival Jubilee is also the first ship in the fleet to offer 5G cellphone connectivity, which means faster speeds when you connect using your cellphone's plan. But be warned: If you don't have a special plan that allows you to connect at sea without roaming, you could be looking at hefty fees when you return. Generally, it's best to keep your phone in airplane mode when you sail.

Related: 5 things to know about cruise ship Wi-Fi

Carry-on drinks policy

Passengers can carry on one bottle of wine or Champagne per person (21 years and older); this will incur a $15 corkage fee for consumption in public areas. Each person can also bring up to 12 standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages like juice or soda. Alcohol-free drinks in plastic and glass bottles aren't allowed.

Related: Can I bring my own alcohol on a cruise ship?

Smoking policy

Smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is allowed but only in designated outdoor areas on Deck 8 mid-ship on the starboard side. Smoking is also allowed on the starboard side of the casino, but it's for cigarettes only. All types of smoking are forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

Related: Cruise line smoking policies

Carnival Jubilee has self-service pressing rooms on decks 4, 5, 9, 14 and 15 with ironing boards and irons that are free to use. There are no self-service laundry facilities, though. Instead, passengers can send out their clothing for washing, pressing and dry-cleaning for a per-item fee.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry

Electrical outlets

Carnival Jubilee has standard North American 110-volt outlets in its cabins, as well as plenty of USB ports. In my balcony room, I had three standard outlets and four USB lightning ports by the vanity. There was also a USB port (non-lightning) on either side of the bed, just below the reading lamp.

The currency on Carnival Jubilee is the U.S. dollar. The ship also operates without cash. Passengers link credit cards to their onboard accounts or put up a set amount of cash to charge against, using their keycards as a means of making purchases. The only time you might want to have some bills handy is for tipping your room steward, bartenders, room service delivery people, luggage porters or shore excursion guides.

Drinking age

You must be at least 21 years old to drink alcohol on Carnival Jubilee.

Carnival Jubilee does not have a specific daytime dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine.

During the evenings, the official dress code is pretty laid-back. Most nights are designated "cruise casual," which means just that — khakis or jeans, polo shirts, sundresses and the like. Super casual items such as cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts are supposedly not permitted, but I saw plenty of them in the dining rooms during dinnertime on Carnival Jubilee.

Each weeklong cruise will schedule two formal nights — known as "elegant nights." If you're bound for the dining rooms, men are expected to turn up in dress slacks and a dress shirt, preferably with a sports coat or even a suit. The suggested attire for women on such nights is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses. Passengers who wish to avoid dressing up can enjoy dinner in any of the casual eateries aboard.

Related: What to wear on a cruise – all about cruise line dress codes

Bottom line

Sure, Carnival Jubilee carries a lot of people, and it can feel crowded and cumbersome to learn your way around at first.

However, it offers new ocean- and beach-themed zones, delicious food, creative cocktails, friendly crew members, comfy cabins, outdoor thrills, Texas charm and a marquee packed with fun daily diversions and nighttime shows. You'll find it's an affordable Caribbean vacation that speaks to just about any traveler who enjoys a large-cruise-ship experience.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• 5 ways cruise lines are nickel-and-diming worse than ever
• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
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Heartbreaking video shows cruise ship passenger swimming, fishing with friends week before fatal jump.

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Heartbreaking video shows 20-year-old Levion Parker happily swimming in the ocean and fishing with his pals just a week before he drunkenly jumped off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and was never seen again.

The TikTok video was posted by Parker’s friend, Kaleb Felty, on March 27 and shows Parker beaming on a boat off Florida and splashing around in the shallows.

At one point, a shirtless Parker holds up a fish he’d just caught. Another clip shows him fighting with a fish on his line as it darts under the boat before it cuts to Parker taking a dip in the sea.

Felty posted several other videos of Parker, including one of him hunting with a bow and arrow. In another video he dubbed a “typical Levion moment,” Parker feeds pelicans a fish out of his hands from a boat.

Parker’s pal also posted a slideshow of several photos of the two together, writing “I will see you again one way or another.”

Parker, of North Port, Florida, jumped off the 11th deck of the Liberty of the Seas around 4 a.m. on April 4, plummeting 200 feet into the Atlantic in front of his helpless brother and father while heading to Cuba and the Bahamas’ Grand Inagua Island, Florida officials said.

He had been drinking and had just gotten into an argument with his father, witnesses said.

“There was a lot of yelling, and the crew was alerted immediately,” cruise passenger Deborah Morrison told The Post.

“His family was horrified. Just beside themselves,” she added.

Royal Caribbean said it “immediately” launched search boats to look for the 20-year-old and alerted the Coast Guard, which later took over the search. 

The boy’s stunned father, Francel Parker, told The Daily Sun he threw six life rings off the ship in hopes of saving his son before the massive vessel was able to come to a stop about 20 minutes later.

Five days later, The Coast Guard called off its search.

Francel Parker is demanding to know how his underage son was given alcohol on the four-day cruise.

However Royal Caribbean sources told The Daily Mail he could have purchased the booze offboard, where the drinking age is 18.

“We have a strict policy on underage drinking. We did not serve this guest on board,” the source told the outlet. “The ship was docked in the Dominican Republic that day, so we cannot speak to what guest did when he was off the ship.”

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