Cruises From Galveston, TX
Did you see the recent segment on Channel 13 by their undercover reporter, Wayne Dolcefino about the Houston cruise terminal? His focus was the costs associated with the $10 million empty cruise terminal. Not only did the terminal cost an astronomical amount to build, but the annual maintenance costs are close to $1 million. In his report, he quoted Kevin Costner from the movie Field of Dreams saying “build it and they will come”. Well, they haven’t come to the Houston cruise terminal, but Galveston’s terminal is going to have some fantastic changes beginning this year; all the cruise ships currently sailing from Galveston will be replaced and in 2012, two additional cruise lines will begin sailing from here, too.
The Carnival Conquest will be replaced by Carnival’s newest ship, the 3,700 passenger Magic. As I write this article, the Magic is on its inaugural sailing from Venice to Barcelona. It will spend the summer in Europe then sail to Galveston in November, 2011. Beginning 11-14-11, it will sail 7-day itineraries year round from Galveston. She will have 3 alternating itineraries. One week it will sail to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Another itinerary will sail to Costa Maya, Progresso and Cozumel, Mexico. The third itinerary will sail to Key West, Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas. I’m holding cabins on Magic’s first sailing from Galveston in November and on the sailing leaving 1-8-12 going to Key West and the Bahamas. Let me know if you are interested in either of these sailings.
The Carnival Ecstasy will be replaced by the 2,700 passenger Carnival Triumph which is currently is sailing from New Orleans. Beginning 10-6-11, the Triumph will sail 4 & 5-day itineraries year-round from Galveston. On the 4-day cruises, the port will be Cozumel and the 5-day cruise ports will be Cozumel and Progresso, Mexico. May Carol Lieblong has a cruise benefitting the Bayou Vista Fire Department set up on the Triumph leaving 10-15-11.
Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas will replace the Voyager of the Seas beginning on 11-11-11. These two ships are the same size with a capacity of 3,114 passengers; however, the Mariner is 4 years newer. The Mariner will sail from Galveston during the winter 2011-12 cruise season. The itineraries are 7-day cruises alternating one week to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamaica and the other week to Honduras, Belize and Cozumel with the final cruise on 4-15-12.
For the first time ever, Disney Cruise Lines will sail the Magic from Galveston beginning on 9-22-12. The 7-day itinerary includes the following ports of call: Grand Cayman, Costa Maya and Cozumel. Okay all you parents and grandparents, here’s a way to please the kids and avoid the costs of flying to Florida. The Magic will make 12 sailings from Galveston with the final voyage on 12-8-12. Cabins on these sailings are booking up fast so get onboard to experience the fun.
And finally, Princess Cruise lines will return to Galveston beginning 12-22-12. The 3,400 passenger Crown Princess will be here for the winter season. She will sail 7 day itineraries until 4-27-13 to Costa Maya, Cozumel, Honduras and Belize. I’ve sailed on the Crown and it’s a fantastic ship, that I know you’ll enjoy.
All of this is quite a lot of information to remember, even for me and I’m in the business! I thought I’d give you a “cheap sheet” to summarize things for you.
- Carnival Triumph 4 & 5 days 10-6-11 year round 2 itineraries
- Carnival Magic 7 11-14-11 year round 3 itineraries
- RCCL Mariner of the Seas 7 days 11-11-11 to 4-15-12 2 itineraries
- Disney Magic 7 days 9-22-12 to 12-8-12 1 itinerary
- Crown Princess 7 days 12-22-12 to 4-27-13 1 itinerary
Soon, Galveston will have something for everyone regardless of your taste. And one of the best things is you don’t have to leave home to catch the ship. No airports, body scans or money needed to fly! Have a great summer and stay safe.