Best Cruises Out of Galveston

Looking for the best cruises from Galveston, Texas? We've got you covered. The best Galveston cruise for you depends on your travel preferences. Your ideal cruise may differ based on whether you're traveling with family, as a couple, or on a girlfriends' getaway. We've compiled a list of our top cruise picks from Galveston.

Best for families: Allure of the Seas

Are you in search of the perfect family cruise departing from Galveston? Look no further than Royal Caribbean's massive Allure of the Seas, tailored specifically for families.

This colossal ship, ranking as the world's fifth-largest cruise vessel, boasts an abundance of family-friendly zones that surpass most other cruise ships. With its immense size – standing at 18 decks high and stretching nearly 1,200 feet long – the Allure of the Seas offers three distinct main pool areas, a children's splash zone, surfing simulators, a mini-golf course, a basketball court, and even a thrilling zip line, all located on its upper decks.

Inside the Allure of the Seas, families can enjoy an array of attractions, including supervised play areas for kids, a dedicated teen club, and an indoor ice skating rink. The ship also hosts family-oriented performances like ice skating shows and spectacular acrobatic and diving displays at the outdoor "Aquatheater." Towards the ship's stern, you'll discover a New Jersey boardwalk-inspired fun zone with rock-climbing walls and a handcrafted carousel.

In summary, whether you're traveling with little ones or a group of teens and tweens, you'll find a wealth of activities to keep them entertained – more than on any other Galveston-bound ship, including Disney Cruise Line's family-focused Disney Magic.

Allure of the Seas departs from Galveston every Sunday, embarking on seven-night journeys to the Western Caribbean, with stops in Roatan, Honduras, and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Please note that starting in November 2023, Allure of the Seas will be replaced by Royal Caribbean's slightly larger Harmony of the Seas. Both ships belong to the innovative Oasis class, but Harmony of the Seas boasts a few extra thrills, such as the Ultimate Abyss, a heart-pounding slide that descends nine decks (despite the cruise line's claim of ten, there's no Deck 13). Additionally, Harmony of the Seas features a water park, a feature not yet available on Allure of the Seas.

Best for Disney fans: Disney Magic

As previously mentioned, when it comes to family cruises from Galveston, our top choice is the Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. Nevertheless, there's a crucial exception to consider: if your family is all about Disney and can't imagine a vacation without it, then your ideal Galveston cruise is undoubtedly a journey aboard the Disney Magic.

Operating seasonally in Galveston between December and April, Disney Magic caters perfectly to Disney enthusiasts, being the sole Disney Cruise Line ship departing from Galveston.

Although Disney Magic isn't a new ship, dating back to 1998, it still feels contemporary thanks to recent extensive renovations. One such update brought thrilling features like the AquaDunk, a 37-foot-tall water slide extending over the ship's side, and an outdoor kiddie fun zone named AquaLab.

Onboard Disney Magic, you'll find multiple pool areas, extensive indoor children's zones spanning an entire deck, and various themed restaurants, a delight for Disney fans. (Following Disney Cruise Line tradition, passengers rotate nightly among three main restaurants, each with its unique theme.) The ship also boasts a spacious showroom for nightly Disney-themed performances.

Distinctive to Disney ships are cabins with split bathrooms, a family-friendly convenience not offered by other Galveston-based cruise vessels.

Comparatively, Disney Magic is smaller than Disney's newer Disney Wish and the two Dream-class ships (Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream), with about 42% less capacity than Disney Wish and 35% less than the Dream-class ships. This results in fewer and smaller attractions but a cozier onboard atmosphere.

Disney Magic offers a variety of cruises from Galveston, ranging from four to six nights with shorter voyages typically visiting Mexico, and longer sailings including a stop in Cozumel.

It's worth noting that fares for Disney Magic's off-peak sailings often start at approximately $800 per person for a four-night voyage, making it a higher per-night cost compared to other ships departing from Galveston.

In essence, you pay a premium for the Disney Magic, ensuring an enchanting experience for your family.

Best for budget travelers: Carnival Breeze

If you're in search of a quick and affordable getaway from Galveston, consider Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Breeze. This ship offers an accessible option that won't require a significant time commitment or break the bank.

Cruising year-round from Galveston, this 11-year-old vessel specializes in short four- and five-night journeys to the Western Caribbean, often priced at under $500 per person or even less during off-peak times. In some cases, you may find five-night sailings for around $300 per person, equating to just $60 per night. Notably, this is only a third of the cost of similar sailings on Disney Magic.

It's important to note that the fares mentioned for Carnival Breeze encompass not only your accommodations but also onboard meals.

For prospective Galveston cruisers, Carnival Breeze serves as an ideal "test the port" option. Its short itineraries and budget-friendly pricing mean you won't invest heavily in time or money if you're not entirely satisfied. This ship is particularly appealing to first-time cruisers, Texas residents, and Southerners who can readily book last-minute trips and drive to the port for a quick escape.

While Carnival Breeze may not be the newest or flashiest ship in the Carnival fleet, it still offers a wide range of experiences suitable for various types of travelers, including couples and families with children. As part of the Dream class, which originated in the late 2000s and early 2010s, this 3,690-passenger ship is approximately 29% smaller than Carnival's newer Excel-class vessels, resulting in fewer onboard venues, including bars, restaurants, and entertainment spaces.

Nonetheless, Carnival Breeze provides a substantial array of amenities, such as a 4D "thrill theater" and a ropes course, both of which are popular with teenagers and preteens. On the ship's upper decks, you'll also find a water park with waterslides, a miniature golf course, a sports court for basketball and volleyball, and multiple pools.

Interior spaces on Carnival Breeze encompass a comedy club, piano bar, casino, and a showroom for large-scale productions. Dining options are similar to those found on many Carnival ships, featuring an additional-charge steakhouse, Italian restaurant (Cucina Del Capitano), and complimentary main dining venues. Additionally, there's a sushi restaurant and Carnival's Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub.

Best for luxury lovers: Norwegian Prima

If you're seeking a touch of luxury on your Galveston cruise, you won't find dedicated luxury cruise lines like Silversea Cruises or Seabourn Cruise Line sailing from here. However, you can still experience a luxurious cruise by opting for the Norwegian Cruise Line's new Norwegian Prima, the sole mainstream vessel in Galveston offering a designated "ship-within-a-ship" luxury zone.

With 3,215 passengers, Norwegian Prima unquestionably provides the most luxurious cruise experience departing from Galveston.

Debuted in 2022, Norwegian Prima is the first in a new class of Norwegian vessels designed to offer an elevated and more upscale experience compared to previous Norwegian ships.

This upscale approach is evident in the ship's impressive variety of suites, totaling 13 categories, including the largest three-bedroom suites on any recently unveiled cruise vessel. If you're looking for lavish accommodations and have the budget to match, Norwegian Prima offers numerous options.

Significantly, the entire rear section of Norwegian Prima is dedicated to an exclusive luxury enclave known as The Haven, spanning eight decks. The Haven comprises 107 of the aforementioned suites, featuring a spacious private indoor lounge area, private outdoor lounge and pool areas, and an exclusive restaurant solely for suite guests.

Beyond The Haven, the entire ship exudes a more sophisticated ambiance compared to other Norwegian vessels. It closely resembles the elegance associated with Norwegian's higher-end sister brands, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, albeit on a larger scale.

Norwegian Prima is only based in Galveston seasonally during the winter months, from December to March. It offers seven-night voyages to the Western Caribbean with stops in Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Harvest Caye, Belize.

Best for retirees: Regal Princess

If you're seeking a cruise from Galveston that offers a more relaxed atmosphere without the bustling presence of families and children, consider setting sail on Princess Cruises' Regal Princess.

Unlike the other prominent cruise lines that depart from Galveston, the Regal Princess primarily caters to a different demographic. Princess Cruises, including Regal Princess, is oriented towards middle-aged and older travelers, often retirees, rather than families with kids.

Distinctively, the 3,600-passenger Regal Princess lacks the extensive family-oriented attractions commonly found on other Galveston-bound ships. You won't come across large waterslides, children's splash zones, zip lines, or go-kart tracks on this vessel.

On the upper decks of Regal Princess, you'll typically find pools, whirlpools, and sunning areas, in line with the typical Princess ship offerings. Consequently, it tends to attract fewer families and leans more towards an older crowd, predominantly couples.

Regal Princess operates seasonally from Galveston, with voyages available from November to March. The ship offers longer sailings from the Texas port, including 10- and 11-night journeys to destinations such as Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Honduras, Belize, and Mexico. These extended trips are typically favored by retirees who can accommodate the time away from home.

Conclusion

When it comes to the best cruises departing from Galveston, we've explored a diverse range of options to suit various preferences and travel styles. Whether you're embarking on a thrilling family adventure, a luxurious getaway, or any other type of cruise, Cruisebound is your go-to destination for securing the ideal cruise at the best value. Bon voyage!