Port of Galveston
Port of Galveston
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- MWC7 contributionsMichael Dang Mobility Operations Manager - Port of GalvestonAfter weighing all of the options for parking for our upcoming back to back cruises with Royal Caribbean we were sure that the lot’s right at the Port of Galveston were going to be our best decision for convenient parking with the least hassles of all the local parking lots available. After making this decision and trying to get a reservation & prepaying for parking with the Parking and Ground Transportation Department Port of Galveston Terminal 10 North Lot for whatever reason had became a real challenge. After contacting the port I received a call from Michael Dang Mobility Operations Manager, in no time Michael Dang explained in detail how to easily apply for the Veterans discount, create an account with the Port Of Galveston and get two reservation & prepaying for the parking for our cruises. I truly appreciated everything that Michael Dang, Mobility Operations Manager for the Parking and Ground Transportation Department of the Port of Galveston he was instrumental in making our reservation seamless and trouble free. Thank you Michael Dang for all your help!Visited November 2023Traveled soloWritten November 9, 2023
- bcsystemsAnn Arbor, Michigan5,144 contributionsWaterview restaurants and marinaWhile we were not with a cruise, we walked along the port. There are some restaurants along the bay and a marina of fishing boats. Not necessarily the most scenic but if you enjoy eating outside with waterview, this is the area to come. It is just a block off the StrandVisited December 2023Traveled with familyWritten December 31, 2023
- Dennis KPlano, Texas265 contributionsA Very Efficient and Convenient Port for CruisesThe best thing about the Port of Galveston is that it is very efficient. We arrived for our cruise with a port arrival time of 11:45. They let us in at 11:30 and they had us checked in and through security by 11:45. I realize part of that is the operation of the cruise line. However, they did a great job getting passengers into the terminal, collecting luggage, and directing you where to go. The downside of the port is really just the view. This isn't the beautiful sail away that someplace like Miami or Vancouver is. It is very industrial. But really, that is just a minor part of the cruise experience. For most Texans, this should be a very accessible port and cruise terminal. We were able to get from the port to home (Plano, Texas) in about 4.5 hours by car. I'd definitely cruise from there if an itinerary appealed to me.Visited January 2024Traveled with familyWritten January 12, 2024
- Julie T3 contributionsThis port is nice but needs some helpThe port area needs to have an area from the COLD in our case. It was freezing and we had to wait for our Galveston Express bus for 4 hours. The area was a wind tunnel. There was nowhere to go to block the wind. Our initial plan was to walk around Galveston and see the town. The temperature was 40° that day. After being in the Caribbean for a week we were sunburned and cold. We were wearing hoodies and pants but it was no help to the wind and cold air. We are from the north and didn’t realize it got that cold in south Texas. We learned a lesson. Also the airport is way too far from the port. The prices for transportation are ridiculous. The port or cruise line should offer free shuttles for as much as we pay for cruises.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 12, 2024
- Flyer579840Puerto Vallarta, Mexico2 contributionsDisappointed ending to great cruise with Carnival.Departure for cruise was decent however return was disappointing. Unorganized boarding on shuttles. Unloading and loading were done in same location with porters cutting people in line for tips. Long waiting periods in between shuttles returning. Was not worth the hassle or discount. You get what you pay for.Visited September 2024Traveled soloWritten September 7, 2024
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MWC
7 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
After weighing all of the options for parking for our upcoming back to back cruises with Royal Caribbean we were sure that the lot’s right at the Port of Galveston were going to be our best decision for convenient parking with the least hassles of all the local parking lots available. After making this decision and trying to get a reservation & prepaying for parking with the Parking and Ground Transportation Department Port of Galveston Terminal 10 North Lot for whatever reason had became a real challenge. After contacting the port I received a call from Michael Dang Mobility Operations Manager, in no time Michael Dang explained in detail how to easily apply for the Veterans discount, create an account with the Port Of Galveston and get two reservation & prepaying for the parking for our cruises. I truly appreciated everything that Michael Dang, Mobility Operations Manager for the Parking and Ground Transportation Department of the Port of Galveston he was instrumental in making our reservation seamless and trouble free. Thank you Michael Dang for all your help!
Written November 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken B
3 contributions
Aug 2021
Rip off. I cancelled my parking reservation ($122) the day after I made it. It has now been 25 days and I have not received my refund. I called the second week after cancelling it and was told I should have it any time. Well, now, after nearly a month, I've called again...and guess what? I just get a message that they are unable to take calls. The website says to email them for a refund. Guess what? THEY DON'T ANSWER THE EMAILS! If you have to cancel your reservation, don't expect your money back...you're SOL. Never again.
Written September 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TexasCityTexas
Houston, TX27 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Embarkation from Galveston cruise port 11/5/23: I've been going out of Galveston for well over 15 years as I live by the port. I've seen the embarkation process slowly get more efficient and faster as the years have gone by and last year it was fast, easy, lines moved, waiting areas were comfortable; basically just walked on the boat. There were staggered arrival times, multiple desks with walkways that looked like the airport; all very professional and efficient. This year was horrible; it was as though it was 15 years ago and the Galveston port had learned nothing about people movement. There was the longest line I have ever seen for people to even get in the port building. All the wheelchair and people needing assistance were shoved in a small curtained off area with a couple of tables at the front and no lines or organization - just people trying to do the best they could with the tools they were given (which were severely lacking). I was embarrassed for the Galveston Port and sorry for the people.
Debarkation from Galveston cruise port 11/12/23: Astounding that equipment failure could hold up so many people and if it acceptable to have equipment failure and there are no backups in case there is equipment failure then there should be accommodation for the people stuck in line ie water, rest areas for those who have disabilities. There was no wheelchair line to get out of the terminal and I saw people struggling and in pain/discomfort. There was a lack of porters; when I got outside there was that long line of people trying to board the ship as when we got there and porters were helping them offload luggage. As with embarkation process for this cruise, it seems that Galveston Port has gone back decades to the bad old days; it took decades of learning how to move people efficiently through that terminal and all that knowledge seems to have disappeared from last year to this year. I would not recommend the Galveston Port to anyone at this time.
Debarkation from Galveston cruise port 11/12/23: Astounding that equipment failure could hold up so many people and if it acceptable to have equipment failure and there are no backups in case there is equipment failure then there should be accommodation for the people stuck in line ie water, rest areas for those who have disabilities. There was no wheelchair line to get out of the terminal and I saw people struggling and in pain/discomfort. There was a lack of porters; when I got outside there was that long line of people trying to board the ship as when we got there and porters were helping them offload luggage. As with embarkation process for this cruise, it seems that Galveston Port has gone back decades to the bad old days; it took decades of learning how to move people efficiently through that terminal and all that knowledge seems to have disappeared from last year to this year. I would not recommend the Galveston Port to anyone at this time.
Written November 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alto Dave
Phoenix, AZ78 contributions
Feb 2023
The Royal Caribbean terminal is very remote. It is 35 minutes from Hobby airport and 1 hour 15 minutes for Houston Bush Interconintenal . Getting there from the airport is not easy. If you stay on the island, getting an UBER the morning of your cruise departure proved almost impossible.
Once at the Royal Caribbean cruise ship terminal, things were extremely chaotic. Porters were hard to find. It appears that no one paid attention to their boarding times and no-one policed this. There was not reserved checkin for suite guests. The escalators were not working (I believe on purpose for crowd control). They make everyone wait for the few elevators or take the stairs with their luggage.
We we disembarked at 9:30am, we couldn't get a shuttle until 12pm (despite making a reservation 6 months in advance. They changed our pickup time without our knowledge), which finally arrived at 12:30pm. Royal provided NO benches or any other accommodations outside the terminal We were forced to sit on the ground or on our suitcases for 3 hours after the cruise. Definitely a great way to turn a relaxing, wonderful cruise into a stressful experience on both the front and back end of the curse.
I've been on 10 cruises from multiple different ports and have never had an experience like this. Most are controlled chaos but not purely chaotic.
Royal's cruise ship terminal in Galveston is to be avoided at all costs.
Once at the Royal Caribbean cruise ship terminal, things were extremely chaotic. Porters were hard to find. It appears that no one paid attention to their boarding times and no-one policed this. There was not reserved checkin for suite guests. The escalators were not working (I believe on purpose for crowd control). They make everyone wait for the few elevators or take the stairs with their luggage.
We we disembarked at 9:30am, we couldn't get a shuttle until 12pm (despite making a reservation 6 months in advance. They changed our pickup time without our knowledge), which finally arrived at 12:30pm. Royal provided NO benches or any other accommodations outside the terminal We were forced to sit on the ground or on our suitcases for 3 hours after the cruise. Definitely a great way to turn a relaxing, wonderful cruise into a stressful experience on both the front and back end of the curse.
I've been on 10 cruises from multiple different ports and have never had an experience like this. Most are controlled chaos but not purely chaotic.
Royal's cruise ship terminal in Galveston is to be avoided at all costs.
Written February 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
STM0041
Bullard, TX833 contributions
Jul 2021
My wife and I have sailed numerous times from the Port of Galveston. I found that if you DO NOT follow their driving instructions, you will have an easier time getting to the ship.
As we live some 250 miles from Galveston we typically find a hotel to stay at the night before the cruise in the Webster area. If travelling with children, we will arrive to the Webster area early and fit in an afternoon at Space Center Houston/NASA. There are plenty of dining options in Webster and plenty of more choices a short drive away in Kemah.
From there, it is a short 30 minute drive the next morning to Galveston. We reserve and prepay our covered indoor parking at Galveston Park and Cruise.
On the morning of the cruise, we drive down I-45 south but instead of exiting on Harborside Drive as they suggest and getting caught in all the other cruise traffic, we stay on I-45 until it becomes Broadway Ave. in Galveston. Follow Broadway to 19th St and turn left there. This will take you through the Strand area to Harborside Drive where you will need to take another left. The Port entrance is a right at the first traffic light. Going this way, you will miss being in a long line of cars trying to make a left hand turn into the same entry.
Drop off your bags with the porters and exit the port area at the 25th St. exit. Galveston Park and Cruise's lots are right there across the street at 25th and New Strand Street. We park our car and walk back across the street with our carry-on to the terminal.
When returning to port, we do the self debarkation, roll our luggage back to Galveston Park and Cruise, put in our car and be on our way by 9 AM.
We found that 4 wheeled rolling luggage made it easy to maneuver down the ship's debarkation ramps, through customs and across the street.
Alternately, if you want to stay in Galveston the night before, the Harbor House is a very nice, comfortable and clean hotel with plenty of great restaurants within walking distance with the historic Strand area/tall ship Elissa right at your doorstep. The Harbor House will also provide you with a card for a free dessert at one of the restaurants on the pier.
The hotel staff advised me that we could park our vehicle at there sister hotel (The Hotel Galvez on the seawall) just about 2 miles away and they would shuttle you to the pier. If you arrived at the Harbor House without a vehicle, the cruise terminal would be a fairly long walk with your luggage. The hotel would arrange to have the Hotel Galvez shuttle pick you up at the Harbor House and transport you to the cruise terminal.
One last tip if you are driving in from the north and like shrimp/crab/fish. Set your GPS for Kemah as a detour on the way home. Take highway 146 over the large bridge (heading north) between Kemah and Seabrook, take the first exit after you go over the bridge and there on your right will be numerous seafood shops.
As we live some 250 miles from Galveston we typically find a hotel to stay at the night before the cruise in the Webster area. If travelling with children, we will arrive to the Webster area early and fit in an afternoon at Space Center Houston/NASA. There are plenty of dining options in Webster and plenty of more choices a short drive away in Kemah.
From there, it is a short 30 minute drive the next morning to Galveston. We reserve and prepay our covered indoor parking at Galveston Park and Cruise.
On the morning of the cruise, we drive down I-45 south but instead of exiting on Harborside Drive as they suggest and getting caught in all the other cruise traffic, we stay on I-45 until it becomes Broadway Ave. in Galveston. Follow Broadway to 19th St and turn left there. This will take you through the Strand area to Harborside Drive where you will need to take another left. The Port entrance is a right at the first traffic light. Going this way, you will miss being in a long line of cars trying to make a left hand turn into the same entry.
Drop off your bags with the porters and exit the port area at the 25th St. exit. Galveston Park and Cruise's lots are right there across the street at 25th and New Strand Street. We park our car and walk back across the street with our carry-on to the terminal.
When returning to port, we do the self debarkation, roll our luggage back to Galveston Park and Cruise, put in our car and be on our way by 9 AM.
We found that 4 wheeled rolling luggage made it easy to maneuver down the ship's debarkation ramps, through customs and across the street.
Alternately, if you want to stay in Galveston the night before, the Harbor House is a very nice, comfortable and clean hotel with plenty of great restaurants within walking distance with the historic Strand area/tall ship Elissa right at your doorstep. The Harbor House will also provide you with a card for a free dessert at one of the restaurants on the pier.
The hotel staff advised me that we could park our vehicle at there sister hotel (The Hotel Galvez on the seawall) just about 2 miles away and they would shuttle you to the pier. If you arrived at the Harbor House without a vehicle, the cruise terminal would be a fairly long walk with your luggage. The hotel would arrange to have the Hotel Galvez shuttle pick you up at the Harbor House and transport you to the cruise terminal.
One last tip if you are driving in from the north and like shrimp/crab/fish. Set your GPS for Kemah as a detour on the way home. Take highway 146 over the large bridge (heading north) between Kemah and Seabrook, take the first exit after you go over the bridge and there on your right will be numerous seafood shops.
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dennis K
Plano, TX265 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
The best thing about the Port of Galveston is that it is very efficient. We arrived for our cruise with a port arrival time of 11:45. They let us in at 11:30 and they had us checked in and through security by 11:45. I realize part of that is the operation of the cruise line. However, they did a great job getting passengers into the terminal, collecting luggage, and directing you where to go.
The downside of the port is really just the view. This isn't the beautiful sail away that someplace like Miami or Vancouver is. It is very industrial. But really, that is just a minor part of the cruise experience.
For most Texans, this should be a very accessible port and cruise terminal. We were able to get from the port to home (Plano, Texas) in about 4.5 hours by car. I'd definitely cruise from there if an itinerary appealed to me.
The downside of the port is really just the view. This isn't the beautiful sail away that someplace like Miami or Vancouver is. It is very industrial. But really, that is just a minor part of the cruise experience.
For most Texans, this should be a very accessible port and cruise terminal. We were able to get from the port to home (Plano, Texas) in about 4.5 hours by car. I'd definitely cruise from there if an itinerary appealed to me.
Written January 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dcoach52
Racine, WI88 contributions
Dec 2022
To be fair, I am biased because I usually go through Miami. Long ride from the airport, the cab basically pulls over to the side then you jump out. You walk through crazy traffic, the sign that says entrance is where you end up AFTER you waited in line. Walked all the way to the left side, just to find out I had to go all the way to the right side to drop my luggage, then get in line to go back to the left. Line was forever, but they were behind due to fog and the ship pulled in late. Staff was annoyed to be there at best. I will say the people who physically check you in as boarding were nice. Everyone else hated their jobs. They also don't have the porters and cab callers like Miami, it is more of a do it your D@$% self port.
The one good thing is disembarkation was extremely easy for us, but we were one of the last to leave so it thinned out by then. When I ask my family the unanimously voted worst part of the vacation was port Galveston. There is a permanent request to avoid this port in the future.
The one good thing is disembarkation was extremely easy for us, but we were one of the last to leave so it thinned out by then. When I ask my family the unanimously voted worst part of the vacation was port Galveston. There is a permanent request to avoid this port in the future.
Written December 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K A
5 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
The employees in the port were wearing lanyards that said intercruises. They were pushy, hateful, and rude. We had 12 traveling including small children. When we arrived a gentleman with a mic at the entrance asked if we wanted to Porter our luggage which we declined….his response was “good luck with that”. As we went to check in multiple staff told us to hurry up despite nobody being behind us as we were later to arrive. When my wife waited to help our daughter she was told to move along and she could not wait…again, nobody was in line or waiting. My wife told her she was going to help our daughter with her two young children. The staff member said “not here move along” the staff member was unbelievably hateful and inconsiderate. Then my son overheard two other staff members trash talking my family because we didn’t Porter our bags. Unbelievable! In the future I will NEVER book a cruise that ports on Galveston. I recommend avoiding this facility so as to avoid starting your cruise on a bad note.
Written June 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kteversole
206 contributions
Nov 2019
No matter how good a cruise you are going to have or have just docked from you are going to have to put up with the inept organization and traffic orchestration of the Galveston cruise port. The older, smaller ships didn't have so many guests you couldn't walk to your car and bring it around for your family to load up at the terminal. Now that same process will take you about an hour to cover the mile. My recommendation is to pack light and take your luggage with you on the shuttle, or a ride share, back to the parking lot or your hotel.
Written March 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alto Dave
Phoenix, AZ78 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
This port is terrible. Transportation to/from Houston is extremely difficult. Transportation from Galveston hotels to the cruise ships are hard to obtain and embarkation day. When they kick you off your ship, plan on waiting 3 hours with no amenities including seating before getting your transportation back to Houston.
It would make sense that the Royal Caribbean port would put in a few hundred seats for people to wait, but they leave everyone to rely on their luggage as seating areas.
If you can cruise out of any other port, do so. We cruise a lot and Galveston is the most frustrating and terrible port to which we have ever been.
I can't say this enough......if you are not from Galveston, avoid this port like the plague.
It would make sense that the Royal Caribbean port would put in a few hundred seats for people to wait, but they leave everyone to rely on their luggage as seating areas.
If you can cruise out of any other port, do so. We cruise a lot and Galveston is the most frustrating and terrible port to which we have ever been.
I can't say this enough......if you are not from Galveston, avoid this port like the plague.
Written January 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are l going on cruise Jan. 6 on carnival jubelie need to rent at car on Jan 13 to drive home hemet calif
Written November 27, 2023
We are going on a cruise out of Galveston, Texas coming from Kansas and will be renting a car to get us there - is it cheaper to keep the rental while gone in the cruise or cheaper to drop off the car when we arrive and then re-rent when in our way back home
Written October 1, 2019
Not knowing what you are paying for the rental it is a tough question to answer. Assuming you are taking a 7 day cruise, an uncovered but gated parking spot at Galveston Park N Cruise will run you $75 for the week. I use this place to park on every cruise. It is directly across the street from the cruise terminal. Drop your bags off, park your car and then walk across the street to board the ship. Hope that helps.
Written October 13, 2019
My check in time is 12:30 for carnival, what time should I arrive?
Written July 27, 2019
No point in arriving too early. You stand in the early line but if you check in with your group it is very smooth.
Written August 16, 2019
How long is it to go through security process? Tyring to decide if a member traveling with us should rent a wheel chair. Any boarding tips?
Written May 8, 2019
The process usually isn’t long once you get inside, but there is plenty of walking. I agree with the previous reply that there are plenty of people to help you get a wheelchair if necessary. I can’t remember if I saw courtesy wheelchairs when we were there last month or not. But I would suggest getting one. I always consider my elderly mother (who has difficulty standing for long periods or walking long distances). The walk into the building from the entrance and then the winding around you do for the check in process would make me want to get one for her if she were going with us. Better to be safe than sorry!
Written May 8, 2019
fquintaosilva
Belo Horizonte, MG
Is there a parking in The Port to leave The car whilst we are in a Cruise? If there is How much per day
Written May 4, 2019
Is the port open if someone wants to site see and not taking a cruise or anything?
Written April 29, 2019
The port itself is a secure place and therefore open only to passengers and crew. However, the surrounding area is a tourist area and there is a wharf where there are a couple of restaurants, a seafaring museum, and the Elissa, a Tall Ship that you can board for a fee. You can see the cruise ships from these things when they are in port.
Written April 30, 2019
After I check in on my Royal Caribbean cruise can I disembark to walk around The Strand?
Written February 17, 2019
Well we did see a few restaurants around there but it’s mostly what you’d expect at the port. What we ended up doing was stopping ahead of arrival at a convenience store near a gas station and picking up water and things like that which would probably be cheaper anyway.
Written November 17, 2018
We will be getting dropped off by a family member. How difficult is it to navigate? how bad is the traffic on cruise day. It is a 3 hr and 15 minute drive from where we are coming from. how much extra time should we allow for traffic and other issues?
Written April 15, 2018
One factor to consider is if you are on Carnival and have a preset boarding time, then you need to allow for the time of day you are driving to Galveston and the day of the week. We had a 12:30 boarding and the traffic driving on a Saturday morning was light.
Written April 16, 2018
Hello. Could I please ask where you parked? I've been trying to decide between the port of galveston parking areas or a private company. Thanks
Written March 26, 2018
We usually just go for the Port of Galveston Official Parking Lots A or B. If an inclement weather is anticipated, we park at the Port of Galveston Officla Garage on Rosenberg and 25th Street. Google for info on making reservation for advanced booking discount rates. Garage parking reservations should really be done way ahead of time as lot becomes "full" but as you get really close to departure date, some of the reservations are cancelled and openings do arise. We actually take this approach most of the time. Carnival terminal is easy to get to and the other cruise lines require another stretch of 50 yards of surface walk. Not a big deal if you have good roller bags and no extraneous belongings. The public lots A and B are great because they have shuttles but upon return the shuttle wait could be an issue. Have patience and let the good times roll in Galveston!
Written March 26, 2018
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