When we started sailing from Galveston in 2002, there weren’t a lot of options. Carnival had one old ship (the Celebration) sailing short itineraries. Later, Royal Caribbean added one older ship (the Rhapsody) sailing short cruises. By now, however, the Galveston cruise calendar has almost too many options. Galveston Cruise Reviews is here to explain what the options are from now through 2020.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line sails from Galveston each Winter. Itineraries vary between 4 and 7 nights. This season, the Disney Wonder sails from Galveston starting November 22, 2019. She makes her last sailing January 13, 2020 with a one way trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Wonder then returns to Galveston November 20, 2020 for another Winter season. Sailings include trips to the Bahamas. Those sailings typically include a stay at Disney’s private island. Alternatively, Disney offers a Western Caribbean itinerary very similar to Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
Carnival
Carnival dominates the Galveston cruise calendar with a wide variety of offerings. The Port of Galveston has a calendar of all cruises through the end of 2019. It includes four different Carnival ships, and more options will be available in 2020.
The Carnival Vista will make 7 days sailings from now through at least April 2021. This ship is 133,500 gross tons and focuses on the Western Caribbean. The 110,000 ton Carnival Freedom usually runs 7 day cruises. The ship goes to both the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean, and it also sails from Galveston through at least April 2021. However, the Freedom has sailings between 6-14 days. Three of the 14 day cruises visit the Panama Canal. The 130,000 ton Carnival Dream makes cruises to Mexico. These cruises are four to five nights and are scheduled through April 2021. Texan Abroad is scheduled to sail the Dream in December 2019. The Carnival Valor sailed from Galveston earlier this year, but no longer does. She now sails from New Orleans.
Royal Caribbean
Galveston Cruise Reviews has more experience with Royal Caribbean than anything else on the Galveston cruise calendar. The approximately 156,000 ton Liberty of the Seas is a favorite. She sails seven night itineraries to the Western Caribbean. There are two basic routes. One is to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. The other is to some combination of Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize, and Roatan (Honduras). When taking this route, the Liberty will typically visit three of those four ports. She is scheduled to continue sailing from Galveston through at least April 2021.
Royal Caribbean has announced a change in their short sailings from Galveston. Until earlier this year, the Vision of the Seas ran four and five night trips to Galveston. Those trips are now handled by the Enchantment of the Seas. Those trips will continue through October 2020. In November 2020, the Enchantment will be replaced by the larger Adventure of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean is working with the Port of Galveston to open a new cruise pier in 2021. That pier is designed to accommodate a much larger ship. Royal Caribbean has not announced what ship that will be. Galveston Cruise Reviews will keep you posted. Happy sailing!
