Cruise lines cruising from Port of Galveston include Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean. Carnival Cruise Lines announced its expansion of cruise passengers in the Port of Galveston by adding two larger ships, Carnival Triumph and Magic. In 2011, Carnival Triumph will start on Oct. 6, followed by Carnival Magic on Nov. 14. Carnival Cruise Lines’ commitment marks the largest cruise lines capacity in Texas. At present, Carnival Cruise Line’s Ecstasy and Conquest cruise to Caribbean destinations.
Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas cruise ship sails seven-night cruises to the Caribbean. In 2011, it will add Mariner of the Seas, same size as Voyager, starting on Nov. 20.
Port of Galveston is building a new gangway, walkways and moorings, to accommodate Carnival Magic. The $8 million improvements are being funded with cruise line income, parking fees and passenger fees. According to Steve Cernak, Port of Galveston Director, the new cruise ships are expected to boost Port of Galveston’s reputation, as a “cruise line homeport.” He stated, “This puts us in the upper echelon of home ports.” Carnival Magic cruise passengers will increase by 28 percent, with more than 450,000, through Port of Galveston.
Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Magic – 2011, Port of Galveston
Carnival’s brand new cruise ship, Carnival Magic, is slated for a May to Oct. 2011 sailing before coming to Port of Galveston in Nov. 2011. It will offer six-, seven- and eight-day Caribbean cruises with stops in Cozumel, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, Montego Bay, Jamaica and Roatan Honduras. Carnival Magic has seven-day Caribbean cruises, with stops in Key West, Florida, and Freeport & Nassau, Bahamas. For travelers interested in a transatlantic cruise, Carnival Magic, cruises from Barcelona, Spain to Port of Galveston. Carnival Magic cruise ship is 1,004 feet long, sails at 20 knots and has 1,845 staterooms. On-board amenities and facilities include Serenity, an adults-only retreat and cantilevered whirlpools over the sides of the ship for an expansive ocean view.
Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Triumph – 2011, Port of Galveston
In 2011, Carnival Triumph, now operating in New Orleans, is slated to have four- and five-day Caribbean cruises with ports of call in Cozumel and Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico. Carnival Triumph has kids’ programs for all ages. Guests can watch sporting events, movies and news on Carnival Triumph’s jumbo-sized LED screen with an easy-to-hear system while passing rolling waves of the sea. Try out the three-deck high twister water slide in the Universe Pool area. Carnival Triumph is 893 feet long, cruises at 21 knots and has a passenger capacity of 2,758.
Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas – 2011, Port of Galveston
In Nov. 2011, Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas starts cruising from Port of Galveston. It has six-, seven- and nine-night Caribbean cruises with stops in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Honduras. Mariner of the Seas is designed with a rock-climbing wall, basketball court, in-line skating and ice-skating rink. It also has a nine-hole miniature golf course. Look for enhanced dining options with Portofino Italian Restaurant, Vintages wine bar and Boleros Latin-themed lounge. It is 1,020 feet long with a passenger capacity of 3,114.
References
Galveston Daily News: Magic Ushers Sea Change in Local Cruise Industry
Bloomberg Businessweek: Carnival to Base 2 Larger Ships in Galveston
Houston Chronicle: Galveston Gets Largest Cruise Ship in Texas History
