Port of Galveston Cruise terminal directions and parking information
 

Texas Cruise Ship Terminal on Galveston Island
Pier #25
2502 Harborside Drive
Galveston, Texas 77550

Travel Time: 42 miles from the Houston Hobby International Airport; travel time is approximately 60 minutes. 70 miles from the Houston Intercontinental Airport; travel time is approximately 90 minutes.

Directions to the port:
•    I-45 South
•    Take Exit 1C - Harborside Drive (Highway 275)
•    Turn left (East) onto Harborside Drive
•    Continue approximately 4.7 miles to Kempner/22nd Street
•    Turn left onto Kempner/22nd Street
•    Proceed to Cruise Terminal - Pier #25

Parking: Rates are subject to change.
•    4-day cruise: $45.00
•    5-day cruise: $50.00
•    7-day cruise: $70.00

Port of Galveston Parking Lots A and B
•    Guarded and lighted; 24 hour surveillance and police patrol.
•    Accepted forms of payment: U.S dollars; VISA and MasterCard.
•    Pre-payments may be made by visiting http://www.portofgalveston.com/.
•    No advance reservations required.
•    Vehicles occupying two or more spaces will be charged double the rate.
•    Handicap Parking available with proof of valid permit.
•    For Parking Information: 409 766-6100.

Embarkation:
•    Luggage must be unloaded at the cruise terminal curbside prior to parking; the shuttles do not handle luggage during embarkation.

Debarkation:
•    Return directly to Parking Lots A and B to retrieve car without luggage and then pick up the guests and luggage at the terminal curbside.
•    Depart the terminal on luggage-capable shuttles; there will be a short to moderate wait time. Note: This is only provided in parking lots where luggage drop-off is indicated on the parking lot sign.

Galveston Overview

Galveston offers 32 miles of relaxing beaches, superb restaurants, top resort hotels, marvelous downtown shopping, numerous antique stores, incredible art galleries, fabulous entertainment and has one of the country's largest and well preserved concentrations of Victorian's iron front commercial architecture.

Galveston is a small romantic island tucked deep within the heart of south Texas, possessing all the charm of a small southern town and just 40 minutes south of the largest city in the USA. At 32 miles long and 2.5 miles wide, most residents can't remember the last time they visited the mainland and if circumstances permitted, they would never leave.

The island has had its fair share of calamities, yet the worst natural disaster in Texas history couldn't erase the tranquility of a Galveston sunset.
From soft sandy beaches to famous 19th century architecture, the island is surrounded with incredible history and unique beauty. Bathers can enjoy the balmy Gulf waters 7 months of the year, from April to October. Indeed, the Island is almost always temperate, with winter temperatures averaging 57 degrees and those of the summer averaging 81 degrees, thanks to the moderating influence of the constant breeze provided by the Gulf of Mexico. Check out the area close to the Flagship pier at 25th street to see the Surfers challenging the waves year round.
History

Galveston is part Southern, part Texan abloom with towering oleanders of every color and more history and stories than cities 20 times its size. Part of what is entrancing about Galveston is that it is so much a town in its own right, and always has been. For many years, the town was called 'the Free State of Galveston" because it was so unlike the rest of Texas.

The Island's first residents were the native Karankawa ad Akokisa Indians. Largely lost to history, the native dwellers met Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca, who lived with them for several years after he was ship wrecked and had a bloody standoff with Jean Lafitte when he first colonized the island. Jean Lafitte established the colony of Campeachy on Galveston Island in 1817, numbering about 1000 people at its peak. Lafitte was eventually forced to leave (burning his town behind him) and Galveston, as we know it, was founded by Michael Menard and Samuel May Williams, among others. The homes of these early island pioneers are still standing and are open to the public.

Everything is bigger in Texas, and in the 19th century, everything in Texas was done first in Galveston. Incorporated in 1839, Galveston quickly became the most active port west of New Orleans and the largest city in the state. This exciting and sophisticated center built the state's first post office, first opera house, first hospital, had the first law firm west of the Mississippi, had the state's first telephone and electric lights, first golf course, first country club, the list goes on and on....
However, the glittering town was hit by one 'first' that was devastating. On September 8th, 1900, Galveston was battered by what stands as the most deadly natural disaster to strike the USA, still called the Great storm more than 100 years later. More than 6000 people were killed of the town's 37,000, almost one in six. One-third of the city's buildings were completely destroyed. Many survivors fled the city without even packing their belongings. The 1900 Storm looms large enough in the Island's collective memory as Galveston families pass down stories of survival and loss.
Those who stayed were more determined than ever to preserve and they raised the entire level of the city by 8 feet, & 17 feet at the Seawall, slanting the ground so water would run off into the Bay. The grade raising was so successful that when another hurricane struck as ferocious as the 1900 storm swept down on Galveston in 1915, the city was safe and only 8 people were killed.

However, Galveston never returned to being the city that it once was. Prosperous because of its port, Galveston commerce was eclipsed when Houston dug its Ship Channel in 1917.
Attractions

Other than the beach, the top destination for Galveston visitors is the 242- acre Moody Gardens. Part theme park, part educational and rehabilitative facility, part pleasure garden, Moody Gardens is a vacation all by itself.

Recommended attractions include the Grand 1894 Opera House, showcasing the performing arts, the Texas Seaport Museum & 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA, highlighting the history of the Port of Galveston, Lone Star Flight Museum housing one of the finest collections of restored aircraft and aviation exhibits in the nation and Moody Gardens featuring a 1.5 million gallon aquarium, a 3-D IMAX theater and a tropical rainforest. If romance is what you are yearning for, try an after dinner ride by horse drawn carriage through the downtown area at dusk.

In addition, we have many fascinating restored historical homes to explore, all of them predating the 1900 Storm that killed 6000 Galveston residents.
Another way to connect to Galveston's past is to take a trip through one of its historic districts or a tour of one of its historic homes. Stroll through the 36 square block area of downtown Galveston, exploring the enticing shops on the Strand or the waterfront district.

Shopping

Galveston has shopping for most everyone's tastes, whether you like upscale, artsy or beach trendy. With a city this historically minded and individual in its tastes, expect to find wonderful antique and curio stores. Also look for treasures both downtown and on Broadway.

Dining

Dining is a Galveston highpoint. The specialty is fresh cooked, fresh caught Gulf Coast cuisine, available both in traditional and nouvelle settings, but you will find restaurants for every mood and palate from upscale continental, to hip fusion, to authentic Tex-Mex, to downtown barbecue.

Nature

Galveston island is one of the top locations in the US for birding, with a variety of species visible all year round, from the sand hill cranes in the winter, to the pelicans and roseate spoonbills enjoying a summer's evening. Watch especially during the fall and spring migrations, when three-quarters of all North American species fly through many rare species.

Fishermen report that Galveston has the best coastal fishing in the country and that it is virtually impossible to come home empty handed. Other favorite activities include surfing, horseback riding on the beach, kayaking, volleyball, water slides and mini golf.

 

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