Tag Archives: GALVESTON

Regal Princess Arrives in Galveston

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Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess arrived in Galveston on November 5, marking a milestone as the largest Princess cruise ship ever to homeport in Texas.

The Regal Princess will operate roundtrip sailings to the Western Caribbean from now through March 24 with an anticipated 75,000 passengers sailing aboard the ship.

To celebrate the milestone event, a traditional maritime plaque exchange took place in the presence of Princess Cruises Chief Commercial Officer Terry Thornton, Regal Princess Captain Aldo Traverso and Celebrations Ambassador Jill Whelan and Galveston Wharves Board Vice Chairman Jeff Patterson. The event started with a festive performance by Galveston’s local Ball High School Drill Team Tornettes and school mascot Tuffy.

“We first started sailing out of Galveston nearly 20 years ago. Princess loves Texas and we know Texans enjoy the convenience of having the Love Boat so close by offering a hassle-free drive or convenient fly option to enjoy the beautiful destinations in the Western Caribbean,” said Thornton.

“As we celebrate the arrival of Regal Princess, we extend our deep appreciation to the Port of Galveston for their ongoing partnership, and we’re excited to welcome aboard the only premium cruise experience from Galveston.”

The Regal Princess will sail a total of 21 voyages from Galveston, ranging in length from seven to 12 days, with calls in Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatan, among other destinations. Guests can also choose special holiday sailings for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. The ship will also offer a “Love and Romance Celebration” themed cruise with Love Ambassador and bridal fashion icon Randy Fenoli, departing on December 3. Fenoli will host special events, share his personal success story, offer tips on how to choose the right wedding dress and even debut the “Randy” cocktail.

“Princess Cruises is an iconic cruise line and we’re delighted to welcome guests from Regal Princess, the largest Love Boat to ever sail from Galveston,” said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO. “Regal Princess will visit beautiful ports throughout the western Caribbean while expanding the array of attractive and enticing cruise vacation choices from Galveston, America’s fourth most popular homeport.”

Carnival Legend to Homeport in Galveston in 2025

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Carnival Cruise Line announced that the Carnival Legend will be homeporting in Galveston in 2025, offering Western Caribbean sailings ranging from four to ten nights.

In addition, the Carnival Legend will offer two Panama Canal voyages, according to a statement.

“Carnival Legend’s deployment in Galveston strengthens our already robust portfolio of sailings from Texas, adding more variety to the offered itineraries, as well as another ship choice, and more opportunities for cruises to Mexico and other Western Caribbean that fit any vacation length,” said Fred Stein, Carnival’s vice president of revenue planning and deployment.

From the fall of 2025 through early 2026, the Carnival Legend will alternate between shorter and longer itineraries. Among the available sailings is a five-day voyage that visits Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico. Seven newly available 10-day itineraries feature ports of call in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Mahogany Bay, Roatan; Belize and Cozumel, Mexico.

Additionally, an eight-day Christmas sailing departing on December 18, 2025, will visit Mahogany Bay, Roatan; Belize and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

Ahead of its move to Galveston, the ship will sail a 16-day Carnival Journeys sailing departing from San Francisco on October 6, 2025. Ports of call include Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Puntarenas, Costa Rica before transiting the Panama Canal, and then Cartagena, Colombia before arriving in Galveston. A second 14-day Carnival Journeys cruise sails roundtrip from Galveston and departs on February 2, 2026. Ports of call include Montego Bay, Jamaica; Aruba; Curacao; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon (Panama Canal), Panama; Limon, Costa Rica and Cozumel, Mexico. Additionally, the Carnival Legend will offer three 10-day Panama Canal sailings departing on Oct. 27 Dec. 8, 2025, and March 16, 2026.

The Carnival Legend’s Galveston cruises open for sale on September 21.

Galveston Cruise Terminal: $53 Million Makeover for Carnival Jubilee Arrival

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The Galveston Wharves will invest $53 million in the expansion of Cruise Terminal 25 ahead of the Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Jubilee arrival, a new ship set to debut in December.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming the beautiful new Carnival Jubilee to our improved cruise terminal,” said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO. “We’re proud to have Carnival Cruise Line, our long-time cruise partner, choose Galveston as the home port for its newest ship.”

The terminal’s makeover will include gangway modifications, a ramp, a new roof, two elevators and an escalator.

Rees added that cruise operations will continue while the project is underway. 

In addition, there will also be mandated improvements to areas used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. According to Reese, the improvements will aid the port’s future growth, help secure more jobs and contribute to a stronger regional economy. 

The project will be funded with cash reserves, a proposed bond issue and an agreement with Carnival.

 “Carnival was the first major cruise line to homeport in Galveston more than 20 years ago. They believed in us then and believe in Galveston’s growing prominence as a top cruise port today,” concluded Rees.