NCL Cruise Terminal Galveston Pre and Post Trip Planning

The NCL Cruise Terminal in Galveston is a popular departure point for many cruise enthusiasts. Located at 2100 Harborside Drive, it's easily accessible by car or taxi.

If you're flying in, the closest airport is the Houston William P. Hobby Airport, which is about a 45-minute drive from the cruise terminal.

Galveston Island is a great place to spend some extra time before or after your cruise. With its rich history, beautiful beaches, and vibrant downtown area, there's something for everyone.

Consider staying at one of the many hotels near the cruise terminal, such as the Hilton Galveston Island or the Embassy Suites by Hilton Galveston.

Check this out: Houston Airport to Galveston Cruise Port

Getting to the Cruise Terminal can be a breeze, especially if you live in the area and can drive to the port. You can simply drive and park your car at the port.

If you're flying in for your cruise, you'll need to factor in some extra time for the ride to the cruise terminal. It's a 1.5 hour drive from the closest major airport in Houston.

You have a few options for getting to the port cruise terminals, but driving is definitely the most convenient.

Parking and transportation options are plentiful near the NCL Cruise Terminal in Galveston. You can choose from trusted cruise parking companies located in Galveston that will keep your vehicle safe while you're away on your cruise.

The Galveston Cruise Port receives close to a million visitors every year, so it's essential to book your parking spot ahead of time. The cheapest rates for parking at the Port were found to be $100 for a 7-day cruise and $70 for a 5-day cruise expedition.

If you're flying into the area, consider booking private transportation from the airport to the cruise port. This service will pick you up at a scheduled time and take you comfortably to your destination, avoiding long lines of cabs or shared shuttles.

A unique perspective: Ncl Cruise Galveston

If you're planning a cruise vacation, you'll need to park your vehicle safely for the duration of your trip. Choose one of the trusted cruise parking companies located in Galveston for peace of mind.

The Galveston Cruise Port receives close to a million visitors every year, so it's essential to book your parking slot ahead of time to avoid any last-minute hassles.

You can park your vehicle at the Port's parking lot, which offers free shuttle transportation to and from the cruise terminal. The cheapest rates for parking at the Port are $100 for a 7-day cruise and $70 for a 5-day cruise expedition.

Parking near Terminal 10 (Royal Caribbean) costs $22.00/day, while parking at the Economy Lot A or B costs around $18.00/day. Covered parking rates are $25.00/day.

If you're cruising from Terminal 25, you can park at the SMP Garage or the Pier 25 Lot, both of which are a short walk to the terminal. The Express Lot near Terminal 28 is another convenient option.

All three "park and walk" locations offer covered and uncovered spaces on a first-come, first-served basis. A complimentary shuttle service is also available to and from the cruise terminal, making it easy to get to the ship.

If this caught your attention, see: Manhattan Terminal Cruise Parking

Private transportation is a convenient option for getting to and from the Galveston cruise port.

You can book private transportation from George Bush Intercontinental Airport or William P. Hobby Airport to the cruise port, eliminating the need to wait in long lines for cabs or shared shuttles.

Your driver will wait for you at a scheduled time, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free trip to your destination.

Private transportation services can be booked to take you to and from a hotel to the terminal and airport.

Check fares for Private Transportation to Cruise Port to see what's available.

Galveston Island is a great place to extend your cruise vacation with amenities, attractions, restaurants, and more within minutes from the terminals.

Most cruises departing from Galveston depart between 4PM and 5PM, giving you plenty of time to add some fun to your cruise vacation.

You can explore the island's pre- and post-cruise itineraries to make the most of your time.

With most cruises departing between 4PM and 5PM, you can easily add some fun to your cruise vacation by exploring the island's attractions, restaurants, and amenities.

For more insights, see: Msc Cruises Out of Galveston

If you stay in Galveston the night before your cruise or have a morning to kill before your cruise, The Strand is a great place to explore and enjoy a pre-cruise meal or drinks. This is Galveston’s historic district, lined with ornate late 1800s buildings filled with restaurants, art galleries, museums, shops, and more.

The Strand is just blocks away from Terminals 25 and 28, making it a convenient option for cruisers. Rainforest Cafe is another option close to the port that is great for families, although it is about 4 miles away and not within walking distance.

Galveston Railroad Museum is a family-friendly site that provides interactive exhibits less than a mile from the cruise port. The museum has forty pieces of rolling stock, a substantial collection of dining car china, and two incredible model railroad layouts. It also runs weekly caboose rides on Saturdays, which can be fun for cruisers with younger kiddos.

Here are some other activities to consider near the Galveston cruise port terminal:

Galveston has plenty of activities for all ages, from tropical rainforest adventures to relaxing on the sunny beach. You can also visit the Texas Seaport Museum, the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum, the Moody Gardens, the Bishop's Palace, or the Stewart Beach Park.

The Strand is a great place to explore and enjoy a pre-cruise meal or drinks, with ornate late 1800s buildings filled with restaurants, art galleries, museums, shops, and more. It's just blocks away from Terminals 25 and 28.

Rainforest Cafe is another option close to the port, but it's about 4 miles away and not within walking distance. However, it's great for families.

The Galveston Railroad Museum is a family-friendly site that's less than a mile from the cruise port. It has forty pieces of rolling stock, a substantial collection of dining car china, and two incredible model railroad layouts.

If you have time, consider visiting the Galveston Railroad Museum for its interactive exhibits and weekly caboose rides on Saturdays. These can be a fun activity for cruisers with younger kiddos.

Here are some attractions near the cruise port terminal:

If sailing from Galveston, drink packages work a little differently. There are some very specific rules around drink packages and duty-free alcohol purchases due to state law.

If you're used to cruising from Florida, you might find these rules frustrating. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code (TABC) 28.07 governs the taxation of alcohol and when drink packages take effect.

Drink packages in Galveston don't start until you're at sea. This means you can't purchase duty-free alcohol or use drink packages until the ship leaves the port.

Cruisers sailing from Galveston need to be aware of these unique parameters to avoid any issues with their drink packages or alcohol purchases.

Additional reading: Ncl Cruise Drink Package

Galveston is a major cruise port in the United States, with a significant increase in cruise shipping traffic since 2010. The city's cruise port is currently ranked as the 4th busiest in the USA, with around 1 million embarking passengers annually.

The Port Galveston cruise ship schedule shows a variety of arrival and departure dates by month. You can view the full itineraries and lowest rates for each ship by following the corresponding ship-link.

Here's a brief overview of the cruise terminal information:

Galveston is a port city spread over Galveston Island and Pelican Island, in Texas USA, with a land area of approximately 208 mi2 (539 km2) and a population of around 50,000.