allure returns in 2026 All Things Galveston

[Galveston Steve]

Here is a story in the Galveston Daily News regarding the Port's continuing efforts to improve traffic flow in and around the Port.  For instance, the new Cruise Terminal 16 opening in late 2025 will have a parking garage.

[Mike n Ky]

On 2/13/2024 at 8:52 PM, Galveston Steve said:

 

A "Royal Amplified" Allure of the Seas is returning to Galveston on 17 March 2026! Now open for booking! 

We have been on the Allure more than any other ship and was aboard two weeks before they were supposed to amp it up in 2020 then Covid hit. So, we have to get back on when it gets back to Galveston...likely April 2026. Thanks for the heads up!

[Galveston Steve]

On 2/29/2024 at 6:36 PM, Carlos A. said:

How difficult is to get from Enterprise to the Port? I'm thinking on dropping off my family on the port and then return the car. Are there taxi or Ubers available for a short drive like this?

I definitely recommend giving the local office a call to be certain, I believe they have a shuttle at their office but not sure if they currently make runs to the port.  There are definitely taxi's and Uber available at the Port for the return trip if needed.

[wordell1]

16 minutes ago, Galveston Steve said:

Here is a story in the Galveston Daily News regarding the Port's continuing efforts to improve traffic flow in and around the Port.  For instance, the new Cruise Terminal 16 opening in late 2025 will have a parking garage.

I love the new terminal and parking is much better than the offsite parking at the old terminal. My only complaint is that they force you to go all the way around the North Lot, past the terminal, just to enter the lot.  It makes no sense.

[Galveston Steve]

2 minutes ago, wordell1 said:

I love the new terminal and parking is much better than the offsite parking at the old terminal. My only complaint is that they force you to go all the way around the North Lot, past the terminal, just to enter the lot.  It makes no sense.

I've had the same experience. But instead of turning left on Royal Caribbean Circle, you should be able to continue straight on Royal Caribbean Way and turn left into the North parking lot instead of going around past luggage drop-off. 

[wordell1]

10 minutes ago, Galveston Steve said:

I've had the same experience. But instead of turning left on Royal Caribbean Circle, you should be able to continue straight on Royal Caribbean Way and turn left into the North parking lot instead of going around past luggage drop-off. 

Thanks! I will definitely do that next time.  The signs make it seem like you need to go around.

[Nathan C.]

Well, the planning stage is in fuIl-swing, even though I don't sail until 02/01/2026 on Harmony OTS.

I will be driving down from Kansas City to Galveston---which according to Google Maps, it will be take between 12-15 hours of straight driving to get there. I will be driving with a family member, so it's possible that we can drive down without having to spending the night at a hotel (by splitting the drivetime when we get tired), with the exception for the night before Embarkation Day. 

Right now I am split on how to travel south:

1. Do I drive the entire trip to Galveston the day before sailing, spend the night at a Galveston hotel, park the car and take the shuttle to the port?
2. Do I drive 5-6 hours on Friday (01/30), spend the night at a local hotel (somewhere between Tulsa, Okla. & DFW area); then on Saturday (01/31) drive the rest of the way to Galveston area and spend the night at Galveston hotel (and do park & cruise)? Would seek suggestions for hotels that are 2 or 3 Stars that are in Galveston---just need something that reasonably priced that is clean & safe, but don't need all the bells-and-whistles.
3. Do I drive most of the way to Galveston (say somewhere around the Webster/Clear Lake area), spend the night before sailing at a hotel and then drive the rest of the way to Galveston & park at one of the parking facilities? Do any of these hotels (in Webster/Clear Lake area) offer the parking and then use Uber to the port? Is the Webster/Clear Lake typically a safe area, where I don't have to worry about my car being broken into (I know even in the most "safe" areas have their issues).

Thanks!

[Doug_Texas]

We live in Dallas and drive to KC all the time for family.  We also drive to Galveston all the time to cruise.  If it were me I would drive rom KC to Corsicana (9.5 hours) or Madisonville and get a a real cheap hotel.  Madisonville is only 2.5 hours to the cruise terminal.  Galveston hotels are not cheap.  Madisonville has a wonderful Buc-ees for grabbing to go breakfast and coffee.  Stray flexible in case North Texas has one of our ice storms.

[steverk]

2 hours ago, Doug_Texas said:

We live in Dallas and drive to KC all the time for family.  We also drive to Galveston all the time to cruise.  If it were me I would drive rom KC to Corsicana (9.5 hours) or Madisonville and get a a real cheap hotel.  Madisonville is only 2.5 hours to the cruise terminal.  Galveston hotels are not cheap.  Madisonville has a wonderful Buc-eyes for grabbing to go breakfast and coffee.  Stray flexible in case North Texas has one of our ice storms.

I agree.  Stay 2-3 hours north of Galveston. Save money and break up the trip

[TexanTwoStep]

On 12/4/2024 at 11:19 AM, steverk said:

I agree.  Stay 2-3 hours north of Galveston. Save money and break up the trip

Or if you can really push it, just make it to League City or Texas City.

Half the cost of staying on the island, 30 mins from the port.

[steverk]

Here's something I hadn't heard about. If you look at this video at about 3:40, you'll hear that Royal has expressed interest in adding a second pier to the Galveston terminal.

Has anyone else heard anything about this and can corroborate this?

 

 

[Eyeonhevn]

I wanted to echo thanks to Steve for this thread. It's VERY helpful! Even 10 years after he wrote the original post! Thank you! 

[steverk]

I see that Galveston Wharves has released a new master plan. Interesting stuff begins on page 83. 

The TLDR, Looking at option 2, Battleship Texas is permanently moored between the MSC terminal and the Royal terminal with associated park space and hotel. A new 4000 space parking garage where the current parking lots are located. Royal expands the terminal to dock 2 ships. Drawing appears to show 2 Oasis class vessels simultaneously, but I wouldn't call that a guarantee. Several additional terminals built on the west side of the port making a total of 7 terminals.

https://www.portofgalveston.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Galveston-Master-Plan-Presentation-07.22.25.pdf

[wordell1]

18 hours ago, steverk said:

I see that Galveston Wharves has released a new master plan. Interesting stuff begins on page 83. 

The TLDR, Looking at option 2, Battleship Texas is permanently moored between the MSC terminal and the Royal terminal with associated park space and hotel. A new 4000 space parking garage where the current parking lots are located. Royal expands the terminal to dock 2 ships. Drawing appears to show 2 Oasis class vessels simultaneously, but I wouldn't call that a guarantee. Several additional terminals built on the west side of the port making a total of 7 terminals.

https://www.portofgalveston.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Galveston-Master-Plan-Presentation-07.22.25.pdf

It would make sense for Royal to add a dock for 2 ships considering their plans at Costa Maya.  The map show 2028 for that, is it already a done deal?

[steverk]

6 hours ago, wordell1 said:

It would make sense for Royal to add a dock for 2 ships considering their plans at Costa Maya.  The map show 2028 for that, is it already a done deal?

It's my, uneducated, take that this is a master plan. That means it is a vision of where they would like to go rather than a fully funded and approved project.

[Thoodt]

OK - so I guess I'm going to bump this thread back to the top - it's been about 7 months since the last post and the thread is now 11+ years old.  

I've never cruised out of Galveston.  Looking for some "recent" advice on hotels / bars / restaurants that are on the island.  Looking to stay somewhere safe that is walkable to bars/restaurants.  I have been to Galveston before - it's been a number of years - but it was not great and definitely a bit sketchy in areas.  Curious how it has evolved.  Thx in advance all.

[steverk]

Galveston has improved as cruising has progressed. The beach is still the same and there are some sketchy neighborhoods. 

As far as hotels and bars, there's a bunch of post on this thread about that.

[Carotthat]

As a cruise is coming up this christmas, and we are landing in IAH two days before the cruise starts, here are my original thoughts:

Stay close to IAH, take a rental car next day, visit NASA Houston, drive to Galveston and stay at the island. Embark next day after returning the rental car.

Then, I screened Galveston Hotels prices, Enterprise rental car prices and got truly shocked! 

What about taking a uber to Texas City the day after landing at IAH, and next day again a Uber to Embarkation?

Also, we are travelling after the cruise to Austin - is there any other rental car option except Enterprise?

[steverk]

Staying in Texas City is certainly doable. Therexare several mid price hotels there. However, there isn't much to do. Jave you considered Kemah or League City instead?

As far as rental cars, there's the usual selection at the airport,  but I think Enterprise is the only option on the island.  

[Carotthat]

I am now considering driving with a rental car to Clear Lake for the first night, visit Space Center and continue down to the island - return the RC within 24hours and stay a maybe acceptable place at Galveston.

Still unsure, what is cheaper.

[wordell1]

4 hours ago, Carotthat said:

 

Also, we are travelling after the cruise to Austin - is there any other rental car option except Enterprise?

For your Austin trip - you could price rentals from Hobby and then take the ship transfer to the airport and rent from there.  It may be cheaper if enterprise is high but it will cost you time.  I would just rent from Enterprise.

For Houston - Depending on time - Houston has several good museums and a good zoo.  NASA should definitely be done - it will fill at least a half day - make sure you do the tour.  Galveston to me is nothing special anyway and less so in winter.

If you have time, I would rent a car and do a few things in Houston before driving down to the NASA area (Webster is close) and do NASA the 2nd day and maybe go to Kemah for dinner, although there are a lot of restaurants in Webster also.

[Carotthat]

Galveston Beach is not "worth" it in winter? This would have a major impact on my plans, as family usually enjoys beach. I could simply stay somewhere in vicinity to the cruise terminal...

[wordell1]

52 minutes ago, Carotthat said:

Galveston Beach is not "worth" it in winter? This would have a major impact on my plans, as family usually enjoys beach. I could simply stay somewhere in vicinity to the cruise terminal...

Winter weather in Texas is unpredictable, but I would not assume beach weather Christmas week.  The water around Galveston is not clear - it is always cloudy due to silt runoff from the Mississippi river.  you need to go south of Corpus Cristi in Texas to get clear water (Not close to Galveston).  That is not to say that people don't go to the beach there - but i don't consider it to be a good beach.