2 new cruise ships will sail from galveston

2 new cruise ships will sail from Galveston in 2024. These majestic cruise ships are the Carnival Jubilee and the Norwegian The Prima.

NEW CRUISE SHIP CARNIVAL JUBILEE

“This is the first brand-new ship to homeport in Galveston since we became a cruise homeport 23 years ago,” said Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees.

An airplane flying a welcome banner and a tugboat shooting water cannons added to the Texas-size celebration welcoming the largest Carnival ship to dock here in Galveston.

There was an estimated 400-500 Texas celebrants to cheer the Carnival Jubilee’s inaugural sail through Galveston Harbor. “We are happy to welcome this beautiful ship, the Jubilee crew, and the Carnival staff,” said Rees.

The Jubilee has a capacity of 6500 passengers and 1700 crew members. A huge Texas star adorns the bow of the ship to honor her new home in Galveston.

The Jubilee will debut unique and immersive ocean themed experiences in two new zones, Currents and The Shores. She will also be home to other features already popular onboard her sister ships like the BOLT rollercoaster and a transformational three deck atrium that offer views during the daytime and doubles as an entertainment venue at night.

The Jubilee was built in Germany. She successfully completed her sea trials last November to test her technical, mechanical, and navigational systems.

NEWLY RENOVATED CARNIVAL JUBILEE TERMINAL

According to the Galveston Wharf Board, to prepare for the new larger ship, the port invested more than $50 million in improvements and renovations to Cruise Terminal 25 where the state-of-the-art ship will be berthed. Two passenger boarding bridges and a new configuration inside the terminal will make embarking and debarking more efficient.

Terminal 25 has a fresh, new look. The terminal home to Carnival ships since 2000, has been renovated inside and out with a new roof, expanded dock and new exterior colors as well as new interior finishes and furniture.

NEW CRUISE SHIP, NORWEGIAN THE PRIMA

The first cruise ship in Norwegian’s Prima Class arrived in the Port of Galveston for its first official season in Texas on December 15, 2023. This marks the first time the Norwegian Cruise Line has offered regular sailings from the island. The Prima can carry 3200 passengers and will make approximately 20 trips from Galveston between December 2023 and April 2024.

The Norwegian Prima was named Best Ocean Cruise Ship by “Cruise Critic’s” Editors’ Picks Awards in 2022. The Prima comprises over 1500 staterooms, 18 dining venues, and 17 bars and lounges among her 20 decks.

It was the first ship in the fleet to debut one-of-a-kind experiences including: the Prima Speedway, the first three level racetrack at sea; the Prima Theater and Club, the first three-story transformational theater-nightclub; the Metropolitan Bar, the cruise industry’s first sustainable cocktail bar at sea; and Indulge Food Hall which offers 11 different cruisines including Q. a Texas-style barbeque.

The Prima Class ship also features a 44,000 square foot, wrap-around outdoor walkway, Ocean Boulevard, boasting more spaces for guests to soak in the sun.

Norwegian Prima’s sister ship, Norwegian Viva, will homeport in Galveston for the first time from November 2025 to April 2026.

SAILING SUCCESS

Through the end of November 2023, 318 cruises carrying more than 1.3 million passengers left the Port of Galveston during 2023. In comparison, 389 cruises are scheduled to depart the island in 2024, according to a calendar posted on the port’s website.

Del Monte Foods has plans to close its Galveston warehouse and move to Freeport. The port plans to turn Del Monte’s waterfront location into a new terminal.

The port has committed $5.3 million for the design of a fourth terminal and has estimated the entire project would cost $69 million. If all goes as planned, construction of the fourth terminal could start this year and be open by 2025.

To accommodate additional travelers and their vehicles the port is expanding onsite parking by more than 500 spaces at the convenient park-and-walk Express Lot.

Officials are already predicting another record year in 2024. With renovations to Terminal 25, more and bigger ships, and construction of a new terminal, 2024 is expected to set new records for the Port of Galveston in terms of cruise business.

Money generated by cruising including parking is responsible for more than half of Galveston’s revenue in recent years. This helps to affirm Galveston’s ranking as a major, growing U.S. cruise homeport and Galveston’s future as a top tourist destination.

CRUISES FROM GALVESTON

For cruise information from Galveston, please visit, cruises.com, https://www.cruises.com/promotion/cruises-from-galveston.do?p=GAL&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2a6wBhCVARIsABPeH1tN_U_C0e5Psl_71vc5KOO9pa321uQ5s18tBmSPBae4seORnxWSwyUaAkAkEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds or https://www.galvestoncruise.com/? OR galvestoncruise.com, https://www.galvestoncruise.com/?source=google&nlp=j&cn=cruisemain&ag=galveston&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2a6wBhCVARIsABPeH1sW5kvSkNiSGBFNVNWRA6LVeZJHh6EszovqOMfyLpdNwaOwpj0VFLEaAppeEALw_wcB. Both websites offer amazing deals and a better experience on cruises.

OTHER INTERESTING PLACES TO VISIT IN GALVESTON

If you found this article informative and helpful, checkout my blog, 4 top Breakfast and Brunch Spots Galveston (mygalvestonrealtor.com). For interesting places to visit during your visit to Galveston and across the street from The Spot restaurant is Galveston Island’s Historic Pleasure Pier. Read about this family-oriented attraction which includes rides, midway games, and a wide selection of food venues and retail shops at the exciting Pleasure Pier, Galveston, TX (mygalvestonrealtor.com)

THINKING OF OWNING A HOME IN GALVESTON?

If so, Do follow this website, “Homes For Sale” 6 active listings in galveston, texas usa (mygalvestonrealtor.com). Listings are updated each week. Questions? TEXT ME, Jerri Sutherland, Broker, eXp Realty LLC at (281) 796-0153. I live and work in Galveston, TX and I LOVE GALVESTON. My profession is real estate, but my focus is people!