Galveston Cruise Ship Embarkation Port

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Port of Galveston, TX

The Port of Galveston consists of the Galveston Ship Channel, the south side of Pelican Island, the north side of Galveston Island and the entrance to Galveston Bay. Located on the upper Texas coast on the eastern end of Galveston Island, it is 9.3 miles (15.0 km) from the open Gulf, or approximately 30 minutes sailing time.

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

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Terminal Information

Bayport Cruise Terminal

Pier #25, 2502 Harborside Drive
Galveston, Texas 77550 

Galveston Port webcam

Cruise Lines sailing from Galveston:

Parking Rates

 Pre-payments may be made by visiting www.portofgalveston.com

Port of Galveston Parking Lots A & B are guarded and lighted; 24 hour surveillance and police patrol. No advance reservations required. Handicap Parking available with proof of valid permit.

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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.

Vehicles occupying two or more spaces will be charged double the rate. There is a high demand for taxicabs during “peak” debarkation hours. At times, taxicabs may not be readily available.  Please be patient and prepared to wait as other taxi cabs return to the Cruise Terminals throughout the debarkation morning rush.

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Texas State Taxes

Effective January 4, 2014, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) will collect tax from all Texas residents and non-Texas residents staying in the state for any length of time (seasonal resident).

For those that the tax applies to, it is applicable to all liquor and tobacco that enters the state of Texas via the cruise terminal. Therefore, all purchases made on the islands, as well as onboard, will be taxed upon debarkation in the cruise terminal. These duties will be in addition to whatever taxes may be imposed by US Customs. 

A letter and form will be distributed to all staterooms before embarkation commences. Guests will need to complete the form and carry it with them when they disembark. 

Things to do in the area

The Grand 1894 Opera House

One of the few remaining theaters if its era in Texas and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Website

Schlitterbahn Waterpark

This new, family owned waterpark features uphill roller coasters, water slides, whitewater rapids, wave pool, hot tubs, surf ride, and kid's playground.  This park is the first convertible waterpark with an entire area that can be closed during the cold weather months. This area is converted to an indoor waterpark featuring a dozen heated attractions - the water and air temperatures remain a constant 80°. Website

Lone Star Flight Museum & Texas Aviation Hall of Fame

The complex is located next to Moody Gardens and the new Schlitterbahn Waterpark at the Galveston International Airport at Scholes Field. Webiste

Moody Gardens

Aquarium, 3D IMAX theater, 12 story tropical rainforest and IMAX Ridefilm Theater. Website

More activities at Galveston.com

Galveston Events

Lone Star Motorcycle Rally

The Lone Star Motorcycle Rally will feature vendors, multiple stages of entertainment, great food and drink, plus all the crazy biker fun you've come to expect from. Annual Fall event. www.lonestarrally.com

Mardi Gras 

Annual February Event. 12 days and 11 nights of parades and masquerade balls in the Strand Historic District. More than thirteen parades and 50 galas, parties, pageants and events.  Website

Moody Gardens Festival of Lights

Annual event Nov - Jan. Website

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