Port of Galveston — Attraction in Galveston

UPDATE ON MY REVIEW BELOW: I was contacted by the Port to discuss my concerns. They said they are addressing the parking lot attendant issue as well as the lack of signage and sidewalks. I appreciate them reaching out and following up with me, it was a very professional response.

The Port of Galveston Parking & Cruise Terminal is...by far...the WORST cruise parking and port terminal I've experienced. It is both operationally and aesthetically dysfunctional and broken. It was our first cruise from this port.

Parking is scattered, rundown, random and simply horrific. Upon dropping off our kids and luggage at the terminal, we ended up being directed to a very long line for Lot B surface parking about 3/4 of a mile away from the terminal on the other side of the main boulevard. I tried making a reservation in advance and the website would repeatedly say I couldn't be "connected to the server." The seemingly 15-year-old lot attendant, who it seemed was on her first day, did not know how to work her tablet without a reservation and had to call over a seemingly 16-year-old co-worker/supervisor to understand how to take my credit after she asked me three times (no joke) for my reservation barcode, that I didn't have. We eventually caught a shuttle for the relatively short ride to the terminal.

And this is where things go from bad to worse. The terminal itself hasn't had substantial and needed maintenance and renovation since the mid-20th century (a mirror reflection of the port's industrial neighborhood). It's a dirty, poorly signed, haphazard, crowded dysfunctional mess. From arriving at the terminal after finishing our miserable parking lot experience to finally boarding the ship was a total of (once again, no joke) 2.5 hours! No exaggeration. Mind you, part of that was Carnival's fault for poorly managing arrival times (they're getting points deducted on their review) due to a one-hour weather delay, as all 4,800 passengers seemed to arrive at the same time. The line to enter almost fully wrapped twice in front of the building and it took 20 minutes to move about 10 feet at a time.

The best part of the terminal experience was during disembarking, the port's new facial scans at customs were an absolute breeze.

But then back to the parking experience from hell: Part II. For some reason arrivals and departures for the cruises seemed to be occurring at the same time (hundreds of people were approaching the terminal as we were trying to leave). Mind you, the terminal is one small circle of ingress and egress with most passengers arriving from one direction and then leaving back the same direction. Upon returning, traffic was atrocious in front of the terminal and down the main boulevard and more than 600 people and 1,500 pieces of luggage were waiting for parking shuttles that couldn't get through the traffic jam. So we decided to walk the 3/4 mile back to the surface lot. But alas, there are NO SIDEWALKS from the terminal to the parking lot. And no signage, of course. So we break out Google maps and drag our luggage down dirty and trash-laden back alleys and side streets, over several rail crossings with 3-4" ruts that eat heavy-laden luggage wheels for lunch, some broken asphalt, grass and mud to finally sneak through the back gate of the parking lot, get in our car and drive away. Dozens and dozens of others ended up doing the same thing. My language in this review is much more respectful than the language many of them used when expressing their thoughts.

Plan on an abundance of extra time, patience and Advil when embarking and disembarking from Galveston. Better yet, catch your cruise at...

I had an awful embarkation. Jubilee December 21st Firstly, we were being separated into lines but more like segregated by race, let that sink in. Im not a POC but my husband is. And I wasn't the only one that notice, what the white lady was doing. 1:30pm embarkation. I was having a very hard time. Once we got through the line, one of the ladies said that they could provide wheelchair assistance, as my knees were giving out. We could get it a little ahead When we got a little ahead another lady ushered us ALL THE WAY BACK OUT! we sat in this little staging area, i had been separated from my sons who had my luggage because obviously i couldn't handle it myself. We dont check our luggage since theyre notorious for losing it. Anyway, i get a call they got pulled by tsa and i need to come because its my prescriptions in there. So now i can't wait for a wheelchair, even though my husband does sit and try to wait except he kept my purse with other prescription bottle in it. So i am pressured to go faster, my knee is about to give out and the employee does not care about that. He is ignorant of where tsa is doing checks and i am about to be in the floor, embarrassed because i can no longer go forward. Ive been stressed as far as i can be. (Its right behind the black curtains for future reference)

FINALLY we find where my sons are, my luggage is being rummaged through and OF COURSE EVERYTHING IS FINE. We find out later the idiots tsa had broken a bottle of alcohol on the floor, the people who unknowingly walk through the shit were being hit on by the dogs. Not the dogs fault. The stupid humans fault.

Then.... finally as i sit there, a man with a wheelchair comes. Under his breath he is mad as hell. He starts pushing me in the chair through the tunnels onto the ship. The whole way telling me he has COPD, he is from Jersey. Thanking me for getting him pulled as he is finally clocking out after going an hour over the end of his shift and indirectly commenting on how i am making his life more difficult with the weight he has to push and had he known he would not have moved here from Jersey and taken this job. Remarking on how HE WOULD NEVER dream of spending 1,000s to go on a vacation like this when he could be sitting in his beachfront house in front of his tv drinking beer all week instead. Youre an ah Kenneth or Keith, i cant remember which you said but its one of those. Barely employed for about 2 months. Why the hell did you take this job???? You not only body shamed me, you tried to guilt trip me over my need for assistance. Shame on you. Sounded like i should have been pushing you in that wheelchair instead. Find another job. You are very unkind. I was going to tip you by the way. My sons give handsome tips for the trouble.... you missed out. Also, it was a beautiful cabin. If i had stayed in it for an entire week this Christmas gift from my son was 100%...

I recently set sail from the Galveston Cruise Port, and I have to say—what a delightful experience it was! From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with genuine smiles and a warm, welcoming vibe that made the start of my vacation feel extra special.

Super Smooth Embarkation The ease of getting through the embarkation process was a major highlight. Everything from check-in to boarding was wonderfully efficient. Unlike some other ports that can feel a bit chaotic, Galveston’s process was refreshingly stress-free. It’s clear that the team here takes pride in making sure every guest feels at ease as they step into their cruise adventure.

Charming & Functional Facilities While the Galveston port may not have the ultra-glamorous appearance of some of the more polished cruise hubs—after all, the water here isn’t quite as blue and pretty as what you’d see in Florida—the emphasis is definitely on practicality and a friendly atmosphere. The facilities are designed with functionality in mind, ensuring that everything you need is right at your fingertips. There’s a down-to-earth charm about the place that really fits the spirit of Galveston.

Outstanding Customer Service One of the most memorable aspects of my experience was the incredible customer service. The staff were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly kind and bubbly, adding a personal touch that truly brightened my day. Their willingness to help with any questions or concerns made the entire process feel like a friendly chat with family rather than a formal procedure.

A Perfect Start to a Magical Journey Overall, while Galveston might not dazzle with the same scenic views or lavish decor as some other cruise ports, it more than makes up for it with a smooth, efficient embarkation process and a warm, inviting ambiance. It’s the kind of port that reminds you that sometimes, what really matters is the little touches of care and friendliness that set the tone for a memorable trip.

If you’re looking for a hassle-free and pleasantly surprising start to your cruise vacation, Galveston Cruise Port is a fantastic choice that will leave you smiling from start to finish. Enjoy every moment of...