Carnival Vista & Liberty of the Seas As the year 2018 comes to a close, it is time to look towards 2019 which will bring another year of cruising and exciting growth to the Galveston cruise industry. Over the past few years, Galveston's cruise industry has seen more cruise ships, larger ships replacing smaller ships, and an increasing number of sailings that resulted from the increased ships sailing from Galveston as a homeport. Here is an overview of what to expect from cruise lines that sail from Galveston in 2019:
Carnival Cruise Line
Just like 2018, Carnival Cruise Line will continue having three year round ships departing Galveston. The Carnival Vista's seven night year-round cruises will continue. In the early part of 2019, the Carnival Vista's cruises will depart on Sundays, but in spring 2019 the Carnival Vista will begin departing on Saturdays. The Carnival Freedom will begin the year sailing 7 night cruises, but will begin sailing 6 & 8 night cruises in the spring. The Carnival Dream will replace the Carnival Valor to sail 4 & 5 night cruises beginning in May 2019. This change will mark a capacity increase for Galveston because the Carnival Valor carries 2,980 guests (double occupancy), but the Carnival Dream will carry 3,646 guests (double occupancy). Furthermore, the Carnival Dream has a gross tonnage of approximately 130,000 and is 1,004 feet long. This will be an exciting change for Galveston!
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean's number of cruises from Galveston will increase in 2019 when the cruise line re-begins 4 & 5 night cruises from Galveston. The Liberty of the Seas will continue primarily sailing 7 night cruises from Galveston that depart on Sundays. Although in 2018 Royal Caribbean had some 4 & 5 night cruises, the cruise line did not offer these voyages throughout the year. However, starting in March 2019 Royal Caribbean will begin 4 & 5 night cruises that last throughout the year and into 2020. The Vision of the Seas will come back to Galveston in March 2019 to begin the 4 & 5 night cruises, but in May 2019 the Enchantment of the Seas will replace the Vision of the Seas' place to continue these 4 & 5 night cruises. The addition of these voyages and an extra ship to Galveston will be exciting. This means starting in 2019 Royal Caribbean will have two year round ships from Galveston!
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line will once again sail seasonally from Galveston in 2019. The year will start with the Disney Wonder sailing from Galveston, but in mid-January the ship will reposition. However, in November 2019 the Disney Wonder will return to sail more seasonal cruises from Galveston.
Overall: It appears 2019 will be another exciting year of growth for the Port of Galveston! With the agreement for cruise terminal #3 in the works with Royal Caribbean, I am sure future years after 2019 will bring even more exciting news and growth for the port.
For more information about itineraries, sailing dates, and for the most up to date information please visit each respective cruise line's website. All this information was compiled from the individual cruise line's websites.
Carnival Cruise Line
Just like 2018, Carnival Cruise Line will continue having three year round ships departing Galveston. The Carnival Vista's seven night year-round cruises will continue. In the early part of 2019, the Carnival Vista's cruises will depart on Sundays, but in spring 2019 the Carnival Vista will begin departing on Saturdays. The Carnival Freedom will begin the year sailing 7 night cruises, but will begin sailing 6 & 8 night cruises in the spring. The Carnival Dream will replace the Carnival Valor to sail 4 & 5 night cruises beginning in May 2019. This change will mark a capacity increase for Galveston because the Carnival Valor carries 2,980 guests (double occupancy), but the Carnival Dream will carry 3,646 guests (double occupancy). Furthermore, the Carnival Dream has a gross tonnage of approximately 130,000 and is 1,004 feet long. This will be an exciting change for Galveston!
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean's number of cruises from Galveston will increase in 2019 when the cruise line re-begins 4 & 5 night cruises from Galveston. The Liberty of the Seas will continue primarily sailing 7 night cruises from Galveston that depart on Sundays. Although in 2018 Royal Caribbean had some 4 & 5 night cruises, the cruise line did not offer these voyages throughout the year. However, starting in March 2019 Royal Caribbean will begin 4 & 5 night cruises that last throughout the year and into 2020. The Vision of the Seas will come back to Galveston in March 2019 to begin the 4 & 5 night cruises, but in May 2019 the Enchantment of the Seas will replace the Vision of the Seas' place to continue these 4 & 5 night cruises. The addition of these voyages and an extra ship to Galveston will be exciting. This means starting in 2019 Royal Caribbean will have two year round ships from Galveston!
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line will once again sail seasonally from Galveston in 2019. The year will start with the Disney Wonder sailing from Galveston, but in mid-January the ship will reposition. However, in November 2019 the Disney Wonder will return to sail more seasonal cruises from Galveston.
Overall: It appears 2019 will be another exciting year of growth for the Port of Galveston! With the agreement for cruise terminal #3 in the works with Royal Caribbean, I am sure future years after 2019 will bring even more exciting news and growth for the port.
For more information about itineraries, sailing dates, and for the most up to date information please visit each respective cruise line's website. All this information was compiled from the individual cruise line's websites.