For Galveston Cruisers: Things To Spot From Your Cruise Ship

      When you get on your cruise ship you are finally on vacation and enjoy your ship & the sights outside. Galveston is a homeport for many cruise ships and a great place to begin your cruise vacation. When I cruise from Galveston, I always try to spot different buildings, landmarks, and things around the city while the ship is docked at the terminal and sailing away. I created this scavenger hunt to help those sailing from Galveston know of some things to look for from the deck of their ship. Some of the things on my list are able to be seen when your cruise ship is docked, but other things can only been seen once the ship is sailing out of Galveston. This article was originally written in March 2015, updated in July 2016, but has recently been updated in May 2019. 

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Thing To Spot #1: Giant Cornet
       A cornet is very similar to a trumpet and for those sailing from Galveston you have a chance to spot one from your cruise ship. For those trying to spot the cornet from their ship look for it in the Galveston Historic Strand. It is visible without using binoculars, but for a better view bring binoculars or use your camera's zoom feature. For those cruisers that don't see it from their cruise ship or miss seeing it, it is located at the intersection of 23rd Street and Strand Street in Galveston's Historic Strand.  

Thing To Spot #2:  The Rides of Pleasure Pier
         Although the cruise terminals are located on the opposite side of the island from Galveston's Pleasure Pier, you can still see many of the rides from your cruise ship. If you miss seeing Pleasure Pier from your cruise ship it is located at 2501 Seawall Blvd. If you are interested in visiting the rides or pier of Pleasure Pier before or after your cruise here is their website link:
http://www.pleasurepier.com/

Note:  The camera I used on this cruise makes the pier look farther away than it really is. The top of the rides are much easier to spot!

Thing To Spot #3: Ocean Star Drilling Museum 
(Oil Rig That Is Now A Museum)
        Depending which cruise terminal your cruise ship is docked at will determine how easy you can see this. From your ship look for the Ocean Star Drilling Museum. It is a big oil rig that is parked. This one should be easy to spot as your ship sails. For more information about this attraction:
 http://www.oceanstaroec.com/index.htm

         If you are lucky you may also see other oil rigs from your ship after you have sailed away from Galveston. On the first night of your cruise look for the lights of oil rigs in the distance.

Thing To Spot #4:  Tractors & Machinery
         From your cruise ship, as you depart Galveston, try to spot tractors and machinery sitting on the port's docks. In the picture to the left of this, you can see some green tractors and other machinery. If you miss during your ship's departure, try to spot it when your ship is returning back to Galveston to end your cruise.

Thing To Spot #5:  A Train (Any Train Will Do)
            Near both cruise terminals you will have an opportunity to try to spot a train, whether it is moving or parked.  This will probably be easiest to spot from Cruise Terminal #2, but the cruisers that are at Cruise Terminal #1 should still be able to see the railroad tracks too.  This thing should be easy to spot!

Thing To Spot #6: A Ferry
           The Galveston - Bolivar ferries are constantly traveling back and forth to transport cars and passengers from Galveston to Bolivar (and vice versa). From your cruise ship you may be able to see the ferries while the ship is docked, but when your ship is sailing away you should be able to get a good view of the ferries, whether they are docked or moving.

Thing To Spot #7:  Seawolf Park
          Seawolf Park is located on Pelican Island, which is something cruise ships pass by when sailing to/from Galveston. This should be an easy area to spot! 

Thing To Spot #8:  Shipwrecked Ship
          Whether you are departing Galveston on a cruise ship or on the Galveston-Bolivar Ferry you should be able to spot the SS Selma. The SS Selma is shipwrecked. The best viewing is from the ferry, but it can be spotted by the cruise ship. As you ship passes Seawolf Park look into Galveston Bay and you should be able to spot the wreckage. 

Thing To Spot #9:  Elissa 
          Shortly after departing from one of the Galveston cruise terminals you should be able to spot the tall ship Elissa. For more information on the Elissa's history and Texas Seaport Museum click here (you will be directed away from RyG's Cruise Guide).  

Thing To Spot #10:  Texas A&M Galveston Campus
         If you look towards the bridge that connects Galveston Island and Pelican Island you should be able to spot some of the buildings that are a part of Texas A&M's Galveston campus. On the Pelican Island side of the bridge, right as the bridge connects to the land you should be able to see the fishing pier and some buildings that are a part of the campus. This is best able to be spotted while your ship is docked in Galveston prior to departure. 

Thing To Spot #11:  Another Cruise Ship
             Galveston is a year round homeport to 3 Carnival Cruise Line ships and 2 Royal Caribbean ships. Additionally, Disney Cruise Line homeports a ship from Galveston seasonally in the winter. Galveston currently has two cruise terminals and in a few years there will be three cruise terminals. Depending on your cruise departure day, you may be able to spot another cruise ship in Galveston. Terminal 1 and 2 are located right by each other. 

Things To Spot #12:  One Moody Plaza Building
             Each time I cruise from Galveston I notice the One Moody Plaza because of its tallness. I think this building is used for office space, but I am not sure. I had trouble finding information on this building. I tried to find the building's actual name and usage and did not have good search results. You should able to spot this building while your ship is docked or during sail-a-way.

         There are many more things you can look for from your cruise ship as it departs Galveston, but this list is my favorite items to look for as my cruise departs. 

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