For Galveston Cruisers: Things To Spot From Your Cruise Ship

           Try to spot these Galveston landmarks or things from your cruise ship while docked or sailing away from Galveston!  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 mini 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. 

Quick About Cruising From Galveston:  Cruise Terminal 1 is now named Cruise Terminal 25, Cruise Terminal 2 is now Cruise Terminal 28, and the new Royal Caribbean cruise terminal is Cruise Terminal 10. This numbering system reflects the pier numbers. 

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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 in person! 

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:
https://www.oceanstaroec.com/

         Once you are out in the Gulf of Mexico keep your eyes out for operational oil rigs & platforms. Throughout the first evening and into the night you may be able to see the lights from the rigs in the distance. This all depends on the exact route your ship is sailing. 

​Things To Spot #4:  Battleship Texas
             The Battleship Texas has been in dry-dock at Gulf Copper Galveston which is located on Pelican Island. If you are cruising out of Cruise Terminal 25 or Cruise Terminal 28 you should be able to see the Battleship while docked at the cruise terminal or during sail-a-way. Just look towards Pelican Island! If you are cruising from Cruise Terminal 10 you should be able to see the Battleship while docked and looking towards Pelican Island, but will not directly pass by during sail-a-way. 

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 SS Selma
          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 Museumclick 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 busy cruise homeport and depending on your cruise departure day you could see another ship! Carnival Cruise Line sails from Galveston year-round and has 3 ships sailing a variety of itineraries. Royal Caribbean sails from Galveston year-round and has 2 ships sailing. Royal Caribbean ships will depart from the brand new cruise terminal 10 starting in mid-November 2022. Disney Cruise Line sails seasonally from Galveston in the winter. Princess Cruise Line will be sailing from Galveston seasonally in 2022 and 2023.  

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.

Things To Spot #13:  Pilot Boat
              The Galveston-Texas City Pilots guide vessels in and out of port, including cruise ships. Look for the pilot boat as you sail from Galveston or on the very last morning of the cruise. The pilot boat pulls up to the cruise ship to pick up or drop-off the pilot that will help guide your cruise ship in or out of port. 

Things To Spot #14: Tanker or Cargo Ship
              As you leave Galveston you could see a variety of other ships that aren't cruise ships. This could include barges, tankers, cargo ships, tug boats, etc. During your sail-a-way you may see other ships docked at the Port of Galveston. As you get a little farther out you will likely see a many ships anchored waiting to come in to Galveston, Texas City, or Houston. 

         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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Carnival Dream Docked In Galveston

This article was originally written on 3/7/2015, updated in July 2016 & August 2019, and updated again in October 2022. ​