Island Breeze Shuttle

01/12/2024

MSC Cruise line coming to Galveston 11/2025

07/03/2023

https://www.princess.com/learn/cruise-destinations/cruises-from-galveston/?cid=bm_social_socialpaid_fb_baseloadtx_inmarket_na_img_ship&fbclid=IwAR3CQSGN_9vJMiuutj58o6fpd9TKl4tYzPF38t9lBL3dVBocMzMlkndwHgY

There’s something for everyone on Princess® cruises from Galveston to the Caribbean or Panama Canal. Sail on Galveston cruise ships for a vacation you’ll never forget.

03/11/2023

Welcome to the world Corvin Cruz, born 3/8/23. First grandchild to our valued team member Charles Smith and his wife Judith.

03/02/2023

Carnival Miracle will join vessels Breeze, Dream and Vista in the fall of 2024 and offer trips of nine to 12 days through the spring of 2025, the company said.

02/02/2023

Welcome to the world, Mason Michael Olmos, the first Grand Baby to our valued team member, Lucky Olmos. Congrats to the entire Olmos family

12/21/2022

Galveston, TX (Dec. 21, 2022) – The Galveston Wharves, a major U.S. cruise homeport, and MSC Cruises, a leading international cruise company, are negotiating the development of a fourth cruise terminal at the Port of Galveston. The entities signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Dec. 7 outlining parameters of a potential agreement for the development and operation of a terminal at piers 16-18.

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO, said, “We’re excited about the huge potential of this mutually beneficial public-private partnership. Adding MSC to our family of cruise lines would offer our cruise guests an elegant, European-style cruise experience. It would elevate our status as a top U.S. cruise homeport, boost the regional economy and allow MSC to reach a new market of millions of cruise passengers in the Central U.S.”

Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said, “The prospect of developing a new homeport in Galveston is exciting because it represents a big step in our ongoing North American expansion. Bringing our modern, glamorous ships to Texas would provide even more access and opportunities for guests and travel advisors to experience the future of cruising with MSC Cruises and our unique European style. We look forward to productive discussions with the Galveston Wharves as we chart MSC’s future in the U.S. market.”

MSC Cruises is the world’s third largest and fastest-growing cruise brand. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the privately held company employs a staff of more than 30,000 globally. It is the market leader in Europe, South America, the Persian Gulf region and Southern Africa, with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and Far East markets.

The Port of Galveston is the fourth most popular cruise homeport in the U.S., hosting more than 1 million cruise passengers a year. MORE https://www.portofgalveston.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=245

12/20/2022

12/15/2022

Holiday Party for our Team!

07/02/2022

04/14/2022

https://www.facebook.com/theportofgalveston/photos/a.10150130752864301/10160497970459301/?type=3

The Royal Caribbean International cruise terminal at Pier 10 is really taking shape. This April 13 drone shot gives you a bird's eye view of the 160,000-square-foot terminal opening this fall!

03/16/2022

https://www.galvnews.com/news/article_19573c77-dead-5e7f-b951-28861fe43484.html

Princess Cruises will deploy the 951-foot, 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess in Galveston for a series of five- and 11-day cruises calling mainly to destinations in the Western Caribbean.

03/14/2022

https://houston.eater.com/maps/galveston-best-restaurants-where-to-eat

Where to find lunch, brunch, dinner, or drinks on the island

02/28/2022

Island Breeze Shuttle is a Galveston based/owned company and we are hiring. If you want to work part time, pick the days you want to work and have fun while working, you should apply!!! We transfer passengers between airports, cruise ports, hotels, convention centers, their homes, RV parks etc. Our drivers average $20-$25 an hour (wages and tips). The important stuff: you drive our vehicles, we provide a uniform shirt, you MUST pass a drug/alcohol screen and a criminal background check. If you are interested please call 409.770.0100 or email [email protected]

12/20/2021

https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-sneak-peek-inside-125-million-galveston-terminal/61776?fbclid=IwAR1lhC4ans2PhsImuZoLz01ghXkZi7eiMBwUSyXIXv2fRx-B9UAlB-YabWA

Royal Caribbean shares sneak peek inside its new state-of-the-art $125 million terminal in Galveston Texas, currently under construction.

11/12/2021

Carnival's 5,400-passenger Jubilee, under construction in Germany, will be the first cruise ship powered by liquified natural gas to sail from Galveston, officials said.

11/10/2021

WELCOME ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS!

RCI’s Adventure of the Seas Homeports in Galveston, Begins Seasonal Sailings

Galveston, TX (Nov. 8, 2021) – Royal Caribbean International’s Adventure of the Seas, the fourth Voyager-class ship to homeport in Texas, began its inaugural seasonal sailing itinerary from the Port of Galveston on Nov. 8 with a 5-day Western Caribbean cruise.

The largest RCI ship sailing short getaways from Galveston, Adventure of the Seas offers 4- and 5-day sailings to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

“We welcome Adventure of the Seas to her new home, the fourth most popular cruise port in the U.S. and only cruise port in Texas,” said Rodger Rees, Galveston port director and CEO. “Giving cruise passengers additional sailing options is one of the reasons why our port continues to draw more than a million passengers a year from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and beyond.”

Adventure of the Seas joins RCI’s Liberty of the Seas as the largest cruise ship to sail from Galveston, which draws from a cruise market of an estimated 30 million people within a 300-mile radius. The port anticipates an average of 3,100 passengers per cruise.

In 2022, the Port of Galveston will prepare to welcome RCI’s award-winning Oasis Class ship, Allure of the Seas. One of the world’s largest, most innovative cruise ships and the first of its kind to call Galveston home, the ship will sail from RCI’s new $125 million cruise terminal.

The terminal is under construction and scheduled to open in fall 2022. Rees called the port’s third cruise terminal a game-changer for Port of Galveston cruise passengers and the Galveston community.”

The construction project will generate an estimated 400 Texas construction jobs and 400 local operations jobs. The161,300-square-foot terminal will cover 10 acres at Pier 10 in the easternmost area of the port on Galveston Island. The port will build and operate an 1,800-space cruise parking lot at the terminal.

The port began its successful partnership with Royal Caribbean in 2002 with the inaugural sailing of Rhapsody of the Seas.

About Galveston Wharves at the Port of Galveston
Located at the entrance to Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, Galveston Wharves has been a thriving maritime commercial center since 1825. Just 45 minutes from open seas, the 840-acre port has infrastructure and assets to serve growing cruise, cargo and commercial businesses. As the fourth most popular U.S. cruise port, it welcomed more than 1 million cruise passengers in 2019. Also one of the busiest in Texas, the port moved 4.3 million tons of cargo in 2020 and has an estimated annual state economic impact of $2.1 billion.

10/07/2021

https://wdwnt.com/2021/10/disney-wonder-to-resume-international-sailings-from-galveston-beginning-november-19th-without-select-castaway-cay-visits/?fbclid=IwAR3rw_U8aM25aArhU08KatxvPcnxJq_TYW22SUrwgblqhgc9AZSSDO_d-9E

Disney Cruise Line returns to the Lone Star State with sailings from Galveston, Texas resuming November 19th.

08/16/2021

https://realtynewsreport.com/redo-at-historic-galvez-is-part-of-galveston-upswing/?fbclid=IwAR0xoXMQQvuK9mKmqZ_Lg0B5ooz0BYgTHDMVXSwW2g6V2gm5aMhOVvRqwhY

GALVESTON – (Realty News Report) -The renovation of the historic Galvez Hotel, which has been renamed the “Grand Galvez” will be complete in 2022, (Redo at Historic Galvez)

08/15/2021

Officials toasted the start of work on a new cruise terminal that's expected to open in late 2022.

08/10/2021

Island Breeze Shuttle is a Galveston based/owned company and we are hiring. If you want to work part time, pick the days you want to work and have fun while working, you should apply!!! We transfer passengers between airports, cruise ports, hotels, convention centers, their homes, RV parks etc. Our drivers average $20-$25 an hour (wages and tips). The important stuff: you drive our vehicles, we provide a uniform shirt, you MUST pass a drug/alcohol screen and a criminal background check. If you are interested please call 409.770.0100 or email [email protected].

05/30/2021

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2021/05/28/carnival-cruises-july-summer-galveston-miami-port-canaveral-cdc-approval/5252710001/

Carnival Cruise Line plans to sail with passengers this July and got approval on its plans with home ports in Galveston, Miami and Port Canaveral.

05/24/2021

https://www.businessinsider.com/royal-caribbean-covid-vaccine-mandate-guests-cruise-2021-5

"We want you to be more comfortable walking onboard a ship than walking down Main Street," Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean's CEO, told the BBC.

05/12/2021

GALVESTON WHARVES TO WELCOME FIRST NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE SHIP

Galveston, TX (May 12, 2021) – Galveston Wharves announced today that Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima would set sail from the Port of Galveston in fall 2022. This is the brand’s first new class of ships in nearly 10 years and the first-ever Norwegian Cruise Line ship to sail from Galveston.

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, said, “We’re thrilled that Norwegian Cruise Line chose Galveston, the fourth most popular cruise port in the U.S., as one of the first U.S. ports to debut its newest ship.”

The ship’s visit to Galveston, the only cruise port in Texas, is part of a larger effort to debut its newest ship in a number of major markets. Galveston is a major drive-to market with 30 million people living within a 300-mile radius.

On Oct. 15 the 140,000-ton, 3215-passenger Norwegian Prima will depart for Galveston from New York on a 12-night Caribbean voyage that will include stops at Curacao, Bonaire and Aruba. While in Galveston, Norwegian Prima will sail two roundtrip Western Caribbean voyages: a 3-day cruise on Oct. 27 and a 4-day cruise on Oct. 31.

Port officials are in discussions with the cruise line and hope to pen a memorandum of understanding for a long-term strategy beginning in November 2023.

About the Galveston Wharves at the Port of Galveston
Located at the entrance to Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, Galveston Wharves has been a thriving maritime commercial center since 1825. Just 45 minutes from open seas, the 840-acre port has infrastructure and assets to serve growing cruise, cargo and commercial businesses. As the fourth most popular U.S. cruise port, it welcomed more than 1 million cruise passengers in 2019. Also one of the busiest in Texas, the port moved 4.3 million tons of cargo in 2020 and has an estimated annual state economic impact of $2.1 billion.

05/12/2021

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2021/05/11/carnival-cruise-line-eyes-july-restart-3-ships-florida-texas/5043111001/

Carnival Cruise Line announced Tuesday that it is planning to restart its U.S. operations with 3 ships sailing out of ports in Texas and Florida.

05/04/2021

https://www.galvnews.com/news/free/article_ddf3efb5-d013-54bf-a7b1-7840fcd196da.html

The University of Texas Medical Branch is working with Carnival Cruise Line to vaccinate hundreds of cruise ship employees, officials confirmed Monday.

05/01/2021

https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2021/04/29/cdc-us-cruises-can-restart-this-summer---as-long-as-95-of-passengers-are-fully-vaccinated/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=news_tab&utm_content=algorithm&sh=17877be55b89

Cruise lines can return to American waters as early as July, with a few big conditions.

04/29/2021

https://www.galveston.com/cruise-ships-headed-to-galveston/?fbclid=IwAR2g4KX2JMzU38OZrmbd4RY6bGmS-71yCEHyx0J41RTfg6OGDspP7kleN0Y

When you see Houston news trucks parked on Harborside Drive, you know something is up at the Port of Galveston. As it turns out, Carnival is planning to sail two ships to Galveston - possibly this weekend. Port Director, Roger Rees spoke to one reporter and offered his perspective, "Their intentions...

04/19/2021

No one knows exactly when cruise ships will sail again from the Port of Galveston, but I can assure you that we’ll be ready.

As the fourth most popular cruise port in the U.S. and only cruise homeport in Texas, the Port of Galveston is an important cruise industry partner. We’re closely monitoring progress as industry leaders, federal officials and Congress shape how to resume safe, sustainable cruising the U.S.

Our staff has begun planning for a phased resumption of cruising as early as July, just to be ready.

To date, we’ve voluntarily invested $100,000 in health and safety upgrades in our cruise terminals. We continuously monitor updates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as they develop the guidelines that ports will follow for cruise terminal, parking and other operations.

Just as we did in the pandemic’s early stages, we’re communicating and coordinating with local health authorities and county, state and federal agencies to ensure that this region is prepared for safe, sustainable cruising.

We’re also involved in regular discussions with cruise industry leaders to raise awareness among elected officials, the CDC and other decision-makers about the critical importance of getting the U.S. cruise industry sailing again.

Current indications are that cruises could resume by late this summer or early fall. I know that’s great news for millions of cruising fans and the thousands of Texans who benefit economically from the Port of Galveston’s cruise business.

Suspension of cruising from Galveston has resulted in huge losses for the Texas economy and families who rely on this industry. Based on historical economic impact annual statistics, loses are estimated at $1.2 billion in direct spending, 23,000 jobs and $1.6 billion in wages statewide.

Florida, the nation’s top cruising state, reported a $3.2 billion loss in the first six months of the pandemic, including almost 50,000 jobs paying $2.3 billion in wages, according to a September 2020 report from the Federal Maritime Commission.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy estimated that the total impact of the 2020 and 2021 cruise sailings being canceled will result in more than $3.3 billion in lost domestic product.

While ports that rely solely on cruising have been hit hard by the suspension, the Port of Galveston is fortunate to have a more diverse business mix, including cargo and commercial operations.

We’re also fortunate to have a great staff, who have worked together to hustle for business and manage expenses. By going after more lay ship business last year, the port collected $6.1 million, a new record for the port. Cargo was another bright spot. Despite the pandemic, port staff and our port partners, including the International Longshoremen’s Association, moved 4.3 million tons of cargo through the port, generating $11.4 million in port revenues.

As a result, the Galveston Wharves maintains a positive cash flow.

At a special Wharves Board of Trustees meeting this week, the board considered many of the topics I’ve covered in this column and discussed adjustments to the port’s 2021 budget based on past performance and business forecasts. The Finance Committee requested a budget reflecting phased-in cruise operations beginning in August and increasing through the rest of 2021.

The full board is expected to vote on April 27 to adopt a revised budget that reflects continued confidence in the port staff’s performance and in a conservative expectation that Galveston cruises will ramp up beginning in August. At this point, it is still unknown what to expect from the CDC moving forward.

Rodger Rees is Galveston Wharves port director and chief executive officer.

04/17/2021

Dallas hotelier Mark Wyant has a knack for transforming historic buildings into contemporary showplaces with an homage to the past. So it is with a certain excitement that fans of Galveston's Hotel Galvez and Spa applaud Wyant's purchase of the grand property.