Galveston, Texas, has a brand new ship on the town as one of many fastest-growing ports within the U.S. welcomed a vessel from the quickly increasing MSC Cruises. The Lone Star State has formally grow to be a house port for MSC Seascape.
This ship, which first launched simply three years in the past, can maintain over 5,000 passengers, has 11 eating venues and 19 bars and lounges, and is house to every little thing from a room within the spa the place it snows to an adults-only infinity pool, a number of family-friendly waterslides and even a Robotron trip that may flip riders within the air as much as 174 ft above the water.
As somebody who sailed on MSC Seascape with my youngsters over the summer season from Miami, I can say Texans are in for lots of enjoyable with this ship — although perhaps skip Robotron on its “wildest” mode proper after lunch … until you are fearless, like my teen.
On high of all of the enjoyable that was already on board, now that it’s based mostly in Texas, MSC Seascape has even added some particular Texan-approved touches, akin to Texas smoked beef brisket with jalapeno barbecue sauce, line-dancing courses, Texas sports activities on the screens, what it’s calling “a Massive Texas sailaway get together,” spicy margaritas, and even an included breakfast possibility at Hola! Tacos & Cantina.
From its new house port in Galveston, MSC Seascape will function seven-night Western Caribbean sailings that go to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras.
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SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
I used to be particularly excited to see that pricing from Galveston begins at below $400 per individual for the weeklong sailings. On high of that budget-friendly beginning worth, contemplating all that’s included with the kids-sail-free gives, a household of 4 may have a weeklong trip beginning at simply over $1,000 after taxes and costs on some weeks.
Alternatively, if you would like an elevated ship-within-a-ship expertise, know that MSC Seascape additionally incorporates a Yacht Membership possibility.
Massive enlargement for the Port of Galveston
This arrival was a giant second not only for MSC, but in addition for Galveston, as Terminal 16 was formally opened on the identical day, turning into the port’s fourth terminal.
And this may not mark the tip of the cruise progress in Galveston. Subsequent month, the port may even welcome Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva, which can be a comparatively new ship that first set sail in 2023 with fashionable cabins, thrilling leisure like escape rooms and even an onboard displaying of the favored manufacturing “Beetlejuice.”
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When it arrives in December, Norwegian Viva may even function from Galveston’s new Terminal 16.
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A regular balcony cabin on Norwegian Viva. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Talking of Terminal 16, it isn’t solely new, modern and comfy inside, nevertheless it notably additionally has a devoted adjoining parking storage, which is the port’s first. This design makes getting out and in way more handy and seamless than lengthy walks with luggage, or shuttles to off-site tons to begin and finish your trip.
On the ribbon-cutting for the brand new terminal, the port director, Richard Rees, shared that Galveston will serve round 2 million cruise passengers yearly (of whom 50% are from Texas), however that about 46 million potential cruisers dwell inside a day’s drive of the port, making for a big potential pool of vacationers for MSC and the opposite traces heading to Texas.
He additionally highlighted how, simply 25 years in the past, Galveston was a really small cruise port with nearly no sailings, and it has grown into one of many largest and fastest-growing ports within the nation, with traces akin to Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian and now MSC working sailings.
Galveston is simply part of MSC’s US enlargement
If you have not but heard of MSC Cruises, regardless of it being one of many world’s largest cruise traces, it’s probably as a result of, as lately as 2017, MSC Cruises had only a single ship based mostly in North America.
Nonetheless, loads has modified in a brief period of time. This winter, the road will depend seven vessels based mostly within the U.S. throughout 4 house ports: Miami; Port Canaveral, Florida; New York Metropolis; and now Galveston.
This U.S.-based fleet consists of MSC World America, a crown jewel in MSC’s fleet and one of many world’s largest cruise ships, which first set sail earlier in 2025 from the brand new MSC Terminal in PortMiami, which additionally occurs to be the world’s largest cruise terminal.
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MSC World America lights up the evening whereas at sea. IVAN SARFATTI/MSC CRUISES
MSC has the objective of being a family identify within the U.S., in keeping with latest remarks in Galveston from the president of MSC Cruises North America, Lynn Torrent.
And given the world-class ships, its new terminals and the road’s latest Texas enlargement to a centrally situated port that simply opens up MSC to thousands and thousands of extra vacationers, the road might be on its method to being a family identify sooner fairly than later.
