Galveston 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 the MSC Seascape.
This ship, which first launched simply three years in the past, can maintain over 5,000 passengers, has 11 eating venues, 19 bars and lounges, and is house to the whole lot 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 journey that may flip riders within the air as much as 174 ft above the water.
As somebody who sailed on MSC Seascape with my children over the summer time from Miami, I can say Texans are in for lots of enjoyable with this ship — although possibly 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 onboard, now that it’s primarily based in Texas, MSC Seascape has even added some particular Texan-approved touches onboard, corresponding to Texas smoked beef brisket with jalapeno BBQ sauce, line-dancing courses, Texas sports activities on the screens, what they’re calling “a Large Texas sailaway celebration,” spicy margaritas and even an included breakfast possibility at Hola! Tacos & Cantina.
From its new house port in Galveston, the MSC Seascape will function seven-night Western Caribbean sailings that go to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras.
1 of 5
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
I used to be particularly excited to see that pricing from Galveston begins at underneath $400 per particular person for the week-long sailings. On high of that budget-friendly beginning worth, contemplating all that’s included with the child sail free affords, a household of 4 may have a week-long trip beginning at simply over $1,000 after taxes and charges on some weeks.
Alternatively, if you would like an elevated ship-within-a-ship expertise, know that MSC Seascape additionally contains a Yacht Membership possibility.
Large 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, changing into the port’s fourth terminal.
And this would possibly not mark the top of the cruise progress in Galveston. Subsequent month, the port can even welcome Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva, which can also be a comparatively new ship that first set sail in 2023 with trendy cabins, thrilling leisure like escape rooms and even an onboard displaying of the favored manufacturing, “Beetlejuice.”
Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day e-newsletter
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
When it arrives in December, Norwegian Viva can even function from Galveston’s new Terminal 16.
1 of 4
A typical balcony cabin on Norwegian Viva. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Talking of Terminal 16, it’s not solely new, smooth 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 rather more handy and seamless than lengthy walks with baggage, or shuttles to off-site heaps 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 stay 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 virtually no sailings, and it has grown into being one of many largest and fastest-growing ports within the nation, with traces corresponding to Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney, Norwegian and now MSC working sailings.
Galveston is simply part of MSC’s U.S. enlargement
If you have not but heard of MSC Cruises, regardless of it being one of many world’s largest cruise traces, it’s possible as a result of, as just lately as 2017, MSC Cruises had only a single ship primarily based in North America.
Nevertheless, loads has modified in a brief period of time. This winter, the road will rely seven vessels primarily based within the U.S. throughout 4 house ports that embody Miami, Port Canaveral, New York Metropolis and now Galveston, Texas.
This U.S.-based fleet contains the 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 now.
1 of 4
MSC World America lights up the evening whereas at sea. IVAN SARFATTI/MSC CRUISES
MSC has the purpose of being a family title 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 positioned port that simply opens up MSC to thousands and thousands of extra vacationers, the road might be on its technique to being a family title sooner quite than later.
