Carnival Cruise Lines to offer more short and long sailings from the Texas port

Galveston is becoming more popular with cruise travelers all the time.  Sourcing passengers from Texas and surrounding states within driving distance, cruise lines are offering more choices too.  I was reminded of this the other day when a reader asked about “Short sailings from Florida, Texas or Louisiana.” Research revealed rather quickly that Carnival Cruise Lines clearly dominates the short-cruise drive market in all those places.  Still, the Fun Ship line continues to look for opportunities to provide longer options too, recently announcing a series of 10- to 12-day sailings on Carnival Triumph from Galveston.

Taking advantage of Galveston’s strategic location in the Gulf of Mexico, Carnival Triumph will sail a series of longer voyages, offering three different choices.  The three new voyages complement Carnival Triumph’s previously announced series of 10- and 11-day cruises from Galveston and San Juan in 2015 and 2016.

“These new longer cruises on Carnival Triumph visit a variety of beautiful destinations while offering more time to enjoy the ship’s many fantastic and exciting features.”- Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO

Southern Caribbean
An 11-day southern Caribbean voyage from Galveston to San Juan Feb. 9-20, 2015, calling at Grand Cayman, Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Dominica and St. Maarten.

Exotic Eastern  Caribbean
A 10-day exotic eastern Caribbean voyage from San Juan to Galveston Feb. 20 – March 2, 2015, with visits to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Croix and Falmouth (Jamaica).

Journey of Discovery
A 12-day Journey of Discovery cruise round-trip from Galveston March 2-14, 2015, featuring Grand Cayman, Limon (Costa Rica), Colon (Panama), and Cartagena and Santa Marta (Colombia). From Colon, guests will have the opportunity to take an optional excursion for an up-close view of the wonders of the Panama Canal. The call at Santa Marta will mark Carnival’s first-ever visit to this beautiful and exciting seaside city.

Bonus Epic Journey
The three voyages can be combined to create an unforgettable 33-day seagoing adventure visiting 15 ports across two continents.

“Based on feedback we’ve received from our guests and valued travel agent partners, we are pleased to be able to provide even more itinerary choices from Galveston,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO, as Carnival rolled out the longer sailings as well as some new short-cruise offerings.

Previously announced 11-day cruises sail from Galveston to San Juan Oct. 24, 2015, and Jan. 16, 2016, and two 10-day cruises will operate from San Juan to Galveston Nov. 4, 2015, and Jan. 27, 2016.

More Short Cruises Too
Carnival Magic will offer a series of four- to six-day voyages from Galveston in winter 2015, marking the first time that the 130,000-ton ship has offered a short cruise program from Texas.

Carnival Magic’s short cruise program will encompass two four-day cruises to Cozumel departing Feb. 19 and March 5, 2015; two five-day cruises to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico, departing Feb. 14 and 23, 2015; and two unique six-day cruises to Cozumel, Progreso and Costa Maya departing Feb. 8 and March 9, 2015.

Photos- Carnival Cruise Lines