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 change into 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 residence to every part 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 toes 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 perhaps skip Robotron on its “wildest” mode proper after lunch … except you are fearless, like my teen.
On prime of all of the enjoyable that was already on board, now that it’s primarily based in Texas, MSC Seascape has even added some particular Texan-approved touches, reminiscent of Texas smoked beef brisket with jalapeno barbecue sauce, line-dancing courses, Texas sports activities on the screens, what it’s calling “a Large Texas sailaway occasion,” spicy margaritas, and even an included breakfast possibility at Hola! Tacos & Cantina.
From its new residence 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 underneath $400 per particular person for the weeklong sailings. On prime of that budget-friendly beginning worth, contemplating all that’s included with the kids-sail-free presents, a household of 4 may have a weeklong trip beginning at simply over $1,000 after taxes and costs on some weeks.
Then again, if you’d like an elevated ship-within-a-ship expertise, know that MSC Seascape additionally includes a Yacht Membership possibility.
Large growth for the Port of Galveston
This arrival was an enormous second not only for MSC, but additionally 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 development in Galveston. Subsequent month, the port may also 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.”
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When it arrives in December, Norwegian Viva may also function from Galveston’s new Terminal 16.
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A normal balcony cabin on Norwegian Viva. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Talking of Terminal 16, it’s not solely new, smooth and comfy inside, however 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 reside 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 one of many largest and fastest-growing ports within the nation, with traces reminiscent of Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian and now MSC working sailings.
Galveston is simply part of MSC’s US growth
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 primarily based in North America.
Nonetheless, quite a bit has modified in a brief period of time. This winter, the road will depend seven vessels primarily based within the U.S. throughout 4 residence ports: Miami; Port Canaveral, Florida; New York Metropolis; and now Galveston.
This U.S.-based fleet contains 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 night time whereas at sea. IVAN SARFATTI/MSC CRUISES
MSC has the aim of being a family title within the U.S., based on 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 growth to a centrally situated port that simply opens up MSC to thousands and thousands of extra vacationers, the road could be on its strategy to being a family title sooner slightly than later.
