Galveston TX

CRUISE TERMINAL LOCATIONS: Terminal No. 1: 2502 Harborside Drive Terminal No. 2: 2702 Harborside Drive Terminal 10 has been in service from September 2022. The new Royal Caribbean terminal has been designed to accommodate Oasis-class ships.

If using a GPS or Map Program, use the following: Cruise Terminals: 22nd Street & Harborside Drive Parking Lots: 33rd Street & Harborside Drive

There is a high demand for taxicabs during "peak" debarkation hours. At times, taxicabs may not be readily available. Please be patient and prepared to wait as other taxi cabs return to the Cruise Terminals throughout the debarkation morning rush!

Cruise lines typically offer motor coach services between the airport and Galveston cruise terminal; these are generally available both as part of air/sea packages and a la carte.

The port is within a fair walking distance to town and beaches.

The George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is about 70 miles from Galveston. Taxi about $55. Hobby Airport (HOU) is closer at 42 miles. The journey is about an hour and a half from either airport. Taxi about $45.

Note: The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has begun charging importation taxes on all alcohol and cigarette purchases made by cruise passengers during their cruises. The tax applies to purchases made at foreign ports of call as well as at onboard duty-free shops. Tax collection points will be set up in terminal 1 and 2 at the Galveston port near where cruisers come through the U.S. Customs secondary checkpoint. Galveston Limousine offers frequent service from both airports to the cruise terminal in Galveston.

Parking is $10 a day at the port. Drop of your luggage first. The parking lots are about ½ mile from the terminal, shuttle bus available.

Hotels in Galveston. Remember to book your hotel early, some weekends are booked solid, lots of other activities and events are always going on.

Printable map to take along.

Galveston's historic downtown and abundant beaches are major tourist destinations. Houstonians and visitors from around the world purchase beach homes and condominiums and make Galveston their second home.

Other attractions in Galveston include Moody Gardens, the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, the Galveston Railroad Museum, Schlitterbahn, the Strand and the Lone Star Flight Museum. Galveston is also home to several historic ships: the tall ship Elissa (the official Tall Ship of Texas) at the Texas Seaport Museum and USS Cavalla and USS Stewart, both berthed at Seawolf Park on nearby Pelican Island.

The island is small enough that walking can take you most places, although it is not recommended in all neighborhoods, particularly outside the historic district, the Strand, and the Harborside district.

Island Transit services continue to be modified due to damages from Hurricane Ike. Check back periodically for updated operation information

The Galveston Strand shopping district is one of the main attractions of the island with stores housed in elegant Victorian buildings, leisurely horse and carriage rides, gorgeous window displays, and stores full of merchandise from around the world. With all the art galleries, antique galleries, gift and collectible boutiques, and dining establishments, one could spend several days exploring fully the intricacies of The Galveston Strand and Downtown Galveston.

The official U.S. currency is the United States dollar (symbol: $). ATM's everywhere.

Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely used and accepted, even for transactions worth only a few dollars. In fact, in some cases, it may be the only way to make a transaction. Note to overseas visitors: Prices of goods and services always seem lower than they really are, as taxes and gratuities are seldom included.

Most states have a sales tax, ranging from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price; 4-6% is typical. Sales tax is almost never included in posted prices (except for gasoline, and in most states, alcoholic beverages consumed on-premises), but instead will be calculated and added to the total when you pay.

Tipping in America is widely used and expected. While Americans themselves often debate correct levels and exactly who deserves to be tipped, generally accepted standard rates are:

• Full-service restaurants: 15-20% (Often this is the only income of the wait(ress). Tips are either left in cash or you can add it to the credit card slip) Note: Few restaurants add an automatic service charge, in which case it is up to you how much you tip extra. Check your bill!
• Taxi drivers, hairdressers, other personal services: 10-15%
• Bartenders: $1 per drink if inexpensive or 15% of total
• Bellhops: $1-2 per bag ($3-5 minimum regardless)
• Hotel doorman: $1 per bag (if they assist), $1 for calling a cab
• Tour guides: Depending on tour length, size, and overall quality of guided tours; for half day tours or less $5-10 per person, for longer tours $10-20 per person.
• Private car & limousine drivers: 15-20%
• Housekeeping in hotels: $1-2 per day for long stays or $5 minimum for very short stays (optional)
• Food delivery (pizza, etc.): $2-5, possibly more for very large orders

The U.S. has no official language at the federal level, but English is by far the standard for everyday use. Several states have declared their official state language as English. Spanish is also official in the state of New Mexico, where it is widely spoken; French is official in Louisiana and the Hawaiian language is official in Hawaii, but neither approaches the use of English and are official for primarily historical reasons.

Emergency 911

In major metropolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles, many drugstores and supermarkets are routinely open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, while department stores, shopping centers and most other large retailers are typically open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and often with shorter hours on Sundays - generally 11 a.m. or noon to 5 or 6 p.m. On holidays, the tendency is to remain open (with the exception of the most important holidays like Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day where stores are generally closed)