2019 Volvo S60 Price, Value, Ratings & Reviews Kelley Blue Book

Table Of Content

• T6 R-Design: $46,400 or $850/mo • T8 Polestar Engineered: TBD or $1,100/mo
• Second Generation S60 Production Years:
• Performance & Handling
• Engine
• Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design
• Volvo S60 Safety
• Volvo S60 T5 AWD Inscription

S60 competitors are a varied lot that includes the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS and Mercedes-Benz C300. The 2019 Volvo S60 is an all-new vehicle based on the company’s SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) chassis that already underpins the XC90 SUV and S90 sedan. Double A-arm front suspension is now used in place of MacPherson struts, and the multilink rear suspension features a transverse composite leaf spring. Otherwise, the only other negative note from the brief time I had in the cars was some of the harder, simpler plastics used on the center cupholder area on the lower Momentum trims. Beyond my slight frustrations with the Polestar Engineered version and its arcade joystick selector, my only other notes on what stood out as non-ideal came from the infotainment system. The system was updated to respond quicker than on past Volvos, and it is responsive.

Volvo S60 Review 2019: Photos, Details, Specs, Pros and Cons - Business Insider

Volvo S60 Review 2019: Photos, Details, Specs, Pros and Cons.

Posted: Tue, 04 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]

T6 R-Design: $46,400 or $850/mo • T8 Polestar Engineered: TBD or $1,100/mo

If you’re looking for a midsize European sedan offering sublime comfort, good style, abundant safety hardware and sporty driving manners, the U.S.-built Volvo S60 delivers on all counts. Yet, with this S60 tuned to be sportier than average, it still feels like a proper luxury car in that noises from the outside, the tires, and the engine are still well muted and bumpy roads don’t get far past the suspension to your bum. If you’re seeking a proper sports sedan, then perhaps these measures are unwanted, but for those wanting an even balance, the S60 T6 AWD R-Design teeters perfectly between these two poles. The 2019 Volvo S60 is one of the best sedans the company has ever built, and one of the best four-door options on the road today. Gone are the days of the S60 mostly being known for good seats—it’s become the total package.

Second Generation S60 Production Years:

The electric G-Class arrives with more power than even the AMG G63 and no sacrifice to its off-roading ability. I was the one who got followed by the CHP for a bit, so I wasn’t exactly tearing rubber with the full might of the Polestar’s potential torque and power. This is the one that was briefly available as a subscription on the rough-starting Care By Volvo program before all 20 cars were snapped up in less than an hour. Volvo was keen to tell me that there will be more available soon enough, maybe even to own.

Performance & Handling

The upgraded suspension carries the car’s extra weight perfectly through a good road, with the help of the strong gold-painted brakes, to. It also has gold seatbelts, which sort of makes the S60's otherwise refined and quiet interior feel like a pop up night club in a bank. This S60 T6 AWD R-Design test car also comes with a couple optional upgrades to further improve safety, starting with full LED headlights that actively bend around corners and feature automatic high beams.

Engine

I want all the connecting points of the car—and my passengers—all stressing when I slam it. Then there’s the special Polestar Engineered option on the T8, which boosts power on the hybrid model even higher to 416 HP and 494 lb-ft of torque. Volvo says it’s also capable of an estimated 21 miles on electric power alone. There’s a lot of technology happening to make this little 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produce 316 hp and 296 pound-feet of torque, not the least of which is both a turbocharger and supercharger operating simultaneously. The supercharger does its work at lower RPMs, while the turbocharger takes over at speed to boost power higher in the rev range. They combine beautifully to create a linear power curve that belies the complexities involved to make it all happen.

Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design

This T6 model’s engine impressively produces over 300 horsepower while at the same time achieving over 30 miles per gallon on the highway. The Environmental Protection Agency officially rates the S60 T6 AWD R-Design at 21 mpg in the city, 32 on the highway, and 25 combined, and my week spent driving it in all manner of ways supports those numbers. As you might expect on account of it being a Volvo, the S60 is about as safe a car to drive as they come.

The now-familiar four-tile layout still works like a dream, with familiar tablet gestures (pinch and pull, swipe, etc.) working just like they should. Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming are standard, as are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both of which require a USB connection). The S60 Inscription, also with the 250-horsepower 2.0-liter, builds on that with bright chrome window trim and driftwood inlays, together with 4-zone climate control and power front seats that offer lumbar support and power-cushion extensions.

Volvo S60 Safety

With its low hood and short rear deck, the 2019 Volvo S60 looks like a modern sedan shaped in the wind tunnel, but it’s a handsome design that’s still very much a Volvo. Notable details include attractive sculpting on the hood and sides of the car, along with T-shaped LED “Thor’s Hammer” front driving lights. In back, dual chromed exhausts are on duty beneath LED taillights that emphasize the width of the new S60. If there’s any doubt this car is a Volvo, a big badge in the middle of the diagonally bisected grille leaves no doubt. Also, in a neat trick, Volvo stylists have made it look as if the grille floats inside the S60’s front opening.

Volvo S60 T5 AWD Inscription

The vertical central screen is huge with crisp graphics and a powerful-enough processor to keep pace with inputs, while the flat menu structure of three screens that you swipe left or right to access is ingenious. Impressively, this screen and the Sensus infotainment with navigation is standard on all S60s. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on every S60 as well, as does a hands-free trunk, keyless entry, a parking assist system for both parallel and perpendicular spots, and an air filtration system. As mentioned, the even larger 12.3-inch driver’s display that houses the digital gauges and gives redundant access to main parts of the Sensus infotainment system is equally impressive, though it’s not available on the base T5 FWD Inscription model. When the first of the Volvo S60 generations burst onto the scene in 2000, it was only the second Volvo to follow the Swedish automaker’s new corporate design language previewed by the 1992 ECC concept car and launched as the 1998 S80 large sedan.

Sedans may be out of fashion right now, but I’m here to sing their praises – in particular, I’m here to praise the 2019 Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design that I drove for a week recently. While crossover SUVs are all the rage for their carrying capacity, taller stance and off-road pretensions, sedans win when it comes to elegance, lower center of gravity, and ability to conceal and secure cargo. Compared to the XC60, S60’s midsize equivalent in the Volvo lineup, the S60 T6 AWD delivers objectively superior fuel economy (21 mpg city/32 mpg highway/25 mpg combined for S60 vs. 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined for XC60) and subjectively better handling. This tester is the T6 AWD R-Design model, which starts at $46,400 and features the S60’s second-most powerful engine – a trick 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s both turbocharged and supercharged to produce 316 horsepower.

Best of all is the optional set of 19-inch R-Design wheels that sets the perfect tone for this car’s mission. If you want to adjust the heads-up display, for example, you swipe to the right on the main screen, where you’re ambushed by rows and rows of icons for just about every function on the car. This is how most of the adjustments are made (happily not stuff like wiper speed, as on a Tesla Model 3). That includes the safety alerts, engine start-stop, rear-headrest remote folding, and cruise control settings. All cars come with automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and cross-traffic alert and braking, drive-mode selection, road-sign information in Volvo’s new digital driver display standard, and the Pilot Assist semi-autonomous system standard.

The M440i and 430i now benefit from mild-hybrid technology, improving engine response and efficiency. It’s also just as solid on the road and in the bends as the Polestar was, and I’m confident I could have pushed it a lot harder than possible on most of the roads we drove on. It’s a Volvo that wants to have fun, even if the squeezing seatbelt has the potential to rupture a bladder if you even think about getting a little bit of air. Ultimately the Polestar left me wanting more, though I’d like to drive one again, with fewer cops around next time.

But to access most of the car’s adjustments is a little overwhelming at first. You’ll have to do some math to compare that to covering the lease, insurance, taxes and maintenance on anything else you’re considering, but it’s promisingly competitive. It’s basically Apple Care and the iPhone upgrade program all in one, but, you know, a car. Something you can drive, not something that makes you irrationally mad at somebody in a blue shirt. I even think the smaller proportions makes the design language edge out the S90.

2019 Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design Test Drive And Review: Elegant Fun

Table Of Content

• Volvo S60 Cross Country T5 AWD Geartronic Summum
• Comfort
• Engine & Transmission
• Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design Test Drive And Review: Elegant Fun
• Model
• First Generation S60 Production Years:

A large 9-inch Sensus screen plays a big role; swipe the vertically oriented screen one way and you’ll see 19 vehicle functions, everything from ESC Sport mode and Active Bending Lights to cruise control and Road Sign Information. Swipe it the other way and you’ll see 22 Applications that range from stereo settings and Bluetooth to Spotify and Pandora. While Sensus helps de-clutter the S60’s dash, it also forces the driver to look away from the road far too often.

Volvo S60 Cross Country T5 AWD Geartronic Summum

While not as flashy as the S90’s insides, the S60’s cabin features high-quality materials like burled metal on the gear and drive mode selectors, more metal on the cup holders’ sliding cover, and even more metal on the trim that outlines the dash. The leather is also top notch, and the very few places that plastic is used, it’s the high-quality, soft, low-gloss stuff. It might just be that the Polestar is so refined and calculated that the visceral experience of the power fades away.

Comfort

Next up is Volvo’s advanced Pilot Assist semi-autonomous drive system that lets you follow-the-leader on the highway without driver input. The third of the S60 generations 2.0L turbo-four configurations included a 250-hp T5 turbo, a 316-hp T6 twin-charged engine, and a 400-hp plug-in hybrid with a 21-mile electric range using the T6 engine. The T5 later became the 247-hp B5, while the T8 was uprated to 455 hp. The Care By Volvo subscription program has been more than a bit of a mess in the United States, struggling with a number of issues in relation to insurance and getting cars to drivers. You pay a flat monthly payment which covers everything—there’s no down payment, maintenance is included, insurance is included and you can upgrade to a new Volvo every year.

Engine & Transmission

In person, looking at a white S60 is like a lesson in shadow and highlight contrast. It pops on the road, especially in the orange-red color the R-Design I drove. One officer just spotted our very suspicious convoy of black Volvos, ready to pounce themselves as they zoomed by. The top-trim Inscription is the luxury option, which also gets the bigger touchscreen, same tailpipe and safety upgrades as the R-Design, and adds navigation, an updated sound system, different chassis tuning, and ventilated front seats. The 2019 Volvo S60 is the latest all-new model in the automaker’s four-year overhaul strategy, that lately has seen the replacement of pretty much every old Volvo with a sleek and sexy new one. It’s based on a modified layout of the same Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform as the S90 and V90, as well as the XC60 crossover, and it’s the first model built at Volvo’s new Charleston, South Carolina production facility.

2019 Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design Review: Trickle Down Effect - Motor1

2019 Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design Review: Trickle Down Effect.

Posted: Mon, 08 Apr 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]

All of the driver inputs are electrified, so there’s not a strong feeling of connection regardless, but I didn’t have the same sense of disconnect from the car in the less powerful R-Design. The actual control and stability of the car is without issue, I just didn’t feel plugged into it. Maybe it’s the weight, maybe it’s the electrified drivetrain, maybe it was the cop. If I have 416 HP, I want it actively kicking me in the ass, even if it has to be in the “Dynamic” driving mode. I want to feel the tension in the steering wheel, an energetic vibration in the go pedal.

Model

On this note, the drive mode selection takes over the entire 12-inch screen, despite being a physical dial, and lingers for around 10 seconds, which is frustrating if you’re trying to check the map or see which radio station you’re on. It all adds up to a sportier, more engaging and more involved driving experience, despite the R-Design having nearly a 100 HP deficit compared to the Polestar Engineered. It’s turbo-super-charged fun, and it makes me struggle to think why this wouldn’t make a shortlist if you’re still shopping for sedans. This Polestar is not slow by any measure—you look down and realize you’re going 20 mph faster than you feel like you are, or planned to (when there isn’t the Explorer of the Law behind you).

Volvo S60 T6 AWD Inscription

The S60’s interior also benefits from Volvo’s extensive application of screens. Behind the steering wheel is a 12.3-inch driver’s display featuring all-digital gauges and extensive functionality from the car’s infotainment system. In the center, though, is an even more impressive vertical 9-inch touchscreen running the brand’s Sensus infotainment system.

There’s no gaping grille, no weird body colored point driving into the headlights, and it doesn’t look like it’s spent a small fortune on botox, like most of the other “compact” sport and luxury sedans. Volvo is labeling the S60 as a “sports sedan,” and believes its radical approach to go hybrid or fully electric across all models by the end of next year can make up for its lineup of all four-cylinder engines. The Volvo S60 has always been kind of an oddball choice for a midsize luxury sedan.

Volvo S60 D5 AWD Summum

Driving the 2019 Volvo S60 Will Make You Feel Good - Car and Driver

Driving the 2019 Volvo S60 Will Make You Feel Good.

Posted: Tue, 26 Mar 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The S60 R was also later added, with AWD, a 300-hp 2.5L turbo-five and a six-speed manual transmission. For the refresh applied to the 2005 model year, changes to the Volvo S60 turned the T5 into a 2.4L and boosted it to 257 hp, while making it available with a six-speed manual gearbox. The redesigned S60 came with an inline six-cyinder variation of the modular Volvo engine, launching at first only with a 3.0L turbocharged T6 with 300 hp and a six-speed automatic transmission with AWD. A five-cylinder 2.5L T5 would reappear later with 250 hp and FWD or AWD. The ride is smooth, and even on the sportiest models, the suspension still soaks a lot of the aggressive bumps in the road up with no issue. The seats hug you, the materials are the type of plastics and metals that could fill out a Tumblr about a e s t h e t i c s, and the standard panoramic roof and longer wheelbase over the outgoing model make the back seat seem like it might spoil the kids too much.

Standard equipment on all S60s includes blind-spot monitoring and a cross-traffic-alert system, low-speed automotive emergency braking, rear collision mitigation support, lane-keeping assist, and road-sign-reading functionality. Those items alone can cost thousands of dollars extra on competitors’ cars and are sometimes restricted only to the most expensive trim levels. In regards to space, the S60 fits both its driver and passengers like a tailored shirt. Sure, it’s a compact sedan, so there’s not a lot of extra room for heads, elbows, and knees, but what’s there is just right for normal-sized adults to travel in comfort.

It’s not the worst system I’ve used, not by far, but the sheer amount of small icons could be distracting while driving. I wouldn’t be so hard on the Polestar model if the R-Design didn’t drive as good as it does. The R-Design has the “standard” gear selector, with locked positions for park, reverse, drive, and a slap-over manual mode that will l actually hold the gear you select until you hit redline. I was told by the Volvo folks and a few of my colleagues that it comes alive at the limit, a limit I apparently never approached in the environment we were in despite my trying. Maybe it’s just power the average driver may only experience when passing on the Interstate, perhaps. We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.

At a time when mid-size sedans are perceived as a fading genre, it’s nice to meet such a well-sorted, sophisticated and fun new example. S60 will compete with some well-established competition, like the BMW 3 series (also newly refreshed for 2019), Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Cadillac ATS, Lexus ES (another fresh 2019 model) and Infiniti Q50. The 2019 Volvo S60 belongs in this elevated company thanks to its fresh exterior design, beautiful interior and entertaining powertrain and handling.

Official Website Official Website

Table Of Content

• Navigation Options
• Discover Galveston Island – A Coastal Gem
• Princess Cruises
• What’s the cheapest way to get to the Port of Galveston from the airport?
• Hotels Near the Port of Galveston
• Juneau Takes Steps to Limit Cruise Ship Passengers

There are several other cruise parking companies that operate off-site and include free shuttle transport between the port and the parking area. Expect to pay around $50 for 7 days cruise parking with Discount Cruise Parking or $69.55 plus tax with Cruise Park. All these options allow you to sit back and enjoy the ride while the driver navigates right to the drop-off point ship-side. It starts your luxury cruise in a relaxed and comfortable way. Galveston Port covers 840 acres with an enviable infrastructure serving commercial, cargo and cruise terminals.

Navigation Options

The port is at approx 9 mi (15 km) from the open sea (Gulf of Mexico). The Port Authority company (Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves) is city-owned, self-sustaining and doesn't receive city property taxes. The Port of Galveston offers free Wi-Fi within each of the terminals. Porters are available at the entrance to each terminal to assist with luggage on embarkation and disembarkation days.

Discover Galveston Island – A Coastal Gem

The Port of Galveston has a rich history dating back to the early 1800s when it served as a major trading hub for cotton and other goods. Established in 1825, the Port of Galveston has been a thriving maritime commercial center for nearly 200 years. What started as a humble Mexican trading post has since become a Texan-sized center of commerce. Carnival, Disney, MSC (soon), Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean. Currently, there are a total of 13 ships and then 14 when MSC Seascape moves to Galveston year-round. Known for its lively atmosphere and frequent events, East Beach is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike.

Princess Cruises

One popular itinerary is the Western Caribbean cruise, where you can soak up the sun on pristine beaches in Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Dive into crystal-clear waters alongside vibrant marine life or explore ancient Mayan ruins for a cultural experience like no other. Come ready and raring for Texas-sized Gulf Coast adventure with cruises to Mexico and the Western Caribbean with a Royal Caribbean cruise from Galveston Island. Just offshore from Galveston, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea becomes your playground. Visit exotic, sun-soaked destinations such as Mexico, Belize, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas, and the Honduran island of Roatan. We have the answers so your first  time will be nothing but smooth sailing.

However, due to the COVID crisis, in early-March RCG requested a 1-year extension for the construction's start (rescheduled for April 1, 2021). The initial plans included in 2021 here to be homeported Allure OTS (starting November 10th), but the ship's homeporting was rescheduled for Nov 2022. The USD 125 million (~EUR 107M) project was approved on December 11, 2019.

Whether you want to zipline across a cruise ship or just take a quiet stroll in a lush, green park, it’s possible on these ships. This parking lot is about a 10-minute walk from the cruise terminals and charges a flat rate of $10 per day for standard vehicles and $20 per day for oversized vehicles. If you’re planning a cruise from Galveston, it’s important to know all about the port’s terminals and parking options, as well as the nearest airports and transportation options.

Where is Galveston Cruise Port?

Galveston Island’s Historic Pleasure Pier is a 1,000-foot-long amusement park that sits over the sea about a six-minute drive from the Port of Galveston. For $30 per person, you can get all-access all-day to this recently renovated nexus of fun, offering food, shops, carnival games, and 15 rides (including a roller coaster!). The previous home of Royal Caribbean, it now hosts both Disney and Norwegian Cruise Lines. It is a slightly farther walk from parking options than Terminal 25 is, but is still convenient to get to (especially if you are taking a taxi or shuttle). From there, renting a car or utilizing shuttle services are convenient choices.

In 2017, Galveston was ranked the USA's 4th largest cruise port. In 2016, it generated US$58,4M in local passenger spending, plus US$19,1M in port-provided services. According to the Port's statistical data, Texas receives from cruise ship operations ~USD 1,42 billion per year (direct spending).

Juneau Takes Steps to Limit Cruise Ship Passengers

Port of Galveston planning several major projects next year - Chron

Port of Galveston planning several major projects next year.

Posted: Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The crew will pick the bags and they will be transported to the terminal for you to pick up after debarking the ship. As you approach the terminal, you’ll see lots of porters ready to assist you with your bags. If you wish to check any luggage, you can leave it with the porters, and it will be delivered to your stateroom later in the evening. Hotels with Cruise ParkingAs a tourist destination, Galveston offers a lot of hotels for visitors to choose. In the competition for business, these hotels look to provide guests with perks to attract those about to take a cruise. The good news is that with only three terminals and ample parking facilities, it’s fairly simple to get your way around the Port of Galveston.

Plan to spend at least $100 round-trip, depending on how large your group is and which airport you fly into. Discover the best times to cruise from Galveston in 2024 with our month-by-month weather guide. First there is the area right in front of the terminal entrance. This spot has numbered stations that should help you identify where you will be picked up. Cruise Terminal 10 sits about a mile east of the other terminals. The entrance is at the intersection of Harborside Drive and Royal Caribbean Way (which is 14th Street south of Harborside).

One thing to know is that a number of hotels in the area offer parking at their hotel while you cruise. So stay a night, and you can leave your car there for little or no cost. If you’re driving into the port and plan to stay the night, it’s hard to beat this deal. Click here to see our list of Galveston hotels with cruise parking. If you plan to fly to Galveston, you will arrive at either Hobby Airport, HOU, or George Bush International Airport, IAH, you have to rent a car or take a cruise line shuttle. There is no public transportation to Galveston from the airports in Huston.

In July 2021, after cruises had been halted for 15 months due to the Covid pandemic, the first ship to resume sailing out of Galveston was Carnival Vista, on July 3rd. Carnival President, Christine Duffy, marked the historic occasion with a “Back to Fun” ribbon-cutting ceremony in Galveston. Carnival Breeze set sail from Port Galveston two weeks later, on July 14, 2021.

Whether you are looking for a large, modern terminal or a smaller, more intimate experience, you can find it in Galveston. Add to that the fact that with the new dedicated Royal Caribbean terminal the cruise line placed its largest class of ships on the island. The Oasis-class vessels aren’t just larger (holding upwards of 6,000 passengers at double occupancy). They offer an experience that’s unrivaled in the amount of things you can see, do, and experience onboard.

The fast-growing cruise port is in the perfect location for residents of Houston and the surrounding area for getaways along the Gulf of Mexico and beyond. A family-friendly destination, Stewart Beach offers a wide expanse of sandy shores, lifeguard stations, and amenities like volleyball courts and a pavilion. It’s an ideal spot for sunbathing, swimming, and building sandcastles. With areas designed for various age groups, from toddlers to teens, Schlitterbahn ensures a day filled with family fun. Admission prices vary, with discounts often available for online purchases and group bookings.

I cruised Royal Caribbean from Galveston for the first time. Here's what a cruise from Texas is like. - Royal Caribbean Blog

I cruised Royal Caribbean from Galveston for the first time. Here's what a cruise from Texas is like..

Posted: Mon, 09 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Meanwhile, other large Texas cities including San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin are only a few hours’ drive. Royal Caribbean's new Cruise Terminal 3's parking lots (, South, and Pier 14) are priced US$22/day (North Lot) and US$20 per day (at South Lot and Pier 14 Lot). In 2023, the cruise port recorded 362 booked berthings (354 ship calls received) and ~42% increase in passengers (~2,98 million) over 2022. When completed, the newest/4th MSC Cruise Terminal is expected to generate an additional 925 jobs, ~US$177M in revenues, ~US$21M in local purchases. If you're taking a cab to the Port of Galveston on the day of your sailing, your driver will need to follow signs for your ship's specific terminal.

THE 25 BEST Carnival Cruises from Galveston with Prices on Cruise Critic

Table Of Content

• RCI-Royal Caribbean unveils 2025-2026 Caribbean and Bahamas cruise itineraries
• Independent Shuttles (Recommended)
• Book Your OFFICIAL Port of Galveston Cruise Parking Now
• Complete Guide to Cruising From the Port of Galveston

Galveston cruise port is approx 40 mi / 70 km from Hobby Airport (~60 min drive distance) and approx 70 mi / 110 km from Houston Airport (~90 min drive distance). For fly-cruisers is recommended to use rideshare (larger group travel) services. Lyft is Galveston terminal's exclusive rideshare company (pricing per vehicle /not per person) so Uber is not an option.

RCI-Royal Caribbean unveils 2025-2026 Caribbean and Bahamas cruise itineraries

Or maybe you just want to unload those heavy suitcases before you park. Step inside the main terminal doors and you’re greeted by a large open atrium. At the center is another Royal Caribbean logo, flanked on either side by two massive video boards showing videos to get you excited about the cruise. If driving to the port, the address to use is 1152 Royal Caribbean Way.

Independent Shuttles (Recommended)

It has many hotels and resorts to choose from if you want to extend your cruise with a few nights at the beach. Check out our recommendations for Hotels Near Galveston Cruise Port With Shuttle. If you want a hotel close to the beach on Galveston Island, here are more ideas – 15 Galveston Hotels on Seawall Blvd for Cruise Passengers. Built by Henry Fowler-Watt, the Elissa was named after a Phoenician princess.

Book Your OFFICIAL Port of Galveston Cruise Parking Now

You’ll need to use a service like those listed above to get to your cruise. Both airports are home to cruise-specific shuttle services that provide round-trip services from Houston to the Port of Galveston. These shuttles leave on a set schedule, with many providers offering several daily departure times seven days a week. Prices for parking at Galveston cruise port start at around $85 for 7 nights if you book ahead. It is in a secure covered parking lot a short walk from the ship.

Terminal 2's size was increased to 150,000 ft2 / 13,940 m2 (passenger capacity up to 1000) at the cost of USD 10M. Bayport Cruise Terminal (Houston) is located in Pasadena Texas. The driving distance between Galveston and Houston is approx 50 mi (80 km), or ~1-hour drive southeast. Port Galveston (locode USGLS) is located on mainland Texas' upper coast and on the island's eastern end.

Complete Guide to Cruising From the Port of Galveston

THE 25 BEST Cruises from Galveston, TX 2024 (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE 25 BEST Cruises from Galveston, TX 2024 (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:33:34 GMT [source]

Regardless of which option you choose, we recommend that you book a spot early so that you can save money with advance-payment discounts. It is the most convenient and secure parking for cruisers, just a short walk or shuttle ride from the cruise check-in. Once your prepaid reservation is complete, you will have a reserved parking spot on the official parking lot or in the port garage.

Carnival Cracks Down on High Stakes Activity on Pool Deck

In addition to convenience and security, another benefit of using the official port parking is competitive pricing. The rates are reasonable compared to other nearby alternatives, allowing you to save money without compromising on quality service. Everything’s bigger in Texas, and the biggest, boldest adventure has arrived in Galveston. Royal Caribbean International’s new $125 million cruise terminal in Galveston, Texas, opened its doors and welcomed the Lone Star State’s largest cruise ship. Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. We suggest people don’t schedule a flight before noon if flying from Houston Hobby and 1 p.m.

Today, Port Galveston is one of the most successful Caribbean USA homeports. The Strand Historic District is within walking distance of Terminal 25 and Terminal 28, while passengers at Terminal 10 will want to take a rideshare or taxi. A national historic landmark, The Strand includes buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s, peppered with eateries, bars and shops. Most people taking cruises out of Galveston live within driving distance. For those arriving by air, taxis and rideshares are available.

Galveston Cruise Terminals 1 and 2 are located on Harborside Drive. If you are driving to Galveston cruise port from the north, take I-10 east from Houston to Baytown. Continue 4.7 miles to Kempner/22nd St and follow signs into the cruise port. Get ready to indulge in a world of extraordinary amenities that will make your voyage truly unforgettable. If you prefer historical charm and architectural wonders, consider embarking on an Eastern Caribbean adventure. Discover the colorful streets of Nassau in the Bahamas or immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The 20-year terminal concession deal between Galveston Wharves and MSC is inclusive of 4 optional 5-year extensions. MSC was allocated a fixed cruise schedule while the Port retains the prerogative to receive at Pier 16 other cruise vessels, contingent upon availability. On February 7, 2024, Galveston Wharves and MSC finalized the operating agreement for the new terminal complex. Starting in November 2025, in Galveston MSC inaugurates homeporting operations with the ship MSC Seascape. Flight tourists boarding in Galveston fly into one of Houston's two airports - George Bush/Intercontinental (IAH) or the smaller William Hobby (HOU/served mainly by Southwest Airlines). In August 2017 (25-27), the port was closed due to Hurricane Harvey's significant rains during the weekend.

You can request a car when you arrive at the airport, and it’s a fast, easy way to make your way to the island. It’s also one of your cheapest options, unless you are traveling solo. Some smaller cruise lines, such as Carnival’s smaller ships, use Cruise Terminal 28, which is a smaller terminal.

The project included adding two new gangways, a new ramp, two elevators, one escalator, new roofing, improvements of facilities (including Customs & Border Protection). The deal also included building a new/shared cruise terminal with capacity to handle a vessel similarly sized or bigger than Disney's Magic-Wonder boats. Port's current schedule has two liners leaving on Saturdays, two on Sundays, one on Mondays, one on Thursdays. Every 2 years is conducted ship channel/waterfront dredging to maintain the port's required water depth of 45 ft (14 m).

From convenient embarkation options to exciting destinations waiting to be discovered, there's no better way to start your dream vacation than with Princess Cruises from Galveston. Before getting on a cruise from Galveston, start your vacation with a visit to the city’s museums, historic neighborhoods, and cultural icons. Take a walk along the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, home to family-friendly rides, games, and other attractions. Then relax on one of Galveston’s many iconic beaches and enjoy the 32-miles of coastline.

This affected the schedules of 4 liners (Carnival Breeze, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Valor, Liberty of the Seas). The port was shut down to all shipping traffic (cargo and passenger). Freedom and Valor were relocated to New Orleans, Breeze remained docked overnight in Cozumel, Liberty OTS was diverted to Miami. In January 2014, the port signed a 5-year agreement with Royal Caribbean, generating USD 1,86+ million in annual revenues. The agreement required improvements to be made to Cruise Terminal 2 (Terminal 28) to accommodate larger vessels and more tourists.