What to Expect
The Galveston cruise terminals are at Pier 10 and Pier 25 at the island's eastern tip. Carnival and Royal Caribbean both sail from here on Caribbean and Mexico itineraries. The terminals are within walking distance of each other but not of most island attractions — plan on rideshare for any exploration. Galveston Island is reached by the causeway from the mainland; if you're driving from Houston, allow 75–90 minutes from IAH and 60–75 minutes from Hobby Airport.
Getting to the Port
From Houston Hobby Airport (HOU): 50 miles, $55–75 by rideshare. From George Bush Intercontinental (IAH): 60 miles, $70–90. Parking at the Galveston terminal: $12–15/day (book in advance via your cruise line or Galveston Park and Cruise). Island Transit buses are available but impractical for luggage. Most passengers driving from the Houston area take I-45 South to the Galveston Causeway — traffic peaks on weekend embarkation mornings.
Tipping and Currency
USD. Standard US tipping: 18–20% at restaurants. Terminal porters: $1–2 per bag. No currency exchange needed.
Where to Eat
The Strand Historic District is the place to be the night before — a 19th-century commercial block about 2 miles from the cruise terminal. Gaido's Seafood Restaurant has been operating since 1911 and is still the best seafood on the island (Gulf red snapper, boiled shrimp). Mosquito Café on 14th Street does excellent breakfast. For dinner with a view of the Gulf, Saltwater Grill on Seawall Boulevard is reliable. Tex-Mex options on the Seawall are plentiful and inexpensive.
The 1900 Storm and the Strand
Galveston's Victorian architecture survived because the island built a 17-foot seawall and grade-raised the city by 8 feet after the 1900 hurricane killed an estimated 8,000 people. The Strand Historic District — iron-front commercial buildings from the 1870s to 1890s — gives Galveston a character no other Texas city has. The 1900 Storm memorial and the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig museum are both worth the stop if you have extra time before boarding.