December 6, 2024 saw the Port of Galveston welcome its 1.5-millionth guest. Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO, Rodger Rees, congratulated Katrular Buchanan and her family from Amit, Louisiana when they arrived at Cruise Terminal 28 ready to embark on their 4-night cruise aboard Disney Magic. With the achievement of this milestone, the port broke its 2023 record and is on track to welcome more than 1.6 million passengers by year’s end.
“We’re very happy for the Buchanan family and thank them for sailing from Galveston. We’re also excited to celebrate this milestone with long-time cruise partner, Disney Cruise Line. Thanks to the support of our cruise partners and loyal cruise customers, cruising from Galveston has never been better!”
The Port of Galveston is currently the fourth most popular home port in North America and growing in popularity. Due to its popularity, newer and larger ships are sailing from the port to more destinations. The port is also on track to open its fourth cruise terminal in November 2025. The $156 million expansion includes an onsite parking garage and interior roadway and will serve cruise lines such as MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Rees continued, “The port’s continued growth as a home port is great news for avid cruise travelers, for local people who work in cruise-related jobs, and for the entities that benefit economically, including suppliers, maritime services, hotels, restaurants, shops and other businesses.”
More than 30 million people live within 300 miles of the port which makes Galveston the largest drive-to port in the central United States attracting cruisers from Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, and Dallas, Texas; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Little Rock, Arkansas. It is expected the port will set a record of more than 380 cruises in 2024 and forecast more than 400 cruises and 1.75 million passengers in 2025.