confused about Houstan/Galveston cruise ports

I have been cruising since the late 70's but never out of Texas so other than hearing about fog issues with the CB, I have no clue what, where or how.

Can someone give me the history of the cruise ports down there? Thinking of doing a cruise on the Emerald out of Bayport cruise terminal. I have been doing a lot of reading the past two weeks but seem to be getting more confused. I understand Bayport opened last year. Seems like the Emerald will be using it in October - is this their first time - did the CB use it last year? IS this the Emerald's first year (I know they are doing a different itinerary in the summer.)

People say cruising out of Houston but then they talk about Galveston.

I really would appreciate any help so I can understand my research a little better - thanks in advance.

As quick reply...yes Houston Bayport is different than Galveston. People often say Houston for either, because to fly-in means flying into IAH or HOU.

Galveston is a traditional port setting with two terminals, shared mostly by CCL and RCCL, with an occasional DIS.

Bayport is by some accounts a strange boondoggle built as part of some other bond initiative. It went unused for several years and still seems to struggle to find a ongoing business.

The hardships to Bayport are around its location. It is much further up the Ship Channel, meaning a longer transit to open water and more susceptible to marine traffic issues that can alter your itinerary. Its location is also very industrial with not as much easy tourism around. Fine if you are coming purely to hop on the ship and cruise, but not for those needing more transportation and tour options.

Either can have fog delays, usually around Jan - Mar each year.

I have been cruising since the late 70's but never out of Texas so other than hearing about fog issues with the CB, I have no clue what, where or how.

 

Can someone give me the history of the cruise ports down there? Thinking of doing a cruise on the Emerald out of Bayport cruise terminal. I have been doing a lot of reading the past two weeks but seem to be getting more confused. I understand Bayport opened last year. Seems like the Emerald will be using it in October - is this their first time - did the CB use it last year? IS this the Emerald's first year (I know they are doing a different itinerary in the summer.)

 

People say cruising out of Houston but then they talk about Galveston.

 

I really would appreciate any help so I can understand my research a little better - thanks in advance.

Howdy mysaddlebred000 and welcome to Texas!

Yes, it can be confusing. Note the following from Stevesan on another thread:

The terminal labeled "Bayport Terminal" is not in Bayport, it's in Pasadena Texas. To further confuse visitors, the cruise lines refer to it as being in Houston. :rolleyes: ...

And dna1990 is correct. If you fly in for a cruise from the Port of Houston Authority Bayport Cruise Terminal or the Port of Galveston Cruise Terminals, you fly in to one of Houston's two airports. IAH (George Bush Intercontinental Airport) is north of downtown Houston, HOU (William P. Hobby International Airport) is south and the closest to both ports.

Bayport Cruise Terminal

4700 Cruise Road

Pasadena, Texas 77586

The Port Of Houston Authority Bayport Cruise Terminal is located on Galveston Bay in Pasadena, TX between La Porte, TX and Kemah, TX. It is near the Kemah Boardwalk http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/ and Clear Lake, TX/Webster, TX for Space Center Houston which is the Official Visitor Center for NASA's Johnson Space Center http://spacecenter.org/. For places to stay click here: http://www.galvestoncruisetips.com/where-to-stay-near-the-houston-cruise-terminal/.

The Port of Houston Bayport Cruise Terminal is basically a cruise terminal located in an industrial area dedicated to container shipping. When they started building the cruise terminal in 2006, it was the "If you build it, they will come" scenario that did not come true for a very, very long time. No cruise line would sign a contract until it was completed. Also, they did not want to pay for the fuel used in the extra three hour trip from the terminal to the Gulf of Mexico. And no hotels, motels, restaurants, etc. sprang up close by for the cruising public since there were no cruise line contracts.

The $108 million Bayport Cruise Terminal was finally ready for regular cruise service. Carnival Cruise Lines used the terminal briefly in September 2008 while Hurricane Ike's storm surge damage to the Port of Galveston was being repaired.

It stayed empty but the Port Of Houston Authority allowed some container ships to dock there to help pay for the electric, maintenance and insurance bills that were costing the Harris County taxpayers $500,000 a year. Still no hotels, motels, restaurants, etc. appeared close by. See http://abc13.com/archive/8110233/ from May 2011. The Port of Houston finally bagged a couple of cruise lines when they bribed Princess and NCL with $6.7 million. See http://www.chron.com/business/article/Port-will-pay-6-7-million-to-lure-two-cruise-4051674.php from November 2012.

Click here http://portofhouston.com/cruise-information/ for the Port Of Houston Authority Cruise Information page.

For their driving directions, click here: http://portofhouston.com/cruise-information/driving-directions/

For more information, check out their Frequently Asked Questions: http://portofhouston.com/cruise-information/frequently-asked-questions/

Also, check out their Live Cruise Terminal Cam here: http://portofhouston.com/cruise-information/live-cruise-terminal-cam/

The Port of Galveston cruise terminals are located on Galveston Island about 45 miles from Houston, TX. They are in the Historic Downtown District of Galveston, TX.

Terminal Number 1

2502 Harborside Dr.

Galveston, TX 77550

Terminal Number 2

2702 Harborside Dr.

Galveston, TX 77550

For the Port of Galveston directions from Houston, TX, click here: http://www.portofgalveston.com/index.aspx?NID=90

For lots of fun stuff to do on Galveston Island, click here http://www.galveston.com/default.asp and check out the What to Do tab.

Also, check out all the web cams here: http://www.galveston.com/webcams/

Hope this information will be helpful for your research!

Kat

thanks dna1990 and Host Kat for all the info.

Sorry I didn't reply sooner - so busy

cruise and flights booked and now I need a break before I start to research hotels

appreciate you taking the time to help me out

You are most welcome!

Glad to be of service,

Kat

My Saddle, you are correct that CB sailed from Bayport last year. We sailed on the infamous Noro/storms-a comin cruise. The terminal is fine but as posted above, few amenities, few nearby hotels.

I think if you do a search of these boards, you may find a hotel with a shuttle to the ship but last time I checked, no hotel has an airport and cruise shuttle.

Have a great cruise!

Thanks Clay,

I think I want to find a hotel close to Bush for two nights. We decided to just play it by ear, just relax, get some wine, soda and water for the cruise, sleep in and sit by the pool with cocktails. I did check temps and the average is around 65 - not the best but a heck of a lot warmer than back home in December. Then I will find a limo service to take us to port on Sunday afternoon.

You may want to consider something closer to town as IAH is waaaay out without a whole lot around it.

I had good luck with Priceline when I was commuting to hear before the move, typically paid $70 a night or less for 4 star places-typically "won" the Royal Sonesta or Hotel Derek at the galleria. Of course a lot will depend on what else is taking place in town while you are here.

The local visitors bureau for the bay port Houston area has a listing of hotels with cruise specials and might have parking included. Another poster in a another thread mentioned the first hotel on the list (Comfort Inn) has a parking and shuttle combo. http://www.visitbayareahouston.com/C...st-Cruise-Stay

I am driving from Dallas to Houston and looking for a hotel where we can park and get a shuttle to the terminal.

Original question : Confusion about Bayport and Galveston:

Princess and NCL both have contracts with Bayport.

Princess has the Caribbean Princess there now, but may change to another ship later??

NCL will have the JEWEL in Bayport starting in October.

We are sailing on her Dec 6.

They will move The Jewel out & move in the Jade sometime in 2015.

I don’t remember when this happens exactly.

Usually when someone says the Port of Houston, they mean Bayport.

If they mean Galveston, that is what is said....but of course there is always the exception.

I like Bayport.

Parking is easy and close.

We got in & on the ship fairly quickly - and it was their first cruise (last Nov) so they were just learning.

Hope this helps.

Judy

jeffdal, I bid on Priceline and got Hilton Garden Inn in Webster TX off I-45 for 60.00 night. We can leave car for the week for free. Houston Travel Zone is picking us up at hotel and taking us to Bayport for 10.00 per person and then pick us up when cruise is over and bring us back to the hotel for 10.00 per person. I'm pretty happy with this.

I have not tried them yet, but UBER is now in Houston.

They are similar to cabs - but cheaper.

Google search and you will learn about them.

I am thinking of using them in Boston.

Judy

jeffdal, I bid on Priceline and got Hilton Garden Inn in Webster TX off I-45 for 60.00 night. We can leave car for the week for free. Houston Travel Zone is picking us up at hotel and taking us to Bayport for 10.00 per person and then pick us up when cruise is over and bring us back to the hotel for 10.00 per person. I'm pretty happy with this.

Wow.. that's really awesome and I read some good reviews of that Hilton Garden Inn.. I believe it is is brand new. Is there a website for Houston Travel Zone? I could not find it.

I have not tried them yet, but UBER is now in Houston.

They are similar to cabs - but cheaper.

Google search and you will learn about them.

 

I am thinking of using them in Boston.

 

Judy

I use Uber in Dallas and in other cities. The cost depends on which option you choose once in the app including UberX, Black Car and SUV.

Wow.. that's really awesome and I read some good reviews of that Hilton Garden Inn.. I believe it is is brand new. Is there a website for Houston Travel Zone? I could not find it.

Here is a link to their web site:

http://www.houstontravelzone.com

Hope this helps.

Welcome to our great city.

Judy

Here is a link to their web site:

 

http://www.houstontravelzone.com

 

Hope this helps.

Welcome to our great city.

 

Judy

Thanks. I saw that site too. I did not appear to offer transportation services that we were discussing.

On the website click on contact us and it will come up, I sent an email and Sherry emailed me back. I was concerned too because nothing on the website says they do these shuttles.

Jeff,

I hadn’t noticed that you are from that “other” city in Texas.

LOL

When are you cruising out of Houston?

I don’t know of other events, but it can affect hotel prices - as I’m sure yo know.

Also, when y’all refer to a ship, it helps to use the name.

It took me a while to figure out that “CB” was Caribbean Princess - and we’ve sailed on that ship. :p

Thanks,

Judy

Hi Judy, I used to live in your city, but now I live in that other city. To be honest I wish I was back in Houston. Dallas folks drive like maniacs!

Does this port in Bayshore have like a coffee shop or restaurant while you're waiting to get one? Maybe free Wi-Fi? liquor store?

No, no, I don't think so and no.

The terminal is pretty much in the middle of an industrial port. The only amenities are the close by parking, the available for a fee car covers, and I think a vending machine with soft drinks.

Does this port in Bayshore have like a coffee shop or restaurant while you're waiting to get one? Maybe free Wi-Fi? liquor store?

We got on the ship pretty quickly & saw no need for snacks.

If you want something, I would bring it with you.

There are snacks for the “Suite” folks.

I don’t remember having WIFI, I doubt it.

I’d stop on the way for liquor store.

Hope this helps.

Judy