We welcomed Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas to Galveston on Friday!

For those living near the Texas Coast and who prefer to drive to their port the wait for the Summer Season to pass and arrival of a new Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) ship to Galveston. The Mariner of the Seas comes in to replace Voyager of the Seas. Voyager now sails out of the Port of New Orleans, which for cruise ships puts it at the end of Canal Street, close to the French Quarter.

Mariner is a few years newer, sports all glass balconies, and had both Chops and Portifino. It makes it a slight step up from Voyager with these features. Otherwise it is pretty much the same ship.  Of course, they are sister ships out of the same class.  Also, Voyager is only a few hour drive away.

Add to the excitement Carnival Magic tied up in Galveston today, recently Carnival Triumph started visiting Galveston, and Carnival Conquest moved to sail from New Orleans today, it’s quite a shake up for the ships in this region. 

Ultimately we now see the Cruise Season kick off here along the Gulf of Mexico.  Only another year and we will see at least two more ships here for the season.  The cast may change in some ports but the stated plan is for a net of two new ships, both in Galveston at that.

Brooks Cruise Services knows the scene well having sailed many times in addition to selling the cruises.

For the cruises specifically out of Galveston advance bookings appear to be king. This is especially true if you hope to sail in a Suite level cabin as they have sold well in this market.  We personally love sailing in a Junior Suite or above as it is more roomy.

Sailing from Galveston or New Orleans offers so many opportunities to see different ships and a hand full of different ports. The distance to ports though makes less than 4 night impossible and for 7 night cruises the list of candidate ports rather small, but there are fun things to do in these ports.  A week long cruise will have sufficient time to enjoy doing a lot of different things while on the cruise.  They are definitely worth enjoying, since for those who live nearby the transit time is significantly reduced. Galveston and New Orleans both offer some neat opportunities before and after the cruise as well.