When it is all said and done, travelers sailing from the Port of Galveston will end up with a good,

Today, the Disney Magic arrived in Galveston, kicking off the Disney Cruise Line inaugural season sailing from the Port of Galveston . To salute its arrival to the Lone Star State , the Disney Magic donned a Texas-sized cowboy hat on the ship’s funnel as crew members and Disney cheap hotels new york characters waved from the upper decks of the ship. In 2012 and 2013, Disney Cruise Line will sail from Galveston on a variety of itineraries to the Caribbean and Bahamas, with some cruises taking guests to Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
Its a move made possible for Disney by adding two new ships, Disney Dream and Disney cheap hotels new york Fantasy, doubling the Disney fleet.  Already at the Port of Galveston, Carnival Cruise Line ‘s Carnival cheap hotels new york Magic has already taken up residence.  Its all part of a move to the Port of Galveston by a number of cruise lines and the people there couldn’t be happier about it.
“Quality cruise lines attract tourists, which spend millions of dollars at our hotels, attractions, restaurants and shops,” Leah Cast, public relations manager for the Galveston Island Convention Visitors Bureau told us last year during a visit to Galveston.
cheap hotels new york Its clearly a case of keeping the horse before the cart as cruise lines have flocked to rabidly cruise-friendly Galveston. cheap hotels new york Last November, 3.690-passenger Carnival Magic made cruise history as the first new ship from Carnival Cruise Lines to homeport somewhere other than Florida during its inaugural season.  About the same time, Royal Caribbean ‘s brought 3,114-passenger Mariner of the Seas to the port.  Just before that, 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph replaced cheap hotels new york 2,056- passenger Carnival Ecstasy   at the Port of Galveston on four- and five-night cruises to Mexico.  Rounding out the cruise offerings cheap hotels new york from Galveston cheap hotels new york will be Princess Cruises Crown Princess coming up in December.
Both Carnival vessels will operate year-round from Galveston. Mariner of the Seas is committed cheap hotels new york for the next two winter seasons. Disney Magic and Crown Princess will sail through the winter with additional cruises possible.
Indeed, Galveston is set up to handle the crowds. Those driving to town for their cruise can park their cars at a number of good hotels and the hotel will shuttle them back and forth from the port, no charge.  Those flying in can enjoy that same shuttle service to and from the port at no cost and the hotel will make arrangements to pick them up from any of the airports that service the port.
A good example of hotels close to the Port of Galveston is the San Luis Resor t,  a beachfront property right across the street from the 17-foot seawall that has protected the island from storms for over 100 years. A 30-acre year-round beachfront hotel and spa resort property on Galveston Island , the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning resort features lavish accommodations, breathtaking Gulf views and personalized service.   Great restaurants (wonderful burgers at the pool bar) , luxurious resort amenities and the excitement of historic Galveston Island make this a great place to stay even without cheap hotels new york a cruise on the front or back end.
Day trips in Galveston make for a great pre- or post-cruise vacation option too.  Area landmarks like Galveston ‘s grandest and best-known building, cheap hotels new york Bishop’s Palace or the Lone Star Flight Museum are good choices as is a Port of Galveston harbour tour .
Galveston port director Steve Cernak told us a $12 million upgrade project at the port will triple the number of passenger seats along with adding more restrooms and crowd-control barriers. A new state-of-the-art cheap hotels new york gangway should make boarding faster and easier. New security cheap hotels new york screening stations also are planned.
When it is all said and done, travelers sailing from the Port of Galveston will end up with a good, well-rounded choice of cruise lines, ships and experiences.  A lot of that has to do with Galveston residents, organizations and businesses cheap hotels new york that are in it to win it. and the Port of Galveston continues to look for more cruise business.