Galveston, Texas Welcomes Its Latest Cruise Ship and Opens $156M Terminal

For the primary time within the cruise line’s historical past, MSC Cruises is looking Galveston residence for certainly one of its ships.

On Friday, November 7, 2025, at 10:00 AM, the Port of Galveston formally welcomed the 5,877 max passenger capability MSC Seascape throughout a celebration for the port’s brand-new, state-of-the-art cruise terminal.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by a number of native officers, together with Galveston’s Mayor Craig Brown and U.S. Congressman Randy Weber.

A New Ship Designed for Texans

MSC Seascape is a part of MSC Cruises’ fashionable Seaside EVO class, and its homeporting in Texas exhibits the cruise line’s severe dedication to the North American market and this rising port.

They’ve even personalized the expertise, including a Texas and Southern aptitude to the food and drinks menus, together with Cajun pork and pecan pie.  Even line-dancing courses had been added to the lineup for the brand new ship on the town, so MSC Cruises may be very a lot embracing this welcome into Texas.

Throughout the ribbon-cutting occasion on the Pier 16 Terminal, Lynn Torrent, President of MSC Cruises North America, mentioned the corporate was proud to name this terminal residence.

“After we seemed to increase throughout North America, the choice for Galveston was a straightforward one. It’s our fourth cruise homeport, and since this occurs to be the fourth cruise terminal, let’s simply say 4 is our fortunate quantity this weekend. Award-winning MSC Seascape is a ship that actually brings our European model and American consolation to vacationers within the area starting this Sunday.  We’re so excited,” she acknowledged in the course of the ceremony.

MSC Seascape units sail on its year-round, seven-night cruises from Galveston beginning Sunday, November 9, 2025. These voyages will go to ports like Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, and Isla de Roatan, Honduras.

Cruisers on the lookout for a terrific deal can discover some sail dates beginning as little as $369 per particular person for an inside stateroom (not together with taxes or charges) for the 7-night Western Caribbean sailings.

A State-of-the-Artwork Terminal Designed for Pace

The brand new cruise advanced at Pier 16 is a large deal.  It’s an enormous $156 million funding in Galveston’s future.

The venture options an enormous 165,000-square-foot terminal constructing and a 7-story parking storage that has 1,600 parking areas.  The entire venture was accomplished in 15 months.

The terminal was designed with one factor in thoughts: making the visitor expertise clean and quick.  That is the primary on-site parking possibility for cruisers out of Galveston, and the parking storage is simply steps away from the ship, making it probably the most handy parking possibility on the port.

The Ship: Huge, Trendy, and Filled with Enjoyable

MSC Seascape is likely one of the latest ships in MSC Cruises’ fleet, having been delivered in November 2022. It belongs to the Seaside EVO-class, which is an improved, greater model of the road’s unique class of ships.

Lately, this ship has earned the title “Greatest Cruise for Households Total” by Forbes Vetted.

The vessel is 1,112 toes lengthy, boasting 170,400 Gross Tonnage in quantity. It might probably accommodate 4,540 company at double occupancy, with area for a most of 5,877 passengers.

As a result of the EVO class is greater, it affords extra of every part, together with extra cabins, large public areas, a bigger and exquisite MSC Yacht Membership space, and funky new options just like the thrilling ROBOTRON robotic arm experience.

The enduring “Bridge of Sighs” offers this class of ship the distinctive look which towers over the dual aft swimming pools 8 decks beneath.

Texas-Sized Enjoyable and Flavors at Sea

To welcome its new Texas company, MSC has gone the additional mile to include native taste and traditions.

The eating expertise is Texas-style, that includes new menus of native consolation meals and Southern classics. Friends can attempt new dishes like Texas-style prime rib, Cajun-spiced pork loin, Huevos Rancheros for breakfast, and Southern desserts like buttermilk pie.

The leisure can be Texas-style, that includes a Huge Texas Sailaway Celebration, a resident nation music band, and devoted nation line dance courses.

Whereas watching a present at Le Cabaret Rouge, I even noticed a father/son workforce exhibit some trick roping and whip-cracking as a part of the range present which featured several types of leisure each 7 or 8 minutes.

MSC Cruises additionally introduced partnerships that can permit them to air the massive video games on board, which I’m positive will make the sports activities bar a extremely popular place on sport days.

Galveston’s Progress

The Texas port has been attracting bigger and newer ships, and that momentum is barely constructing.  It’s a terrific historic area, and I encourage any cruise vacationers to get to Galvetson just a few days early to essentially expertise all the realm has to supply.

MSC Seascape isn’t the one ship that will likely be utilizing the brand-new Terminal 16.  Norwegian Cruise Line will start crusing from Galveston on December 13 with Norwegian Viva.  It was additionally introduced that within the fourth quarter of 2027, NCL will likely be crusing year-round from the port.

Throughout the ceremony it was acknowledged that 46 million persons are inside driving distance of Galveston, and up to now it seems that a rising quantity are beginning to see the port as a beautiful different to flying to the busy cruise hub of Florida.