One of Carnival's brands is shutting down its operations in Texas.
Princess Cruises' Majestic Princess was scheduled to offer cruises from Galveston, Texas, between November 2026 and March 2027. However, Princess canceled over 15 sailings as part of its broader global fleet deployment strategy.
No changes were made to Regal Princess, which is scheduled to operate in Galveston through March 15, 2026. Afterward, she'll reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she'll remain through at least March 2027.
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause our guests and appreciate their understanding as we work to enhance our global cruise offerings,” Princess told USA TODAY in an emailed statement.
As a result of the canceled cruises, Princess issued full refunds to impacted guests. They're also working with travelers on alternative cruise options, whether from Texas or another port in Florida to the Caribbean.
Other cruise lines are focusing on strengthening their offerings from Galveston
Galveston has become a popular cruise port in recent years, with more cruise lines doubling down on their operations in the Lone Star State.
For example, Royal Caribbean celebrated the opening of its new million cruise terminal in Galveston in 2022, marking the first time that Texas could accommodate massive Oasis Class ships. Now, ships as large as Allure, Harmony, and Symphony of the Seas offer Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston.
Additionally, construction for Galveston's fourth cruise terminal began in August 2024. The former cargo warehouse is being converted into a $151 million cruise complex with a 165,000-square-foot terminal for MSC Cruises. It's slated to open in November 2025 with MSC Seascape sailing from Texas year-round through at least March 2027.
Carnival Cruise Line even designed a ship specifically for the Texas market. Carnival Jubilee entered service in December 2023 and is an appreciation for all things Texas, starting with the Lone Star symbol proudly displayed on the ship's bow. Onboard, guests will find Texas-themed merchandise and even a unique tailgate party!
Why should you cruise from Galveston?
Compared to ports in Fort Lauderdale and Miami with airports nearby, Galveston offers another option for those who may live within driving distance or on the West Coast and don't want to board a 5-hour flight to Florida. For example, Dallas is roughly 4.5 hours from Galveston, making it an easy drive for cruisers looking to embark on a Caribbean cruise.
There are also two major airports within an hour of Galveston: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). These airports offer flight options for travelers coming from other parts of the U.S. on all major airlines, including Southwest, United, Spirit, Frontier, Delta, JetBlue, and American.
And because of the increased demand, cruise lines are deploying newer ships to Texas, including Carnival Jubilee, Harmony of the Seas, Norwegian Prima, MSC Seascape, and more.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on nearly 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
