Key Aspects:
- Road closures and construction at the Port of Galveston will significantly impact two Carnival ships this weekend.
- Guests for both Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Breeze should be aware of traffic congestion as they head to the port.
- There is no embarkation or departure change for either ship and guests must be on time to set sail on their cruises.
The Port of Galveston has been undergoing road construction and other local projects for some time, with varying impacts on cruise guests trying to reach different terminals. This weekend will be particularly challenging and Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Breeze with details for smoothing embarkation.
Carnival Jubilee‘s Saturday, May 16 departure and Carnival Breeze‘s Monday, May 18 departure will both be impacted by traffic difficulties. Guests have received detailed emails about the roadwork now going on at the Port of Galveston.
“Construction is underway along sections of Harborside Drive (the main road by the cruise terminal),” the email said. “Consequently, there will be lane closures. Please check traffic conditions of the area on embarkation day, so you may adjust your route accordingly.”
Guests are advised that if they plan to park at the port, they should go directly to the parking rather than drop off luggage at the cruise terminal. A complimentary shuttle will be ferrying guests from the parking area to the cruise terminal.
No shuttle will be available from the Express Lot or the SMP garage. The Express Lot is adjacent to Cruise Terminal 28, while the SMP garage is just across Harborside Drive at Cruise Terminal 25.
Both Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Breeze will be departing from Cruise Terminal 25, but Carnival Breeze is scheduled to return to Cruise Terminal 28 at the end of her 5-night sailing. Together, the two ships can welcome more than 10,000 guests at once.
The two terminals are just one-quarter mile apart. Cruise guests frequently park at either location when their ship may be using one terminal or the other.
If guests are being dropped off by rideshare services, taxis, or friends, they should enter the terminal from 22nd Street and exit at 23rd Street. Using any other route may cause delays due to road closures and traffic rerouting.
Signage and local authorities will be on hand to help direct cruise traffic to the appropriate location, whether for drop-offs or parking.
Both cruise ships are offering Western Caribbean itineraries. Carnival Jubilee will be setting sail on a 7-night voyage to Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan, while Carnival Breeze will be sailing a 5-night itinerary to Cozumel and Progreso.
No Embarkation Time Changes
Despite the convoluted traffic patterns and potential delays due to congestion and road closures, there is no change to the embarkation or departure times for either Carnival cruise ship.
The cruise line is reminding guests to stick to the terminal arrival appointment they selected when checking in for their respective sailings. This will help smooth traffic flow and minimize frustration.
Cruise Hive has previously reported that Carnival will not offer refunds or other compensation if guests are late and miss embarkation due to traffic problems. This is standard policy across all cruise lines, and guests are responsible for arriving at the cruise terminal on time, regardless of traffic delays.
Local Event May Cause More Traffic Problems
Guests heading to the Port of Galveston this weekend should also be aware that May 14-18 is “Go Topless Weekend” or “Jeep Weekend” on the Bolivar Peninsula.
While not directly at the port, the relatively informal event is just north of the Port of Galveston across the channel where cruise ships enter and leave the port. According to the County of Galveston, more than 100,000 visitors are expected for the weekend, which can add significantly to traffic concerns.
Cruise ports are regularly impacted by local events. Cruise Hive has noted impacts for music festivals, marathons and 5K races, parades, and even pirate festivals at different homeports, including Miami, Tampa, and Norfolk.
