Houston: The Gulf’s Top Cruise Port of Call

Our Cruise Ship Accident Lawyers Stop at Nothing to Get Justice and Maximum Compensation for Injury Victims and Accident Survivors Across Houston

If you have been injured in a cruise ship accident, remember that you have options with a top-rated maritime accident firm like ours, which has more than 200 years of combined experience. Our firm, since its founding in 1971, offers a robust team of 16 attorneys, several of whom have been named “Best Lawyers”® by US News & World Report every year for nearly a decade; and including Board Certified attorneys in Admiralty and Maritime Law. Put our undeniable track record of success to work for you.

When you decide to make your vacation a cruise, you have countless options for cruise lines, ports of call, and destinations. These destinations can vary from a trip along the coast to the other side of the world.

If you are looking for an experience in luxury, Texans can check out Houston cruise options from the Galveston port. They have plenty of options for any type of destination or cruise you plan to take. Keep in mind, too, that if something goes wrong and you are injured in a cruise ship accident , you do have options and opportunities to take action. Houston’s leading maritime injury attorneys at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. will do everything possible to maximize your compensation and hold negligent cruise lines accountable to the fullest extent of the law when you contact us to request a confidential consultation.

What Makes Houston’s Port Different?

If you are embarking on a cruise from America, you have many cruise trip ports to choose from. In fact, you may be equally distant from the Port of Galveston and other ports, such as the ones in Florida. Why travel to Houston to start your cruise? Travelers seeking a great experience may be wowed by the quality of service and the excellent support this port receives.

Deep Water Keeps It Accessible

When building terminals and ports to support cruise ships, port directors must remember that these ships are large, accommodating thousands of passengers. Because of this, waters must be deep enough to accommodate them. Otherwise, other boats such as tinder boats must be used to transport passengers, which is less efficient.

Fortunately, this port has deep water channels with a minimum depth of 45 feet and deep water berths that can help even the largest cruise ships pass through this area. That means that this port in Houston is accessible year-round, which is a huge boon to Texas’ economy.

Named One of the Top Ports in 2018

Port Galveston in Texas offers one of the busiest cruise ports, all within the greater Houston metro area. This port is only 9 miles from the open sea in the Gulf of Mexico, making it a great location for cruises. In fact, it is the fourth-largest cruise port in America. It is also one of the oldest ports on the Gulf of Mexico, established in 1825.

In 2018, the port of Galveston announced that it was the number one cruise port in Texas. It offers hundreds of cruises every year, offering options all around the world for travelers. If you are located near the Gulf of Mexico, this Houston port is a perfect spot to start your dream vacation.

Port Traffic in Past Years

Over recent years, the Galveston cruise port has been investing millions into its cruise terminals. Over the years between 2000 and 2016, at least $85 million were invested for creating more terminals, signing agreements with cruise lines, and expanding cruise terminals for larger passenger capacity.

In fact, by December 2019, the port welcomed its 1 millionth cruise passenger for the year, breaking previous records. While the COVID-19 pandemic has affected some cruise seasons in recent years, the Port of Galveston has bounced back with clean energy solutions and a large season in 2022. That includes supporting thousands of jobs in the greater Houston area.

Improvements Coming to the Galveston Port

As the cruise ship industry recovers from the pandemic, and as more people decide to choose cruises for their big vacations, the demand for cruises increases. Because of this, the Port of Galveston and the city of Houston are seeing new investments in the growth of this port. As of 2022, reports say that the port would be investing another $33 million in infrastructure development to allow for more cruises.

Part of this is to open a new terminal at Pier 10 at the Port of Galveston. This port would partner with Royal Caribbean International and would be the world’s first zero-energy terminal. It would receive all its needed energy through solar panels. It would also be the first in Texas to achieve LEED gold certification. As of November 2023, another $5.3 million would be going to services for a fourth terminal at Pier 16. As the demand for more cruises grows, the port is growing with it.

These upgrades come at the perfect time. The Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO estimated that they expect 330 sailings this year. That means that it is time to update, upgrade, and develop more options for this port to support more cruise opportunities. This would also mean a more modern design and state-of-the-art technology for the port.

Cruise Ships Schedule

Fortunately for travelers who want a beautiful Christmas destination or those who would rather spend their summer on the beach in an exotic locale, there are summer and winter options available at Houston’s port. Because their ports are open year-round, their cruise ship schedule is constantly in rotation.

Those planning on a trip have three options for terminals, which are used by different companies. Terminal 1 offers the services of Princess and Carnival. Terminal 2 houses vessels for Disney, Celebrity, and RCI-Royal Caribbean. Terminal 3, exclusive to Royal Caribbean, was opened in 2022 and serves only that company.

Protect Legal Rights If a Cruise Ship Trip Goes Wrong

While Houston’s port is of excellent quality, accidents do happen. Worse, people may act negligently, whether at the harbor or while on the cruise. When things like this happen, however, you are not without options.

If you are hurt on a cruise or in the time before or after while at the docks, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Reach out to an experienced cruise ship accident attorney at our firm if you have been injured while leaving or on a Houston cruise, and our legal advocates will be happy to help you navigate your potential claim.

Our Cruise Ship Injury Lawyers Will Help You Explore Your Options and Maximize Your Payout

Our firm has a proven and powerful track record of results, from our more than $450 million won  in over 3,000 cases handled for our clients to our hundreds of TV appearances as experts in maritime injuries and cruise ship accident claims over the years. That is why we have been repeatedly named to “Best Law Firms”® by US News & World Report. We are here to put that training, dedication, and experience to work for those who have been injured in maritime accidents.

When choosing your options for setting sail on a cruise, you have a wealth of information and options to choose from. Your best options simply depend on your destination, available deals, and travel distance to the nearest port. If you need more information, or if you need help ensuring your legal rights are protected if something goes wrong aboard your Houston cruise, reach out for more information. Our cruise ship accident attorneys at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. are here to help when negligent cruise lines fail passengers and crew members alike. Give us a call today at 877-233-1238 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation with our personal injury lawyers.