Best 4-day cruises from Galveston, Texas to book now

Houston travelers looking to maximize long weekends and holidays off work often look for easy trips to Galveston—and one of the best options from this coastal hot spot is a cruise. While there aren’t any three-day cruises from Galveston, there are plenty of four-day cruises that will take you from the Lone Star State to tropical beaches and open-water sea days. 

These sailings are ideal for those looking to get away for a short vacation without spending a lot of money on a trip. The best four-day cruises from Galveston include sailings on Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line—all of which are fantastic options for families traveling together, couples looking for a quick getaway, or groups of friends who want to let loose. And the best part about these cruises is that almost everything is included, from food and drinks to entertainment and accommodations, which means all you need to do is park your car and board the ship.

Here are five of the best four-day cruises from Galveston to book now. 

Disney Cruise Line has cruises out of Galveston from December 2023 through January 2024—then resuming service from Galveston in March and April 2024. Each round of sailings takes place on the Disney Magic ship. 

Disney Cruise Line is known for its themed sailings, including holiday-themed options like Very Merrytime Christmas cruises. From December 17 through December 21, guests can step aboard the Disney Magic for a flurry of festive fun, including themed deck parties, food and beverage options, seeing Disney characters in their holiday best, and maybe even spotting Santa Claus himself. Along with all of the onboard excitement, travelers can enjoy one port day at Progreso, Mexico. 

Unlike other cruise lines where prices drop as cruise departure dates approach, Disney Cruises tend to get more expensive as sail dates draw nearer. The current price at time of writing for this four-night cruise for an inside cabin is $4,038 for two guests. If you want to cruise with Disney, it’s best to book as early as possible.

If you want to enjoy Disney Cruise Line on a non-themed cruise, January is currently the month with the best prices out of Galveston. A four-night sailing on the Disney Magic from January 8 through 12 currently starts at $1,887 for two people booking an inside stateroom. The cruise has one port day in Progreso, Mexico and two sea days to spend enjoying the ship and all that it has to offer. 

Onboard the Disney Magic, kids can play in dedicated kids clubs where they can interact with their favorite Disney characters and visit themed play areas including Marvel Super Hero Academy and Pixie Hollow.

Adults have areas of the ship that are all their own, including a pool deck, a restaurant and bars and lounges. When it’s time for everyone to come together, families can enjoy first-run movies in the onboard movie theater, or watch a “Broadway-caliber show” in the Walt Disney Theater. 

Royal Caribbean offers four-night sailings from their shiny Galveston terminal on three different ships: Harmony of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas. Mariner and Voyager offer more sailings at a better price, and both go to Cozumel, Mexico—so your pick of a ship may be determined by your travel dates or what type of onboard experience you want to have. 

Cruisers looking to set sail on Royal Caribbean will enjoy the four-night cruises from Galveston on Mariner of the Seas. At the time of this writing, the cheapest cruise starts at $735 for two people in an interior room for the September 26, 2024 sailing, though other 2024 sailings are still reasonably priced. 

Onboard Mariner of the Seas, travelers will find plenty of things to do, from trivia and dance classes to miniature golf and laser tag. The pool decks are a fantastic place for families to enjoy, with waterslides that bring the thrills for kids, and an ample amount of deck chairs for parents to lounge. Of course, no cruise is complete without a great meal, and onboard restaurant Jamie’s Italian serves up handcrafted pasta dishes from the culinary mind of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

For those who want to get out on the high seas in 2023, Voyager of the Seas is currently sailing from Galveston. At the time of this writing, the least expensive 2023 sailing is the September 14 through 18 cruise, which starts at $919 for two people in an interior room. 

After embarking on the ship, cruisers have a world of options for activities and dining. Around the ship live music is typically always playing, or you can catch a live show in the main theater. For a more dazzling experience, consider going to the ice skating show, which has a theme inspired by magic.

Outdoor movies are shown on the pool deck almost nightly, which is a fun way to end your evenings. When it’s time to grab a bite to eat, head to Izumi, the onboard sushi restaurant for fresh and flavorful sushi and Asian cuisine. 

Carnival Cruise Line is known for its fun party atmosphere and family-friendly activities. If you’re looking for a lively cruise with plenty of good vibes, this is it. 

The Carnival Breeze is an impressive ship for families looking to mix party time with relaxation. Kids will enjoy activities geared just for them in the kids clubs, or they can take a ride on the onboard waterslides before heading to the miniature golf course or sports deck.

While children are off doing their own thing, adults can pamper themselves at the spa or enjoy the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, the latter of which is an age 21-and-up-only outdoor space with cozy loungers. Don’t forget to indulge in a few cheeseburgers from celebrity chef Guy Fieri at Guy’s Burger Joint. 

At the time of this writing, cruises out of Galveston on the Carnival Breeze start at $1008 for two people in an interior room for the January 25 through January 29 sailing. Earlier sailings in 2023 are a little more expensive, but may still be a cheaper option compared to Disney or Royal Caribbean. 

This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].