The Port of Galveston is set to add Margaritaville at Sea as its 7th cruise line, expanding the range of Caribbean and Central American itineraries available from the Texas port from October 2027.
The Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees unanimously approved an agreement with Margaritaville at Sea on August 25th. The deal provides for weekly departures from Cruise Terminal 28, initially for one year, with options to extend the agreement through two additional 5-year terms.
The cruise line is expected to reveal which ship will be based in Galveston, together with its initial itineraries, at a special event at the port in September.
The new service will introduce Friday departures to Galveston’s cruise schedule. Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees said the agreement would broaden the port’s departure options while introducing Margaritaville at Sea’s distinctive cruise concept to passengers in Texas and the wider Central US market. He also noted that the service would provide access to both established and new destinations in the Caribbean and Central America.
Margaritaville at Sea CEO Christopher Ivy said the Galveston agreement represented an important step in the cruise line’s expansion. The company plans to bring its leisure-oriented hospitality concept to the Texas market while developing itineraries combining new ports of call with established destinations.
The addition of Margaritaville at Sea comes as Galveston continues to expand its position as a major US cruise homeport. The port ranks fourth among US cruise homeports and is forecasting 446 cruise ship departures in 2026. Passenger movements are expected to reach ~3.9 million during the year, which would establish a new record for the port.
Galveston is continuing to invest in cruise infrastructure, transportation and passenger facilities to accommodate rising demand for cruises from the port.
Cruise activity also represents a significant contributor to the local economy. According to the port, the sector supports 4,547+ jobs in the Galveston area and generates ~US$733 million in business revenue, US$291 million in personal income and US$25 million in state and local tax revenues.