The Two Terminals Most Galveston Cruisers Sail From
Of the Port of Galveston's four cruise terminals, two carry the majority of the port's passengers: Terminal 25 and Terminal 28, which sit directly across Harborside Drive from each other at 2502 and 2702 Harborside Drive. Terminal 25 is Carnival's primary Galveston berth and the port's highest-volume terminal; Terminal 28 serves Disney Cruise Line along with select Princess and Carnival sailings. Because the two piers are near enough to be confused and far enough to matter, matching your drop-off to the terminal number on your boarding pass is the single most useful thing you can do on embarkation morning.
Terminal 25: Carnival's Main Galveston Berth
Terminal 25 sits on the downtown waterfront near 25th Street, steps from the port's Express Lot and the SMP parking garage. Carnival loads the bulk of its Galveston fleet here, and Princess shares the terminal on some sailings. On turnaround days the terminal handles simultaneous embarkation and debarkation, which produces the port's heaviest morning congestion -- arrive inside your assigned window rather than hours early, and hand luggage to the porters at the curb rather than hauling it through the queue yourself.
Terminal 28: Disney and More
Terminal 28, directly across the street, is best known as the Disney Cruise Line terminal, and Disney's family-sized luggage volume makes a curbside drop especially welcome. Watch the signage as you approach: the Terminal 28 entrance sits just past the Terminal 25 entrance, and drivers who unload at the first curb they see routinely add a block of walking to the start of a cruise.
Getting From Houston Airports to Piers 25 and 28
Both terminals are reached from I-45 South via exit 1C toward Harborside Drive. From Hobby Airport the run is about 40 miles; from Bush Intercontinental it is closer to 70. If you fly in the morning of your sailing, Hobby is the lower-risk airport; if you land at IAH, an overnight in Houston before the cruise removes the flight-delay risk entirely.
For either pier, a private Houston to Galveston shuttle drops you at the correct terminal curb with your luggage handled door-to-door. Cruisers who prefer the return leg pre-arranged -- strongly recommended on debarkation mornings, when all terminals clear passengers at once -- can book a Galveston to Hobby Airport shuttle for the day they disembark, or a Houston to IAH shuttle in the reverse direction when flying out of Bush.
Parking Near Terminals 25 and 28
Driving yourself? The Express Lot and the covered SMP Garage at 25th Street are within walking distance of both piers -- no shuttle needed. The economy lots at 33rd Street run a free shuttle loop and cost less. Pre-booking online is almost always cheaper than paying at the gate. Note that Terminal 25 and 28 lots are not the closest option for Terminal 10 cruisers, a mile west -- match the lot to the pier.
Parking Right at the Terminals
Terminals 25 and 28 have the port's most convenient parking, which is one reason they carry the heaviest passenger volumes. The Express Lot and the SMP Garage -- a six-level covered garage at 25th Street and Harborside Drive, the port's only covered multi-level structure -- sit within walking distance of both piers, no shuttle needed. The economy Lot A and Lot B at 33rd Street cost less and run a free shuttle loop with a stop serving both terminals. Pre-booking online locks the spot and is almost always cheaper than the gate rate; all official lots sit on port property with 24/7 port police patrol. Independent lots two blocks away undercut on price and run their own shuttles -- but note the same rule as everywhere at this port: a lot matched to Terminals 25/28 is a mile from Terminal 10.
Terminal 25 and 28 FAQ
Which terminal does Carnival use in Galveston?
Carnival's primary berth is Terminal 25 at 2502 Harborside Drive, though select Carnival sailings also use Terminal 28. Check your boarding pass.
Which terminal does Disney Cruise Line use in Galveston?
Disney sails from Terminal 28 at 2702 Harborside Drive, directly across from Terminal 25.
Are Galveston Terminals 25 and 28 the same building?
No -- they are separate terminals across the street from each other. Confirm the number on your boarding pass before you unload.
How far is Hobby Airport from the Galveston cruise terminals?
About 40 miles, typically under an hour in normal traffic, versus roughly 70 miles from Bush Intercontinental.
