Texas cruisers are just one month from having even more options to choose from when sailing. Galveston is putting the final touches on a brand-new terminal and is set to enjoy the arrival of an entirely new cruise line to the island — MSC Cruises.
MSC will debut MSC Seascape at the new Cruise Terminal 16 in November. It will mark the sixth cruise line to sail from the island, but only the third line to homeport there year-round (Carnival and Royal Caribbean already call Galveston home with cruises throughout the year.)
Launched in 2021, MSC Seascape is a newer ship in the fleet. And coming in at 170,000 gross tons and with the ability to hold nearly 6,000 passengers at full capacity, it is also one of the larger ships to homeport in Galveston.
Seascape features more than 2,200 cabins, 11 different spots to eat and nearly 20 bars and lounges. Food includes everything from the classics like the buffet and dining room to sushi, steak, teppanyaki, and tacos.
That’s to go with the six swimming pools onboard, giving everyone a spot to take a dip. There’s the LEGO-branded kids area, tons for families to do, and the Aurea Spa for those wanting to relax.
Onboard there’s also the MSC Yacht Club — the cruise line’s ‘resort within a resort.’ For those that spend a bit more and book here, you get the exclusivity of a high-end small ship experience with a limited number of rooms, your own private restaurant, sun deck, pool, and more. But you also get the benefits of being on a large ship with all the things to do, entertainment, and experiences onboard.
Perhaps no experience is as unique as what’s found on MSC Seascape than the Robotron, which the cruise line calls the only “robocoaster” at sea. It’s a ride where chairs are attached to a robotic arm that takes you up, down, and upside down. There’s nothing else like it you’ll find on the ocean.
And because it’s Texas, MSC Cruises is also playing up that angle. For instance, the cruise line says that its menus will expand to include “Southern, Texan and Gulf Coast flavors.” Of course, that includes BBQ, but also more options like a spicy margarita and local beers. (We assume Shiner will be a given onboard?)
There will be a resident country band on the ship, line dancing, and what MSC calls its “Big Texas Sailaway Party.” No word on exactly what that includes, but if boots and cowboy hats aren’t involved, we’d be amazed.
MSC’s New Home at Cruise Terminal 16
To welcome MSC (and other lines as it continues to grow), Galveston has built the all-new Cruise Terminal 16. Located near the new Cruise Terminal 10 used by Royal Caribbean, this marks the fourth cruise terminal on the island.
The new terminal is 165,000 square feet and comes in at just over $150 million to construct. It will also include a parking garage onsite, making it easy to park and walk to your ship instead of dealing with shuttles like with most terminals on the island.
From this brand-new home, MSC Seascape will sail 7-night cruises every Sunday. The sailing will include stops in Costa Maya (Mexico), Roatan, and Cozumel.
What might interest new cruises to MSC is the cost. The cruise line has made a mark in the industry as being one of the most affordable around. Trips from Galveston start at just $339 per person, which includes taxes and fees. That’s an amazing deal for a week at sea.
Even More Possibilities for Galveston, MSC, and Passengers
The arrival of MSC Cruises to Galveston really is another feather in the cap of Texas cruising. Starting from nothing just about two decades ago, Galveston has grown into the fourth-largest cruise port in the country and the busies outside of Florida.
Now with four terminals, Galveston Wharves CEO Rodger Rees says the port expects more than 2 million passengers a year starting in 2026.
But with only three cruise lines now homeporting there year-round, there’s still plenty of room to grow its offerings. For instance, the other homeported cruise lines also have a line-up of 4-5 day sailings. Could this be in the cards for MSC?
Continue to expect big things from the island, and in just one month you’ll see one of the most exciting new additions set sail.
