Quietly, Galveston has built itself into a cruising mecca. It’s now the largest departure port outside of Florida, with major lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Disney, and soon, MSC, calling the island home.
But if there is a drawback about cruising from Galveston, it’s that the port is far from the closest airport. It can take an hour-and-a-half to get there from the biggest Houston airport. That means people flying in will most likely need to arrive the day before and get a hotel.
Even if you are within driving distance, however, arriving the day before your cruise is a good idea. Not only does it relieve any stress of making the port on time, but Galveston offers a ton to see and do before your cruise. Treating it as another port of call on your vacation is smart.
That said, where should you stay in Galveston if you’re headed in for a cruise? We’ve covered hotels with cruise parking here and hotels with shuttles here. However, if you simply want the best hotels on the island, then check out our list below. Any of them should make a great place to stay before your cruise. They are all highly rated and close to the port.
Note: This article contains affiliate links to Kayak. We earn a commission for clicks made on their website, at no charge to you. Review ratings come from Google and are rounded to the nearest half point.
Best Galveston Hotels for Cruise Passengers
Hotel Lucine
New on the scene, Hotel Lucine dubs itself “The Best Little Beach House in Texas” and the reviews seem to agree. It’s a 1960s hotel that was completely transformed and updated with a chic, retro vibe and sits right on the Seawall. A courtyard pool, rooftop bar, and tons of mid-century style, this might be the hippest hotel in Galveston. When it’s time to cruise, you’re just a mile away from the Royal Caribbean terminal… although you may not want to leave.
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Phone: 409-867-5500
Harbor House
Want to be next to the ships? We mean, right next to the ships? It gets no closer than the Harbor House, which is next door to Cruise Terminals 25 & 28, where Carnival and other lines dock. It’s also next to the historic Strand district, giving you a lot to see, do, and eat right next to the hotel. The hotel itself is higher-end without being stuffy, making it ideal for those that want to have a nice place to stay but not feel out of place in a ritzy hotel. Best of all, come cruise day you can just walk right to the ship.
- Rating: 4.4 out of 5
- Distance: 500 feet
- Phone: 409-763-3321
The Galvestonian
Are you the type that wants to relax before the cruise and not be in the middle of the hustle and bustle? The Galvestonian is a large hotel on Galveston’s East End. This part of the island is relatively empty, but only a mile from the main city. So you are close to everything, yet feel far away — especially from the beach crowds. Meanwhile, at the highly rated hotel you get Gulf views, swimming pool, and tennis courts. This is an ideal spot if you’re wanting a full-fledged vacation in Galveston before or after your cruise.
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Distance: 3 miles
- Phone: 409-765-6161
Tremont House
The Tremont House is one of Galveston’s oldest and most historic hotels. It’s beautifully appointed, features a rooftop bar, and is perhaps the most chic hotel on the island. For cruise passengers, it’s literally less than 1,000 feet from where Carnival, Disney, and Princess dock (less than the length of the ship!).
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5
- Distance: 900 feet
- Phone: 409-763-0300
The Oleander Hotel
The Oleander might be the best kept secret on the island. The boutique hotel features just 10 rooms that are all a unique design from one another, meaning that no two stays are the exact same. Bright, festive, and with lots of cool touches (wild wallpaper, anyone?), this might also be the most photo-worthy hotel in Galveston. You’re right around the corner from the island’s historic district and just about half a mile from the ships.
- Rating: 4.7 out of 5
- Distance: 0.7 miles
- Phone: 409-502-7697
Residence Inn Galveston Island
A brand-new hotel on the island, this Residence Inn sits just back from the Seawall with great views of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s also just a two-minute walk from the famous Gaido’s — the most famous restaurant on the island. Because it’s new, you can expect everything to be fresh and clear. Maybe that’s why it rates a strong 4.5 out of 5 stars. Given that it’s a chain, it isn’t as unique as others on our list. But if you want clean, comfortable, and a great location, what’s not to like?
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Phone: 409-295-4111
Best Western Plus Seawall Inn
Sometimes you just want to stay somewhere that’s simple, affordable, and highly rated. If you’re wanting something like that, then this Best Western Plus should do the trick. It’s right on the eastern edge of town, so it’s much quieter than staying on the Seawall, yet you are right near everything and just over a mile to the Royal Caribbean cruise terminal. It’s also relatively new, meaning it feels much nicer than some of the older hotels around the island.
- Rating: 4.2 out of 5
- Distance: 2.3 miles
- Phone: 409-766-7070
San Luis Resort
If you want one of the few official resorts on Galveston, the San Luis is a good option. The classic haunt sits right on the island’s famous Seawall and has everything you’d need for a vacation… without leaving the grounds. There’s a massive pool, manicured grounds, spa, and even boutique shops. For a more memorable stay, be sure to book a room with a full Gulf view before you cruise.
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Distance: 3.9 miles
- Phone: 800-392-5937
Hilton Galveston Island Resort
This hotel sits just a block away from the San Luis and is also right on the water. From here you’re across the island from the ships, but given the relatively compact nature of Galveston, it’s still only about four miles to the cruise terminals. The beachy resort has a large pool kids will love, plenty of parking, solid reviews, and also puts you near a grocery store should you need to pick up any last minute provisions for the cruise.
- Rating: 4.0 out of 5
- Distance: 4.0 miles
- Phone: 409-744-500
Moody Gardens Hotel and Spa
If you haven’t heard of Moody Gardens, you’ll know it by the time you reach the island. As you come to Galveston over the causeway from the mainland, Moody Gardens consists of the three large pyramids (which house a rainforest and aquarium) to the right. There’s an entire complex here to visit and next door is a waterpark.
You can stay at the hotel on site, which is perfect if you plan to make a day of visiting the attractions here. As well, it’s highly rated and about 20 minutes from the cruise ships.
- Rating: 4.3 out of 5
- Distance: 6.2 miles
- Phone: 409-741-8484
Galveston Cruise Hotel Map
