The Texas Port of Galveston will celebrate two big milestones on November 9, 2025: The first departure of an MSC Cruises’ ship homeporting at the Gulf Coast facility and the opening of the port’s fourth cruise terminal.

The 170,400-gross-ton MSC Seascape , with a capacity for 5,800 guests, will begin sailing 7-night Western Caribbean voyages from Galveston Wharves, with calls at Roatan, Honduras, and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

The ship, one of the line’s Seaside EVO class, will embark and debark guests at Galveston’s new Terminal 16, now under construction but expected to be completed well ahead of the first departure date.

A ground-breaking event was held in August 2024 to herald the start of construction of the $150 million terminal.

While 100-plus cruise line and port officials celebrated the event, the port revealed a large-scale rendering of the terminal, which will provide 165,000-square-feet of check-in space, a lounge for MSC Yacht Club guests, a parking garage, outdoor spaces, and other amenities.

Initial planning for the new terminal began a few years ago, and MSC Cruises opened bookings for MSC Seascape’s Galveston voyages in January 2024.

“ It seems like just yesterday we were announcing our intention to sail from Galveston, and now here we are six months out. We’ll be there before you know it, ” said Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America .

“ Our ‘Let’s Holiday’ campaign has vacationers and travel advisors across the country buzzing about our trademark mix of European style and American comfort, so it’s a great time to expand into a fantastic market like Galveston, ” Torrent added .

The port’s fourth terminal is expected to generate more than 900 jobs in the Galveston area and about $177 million in revenue. Annual spending in the local economy by guests and crew is predicted to add another $21 million.

“ We’re honored that MSC Cruises chose Galveston as it expands its US presence. Having MSC, the world’s third largest cruise line, homeporting in Galveston says a great deal about their confidence in the Port of Galveston and mid-America cruise market, ” said Rodger Rees, port director and CEO of Galveston Wharves .

While the Western Caribbean destinations that MSC Seascape will visit during her deployment to Galveston will offer exciting shore excursions for guests, there is plenty to do onboard the ship as well.

Thrill-seekers will want to experience the glass-floored Bridge of Sighs and try the Robotron rollercoaster while those looking to relax can do so poolside at one of the ship’s six swimming pools, including an infinity pool.

More than 7,000-square-feet are dedicated spaces for children and teens, where age-appropriate supervised activities are offered.

The ship will tempt guests with 11 dining venues and 19 bars and lounges, and features one of the fleet’s largest MSC Yacht Club spaces — the luxury-level, ship-within-a-ship accommodations area.

Galveston Is Fourth-Busiest Cruise Port in the US

Galveston is a popular drive-to port for the population centers in Texas as well as neighboring cities along the Gulf Coast. The port welcomed 1.6 million cruise guests in 2024 and is poised to receive 1.75 million in 2025.

It is the fourth-busiest US port in terms of cruise arrivals, behind PortMiami, Port Canaveral, and Port Everglades.

Earlier this year it announced it is moving ahead with several infrastructure projects detailed in its 20-Year Strategic Master Plan — all designed to make transiting the port smooth sailing for cruise passengers.

Aside from the new terminal currently under construction, which will be used by Norwegian Cruise Line as well as MSC Cruises, the Port of Galveston recently completed $53 million in improvements to Carnival Cruise Line’s Terminal 25.

The Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees also recently approved a new master plan for the port, which is expected to handle some 400 embarkations and debarkations in 2025.