Family Cruises Leaving Galveston, Texas

Carnival Ecstasy

• Winner of several awards, including being named the No. 1 Cruise Choice in "Southern Living" magazine, Carnival Cruise Lines offers several options. As of April 2010, the Carnival Ecstasy ship departs from Galveston at least twice a month, engaging in four- or five-day cruises that make stops in Mexico (Progresso and Cozumel). The ship features a large pool with water slides, Internet service, shops, spa, video arcade, Camp Carnival (for children ages 2 to 11), Circle "C" club (for kids 12 to 14) and Club O2 (for teenagers 15 to 17). For adults, Carnival Ecstasy offers several bars and lounges, an adult-only retreat area and a casino, complete with poker tables, slots and roulette.

  Carnival Cruise Lines
  2502 Harborside Dr., Pier 25
  Galveston, TX 77550
  888-227-6482
  carnival.com

Carnival Conquest

• Carnival Cruise Lines employs the Carnival Conquest ship for its longer trips. The ship departs from Galveston at least twice a month on seven-day cruises, making stops in the Bahamas (Nassau and Freeport), Mexico (Cozumel), Jamaica (Montego Bay), Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman) and Key West, Florida. In addition to the amenities offered by the Carnival Ecstasy, including Camp Carnival, Circle "C" club and Club O2, Carnival Conquest features a 12-foot by 22-foot LED screen paired with a 70,000-watt sound system to watch movies, a nine-hole mini-golf course, a performance stage and a photo gallery where you can purchase a memento of your trip.

  Carnival Cruise Lines
  2502 Harborside Dr., Pier 25
  Galveston, TX 77550
  888-227-6482
  carnival.com

Voyager of the Seas

• Established in 1968 by Norwegian companies Anders Wilhlmsen, I.M. Skauge and Gotaas Larsen, the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line offers seven- and 14-night cruises departing from Galveston at least once a month. The seven-night cruises feature stops in Mexico (Cozumel), Jamaica (Montego Bay), Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman), Honduras (Roatan) and Belize (Belize City), and the 14-day cruise has stops in the Bahamas (Nassau), Azores (Ponta Delgada) and several ports in Spain (Malaga, Cartagena and Barcelona). The company uses its Voyager of the Seas ship for the cruises. The ship features an ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall, restaurants, bars and lounges, the Adventure Ocean youth facilities, spa and full-size basketball court, among other amenities.

  Royal Caribbean
  2702 Harborside Dr., Pier 27
  Galveston, TX 77550
  866-562-7625
  royalcaribbean.com