Port Welcomes Margaritaville at Sea as 7th Cruise Line

Port Welcomes Margaritaville at Sea as 7th Cruise Line

August 25, 2026

New cruise service to begin in 2027, expanding cruise options for travelers across Texas and the Central U.S.

GALVESTON, Texas (Aug. 25, 2026) – The Port of Galveston is welcoming Margaritaville at Sea as its seventh cruise line, further expanding the port’s cruise offerings and giving travelers across Texas and the Central U.S. new options for Caribbean and Central American vacations beginning in October 2027.

The Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Aug. 25 to accept an agreement with Margaritaville at Sea that includes weekly sailings from Cruise Terminal 28, with an initial one-year term and options to renew for two additional five-year terms.

Margaritaville at Sea will announce the ship that will be homeported in Galveston, along with its itineraries, during a special event at the port in September.  For first access to updates, join the Margaritaville at Sea VIP email list at MargaritavilleAtSea.com/HelloTexas.

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, said, “Like many of the 46 million people in our drive market, I grew up with ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise’ and still enjoy listening to Jimmy Buffett’s unique style of music.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Margaritaville at Sea to Galveston. This new service rounds out our cruise schedule with Friday sailings and gives our guests even more choices for when and where they want to cruise. Margaritaville at Sea will bring a distinctive experience to Galveston while expanding access to both new and familiar destinations in the Caribbean and Central America.”

Christopher Ivy, Chief Executive Officer of Margaritaville at Sea, added, “We’re incredibly excited to bring Margaritaville at Sea to Galveston for the first time and introduce our signature blend of fun, escapism and laid-back hospitality to even more guests across Texas and the Central U.S.  Galveston is an important and growing cruise gateway, and this agreement represents another significant step in the continued expansion of our brand. We look forward to working with the Port of Galveston to bring the Margaritaville at Sea experience to this market in a whole new way, with itineraries that will feature both new ports of call and longtime favorites.”

The addition of Margaritaville at Sea continues the Port of Galveston’s growth as the fourth-ranked cruise homeport in the U.S., with 446 sailings forecast in 2026, and strengthens its position as a convenient drive-to cruise destination.

The port continues to invest in cruise infrastructure, transportation improvements and passenger amenities to support the growing demand for cruising from Galveston. In 2026, the port forecasts 3.9 million passenger movements, a new record for the port.

Galveston’s cruise industry is a major economic engine for local and regional businesses. Cruise operations generate more than 4,547 jobs for Galveston area residents, $733 million in business revenues, $291 million in personal income and $25 million in state and local taxes.

About the Port of Galveston

Located at the entrance to Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel, the Port of Galveston has been a thriving maritime commercial center since 1825. Just 45 minutes from open seas, the 840-acre port has infrastructure and assets to serve growing cruise, cargo, commercial and shipbuilding businesses. 

The port is the fourth-ranked cruise home port in the U.S. with four cruise terminals. In 2026 the port forecasts 446 sailings and 3.9 million passenger movements, a new record for the port. 

The port also leases and maintains a wide range of cargo facilities on the deep-water Galveston Harbor, which is ranked among the top 40 busiest U.S. cargo waterways. The Galveston Wharves is a self-sustaining city entity whose mission is to generate and reinvest port revenues to benefit the Galveston community with economic growth, jobs and sales tax revenues. www.portofgalveston.com

About Margaritaville at Sea 

Margaritaville at Sea brings Margaritaville’s iconic hospitality to the open ocean, delivering one-of-a-kind offshore vacation experiences inspired by the laid-back lifestyle of its namesake. With three distinct ships and an expanding lineup of itineraries, Margaritaville at Sea offers something for every kind of traveler. Beginning in 2027, guests can set sail aboard the all-new Beachcomber, the line’s newest flagship vessel, offering 4- to 8-night itineraries from PortMiami to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.  The Islander departs from Port Tampa Bay on 4- to 10-night adventures to Mexico and the Western Caribbean, while the Paradise provides quick and easy 3- to 5-night getaways from Palm Beach to The Bahamas and Key West.  Onboard, guests can relax in comfort across a range of fully immersive suites and staterooms inspired by the sea, sand, and sun. Each ship features a wide array of inclusive and specialty dining options with chef-crafted, island-inspired cuisine; uniquely themed bars and lounges with non-stop live entertainment; a kids’ club and arcade; the Margaritaville Casino; the St. Somewhere Spa & Salon; multiple pools and hot tubs; and plenty of quiet spaces to soak up the Caribbean sun with a world-class crew and unforgettable hospitality.  Sail away to an island state of mind at MargaritavilleAtSea.com.