Harborside Drive Road Work May Delay Holiday Cruises at Galveston

Cruise passengers driving to the Port of Galveston during the late-2025 holiday season may face slower trips to the terminals as road construction triggers lane closures on Harborside Drive and temporary traffic pattern changes near the cruise complex.

The Port of Galveston warned that congestion is most likely on embarkation and debarkation days, when passenger vehicles, shuttles, and supply traffic converge on the same access roads.

Harborside Drive lane closures begin Nov. 17 and run through December

The Port of Galveston issued a travel advisory tied to road construction on Harborside Drive (State Highway 275), a key route linking multiple cruise terminals on the port’s south side. Lane closures are scheduled to begin Monday, November 17, 2025, and are expected to remain in place through the end of December.

The port said the timing overlaps with one of the busiest travel stretches of the year and could affect access during up to 70 ship calls before year-end. In its advisory, the Port of Galveston cautioned, “Drivers… should expect delays, especially on cruise days,” and recommended travelers build in extra time.

Port officials said lane closures will be limited to weekdays whenever possible, but they also warned that some weekend work could occur.

Where the work is concentrated and what the project includes

The primary construction area is expected to run between 14th Street and Interstate 45, a stretch that passes multiple cruise parking lots and runs toward the base of the Galveston Causeway. The port has also said the corridor includes access points near the Royal Caribbean terminal area.

The roadway work is being carried out by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) as part of a $3.5 million project. The port said resurfacing is a central element of the work, along with improvements that include bike lanes, widened sidewalks, and new turning lanes intended to improve traffic flow and safety. The broader set of improvements described by the port also includes additional lanes in some areas and the addition of turning and U-turn lanes.

Terminal-specific reroutes through Dec. 5 for Terminals 25 and 28

Separate from the broader Harborside Drive lane impacts, the Port of Galveston is temporarily rerouting traffic flow for two of its busiest cruise facilities. The port said the temporary routing changes are scheduled to remain in effect through December 5, 2025.

For Terminal 25, which serves Carnival Cruise Line, the port is directing passenger vehicles to enter and exit via 23rd Street during the reroute period.

For Terminal 28, used by Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line, the port is routing passenger pickup and drop-off traffic to 33rd Street. The port said thousands of travelers, including guests sailing on ships such as Disney Magic and Regal Princess, are impacted by these temporary traffic changes.

How passengers can reduce day-of-travel stress

With both lane restrictions and rerouted terminal approaches occurring during peak travel weeks, the port advised travelers to rely on real-time navigation and to pad schedules for potential backups. Port representatives also noted that travelers may receive additional routing guidance ahead of departure directly from their cruise line.

• Confirm your terminal assignment before leaving and follow the port’s approach streets during the reroute period (23rd Street for Terminal 25 and 33rd Street for Terminal 28 through December 5, 2025).
• Use navigation apps and re-check routing as you near the island, since congestion can build quickly on embarkation and debarkation days.
• If you are using a ride-share, shuttle, or being dropped off, confirm the meeting point and approach street ahead of time to avoid curbside confusion.
• Consider official Port of Galveston parking options and port-provided shuttles, which the port promoted as a way to reduce terminal-area pickup and drop-off delays.

Cruise growth and new facilities add pressure on access roads

The advisories come as Galveston continues to expand as a major drive-to cruise port on the Gulf Coast. The port recorded 3.4 million passenger movements in 2024 and projected more than 400 sailings in 2025.

Looking ahead, the Port of Galveston expects 445 sailings in 2026, hosting nearly two million cruise passengers. The port has also been adding capacity, including the launch of a fourth cruise facility, Cruise Terminal 16.

Terminal 16 is a 165,000-square-foot facility described by the port as a $151 million project, paired with a $55 million parking garage. MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape has begun sailing from Galveston on seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva is scheduled to begin seasonal operations from the new terminal on December 13, 2025.

Port officials have said the current roadway work and temporary routing changes are intended to complement the broader infrastructure upgrades, with the construction activity expected to continue into the end of December 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When do Harborside Drive lane closures start and how long will they last?

The Port of Galveston said lane closures on Harborside Drive are scheduled to begin November 17, 2025, and are expected to continue through the end of December 2025.

Which terminals have special routing rules through December 5, 2025?

The port’s temporary reroutes apply to Terminals 25 and 28 through December 5, 2025.

What streets should passengers use for Terminal 25 and Terminal 28 during the reroute period?

For Terminal 25, the port is directing passenger vehicles to enter and exit via 23rd Street through December 5, 2025. For Terminal 28, the port is routing passenger pickup and drop-off traffic to 33rd Street through December 5, 2025.

What should travelers do if they are worried about delays getting to the port?

The port advised passengers to allow extra travel time, use real-time navigation to adjust routes as congestion develops, and consider parking in official Port of Galveston lots and using port-provided shuttles to reach the terminals. Travelers are also advised to monitor guidance from their cruise line, which may provide additional routing instructions ahead of departure.