MSC Seascape Begins Year-Round Galveston Cruises From New Terminal 16

MSC Cruises launched its first-ever homeport operation in Texas with MSC Seascape beginning year-round departures from Galveston. The move coincides with the Port of Galveston’s opening of its fourth cruise facility, Cruise Terminal 16, with the ship’s inaugural Texas-based sailing scheduled for Nov. 9 on a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary.

Cruise Terminal 16 opens as Galveston adds capacity at Pier 16

Galveston leaders and cruise executives marked the opening of Cruise Terminal 16 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 7, 2025, bringing a new cruise complex online at Pier 16. The terminal is located at 1602 Harborside Drive and expands the port’s homeport infrastructure with new parking and passenger-processing facilities.

The project traces back to a 2024 deal between Galveston Wharves and MSC Cruises to establish service at Pier 16, followed by a fast-paced buildout that converted a site previously used as a Del Monte produce operation. Port information released around the opening described financing that included a bond package totaling $156.7 million to fund improvements; the terminal project has also been described as a $156-million facility.

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, called the opening “a tremendous milestone in the port’s history as a major U.S. cruise port,” while welcoming MSC Cruises as a new partner and pointing to expanded commitments from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

Terminal design and passenger-flow upgrades

Port and project details described Cruise Terminal 16 as a 165,000-square-foot operation designed to streamline embarkation and disembarkation for high-volume sailings, pairing a converted terminal structure with transportation and boarding improvements.

• Terminal footprint: The cruise terminal spans about 165,000 square feet, created by converting former cargo buildings into a passenger operation.
• On-site parking: A new seven-story parking garage costing $55 million adds more than 1,600 spaces, described as the port’s first newly built on-site parking facility.
• Boarding infrastructure: The complex includes two custom-built passenger boarding bridges intended to support homeport turnarounds.
• Ground transportation: Site plans include dedicated areas for buses, shuttles, rideshares, and taxis to manage arrival and departure surges on turnaround days.

MSC Seascape begins weekly Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston

MSC Seascape repositioned to Galveston from Miami and is now based in Texas on a year-round schedule. The 2022-built ship is a 170,400-gross-ton vessel with capacity for up to 5,877 guests, adding another large homeported ship to the port’s lineup as Galveston continues to expand its cruise business.

From Galveston, the ship is scheduled to operate seven-night Western Caribbean cruises with calls in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras. Departures are scheduled every Sunday, with the first Texas-based sailing set for Nov. 9.

MSC has marketed Galveston pricing from roughly the high-$300 range per passenger for weeklong sailings, positioning the sailing as an additional drive-to option for Gulf Coast and Central U.S. travelers.

Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America, framed the move as part of a broader expansion push, saying, “Expanding to Galveston marks an exciting new chapter for MSC Cruises and a natural next step in our North American growth story.” She also pointed to regional demand, describing Galveston as “an easy drive for millions of travelers across the Southwest.” In separate remarks tied to the launch, Torrent said, “Expanding to Galveston is a significant step in MSC’s North American growth strategy,” adding, “Texans are passionate travelers, and we aim to deliver a blend of European style and American comfort elevated by a touch of Texas flair.”

Texas-themed programming and new onboard partnerships

MSC’s Galveston deployment includes changes to onboard programming designed to reflect Texas and Gulf Coast themes. Torrent said the line included “local touches throughout the experience,” including Texas-inspired dishes and local beer, alongside country music, line dancing, and hometown sports shown onboard. Other onboard elements described for the ship’s Galveston operation include BBQ-forward dining and locally curated drinks, plus entertainment such as a resident country band and line dancing classes.

Ship features highlighted around the launch include the RoboTron thrill ride, multiple pool and water attractions including a Pirate’s Cove Aquapark, a spa, and entertainment venues and lounges. The ship also offers the MSC Yacht Club, a private-access area with its own lounges and dining, along with dedicated service including on-call butler service.

MSC also tied the Galveston launch to a new reading concept in partnership with NBC’s TODAY, adding book nooks branded Read With Jenna and Read With Jenna Jr. onboard MSC Seascape with curated title selections for adults and younger readers. Jenna Bush Hager, host of “Jenna and Friends” on NBC’s TODAY, said, “For me, reading is the ultimate vacation.”

Port projections: sailings, passenger volume, and economic impact

Port and community leaders have positioned Terminal 16 as both a capacity expansion and an economic development project. Rees has said the port expects 445 sailings and almost 2 million passengers in 2026, which he described as roughly 4 million passenger movements across Galveston’s four terminals. Other port projections for the same timeframe put 2026 passenger movements at about 3.9 million.

Economic projections released alongside the terminal opening cited cruise activity as a major local driver, including 4,547 jobs, $291 million in personal income, and $733 million in business revenue by 2026. U.S. Rep. Randy Weber said the project “has already put hundreds of people to work,” citing construction employment totals of more than 800 workers since groundbreaking, with nearly 300 on site at peak activity.

Galveston mayor Craig Brown said the new terminal “will generate jobs and economic growth for the region” while expanding cruise choices and growth opportunities for port partners. Former Galveston Park Board of Trustees CEO Kimberly Danesi also pointed to past experience at the port, noting that prior terminal expansions led to a doubling of cruise traffic, with local stakeholders anticipating similar benefits from Terminal 16 now coming online.

Norwegian Viva set for seasonal use of Terminal 16

Terminal 16 is not exclusive to MSC. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is scheduled to operate Norwegian Viva from the new terminal on a seasonal basis beginning in December 2025. Daniel Farkas, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings executive vice president and general counsel, said, “Galveston continues to be a key hub for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings,” describing the new terminal as a milestone in the company’s partnership with the port and community.

Norwegian Viva, one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newer Prima-class ships, is slated to rotate between seven- and 14-night Caribbean itineraries during its Galveston season. Galveston Wharves Board Chairman Vic Pierson said bringing in MSC and expanding Norwegian’s presence “says a great deal about our position in the U.S. and global cruise markets.”

How Galveston fits into MSC’s broader U.S. expansion

Galveston becomes MSC Cruises’ fourth U.S. homeport, joining Miami, Port Canaveral, and New York. MSC has said the Texas expansion is part of a broader initiative to grow its footprint and brand awareness in the American market, with plans by 2026 to operate seven U.S.-based vessels, including MSC World America and MSC Divina.

MSC has also said it aims to debut Alaska itineraries in 2026 with a Seattle-based program, broadening its North American offerings beyond the Caribbean. In describing the appeal of Galveston as a homeport, MSC has pointed to the size of the drive market, saying about 46 million Americans live within a day’s drive of the port.

With MSC Seascape now sailing year-round and Norwegian Viva set to begin seasonal departures later in December, port leaders have pointed to the 2026 schedule as the next major benchmark as Galveston’s fourth terminal moves from opening celebrations into a full year of operations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Cruise Terminal 16 in Galveston?

Cruise Terminal 16 is the Port of Galveston’s fourth cruise terminal, opened Nov. 7, 2025, at Pier 16. The terminal is about 165,000 square feet and was created by converting a site previously used as a Del Monte produce operation into a cruise facility with new passenger and transportation infrastructure.

Where is Cruise Terminal 16 located?

The terminal is located at Pier 16 at 1602 Harborside Drive in Galveston, Texas.

What itinerary is MSC Seascape sailing from Galveston?

MSC Seascape is scheduled to operate seven-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston, calling on Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico and Roatan in Honduras. Departures are scheduled every Sunday, with the inaugural Texas-based sailing set for Nov. 9.

Which ships are scheduled to operate from Terminal 16?

MSC Seascape is based in Galveston year-round from Terminal 16. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is also scheduled to use the terminal, with Norwegian Viva set to begin seasonal sailings from Galveston in December 2025.

What economic impacts have been projected for the terminal and cruise activity?

Port information released alongside the terminal opening cited projections that include 4,547 jobs, $291 million in personal income, and $733 million in business revenue by 2026. U.S. Rep. Randy Weber also said construction activity has involved more than 800 workers since groundbreaking, with nearly 300 on site at peak activity.