Cruising from Galveston with Kids: Real Tips from a Mom Who’s Been There

In May, I took a five-night Caribbean cruise with my three sons—ages 8, 19, and 21—on Mariner of the Seas. Homeschooling lets us travel before the summer rush. It was also a bit of a celebration: my oldest had just graduated from Texas A&M, and my middle son had been accepted into a tech program. With my older two moving into adulthood, trips like this are getting harder to come by. A cruise felt like the perfect way to slow down, be together, and make the most of that time.

We sailed out of Galveston, which is a great fit for Texas families who’d rather skip the hassle of airports. The cruise options aren’t as wide as what you’ll find in Florida, but Royal Caribbean and Carnival sail from Galveston year-round, and, depending on the season, you’ll also see Disney, Princess, and Norwegian on the schedule. For us, being able to pack the car, hit the road, and be onboard just a few hours later was a huge win. It made the whole trip feel easy right from the start.

Pre-cruise tips for Galveston

We drove down the morning of our cruise, but I also recommend arriving in Galveston the day before—especially for families coming from farther out. Texas is a big state, and Houston traffic can be unpredictable. No one wants to start vacation stressed or rushing. Getting there early gives you some buffer time and sets a much more relaxed tone for the trip.

If you do decide to go early, Hotel Galvez is a great option for families. It’s right on the Seawall with a beautiful pool, space for kids to unwind, and a location just minutes from the cruise terminal. They offer cruise parking packages and a free shuttle to the port, which makes embarkation day a breeze.

Even though Galveston isn’t known for crystal-clear water, there’s still plenty to do. Take a walk along the beach, ride rides on the Pleasure Pier, explore the historic Strand, or grab some seafood before you sail. It’s a fun way to ease into vacation mode.

Parking at the port: What to know before you go

If you’re driving in the morning of your cruise—or staying somewhere that doesn’t offer a cruise parking package—you’ll need to sort out parking at the port ahead of time. And let me tell you, it’s not always straightforward. Galveston has several lots near the terminal, from official port parking to private budget lots, plus a handful of hotels that let you park for the week if you stay a night with them.

Some parking lots offer covered spots, some include a shuttle, and some are basically just fenced-in gravel. Prices and convenience vary, so take time to compare. I recommend booking in advance so you’re not making last-minute decisions in the chaos of embarkation morning.

A few tips:

• Double-check the shuttle schedule if your lot isn’t walking distance to the terminal.

• Keep your luggage drop-off in mind—you may want to swing by the terminal first before parking, especially if you’ve got kids and gear.

• Look for reviews—a cheaper rate isn’t always worth it if the lot is hard to find or poorly managed.

• Planning ahead for parking makes the embarkation day much smoother.

Why the dining room was my favorite part

Out of everything we did on this cruise, one of my favorite parts was surprisingly simple: dinner in the main dining room. Every night, we sat down for a meal no one had to cook—or clean up. That alone is vacation magic.

For a mom who’s used to managing everyone’s meals, seeing my boys try things like escargot, lobster, or three desserts in one sitting felt like such a treat. They ordered freely, knowing they could always try something else. And every night, we came back to that table, caught up on the day, and laughed a lot. It was a rhythm I didn’t know we needed.

Cruising with kids across a wide age range isn’t always easy—but shared meals like this made it feel effortless. The dining room became our anchor each night, and honestly, some of the best memories from the trip happened right there between bites of warm bread and whatever new dish someone was brave enough to order.

Enjoy the main dining room. We had the BEST servers!

Exploring Costa Maya by golf cart (highly recommended)

Costa Maya offers some incredible excursions—snorkeling, Mayan ruins, adventure parks—but for this stop, we decided to do something different. We wanted to explore the local community a bit more on our own, so we rented a golf cart from a small, locally owned company called The Red Golf Carts—and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.

They gave us a mapped route with suggested stops, many of which had pre-arranged partnerships with the company. At each place, we were greeted warmly—like we were expected. It felt less like a tourist experience and more like a relaxed, friendly afternoon seeing the real Costa Maya.

Our favorite stop was The Krazy Lobster, a beachfront spot with hammocks, cold drinks, delicious food, and space to relax. It was casual, family-friendly, and had a laid-back vibe that was perfect for our crew. The whole experience gave us just enough structure to feel comfortable, with plenty of freedom to explore at our own pace.

If you’re looking for something easy, fun, and a little off the beaten path, this is a great option for families—especially with kids who love riding around in a golf cart as much as mine did.

Cozumel: A lesson in planning ahead

Cozumel is one of my favorite cruise ports—I’ve been before and knew there was a lot I wanted to see. This time, I thought it might be fun to just wing it. I figured we’d explore, maybe snorkel, and see where the day took us. And while we did find a snorkeling spot and had a decent time, the lack of a plan ended up costing me—not just in time, but in money, too.

Without a clear itinerary or pre-booked excursion, we spent too much of our limited port time figuring out what to do and paying higher last-minute prices. It wasn’t a disaster, but definitely not the best use of our time.

Cozumel has so many great options for families—like visiting Playa Mia Beach Park, exploring the Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park, going on a glass-bottom boat tour, or booking a catamaran snorkeling excursion. Even just having a reserved beach club spot with food and shade would’ve made the day smoother and more enjoyable.

Next time, I’ll make sure we have at least one thing locked in. It doesn’t have to be a strict schedule, but a little structure would’ve saved us time, money, and a few unnecessary headaches.

Onboard fun for every age

One of the best things about cruising—especially with kids of all ages—is that there’s always something to do. On Mariner of the Seas, we had access to everything from the pool deck and waterslides to mini golf, laser tag, arcades, movies, and more. My youngest could be entertained for hours, while my older two had plenty of space to do their own thing without being glued to a schedule.

And for me? I got to enjoy coffee in peace, quiet time on the deck, and even a nap (or two) while everyone else was off having fun. That’s the magic of cruising—it keeps everyone happy without anyone having to compromise too much.

Whether you have teens, little ones, or both, cruises make it easy to do your thing and still reconnect.

Final thoughts

This cruise reminded me why I keep coming back to cruising as a travel style—especially for families. It’s low-stress, high-reward, and packed with opportunities to reconnect, explore, and actually enjoy being together.

Whether it’s trying new foods in the dining room, discovering local culture in port, or just watching your kids have fun while you finally get a moment to breathe, there’s something about cruising that brings it all together. If you’re looking to celebrate a milestone or just take a break, cruising is worth it.

Final tips for a smoother cruise with kids

1. Pack a carry-on with swimsuits and essentials so the kids can hit the pool while you wait for your luggage.

2. Let everyone pick one “must-do.” It helps each person feel included—and keeps the trip from turning into a mom-managed marathon.

3. Have at least one thing planned in each port. Even a loose plan can save you time, money, and stress—especially if you’re traveling with multiple ages.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.