Learn more about historic Galveston, Texas.

• Coined the "Queen of the Gulf,” Galveston is one of the oldest ports on the Gulf Coast. The city is located around 50 miles south of Houston, Texas and takes up most of Galveston Island, which is approximately 27 miles long and 3 miles at its widest point, with over 30 miles of sandy beaches.

Local Culture and Flavor

• Seafood lovers will covet the oyster and shrimp culinary specialties of this island destination. Keep your eyes on the water! Bottlenose dolphin sightings are quite common in Galveston Bay.

• A strong sense of community is shared by the locals who take pride in their town and cultural festivities. Galveston is home to an impressively large collection of 19th-century buildings and the city is awash with restored homes from the Victorian era, in addition to nature parks and colorful oleanders.

Past and Present

• The island was originally home to the Karankawa and Akokisa people before the French colonized it in the 1600s. When Galveston was incorporated in 1839, it became Texas' largest city. As its port thrived, the economy surged and the city became the first in the entire state to lay claim to a hospital, post office, streetlights, trolleys, telephones and telegraphs.

• Today, when you set sail on a Galveston cruise, you can expect to enjoy a city that flourishes with charming shops, diverse entertainment, cultural museums and fantastic restaurants.