Seven different Mardi Gras parades in Galveston will impact traffic for three different Carnival ships over the weekend.
Carnival Cruise Line sent notices to guests who booked on three other ships regarding potential traffic issues that could impact their vacation at the cruise terminal on Feb. 3 and 4.
Because of parades planned in Galveston over the weekend, traffic congestion is expected and guests should plan for ample time to reach the cruise terminal within their arrival appointment time.
Galveston, Texas, kicks off its annual Mardi Gras celebrations on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, and parades scheduled over the weekend are likely to cause traffic jams and delays for cruise ship passengers heading to the Port of Galveston. Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked aboard the Carnival Breeze, Carnival Jubilee and Carnival Dream to alert them to potential difficulties.
“Mardi Gras parades are scheduled in Galveston on the day you board, and would possibly cause traffic congestion in the city,” the notice explains.
While no delays are expected for Saturday and Sunday departures, all visitors will be required to arrive on time at the cruise terminal and onboard before the final embarkation time posted on their respective boarding passes.
Carnival Cruise Line will adjust their transfer times if necessary, and guests who purchased those transfer services may have their schedule impacted to offset any delays.
Otherwise, the cruise line recommends travelers take extra time to get to the cruise terminal, check traffic situations early on embarkation day to adjust their itinerary if necessary, or use rideshares or rideshare facilities to get to the cruise terminal.
On Saturday, Feb. 3, Carnival Breeze and Carnival Jubilee could be impacted. Carnival Breeze will depart on a 5-night Western Caribbean cruise to the Costa Maya and Cozumel, while Carnival Jubilee will begin a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise to Roatan. Costa Maya and Cozumel.
On Sunday, Feb. 4, Carnival Dream will begin a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary to the Costa Maya, Belize and Cozumel.
No ships from other cruise lines are scheduled to set sail from Galveston on Saturday, however, on Sunday, Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess and Royal Caribbean International’s Harmony of the Seas will also set sail from the Lone Star State. Customers who have booked on those routes are also aware of potential traffic jams.
Several parades are planned Saturday and Sunday for the city’s 113th Mardi Gras festivities, many of which have overlapping routes between 20th and 25th streets in downtown Galveston. Mechanic Street and The Strand are sites of other parades, less than a quarter mile from the cruise. Terminal.
Saturday’s parades kick off with the Jolly Jester Jaunt, a fun 5K race at noon. This will be followed by the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius parade at 1 p. m. M. , which consists of 65 units, and adds double-decker floats, marching bands, dance teams, and much more. .
At 2 p. m. , the 13th annual Zaniest Golf Cart Parade will begin, followed until four p. m. m. by the Mix Radio, Art Car and Jeep parade at four p. m. m. , with more than four vehicles.
Also Read: Complete Guide to Cruise Ship Parking in Galveston Harbor
Saturday’s parades will end at 6 p. m. Krewe of Gambrinus Parade, billed as one of two “Galveston Super Parades” with 14 massive floats, more than a dozen marching bands and plans to throw more than 600,000 beads and knick-knacks into the crowd.
On Sunday, two parades are planned for Fiesta Gras!, a Hispanic heritage birthday party. Univision Houston’s parade begins at 1 p. m. , while the Los Locos Vaqueros parade
On either day, spaces adjacent to parade routes will be fenced off for spectators, and the parade staging and alignment will be located at Pier 21. This will result in a large number of street closures and traffic diversion in the city. downtown, causing primary traffic jams for travelers looking to succeed at the cruise port.
Guests heading to the port deserve to take interchange routes to get to Harborside Drive and the cruise port, rather than heading straight to the downtown entertainment district, where Mardi Gras festivities take place.