Disney Cruise Line is expanding its footprint in a move that could meaningfully shift how West Coast and central U.S. travelers plan their vacations. The cruise line has added sailings from a port that gives Disneyland locals and west coast regional travelers far more convenient access to themed itineraries like Marvel Day at Sea.
We recently embarked from this port during the Disney Magic’s inaugural Marvel Day at Sea season there, offering a firsthand look at this easy access to specialty sailings. At Mickey Visit, we report on recent Disney news, like the new rides opening at Disney World and the February changes at Disneyland.
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Galveston Becoming Year Round Disney Cruise Port
Disney Cruise Line’s official 2026 and 2027 itineraries include multiple sailings departing from Galveston, Texas in late 2026 and continuing into early 2027, showing that Disney is sailing from the port more consistently and offering more departure dates than we’ve seen there in previous seasons.
We were invited to be a part of the first Marvel Day at Sea sailing out of Galveston onboard the Disney Magic to highlight the pros of this new port.
Instead of treating Texas as a seasonal stop before ships reposition elsewhere, Disney is clearly betting on long-term demand in the area. This port is becoming a more permanent part of Disney’s sailing strategy, not just a limited-time option on the calendar.
If you are considering booking a cruise, be sure to work with our travel partner. You’ll get up to a $400 onboard credit when you book qualifying cruises. They also have deals on all other cruise lines. Get a no-obligation quote here >
Easy Access for Western Caribbean Destinations
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Sailings out of Galveston allow guests to reach Western Caribbean destinations such as Cozumel or Progreso, which offer some great port excursions.
Western Caribbean routes offer reliable beach destinations with warm water and strong excursion infrastructure year-round, including Mayan ruins, cenotes, and cultural tours.
During our recent cruise out of Galveston, we sailed to both Cozumel and Progreso, which offered some beautiful port excursions.
First, we stopped in Cozumel with a visit to the newly renovated Kuza Beach & Adventure Park, which featured beautiful beaches, fantastic food, and a look at the new water park.
But my favorite port excursion was our stop in Progreso with a drive to the Chichén Itzá Mayan Ruins. We toured the pre-Hispanic city of Chichén Itzá, which is home to the Great Ball Court, the Temple of Kukulkan, and the Temple of the Warriors. This is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and experiencing it in person was truly awe-inspiring.
After we toured Chichén Itzá, we stopped for a quick swim at the Cenote Ik-Kil, which is one of the most popular open-air cenotes.
The water here is approximately 40 meters deep, and there are ledges you can jump from as lifeguards watch nearby. This was a fantastic port excursion and really showcases the kind of unique experiences Western Caribbean itineraries can offer.
What This Means for Disneyland Fans
More Disney Cruise Line offerings at Galveston create more consistency with the potential for more departure dates and greater ship variety over time. While Disneyland locals can utilize the San Diego port, the sailings out of this port offer more variety and longer itineraries, along with themed sailings like Marvel Day at Sea.
Most sailings from San Diego highlight Baja and Mexican Riviera itineraries along the Pacific Coast, while Galveston departures focus on Western Caribbean routes with stops like Cozumel and Progreso, frequently paired with themed experiences such as Very Merrytime and Marvel Day at Sea.
Disney Cruise Line is in the process of expansion as it broadens its itinerary offerings at ports like Galveston while also growing its fleet with new ships like the Disney Destiny, which set sail last November, and the Disney Adventure, scheduled to debut in March 2026, offering cruises from Singapore and serving as a major expansion into the Asian market.
And that’s not even all of the new offerings on the horizon. The Disney Cruise Line expansion includes a fourth Wish-class ship scheduled for delivery in 2027, joining Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny, along with three additional ships set to debut between 2029 and 2031.
If you are considering booking a cruise, be sure to work with our travel partner. You’ll get up to a $400 onboard credit when you book qualifying cruises. They also have deals on all other cruise lines. Get a no-obligation quote here >
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