icon of the seas

World's largest cruise ship to set sail from Galveston in 2027

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, is coming to Galveston to embark on dozens of coastal getaways during the 2027-2028 travel season.

The Icon will offer three dozen six-to-eight-day cruises to popular destinations like Cozumel and Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Royal Caribbean's private island Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Vacationers who travel to Cozumel also get to visit the new Royal Beach Club Cozumel, which is scheduled to open in 2026.

The gigantic 1,196-foot-long ship boasts a capacity for 7,600 passengers, and features eight themed "neighborhoods" to offer curated experiences for travelers of all ages. Couples who want to relax and connect with nature will enjoy the "Central Park" neighborhood that features an open-air garden with thousands of live plants, while families with young children can take advantage of "Surfside Neighborhood's" splash zones and kid-friendly activities.

"From thrills like Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, to unmatched chill across seven pools on board and more than 40 places to dine and drink, families are in for a combination of the best of every vacation with experiences for all ages," a press release says.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas cruise ship Category 6 is the largest waterpark at sea, according to Royal Caribbean.Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

The first expedition setting sail from Galveston in 2027 is a six-night "Western Caribbean" cruise departing on August 16. The trip includes one day each in Puerto Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel before finally returning to Galveston on August 22.

Travelers who want to spend as much time at sea as possible can book an eight-day "Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean" cruise, which will stop in Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya, then the Bahaman private island.

Here is the full schedule of Icon of the Seas cruises departing from Galveston that are available to book in 2027:

August 16-22 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
August 22-28 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
August 28-September 5, 2027 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean Cruise
September 5-11 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
September 11-19 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean Cruise
September 19-25 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
September 25-October 3 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean Cruise
October 3-9 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
October 9-17 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean Cruise
October 17-23 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
October 23-31 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean Cruise
October 31-November 6 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
November 6-14 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean Cruise
November 14-21 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
November 21-28 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
November 28-December 5 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
December 5-12 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
December 12-19 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
December 19-26 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
December 26-January 2, 2028 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise

Seven-night Western Caribbean cruises are scheduled to depart from Galveston beginning January 2, 2028. These trips will take place weekly, departing on a Sunday and arriving back in Galveston on the following Sunday through April 23, 2028.

Icon of the Seas cruises departing from Galveston (starting at $988 per person for a six-night vacation) can be booked on the Royal Caribbean website.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas cruise ship

Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world.

More cruise news
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas announcement is the second major Texas cruise news of November: MSC Cruises' MSC Seascape launched its inaugural voyage from a new $156 million Galveston terminal on Sunday, November 9.

As previously reported in CultureMap, the ship's voyages feature a unique upgrade option, called the MSC Yacht Club, which offers guests a 32,000-square-foot private "ship-within-a-ship" experience complete with a dedicated pool, restaurant, lounge, plus butler service, an on-ship concierge, and much more.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is the world’s third-largest cruise line. Departures from Galveston can now be booked through the website.

surf's up

2 Texas beaches near Houston swim among 10 best in U.S. for 2026

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Jamaica Beach earned a 9.20 "local secret" score.

The Lone Star State has already preheated for the summer, and two coastal shores on Galveston Island have emerged atop a new list of the best beach destinations in the U.S.

HomeToGo's 2026 U.S. Beach Index ranked Galveston's Jamaica and Terramar beaches the third and sixth best destinations nationwide for a "beach break" in 2026.

To determine the rankings, HomeToGo created a shortlist of 100 U.S. beaches where vacation accommodations had a median price per person of less than $200 per night. The list was then ranked based on five metrics: a "hidden gem" score; the median nightly price for accommodations; average high temperatures from April to September; average visitor satisfaction based on Google, Tripadvisor, Yelp, and Facebook reviews; and a "local secret" score based on the average distance traveled by vacationers to reach the destination.

"While traditional hot spots remain popular, this year’s index shines light on some lesser-known beach destinations where travelers can make the most of their vacation without the stress of overcrowded shorelines or overburdened budgets,” said HomeToGo spokesperson Eleanor Moody.

Jamaica Beach, a tiny beach town located next to Galveston Island State Park, landed in third place nationwide after Florida's Saint Joe Beach (No. 1) and Bethune Beach (No. 2). Last year, Jamaica Beach ranked 17th on the list.

Other than sunbathing and getting your feet wet in the water, visitors are welcome to fish from the shore or in West Bay, go kayaking in dedicated areas, or enjoy a relaxing picnic in the sand. Visit Galveston recommends travelers visit during the middle of the week during spring and fall to avoid heavy crowds and the brutal summer sun.

Jamaica Beach is a vacation hotspot for 2026. visitgalveston.com/

According to the report's findings, many visitors who travel to Jamaica Beach aren't coming from too far away. The beach earned a 9.20 "local secret" score, where locations with the shortest average distance traveled by visitors are awarded a maximum score of 10.

Vacationers expect to spend about $93 per person per night on accommodations at Jamaica Beach, which also earned it high marks for its affordability.

"Covering just under a square mile, this small coastal community moves at an easy island pace, offering quieter sands than busier parts of Galveston and space for beachcombing, sunbathing, kayaking, and paddleboarding," the report said.

No. 6-ranking Terramar Beach is situated less than 10 miles west from Jamaica Beach down Galveston Island. This little seashore offers an even better "hidden gem" feel than Jamaica Beach, and is slightly more affordable. Accommodations cost about $86 per person per night at Terramar Beach, HomeToGo found.

The top 10 best beach destinations in the U.S. in 2026 are:

No. 1 – Saint Joe Beach, Florida
No. 2 – Bethune Beach, Florida
No. 3 – Jamaica Beach, Texas
No. 4 – Butler Beach, Florida
No. 5 – South Bethany Beach, Delaware
No. 6 – Terramar Beach, Texas
No. 7 – Satellite Beach, Florida
No. 8 – Shell Beach, California
No. 9 – Litchfield Beach, South Carolina
No. 10 – Indian Beach, North Carolina

beaches texas hometogo travel vacations bests