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    a ship within a ship

    European cruise line unveils luxury upgrade for new Galveston ship

    Eric Sandler
    Jul 18, 2025 | 1:04 pm

    As a Europe-based cruise line sails closer to its Galveston debut, it has revealed another amenity to lure travelers looking for a premium experience. When the MSC Cruises’s ship the MSC Seascape begins sailing in November, it will include a luxurious upgrade option.

    Called MSC Yacht Club, the ship-within-a-ship experience offers 32,000-square feet of private space within the ship. Those paying for the privilege get access to a Yacht Club-specific pool, restaurant, and the Top Sail Lounge. They get also get butler service, and an on-ship concierge to assist with booking dinner reservations, seats at entertainment venues, and on-shore excursions.

    “The MSC Yacht Club was the industry’s first luxury ship-within-a-ship concept and it’s still the best,” MSC Cruises North America president Lynn Torrent said in a statement. “The white glove treatment starts the moment you get to the port, and it continues until you disembark at the end of the cruise. Our guests love the spacious suites, exclusive areas, and personal attention that makes the MSC Yacht Club so sought after. Our travel advisors tell us cruisers appreciate being able to enjoy that luxury experience alongside all the amenities we can offer on a large, resort-style ship like MSC Seascape. It’s the best of both worlds, and we’re thrilled to bring it to Galveston.”

    While these sort of amenities are common on luxury cruise lines, they tend to sail smaller boats. Travelers who upgrade to Yacht Club still get all the other benefits of sailing on a ship with over 2,200 cabins. They include:

    • Robotron: An onboard, amusement park-style ride that suspends riders 175-feet above sea on a robotic arm that flips, spins, and rotates.
    • Six theater productions
    • 11 “dining venues” and 19 bars and lounges
    • Six swimming pools, including an infinity pool with ocean views
    • 7.500 square feet of space for children ages 0 to 17

    Based in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is the world’s third-largest cruise line. The privately-held company operates 23 ships worldwide.

    MSC Seascape cruise ship

    Courtesy of MSC Cruises

    The MSC Seascape begins sailing from Galveston in November.

    galvestoncruises
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    icon of the seas

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

    Amber Heckler
    Nov 14, 2025 | 1:30 pm
    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.

    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.

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