Beginning in November 2013, Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas will sail year-round from the Port of Galveston on seven-night, roundtrip Western Caribbean itineraries as a replacement for the Mariner of the Seas.

Navigator of the Seas is due for extensive drydock revitalization in January 2014. The work will entail the addition of standard Royal Caribbean features such as the FlowRider surf simulator and dining venues like Giovanni’s Table, Park Café and Izumi Asian Cuisine and innovations such as Virtual Balconies for select interior staterooms, panoramic oceanview staterooms, and various dining and entertainment concepts.

"The repositioning of Navigator of the Seas to the Port of Galveston represents Royal Caribbean’s confidence in the Port of Galveston’s efficient cruise operations and ability to attract passengers on its Voyager class ships,” said Galveston Port Director Mike Mierzwa. 

Galveston is a point of departure for cruises to the western Caribbean and the Bahamas offered by Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. In 2012, its cruise terminals handled 174 vessel calls and more than 1.2 million passengers.