Princess Cruises has suddenly canceled all its planned departures from Galveston, Texas, between November 2026 and March 2027. The decision affects thousands of passengers who had booked trips on the *Majestic Princess*. While the cruise line promises full refunds, many travelers are now forced to rethink their vacation plans.
Princess Cruises has not given a clear reason for pulling out of Galveston. In a statement, the company only mentioned a “global fleet deployment strategy” as the cause. This vague explanation has left passengers and travel experts guessing. In the past, cruise lines have left ports due to financial disputes, like when several companies stopped sailing to Iceland over high fees. But in this case, no such conflict has been confirmed.
This isn’t the first time Princess Cruises has faced problems in Galveston. In late 2024, the *Regal Princess* had to cancel multiple voyages after an engine fire broke out during a trans-Atlantic trip. Passengers reported power failures and other issues, forcing the ship into repairs. Now, with the latest cancellation, travelers who booked early for better prices worry they’ll face higher costs if they rebook elsewhere.
Good news for affected passengers: Princess Cruises says refunds will be processed automatically—no need to call. However, those who still want to cruise must contact the company or their travel agent to find other options. The cruise line is offering alternative Caribbean trips, but they may not match the original price or itinerary.
While Princess Cruises exits Galveston, other major lines—like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and Disney—are keeping their Texas schedules unchanged. This means travelers can still find cruises from Galveston, just not with Princess.
For now, Princess Cruises hasn’t said if it will return to Galveston after March 2027. Passengers who were excited about their Texas departures will have to look for other vacations or switch to different cruise routes. As the situation develops, travelers should keep an eye on updates from Princess Cruises and consider booking with other lines if they want to sail from Galveston in late 2026 and early 2027.
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