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Enchantment begins season of short cruises from Galveston

Port of Galveston
Enchantment of the Seas is scheduled for 50 short sailings from Galveston in 2019 PHOTO: Port of Galveston
Royal Caribbean International's Enchantment of the Seas began its seasonal homeport program from the Port of Galveston with a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on Monday.

Enchantment is scheduled for 50 four- and five-night cruises during the 2019 season. Destinations include Cozumel, Progreso and Puerto Costa Maya.

Incremental 122,400 passengers

The port anticipates an average of 2,400 passengers per cruise or an estimated additional 122,400 passengers.

'Short cruising is in demand. The market is growing so it's great that [Royal Caribbean] is expanding their shorter cruise program from Galveston by bringing newer and larger ships to accommodate the growth in the short cruise market,' said Rodger Rees, CEO and port director. 'Giving cruise passengers various sailing options is one of the reasons that this port has climbed the ranks to become the fourth busiest cruise port in the nation.'

Enchantment of the Seas joins the largest cruise ship to sail from Texas, Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas, which operates weeklong sailings.

Next year: A bigger ship

Next year, Adventure of the Seas will call Texas home for the first time, becoming the first Voyager-class ship and the largest Royal Caribbean ship sailing short getaways from Galveston. Adventure of the Seas will take over the four- and five-night program, while Liberty of the Seas continues its year-round seven-night schedule.