We explore Galveston before the start of our cruise on Harmony of the seas

Before our cruise, we made the most of our Texas time with a Houston-to-Galveston adventure.

Our first stop on the way to Galveston was the legendary Buc-ee’s — and yes, it absolutely lives up to the hype. It’s not just a gas station; it’s practically a Texas theme park, complete with incredible brisket sandwiches and endless aisles of things you never knew you needed. Pro tip: come hungry, because you’ll want to try it all.

Once in Galveston, we dove into the city’s history at the stunning Moody Mansion, then wandered through The Strand Historic District, admiring its beautiful Victorian architecture.

We wrapped up our day at Galveston Pier, where the Gulf breeze and lively carnival atmosphere got us perfectly pumped for our upcoming cruise.