By Clifford Pugh From Culture Map Houston

The Port of Galveston welcomed the largest cruise ship to ever sail out of Texas as Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas made its first appearance at the island city on Friday.

The mammoth cruise ship can hold as many as 3,634 passengers and 1,360 crew members as it offers year-round sailing from Galveston on round-trip, seven-night excursions, with stops in Mexico and the Western Caribbean.

The Freedom class ship replaced the Navigator of the Seas, which previously sailed out of Galveston.

According to the Royal Caribbean website, the revamped Liberty offers five waterslide rides, a rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, mini-golf course and full-sized basketball court. It also features a host of dining options, a spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, four pools, six whirlpools and 22 bars, clubs and lounges.

“The repositioning of Liberty 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 Freedom class ships,” said Port director Mike Mierzwa said in a statement. “We are excited to homeport the largest cruise ship to sail from the State of Texas.”

Itineraries include stops at Isla Roatan, Honduras; Belize City Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; Falmouth, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Carnival and Disney Cruise Line also operate out of Galveston. The Port of Galveston handled more than 1.2 million passengers in 2013.

IMAGE: Royal Caribbean’s 3,634-passenger capacity Liberty of the Seas is now embarking from the Port of Galveston. Courtesy photo

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