Hotel news

Luxurious new lunar-themed hotel plans arrival in Texas' Space City

A new luxury inn coming to Houston draws inspiration from healthcare and aerospace, two of the city's pillar industries. Dubbed The Blossom Hotel, the new, four-diamond operation in the bustling Medical Center will arrive in April 2021, according to a release.

Boasting more than 400,000 square feet of amenities, the 16-story Blossom will offer up retail shopping, three chef-focused restaurants, an expansive lobby library, outdoor pool deck, top-tier fitness center, karaoke room and expansive meeting and event spaces.

Guests can also look forward to services such as long-term storage; laundry; language translation available in Mandarin, Spanish and German; appointment scheduling; and travel services to accommodate jet-setters and patients alike.

The Blossom will feature lunar-inspired accents and décor featured throughout the amenities, and pay homage to city's international flair in its 13 event spaces and 267 guestrooms, which will be adorned with a minimalist, lunar color scheme and textures, creating a “quiet, relaxing experience for all five senses,” according to a release. Smart TVs, marble bathrooms, and plush amenities await travelers.

The hotel will be ideally placed for guests utilizing the medical center, and will be a short distance from the Museum District, NRG Stadium, Hermann Park, and Rice University.

The hotel and hospitality scene in Houston’s bustling Medical Center shows no sign of slowing. The Blossom is the second major hotel to be announced recently, after news of Hyatt Place and Hyatt House coming to the area.

The new hotel draws inspiration from Space City.

The Blossom Hotel Houston Medical Center

Image courtesy of Blossom Holdings

The new hotel draws inspiration from Space City.

hotels openings

icon of the seas

Largest cruise ship in the world to sail from the Texas coast in 2027

Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, is heading to Galveston to embark on dozens of coastal getaways during the 2027-2028 travel season.

The Icon will offer three dozen six-to-eight-day cruises to popular destinations like Cozumel and Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Royal Caribbean's private island Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Vacationers who travel to Cozumel also get to visit the new Royal Beach Club Cozumel, which is scheduled to open in 2026.

The gigantic 1,196-foot-long ship boasts a capacity for 7,600 passengers, and features eight themed "neighborhoods" to offer curated experiences for travelers of all ages. Couples who want to relax and connect with nature will enjoy the "Central Park" neighborhood that features an open-air garden with thousands of live plants, while families with young children can take advantage of "Surfside Neighborhood's" splash zones and kid-friendly activities.

"From thrills like Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, to unmatched chill across seven pools on board and more than 40 places to dine and drink, families are in for a combination of the best of every vacation with experiences for all ages," a press release says.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas cruise ship Category 6 is the largest waterpark at sea, according to Royal Caribbean.Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

The first expedition setting sail from Galveston in 2027 is a six-night "Western Caribbean" cruise departing on August 16. The trip includes one day each in Puerto Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel before finally returning to Galveston on August 22.

Travelers who want to spend as much time at sea as possible can book an eight-day "Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean" cruise, which will stop in Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya, then the Bahaman private island.

Here is the full schedule of Icon of the Seas cruises departing from Galveston that are available to book in 2027:

August 16-22 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
August 22-28 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
August 28-September 5, 2027 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean Cruise
September 5-11 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
September 11-19 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean Cruise
September 19-25 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
September 25-October 3 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean Cruise
October 3-9 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
October 9-17 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean Cruise
October 17-23 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
October 23-31 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean Cruise
October 31-November 6 – 6 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
November 6-14 – 8 Night Perfect Day at CocoCay & Caribbean Cruise
November 14-21 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
November 21-28 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
November 28-December 5 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
December 5-12 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
December 12-19 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
December 19-26 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
December 26-January 2, 2028 – 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise

Seven-night Western Caribbean cruises are scheduled to depart from Galveston beginning January 2, 2028. These trips will take place weekly, departing on a Sunday and arriving back in Galveston on the following Sunday through April 23, 2028.

Icon of the Seas cruises departing from Galveston (starting at $988 per person for a six-night vacation) can be booked on the Royal Caribbean website.

Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean

Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world.

More cruise news
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas announcement is the second major Texas cruise news of November: MSC Cruises' MSC Seascape launched its inaugural voyage from a new $156 million Galveston terminal on Sunday, November 9.

Notably, he ship's voyages feature a unique upgrade option, called the MSC Yacht Club, which offers guests a 32,000-square-foot private "ship-within-a-ship" experience complete with a dedicated pool, restaurant, lounge, plus butler service, an on-ship concierge, and much more.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is the world’s third-largest cruise line. Departures from Galveston can now be booked through the website.

travel cruises galveston royal caribbean vacations cruise ship