By the Caribbean Journal staff

Carnival Cruise Line is looking to expand its cruise offerings from its Gulf Coast cruising hub in Galveston, Texas, according to the company.

Carnival will be launching new four and five-day cruises to Mexico year-round from Galveston beginning in May 2019.

Carnival Dream will become the newest and largest Carnival ship to operate a short cruise program.

The shorter cruises, part of an industry-wide trend, will depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel on four-day trips and depart Mondays and Saturdays visiting Cozumel and either Progreso or Costa Maya on five-day cruises.

“Galveston is one of our fastest-growing and most popular homeports and we’re delighted to expand capacity on our short cruise program with Carnival Dream,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Not only is Carnival Dream our largest ship to operate short cruises it also offers guests some truly spectacular onboard features and facilities following her extensive multi-million-dollar makeover.”

The 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream will launch its year-round schedule from Galveston beginning May 23,2019.

That will represent a 22 percent increase in capacity on that program.

Carnival Dream recently underwent what the company called an “extensive” makeover that added a host of new food and beverage options, including a new eatery from Guy Fieri.

Carnival Dream, along with Carnival Freedom and Carnival Vista, will carry 650,000 passengers each year from Galveston, the most of any cruise line.