Over the past few years, Uber and Lyft — ride-sharing companies — have been at the forefront of a revolution in transportation. If you’re not familiar with the companies, they allow anyone to turn their own personal car into a taxi. Drivers love it because they are able to earn extra income on the side. Riders love it because there are so many cars available that the wait for a ride is usually short and the price is cheaper than a normal cab fare.

Of course, any time you disrupt an industry, you’re going to face headwinds. There has long been a fight between companies like Uber and city governments who aren’t sure what sort of restrictions (if any) to place on the companies. Galveston’s City Council just passed new rules on Uber, which the company finds too restrictive. As a result, it has decided to pull out of the Galveston market.

According to the Galveston Daily News:

The rules require that ride-hailing companies apply for operators’ licenses from the city, and require the company’s drivers to apply for chauffeurs’ licenses.

As part of the licensing procedure, drivers have to go through a background check that includes a federal fingerprint analysis.

While Lyft had already pulled out of the Houston and Galveston markets some time ago, Uber had been a viable option for people to get to the cruise port from the airport. A ride would run about $50 from Houston Hobby, making it one of the most affordable options.

Our understanding is that Uber will still provide rides to Galveston, but will not allow drivers to pick-up passengers on the island. A recent check of their website shows no service in Galveston, although it does list a fare from Houston to Galveston. In other words, you’ll have to find a different way back to the airport.

The Daily News also reported that police ticketed 103 Uber drivers over the first weekend of Mardi Gras, so they are on the lookout for drivers violating the law.

Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas is the largest cruise ship to ever sail from Galveston. She homeported on the island starting back and November, but if you’re a ship-tracker, then you’ve likely noticed that she’s been gone for some time.

The ship is currently undergoing a drydock refurbishment and will return to the island on February 7th. In the meantime, here are some cool photos taken by some Royal Caribbean crew. It’s hard to believe that such a massive ship can be taken out of the water!

DD 2017 #royalcrewlife

A photo posted by ivan de jesus duran (@ivandejesusduran) on Jan 14, 2016 at 12:50pm PST

My 164,000 ton home suspended up out of the water in Freeport #Bahamas. Dry dock begins! #libertyoftheseas #royalcrewlife #freeballininfreeport

A photo posted by Peter Ricardo (@peteraricardo) on Jan 13, 2016 at 12:29pm PST

In November, the Liberty of the Seas makes its arrival in Galveston. The Liberty marks an upgrade in cruising from the island. With room for 3,600 passengers and more than 1,100 feet long, it is the largest cruise ship ever to sail from Galveston.

That upgrade is going to get even better…

Royal Caribbean has announced that the Liberty of the Seas will undergo a massive month-long drydock overhaul in early 2016.

The most noticeable upgrade is the addition of three new waterslides — the first ever for a Royal Caribbean ship. The slides as a whole are called the “Perfect Storm” and include a new design called “Tidal Wave.” The Tidal Wave is a boomerang-style slide. According to the cruise line, “the new hair-raising slide features a steep drop that propels riders up a near vertical wall for a moment of weightlessness and into free fall.” In addition, the new waterslides will have the “Cyclone” and the “Typhoon” that will be near the already existing Flowrider surf simulator.

The Liberty of the Seas will also see upgrades inside the ship. The makeover will expand the restaurant options. Passengers will be able to enjoy Sabor, which features modern Mexican food, Giovanni’s Table, which has family-style Italian food, and R Bar, a cocktail bar with a 1960s theme.

Passenger cabins will see some new things as well. The Liberty will have 26 new Panoramic Ocean View staterooms with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and more than 50 new staterooms around the ship.

While the ship undergoes the drydock makeover, it will mean no Royal Caribbean cruises from Galveston for about a month. The ship will set out on its last cruise on January 3 and will be gone until returning February 7.

Good news Disney cruise fans. The cruise line just announced several trips departing Galveston during early 2017.

These cruises were somewhat expected since it was already known that the Disney Wonder was sailing from the port in December 2016. However, the announcement makes it official that Disney will finish the 2016-2017 winter season in Galveston.

In total, Disney announced three cruises will sail from Galveston in January 2017. On January 6 and 13, the Wonder will set sail on seven-night trips to the eastern Caribbean. The cruises have stops in Key West, Castaway Cay, and Nassau.

After that, the cruise line sets out for a six-night trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico on January 20, stopping in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Falmouth, Jamaica in between. This will mark the last cruise of the season for Disney from Galveston.

In the 2014-2015 winter season, Disney opted not to sail from Galveston. However, the port is booming in popularity and the cruise line decided to return both this year and next. This could mark the beginning of annual cruises for the line.

One headwind for Disney in Galveston seems to be cost. The cruise line is by far the most expensive in Galveston or Houston. Meanwhile, the market is dominated by low-cost Carnival, which offers hundreds of trips each year for as little as $300 per person.

As Galveston cruising continues to grow, however, there could be room for Disney to sail from the port year-round, especially if and when the third cruise terminal is completed.

Cruising in Galveston is getting bigger and better.

On November 13, Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas arrives in port, replacing the Navigator of the Seas. The ship marks a new standard in Galveston cruising. As the first Freedom-class ship Royal Caribbean ship to sail from the island, it’s a signal that Galveston is no longer a small-town port.

We’ve looked into the new ship and have all the details of what you can expect when sailing.

The Ship

The Liberty of the Seas is the largest ship ever to sail from Galveston. At 1,112 feet, it is approximately 90 feet longer than the Navigator and carries over 3,600 passengers.

On board you’ll find no shortage of things to do. In addition to the now standard rock-climbing walls and mini-golf course, Liberty has a FlowRider surf simulator, ice-skating rink, full-sized basketball court and even a boxing ring. And don’t forget the staggering 10 hot tubs and pools on board.

As for dining options, you’ll have your standard dining room and Windjammer Cafe (buffet). But you also have Sorrento’s Pizza, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, and The Cupcake Cupboard. Of course, premium restaurants like Chops Grille, Portofino and Johnny Rockets are also available.

Some other cool features include the outdoor poolside movie screen, a new 3D movie theater, and a 10,000 square foot casino for adults.

For more on what you can expect on board, check out this video tour:

The Cruises

Liberty of the Seas will sail primarily 7-day cruises to the Western Caribbean year-round, much like the Navigator of the Seas does currently. Trips on the Liberty will visit ports like Roatan, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Falmouth, Jamaica. Most trips sail Sunday to Sunday. In addition, there are a couple of 8 and 9-day itineraries available for those who want longer cruises.

Right now there are very reasonable fares available aboard the ship. Trips departing between Thanksgiving and Christmas are as low as $429 per person. In general we expect prices to be in line with past Royal Caribbean cruises.

What it means for Galveston Cruising

Getting the Liberty of the Seas to homeport year-round in Galveston is a big deal. This is the largest cruise ship to sail from Galveston and a concrete symbol of how much the port continues to grow as a cruise destination.

With the Bayport Terminal in Houston ending cruises for the foreseeable future, the expansion of the second cruise terminal, and the talk of building a third cruise terminal, it’s obvious that Galveston has enormous momentum in cruising. That means the potential for more cruise lines, sailings, and lower prices in the future.

Photo: Roger W.