People usually associate Texas with its cities or with ranching. But Texas has a long coastline with ports all along it from Port Isabel (east of Brownsville) by the Mexican border, to Orange by the Louisiana border.
The main cruise lines sail out of Galveston and Houston, but every year at least 1 ship ventures further south, and looks at other ports.
I have found 2 cruise lines planning to do this in the spring of 2006. One is the Delta Queen, of Mississippi River fame, when she makes her Springtime in Texas tour. http://deltaqueen.com/fleet/dq/dq_itin.htm Stops are planned in Freeport, Port O'Connor, Aransas Pass, Corpus Christi, and Matagorda.
The other ship I found was the River Barge Excursion Company's River Explorer, when she follows the Route of Jean LaFitte, south to Mexico. http://www.riverbarge.com/excursions/lafitteindex.asp Port of call are: Galveston, Aransas Pass, Corpus Christi, South Padre Island, Port Isabel and Matamoros, Mexico.
Both ships will offer a chance to see the rare whooping cranes at Aransas Pass.
These cruises are definitely for people who want something different than the standard cruise.
But even if you don't choose to see these places by ship, consider visiting them if you get to Texas.
It was when I saw the Delta Queen in Galveston that I got the idea to find out about ships who sail the intercoastal here in Texas. Incidently, The Delta Queen sails from NO to Galveston for Dickens on the Strand every year.
The Delta Queen will not be coming to Galveston this winter. However the RiverBarge company will be touring from New Orleans to Galveston, from Galveston to Port Isabel, Tx and the returns as well.
On the "R/B River Explorer, all meals, all soft drinks, juice, coffee and tea, snacks, all scheduled shore activities, onboard entertainment, port charges, taxes and gratuities" are included. "No tipping allowed! The R/B River Explorer does have alcoholic beverages and gift shop items available for purchase onboard. "
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Thanks for the info! 
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