I have worked as mate and AB on both tankers and bulkers. I don't have a preference. Tankers keep you busier with more important work. For example, while unloading peteroleum products the mate is pumping out from 2-6 tanks, adding in ballast, pumping in inert gas, and calculating hull stresses. Quite busy, especially near the end.
I don't know which tankers going to Texas you are mentioning. Mostly, tankers pick up gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other petroleum products from the Gulf Coast refineries. I have carried gasoline to Tampa and Ft Lauderdale. Some ships carry refined products all the way up to the New York-New Jersey area.