Carnival Cruise Line has opened bookings for its new ship, the Carnival Tropicale, which will begin operations from Galveston, Texas, on April 15, 2028. The ship will offer cruises lasting four, five, six, and eight days.
Cruise Destinations Include Exclusive Paradise Collection and Regional Ports
The Carnival Tropicale’s itineraries will feature stops in Carnival’s exclusive Paradise Collection destinations: Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale, and Puerta Maya. Additional ports of call include Progreso, Mexico, and Nassau in the Bahamas. These routes will connect passengers to a variety of destinations across the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico.
Ship Honors Texas and Features Extensive Family Amenities
The ship will prominently display the Star of Texas on its bow
as a tribute to its Galveston homeport. Its entertainment offerings include Sunsation Point, a family zone that features Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, a water park with six slides including SunSoaker, Turning Tides, and Racing Currents, alongside splash areas designed for younger children.
Recreational and Culinary Innovations Onboard
Recreational options on Carnival Tropicale include a redesigned Fairway 66 mini golf course inspired by Route 66, various sports courts, and the Treehouse Adventure Trail equipped with net courses and obstacles. The Vault Retrocade arcade will offer both classic and modern games. Culinary venues include Uku Lei Lei, serving Hawaiian and Asian-inspired cuisine; Fetaccine, blending Greek and Italian flavors;
and Emeril’s Coastal Seafood, created in collaboration with Carnival’s culinary director Emeril Lagasse.
Western-Themed Booking Celebration and Leadership Comments
Carnival Cruise Line and MEYER WERFT celebrated the opening of bookings with a Western-themed event at the MEYER WERFT shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Attendees wore cowboy-style hats and the venue featured Texas motifs and barbecue to honor the ship’s Texas ties. André Walter, MEYER WERFT CEO since July 1, 2026, said the Carnival Tropicale is the fifth Excel-class ship built for Carnival, reflecting a strong partnership. Ben Clement, Carnival’s Executive Vice President of Marine Operations and Newbuilds, stated, “Today is a very special day for Carnival Tropicale,
as guests can begin planning their vacations aboard this incredible new ship.”
