Carnival Cruise Line opened bookings on September 14, 2026, for its new vessel Carnival Tropicale, the fifth and final ship in the Excel class. The ship is currently being built at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, and will start sailing from Galveston, Texas, on April 15, 2028.
Carnival Tropicale Itineraries and Destinations
The ship will offer four-, five-, six-, and eight-day cruises to destinations across the Caribbean, The Bahamas, and Mexico. Scheduled ports of call include Carnival’s Celebration Key, RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale, Puerta Maya, Progreso, and Nassau.
Onboard Features and Recreation
Carnival Tropicale will feature Sunsation Point, a multi-level family recreation zone incorporating Carnival WaterWorks
Ultra, which includes six water slides such as SunSoaker, Turning Tides, and Racing Currents, along with splash zones for younger guests. The waterpark will have extended hours on selected days. Additionally, the ship boasts a redesigned Fairway 66 Mini Golf course inspired by Route 66 and the Treehouse Adventure Trail, which features netted obstacles and pathways. New arcade facilities will include The Vault Retrocade, offering a blend of classic and modern games.
Dining and Entertainment
The ship’s dining program will introduce three new concepts: Uku Lei Lei, serving Hawaiian-inspired cuisine with Asian influences; Fetaccine, featuring Greek and Italian dishes; and Emeril’s Coastal Seafood,
developed with Carnival’s Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse to showcase seafood inspired by US coastal regions. Entertainment venues aboard Carnival Tropicale will present productions inspired by the golden era of show business, with further details expected ahead of the ship’s debut.
Official Statements and Launch Event
Ben Clement, Carnival’s Executive Vice President of Maritime and New Builds, said, “Today marks an exciting day for Carnival Tropicale as guests can now begin planning their vacations aboard this incredible new ship. From innovative attractions and dining to unforgettable destinations throughout the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Mexico, Carnival Tropicale will bring an exciting new vacation option to Texas
when she debuts in 2028.” The vessel will carry a Star of Texas on its bow to signify its year-round homeport in Texas.
André Walter, CEO of Meyer Werft, commented, “I am delighted to experience my first construction celebration as the new CEO of MEYER WERFT. Carnival Tropicale is already the fifth Excel-class ship for Carnival Cruise Line, a successful and highly popular series that reflects our long-standing partnership with Carnival.” The booking launch coincided with a Texas-themed event at the Papenburg shipyard where construction continues ahead of delivery.
