Carnival Cruise Line announced that its fifth Excel-class ship, the Carnival Tropicale, will be homeported in Galveston, Texas, beginning with its delivery in 2028. The ship will accommodate more than 6,000 guests and just under 2,000 crew members, marking a major expansion of Carnival’s fleet based in Texas.
Carnival Tropicale Amenities and Itineraries
The Carnival Tropicale will feature a range of amenities including an all-ages waterpark with six water slides, a treehouse adventure trail obstacle course, and family raft rides. Dining venues aboard the ship will include Uku Lei Lei, offering Hawaiian- and Asian-inspired options, Fetaccine with Italian- and Greek-influenced cuisine, Emeril’s Coastal Seafood, and
an extensive buffet. The vessel will sail 4-, 5-, 6-, and 8-day cruises visiting Carnival’s Paradise Collection destinations such as Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale, and Puerta Maya, in addition to popular Caribbean ports including Progreso and Nassau. Booking is open for cruises starting April 15, 2028, with examples such as a 4-day Western Caribbean cruise priced at $519 and a 6-day option for $589, subject to restrictions.
Carnival Jubilee Short Cruises from Galveston
Carnival Cruise Line will also operate the Carnival Jubilee from Galveston during 2028-29, offering shorter cruise itineraries including 4-, 5-, 6-, and 8-day sailings. The 4-day Western Caribbean cruises
will depart select Thursdays from April 27, 2028 through April 26, 2029, with stops in Cozumel, Mexico. The 5-day cruises, calling at Cozumel and Progreso, Yucatán, will run select Saturdays and Mondays between April 17, 2028 and April 30, 2029. A 6-day Western Caribbean cruise is scheduled for October 29, 2028, visiting Cozumel and Isla Tropicale in Roatán. Two 8-day cruises include a Bahamas itinerary departing April 1, 2028, stopping at Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau, and a Western Caribbean cruise departing April 9, 2028, with calls at Cozumel, Isla Tropicale, and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Galveston’s Growing Cruise Market and Traveler Options
The designation
of Galveston as the homeport for the Carnival Tropicale reinforces the port’s status as a key cruise hub in the United States. Cruise travelers will benefit from increased itinerary variety and flexibility with new short cruise options available on the Carnival Jubilee and large-capacity cruises on the Tropicale. Booking availability is currently open through Carnival’s website, travel agents, and online platforms for departures beginning in April 2028.
