Carnival Cruise Line announced it will base its fifth Excel-class ship, Carnival Tropicale, along with the new massive Excel-class Carnival Jubilee, at Galveston, Texas starting in 2028. Carnival Tropicale will accommodate more than 6,000 guests and a crew of nearly 2,000, highlighting Galveston’s role as a key cruise port.
Cruise Itineraries and Port Calls
Carnival Jubilee will offer a variety of short cruises from Galveston beginning April 2028, including regular four- and five-day Western Caribbean voyages. Four-day cruises depart select Thursdays from April 27, 2028, through April 26, 2029, with calls at Cozumel, Mexico. Five-day sailings depart select Saturdays and Mondays from April 17, 2028,
through April 30, 2029, visiting Cozumel and Progreso, Yucatan. Jubilee also features a six-day Western Caribbean itinerary departing October 29, 2028, which stops in Cozumel and Isla Tropicale in Roatan.
Longer cruises from Galveston aboard Jubilee include an eight-day Bahamas cruise departing April 1, 2028, with stops at Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. An eight-day Western Caribbean cruise departs April 9, 2028, calling at Cozumel, Isla Tropicale and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Onboard Amenities and Dining
Carnival Tropicale will feature amenities for all ages, including a waterpark with six water slides, a treehouse adventure trail obstacle course, and family raft rides. Dining
options on the ship will include the Hawaiian- and Asian-inspired Uku Lei Lei restaurant, Fetaccine which offers Italian and Greek cuisine, Emeril’s Coastal Seafood, along with a large buffet.
Booking Details and Traveler Access
Bookings for the 2028-29 season on Carnival Jubilee from Galveston are now open through Carnival’s website, travel agents, and online platforms. Carnival Tropicale will begin sailings from Galveston on April 15, 2028. Sample fares for Jubilee include a four-day Western Caribbean cruise starting at $519 and a six-day sailing priced from $589, both subject to availability and restrictions.
Carnival’s deployment of Tropicale and Jubilee confirms Galveston’s status as a premier cruise
homeport and expands options for short Caribbean cruises from Texas.
