Carnival Cruise Line has started accepting reservations for its newest vessel, Carnival Tropicale, which will commence operations from Galveston, Texas, on April 15, 2028. This ship marks the fifth and concluding member of Carnival’s Excel-class fleet.
Construction and Partnership
Carnival Tropicale is currently being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard located in Papenburg, Germany. The vessel represents the latest outcome of the ongoing collaboration between Carnival Cruise Line and Meyer Werft, a partnership known for successfully delivering the Excel-class series. André Walter, the CEO of Meyer Werft, attended a Texas-themed event at the shipyard marking the start of bookings and commented on the
ship’s role as the fleet’s fifth Excel-class ship.
Itineraries and Ports
The new ship will operate cruises ranging from four to eight days from Galveston to key locations in the Caribbean, The Bahamas, and Mexico. Planned stops include Carnival’s private Celebration Key, RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale, as well as ports of call like Puerta Maya, Progreso, and Nassau. The deployment will be year-round, with the ship prominently displaying a Star of Texas on its bow symbolizing this commitment.
Onboard Features and Recreation
Carnival Tropicale will debut Sunsation Point, a multi-level family recreation complex featuring the Carnival WaterWorks Ultra waterpark. This waterpark includes six new
slides, such as SunSoaker, Turning Tides, and Racing Currents, along with splash zones designed for younger cruisers. Additional family amenities include a reimagined Fairway 66 Mini Golf course inspired by Route 66 and a Treehouse Adventure Trail offering netted pathways and obstacle challenges. The ship will also feature The Vault Retrocade arcade, combining classic and contemporary games. Sunsation Point will offer extended evening hours on selected days to enhance guest experiences.
Dining and Entertainment
The onboard dining options include Uku Lei Lei, serving Hawaiian-based cuisine with Asian nuances, Fetaccine offering a fusion of Greek and Italian flavors, and Emeril’s Coastal Seafood, developed with
Carnival’s Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse, focusing on seafood specialties influenced by U.S. coastal regions. Entertainment aboard the ship will draw inspiration from the golden era of show business, with details about productions and venues scheduled for release closer to the ship’s debut. Carnival Tropicale’s offerings continue the trend of updated family, dining, and entertainment concepts initiated on previous Excel-class vessels.
Official Statements and Delivery Timeline
Ben Clement, Carnival’s Executive Vice President of Maritime and New Builds, said the booking opening enables guests to plan vacations aboard this “incredible new ship” featuring innovative attractions and diverse destinations. André Walter expressed enthusiasm in attending his first
ship construction celebration as Meyer Werft’s CEO and reaffirmed the Excel class as a successful, popular series. Construction work at Meyer Werft remains in progress with delivery and the first sailing expected in April 2028.
