• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
Carnival Cruise Line has opened bookings for Carnival Tropicale, the 5th and final vessel in its Excel class, as construction progresses at MEYER WERFT in Papenburg, Germany. The opening of reservations marks the latest stage in the development of the new ship, which is scheduled to enter service from Galveston in 2028.
Carnival Tropicale will begin sailing from Galveston on April 15th, 2028, becoming the newest Carnival ship based in Texas. The vessel will feature the Star of Texas on her bow as a reference to her homeport and connection with the state. The ship will operate 4-, 5-, 6- and 8-day cruises to destinations in the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Mexico.
Carnival said the new ship would combine new attractions and dining concepts with access to the cruise line's private destinations and established Caribbean ports. Ben Clement, Carnival Cruise Line's executive vice president of maritime and new builds, said the opening of bookings allowed guests to begin planning vacations aboard the new vessel and highlighted its attractions, dining and destinations.
The opening of reservations was marked at MEYER WERFT with a Western-themed event reflecting Carnival Tropicale's future Texas home. Carnival and shipyard executives wore customized cowboy hard hats and Western-style clothing, while the shipyard team was served Texas-style barbecue.
For André Walter, who became CEO of MEYER WERFT GmbH on July 1st, 2026, the event marked his first construction celebration in the role. He noted that Carnival Tropicale would be the 5th Excel-class ship built for Carnival Cruise Line and said the series represented the longstanding partnership between the cruise line and the German shipyard.
Carnival Tropicale will introduce several new family-oriented features, including Sunsation Point, a multi-deck entertainment zone designed for use throughout the day and evening. The area will include Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, a family-focused water park with 6 waterslides, including SunSoaker, Turning Tides and Racing Currents, as well as splash areas for younger children.
Additional recreational facilities will include the redesigned Fairway 66 Mini Golf course, which takes inspiration from Route 66, sports courts and the Treehouse Adventure Trail with netted pathways and obstacles. The ship will also feature new arcade areas, including The Vault Retrocade, combining classic arcade games with newer gaming experiences. Waterpark operating hours and selected activities will extend into the evening.
Dining will be expanded through Carnival's Next Course concepts. These will include Uku Lei Lei, combining Hawaiian-inspired dishes with Asian influences; Fetaccine, which brings together Greek and Italian flavors; and Emeril's Coastal Seafood, featuring seafood inspired by coastal regions of the United States and developed in partnership with Carnival's chief culinary officer, Chef Emeril Lagasse.
Carnival Tropicale will also introduce new entertainment venues and experiences drawing on the golden era of show business. Further details of the entertainment programme and additional onboard features are expected to be announced ahead of the ship's 2028 debut.
