Guests can now book Carnival Tropicale, the latest cruise ship from Carnival Cruise Line and the final vessel in the Excel-class fleet. To mark the opening of bookings, Carnival Cruise Line held a celebration at MEYER WERFT shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, witnessing the ship's transition from concept design to physical construction.
Carnival Tropicale cruise ship opens bookings for 2028 Galveston departure
Carnival Cruise Line opened bookings for Carnival Tropicale, the fifth and final Excel-class ship, which will begin sailing from Galveston on April 15, 2028. The vessel will offer 4, 5, 6, and 8-day itineraries to Caribbean destinations including Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale, and Puerta Maya. The ship features Sunsation Point, a multi-deck family entertainment area with Carnival WaterWorks Ultra water park, mini golf, and arcade games, plus new dining concepts including Uku Lei Lei, Fetaccine, and Emeril's Coastal Seafood.
Sailing from Galveston
Everything is bigger in Texas. Beginning April 15, 2028, Carnival Tropicale will bring upgraded cruise experiences to Galveston. As the newest ship sailing from Texas, Carnival Tropicale's bow will proudly display the "Lone Star," honoring its deep connection to the Lone Star State. The ship will offer 4-day, 5-day, 6-day, and 8-day itineraries, taking guests to Carnival's exclusive Paradise Collection destinations, including Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale, and Puerta Maya, as well as popular Caribbean ports such as Progreso and Nassau.
"Today is an exciting day for Carnival Tropicale, and guests can now start planning their vacation on this remarkable new ship," said Ben Clement, Executive Vice President of Maritime and New Builds at Carnival Cruise Line. "From innovative entertainment and dining experiences to unforgettable destinations throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico, Carnival Tropicale will bring exciting new vacation options to Texas when it debuts in 2028."
Bringing Texas Spirit to Papenburg
To mark the opening of bookings for Carnival Tropicale, Carnival Cruise Line and MEYER WERFT hosted a Western-themed celebration honoring the ship's future homeport and Carnival's deep connection to Texas. In the Texas-themed setting, leaders from Carnival and MEYER WERFT wore custom cowboy-style hard hats and Western attire, while the shipyard team enjoyed Texas-style barbecue.
"As the new CEO of MEYER WERFT, I'm delighted to participate in my first shipbuilding celebration," said André Walter, who became CEO of MEYER WERFT GmbH on July 1, 2026. "Carnival Tropicale is already the fifth Excel-class ship for Carnival Cruise Line, and this successful and highly sought-after class demonstrates our long-term partnership with Carnival."
A New Take on Family Entertainment
Carnival Tropicale is the fifth and final Excel-class ship, offering guests the latest amenities of the class, allowing them to experience Carnival's signature fun at sea. A highlight of the ship is Sunsation Point, a vibrant multi-deck family entertainment area designed to provide endless fun from morning to night. The core of this area is Carnival WaterWorks Ultra water park, the most family-friendly water park at sea, featuring six water slides (including SunSoaker, Turning Tides, and Racing Currents), as well as a splash area designed for younger guests.
Guests can also enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, including Fairway 66 mini golf redesigned with inspiration from Route 66, sports courts, the Treehouse Adventure Trail with rope walks and obstacles, and a new arcade area (such as The Vault Retrocade, which perfectly blends classic retro games with modern gaming experiences). After sunset, the fun continues with special evening activities and extended water park hours.
A New Chapter in Dining
The fun continues at the dining table, with Carnival Tropicale introducing "The Next Course" dining concept, bringing together cuisine from around the world. Guests can enjoy creative Asian-inspired dishes at the Hawaiian-themed restaurant Uku Lei Lei; experience the blend of Greek and Italian flavors at Fetaccine; and savor seafood inspired by America's coastline at Emeril's Coastal Seafood, created in collaboration with Carnival's Executive Chef Emeril Lagasse.
Inspired by Entertainment's Golden Age
Carnival Tropicale will also introduce new entertainment experiences and exclusive spaces inspired by the golden age of entertainment. More details about the ship's entertainment facilities and other experiences will be revealed in the coming months, giving guests more to look forward to.
For the latest itinerary information for Carnival Tropicale, visit www.carnival.com. For more information about Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your travel advisor or online travel agency.
Fuente: prnewswire
