Passengers can now book their trip aboard the Carnival Tropicale, Carnival Cruise Line and the latest addition to its Excel class. Coinciding with the opening of bookings, the company is also celebrating the ship's evolution from its initial design phase to its construction at the MEYER WERFT shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
Starting April 15, 2028, the Carnival Tropicale will bring a new level of fun to Galveston. As the newest Texas-based ship, it will proudly display the Star of Texas on its bow, honoring its connection to the Lone Star State.
The ship will offer four, five, six, and eight-day cruises, connecting passengers to destinations in Carnival's exclusive Paradise Collection, including Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale, and Puerta Maya, as well as other popular Caribbean ports such as Progreso and Nassau.
“Today is a very special day for Carnival Tropicale, as guests can begin planning their vacations aboard this incredible new ship,” said Ben Clement, executive vice president of Marine Operations and Newbuilds for Carnival Cruise Line. “From innovative entertainment and dining options to unforgettable destinations in the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico, Carnival Tropicale will offer Texas an exciting new vacation choice when it enters service in 2028.”
To mark the opening of bookings for the Carnival Tropicale, Carnival Cruise Line and MEYER WERFT organized a Western-inspired celebration at the shipyard to pay tribute to the ship's future homeport and Carnival's close relationship with Texas.
Carnival and MEYER WERFT executives participated in the event dressed in custom cowboy-style protective hats and western attire, in a space decorated with Texas-inspired motifs, while the shipyard team enjoyed a Texas-style barbecue.
“I am delighted to be experiencing my first shipbuilding celebration as the new CEO of MEYER WERFT,” said André Walter, who has held the position of CEO of MEYER WERFT GmbH since July 1, 2026. “Carnival Tropicale is the fifth Excel-class ship we have built for Carnival Cruise Line, a highly successful and popular series that reflects our long-standing partnership with Carnival.”
The Carnival Tropicale will be the fifth and final ship in the Excel class and will offer the latest features of this series for enjoying Carnival's signature entertainment at sea. One of the main attractions will be Sunsation Point, a lively family area spread across several decks and designed to keep passengers entertained from day to night.
The space will be dominated by Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, presented as Carnival's most family-oriented water park at sea. It will feature six water slides, including SunSoaker, Turning Tides , and Racing Currents, as well as water play areas specially designed for younger passengers.
Passengers will also be able to enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, including a revamped Fairway 66 mini-golf course inspired by Route 66; sports courts; the Treehouse Adventure Trail, with net courses and obstacles; and new recreational spaces, such as The Vault Retrocade, which combines classic video games with current gaming experiences.
When the sun goes down, the fun will continue with special nighttime activities and extended water park hours.
The fun continues at the table with The Next Course, Carnival's new collection of culinary concepts that will bring together flavors from around the world. Among the offerings will be Uku Lei Lei, with Hawaiian-inspired cuisine and Asian touches; Fetaccine, which combines Greek and Italian flavors; and Emeril's Coastal Seafood, specializing in fish and seafood dishes inspired by the American coast and created in collaboration with Emeril Lagasse, Carnival's culinary director.
The Carnival Tropicale will also feature new entertainment experiences and exclusive spaces inspired by the golden age of show business. The company will release more details about the ship's entertainment offerings and other experiences in the coming months, expanding the new features that passengers can discover on board.
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