Carnival Cruise Line announces Carnival Tropicale features, opens 2028 bookings

Carnival Cruise Line has opened bookings for Carnival Tropicale, which will begin sailing from Galveston on 15 April 2028.

The newbuild will become the fifth and final ship in Carnival’s Excel class and is currently under construction at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.

From Galveston, Carnival Tropicale will operate four-, five-, six-, and eight-day itineraries to destinations in the Caribbean, The Bahamas, and Mexico.

Its programme will include calls at Carnival’s Celebration Key, RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale, and Puerta Maya, as well as ports including Progreso and Nassau.

“Today marks an exciting day for Carnival Tropicale as guests can now begin planning their vacations aboard this incredible new ship,” said Ben Clement, EVP of Maritime and New Builds, Carnival Cruise Line. “From innovative attractions and dining to unforgettable destinations throughout the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Mexico, Carnival Tropicale will bring an exciting new vacation option to Texas when she debuts in 2028.”

The ship will carry a Star of Texas on its bow to reflect its planned year-round deployment from the state.

Carnival and Meyer Werft marked the opening of reservations with a Texas-themed construction event at the Papenburg shipyard, where work on the vessel is continuing.

“I am delighted to experience my first construction celebration as the new CEO of MEYER WERFT,” said André Walter, CEO, Meyer Werft. “Carnival Tropicale is already the fifth Excel-class ship for Carnival Cruise Line, a successful and highly popular series that reflects our long-standing partnership with Carnival.”

Among the new onboard areas planned for Carnival Tropicale is Sunsation Point, a multi-deck family recreation area incorporating Carnival WaterWorks Ultra.

The waterpark will feature six slides, including SunSoaker, Turning Tides, and Racing Currents, alongside splash areas aimed at younger passengers.

Other recreational facilities will include a redesigned Fairway 66 Mini Golf course inspired by Route 66 and the Treehouse Adventure Trail, featuring netted pathways and obstacles.

Carnival is also introducing new arcade facilities, including The Vault Retrocade, which will combine classic and newer games. Sunsation Point will operate into the evening on selected days, including extended opening hours for the waterpark.

The ship’s dining programme will feature concepts previously announced as part of Carnival’s Next Course initiative.

These include Uku Lei Lei, serving Hawaiian-inspired food with Asian influences, and Fetaccine, which combines Greek and Italian dishes.

Emeril’s Coastal Seafood, developed with Carnival Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse, will serve seafood dishes influenced by coastal regions of the United States.

Carnival Tropicale will also introduce entertainment venues and productions drawing on the golden era of show business, with further details due to be announced ahead of the ship’s launch.

As the final Excel-class vessel, the ship follows earlier members of the series while introducing revised family, dining, and entertainment concepts.

Construction will continue at Meyer Werft ahead of Carnival Tropicale’s delivery and its first Galveston sailing in April 2028.

Carnival Tropicale itineraries

• Begins sailing from Galveston on 15 April 2028
• Four-, five-, six-, and eight-day cruises
• Celebration Key
• RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay
• Isla Tropicale
• Puerta Maya
• Progreso
• Nassau

New Carnival Tropicale features

• Sunsation Point family recreation area
• Carnival WaterWorks Ultra with six waterslides
• Fairway 66 Mini Golf
• Treehouse Adventure Trail
• The Vault Retrocade
• Uku Lei Lei
• Fetaccine
• Emeril’s Coastal Seafood