Galveston

Carnival Opens Bookings for New Texas-Based Ship, Carnival Tropicale

Papenburg, Germany – September 15, 2026 -- Carnival Cruise Line has opened bookings for Carnival Tropicale, the fifth and final ship in its Excel class, which will begin sailing from Galveston, Texas, on April 15, 2028.

The ship will carry the Star of Texas on its bow

Carnival Tropicale will offer four-, five-, six- and eight-day cruises from Galveston, connecting guests to destinations in Carnival's Paradise Collection, including Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale and Puerta Maya, along with Caribbean ports like Progreso and Nassau.

Ben Clement, EVP of maritime and new builds at Carnival Cruise Line, said the ship will bring a new vacation option to Texas when it debuts in 2028, citing its dining, attractions and Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico itineraries.

Margaritaville at Sea's New Ship Beachcomber to Sail From Galveston in 2027

Galveston – September 15, 2026 -- Margaritaville at Sea will launch its newest ship, Beachcomber, from Galveston, Texas, in October 2027, offering four- to seven-night cruises now open for booking.

Beachcomber offers the widest itinerary lineup from Galveston

The ship's routes include Aruba, Key West, Curaçao, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Belize, Progreso, Roatán, Cozumel, Grand Bahama Island and Bimini. Veracruz, Mexico, will be a new addition to the Galveston cruise market.

"Texas knows how to have a good time, so bringing Margaritaville at Sea to Galveston feels like a natural fit," said Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea. He added that Beachcomber gives guests more destination choices than other cruises departing from the port.