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.
Carnival and MEYER WERFT marked the milestone with a western-themed event
To celebrate the booking opening and the ship's Texas ties, Carnival Cruise Line and MEYER WERFT hosted a western-themed celebration at the shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, complete with custom cowboy hard hats and Texas-style barbecue. André Walter, who became MEYER WERFT's CEO on July 1, 2026, called Carnival Tropicale the fifth Excel-class ship built for Carnival, describing the series as reflecting the companies' long-standing partnership.
The ship centers on a multi-deck family fun zone called Sunsation Point
Sunsation Point will anchor Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, described as the most family-friendly water park at sea, with six waterslides including SunSoaker, Turning Tides and Racing Currents, plus splash areas for younger cruisers. Other features include a Route 66-inspired Fairway 66 Mini Golf course, sports courts, the Treehouse Adventure Trail with netted pathways and obstacles, and The Vault Retrocade arcade.
Dining lineup includes a concept created with Chef Emeril Lagasse
Carnival Tropicale will feature The Next Course dining concepts, including Uku Lei Lei (Hawaiian cuisine with Asian influences), Fetaccine (Greek-Italian flavors), and Emeril's Coastal Seafood, a seafood-focused restaurant developed with Carnival's Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse.
Carnival said additional details on the ship's entertainment, inspired by the golden era of show business, will be released in the coming months.