by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 1:10 PM ET, Thu September 10, 2026
Carnival Cruise Line has opened bookings for Carnival Tropicale, its newest ship and the fifth and final addition to the cruise line’s Excel class.
The ship is under construction at Meyer Werft’s shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and is scheduled to debut from Galveston, Texas, on April 15, 2028.
Carnival Tropicale will offer four-, five-, six- and eight-day cruises to destinations in the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Mexico. Itineraries will include Carnival Cruise Line’s Paradise Collection destinations Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, Isla Tropicale and Puerta Maya, along with ports including Progreso and Nassau.
The ship will also feature the Star of Texas on its bow, highlighting its connection to the Lone Star State. As bookings opened, Carnival Cruise Line and Meyer Werft also marked the ship’s progress with a western-themed construction celebration at the Papenburg shipyard. The event featured Texas-inspired décor, western attire and Texas-style barbecue.
“Today marks an exciting day for Carnival Tropicale as guests can now begin planning their vacations aboard this incredible new ship,” says Ben Clement, executive vice president of maritime and new builds at 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.”
Carnival Tropicale will introduce several new experiences while incorporating features from the Excel class.
One of the ship’s main family areas will be Sunsation Point, a multi-deck entertainment zone anchored by Carnival WaterWorks Ultra. The water park will feature six waterslides, including SunSoaker, Turning Tides and Racing Currents, along with splash areas for younger children.
Other activities will include a redesigned Fairway 66 Mini Golf course inspired by Route 66, sports courts, the Treehouse Adventure Trail and new arcade spaces. The Vault Retrocade will combine classic arcade games with newer gaming experiences. The water park will also offer extended hours, with activities continuing into the evening.
Carnival Tropicale will also introduce three restaurants as part of Carnival Cruise Line’s Next Course dining concepts.
Uku Lei Lei will serve Hawaiian-inspired food with Asian influences, while Fetaccine will combine Greek and Italian flavors. Emeril’s Coastal Seafood, created in partnership with Carnival Cruise Line Chief Culinary Officer Chef Emeril Lagasse, will focus on seafood inspired by coastal cuisines from across the United States.
The ship will also feature new entertainment and dedicated spaces inspired by the golden era of show business. Carnival Cruise Line says additional details about those experiences will be announced in the coming months.
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