Carnival Tropicale Will Cruise from Galveston

Carnival Cruise Line is keeping things bigger in Texas, bringing one of its largest – and its next newest – ships to Galveston with the debut of Carnival Tropicale in 2028.

Carnival Tropicale, which will be the line’s fifth Excel-class ship when it launches, will join Carnival Jubilee, making the port home to two of the three newest ships in the Carnival fleet.

To make it clear that Carnival Tropicale is tied to Texas, the ship will bear the Star of Texas on its bow, just as Jubilee does. The two Excel-class, 6000-plus guest ships will be the cornerstone of Carnival’s oversized offering of ships and itineraries that will sail year-round from Galveston.

“Carnival Tropicale joining our Galveston lineup is a celebration of both our history and our future in Texas,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “For more than 25 years, Texas has been at the heart of Carnival’s growth, and this new Excel-class ship ensures we continue to deliver unforgettable experiences for our guests in and around the state.”

Carnival Tropicale is named after the original MS Tropicale, which was Carnival’s first originally designed cruise ship. That vessel helped shape the Fun Ship era and introduced the iconic winged funnel to the fleet, now one of the most recognizable symbols in cruising.

Carnival Tropicale will be powered by LNG and take some of its inspiration from sister ship Carnival Festivale, which will be delivered in April 2027.  There will be new dining and entertainment offerings, as well as a brand-new zone dubbed Sunsation Point, which will be anchored by Carnival WaterWorks Ultra – a multi-level waterpark – and many other family-friendly recreation and entertainment features.

Reservation and itinerary details for Carnival Tropicale will be released later this year.