Carnival Cruise Line has mapped out the debut season for the Carnival Tropicale, the last ship in its Excel-class series, which enters service in early 2028. The LNG-powered ship will be based in Galveston, Texas, sailing alongside the Carnival Jubilee.
The first chance to get onboard comes with the maiden voyage: a six-night Western Caribbean cruise departing Galveston on April 15, 2028, calling at Cozumel in Mexico and Roatán in Honduras. Carnival will repeat that itinerary throughout the inaugural season.
The headline act of the first year is a run of eight-night Bahamas cruises, with 27 departures scheduled between April 2028 and April 2029. These sail to Nassau plus two Carnival Corporation private spots: Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. For travellers who prefer the Western Caribbean, there are 25 six-night departures over the same period, mixing Cozumel with Isla Tropicale, Carnival's private destination in Roatán, Honduras.
If you want a shorter, cheaper taste of the new ship, a single four-night Cozumel sailing leaves January 2, 2029, and two five-night holiday cruises depart December 23 and December 28, 2028, stopping at both Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico.
Why it matters: Galveston is becoming a serious alternative to Florida homeports, especially for travellers in the central and southern US who can drive or fly cheaply to Texas. The mix of long Bahamas itineraries with private island stops and quick Mexico getaways means the Tropicale works for both first-time cruisers and families squeezing in a holiday break. Booking early on a brand-new ship's maiden season usually gets you the best cabin choice and launch-season pricing.
