CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that its 2027-2028 deployment will expand the company’s operations from Galveston, Texas, with four ships sailing year-round from the port. For the first time, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Spirit will homeport in Galveston, joining Carnival Breeze and Carnival Jubilee. The deployment adds capacity and itinerary variety, including new routes to the Bahamas with visits to Celebration Key, extended Carnival Journeys cruises, and Panama Canal sailings.
Company leadership has indicated that Galveston remains among the line’s most important homeports, with the four assigned ships representing different vessel classes and thus offering passengers a wider range of options.
The Carnival Horizon will begin Galveston service on May 19th, 2027, with an inaugural 8-day Western Caribbean cruise to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, and Isla Tropicale. Thereafter, she will operate 4- and 5-day Western Caribbean sailings, including frequent calls at Cozumel and Progreso. Between May 2027 and April 2028, more than 70 departures are scheduled. As a Vista-class vessel, she accommodates approximately 4,000 passengers and is equipped with a range of dining venues, family activities, and entertainment facilities.
The Carnival Spirit will reposition to Galveston following her Alaska season and a 16-day Panama Canal transit from Seattle, departing September 25th, 2027. This voyage will include Cabo San Lucas, Puntarenas, and Cartagena before concluding in Texas. Beginning October 11th, 2027, she will operate 4- to 6-day Western Caribbean cruises calling at Cozumel, Progreso, and Belize, as well as a series of 10-day Caribbean itineraries. The Spirit-class ship carries over 2,000 passengers and features a selection of Carnival’s signature dining and leisure venues.
The Carnival Breeze will adopt a new 7-day program from May 2027, alternating between Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Ports will include Celebration Key, Key West, Nassau, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Belize, and Isla Tropicale. Special voyages will include an 8-day Christmas cruise on December 18th, 2027, and two 14-day Carnival Journeys sailings to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean in October 2027 and January 2028. As a Dream-class ship, she accommodates nearly 4,000 passengers and offers extensive leisure, dining, and wellness facilities.
The Carnival Jubilee, the Excel-class flagship carrying over 6,400 guests, will continue her program of 6- and 8-day voyages from Galveston between May 2027 and April 2028. 6-day itineraries will sail to Cozumel and Isla Tropicale, while 8-day cruises to the Bahamas will feature Nassau, Celebration Key, and Half Moon Cay. The LNG-powered vessel, the first of her kind to operate from Texas, is equipped with BOLT, the onboard roller coaster, and a broad range of dining and entertainment options.
With these deployments, Carnival maintains its position as the largest cruise operator from Texas, ensuring four ships based in Galveston throughout the 2027-2028 season. The company has stated that further details of its wider deployment schedule for 2027-2028 will be announced in the coming weeks.