Many historians consider the Tropicale to be one of the first in an era of cruise ships that set a standard for what was come later. She was considered by many to be the first modern day liner.
Editors note: we will use the names ‘Carnival Tropicale’ and just ‘Tropicale’ interchangeably throughout this article. It was simply a marketing decision at the time to use Carnival in front of the ships name, however she was originally delivered as the Tropicale.
In the world of cruising, few ships have had quite a significant impact on the direction of one line, yet is sort of forgotten to history, than the fan favorite Carnival Tropicale. With a total career that’s almost half a century, this vessel has entertained passengers with its vibrant interiors, trend setting design, and carving out a piece of history as the first purpose built ‘Fun Ship’. Lets take a look at her history and timeline as we uncover the history of the Carnival Tropicale, a ship that continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many.
Setting Sail: Birth of the Tropicale
The story of the Tropicale begins in 1981 when first started sailing. However, the story really begins in the decade before with a ‘scrappy startup’ called Carnival Cruise Line in the 1970’s. After Ted Arison split from Norwegian Caribbean Lines, which later became Norwegian Cruise Lines (the history of that really deserves a post of its own), Arison went to create his own cruise line which he called Carnival Cruise Line. They started with three ships, the very first being the Mardi Gras (ex-RMS Empress of Canada of 1960) and then quickly followed up with the Carnivale (ex-RMS Empress of Britain of 1955) and Festivale (ex-RMS Transvaal Castle of 1961). All three of these ships were former ocean liners that had been converted to cruise service. It was around this time, the 1970’s, that the industry saw it’s first big boom in demand for Caribbean cruises out of south Florida ports. As popularity of the new ‘Fun Ship’ line started to grow, Carnival Cruise Lines set out to build their own vessel. This was in order to keep up with competitors such as Royal Caribbean which had three purpose built cruise ships. It was this time that Ted Arison started shopping around his idea to shipyards that could construct him a new vessel, looking first in Japan as he was happy with their recent work on a refurb, but then landing on a yard in Europe to do the construction for him.
Hull 234
Aalborg Vaerft A/S, in the Danish city of Aalborg, signed the contract with Carnival in July 1979 for the construction. Aalborg Vaerft Shipyard was joined by Technical Marine Planning (TMP) of London. TMP acted as Carnival in house Marine Engineering and Naval Architect, all overseen by Carnival CEO Ted Arison. Her keel was laid in October 1979 and then she was delivered in December 1981.
An interesting mechanism was used to finance the vessel. Initially the owner was listed as AVL Marine Inc. This being wholly owned by the yard that built the ship. Aalborg Verft then chartered the ship to Carnival Cruise Lines to operate it under a 10 year bareboat charter agreement with AVL as the group owner. At the conclusion of that charter, Aalborg then sold the ship outright to Carnival.
Design Notes
The Tropicale was the first of a new generation of cruise ships that introduced several standout features. These included a distinctive funnel design, expansive open decks with the main lido deck pool followed by Lido Buffet, and spacious passenger cabins, which were larger than those on any other newly built cruise ship at the time. The ship also featured two long corridors on each deck, nearly spanning the entire length of the vessel, and 12 luxury suites with private verandahs located on the deck above the wheelhouse. While not the first ship to contain this feature, the Tropicale was built with a 24ft bulbous bow to help with fuel efficiency by reducing drag through the water.
The hull was designed with a fine entry at the bow to reduce resistance as the ship plowed through the water, allowing for greater fuel efficiency. The aft part of the hull, where the propulsion units were located, was widened to create more deck space and passenger capacity while maintaining hydrodynamic efficiency. This was a departure from the cruiser stern as was common on all ships at this time. This balance between passenger accommodations and fuel efficiency was a critical aspect of the ship’s design philosophy.
There were many unique elements of her design but the one that stood out to maritime historian John Maxtone-Graham was the way the hallways were designed in the bow. Instead of following the curve of the hull, the hallways stayed straight, and the cabins were reconfigured conforming to the curvature of the hull in the bow sections.
On a similar note, all the bathrooms in guest cabins, with the only exception being the 12 suites on Deck 10, all had the exact same layout.
There were also additional features that were harder to find back then, but are common place nowadays such as twin Denny Brown-AEG stabilizer fins to reduce the roll of the vessel, or the 1,100kW single bow thruster to reduce the need for tugboats when maneuvering in or out of most ports. It is also claimed that the Tropicale was the first cruise ship to have a fully enclosed bridge, whereby the two bridge wings that extend out over the side of the ship are enclosed and protected from the elements.
A Floating Oasis: The Tropicale Experience
From the moment passengers stepped aboard the Tropicale, they were transported to a world of fun, fun, and more fun. With a bold design from lines and color palette of in-house architect Joe Farcus, spacious accommodations, and an array of onboard amenities, the Tropicale quickly became a favorite among travelers seeking the ultimate getaway. From sun-drenched decks to gourmet dining experiences, the ship offered something for everyone, ensuring that every moment spent on board was nothing short of magical.
Legendary Voyages and Memorable Moments
Throughout her career, the Tropicale embarked on countless voyages and exploring exotic destinations.
As the flagship of Carnival she enjoyed several years sailing the lines most important routes out of Miami. As the line grew in popularity and as the Holiday-class came into service, Carnival decided to sail her out of the west coast and to Alaska in the summer.The Tropicale was the first Carnival ship to sail out of Puerto Rico, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. As well as the first ship to sail the Panama Canal, Alaska, and Mexican Riviera.
Then as the Fantasy-class came into service, the Tropicale was relegated to the shorter cruise routes such as her last deployment offering 4 & 5-night western Caribbean routes out of Tampa in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
Enduring Legacy: Fond Farewells and Lasting Memories
After decades of service, the Tropicale bid farewell to the Carnival fleet in 2001, marking the end of an era for cruising enthusiasts around the world. To this day, former passengers, including the author, fondly reminisce about their time aboard this beloved ship, sharing stories of adventure, laughter, and friendship.
Later Years and Final Farewell
To Be Continued……
Legacy of Design
The Carnival Tropicale’s design and construction set a new benchmark for the cruise industry. It represented a significant leap forward in terms of scale, amenities, and passenger experience. The ship’s success paved the way for the expansion of Carnival’s fleet and the evolution of the modern cruise ship. Many of the design principles and features introduced on the Tropicale were carried forward into subsequent Carnival ships, influencing the development of the Fantasy-class and Destiny-class vessels.
In essence, the Carnival Tropicale was more than just a cruise ship; it was a symbol of Carnival Cruise Line’s growth, innovation, and commitment to creating unforgettable vacation experiences. Its design and construction remain a defining moment in the history of modern cruising, influencing the industry for decades to come.
Epilogue
A special tribute to past Carnival ships can be found in the Golden Jubilee bar and lounge on the Carnival Celebration. The side view elevation plan of the Tropicale can be seen in the below photo to the left of the ceiling corner.