Carnival Jubilee
Excel (XL) class · Caribbean & Bahamas
Carnival Jubilee is the third Excel-class ship, entering service in 2023 and based year-round in Galveston, Texas. It combines LNG propulsion with the BOLT roller coaster. Its main seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries call at Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan, with six- and eight-night variations also available. Galveston departures attract many drive-in passengers from central and southern parts of the United States, giving the ship a stronger local character than departures from Florida.
Current position (external site)View on VesselFinder (IMO 9851737)External site. Position information has not been checked by Cruise Atlas.
For travelers from Japan
A guide to public baths, Japanese food and language support, payment in yen, smoking, dress codes and power outlets, based on available official and other sources. Details may vary by itinerary and season. Check the official website for current information.
Similar facilities, such as a thermal suite
No Japanese language support
Payment in yen not accepted
English text in preparation.
Official: confirmed by the cruise line or another official source / Secondary source: confirmed by other sources / Estimated: inferred by Cruise Atlas / Not stated: no information found in official sources
At a glance
What is included and what costs extra
- Meals (main restaurants)Included
- AlcoholExtra charge
- GratuitiesExtra charge
- Wi‑FiExtra charge
- Specialty diningExtra charge
- Shore excursionsExtra charge
Main dining, buffet meals, and many included food items are covered. Alcohol, Wi-Fi, automatic gratuities, and paid specialty restaurants require separate payment or packages such as Cheers!.
- Extra chargeDrinks (one beer)$8
- Extra chargeSoft drinks and water$3.75
- Extra chargeDrink packageCheers! beverage package: $69.95/day when purchased in advance to $74.95/day when purchased after boarding. The effective price is about $83.94-$89.94/day including the 20% automatic service charge. Available only to guests aged 21 or older; alcohol is limited to 15 drinks per 24 hours.
- Extra chargeWi‑FiSocial $20.40 (pre-purchase)/$22.00 (onboard); Value $23.80 (pre-purchase)/$26.00 (onboard); Premium $25.50 (pre-purchase)/$28.00 (onboard; 24-hour pass $35).
- Extra chargeGratuities (automatic service charge)$17.00/day (suites: $19.00/day; increased by $1 in April 2026). The service charge on food and drink purchases increased from 18% to 20% in December 2025.
- Extra chargeSpa (60 minutes)$199+
- Extra chargeLaundryExcel-class ships, including Carnival Jubilee, have no coin-operated self-service laundry. Only paid laundry and pressing services are available.
- Shore excursionsShore excursions to Western Caribbean ports such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan are optional and cost extra. Prices vary by tour and port.
Prices are shown in the onboard currency; no currency conversion is applied.
Boarding, atmosphere, and links
- Japan departures: No
- Home ports: Galveston (Texas, USA, year-round home port)
- Departure ports: Galveston
- All ages
- A large family ship typical of the Excel class (XL class), with the BOLT roller coaster, a water park, and varied specialty restaurants (23 of its 78 venues are dining). The atmosphere is mainly casual and lively, but areas restricted to guests aged 21 and over, such as Serenity, are also provided.
- Mainly operates Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston, Texas, attracting passengers from across the United States, including the South and Midwest. Families and many casual repeaters also sail.
Like its sister ships Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee uses a dual-fuel engine powered primarily by LNG (liquefied natural gas). As the third Excel-class ship, it is reportedly designed to significantly reduce SOx and particulate-matter emissions.
Ship character
- • Families
- • Western Caribbean regulars
- • Travelers wanting Carnival's newest large ship
- • Travelers valuing easy air access
- • Travelers needing Japanese-language support
- • People without convenient access from Houston
Cruise stories and videos on external sites
5 linksThese are articles and videos by other publishers, not Cruise Atlas. Their content is their own and has not been reviewed by us. Links open in a new tab.
- Personal blogEnglishFinal thoughts on our Carnival Jubilee cruise
pescadoamarillo.blogspot.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishWhat It's Really Like on the New Carnival Jubilee Cruise Ship
eatsleepcruise.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- ArticleEnglishAffiliate links disclosedCarnival Jubilee Caribbean Cruise: Embarkation Day & Sail Away - Day 1 🚢🌴 - Northern Viking Explorer
northernvikingexplorer.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishAffiliate links disclosedCarnival Jubilee Review: 13 Solid Things Before Booking in 2026
cruisesnooze.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishAffiliate links disclosedCarnival Jubilee Cruise Blog 2025 Day 1 Galveston
embarkandaway.com · Sailed Jun 7, 2025 · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
Sources
- Officialcarnival.com
- Officialcarnival.com (2)
- Secondary sourcecruiseindustrynews.com
- Secondary sourcecarnival-news.com
- Secondary sourcesec.gov
- Officialcarnival.com (3)
- Officialcarnival.com (4)
- Officialcarnival.com (5)
- Officialcarnival.com (6)
- Officialcarnival.com (7)
- Officialcarnival.com (8)
- Officialcarnival.com (9)
- Officialcarnival.com (10)
- Officialcarnival.com (11)
- Officialcarnival.com (12)
- Officialcarnival.com (13)
- Officialcarnival.com (14)
- Officialcarnival.com (15)
- Officialcarnival.com (16)
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org
- Secondary sourceeatsleepcruise.com
- Secondary sourcegangwaze.com
- Secondary sourceportofgalveston.com
- Secondary sourcecruisemummy.co.uk
- Secondary sourcecruisedeckplans.com
- Secondary sourcethecarnivalcruiseblog.com
- Secondary sourcethecarnivalcruiseblog.com (2)
- Secondary sourceshinecruise.com
- Secondary sourceshinecruise.com (2)
- Secondary sourcethepointsguy.com
- Secondary sourcecruisehive.com
- Secondary sourcespecialneedsatsea.com
- Secondary sourcecruisehive.com (2)
Source: Wikipedia “Carnival Jubilee” (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Cabins by category
| Cabins | Size | Occupancy and beds | Features | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Interior Stateroom The lowest-priced category onboard, at about 160 square feet (about 15 m²) as standard. There are no windows or balconies, but a larger Premium Interior of about 200 square feet (about 18 m²) is also available. Some rooms accommodate 4 guests with sofa beds or ceiling pull-down beds for families. 818 cabins / Distributed across decks 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, and 14–17 (mainly low to mid levels) | 14–17 m² (151–183 ft²) | 2-4 people Queen bed (convertible to twin beds) + sofa bed or ceiling-mounted pull-down bed; some cabins accommodate up to 4 people. | Connecting | Check the official page |
Ocean View Stateroom These rooms have no balcony but feature ocean-view windows, with about 245 square feet (about 23 m²), providing more space than Interior rooms. Some rooms accommodate up to 4 guests with an additional bed. 175 cabins / Decks 4–5 (mainly low levels) | 17–20 m² (183–215 ft²) | 2-4 people Mainly twin beds (can be joined into a queen depending on room type); some cabins accommodate up to 4 people with a sofa bed or Pullman bed. | WindowConnecting | Check the official page |
Balcony Stateroom The most numerous standard category across all rooms, totaling about 1,415 rooms, including about 1,268 Standard Balconies plus variations such as Junior and Cove Balconies. The upper-grade Extended Balconies (8N/8M) have balconies 1.5 times the size of standard balconies. 1,415 cabins / Decks 9–12 and 14–17 (mainly mid to high levels). Some are Cove balconies on Deck 8 (lower level; budget type with partially restricted views) | 18–24 m² (194–258 ft²) | 2-4 people Twin beds (can be joined into a queen) + sofa bed. Extended balcony cabins (8N/8M) have a balcony 1.5 times the usual size. | BalconyConnecting | Check the official page |
Ocean Suite / Excel Suite / Excel Corner Suite / Excel Aft Suite About 185 rooms across several tiers, centered on Ocean Suites (135 rooms, about 290 square feet plus balconies of about 55 square feet), with upper-tier Excel Suites (8 rooms), Excel Corner Suites (14 rooms), and Excel Aft Suites (14 rooms, some with hot tubs on wraparound balconies). There is no dedicated suite lounge like Royal Caribbean's, but benefits include priority embarkation and disembarkation and guaranteed dining reservations. 185 cabins / Decks 9–12 and 14–17 (seaside suite area) | 28–56 m² (301–603 ft²) | 2-5 people (varies by cabin type) King bed (convertible to twins) + sofa bed. Higher-level types have an additional pull-out or upper bed. | BalconyConcierge | Check the official page |
Excel Presidential Suite The top suite, considered the largest in the Excel class, with only 2 rooms. It offers about 474–476 square feet indoors plus a balcony of about 645–646 square feet, totaling about 1,120 square feet (about 104 m²), and is considered one of the largest suites in Carnival's history. It includes a private bedroom, living room, walk-in closet, 2 sinks, and a bow-side wraparound balcony with a hot tub, dining table, and 2 sunbeds. In addition to the broad benefits of a suite, its exceptional space and privacy make it a separate category from standard suites. 2 cabins / Deck 17 forward (exclusive area, only 2 cabins) | 104 m² (1,119 ft²) | 2-4 people (official description is based on 2 people; sofa beds may allow slightly more) King bed (convertible to twins) in the bedroom, sofa bed in the living room. | BalconyConcierge | Check the official page |
Approximate figures from official and reliable sources. Cabins vary by ship, category, and sailing.Links generally lead to official pages; some have not been verified.
Families, adults-only areas, and practical information
- • Camp Ocean — A free kids program for children aged 2-11, divided by age group (Turtles, Penguins, Stingrays, and Sharks). Night Owls is a paid, time-based late-night option.
- • Dr. Seuss Bookville — A free reading space for kids recreating the world of children's author Dr. Seuss. Storytelling events and other activities are also held.
- • Casino — A casino with slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and other table games. Entry is free, but play costs extra and is restricted to guests aged 21 and over.
- • Serenity Adult-Only Retreat — A retreat area on the top deck, restricted to guests aged 21 and over. Lounge chairs and pool use are free, but cabana rental costs extra.
- • Cloud 9 Fitness Center — A free fitness area with a gym, cardio machines, and weights (ages 18 and over). Paid group classes such as cycling and yoga are also available.
- Onboard currency
- USD
- Gratuities
- Automatic gratuities are added to your onboard Sail & Sign account for each night of the cruise. The amount can be adjusted, including reduced, at the Guest Services desk.
- Payment
- Cashless onboard
- Voltage
- Both 110V (North American standard) and 220V (European style) are available at cabin outlets.
- Formal nights
- 1 "Cruise Elegant" night is scheduled on cruises of 5 nights or fewer, and 2 on cruises of 6 nights or more. Most are held on sea days (such as day 2 or the last sea day).
- Medical facilities
- Every ship has a permanent medical center, with 1 to 2 doctors and 3 to 5 nurses on board depending on ship size, available 24 hours. It follows CLIA/ACEP standards. Consultations, medication and tests are private-pay (non-insured) services charged separately, and insurance generally cannot be used at the counter; you pay first and then claim.
- Bringing items onboard
- Guests aged 21 and over may bring one unopened 750 ml bottle of wine/champagne per person in carry-on luggage, on embarkation day only (fortified wines over 15% alcohol are not allowed). A corkage fee of $15 per bottle is charged if you drink it in public areas such as the main dining room or bars, but there is no charge for drinking it in your cabin.
- Mobile and connectivity
- Through the maritime roaming partners of major carriers, you can make calls, send SMS and use data on the high seas with your own phone and phone number (displayed as "Cellular at Sea" and the like). Many flat-rate plans are excluded and billed by usage, so checking in advance is essential. To keep costs down, it is common to switch to Wi-Fi calling via a Wi-Fi package.
- Japanese support
- Staff —Menus —Announcements —
Dining
One of the main dining rooms included in the fare. Guests can choose either fixed seating or flexible dining times when booking.
Hours: Breakfast, sea-day brunch, and dinner (fixed or open seating)
Another main dining room included in the fare. It has a menu section supervised by chef Emeril Lagasse, and a paid character breakfast event is sometimes held on the final day of the itinerary.
Hours: Breakfast and dinner centered
A large, complimentary buffet. It has the highest usage rate as a casual dining venue.
Hours: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (open most of the day)
A complimentary burger stand overseen by celebrity chef Guy Fieri. Grilled burgers and fries are the staples.
Hours: Noon to evening (approximately 12:00 to 18:00)
A complimentary Mexican snack stand. It serves burritos in the morning and tacos and other items at lunch.
Hours: Breakfast (approximately 7:00 to 10:30); lunch (approximately 12:00 to 15:30)
A complimentary stand serving handmade thin-crust pizza (Jubilee's own venue name, equivalent to Pizzeria del Capitano on other ships). Some specialty pizzas may cost extra.
Hours: All day (a source reports nearly 24-hour service)
A complimentary dining venue featuring BBQ and beer brewed onboard. Some premium cuts, such as prime rib, may cost extra.
Hours: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night snacks
A fried chicken specialty restaurant produced by Shaquille O'Neal. On Jubilee, it is offered as a complimentary quick-service option.
Hours: Breakfast (approximately 7:00 to 11:00); lunch (11:00 to 17:00)
Fusion dining unique to the Excel class, combining Cantonese and Mexican cuisine. Lunch is complimentary, while dinner is complimentary on the first visit and a small additional charge applies to return visits.
Hours: Lunch (Sea Day 12:00 to 14:00, free); dinner (first visit free, paid from the second visit onward)
An Italian restaurant serving pizza, pasta, chicken parmesan, and more. The first visit is free, while dinner visits from the second onward may incur a small additional charge.
Hours: Lunch and dinner (first visit free, paid from the second visit onward)
A cafe serving coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and more. Most items are complimentary, but some desserts may carry a small additional charge.
Hours: From early morning (approximately 6:00 onward)
24-hour room service. The early-morning light breakfast menu is complimentary, but at other times item-by-item charges and a delivery fee apply.
Hours: 24 hours
A Japanese restaurant serving sushi, sashimi, ramen, and other dishes for an additional charge. There is no cover charge; items are charged individually.
- California roll$9
- Spicy roll$10
- Ramen$8
A prix fixe restaurant where guests can enjoy teppanyaki performances at their table. With only 3 teppanyaki tables, early reservations are recommended.
- Set course of appetizer + main (choice of chicken / filet / lobster tail / salmon / shrimp) + dessert
A steakhouse centered on high-quality beef dishes. Courses include an appetizer, main course, side, and dessert, with optional wine pairings available for an additional charge.
- Appetizer + main + up to 2 side dishes + dessert course set
- Wine pairing (add-on option)+$23
A seafood specialty restaurant supervised by chef Rudi Sodamin. Dining exclusive to Excel-class ships (Celebration, Jubilee, Mardi Gras).
- Set course of appetizer + main (choice of lobster, scallops, crab-stuffed lobster tail, steak, etc.) + dessert
A New Orleans restaurant supervised by Chef Emeril Lagasse. The restaurant name is specific to Jubilee (the sister ships use Bistro 1396 and Bistro 1397). Ordering is a la carte with no cover charge.
- Boudin ball (appetizer)$6
- Emeril's jambalaya$7–12
- Fried shrimp and oyster po'boy$7–12
A premium dining experience limited to 12 to 16 guests and intended for guests aged 12 and over. The special set-course dinner includes a galley (kitchen) tour, and early reservations are recommended due to its popularity.
- Multi-course chef's choice menu (contents vary by date)
Facilities and activities
An electric roller coaster described as the first at sea. This paid attraction runs on a dedicated elevated track and requires guests to be about 132-196 cm tall and weigh 136 kg or less.
A free water park with multiple slides, including Twister and Speedway Splash. It also has a water-play area for small children.
A casino with slot machines, blackjack, roulette, and other table games. Entry is free, but play costs extra and is restricted to guests aged 21 and over.
A free kids program for children aged 2-11, divided by age group (Turtles, Penguins, Stingrays, and Sharks). Night Owls is a paid, time-based late-night option.
A paid spa offering thermal suites, massages, and facials. Full-itinerary thermal suite passes and massages and facials cost extra, while thermal suite use is included for guests in designated Cloud 9 Spa staterooms.
A retreat area on the top deck, restricted to guests aged 21 and over. Lounge chairs and pool use are free, but cabana rental costs extra.
A free two-level ropes course. Guests must be about 132-196 cm tall and weigh 136 kg or less, and cross while wearing a harness and looking down over the sea.
An outdoor theater with a large poolside LED screen showing movies and sports broadcasts for free. It is not an indoor movie theater.
A free fitness area with a gym, cardio machines, and weights (ages 18 and over). Paid group classes such as cycling and yoga are also available.
A free sports area with mini golf, basketball, a jogging track, table tennis, and other facilities (Decks 18-19).
A casual Key West-style pub. Its signature feature is the in-house ThirstyFrog Red beer, and games such as foosball are also available.
A free reading space for kids recreating the world of children's author Dr. Seuss. Storytelling events and other activities are also held.
A bar centered on tequila and margaritas. Drinks cost extra.
A cocktail bar with a distinctive retro pharmacy-style interior. Drinks cost extra.
A venue that changes from a lounge by day to a nightclub at night. Drinks cost extra.
A two-level main theater with free performances, including original shows by Playlist Productions and Family Feud Live.