Carnival Jubilee
Carnival Jubilee: A Celebration of Galveston, Texas & Endless Fun at Sea
Carnival Jubilee isn’t just another cruise ship—it’s a floating tribute to Galveston, Texas, blending the city’s rich maritime history with Carnival’s signature fun-filled atmosphere. As the newest addition to Carnival’s Excel-class fleet, Jubilee offers thrilling entertainment, diverse dining, and luxurious relaxation, all while paying homage to its homeport in creative and ways.
A Tribute to Texas: The Star on Carnival Jubilee’s Bow
Before you even step aboard Carnival Jubilee, you’ll notice a striking detail—the Texas star proudly displayed on the ship’s bow. This emblem is more than just decoration; it’s a symbol of Carnival’s deep-rooted commitment to Galveston. As the first cruise line to sail year-round from this vibrant port, Carnival has long embraced the spirit of Texas, and Jubilee continues that tradition in grand fashion, and Carnival Jubilee proudly incorporates nods to Galveston’s coastal charm throughout its design.
Currents Zone – This immersive area is inspired by the beauty of the Gulf Coast, featuring oceanic décor, wave-like lighting, and deep-sea themes that reflect the waters surrounding Galveston.
The Shores Zone – A playful tribute to Galveston’s boardwalk culture, this space is designed to evoke the feeling of a seaside pier, complete with colorful beach shack-style eateries and a relaxed, breezy vibe.
Emeril’s Bistro 717 – Named after Galveston’s area code (717), this restaurant by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse serves up Creole flavors that resonate with the Gulf Coast’s culinary traditions. ———in General I like the Emeril’s Bistro selections I have tried. Each Excel class ship has a slightly different menu with one or two items that are exclusive to that ship, but what I love the most are the shrimp and Grits. Now these are also available throughout the fleet on the Seaday Brunch Menu, but they are somehow more delicious from the Emeril’s Bistro locations. That also applies to the Beignets…. And if you’ve had them at Seaday Brunch Im sure you probably were not impressed…. Here… they are absolutely amazing! Soft moist and piping hot form the oil, dusted with powdered sugar and dipped in chocolate or strawberry compote! Don’t judge theses by what you’ve had in the MDR.
Texas-Themed Bars & Lounges – Several onboard venues feature Texas-inspired décor and drinks, ensuring guests feel a connection to the Lone Star State even while sailing the Caribbean.
Dining: A Feast for Every Palate
Carnival Jubilee offers a mouthwatering selections of dining venues, ranging from casual bites to upscale experiences.
Main Dining Rooms (Pacific & Atlantic Restaurants) – Elegant spaces serving multi-course meals with rotating menus. - On most of our cruises we try to enjoy a good variety of the other culinary options onboard, but we do tend to eat in the main restaurants at least a couple time thought a seven day cruise. ——— On Jubilee, we had anytime dining and we ate in the Pacific Dining room, the bigger of the two. One of the things we love about cruising is the opportunity to be adventures at the dinner table so we always like to try things that sound different. we had a variety of interesting things from the menu I ordered the fried Mississippi catfish and Daryl had an artichoke and potato cheesecake. On another evening I also had the escargots… Daryl is no quite that adventurous, but I find them quite tasty.
Beach Buns – A casual spot specializing in gourmet sandwiches and hot dogs.
Big Chicken – Shaquille O’Neal’s crispy chicken joint, perfect for comfort food lovers.
BlueIguana Cantina – Fresh burritos, tacos, and salsas with a lively Mexican flair.
ChiBang! – An experience of Chinese and Mexican flavors. ——— Now if when you hear the word fusion or see a restaurant that is a advertised as Mexican meets Chinese, you think of a blending of these flavors, then you are in the same boat…. or on the same ship as it were… with me.. but honestly, this on is pretty much a let down for daryl and I. We’ve done this spot twice now, on both Mardi Gras, and Jubilee, and it’s just far from what we had in mind when we were first looking forward to the debut of the Excel class… it’s less of a fusion restaurant, and more of a Chinese restaurant and a Mexican restaurant that share the same dining space, and unfortunately I didn’t think either was done well. I would much rather have an upper scale Mexican restaurant or a Chinese restaurant such as JiJi’s asian kitchen, even if I had pay extra for it. I feel like this one just misses its mark and the potential for it’s concept.
Coastal Slice – A go-to spot for delicious pizza with a variety of toppings.
Emeril’s Bistro 717 – A Creole-inspired venue offering signature Gulf Coast dishes.
Cucina del Capitano – A family-friendly Italian restaurant serving classic pasta dishes.
Guy’s Burger Joint — created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, serving up juicy, fresh-off-the-grill burgers with hand-cut fries and a customizable toppings bar. ——— There are few places on board a Carnival ship that we will go on embarkation day before Guy’s Burger Joint. One of those is a quick check in with our muster station, and the other is to the Shake spot to get a Black Raspberry Truffle Spiked Milkshakefor me, and a Tropical Island Delight for Daryl to accompany our favorite burger from Guy’s, the Pig Patty. It’s always our first meal onboard.
Fahrenheit 555 — A Classic Top end Steakhouse experience. ——— On Every Sailing Daryl and I save an evening for Fahrenheit 555. This really is a great steakhouse, and the space it occupies on the Excel class ships is absolutely a step up, including the addition of a bar accessible to guests who are not dining in the restaurant. A classic steakhouse experience is one of my favorite meals because for one, it reminds me of my Dad and secondly, because when done right I think a steak is hard to beat, when it comes to a fully satisfying meal, and Fahrenheit 555 absolutely does it right. A Ribeye and their signature Yukon Gold mashed potatoes…. Mmmm. I think I need to book another sailing.
Signature Bars & Lounges
Carnival Jubilee boasts 17 uniquely themed bars and lounges, each offering a distinct atmosphere and drink selections. We start the list with mine and Daryl’s all time favorite onboard bar…
Alchemy Bar – Carnival’s high-end cocktail bar, where expert mixologists craft hand-made drinks with a touch of flair. ——— I am absolutely addicted to the Remedy because I am a sucker for anything with pineapple and rum, Daryl usually follows my lead, but he is also a whiskey fan so he will occasionally go for a Caribbean Manhattan made with Maker’s Marks and a brown sugar syrup. We find the Deal Closer with Vanilla rum and Amaretto, to be a great after dinner cocktail.
Piano Bar 88 – A lively venue featuring interactive piano performances, where guests can request songs and sing along.
Punchliner Comedy Club – A dedicated space for stand-up comedy, serving themed cocktails like the "Punchliner" and “Jokester." ——— Carnival has a large roster of well know as well as rising comedians that rotate thru their fleet.——— Daryl and I generally like to catch the Comedy showcases which feature a double header of both current comedian. These performances tend to be too large for the comedy club and are usually performed in the Jubilee theater.
Center Stage Bar – Located in the heart of Grand Central, this bar serves as the go-to spot for pre-show drinks.
Fahrenheit 555 Bar – Part of Carnival’s specialty steakhouse, offering premium wines and handcrafted cocktails.
Grand View Bar – A second-floor lounge in Grand Central, perfect for evening cocktails with a stunning ocean backdrop.
Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse – Another collaboration with celebrity chef Guy Fieri serving five custom Parched Pig craft beers brewed onboard, alongside his bold BBQ menu and featuring a bar named after his famous catch phrase… Flavortown
Havana Bar – A Latin-inspired lounge with live music, dancing, and Cuban-style cocktails.
Dr. Inks, Ph.D – A new concept bar featuring ocean-themed cocktails with playful presentations.
The Golden Mermaid – A sophisticated, nautical-themed bar with elegant décor and upscale drink selections.
The Watering Hole – A casual outdoor bar, perfect for sipping a cold beer or cocktail while enjoying the sea breeze.
RedFrog Tiki Bar – A two-level tropical bar, serving rum-based drinks with a Caribbean twist.
Tides Pool Bar – A laid-back poolside bar, ideal for refreshing frozen cocktails.
Serenity Pool Bar – Located in the adults-only Serenity Retreat, offering a peaceful escape with premium drinks.
Java Blue Café – A coffee and espresso bar, serving specialty brews and pastries.——— Now Jaba Blue for me is my morning Alchemy bar.it's almost 1/2 the reason I get a drink package. Honestly, this one isn’t my favorite Java Blue in the fleet, but the coffee was adequate and the service was prompt.
Limelight Lounge – A Vegas-style lounge, hosting live music and entertainment.
Marina Bar – A casual bar near the outdoor deck, perfect for a quick drink between activities.
Each venue is designed to enhance the Carnival Jubilee experience, whether you’re looking for a high-energy party atmosphere, a quiet retreat, or a sophisticated cocktail lounge. 🍹🚢
Entertainment: Spectacular Shows & Live Performances
Carnival Jubilee is packed with world-class entertainment and immersive experiences.
BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster – The first roller coaster at sea, offering thrilling ocean views. ——— This was our second outing on Bolt, having experienced it on Mardi Gras prior.. It is still a fun activity’s but is it a good value? Only the rider can judge honestly. Either way there are a few minor enhancements, and improvements but it’s basically the same as the two editions before it.
Carnival WaterWorks™ – A massive water park with slides and splash zones.
Center Stage – A dynamic venue featuring live performances and interactive shows.
Family Feud™ Live – A fun, interactive version of the classic game show.
Limelight Lounge – A Vegas-style lounge hosting a variety of entertainers.
Seaquest – A unique show transforming the Currents Zone into a submarine adventure.
Serenity Adults-Only Retreat – A peaceful escape for relaxation.
The Punchliner Comedy Club – Featuring stand-up performances from talented comedians.
Activities: Adventure & Leisure at Every Turn
Carnival Jubilee offers endless activities to keep guests entertained.
Pools & Water Parks – Featuring slides, lazy rivers, and wave simulators.
Sports Courts & Fitness Centers – Spaces for basketball, pickleball, and state-of-the-art gyms.
Mini Golf & Laser Tag – Fun for families and competitive travelers.
Escape Rooms & Arcades – High-tech gaming spaces for interactive fun.
Cooking Classes & Wine Tastings – Enriching experiences led by culinary experts.
Spa & Upscale Experiences: Luxury Awaits
For those seeking extra indulgence, Carnival Jubilee offers premium venues and upscale services.
Could 9 Spa – Featuring massages, facials, and hydrotherapy treatments.
Thermal Suites & Relaxation Areas – Offering heated loungers, saunas, and serene ocean views. ——— Daryl and I are partial to the cloud 9 staterooms, because you get the added perk of anytime access the the thermal suite. This can be a great getaway to relax before dinner or to sweat out those toxins from the night before… but on the excel class ships like Jubilee, these rooms are a bit more special… there is an elevator dedicated, and only accessible to those staying on the 17th deck which are all Spa Cabins. This elevator is an express to the Thermal suites, even bypassing the spa lobby and opening directly to the thermal lounge.
Loft 19 - Private Cabanas & VIP Lounges – Providing seclusion and concierge service.
High-End Boutiques – Jubilee has expanded shopping options featuring luxury brands with duty-free pricing.
A Journey of Endless Possibilities
Carnival Jubilee is more than just a cruise—it’s a celebration of Galveston’s spirit, infused with Texas charm and Carnival’s signature fun. Whether you're sampling world-class cuisine, sipping a cocktail by the pool, catching a dazzling Broadway-style show, or unwinding in a private spa retreat, this ship delivers an unforgettable experience.
And while the nights are spectacular, the quiet beauty of sunrise offers a moment of peaceful reflection before another day of excitement unfolds.
Also available in the “My Gallery” section are photos of our sailing on Jubilee as well as our visit to San Antonio Texas.
Follow links to our YouTube page where you will find a playlist of videos about Jubilee.
Bon voyage! 🚢✨