Carnival Jubilee Review: What You Need to Know Before You Book
As a travel agent and avid cruiser, I recently had the opportunity to sail on Carnival Jubilee and experience all it has to offer. While there are many things to love about this ship, there are also a few aspects that travelers should be aware of before booking. Here’s my honest review, covering both the highlights and areas for improvement.
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What I Loved About Carnival Jubilee
1. Dining Experience
One of the standout aspects of the Carnival Jubilee is the food quality in the main dining room. The menu offers a variety of options, and I found the flavors and presentation to be excellent. In addition, small specialty restaurants like The Blue Iguana and The Pig and Anchor serve delicious meals that make dining on this ship a treat.
2. Spacious Interior and Balcony Rooms
I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the interior rooms and ocean view balcony rooms. Carnival has done a great job maximizing space, making these staterooms feel comfortable and not overly cramped.
The shower size was also a nice bonus—larger than expected, which is a welcome change from the tiny showers on some cruise ships.
3. Fun Activities & Friendly Staff
If you love onboard entertainment, trivia games were a fun way to test my knowledge and interact with other passengers. I also have to give a shoutout to the staff working the Ropes Course and Bolt roller coaster—they were incredibly friendly and made the experience even more enjoyable.
While the ropes course is free, keep in mind that Bolt does cost extra. You can make reservations for Bolt in the app or at the entrance to the ride for $15 per person. Each ride vehicle fits two people, but you still have to pay for each person to ride.
4. Great nighttime entertainment
We enjoy watching an evening show after dinner. The entertainment value on this ship is amazing. The shows are top notch, from country bands to aerial acrobats and a tribute to Carnivale. The performances held in Grand Central have all been family friendly and something we have all enjoyed.
Our favorite performance, “Soul Bound” was held in the Jubilee Theater. With a spooky, New Orleans vibe, it shouldn’t be missed.
What Needs Improvement
1. Accessibility & Safety Concerns
One major issue I noticed was the narrow entrance to ocean view balcony rooms. If you or someone in your party uses a scooter or requires additional accessibility, getting into these rooms can be challenging.
Another concern is the step up when entering the Atlantic Dining Room. My mother nearly tripped twice due to this unexpected step, making it a potential hazard, especially for older guests or those with mobility issues.
2. Long Wait Times
While Carnival Jubilee offers plenty of exciting attractions, be prepared to wait in long lines. The waterslides had consistently long wait times, as did Guy’s Burger Joint, which is a popular spot onboard.
Additionally, the elevators were slow, leading to frustrating delays when trying to move between decks. If you rely on an elevator instead of stairs, factor in extra time to reach your destination.
3. Obstructed Views in Grand Central Theater
The Grand Central Theater, while visually stunning, has a significant flaw—obstructed views for many seats. If you plan to enjoy a show, arrive early to secure a good spot, or you may struggle to see the stage.
We recommend sitting on the floor level of Deck 6 for the best views. The couches offer excellent views, while the chairs up front may get you into the show as part of the audience participation and provides interaction with the performers.
4. Loud Staterooms
Like most cruise ships the walls are thin, but on this ship we experienced more noises. The ship pops and when I say pops I mean it pops loudly. It has been hard to sleep at night because all of the walls and doors constantly popping.
We did have someone from guest services come up and yes they heard it too. They told us that “all ships sound like this.” This has not been our experience on other cruise lines. Their solution was to provide us with earplugs.
5. Loud Guests
Carnival is known as the “Fun Ships” therefore, you would expect them to be fun. However, when guests constantly scream for no reason when walking down a hallway and kids bang doors constantly, that’s not our kind of fun. And yes, that’s solely my opinion.
With that being said, I do realize that we cruised over Spring Break; therefore, it may have been louder than usual.
Is Carnival Jubilee Right for You?
If you’re looking for a fun cruise with great food, spacious rooms, and exciting onboard activities, Carnival Jubilee is a fantastic option. However, if accessibility, long wait times, and theater views are concerns, you’ll want to weigh these factors before booking.
As always, I’m here to help you find the perfect cruise that fits your needs! Have questions about Carnival Jubilee or other cruise options? Let’s plan your next adventure together! Contact me today: [email protected].
Remember… Life’s Short… Take the Trip!
