After sailing on Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, I thought I knew what to expect from Carnival Jubilee. With many of the same restaurants, attractions and entertainment venues, the third Excel class ship felt familiar before I even stepped onboard.
But our 7-night spring break cruise on Carnival Jubilee still came with a few surprises. For instance, we really enjoyed all the food onboard, but the long lines were frustrating. And while I loved our cove balcony for being so spacious and well designed, our cabin was a little stuffy each night.
While I enjoyed my cruise, a few different decisions could have made the experience better. Although we had a great cruise aboard Carnival Cruise Line‘s newest ship, here are nine things I would do differently if I booked another sailing on Carnival Jubilee.
I would give myself more time to dine at the popular restaurants
Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse was one of my favorite places to eat on Carnival Jubilee. With live country music, homemade brews, and house-smoked BBQ, the aft of the ship turns into a tiny version of Nashville.
It’s a honky-tonk style party, so no wonder it was busy!
However, we encountered lengthy waits both evenings we visited, including a wait of around 45 minutes. While the freshly smoked meats were heavenly, I hadn’t experienced the same issue on the other Excel class ships. After all, Texans love their BBQ!
Next time, I would decide on dinner earlier and check the dining arrangements before my stomach started growling. I would also keep a backup option in mind instead of getting my heart set on one restaurant.
I would arrange my transportation from Galveston in advance
This was my first cruise from Galveston, and getting to and from the port was more cumbersome than I anticipated.
Both Houston Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental require a transfer to Galveston. Hobby is closer, although the drive can still take upwards of an hour in traffic. And while George Bush Intercontinental offers more flight options, it’s farther away from the port.
After disembarking, we ended up waiting about 45 minutes just to get an Uber. Luckily, I didn’t have an early flight, otherwise I would have been sweating from stress!
Next time, I would compare transportation options beforehand and consider arranging a transfer. I would also keep a generous cushion between disembarkation and my flight home considering the distance from Houston to Galveston.
I would have a backup plan for Sea Day Brunch
Sea Day Brunch is a lovely idea until you find yourself waiting upwards of an hour for a table.
We were seated in a timely fashion on our first sea day, so I wasn’t expecting such lengthy waits on the second and third sea days. We ultimately didn’t want to spend that much of our morning waiting to eat.
On another cruise, I would check the wait before getting too attached to brunch. If it looked excessive, I would happily find breakfast elsewhere and get on with my day.
With so many places to eat on Carnival Jubilee, there’s no reason for me to spend the morning hungry while waiting for one particular meal.
I would plan ahead for entertainment
After being blown away by the entertainment on Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, I was eager to see what Carnival Jubilee offered that was different.
Instead, I recognized much of the lineup. We Are One, Rio Carnival and Celestial Strings were all familiar productions from other Excel class ships.
Unfortunately, I missed The Residency, a Las Vegas tribute that was one of Jubilee’s few unique shows during our sailing. The description didn’t particularly interest me, and I didn’t realize it would be my only opportunity to attend.
Next time, I would check the entertainment schedule early and make note of anything I hadn’t seen before. I still enjoyed the familiar performances, but I wish I had given the new offering a chance.
I would spend less time at the buffet
If you don’t disembark your cruise ship with pants slightly tighter than when you boarded, did you really even cruise? Enjoying all of the yummy food is one of my favorite parts of cruising, and Carnival Jubilee had plenty to offer.
However, the Lido Marketplace buffet continued to disappoint me. The variety was lacking, and its location brought heavy foot traffic heading toward the pool deck.
Next time, I would skip the buffet in favor of the casual restaurants I already know I enjoy. Big Chicken and Guy’s Burger Joint were particularly good options, with lines that moved fairly quickly during our sailing.
I’d choose a juicy, tender chicken sandwich over an uninspiring buffet plate any day.
I wouldn’t wake up early just to beat the coffee line
A specialty latte is one of my favorite vacation treats, but JavaBlue Cafe regularly had a line during our cruise. One morning, I woke up at 7 a.m. hoping I could grab my coffee before it became busy. Alas, this was not the case.
My wallet was thankful, as I ended up skipping my daily latte more often than I expected. However, getting up early only to find another line wasn’t how I wanted to start my morning.
Next time, I certainly wouldn’t sacrifice sleep again just because I assumed the cafe would be quiet. In fact, I’d rather order free coffee through room service and have it delivered directly to my stateroom!
I would avoid booking during spring break
Our Carnival Jubilee cruise was lively and borderline wild, with plenty of families and college kids onboard. Carnival certainly delivered on the fun, but the crowds became a recurring frustration throughout the week.
Of course, I expected a busy ship during spring break. Even still, the atmosphere was more energetic than I necessarily needed, and the lengthy waits took away from the experience.
Next time, I would pay closer attention to school breaks before choosing my sailing dates. A different week wouldn’t guarantee fewer lines, but I would be curious to see how the experience compares.
I enjoy a lively cruise, although I also appreciate a little peace and quiet on vacation.
I would ask about the cabin temperature sooner
I typically book interior cabins, but splurging on a cove balcony was one decision I wouldn’t change. At $300 more per person, I felt the additional space and private veranda were worthwhile.
Because our balcony was located on Deck 5, we were much closer to the sea. The cove-style enclosure also made the balcony feel private and secluded, which I loved.
The only issue was the temperature inside. Even with the air conditioner running throughout the cruise, our cabin still felt warm at night.
On another sailing, I would raise the issue with our cabin steward or guest services early and ask whether it could be checked. It wasn’t extremely uncomfortable, but it was noticeable enough that I would want to find out what could be done.
I would give her sister ships another look before booking
I boarded Carnival Jubilee hoping to discover what made her different from Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras. While I enjoyed the Texas touches and exploring the ocean-themed spaces, a lot of the experience was familiar.
That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. I was happy to revisit my favorite restaurants, and there was no shortage of entertainment. However, I preferred Carnival Celebration’s travel theme and the French Quarter design on Mardi Gras.
As a Floridian, it’s much easier for me to sail aboard other Excel class ships that wouldn’t require flying.
Before booking Carnival Jubilee again, I would compare all three ships more closely. For someone within driving distance of Galveston, the decision might be easy. For me, I wouldn’t make the trek to Texas again solely to sail on Carnival Jubilee.
