When it comes to new ships joining a fleet, arguably no cruise line is busier than Carnival. In late 2022 it welcomed Carnival Celebration, the second of its Excel-class ships and a sister to Mardi Gras.
Carnival Venezia — a ship transferred from Costa — officially joined the fleet in March. That ship is currently undergoing renovations to transform it into the fleet’s first “Fun Italian Style” vessel. It will start sailing with passengers in May.
And then there is Carnival Jubilee. This ship is the third in Carnival’s Excel class and will be similar to Mardi Gras and Celebration. Jubilee will homeport in Galveston when it debuts in December 2023, marking the largest Carnival ship ever to sail from the Texas port.
For those that have sailed on this class of ship, there will be a lot that feels familiar with Carnival Jubilee. The layout promises to be similar, and many favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint, Street Eats, and Pig & Anchor will all be in their usual spots. And yes, the famous BOLT! roller coaster also makes an appearance.
But those who are familiar with Celebration and Mardi Gras know that while the ships have similar layouts, they also have very different themes from each other. For instance, Celebration has a theme that focuses on Carnival’s history and its home of Miami.
In the case of Carnival Jubilee, the theme will be “sea and shores” with a beachy, nautical atmosphere around the ship.
In fact, two neighborhoods will make their debut: “Currents” and “The Shores.” Now, we’re getting a first look at the design and venues for these spots.
First, Currents, located on deck 6 will feature two new bars. Dr. Inks, Ph.D will have “ocean-themed drinks such as color-changing cocktails, jellyfish and layered shots and playful items featuring sea foam, boba pearls and unique garnishes are as visually striking as they are delicious.” But what will catch your eye is the massive octopus tentacles rising up around the bar.
Nearby, The Golden Mermaid serves as another bar with lounge area and stage, with a stylish vibe that’s ideal for a night out around the ship.
On Deck 8, The Shores replaces the main promenade that’s known as 820 Biscayne on Celebration. Now, the theme is less Miami and more casual “beachy” with eateries like Coastal Slice (pizza), Beach Buns (deli), and the Marina Bar.
Even with these new images, there’s still a lot more to explore on a ship the size of Carnival Jubilee. You can get a look at more renderings of what to expect below. Carnival also has a “brochure” site that outlines even more about the ship here.
For our thoughts on sailing a sister ship to Jubilee, you can see our live report on a cruise aboard Carnival Celebration.
