I don't love an XL ship I guess

Item: Carnival Jubilee
Rating: 3.9
Author: ablaze

Carnival Jubilee Cruise Review

ablaze

Contributor Level: Second Mate

201 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 5

Helpful Votes: 133

Overall rating:

3.9 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 01, 2024

Ship: Carnival Jubilee

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 12386

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 5 months ago

Review summary

As most will tell you from jubilee, it's just too big. Too many people. Same old food. Mostly same shows but the venues are lackluster. Just open stages with digital graphic backdrop. Public bathrooms were a big complaint. Just ridiculous layout not well planned and tiny like so many spaces, most especially the rooms. All in all, I won't book on Excel class again if I can help it.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Was actually pretty smooth from shuttle to porting luggage to breezy walk through all the way through. A little obnoxious on checking drinks and held up the lines a little bit otherwise fine.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

We don't cruise carnival for the food. Was nice to have specialty restaurants included, but when that's gone it'll be just the same as always.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Kids said the parties were great. Gym was good! Plenty of pools if that's your thing. Watched some fun competitions. CD Kyndall was fun as well.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Comedians were awesome and they actually provided lots of shows on two different venues. Piano bar was fine but he didn't interact much. Backyard band was phenomenal and performed pretty much all genres. Playlist cast wasn't the best. Center stage acrobatics were fun!

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5

Ok. Least favorite part of the ship. Way smaller than any room we've ever stayed in. Can't pass the foot of the bed without rubbing the TV and can't pass each other pretty much anywhere. Tiny balcony. Tiny tiny bathroom. Shower was nice but rest of bathroom ridiculously small. USB ports at head of bed didn't work. No nightstands and shelves were very difficult to reach while in bed. I like light switches and reading lights at bed but that's about it. Super uncomfortable as well. Plenty of storage! That was nice. But I'd give up a little for a bigger room. Not very cool in the room or the fridge.

Ship tip

Get everywhere early. Seriously. Best tip for center stage shows... do NOT sit on 6/floor level. Sit above on 7 or 8.

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Ports of call

Galveston, Texas

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

4 out of 5

Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

5 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

Traveler Photos

14 Comments

JARose 4 months ago

I feel very similar about the XL ships

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Cruisers4Lyfe 4 months ago

Thanks for sharing

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DFromATX 5 months ago

It’s funny how people can have such different opinions on the same thing - and that’s ok! Personally, everyone in our group loved the Jubilee. I do agree on the food - Carnival isn’t known for the best food and while I wish it was better, the Jubilee MDR and Chibang did seem improved compared to my past cruises, even on the Mardi Gras. We can’t wait to take other family members on the Jubilee!

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javawoody 5 months ago

Appreciate the feedback

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Gwbigdog 5 months ago

Thanks for sharing

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1rick1 5 months ago

Sorry you did enjoy yourself. 🤔

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HeavySeas 5 months ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise experience

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gwright1129 5 months ago

Ship layout wasn't planned out well??🤣🤣 ok....

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Lounray 5 months ago

We just sailed on a XL class with only a guaranteed balcony, we ended up on the 10th floor with a huge balcony. Thanks for sharing.

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AuntPinkie 5 months ago

Appreciate your feedback. I’ve heard about the smaller cabin size before. It’s sad because Carnival was originally known for the largest cabins in the industry (long ago but it was a selling point). Glad you tried the XL class.

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MichaelW 5 months ago

I’ve not heard most saying they don’t like it. My cruise group and I thoroughly enjoyed Jubilee!

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carolj68 5 months ago

I just love this ship 🚢

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lsbs 5 months ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise experience. Hope your next selected ship is to your liking.

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cruising2004 5 months ago

Some cruisers just don’t care for the mega ships and that’s ok. Find what you’re comfortable on and enjoy. Thank you for your review.

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