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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a cruise ship almost entirely to yourself? I have, and for two days this week, I had the chance to experience it. I was one of just three non-employees on Carnival Cruise Line’s new Carnival Jubilee, the third ship in the line’s Excel Class, which gives a nod to some of the brand’s original vessels.

I was visiting the vessel before its first official revenue cruise, which began on Saturday.

Not everything was open during my time on board, but that’s because there weren’t enough people to warrant it. That changed soon after I left the ship on Saturday. More than 6,200 passengers embarked Carnival Jubilee for its first sailing, a 7-night voyage to the Western Caribbean. The ship was sailing completely full.

It was nothing short of magical to see the final touches for Carnival Jubilee’s first sailing come together.

The crew was busy preparing – polishing brass, shampooing carpets, washing linens, stocking the onboard shops, rehearsing shows, doing meal service dry runs and putting up the last of the holiday decorations that have taken up residence in just about every public space. (The first voyage is happening over Christmas, after all.)

During my short visit, which included a quick sailing from Galveston, Texas, where Jubilee is based, I toured several types of cabins, caught two of the theater shows, ate at six of the ship’s restaurants and snagged enough coffee from the onboard cafe to stay awake for what feels like a week. I also checked out the Bolt roller coaster – one of just three at sea – and the ship’s new Golden Mermaid and Dr. Inks bars in the ship’s “Currents” zone, which features an under-the-sea theme that celebrates ocean life.

So, what was it like? Here are more than 100 Carnival Jubilee pictures so you can sneak a peek before you sail on this phenomenal new ship.

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Cabins

Carnival has come a long way since the days when its staterooms were colored like cotton candy. Instead, its newest vessels are done up in neutrals with calming accents of blue and green, depending on the cabin category.

On my sailing, I was in a 341-square-foot Ocean Suite capable of sleeping four people with a queen bed, a twin sofa bed and a single bunk that pulled down from the ceiling. In addition to tons of closet and drawer space, there were two TVs, a sizeable balcony and a ton of USB ports.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also had an opportunity to check out a couple of other cabin types, including a 158-square-foot inside that sleeps three people, a 243-square-foot Family Harbor ocean-view room, 249-square foot Cove Balcony accommodations, a 341-square-foot Spa Suite and an 861-square-foot Excel Aft Suite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants

Carnival Jubilee’s restaurants are elegant but fun. Whether you’re enjoying the Hogwarts vibes provided by the central lighting in the main dining rooms as the waiters dance or admiring the glass fish on the wall at Rudi’s Seagrill, there’s always something to talk about over dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food and drinks

I’m just going to say it: Carnival’s food is severely underrated. It’s consistently some of the best I’ve eaten at sea, and the wide variety of cuisines — from Italian and Asian to seafood and steak — means there’s something to please even the most picky eaters. Plus, you can’t beat the value, with free options like burgers, pizza, burritos and fried chicken.

On my sailing, I tested out fare from The Pacific main dining room; Chibang!, a combination Asian and Mexican restaurant; Rudi’s Seagrill, a for-fee seafood eatery dreamed up by food artist and chef Rudi Sodamin; Guy’s Burger Joint, which serves up complimentary burgers designed by Guy Fieri; and Coastal Slice and Beach Buns, two counter-service areas that offer free pizza and deli items in the ship’s The Shores zone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, what would a Carnival sailing be without testing a few tipples? After dinner on the first night, I ventured to the Golden Mermaid Bar, where I ordered the A Pearly Bubble, a mixture of gin, St-Germain liqueur, white cranberry juice, dragon fruit and lime juice. Meanwhile, a friend tried the Sapphire Sparkle: lemon rum, blue curacao, white cranberry juice and aquafaba.

After that, I headed around the corner to Dr. Inks Ph. D., an octopus-themed watering hole in the Currents zone, which carries an underwater theme, and tried a Snapping Pop (Swedish Fish candy-infused vodka, triple sec liqueur, maraschino liqueur, Pop Rocks and green apple candy). I also started each day with a coffee from the JavaBlue cafe in the Grand Central zone.

 

 

 

 

Bars and lounges

As with all Carnival ships, there are plenty of bars from which to choose on Carnival Jubilee. For me, the three most notable are the Golden Mermaid, Dr. Inks Ph. D. and the Center Stage Bar. The first has a golden vintage theme that evokes buried treasure, and it serves interesting concoctions that include smoke bubbles and glitter.

Dr. Inks, found in the ship’s Currents Zone, focuses on life under the sea and features appearances by a new character, Dr. Inks, an octopus who has a doctorate in philosophy, pet butterflies and a sizeable collection of eyeglasses in different colors and styles. On that menu, you’ll find more smoke bubbles, as well as whimsical ingredients like Pop Rocks.

Meanwhile, the Center Stage Bar offer standard drinks but in a central location near the atrium. With its iridescent accents and combination of shapes and colors, it gives me subtle Joe Farcus vibes — appropriate for a throwback Carnival ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment

Limited entertainment was offered when I sailed Carnival Jubilee, but I did have a chance to see the ship’s brand-new theater show “Dear Future Husband.” The premise is that a couple plans a wedding on a cruise ship, and they bring their friends. We follow them through the pre-wedding party shenanigans, the prep and the ceremony, all set to popular songs like Bruno Mars’ “Marry You” and, of course, Meghan Trainor’s “Dear Future Husband.”

When the show ends, passengers are encouraged to head from the Jubilee Theater, where it takes place, to the ship’s Limelight Lounge for the “reception,” which features a DJ playing music for dancing. (Don’t get too excited, though: the happy couple won’t grace attendees with an open bar.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also on Carnival Jubliee is “Rio Carnival,” a show that first debuted on Carnival Celebration. It focuses on the flamboyance of Brazil and its street fair culture, complete with bright colors and sparkling costumes.

 

 

The ship’s Grand Central zone, which houses Center Stage, also serves as an entertainment venue. Although no full shows were offered there during my sailing, I did catch a peek at the cast during rehearsal for a special holiday performance.

 

 

 

Top decks

The top decks belong to Carnival Jubilee’s Lido and Ultimate Playground zones. The former houses the ship’s main pool, along with the RedFrog Tiki Bar, BlueIguana Cantina and Guy’s Burger Joint.

 

 

 

Just above that, the Ultimate Playground is where passengers can splash down the tangle of waterslides that is Carnival Waterworks, give the ropes course a go, play a game of miniature golf or basketball, or hop on the Bolt roller coaster for an adrenaline-pumping ride.

 

 

 

 

 

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the upper decks are also the place to find a relaxing, adults-only spot to sunbathe or soak in a hot tub, thanks to the adults-only area Serenity and Loft 19, a retreat-style area that offers cabanas. Both come with a fee for entry.

 

 

Spa and fitness center

Carnival has brought its Cloud 9 spa, salon and fitness center to Carnival Jubilee. They feature a plethora of pampering treatments that run the gamut from massages and facials to manicures and pedicures, hair styling and classes like yoga and spin. The fitness center, which is free to use, is equipped with LifeFitness machines, exercise balls, dumb bells and other amenities.

The spa’s thermal suite, which you can access for a fee or with the purchase of a spa treatment, includes saunas, heated tile loungers and a whirlpool.

 

 

 

 

Kids club

Camp Ocean, Carnival’s kids club, is impressive on Carnival Jubilee. It’s fun, brightly colored and modern, and it’s staffed by a dedicated team that organizes games, crafts and other activities for children, based on age.

Activities are split into four groups, each with its own designated area: Turtles (up to 1 year old), Penguins (2-5), Stingrays (6-8) and Sharks (9-11). You’ll find Dr. Seuss’ Bookville children’s library in that space, too. There are also two lounges — Circle C and Club O2 — for tweens and teens in a separate area of the vessel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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