Cruise Lines

Is it absolutely necessary that you use a travel agent for a cruise?  The answer to that really depends on a few factors.  And there are regular cruisers on both sides of this issue.

It’s usually free to use a travel agent for all your cruise booking needs.  And some people refuse to book any cruise without using their agent of choice.

So, are travel agents a must for every cruise?

We ran a recent poll on our Cruise Fever group on Facebook to find out how many people use travel agents.

Almost half of respondents said they never use a travel agent, and only 32% said they always used an agent for a cruise vacation.  These were the results:

1. Yes, always – 32%
2. Sometimes – 22%
3. No, never – 45%
4. No but maybe I should – 1%

I was surprised at how many said they never use a travel agent at all.  But with the points below in mind it makes perfect sense.

The average cruise traveler probably should use a travel agent for booking most cruises.  They simplify the process, find the best deals, and take care of the little details that are easy to forget.

But there are a few circumstances in which a cruiser would be better off handling all of the cruise booking and planning themselves.

Let’s dig into 5 reasons you don’t need a travel agent as I prepare to receive negative feedback for daring to even question this topic.

1. You love to do your own research as an independent traveler

Do you like to study deck plans when booking your cruise cabin?   Do you spend countless hours watching cruise ship tour videos on Youtube?   Do you keep up with the latest cruise news and consider yourself a cruise ship savant?

If so, you might actually enjoy being your own travel agent rather than being frustrated with one that doesn’t listen to your every whim and fancy.

I actually know several people who became travel agents just so they could book their own travels with a few perks.

Cruise lines make it very easy for anyone to book their own cruise on their websites.  But there are a lot of little decisions you will have to make along the way.    So, you should know what to look for and what things to avoid.

If you like to choose your exact cabin, pick what time you will have dinner, add your own excursions and extra amenities, you could easily do all of this yourself. Just know it will take a little more time and effort.

For some people, this time and effort is part of the adventure. I know, crazy as it sounds. Personally, as a cruise junkie, I enjoy the process, and I learn more about the little details by doing it myself.

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Read more: Cheapest weeks of the year to book a cruise

2. You love to comparison shop

There are so many free tools at your disposal as a cruise traveler today.  You can easily compare prices across cruise lines, cruise ships, and cruise itineraries.

I like to use tools like Cruisewatch.com, icruise.com, and Cruiseline.com to find cruises based on time of year, destination and departure ports.

CruisePlum has recently been on my radar as well, and so far it’s a wonderful tool for checking out cruises.

If you’re the kind of traveler that enjoys scouring the internet for good cruise deals on a daily basis, you might not need a travel agent.  But you also should use cruise price alert tools like CruiseWatch offers, so you don’t have to spend every waking minute looking for price drops.

And contrary to common belief, the cruise fare price should be the same no matter where you book.  Some cruise lines offer difference prices based on regions, but cruise lines set and distribute prices to travel agents and booking platforms alike.

The only caveat to that is group discount rates that some travel agents can access.

Also, some people like to comparison shop and then book through their travel agent, so there’s room for all types of travel planners.

Read more: 7 ways to avoid spending a single penny on board a cruise ship

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3. You’re booking a dirt cheap cruise

I’m not saying a travel agent can’t help you with that very affordable cruise.  It’s just that a $149 cruise doesn’t leave much room for commission.  Most travel agents – while they will gladly book it for you without complaints – aren’t that motivated with helping you book a lower cost cruise.

Commission margins are very thin for cruises that sell for $40 and $50 per night.  In other words, it’s a lot of work for very little reward.

Also, if you selected that deep-discount cruise because you want to spend as little as possible, you might also forgo any extra excursions, spa treatments, or other extra frills.  This will make the planning process even easier.

And if you don’t care about your cabin’s location, but just want to be on the ship and enjoy some time away from land, it’s really not going to be that complicated.

I’ve booked cruises so cheap I didn’t even bother with travel insurance as it was a minimal risk if something came up.  (More on sudden changes in travel plans later)

Read more: 10 biggest things that can ruin your cruise

4. You watch price drops and don’t mind being on hold

One of the biggest advantages of a travel agent is that a good one will set a price alert and get a cheaper price if there is a significant drop in the cruise fare.

Not everyone cares to keep up with something tedious like this, but there are many cruise price alert tools that will make this very simple and easy to setup.  As mentioned above, you can simply get an email or notification when a price changes and act accordingly.

But there are many cases in which you will have to contact the cruise line via email or phone.  And if you don’t want to spend time being on hold with a cruise line representative as you try to change something with your booking you might want a travel agent after all.

But hey, maybe you enjoy the dulcet tones of that “being on hold music” as you eagerly await a representative to talk to.

Read more: Cruisers reveal top 10 factors that matter most when choosing a cruise

5. You’re fine with sudden changes in plans

This is the one that gets most people.  If something happens on your end or the cruise line’s end and you have to address these changes, a travel agent can be a life-saver.

A travel agent for your cruise acts as a dedicated concierge and problem-solver, especially when unexpected changes pop up.   They handle logistics and negotiate on your behalf. Imagine them tackling storm-induced route changes, sudden medical emergencies, or missed ports, all while keeping you informed and stress-free.

If you’re totally fine with sudden changes that may come up and want to tackle that all yourself, then you can act as your own travel agent if you choose.

For a lot of cruisers, this point alone is their main reason for having a travel agent.

Read more: Why you might need cruise travel insurance more than you think

A big reason you should use a travel agent for your cruise

If all of the above sounds like a lot of work, go ahead and get a travel agent.

Especially if you’ve never gone on a cruise before, all of the choices and planning can be overwhelming.

What I have found is that people who use travel agents for their cruises wouldn’t have it any other way.

While you can’t get deep discounts on cruises by using a travel agent, sometimes they will have special group discounts.  On that note, if you do plan on going on a cruise with a group of people and want to stay together, you should definitely use a travel agent to handle it.

The logistics of getting cabins close together or reserving a large table in the dining room can be daunting.

Not only will travel agents take care of the itinerary planning and logistics, but they can also give you recommendations based on their expertise.  That’s why I prefer only travel agents who specialize in cruising and actually know the ships.

How to find one?

There are lots of ways to go about finding a travel agent for your cruise, including checking review sites like Cruise Critic, asking family and friends, or getting recommendations from online booking sites.

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CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) can help with finding a certified agent through their online tool here.  This is one of the best ways to make sure you find an agent who really understands the cruise industry.

Cruise Lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean provide pages on their websites to help you find travel agents in your area as well.

What to look for in a travel agent

Choosing the right cruise line and ship can make or break your vacation. That’s where a knowledgeable travel agent steps in. But how do you know they’re truly cruise savvy? Here are some key questions to uncover their expertise:

Cruise Cred:

• Frequent cruiser? How often do they personally set sail? Experienced cruisers bring insider knowledge you can’t find online.
• Been there, sailed that? Have they cruised on your chosen line or ship? If not, have they helped clients with similar voyages who raved about it?
• Destination guru? Do they have firsthand knowledge of your cruise destinations and itinerary? This goes beyond brochure basics.

Beyond Brochures:

• Special connections? Do they have preferred relationships with specific lines that unlock VIP perks for you?
• Big or boutique? Do they work with all lines or specialize in certain options, like luxury cruises? Know their niche and why it might benefit you.
• Pushy salesperson or partner in planning? If they seem to pressure you away from your initial idea, explore why. A good agent guides, not steers.
• 24/7 support lifeline: Do they offer round-the-clock assistance if things go awry before or during your trip? Peace of mind is priceless.
• Two-way street: Do they ask questions about your dream vacation? A good agent tailors recommendations to YOUR desires, not just sells generic packages.

Remember, the perfect cruise agent is your partner in planning, not just a booking service. Ask these questions and find someone who genuinely wants to create your ideal cruise vacation.

Bonus tip: Experienced agents might even score you a cabin upgrade.

If you want to get a free cabin upgrade on your next cruise you might be disappointed.  Although, there are times when a cruise line will offer to upgrade your room for free, this is usually not the case unless they have done something to mess up your vacation.

But this doesn’t mean you can’t get an upgrade for cheap.  If you are willing to pay an extra $100-300 or so to stay in a higher tier room than the one you booked, then these tips will help you.  Just remember, these upgrades are never guaranteed and anyone that tells you they can get you an upgrade with certainty is lying to you.

Choose the slow season for better chances of an upgrade

If your ship is sailing at 100% capacity you can’t get an upgrade.  It’s as simple as that, every cabin is booked.  That’s why there are really no guarantees you will get one in the first place, unless the captain of the ship happens to be your cousin or something.

So the best times to get an upgrade are during the slow months and not during summer or near holidays.  That being said, there are still cancellations and no-shows during the busy months.

Book through a travel agent

Go through a travel agent and keep contacting him/her about 2 weeks before you take sail to inquire about upgrades.  Often cruise lines will work with travel agents and give them special deals so it’s worth their while for travel agents to have special connections to be able to get better travel deals for their clients.

Again, never trust a travel agent that tells you that you are guaranteed an upgrade, but find one you can trust and you have better chances of seeing through a balcony window rather than watching the TV to see the view.

Get a more expensive cabin in the first place

You have a better chance of getting upgraded when you purchase a more expensive cabin to begin with.  These are the priority for filling vacant rooms that are on the higher end.  Cruise lines will not skip a level to offer you a room, so if you buy that bottom-of-the-line interior room with no view that’s right next to the anchor, don’t expect a knock at your door from the upgrade fairy.

Sometimes rooms that were once booked become vacant and these are offered to the people with one tier less first.   If no one is willing to pay extra for the upgrade they may skip a level and work their way down, but people rarely turn down an opportunity like this.

Bid on an upgrade

A few cruise lines will let you bid on an upgrade prior to your cruise. The highest bids win and it is always cheaper than booking the better cabin to begin with. Sometimes you can get lucky with a cheaper bid during the off season months. However, you don’t know what others have bid so you’re really just best off with entering the maximum amount you’d pay for an upgrade.

Mention your special occasion for cruising

Always mention if it is your birthday, anniversary, or any other celebration on the cruise ship.  It’s no guarantee, but it does help.  My parents were upgraded to a very nice suite with huge balcony and a butler all because it was their anniversary.  Was it worth the extra $100?  After having fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate brought into the room by the butler I’m going to say a resounding, YES!

Ask when arriving at the port

I once received an upgrade to a two room suite when I arrived at the port. I asked if they had any upgrades available when I was checking in and they offered me a suite for an extra $299. It was well worth it and one of the largest cabins I’ve ever stayed in on a cruise.

Wait until the 2^nd day of the cruise

Sometimes you can get upgrades the 2nd day of the cruise.  After confirmed no-shows you can go to the front desk to kindly ask for an upgrade.  Being belligerent will not help your cause.  Offer to pay a few extra bucks and talk to the hotel manager if you can.  They can’t always give you an answer right away so be patient.  If there is a sign at the customer service desk saying that the cruise is 100% booked, then they will not be able to give you an upgrade.

Hope for the chain-reaction upgrade

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Often these upgrades are simply a chain-reaction.  Say the deluxe suite is vacant, so someone else is upgraded to the deluxe suite, which leaves their room empty.  You may then be offered their old room and so you take it, and then your room is made available which may be an upgrade for someone else.  For the cruise ships to make the most money, the only empty rooms on the ship have to be the cheapo interior rooms that fewer want in the first place.

Choose your ship wisely

A lot about your upgrade depends on the ship.  Some ships have mostly lower end rooms and not many suites so your chances of getting an upgrade are not as good.  A lot of newer ships like the Wonder of the Seas are so huge that they are loaded with deluxe rooms and it’s hard to find a bad room.

Go cruising more often

If you are a frequent cruiser you will have a better chance of getting an upgrade.  Certain cruise lines have clubs you can join and they like to prefer these loyal cruisers for upgrades.

Go for the TBA upgrade

There is a TBA upgrade that you can get if the cruise line is not able to sell all of their higher end rooms.  TBA stands for To Be Assigned.  Basically it works like this:  When you book your room you are guaranteed at least a room at the level you booked or higher.  But as these upgraded rooms are sold your chances of getting in on the upgrade go down.

If you buy a TBA room don’t expect to have an automatic upgrade, but again, if you are going on a cruise during the slow season it will help your chances.  Twice I have been given an upgrade (once from an oceanview to a balcony, and another time from on inside stateroom to an oceanview) by booking a guaranteed stateroom.

This article was last updated on December 16, 2023.

2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the cruise industry, with several cruise lines adding new ships to their fleet. This includes the largest cruise ship ever built, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. Here is a look at the seven hottest new cruise ships debuting in 2024.

Icon of the Seas

The first cruise ship on this list is the granddaddy of them all, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. Icon of the Seas is not only the largest cruise ship ever built, it’s also the first ship to be over 250,000 gross tons in size. The ship is divided into eight neighborhoods, including one just for families.

Royal Caribbean stated that they took the best parts of all Royal Caribbean cruise ships to create the ultimate ship for vacations. It will feature more than 20 dining options; with 12 of them being complimentary.

The cruise ship will have seven swimming pools and nine hot tubs. The waterpark on the top deck will have six record-breaking waterslides.

Royal Caribbean took the popular AquaTheater and moved it to the top front of the ship. This enclosed area will double as a lounge, offering incredible views as the ship sails around the Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean has already taken delivery of this new cruise ship, and they are spending the next month getting the crew and ship 100% ready to go for its debut on January 27, 2024.

Icon of the Seas will homeport in Miami and offer week-long cruises to the Caribbean. Every cruise will visit Royal Caribbean’s insanely popular private island, CocoCay. View Cruises Offered on Icon of the Seas

Sun Princess

Sun Princess is the first of two Sphere class ships from Princess Cruises. Sun Princess will be the largest ship in Princess’ fleet at 175,500 gross tons. The class is named after the glass spheres on both sides of the ship that give ocean views from the Piazza as well as unique balcony cabins.

The Dome, featured on the top of Sun Princess, is an indoor area inspired by the terraces of Santorini. It will transform at night into an entertainment venue with live shows. Entertainment will be all around the ship, from the Princess Arena (a newly designed theater) to the three-story Piazza.

The cruise line has also partnered with The Magic Castle for one of the most unique experiences at sea. Besides having a small intimate theater for slight of hand magic, it will also have a Victorian-style bar where magicians will perform for you.

Sun Princess is shaping up to be the most unique Princess cruise ship at sea. Between the high ceilings in public spaces and the three story dining room that overlooks the ship’s wake, it will feel more spacious than other ships in their fleet.

Sun Princess will debut in February 2024 and offer cruises in the Mediterranean through the fall. The ship will then reposition to Port Everglades and sail cruises to the Caribbean for the winter season. View Cruises on Sun Princess

Disney Treasure

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Disney Treasure will be the second Wish class ship from Disney Cruise Line and will debut in late 2024. Disney will bring the storytelling of Aladdin, Coco, and Zootopia on board. The ship is promising to offer one-of-a-kind experiences that only Disney can offer.

Disney Treasure will have theatrical dining experiences that bring the company’s favorite movies to life. The cruise line is also bringing the ice cream shop, Jumbeaux’s Sweets, in Zootopia onboard.

The Periscope Pub is themed after 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and will have submarine-style interiors that will make guests feel like Captain Nemo on the Nautilus.

AquaMouse, on the top deck of the ship, will be a 760-foot two-person ride that will offer breathtaking views of the ocean and cruise ship. It will also feature a storyline that follows Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on a legendary adventure through an ancient temple.

Disney Treasure will sail her maiden voyage on December 21, 2024 from Port Canaveral. The ship will sail seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from the port.

Utopia of the Seas

Utopia of the Seas will be the sixth and final Oasis class ship from Royal Caribbean. The Oasis class ushered in a new era of mega-cruise ships when they first debuted 14 years ago.

The ship will have all of the Oasis class neighborhoods that Royal Caribbean guests have come to love over the past decade. It will also be the first cruise ship in its class to be powered by LNG.

The cruise ship will have more than 40 dining and drink venues, redesigned pool areas, a Caribbean tiki bar, and a sushi pick-up window in Central Park. One of the most unique dining experiences will be the first immersive train car experience at sea. Utopia of the Seas will also have the longest dry slide at sea, the 295 foot long Ultimate Abyss.

Utopia of the Seas will be unique in that it will offer three and four night cruises to The Bahamas from Port Canaveral. The three day cruises will leave on Friday, with the four day cruises will leave each Monday. All sailings will visit CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island. View Cruises on Utopia of the Seas

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Queen Anne

Cunard Line will celebrate their 184th anniversary in 2024 and welcome a fourth luxury ship to their fleet, Queen Anne. The 113,000 gross ton ship will carry 3,000 guests and have 15 dining venues. It will be the first new ship for Cunard in 14 years.

Queen Anne will bring West End Theatre to the high seas. The ship’s Royal Court Theatre will usher in a glamourous new act of live performance, echoing the elegance and grandeur of great art deco concert halls.

Queen Anne will sail her maiden cruise on May 10, 2024 and homeport in Southampton. The ship is scheduled to sail from the port through early 2026. However, the ship will offer a few cruises from other ports around Europe over the next few years. The cruise ship will visit more than 60 destinations in 16 countries.

Ilma

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will add a second yacht in 2024, Ilma. The 790 foot yacht will feature 224 suites, all with a private terrace. The ship will hold a maximum of 448 guests and will feature innovative luxury travel experiences from The Ritz-Carlton. It will feature a crew-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.2.

The onboard experience on Ilma will reflect the unparalleled lifestyle and legendary service for which The Ritz-Carlton brand is recognized, including state-of-the-art technology and five dining venues.

Ilma will sail to some of the most coveted destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Central America, and South America.

Silver Ray

Silversea, an ultra-luxury cruise line from Royal Caribbean Group, will debut their second Nova class cruise ship in 2024, Silver Ray.  The ship will carry 728 guests and will enter service in the summer of 2024.

The ship will have a space-to-guest ratio of 75 gross tons per passenger and will set new standards for the cruise line’s goal of net-zero emissions cruising.

The ship will incorporate an innovative asymmetrical design and a horizontal layout, with public spaces and suites spanning the entire length of each ship.

Most first-time cruisers pack too much for their cruise, not really knowing what to expect.

I used to be a serial over-packer myself.   And every cruise was an opportunity to jam pack a suitcase full of all the things I just might need.

In my mind it was easier to just bring anything I could think of “just in case”.

But that ended up leading to huge suitcases full of things that never even came out of my luggage during the cruise.

Fast forward 40+ cruises later and I only pack a carry-on for 90% of the cruises I take.  This includes everything from 3-day cruises to week-long cruises.  Even on a 14-day cruise I will contemplate if I can get everything I need in a carry-on and personal item.

However, the reason I’m able and willing to pack extra light depends on a few factors that I’ve listed below.

Length of the cruise

Starting with the most obvious, if the cruise is only half a week, you really shouldn’t need to pack anything bigger than a carry-on or duffel bag.

For some travelers it’s hard to even go on a 3-day cruise without full size luggage.  What’s helped me is consolidating what I really need.  Sure, I could bring 5 pairs of shoes, but if I can get by with just a couple, it’s ideal.

(If you really must bring multiple pairs of shoes, this post on cruise shoes from one of our writers will help.)

When you start by limiting your luggage size right from the start, it really helps to weed out the unnecessary items.  We talk about that in our article on 10 tips for packing light on your cruise.

Consider what you need for each day, but then also remember that some items can be reused or have a multi-purpose.

Flight considerations

One of the biggest reasons I like to cruise with only minimal baggage is due to flights.  If you’re close enough to drive to the cruise port then this will be a moot point.

When I fly, I like to skip the line for checking bags and head straight to the security checkpoint.  Call me crazy, but after losing a few bags at airports, I’d just rather have everything I need right next to me at all times.

This expedites the process at the airport and makes sure I don’t end up in my cabin with a bag still missing in transit.

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In most cases I use a large backpack as my carry-on, but a roller suitcase will work just as well.  The size of my carry-on will depend on which airline I’m using too.

Oh, and of course, having just a carry-on saves on those pesky baggage fees.

Read more: Drive or fly: 8 questions to ask before you head to the cruise port

Laundry on board

I recently wrote an article on which cruise ships still have self-service laundry rooms.  When a cruise ship has a launderette it makes it much easier to pack lighter.    After all, if you can wash and reuse a few outfits on your trip that frees up a lot of extra space in your limited-sized bag.

You can also choose to use the full-service laundry service on board a cruise ship, but it might only make sense if you built up loyalty points and can get a discount on a laundry bag.

Some cruise lines like Holland America Line have some very reasonable prices on laundry bags.  With HAL you can get wash and fold service for around $20 for as much as you can fit into that bag.

Research your cruise line and ship and check out prices for laundry.  That’s one of the biggest tips for packing light, as long as you don’t fear judgement of wearing the same outfit twice.  But hey, it’s your cruise.  Do what makes the most sense for you.

Read more: 15 things people always forget to pack on a cruise

Climate of Destination

A cruise to Alaska in May and a cruise to the Caribbean in July are obviously going to experience very different temperatures.  The type of clothing you need to pack will make a big impact on the kind of luggage you need to think about.

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During a cruise around Iceland it was a lot more difficult to follow my “carry-on only” rule for the 7-day voyage.  But dressing in layers and having access to a laundry room on board did help a lot.

Also, having a good jacket, hoodie, or other type of outer layer that you can use throughout the cruise will help from every article of clothing having to be cold-proof.

Knowing the ship

I’m a bit of a cruise nerd, but I love to study the deck plans, layout, and cabin design of a ship before I set sail.  This helps me know how many outlets are in the cabin and what amenities are on the ship.

If I can leave a power strip at home because my cabin has extra outlets everywhere, that’s one less thing I need to pack.  Some people will pack things in their suitcases that the ship already provides.

You don’t need to pack a hairdryer, towels, or snacks.   And some will even provide umbrellas and binoculars in your cabin, so do your research before the cruise.

Also, you should know that there are some things you absolutely should pack because of a feature on the ship you want to try out.  For instance, if you’re going to play basketball on the sports court or try out a rope’s course on the ship you will need closed -toe shoes.

Read more: 10 things you CAN pack on a cruise but shouldn’t

Self-assist for disembarkation

I love having just a carry-on during the disembarkation process as well.  Cruise ships allow those who are carrying all of their luggage off themselves to get off the ship first.  This makes a big difference when you have an early flight.

I’ve seen some use the self-assist program who are carrying several large suitcases.  Not only is this a nightmare when trying to use the already cramped elevators, but it also slows down the whole process when trying to navigate those huge bags through the ship and terminal.

With just a carry-on I can quickly get first in line when getting off the ship and head to the airport or destination as quickly and efficiently as possible.

I will note that before the common use of facial recognition in cruise terminals, I was often asked about my limited bags by immigration officers.  I would just tell them, “I like to keep it simple and pack light.”

Read more: 9 things you should do right after your cruise is over

Final Thoughts

You might ask, “But what if you can’t fit everything you need into a carry-on?”.    I will admit there were times that I either forget to bring something I needed or simply didn’t have room for it.

But these were usually items I could easily buy on the ship, in a port of call, or even at the airport if I really had to get it.

I love to cruise with the freedom of knowing I have everything I need and what I don’t have can easily be obtained.

The great thing about modern cruise ships is that they have everything you could possibly need on a vacation including a few things you didn’t even know you needed in your life.

While just carry-on luggage might not fit the lifestyle of every cruise traveler, it certainly has made my cruising journey simpler and more enjoyable.

Read more: 25 cruise cabin hacks to make your stateroom more livable

Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, has arrived in the U.S. for the first time when the vessel docked in Galveston, Texas this morning. It will be the first cruise ship to sail from Texas with a roller coaster.

Carnival Jubilee is Carnival’s third and final Excel class ship. Carnival Cruise Line recently took delivery of the new ship, and after crossing the Atlantic and making a stop in Nassau, Bahamas, the ship is now in the U.S.

The Port of Galveston invited the public to welcome the ship with signs and banners this morning at Piers 20-21. Tugboats shot water cannons welcoming the new ship to the port.

Carnival Jubilee will sail her maiden cruise on December 23, 2023. This week long cruise to the Western Caribbean will stop in Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. The cruise will also have three sea days.

Carnival Jubilee is a sister ship to Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. The ships share many of the same features, including a roller coaster on the top deck and they are all powered by LNG.

New Features on Carnival Jubilee

However, Carnival Jubilee is introducing two new zones, Currents and The Shores, that are not found on her sister ships.

Currents is located on Decks 6 and 7 and will transport guests into mesmerizing underwater worlds, both realistic and fantastical, in a space that changes from day to night and throughout the cruise. This area will have dining and drink venues that include Emeril’s Bistro 717, The Golden Mermaid, and Inks, Ph.D.

On Deck 8, The Shores is the place where the ocean meets land, a zone that’s inspired by the ways people enjoy the seaside including piers, boardwalks and beaches. It has a three-deck-high fish school art installation that rises from Deck 6 all the way to Deck 8 to bring guests up from the Currents below to the surface.

Other Features Found on Carnival Jubilee

Grand Central is the heart of the cruise ship with Piano Bar 88, The Punchliner Comedy Club, Cloud 9 Fitness Center, Cherry on Top, Bonsai Sushi and Teppanyaki, a variety of shopping venues.

The Ultimate Playground has BOLT, an 800-foot long roller coaster on the top deck. This area also has a waterpark, mini-golf course, a basketball court, and a ropes course.

Summer’s Landing in the aft of the ship has everything from a pool to Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse.

The main pool area on Carnival Jubilee, the Lido Deck, has a two-story RedFrog Tiki Bar along with a wide variety of dining options. They include Guy’s Burger Joint, Street Eats, the Lido Marketplace (buffet), and Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken.

Kids Clubs

Carnival Jubilee has an expanded Space Cruisers Program through the cruise line’s partnership with Kennedy Space Center. Young cruisers will be able to take the help of a space capsule through an LED screen that shows NASA space imagery.

Portholes will use LED technology to show virtual aquariums in areas for kids.

See the World, a program for teens, is expanded on the ship in Club O2 and Circle C.

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Dr. Seuss breakfast is getting a makeover with new menus and entertainment. This debuts on Carnival Jubilee before rolling out to the rest of the fleet.

Where will Carnival Jubilee sail to?

Carnival Jubilee will homeport in Galveston, Texas and sail seven night cruises to the Western Caribbean, departing every Saturday. The cruise ship is scheduled to remain in Texas through at least April 2026. View Prices on Cruises on Carnival Jubilee