Carnival Cruise Line revealed the latest addition to its fleet, a new cruise ship called Carnival Jubilee, embellished with a large Texas star on its bow.
The big reveal came on Friday as the massive ship capable of accommodating over 5,000 passengers floated out from under a covered dock for the first time in Papenburg, Germany.
“The Texas star on Carnival Jubilee’s bow is a symbol of our commitment to the Port of Galveston,” explained Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, according to the Houston Chronicle.
The Carnival Jubilee got its name from the first Jubilee that sailed from Galveston in 2002. It was four times smaller than the new ship, which is 1,130 feet long.
After its maiden voyage on December 23, the Carnival Jubilee will run year-long from Galveston’s Cruise Terminal 25, which had to undergo a $53 million expansion to accommodate the 19-deck vessel.
The ship itself cost an estimated $950 million to build, making it a major investment for Carnival in the Port of Galveston, which is currently the fourth busiest cruise port in the U.S.
The week-long Western Caribbean cruises offered by Carnival from Galveston are currently priced at $659 a person and include stops in Mahogany Bay, Cozumel, and Costa Maya.
As previously reported in The Dallas Express, savvy travelers can find exceptional deals on cruises, but it pays to stay informed of various discretionary add-ons that take some by surprise. For instance, port expenses or cruise-sponsored excursions might cost anywhere from $30 to $600 a person.
Yet onboard the new Carnival Jubilee, travelers will have plenty to do and see without ever needing to step ashore.
The vessel has six different zones, two of which are ocean-themed — Currents and The Shores.
Currents, located on Decks 6 and 7, creates an immersive digital undersea experience for travelers through its massive LED windows and ceiling. Images of sunken cities and underwater worlds home to mermaids and sea monsters will mesmerize guests.
There are also dining venues like Emeril’s Bistro 717 and The Golden Mermaid, as well as an octopus-themed bar called Dr. Inks, Ph.D.
Connected to Decks 6 and 7 by an art installation of a school of fish, The Shores can be found on Deck 8. Here, travelers can experience the world of beaches and piers while dining on boardwalk-inspired food fare like hot dogs, pizza, and sandwiches.
Other notable features of the Carnival Jubilee include the BOLT sea coaster, Family Feud Live, a labyrinth of waterslides called WaterWorks, and a relaxing oasis known as Cloud 9 Spa.
But before the Carnival Jubilee can begin wowing guests, it must enter the next construction phase at an outfitting pier. Here, various tests will be conducted, with sea trials penciled in for November, according to The Dallas Morning News.
