Counting the Days Until Carnival Jubilee Arrives

Counting the Days Until Carnival Jubilee Arrives

December 12, 2023

By Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO

Excitement is building for arrival of the Carnival Jubilee, the first newly built ship to homeport in Galveston. Not only is it the first new ship to call Galveston home, the Excel-class ship is also the largest Carnival ship to ever dock here.

The port is honored to host this beautiful, state-of-the-art ship with a capacity of 6,500 passengers and more than 1,700 crew. A huge Texas star adorns the bow of the Jubilee to honor her new home. 

Carnival Jubilee first sails from Galveston on Dec. 23, joining Carnival Breeze and Carnival Dream to offer week-long Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston year-round. 

In 2024, Carnival will increase its deployment in Galveston to four ships when Carnival Miracle begins operating a new series of longer cruises from the port.

Fueling Economic Growth

Carnival’s commitment to Galveston will generate tremendous economic growth for our region, including more jobs, business revenues, and direct payments and sales tax revenues for the city of Galveston. The port will benefit directly with more passenger, dockage and parking revenues. 

To prepare for the new, larger ship, the port is expanding its onsite parking by more than 500 spaces at its convenient park-and-walk Express Lot.

We’ve also invested more than $50 million in improvements and renovations to Cruise Terminal 25 to prepare for Jubilee and other larger ships. Two passenger boarding bridges and a new configuration inside the terminal will help make embarking and debarking more efficient.

Home to Carnival since 2000, the terminal is being renovated top to bottom, inside and out. From a new roof, expanded dock and exterior colors to new interior finishes and furniture, the terminal has a fresh, new look. 

About the Carnival Jubilee

Carnival Jubilee will debut unique and immersive ocean-themed experiences in two new zones, Currents and The Shores. The ship will be home to other features already popular onboard her sister ships, like the BOLT rollercoaster and a transformational three-deck atrium that offers expansive views during the day and doubles as an entertainment venue at night with movable LED screens and theatrical lighting.

Built in Germany, the ship successfully completed sea trials on Nov. 14 to test the ship’s technical, mechanical and navigational systems and is on her way to Galveston. You can follow the Jubilee’s progress online as she makes her way across the Atlantic Ocean. 

Planning a Big Welcome

The port is planning a Texas-sized welcome for the Carnival Jubilee as she enters Galveston Harbor to dock at Cruise Terminal 25 for the first time on Dec. 20. Look for a tugboat with a water cannon escorting the ship in and an airplane with a welcome banner flying overhead.

The public is invited to join us at 8-9 a.m. that morning at piers 20-21 to cheer the Jubilee. Attendees are encouraged to bring posters with welcome messages so the crew sees how excited we are to have them and the ship at their new island home.