Carnival said the Jubilee’s maiden cruise will depart Galveston on Dec. 23 with more than 6,000 guests aboard (the ship’s double-occupancy capacity is 5,374). 

The ship, which features a Texas Star on its bow, was welcomed with a grand water salute while docking at Galveston Wharves’ Terminal 25 for the first time. 

“The Texas star on her bow isn’t just decoration, it’s a symbol of our gratitude to our guests sailing from Texas who’ve made us the number one cruise line in Galveston, and our commitment to the future of cruising from this great city and state,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “When we cut the ribbon to welcome our first guests on this ship this weekend, we’ll be celebrating the beginning of a new era of operations here.”

After Carnival decided to homeport the Jubilee in Galveston, the port underwent $53 million in improvements.

“From a new roof, expanded dock and exterior colors to new interior finishes and furniture, the terminal has a fresh, new look,” said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO. 

• Related: Carnival will introduce new kids experiences on the Jubilee

Galveston has grown among Carnival’s top homeports since it became the first cruise line to operate there year-round in 2000. Carnival Jubilee joins Carnival Breeze and Carnival Dream at the port as part of a four-ship deployment that will be complete when the Carnival Miracle repositions to Galveston next fall. 

The Jubilee will sail seven-day cruises year-round from Galveston. On its maiden cruise, the ship will visit Honduran island Roatan as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

Carnival’s first two Excel-class ships are the Mardi Gras and the Celebration.

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As I look to 2024 and think about which cruise trends will gain momentum next year, I’m betting one of them will be “immersive” experiences.

The word “immersive” is already trendy. Google Analytics found the term skyrocketed in popularity in late in 2020 — incidentally, in the midst of the pandemic. The word is used to describe experiences, like video games that plunge players into a new world and virtual reality experiences at museums that project moving versions of art, like Van Gogh’s painting “Starry Night,” as guests seemingly walk through it.

Cruise lines are tapping that desire to be immersed in experiences, too.

For example, Silversea Cruises is promoting its first full season in French Polynesia as a “deep immersion” into 11 of the region’s islands. Explora Journeys invites guests to enjoy a “Temazcal Immersion” by partaking in an ancient healing ritual in Cabo San Lucas. Royal Caribbean will have a new ice show on the Icon of the Seas, “Starburst: Elemental Beauty,” featuring an artistic interpretation of the periodic table, which it calls a “fully immersive experience.”

Expedia Cruises’ president Matthew Eichhorst said the “immersive” trend is both new and gaining popularity. But the big trend is guests wanting to cruise to places where they can immerse themselves on land.

“I’m seeing where people are doing a more immersive destination focus,” he said, adding some guests want to spend the evening in port in places like Europe rather than scurry back to the ship by 4 p.m. to catch their dinner reservation.

An October survey supports his observation: That poll, by Allianz Partners USA, of 9,000 advisors who offer travel protection products found that 38% have gauged more interest from clients in cruises that promise “immersion” and “exploration.”

After having sailed 15 cruises over the last two years, one of my biggest complaints is often the lack of time to explore in port. On some calls, I’ve barely had enough time to take an excursion and lose myself exploring the city before the ship takes off.

But Eichhorst pointed out that cruise lines that offer long port stays and overnights can offer both value and the cultural immersion. This especially important in Europe, where cruising’s value proposition also plays a role.

“If you want to see Europe and the price of hotels in Europe is quite high these days, the value to actually see Europe but from a cruise ship is just absolutely amazing,” he said. He pointed to products like Azamara’s Croatia Intensive Voyage, a nine-day sailing that includes four nights when the ship is in port until 9 p.m. or 10 p.m.

Eichhorst also pointed to Norwegian Cruise Line, a contemporary line that contends it spends more time in ports in Europe and Alaska than its competition does. The line said it found it will spend on average 32% more time in port in Europe and 20% more time in port in Alaska in 2024 than its contemporary or premium line competitors, including Holland America Line, Princess and Celebrity.

“NCL was the part that surprised me, because its less traditional from contemporary lines to stay so long in the ports,” he said. “That’s why we go to these amazing places. You want to see the land part, as well.”

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In the Currents zone, which utilizes LED technology to create “portholes” that produce a virtual aquarium, kids can design a sea creature and watch it magically come to life on screens that flank the walls and ceiling. 

Through a partnership with Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, a space wall inside Camp Ocean will enable young cruisers to imagine they’re at the helm of their own spacecraft. This addition to Carnival’s Space Cruisers program has a LED screen designed to look like the dashboard of a space capsule.

Planet Play at Sea, a space-themed toddler playground, will be added to the ship after its initial launch. The area is modeled off of Planet Play, a play experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

See The World, a program for teens already in place across the fleet, will be expanded on Carnival Jubilee. The Panagbenga Festival, developed collaboratively with several team members from the Philippines to ensure authenticity, will be brought to life with a flower parade and cultural jewelry-making activity for teens in Club O2 and Circle C. 

A new themed program, Night Owls Camp Out, will keep the fun going into the evening hours under the care of Carnival’s youth team. Outdoor camp-themed challenges like cornhole and horseshoes as well as fort building, obstacle courses through the “forest,” and singing songs around a “campfire,” will be part of the Night Owls programming, along with competitions, crafts, dance parties and giveaways. 

The Dr. Seuss Breakfast will have a new theme — a birthday party led by Thing 1 and Thing 2 — beginning Jan. 6. The new take on the breakfast will celebrate individuality. There will be new menu items, activities and music. After launching on Carnival Jubilee, the new breakfast will be implemented into Seuss at Sea programming across the fleet. 

Beginning Feb 17, the Seuss-a-palooza Parade is welcoming a new character, Fox in Socks.

During the parade inside the ship’s two-deck Currents zone, a series of colorful and whimsical scenes will come to life on the LED screens along the walls and ceiling of the area. The imagery will create an immersive underwater world inspired by Dr. Seuss.

Seuss-a-palooza Story Time will now feature the popular Dr. Seuss book “Green Eggs & Ham,” hosted by the ship’s cruise director.

During the new year, facial-recognition technology will be deployed in the ship’s youth area, in order to authenticate a match between child and authorized adults.

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“There are no plans to make any changes at this juncture,” said Tim Rubacky, who leads Oceania’s public relations.

Oceania quietly launched a six-month pilot program that eliminated noncommissionable fees (NCFs) from April through September, following the lead of NCL, which launched a no-NCF program that began in January 2023.

Oceania’s version was made available to 50 of the brand’s highest-producing agencies during the pilot program and has since continued, according to the line. Rubacky did not respond to questions asking if the program has been offered to additional agencies.

The line’s case for doing away with NCFs was focused on competition. Some of Oceania’s upscale competitors have never had NCFs, including Viking and the new Explora Journeys. 

NCL, on the other hand, was the only contemporary line to scrap NCFs for qualifying agencies when it launched the program in early 2023. NCL senior vice president of sales John Chernesky said last week the program would conclude at the end of March, saying it did not result in strong enough growth in business to justify keeping it. 

The funds used to support the program will be used in different ways, including marketing, he said. 

Travel advisors have said they aren’t surprised the program is going away, but are disappointed to see it go.

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One thing they won’t see is other cruise ships. With a beam of just over 52 feet, the Emerald Sakara is slim enough to slip into the small bay. “It’s quite hard to get in,” Sakara’s captain, Robert O’Leary, said. “It’s a very narrow channel.” 

For travelers who say that modern cruise ships are not for them, Emerald Cruises believes it has an answer. The Sakara is being billed as a yacht rather than as a cruise ship. While not a new concept in the industry, yacht cruising is often overshadowed, literally and figuratively, by the titans of the big cruise lines, and even those yachts are often larger than Emerald’s vessels. 

That leaves an opening with people who might want a cruise, but not one that comes with 5,000 fellow passengers, or even 500. 

“The experience does not get better as the ships get bigger,” said Glen Moroney, founder and owner of the Scenic Group, Emerald’s parent company. 

On a weeklong itinerary to the Puerto Rican islands of Culebra and Vieques; St. Barts; and the British Virgin Islands, I found it easy to indulge my Thurston Howell III fantasies. The ship was low to the water, sleek in design and the opposite of crowded. The wide decks and comfortable outdoor furniture were made for lounging. With 76 crew at our disposal, the passengers got personal attention and never lacked for a beach towel, a piña colada or a pleasant “good morning.” 

Seen from shore, the Sakara is easy to brag about. Its low-slung profile and long, retro bow give it a rakish allure. At 110 meters, it is the same length as a 2008 yacht built in Germany for the Bahraini royal family. On the Sakara, for around $650 a night, a Caribbean cruise aboard a similar vessel can be yours. 

There’s only one real restaurant on the Sakara, but it is a good one, with indoor/outdoor seating and a cleverly designed, four-sided buffet. The three bars include Sky Bar on the top deck, which feels like a South Beach rooftop bar at sea. 

The décor of the ship, designed by Moroney’s wife, Karen, is a modern, neutral gray with just enough color in the pillows and upholstery to provide interest. There is whimsical statuary of cactus in a sort of pop art style on the pool deck that is especially fun. 

The aft marina has water toys like rafts, kayaks, snorkel gear and paddleboards; Emerald officials say customers skew a bit younger than the competitive set for yacht cruising. And the ships are half to a third of the capacity of rivals such as Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection or Ponant. 

To me, the best facet of the Emerald Sakara is the itinerary enabled by such a small ship. We visited the marvelous, secluded Flamenco Beach in Culebra and the bioluminescent Mosquito Bay in Vieques. We went snorkeling at Jost Van Dyke and explored The Baths in Virgin Gorda.

A few fellow passengers reported seasickness one night, but the gentle roll helped put me to sleep, and the temperate weather in the Caribbean of early December was more of a pleasure than a detraction.

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The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are just over six months away, and the Games are expected to draw scores of travelers from all over the world during their 16-day stint in the City of Light. 

Paris officials have been working throughout the year getting the city Olympics-ready: Key infrastructure projects are under construction to accommodate the competitions and viewing areas, thousands of bike networks and parking lots are being added and a huge clean-up of the Seine River has been underway for both official competition and public use.

The Seine will be of particular interest, as the waterway will not only host the two-day marathon swimming event but also the Olympics’ opening ceremony.

Since both Paris and the Seine are a focal point for many river cruises, it makes sense that river cruises on the Seine during the Games might be a selling point — perhaps clients could have front-row seats to the opening ceremony from the comfort of their staterooms, as well as easy access to Paris.

But tempting as it may sound to immediately book a Paris-based ship between July 26 and Aug. 11, it’s important to know how river cruises on the Seine will be impacted.

The short answer, for now: River cruise lines aren’t sure just how their operations will be affected, and whether they’ll be able to sail on the Seine or dock in Paris during the event.

“We just don’t have a lot of information yet,” said Marcus Leskovar, executive vice president of Amadeus River Cruises.

Amadeus River Cruises, along with other river cruise lines, said that French officials have yet to communicate important details about docking positions and other logistics so that suppliers can prepare operations accordingly.

As a result, river cruise lines are somewhat split on how they’re offering and marketing cruises leading up to and during the Olympics. And some are choosing not to offer cruises on the Seine during that time period at all. 

Amadeus River Cruises

Amadeus River Cruises is planning to operate cruises on the Seine River during the Olympics as it normally would, but it said that demand has softened for cruises during this period so far.

Leskovar said sky-high hotel rates and airfare and the potential for overcrowding is likely why the line has seen softer bookings.

“We see a little bit of caution on the Seine itineraries because a lot of operators are trying to steer clear of the Olympics, because we don’t have lot of information yet and the airfare is already expensive,” Leskovar said. “So we see a little bit of a downturn and hesitancy on that product.”

AmaWaterways

As of right now, AmaWaterways doesn’t plan to operate cruises on the Seine or extensions in Paris during the 2024 Olympics.

“We have canceled about three weeks of cruising and touring in Paris during the Olympics, because nobody really knows what’s happening,” said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “Normally, we have hotel extensions in Paris, but the hotel prices are out of control. So we just simply said we will postpone.”

Schreiner said AmaWaterways’ could change its position on operations only if Paris officials are able to get them more concrete information by January or February at the latest, but the line said that might be an unlikely scenario.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways will operate river cruises on the Seine River as best as it can during the Paris Olympics but is disclosing to its travelers that operations and itineraries could change depending on what officials say about logistics.

“When we started marketing those dates, we put on the disclaimer that said we don’t really know what’s going to happen, what’s going to be accessible in Paris during the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games,” said Pamela Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways. “We still don’t know the answers; we typically dock right in the center of Paris, within walking distance to the Eiffel Tower, but we don’t know if we’ll have that docking position.

Still, even if the line has to dock its ships at the next nearest port outside of Paris, which would be Conflans, Hoffee said the line is still committed to providing its guests a unique experience in Paris during the Olympics.

Hoffee also pointed to a huge selling point: The line is offering $599 roundtrip airfare deals for that time.

Tauck

Tauck is taking a simple approach to river cruises on the Seine during the Olympics: It just won’t be offering any.
Tauck president Jennifer Tombaugh said the company learned its lesson back in 1984, during the Games in Los Angeles.

“It was an unmitigated disaster,” Tombaugh said. “Hotels are incredibly expensive. Venues that guests want to visit are often closed or inaccessible. And traffic is terrible.”

Uniworld

Similar to Amadeus and Avalon, Uniworld is planning to operate river cruises on the Seine during the Olympics, but the line isn’t actively promoting those itineraries.

The line said it is working with city officials to best understand how the Games will impact sailings and logistics.

That being said, the line acknowledged that being in Paris on a river cruise during the Olympics is a unique way to experience the city and look into extending trips further into other local towns and villages.

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An idea floated by Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley three years ago during the dark days of the pandemic, the marathon sailing was branded the Ultimate World Cruise and promoted as the world’s longest cruise.

At Travel Weekly’s 2022 CruiseWorld, Bayley recalled persuading colleagues that the Ultimate World Cruise was a good idea.

“We were still deep in the pandemic. It was a terrible, depressing time,” Bayley said. “We knew at some point it was going to end. The idea of the Ultimate World Cruise was, here you go, the pandemic’s over, go do something on your bucket list. Take the Ultimate World Cruise, go to every single continent on the planet.”

Customers could book the entire cruise, a 60-plus night segment, or one of 17 parts of the sailing ranging from nine to 28 nights. The cruise will visit 150-plus destinations and some 60 countries. 

The night before departure, Royal Caribbean hosted a gala dinner for passengers, said Bayley on his Facebook page. He said the ages of guests range from 2 to 87.  

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There are countless cruises out there to choose from, so it can be tough to decide exactly which one is right for you. But the best in the business for UK holidaymakers have been crowned as part of the 2023 Cruise Critic Editor’s Pick Awards.

The awards aim to recognise the best cruise lines of the year for UK travellers, chosen by the site’s intentional team of cruise experts, and among the winners are brands boasting luxury, some value-for-money cruise lines and holidays that don’t scrimp on port time. 

P&O, Marella, and Ambassador Cruise Line are among the big names who came out on top for Britons this year.

The accolade for Best New Ship of the Year went to P&O’s Arvia, the line’s brand-new mega-ship which first took to the waters in December 2022.

Editors applauded its seamless combination of the line’s popular spaces with new and exciting attractions onboard, including the state-of-the-art SkyDome with its retractable glass roof. The ship also features The 710 Club, which was the brainchild of pop sensation Gary Barlow. The adults-only club serves up a vintage vibe with plenty of live music, stylish cocktails and a dose of escapism.

For adventurers, Mission Control is an adventure room which transports guests to an underwater world where they need to solve puzzles and problems, in a realistic 3D environment.

Plus, there is also a spa, swim-up pool bar, 54-metre high tight rope experience, splash zone and even a four-screen cinema. Cruise Critic’s Editors said: “Arvia has all the P&O Cruises’ favourites like The Epicurean, Sindhu and Keel & Cow – plus new venues including Tidal Rum Bar (with distillery), the stunning Dome and a top deck high ropes course and swim-up bar – firsts for P&O Cruises.”

Ambassador Cruise Line was named the best value for money, and praised for its competitive fares and special offers. According to Cruise Critic’s Editors: “This UK-based, no-fly cruise line is a solid choice for cruisers seeking maximum value for money on one of its two ships.

“Buy-one-get-one-half-price savings, last-minute deals and reductions, combined with affordable lead-in fares, make Ambassador Cruise Line a clear winner in the Best Value category.”

At the time of writing, guests can save up to 59 percent on 2024/25 sailings with Ambassador Cruise lines.

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Marella Voyager, part of the TUI family, was named Best Ship Refurbishment, after a 36-day bow-to-stern makeover that not only updated public spaces but also cabins and suites – as well as introduced new-to-the-line venues.

Cruise Critic editors said: “We love that cabins and suites were included in the refurbishment, making them feel almost new, with public spaces and dining venues also given a complete makeover. Marella Voyager boasts an impressive array of new-to-the-line venues, from the speakeasy-style Exchange, to Silver Fork, one of the 17 dining venues onboard.”

Marella offers seasonal sales and deals throughout the year, with savings of up to £300 off.

Silversea Cruises and Crystal Cruises came out on top for those seeking a taste of luxury. Silversea, which won the title of Best Luxury Cruise Line for a second year in a row, and Best New Luxury Ship for the line’s newest ship, Silver Nova, was commended for going above and beyond what you might expect from an opulent ocean expedition.

“Silversea’s constant innovation and a desire to set the luxury bar ever higher sets it apart from all others,” said editors. “Sure, the line has suites, butlers, Champagne and caviar across the fleet, but it’s more than that – Silversea’s restaurants rival Michelin-starred establishments, its S.A.L.T. enrichment program is outstanding, and its art and décor are reminiscent of a five-star hotel.

“And Silver Nova is a giant step forward for a cruise line that has never been content with the status quo.”

Crystal Cruises, meanwhile, took home the award for Best Service in the luxury category. “Sailing on a Crystal ship feels like a vacation with family,” said editors. “No ask is too small – or too big – and service always comes with a sincere smile.”

Two river cruise lines also took home the gold, with Viking receiving the accolade for Best River Cruise Line of the Year, for its consistency, breadth of offerings and fare inclusions. Viva Cruises’ Viva Two was named Best New River Cruise Ship, with a special nod given to its three onboard restaurants which guests can enjoy as part of their cruise package.

Alternatively, holidaymakers looking to eschew rivers in favour of exploring the high seas might want to consider Scenic Eclipse or Swan Helix.

Scenic Eclipse II was named this year’s Best New Expedition Ship, for the ship’s seamless combination of five-star luxury and destination immersion. Itineraries include Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland and Australia’s wild Kimberley, with plenty to discover along the way. “The ship allows you to get the most of your destination, by Zodiac, kayak, helicopter and submersible – and return to the best in creature comforts,” said the panel of expert editors.

And, if getting more bang for your buck is essential, Swan Hellic took home the title of Best Value for Money in the expedition category. “Pair thoughtful inclusions like alcoholic drinks (not just at meals) and Wi-Fi, to gratuities and return regional flights and pre-cruise accommodations, with five-star luxury vessels complete with outstanding expedition guides and top-notch food from internationally acclaimed chefs – all for less than £10,000 to the Antarctic – Swan Hellenic is tough to beat when it comes to value for money,” said Cruise Critic.

Cruise lines and shops weren’t the only thing taking home accolades in the awards though, with Belfast being named as the Best UK & British Isles Port of Call for its overall experience provided to cruise visitors.

2023 Cruise Critic UK Editors’ Picks Awards

Ocean Category

• Best New Ship: P&O Cruises’ Arvia
• Best Ship Refurbishment: Marella Voyager
• Best Cabins: Celebrity Cruises
• Best Dining: Virgin Voyages
• Best Entertainment: Virgin Voyages
• Best for Families: Royal Caribbean International
• Best Innovation/Tech: Princess Cruises
• Best for LGBTQ+ Travelers: Virgin Voyages
• Best Nightlife: MSC Cruises
• Best Service: Celestyal Cruises
• Best for Solo Travelers: Cunard Line
• Best Spa: Celebrity Cruises
• Best Specialty Dining: Norwegian Cruise Line
• Best Suites: Royal Caribbean International
• Best Suite Complex: MSC Cruises
• Best Value for Money: Ambassador Cruise Line
• Best App: Royal Caribbean International
• Best UK Departure Port: Dover
• Best UK & British Isles Port of Call: Belfast

Luxury Category

• Best Luxury Cruise Line: Silversea Cruises
• Best New Luxury Ship: Silversea Cruises’ Silver Nova
• Best Cabins: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Best Dining: Oceania Cruises
• Best Enrichment: Silversea Cruises
• Best Itineraries: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Best Service: Crystal
• Best Shore Excursions: Oceania Cruises
• Best for Solo Travelers: Crystal
• Best Spa: Viking
• Best Value for Money: Viking

Expedition Category

• Best New Luxury Ship: Scenic Eclipse II
• Best for Adventure: Quark Expeditions
• Best Cabins: Seabourn Cruise Line
• Best Dining: Scenic
• Best for Luxury: Silversea Expeditions
• Best Service: Silversea Expeditions
• Best Spa: Viking
• Best Value for Money: Swan Hellenic
• Best in Alaska: UnCruise Adventures
• Best in Antarctica: Scenic
• Best in the Arctic: Hurtigruten
• Best in the Galapagos: Lindblad Expeditions

River Category

• Best River Cruise Line: Viking
• Best New River Cruise Ship: Viva Cruises’ Viva Two
• Best for Active Cruisers: Emerald River Cruises
• Best Cabins: Avalon Waterways
• Best Dining: Riverside Luxury Cruises
• Best Enrichment: AmaWaterways
• Best for Families: A-ROSA
• Best for First-Timers: TUI River Cruises
• Best for Luxury: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
• Best Service: Viking
• Best for Solo Travelers: Riviera River Cruises
• Best Value for Money: TUI River Cruises

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Wilson will spearhead the development and implementation of the company’s first ship, which Aman describes as a luxury superyacht. The ship is expected to enter service in 2027. 

Wilson will work closely with Aman chairman and CEO Vlad Doronin to assemble the onboard and shoreside teams. He will also be in charge of ensuring the ship aligns with the quality of experience guests expect in Aman’s hotels.

Wilson previously oversaw product development of 17 hotels as vice president of customer experience and innovation at Hilton Worldwide from 2019 to 2021. He also had held leadership roles with Princess Cruises and Cunard Line from 2000 to 2015, including vice president positions in hotel operations, product development and food and beverage. 

Wilson authored “Courses: A Culinary Journey,” a Princess Cruises cookbook published in 2009.

Aman at Sea is a joint venture between Aman and Cruise Saudi. It has signed a contract with Italian shipbuilder T. Mariotti for its first vessel.

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Carnival last raised WiFi prices a year ago.

The Social package, which includes access to social media and airline sites, now costs $15.30 when purchased before the cruise, up from $12.75. When bought onboard, the package now costs $18, up from $15. 

The Value package now costs $19.55 when purchased pre-cruise, up from $17. The package now costs $23 when purchased onboard, up from $20. This level of internet access includes browsing websites and email but does not include streaming music or videos. 

The Premium package now runs $21.25 when purchased before the cruise, up from $18.70. When purchased onboard, the package will cost $25, up from $22. The package offers the fastest connection and speeds up to three times faster than the Value package, according to Carnival. This package supports Skype, Zoom and Teams video calling. 

The fee increase comes after Carnival has performed upgrades across its 25-ship fleet to enable internet access using Starlink, a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX.

Its newest ship, the Carnival Jubilee, which will debut Dec. 23, will be equipped with 5G mobile connectivity. The service will be available in early 2024 and allow guests to use the connectivity through their mobile carrier’s service plans for cruise ships.

Following the rollout on the Jubilee, the line will enable 5G capabilities with other ships across the fleet. 

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