reviews for arcadia cruise ship

Vacation Rentals
Restaurants
Things to do
Things to Do
Travel Stories
Rental Cars
Add a Place
Travel Forum
Travelers' Choice
Help Center

Arcadia Deck Plans & Reviews

Activities & entertainment

Cooking Demonstrations
Dance Classes
Enrichment Lectures
Fitness Center
Fitness Classes
Hot Tubs (5)
Hydrotherapy Pool *
Late-Night Activities
Oasis Spa *
Organized Activities & Games
Photo Gallery *
The Retreat *
Monte Carlo Casino *
Nightly Live Music
The Palladium
The Screening Room
Intermezzo - Atrium Bar *
Sindhu - British-Indian *
The Belvedere - Casual
Spinnaker Bar - Cocktail Bar *
Cafe Vivo - Coffee Bar *
Neptune Grill - Fast Food
Meridian Restaurant - International
East Bar - Observation Bar *
The Crow's Nest - Observation Bar *
The Piano Bar - Piano Bar *
Aquarius Bar - Pool Bar *
Neptune Bar - Pool Bar *
The Rising Sun - Pub Fare *
Ocean Grill - Steakhouse *
Excellent 35
Very Good 26
Terrible 34
All languages ( 136 )
English ( 136 )

CruiseMapper
P&O Cruises

Cruise line P&O UK (P&O Cruises)

Southampton (England)
Sydney (NSW Australia)

Arcadia current position

Arcadia current location is at North East Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 35.42425 N / -13.18006 W) cruising at speed of 19.6 kn (36 km/h | 23 mph) en route to Southampton. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Arcadia

Arcadia current cruise is 100 days, round-trip Western Circumnavigation , themed as "Easter". The itinerary starts on 06 Jan, 2024 and ends on 15 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Arcadia

Itineraries
Review
Wiki

Arcadia Itineraries

Arcadia review, review of arcadia.

The 2005-built Arcadia cruise ship is one of the P&O UK's "adult ships" - together with the fleetmate Aurora (since 2019).

The vessel (IMO number 9226906) is currently Bermuda- flagged (MMSI 310459000) and registered in Hamilton .

History - construction and ownership

P&O Cruises is a subsidiary company and two brands owned by Carnival Corporation - P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. P and O is the world's oldest cruise company, starting passenger shipping operations in 1822 on the routes connecting England with Iberia.

The 2000-passenger ship Arcadia once sailed as the largest custom-built vessel for the British market - this was until P&O Cruises' Ventura joined the fleet in April 2008. Arcadia was not always marked to sail under the flag of P&O. Carnival Corporation had actually planned this vessel to be Cunard's Queen Victoria but later took the decision to allocate it to whichever one of its multifarious brands that could make the best use of it. Because of this, P&O Cruises fans might find Arcadia cruise ship's international style less to their taste than that of more classically British P&O UK liners such as Oriana; although like all the company's cruises, Arcadia scores highly on cleanliness and the kind of fluently running operation that results from the deployment of top-notch organizational skills.

Decks and Cabins

P&O Arcadia staterooms (1050 total, in 17 grades) include 62x Suites, 652x Balconies, 72x Oceanviews, 162x Inside, 6x Single cabins. Most cabins are sized 170-195 ft2 / 16-19 m2. Most cabin balconies are sized 55 ft2 / 5 m2. The largest passenger accommodations are the Aft Balcony Suites (450 ft / 42 m2, with terrace sized 300 ft2 / 28 m2).

The boat has 11 passenger decks , of which 7 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Spanning two decks, Arcadia's Meridian Dining Room (main restaurant) features a glass design and a grand central staircase. The restaurant is complimentary and serves good quality food. Breakfast features everything one would expect, from light and healthy options to British fry-up. Lunch is a la carte (including soups, lighter dishes, pies) while Afternoon Tea serves tasty treats of sandwiches, scones, cakes. For dinner, the Meridian Restaurant operates the usual dining system (with two sittings) allowing passengers to dine each night at the same table. The restaurant's upper level is for Freedom Dining, which means you can turn up at any time.

Follows the complete list of Arcadia restaurants and food bars.

Meridian Restaurant (2-level aft Dining Room; for Breakfast 7:30-9 am, and Lunch 12:15-1:45 pm/3-course menu)
Ocean Grill Restaurant and Bar (specialty dining by celebrity chef Marco Pierre-White; dinner only 6-10 pm, reservation-only; also serving Suite guests Breakfast)
The Belvedere (buffet-style restaurant, complimentary, open for Breakfast and hot dishes until 10:30 am, Brunch, Lunch and Dinner 6:30-10 pm; with themed buffets)
Neptune Grill (fast food bar, complimentary)
Caffe Vivo (light food, coffee bar; complimentary)
“East” Asian specialty restaurant by Atul Kochar; at surcharge PP/depending on cruise length, the cuisine includes Indian, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese dishes/4-course menu; open 6:30-9:30 pm, reservations recommended).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The 2-deck Palladium Theatre presents solid cruise entertainment. Passengers won't find West End shows but can expect a good spread of pleasing bands and comics, song and dance revues, aimed at British tastes. The theatre hosts 2 shows nightly, at 8:30 pm and 10:30 pm, in order to accommodate the two dining times. Organized day-time activities include traditional staples like deck quoits, shuffleboard, talks about forthcoming ports and general interest topics including art. The entertainment hosts spin tunes around the Aquarius Pool from 2 pm, where things liven up during dance parties featuring a cocktail of the day. Additional amenities include Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Internet/WiFi access, laundry/self-serve laundromats.

Follows the complete list of Arcadia lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

Arcadia Atrium (2-decks central open floor area and social hub)
The Palladium Theatre (736-seats, 3-decks, featuring large scale shows by “Headliners Theatre Company”)
Spinnaker Bar (nautically themed, opens at 3 pm)
Intermezzo Bar (Champagne bar, specialty cocktails)
The Rising Sun Bar (English pub); Piano Bar; The Orchid Bar; Anderson’s
Monte Carlo Casino; Electra Disco and Nightclub; Art Gallery
Emporium Shop; Celebrations Shop; Piccadilly Shop; Photo Gallery and Shop; The Library (with Internet computers); Card Room; Horizon (Internet computers room); The Screening Room (30-seat cinema)
Aquarius Pool; Neptune Pool (served by Neptune Bar); 2 jacuzzis
The Retreat (relaxation room with large wooden floor for Yoga, Tai Chi, ballroom dance classes)
Oasis Spa and Health Club (Thalassotherapy pool, Treatment Rooms, Steam Rooms, Beauty Salon)
Gymnasium (complimentary equipment, Fitness classes; Yoga and Pilates at surcharge)
The Crow’s Nest Lounge (dance floor, a stage for live music; with floor-ceiling windows for panoramic views; hosts art classes, quiz games, cooking demos during the day)
Jogging Track; Traditional deck games area (Deck Chess, Deck Quoits, Shuffleboard); Sports Court (football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, cricket); Table Tennis; two Golf Net cages.

Itineraries

P&O Arcadia itinerary program is based mainly on roundtrips from homeport Southampton , including an annual World Cruise and Transatlantic crossings (to the USA and Canada, and the Caribbean) - all are roundtrips from the UK. In Europe, the ship visits ports in the Mediterranean, Baltic (Norway Fjords), British Isles, Iceland and Norway, Western Europe (mini-cruises UK to Belgium).

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, the ship was paused through March 2022.

Arcadia - user reviews and comments

Arcadia ship related cruise news.

Cruise ships bring 27000+ tourists to Madeira for Funchal's New Year's Eve fireworks

As the New Year's Eve fireworks spectacle in Funchal (Madeira Island Portugal) unfolds, a crowd of around 27 thousand tourists will be witnessing the...

P&O UK's winter 2025-2026 cruise collection includes 12 new ports

P&O Cruises UK is enhancing its offerings for the autumn half-term in 2025 with the aim of attracting more families to its cruise ships. The...

Cunard and P&O UK improve Wi-Fi connectivity with SpaceX's Starlink

Carnival Corporation's UK-based subsidiaries Cunard Line and P&O Cruises UK have unveiled plans to enhance Wi-Fi connectivity fleetwide through a...

97 people struck with Norovirus on Royal Caribbean’s ship Enchantment OTS

The March 11–23 voyage of RCI-Royal Caribbean’s ship Enchantment of the Seas is the 7th and latest cruise ship Norovirus outbreak the VSP...

P&O UK plans extensive drydock refurbishments for ships Arcadia and Aurora

P&O Cruises UK announced plans to revamp its Arcadia and Aurora ships with a multi-million-pound investment. The changes, due to be...

P&O UK drops COVID vaccination and testing requirements

P&O Cruises UK announced it had dropped its COVID-vaccination and testing requirements. In a statement posted on its website, P&O UK...

P&O UK announces new Scandinavia & Baltic Sea cruise itineraries 2024

P&O Cruises UK announced a new series of Scandinavia and Baltic Sea itineraries scheduled for 2024 summer and fall. The 14- and 16-day long...

P&O UK announces new Scandinavia & Baltic Sea cruise itineraries for 2024

P&O Cruises put on sale a new collection of holidays for 2024, including a selection of Scandinavia & Baltic Sea itineraries where passengers...

P&O UK cancels 7 cruises on Arcadia ship

The return to service of P&O UK's ship Arcadia was disrupted with 7 sailings being canceled due to travel/airline issues caused by the COVID...

P&O Cruises UK celebrating full return to service with Arcadia ship

When MS Arcadia ship sails to the Canaries on Sunday, March 27, she will mark the full return to service of P&O Cruises UK following the fleet's...

show more news

Other P&O UK cruise ships

Arcadia wiki.

MS Arcadia is one of P&O's adults-only liners - along with Oriana . Initially, the liner was ordered as Vista-Class vessel for Holland America Line . While still under construction, the shipowner Carnival Corporation allocated the vessel to Cunard Line (planned for operations as MS Queen Victoria ). Shortly before the launch in 2004, Carnival decided to transfer the vessel to P&O UK.

P&O Arcadia ( Fincantieri Marghera shipyard/hull number 6078) is powered by Wartsila-Sulzer marine diesel engines (models 16ZAV40S and 12ZAV40S) generating total power output 63,36 MW.

As a result of all these pre-launch changes, Arcadia's ship design has Cunard's mast (similar to RMS Queen Mary 2 ) and a modified funnel (instead P&O UK's traditional funnel). This makes the vessel sistership to Queen Victoria , also to Coral Princess and Island Princess , and partially to Costa 's Luminosa and Deliziosa . These are Panamax vessels, meaning their dimensions allow transition through Panama Canal 's old locks.

For P&O UK, Arcadia debuted in April 2005. The ship was named by Godmother Kelly Holmes (1970-born British athlete). The vessel underwent a major drydock refit (at Lloyd Werf shipyard in Bremerhaven Germany ) in late-2008. During the refurb, it was upgraded with 34 new cabins and the stern was extensively remodeled.

Besides Arcadia, P&O ships with annual World Cruises (ex-UK roundtrips from homeport Southampton ) are Aurora and Oriana .

Arcadia World Cruise 2023

Next table shows the Arcadia ship's first post-COVID World Voyage - the 99-night/100-day "World Cruise 2023" itinerary (booking code J301) roundtrip from the UK.

Prices started from GBP 10780 (EUR 12560 / USD 14900) per person with double occupancy.

World Voyage 2023 was also offered for booking in smaller segments.

(Jan 13) 38 days from Fort Lauderdale to Sydney Australia
(Feb 14) 58 days from Auckland to Southampton
(Feb 20) 23 days from Sydney to Singapore
(Feb 20) 52 days from Sydney to Southampton
(Feb 22) 50 days from Brisbane to Southampton
(Mar 15) 29 days from Singapore to Southampton
(Mar 26) 18 days from Dubai to Southampton

P&O Arcadia refurbishments review

The ship is currently scheduled for a major drydock refurbishment in November 2024.

Arcadia's renovation project in 2023 (April-May) resulted in new chairs (in all passenger staterooms), new furniture (on all cabin balconies), and new deckchairs/furniture on all open deck areas. Neptune Pool's sundeck was upgraded with new garden furniture (loungers, sofas, tables, armchairs).

The list of deck plan changes after the 2017 drydock (November 1-14, done in Hamburg Germany at the Blohm+Voss shipyard) includes:

Updates and re-designing of all Suites, public areas, bars, and restaurants - the job was done by the London -based UK company RPW Design specializing in interior design. Interior renovations included new carpeting, new furniture, soft furnishing refreshes, new color schemes.
(aft on Lido deck 9) Aquarius pool and bar renovations included refreshed furnishings, new color scheme, updated chairs, sofas, bar stools, coffee tables, signage, wall tiles.
The 3-deck high Atrium (including the ship's Reception) was updated with new carpets and furniture (chairs, banquettes, cushions).
(forward on Lido deck 9) Oasis Spa's Reception was updated with new carpets and blinds. All loungers and armchairs were refreshed and cushions were added.
(midship starboard on deck 2) Intermezzo Bar received a new color scheme, new carpeting, blinds and new furniture (chairs, sofas, stools, coffee tables, lampshades).
All Suites were refreshed with new design, new color scheme, new furniture (sofabeds, armchairs, coffee tables, lamps), new curtains, bed cushions, throws.

The boat's 2013 drydock (November-December) resulted in:

24 new passenger cabins (of which 6 single-occupancy cabins), all cabins were refurbished (new carpeting, flat TVs)
The Globe Lounge became the Electra Disco
Orchid restaurant became “East”
Crow’s Nest Lounge refit and renovation (added new bar).

The 2008 drydock (at Lloyd Werft Germany, 24-day refit at the Bremerhaven yards) included:

Stern refit- 34 new passenger cabins were added, of which 10 single cruise cabins, 23 balcony rooms, 1 suite.
Cyb@Study (Internet center) was converted into The Screening Room (cinema), while the Internet stations were moved to The Library.
Ocean Grill Restaurant was renovated, Aquarius Bar was enlarged.

An additional 75-ton Sun Deck area was added (size 5920 ft2 / 550 m2).

P&O Cruises ( UK )

Arcadia 29th August - 14th September a brief review

By Sarah1974 , October 1, 2023 in P&O Cruises ( UK )

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

Beautiful Skjolden - our first port

Fabulous cocktails!

Picturesque scenery

Thank you for sharing your review with us and the wonderful photos too. Arcadia is my favourite ship and I'm so pleased you enjoyed your time on her!

1 hour ago, Sarah1974 said: Picturesque scenery

Beautiful! I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise 😊

Looks good and sounds good. Many thanks.

Nice to hear you had a great cruise, and the ship is not as bad as most social media sites etc would have us believe.

We will be boarding Arcadia later this month to hopefully see the Northern Lights, 6 of us and all of our first time on Arcadia.

Thanks for the review - good to know Arcadia is all ok.

2 hours ago, jaydee6969 said: Nice to hear you had a great cruise, and the ship is not as bad as most social media sites etc would have us believe. We will be boarding Arcadia later this month to hopefully see the Northern Lights, 6 of us and all of our first time on Arcadia.

Hope you have a lovely cruise and get to see the Northern Lights

Pleased you enjoyed your cruise on Arcadia. Three of us have just booked to do the same cruise in June 25 although we visit Iceland first and Belfast instead of Edinburgh and Newcastle. I'm glad the sofa bed was comfy as that will be mine for the duration. Have you any recommendations for the P and O excursions in Iceland? Thank you.

JeanieC,Aston

19 minutes ago, Junction2 said: Pleased you enjoyed your cruise on Arcadia. Three of us have just booked to do the same cruise in June 25 although we visit Iceland first and Belfast instead of Edinburgh and Newcastle. I'm glad the sofa bed was comfy as that will be mine for the duration. Have you any recommendations for the P and O excursions in Iceland? Thank you.

It would be a shame to go to Iceland and not do the Golden Circle tour,,,it’s on the must do list.

There is private tours that do it,,my time it was Saga Travel Iceland,,,,8 in a 12 seater mini bus.

Thank you. I’ll take a look. I always think it’s a shame P and O don’t give some examples of the excursions that might be offered at each port instead of posting the details closer to the date of the cruise and then you can only view them if you’re actually booked on said cruise.

Interestedcruisefan

4 minutes ago, Junction2 said: Thank you. I’ll take a look. I always think it’s a shame P and O don’t give some examples of the excursions that might be offered at each port instead of posting the details closer to the date of the cruise and then you can only view them if you’re actually booked on said cruise.

https://www.pocruises.com/shore-experiences#northern-europe

This link might work

From there look for digital port guide link and put the cruise number in

(Dont think you need to be booked to take a look at the excursions)

Thank you ICF I’ll take a look.

5 hours ago, Junction2 said: Have you any recommendations for the P and O excursions in Iceland? Thank you.

On day 1 in Reykjavik we did the introduction to Iceland tour, this was in the morning so in the afternoon we got the free shuttle bus into the city centre and wandered about. On day 2 we did the golden circle tour - highly recommend this 8 hour trip. In Isafjordur we did the best of tour - in these few hours we were shown so much of the local area it was great. In Akureyri we went whale watching.

All of the tours were booked through P&O but I think other companies would offer something similar and possibly cheaper. We wanted the security of booking through P&O

We are looking at this cruise for next year, can I ask if you went to any of the speciality restaurants?

Arcadia is the only P&O ship that we haven't been on, good to hear that you enjoyed the ship and the cruise.

On 10/3/2023 at 8:10 AM, thornegirl said: We are looking at this cruise for next year, can I ask if you went to any of the speciality restaurants? Arcadia is the only P&O ship that we haven't been on, good to hear that you enjoyed the ship and the cruise.

No, we didn't. There are fewer speciality restaurants than other ships. We met a couple who said the Ocean Grill was amazing, and their food pics looked fab. There's a Sindhu and on sea days a pop-up Glass House in one of the bars

1 hour ago, Sarah1974 said: No, we didn't. There are fewer speciality restaurants than other ships. We met a couple who said the Ocean Grill was amazing, and their food pics looked fab. There's a Sindhu and on sea days a pop-up Glass House in one of the bars

Thanks for your reply, will do some more research

25 minutes ago, thornegirl said: Thanks for your reply, will do some more research

I was on Arcadia in August, and agree that the Ocean Grill was superb. Sindhu was also very good, though perhaps not quite as good as the one on Aurora. The pop-up Glasshouse wasn't on every sea day and was only at lunch-time, as it used the Ocean Grill's kitchen, and I don't think it was bookable.

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

Welcome to Cruise Critic
ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
New Cruisers
Cruise Lines “A – O”
Cruise Lines “P – Z”
River Cruising
Cruise Critic News & Features
Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
Special Interest Cruising
Cruise Discussion Topics
UK Cruising
Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Canadian Cruisers
North American Homeports
Ports of Call
Cruise Conversations

Announcements

New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 19 hours ago

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 07:36 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 12:53 AM

LauraS · Started Tuesday at 07:17 PM

LauraS · Started Monday at 10:08 PM

Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
Find Your Roll Call
Meet & Mingle
Community Help Center
All Activity
Member Photo Albums
Meet & Mingle Photos
Favorite Cruise Memories
Cruise Food Photos
Cruise Ship Photos
Ports of Call Photos
Towel Animal Photos
Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
Write a Review
Live Cruise Reports
Member Cruise Reviews
Create New...

Kingston-upon-Hull
Things to Do
Restaurants
Holiday Rentals
Travel Stories
Add a Place
Travel Forum
Travellers' Choice
Help Centre

P&O Arcadia Cruise Ship - Fantastic!! - P&O Ferries

Europe
United Kingdom (UK)
England
Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
Kingston-upon-Hull
Kingston-upon-Hull - Things to Do
P&O Ferries

We travelled from Hull on Friday 9 Feb, our return booking for Sunday 11 Feb was cancelled meaning... read more

We went on P&o ferries from Hull to Amsterdam for a weekend trip, leaving Friday night and arriving... read more

P&O Arcadia Cruise Ship - Fantastic!!

P&O Arcadia Cruise Ship - Fantastic!! Our first cruise and after reading a few reviews we were a bit apprehensive but from start to finish our cruise from Southampton to the Fjords, Norway was fantastic. Food was excellent and staff were lovely. Highly recommend this cruise.

Just back from a mini cruise from Southampton to Amsterdam on Ventura. First thing to say the ship was very busy and the staff worked hard but there were a few niggles that is just down to a lack of standards. Formal nite, advertised on the pre booking information as being the first night in Amsterdam which on board was changed to the second night in Amsterdam with lots of people already having plans, no explanation given for the change. The paying for drinks etc via your boarding card works great but is let down from a basic web app that does not show the days Calendar etc. Wine, every evening we would sit in the formal dinning service, and every night we had to chase the wine, the first night it came as we finished our main, the other nights after finishing starters….why! Overall the ship is clean, the staff are great at cleaning away tables, but they don’t wipe down the tables so the lido tables often have tomato sauce on them, and just need a wipe down. Formal night, great to get free drink vouchers but for those on the early dinner sitting why deliver after you have gone down for dinner!!! Room was lovely and kept very tidy. Bar prices very reasonable. Boarding and disembarkation well managed. Overall very good, just a little lacking of some little standards

We went to Amsterdam as foot passengers on the Hull Rotterdam route - a route choice made by practical necessity rather than loyalty to the company (recent employment practices being in our mind). Putting the latter concern to one side, I was very surprised at how good everything was and how smoothly the trip went. We parked in the multistory at Hull - an annoyance was that one had to pay for this via Ringo but the phone number given in the carpark did not work and we had to set up an account and then pay an extra fee for the privilege of paying them. Far too complicated and no warning given in any of the booking information. Boarding the ship was easy, staff helpful, our cabin was spotless etc. We ate in the Brasserie on the way out, dinner was well presented, staff helpful but our food took ages to arrive. Breakfast the following day was mostly inedible, tea cold, coffee bitter etc. Horrible would be a summary. The coach to Amsterdam left on time and terminated abut 1 km (20 min walk) from the railway station. The return journey was equally easy as was boarding the ship. We ate in The Kitchen on the way back and it was far better (and a little cheaper) and being self service, we ate at our speed and enjoyed both dinner and breakfast. Various onboard announcements are made during the voyage but apart from the "bing-bong tones" preceding the announcement, no one anywhere could hear what was said. If they had announced we had just hit an iceberg, no one would have known! Overall, a surprisingly good experience and if we go back to Holland, we will use this route again. As a final comment, one of us was in a wheelchair and all staff everywhere on this journey went out of their way to make it easier of us - opening doors, getting us to the lift ahead of others etc. These small touches make it so much easier for those with accessibility issues.

Had an enjoyable weekend. Sailed on Saturday night with Sunday in Amsterdam then sailed back on Sunday night. Stayed in an inside twin cabin. The cabin was very cosy. Clean shower room with towels and toiletries. Took our own food so I can't comment on the food available to buy onbord. Did see numerous people eating pizza's which did look very good. The only downside on the boat are the prices of drinks at the bars. P and O used to have great drinks packages available before covid. No drinks offers now. Entertainment was quite good on board. Perhaps more handsets could be made available for the interactive quizzes. On the way back from Amsterdam we sat in the skylight bar and there was a group of Austrian students on board. One of the students took a turn playing the piano. He was excellent. Very talented. When we docked in Hull there were very strong winds so we had to wait until the cars and lorries had disembarked and then the foot passengers had to disembark via the cargo deck. Not a problem as the disembarkation was properly organised. Had a lovely time in Amsterdam. All in all good weekend that didn't cost the earth.

Hi, Thank you for taking the time to review your recent experience with us. We are pleased to read such kind feedback regarding your journey with us! We look forward to welcoming you back on board again for another great experience!,

Booked an Amsterdam minitrip. Parking, check in and embarkation was quick and easy. Ridiculous airport-style security check for walk-on passengers and baggage when over 100 cars embarked by passengers just waving their passports. I was asked to hand over my small Swiss army corkscrew which I refused and returned to leave it in my car . Why this stupid inconsistencey when a sharp steak knife was available in the restaurant on board ? Tidy cabin, pricey on-board drinks and endlessly cheerful, friendly and efficient Philipino staff. Using the dining " deal" would have nearly tripled the cost of the crossing for two adults. Good value if you take your own grub.

Hi, Thank you for taking the time to review our services, we appreciate the feedback. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your crossing and trust that you understand that security is necessary for passengers to pass through before boarding the ferry. There is also security for the vehicles where they can be pulled over and checked. We look forward to seeing you again soon

Just been on a mini cruise to Amsterdam from hull, The check in was quick, the staff was all very pleasant and welcoming. The room was basic but clean the beds was comfortable. Good entertainment, good group. Decent duty-free shops. Had dinner in the brasserie first night first course of baby scallops in risotto was abit bland but the duo of lamb made up for it that was lovely. The day trip into Amsterdam was well organised you get back on where your drop off. You get around six hours Amsterdam was great with All its canals and cafes and bars it had some decent pubs. We had dinner out so didn't feel like eating on board ship so just had a snack we had planned to go to the kitchen restaurant. This is a great mini break, we hope to do it again soon

Hello, Thank you for taking time to leave a rating for us. We're happy to know you have enjoyed your time on board with us and we look forward to seeing you again.

Main page Main page
AIDA Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Costa Cruises
Cunard Cruises
Holland America Line
MSC Cruises
NCL Cruises
Phoenix Reisen
Princess Cruises
P&O Cruises
Royal Caribbean
TUI Cruises
All Cruise Lines
Caribbean Princess
Carnival Magic
Celebrity Solstice
Harmony of the Seas
Independence of the Seas
MSC Meraviglia
Norwegian Epic
Ovation of the Seas
Queen Mary 2
Alaska Cruises
Australia Cruises
Bahamas Cruises
Baltic Sea Cruises
Caribbean Cruises
Cuba Cruises
European Cruises
Hawaii Cruises
Mediterranean Cruises
Miami Cruises
New York Cruises
Norway Cruises
World Cruises
View All Cruises
All Inclusive Cruises
Cheap Cruises
Cruise Holidays
Expedition Cruises
Family Cruises
Last Minute Cruises
Luxury Cruises
Fly Cruises
Mini Cruises
Singles Cruises
Christmas Cruises
New Year Cruises
TOP Cruise Deals
Ship finder

2016 Passengers

Ship information/Review
Current position

About P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises has been well known and loved in the UK for 175 years. Since 2015, the cruise line has also become increasingly established on the German market. Guests appreciate the traditional high sea experience with a typically British flair. Knowledge of the English language is important to get on board. The fleet of P&O Cruises is child friendly, except the M / S Arcadia and the M / S Oriana that are ships for adults only. The board currency on all ships is the British pound.

The M / S Arcadia was commissioned in 2005 and last renovated in 2018. At a length of 285 m and with 11 passenger decks the ship can accommodate up to 2094 passengers. The M / S Arcadia is one of the two vessels of the cruise line, which is reserved for adult guests only. Its special features include the glass elevator on the outside and an extensive art collection with 3000 works. Numerous activities and entertainment options provide variety, while quiet places like the Piano Bar or the Rising Sun Club are popular hangouts for quiet hours.

On board the Arcadia all common cabin categories, from the inside cabin to the suite are available. The cabins are spacious and modern equipped, with a TV, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and other amenities. The single beds can be converted into a king size bed. The inside and outside cabins are approx. 17 m² in size, the deluxe balcony cabins have a size of approx. 24 m² including balcony, while the suites with balcony are approx. 56 m² in size. Especially for single travelers there are the popular single-balcony cabins with a size of approx. 19 m² (including balcony).

Atmosphere on Board

On board a British and traditional cruise experience that meets the latest standards awaits you. The atmosphere is casual and generally easy and relaxed. Casual clothing for the day, adjusted to the destination and more formal evening attire are recommended for a cruise with P & O Cruises. Too casual clothing, such as tracksuits or disguises are not welcome. Various restaurants of famous star chefs, elegant bars and shows in the style of London's West End meet the leisure requirements of modern cruise guests.

Food and Beverages

All meals in the main and buffet restaurants, snacks, cabin service and afternoon tea are already included on board, as well as coffee, tea, water and juices in the buffet restaurants. Various chefs have created interesting and varied dishes for the fleet of the cruise line. The daily changing menus in the main restaurant are inspired by British cuisine.

Entertainment, Sports and Relaxation

In the evening there are spectacular shows as well as comedy and cabaret performances. Furthermore, live music, a casino and various lectures and courses are offered. You can end the day in one of the many different bars and have a stimulating conversation with fellow travelers with delicious drinks and cocktails. For spa lovers, there are various pools onboard, the Oasis Spa with hydrotherapy pool and thermal suite, and the outdoor spa "The Retreat". Active people can work out in the gym, on the sports court or on the golf simulator.

Our Summary

If you like it "very british" and are a fan of traditional cruises, then you are just right onboard the M / S Arcadia. Knowledge of the English language is recommended, as no German-speaking service is offered.

Destinations: Baltic Sea , British Isles , Canada/New England , Canary Islands , Eastern Mediterranean , Iceland , Mediterranean , Norwegian Fjords , Western Europe , Western Mediterranean , World Cruise

Our rating of the Arcadia:

More feedback from our customers about this ship (click for details), cruise in one sentence.

Wonderful cruise for guests loving classic,elegant decor,high level entertainment and fantastic service.

Remarks Cabin

We were upgraded to cabin no G032-better location. Very nice sea view cabin with bath tube and shower.Very calm ! Enough storage place for 4 persons.
Terms & Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Privacy Policy
Whistleblower

Frequently Asked Questions
020 3636 9657

Choose your nearest airport

Belfast City
Bournemouth
East Midlands
Glasgow - Preswick
Londonderry
Southampton

Ship reviews Arcadia, PO Cruises

Book with confidence

Logitravel are full ABTA members (ABTA P6643). Travel with confidence and book your holiday, safe in the knowledge that you are ABTA protected.

Hello again!

We're happy to see you! Log in and keep up to date with special offers

Still no account? Don't worry,

Cruise Lines
PO Cruises Ships

Reviews and ratings

Guests that have recently sailed on Arcadia have rated the ship and its facilities. We think this might be useful for you to get a general idea based on how past passengers have rated the ship..

Verified reviews: The clients have rated the ship after having travelled with us.

based on 5 reviews

Destinations 6
Excursions 6
Quality/Price 6
Room Service 9
Bar Service 8
Restaurant Service 8
Animation Team 10
Cleanliness 9
Facilities 9

ship looking very tired. only good food was in the special restaurants with sn extra charge

Shows and Food

Not enough places and excursions to book - not enough information before cruise or during cruise or help in port

The best valued services are Destinations, Quality/Price, Room Service

The least valued services are Excursions, Animation Team, Facilities

Charles Kenneth

The best valued services are Shows, Cabin, Cleanliness

The least valued services are Animation Team

Arcadia Cruise Deals

3 nights sailing from Southampton

Departures: 6 Jun; 27 Jul

Itinerary: Southampton, St. Peter Port (Guernsey)

Spain, Portugal, Guernsey

7 nights sailing from Southampton

Departure: 27 Aug

Itinerary: Southampton, Vigo (Spain), Lisbon, Porto (Portugal), St. Peter Port (Guernsey)

British Isles

16 nights sailing from Southampton

Departure: 11 Jul

Itinerary: Southampton, Cobh (Cork), Holyhead (Wales), Killybegs (Ireland), Stornoway (Outer Hebrides), Kirkwal...

Spain, France, Italy, Gibraltar, Portugal

18 nights sailing from Southampton

Departure: 7 May

Itinerary: Southampton, Cadiz (Spain), Valencia (Spain), Genoa (Italy), Ajaccio (Corsica), Civitavecchia (Rome)...

Bruges Getaway

Departure: 4 May

Itinerary: Southampton, Zeebrugge (Bruges)

Iceland, Norway

Departure: 30 Jul

Itinerary: Southampton, Belfast, Stornoway (Outer Hebrides), Reykjavik (Iceland), Isafjordur (Iceland), Akureyr...

Germany, Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Lithuania, Denmark

Departure: 25 Jun

Itinerary: Southampton, Kiel (Germany), Helsinki, Tallinn (Estonia), Stockholm, Klaipeda (Lithuania), Warnemund...

Norway, Iceland

Departure: 9 Jun

Itinerary: Southampton, Skjolden (Norway), Cruising Lustrafjorden, Sognefjord (cruising), Alesund (Norway), Aku...

12 nights sailing from Southampton

Departure: 25 May

Itinerary: Southampton, Andalsnes (Norway), Romsdalsfjord (cruise by), Trondheim (Norway), Lofoten Islands, Nor...

Departure: 15 Aug

Itinerary: Southampton, Haugesund (Norway), Olden, Innvikfjorden (cruise by), Nordfjord (cruise by), Alesund (N...

Spain, Italy, Greece, Gibraltar

19 nights sailing from Southampton

Departure: 3 Oct

Itinerary: Southampton, Malaga (Spain), Palermo (Sicily), Athens (Piraeus), Souda Bay (Chania, Crete), Rhodes, ...

Canary Islands

Departure: 22 Oct

Itinerary: Southampton, La Coruna (Spain), Funchal (Madeira), Santa Cruz de La Palma (Canary Islands), Santa Cr...

USA & Canada - Southampton roundtrip

30 nights sailing from Southampton

Departure: 3 Sep

Itinerary: Southampton, St. Johns (Newfoundland, Canada), Islas de la Madeleine (Canadá), Boston (USA), Newport...

Departure: 28 Nov

Itinerary: Southampton, La Coruna (Spain), Funchal (Madeira), Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santa Cruz de La Palma (C...

+100 Arcadia Cruises

+100 Arcadia Cruises See cruises

Some facts and figures about Arcadia

Other PO Cruises cruise ships

Just like Iona, Arvia is another Excel class ship with comfortable lovely cabins & Suites, great restaurants and bars and superb entertainment. Discover the amazing destinations where Arvia will be heading. Sail around the Caribbean or the Mediterranean and enjoy the sun from Arvia’s unique SkyDom...

Iona has officially joined P&O Cruises’ fleet. This ship, through innovative design and unique spaces, connects you with the sea, sky and shoreline.

Combining the excitement of cruising with the sophistication of a five-star hotel, Britannia isn't just the biggest ship ever built exclusively for the British market, she's the most glamorous too. Your first moments on board are sure to be truly memorable as the spectacular "starburst"centrepiece o...

Azura offers an incredible choice of bars, restaurants, sports and spa facilities and entertainment, plus lots of other exciting and original features. Offering choice and a real sense of indulgence, Azura has an exclusive open-air spa terrace and an alfresco cinema to watch blockbusters in the suns...

Ventura ship offers many fantastic features for you to enjoy while cruising the ocean. A double-deck theatre with full production shows that is also used as a cinema, 2 lounges for cabaret, tributes, comedy and dancing shows, Metropolis, an amazing bar with a panoramic video wall brought to life by ...

Aurora will enjoy a refit and refurbishment in April 2019 and will then move over to cater exclusively for adults; these changes will take effect from cruise R905 onwards. Aurora is a classic ocean going vessel with an elegant tiered stern and long bow. At her heart is a water feature which forms th...

All about Arcadia

Receive our offers!

Before sending this form, please read the following

By pressing the send button, you declare to have read this information

Subscription completed successfully!

I want to receive the best offers and promotions for my holidays

Oops ... something has broken

Your subscription could not be completed Please try again later. Sorry for the inconveniences

Need advice?

All our cruise experts are busy at this moment

Please try again later

Try again later or call us on

Our opening hours are: Monday to Friday from 09:00h to 18:00h.

Calls from a landline or mobiles are charged the national standard rate plus any network charges if applicable.

[AGENT-NAME]

[agent-description]

[AGENT-NAME] , I need your help and advice. Here are my contact details so that you can call me soon...

This service is completely free.

Basic details about privacy

The purpose is to manage the website and user relationships, enhance quality, and send advertising and sales messages.The lawful basis is the existence of a contractual relationship, our legitimate interest in assessing and promoting our products and services, and your consent to the preparation of such profiles.We shall only transfer your data to other companies of the Logitravel Group when required for the processing of your requests, with your prior consent or by legal obligation.You have the right to access, rectify and delete the data, as well as other rights as explained in our

I tried Holland America's 'Have It All' package. For just $55 a day, my cruise felt way more luxurious.

I tried Holland America Line 's Have It All package on a recent cruise to Alaska.
For $55 per person per day, we got complimentary drinks, special meals, and other perks.
The price was so worth it we already booked this package for future cruises.

Cruise bookings are predicted to reach record levels this year, and travelers are especially interested in luxurious sailings.

But as many of us know, luxury doesn't always equate to value, even when it comes to upgrades and special packages.

So, on our recent cruise to Alaska, my husband and I put one of many cruise packages to the test: Holland America Line's "Have It All" package, which costs $55 per person per day.

It includes perks like a beverage package, ship credit for shore excursions, onboard WiFi, and dinner at specialty restaurants.

Here's why we found it to be such a great value we're going to add it to future cruises.

The beverage package was great, and it included special drinks without alcohol

The biggest perk of the "Have It All" package was the ability to order drinks without worrying about the bill at the end of the cruise.

Our previous cruises had us drinking only tap water, drip coffee, tea, and an occasional glass of wine with dinner to avoid any sticker shock at the end of the trip. We felt restricted in enjoying our vacation.

The shore-excursion credit helped push us to have more fun

We knew we had to do a whale-watching excursion in Alaska, but didn't consider booking other excursions due to price. Many of the ones we were interested in cost over $100 per person.

But with the package, we each got credits to use toward shore excursions during our cruise. The value of the credit varies depending on the duration of your cruise — ours was less than 10 days, so we each got a $100 credit.

The $200 worth of credits made us feel more comfortable booking an incredible excursion to kayak the wild waters of Sitka.

We probably would've hesitated to book an excursion and missed an incredible experience if we hadn't felt compelled to use the credits in the package.

Specialty dining helped us celebrate our anniversary

Our "Have it All" packages each included at least one dinner at one of the ship's specialty restaurants. If you're on a longer cruise, this package would get you access to more dinners.

We used our credits to eat at the Pinnacle Grill, known for its premium steaks and intimate dining experience. Our anniversary dinner was extra special because of the access to premium dishes unavailable in the main dining room, five-star service, and a luxurious setting.

WiFi kept us connected

The package included WiFi, which really came in handy as we shared photos with friends and family throughout our trip.

We were able to use the internet to search for whatever we needed and research the highlights to visit at the next port of call.

We've already booked the package for future cruises

For less than what a few drinks cost per day, the package helped us relax, have fun, and enjoy each port of call with a shore excursion. Plus, we got to indulge in the ship's specialty restaurants.

We loved it so much we've already purchased this same package for three future cruises.

Watch: While Delta's business is 'extremely robust,' the airline's marketing chief stays focused on the data

Main content

Carnival Jubilee ship review: A guide to Carnival's third Excel Class cruise ship

Editor's Note

When Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Jubilee debuted in December 2023, it became the third ship in the line's Excel Class , closely mimicking sister ships Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. Although there are more similarities than differences among the three, Carnival has still found a way to make Carnival Jubilee innovative and fun by tweaking a few of the offerings.

The ship shares Carnival's "zone" concept with its two older sisters, meaning it has dedicated areas for dining, drinking, entertainment and outdoor fun, including Bolt, a top-deck roller coaster. The biggest differences on the newest iteration are in two reinvented zones, Currents and The Shores; respectively, they take the place of The French Quarter and La Piazza on Mardi Gras , and The Gateway and 820 Biscayne on Carnival Celebration .

On my voyage, the ship carried 5,676 passengers, plus crew. This meant it wasn't at capacity, but it still felt loud and crowded, and often was fraught with lines. However, the service was generally excellent, with an exceedingly friendly crew.

The vessel is also a ton of fun, featuring two new shows (one with a football tailgate theme and the other with an onboard wedding plot), plenty of daily activities and so many fantastic dining options — many of them free — that it'll make your head spin.

Here's the rundown on what you can expect on board so you can determine if Carnival Jubilee is right for your next sailing.

For more cruise guides, news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Carnival Jubilee overview

Carnival Jubilee is a megaship, coming in at 183,521 tons and carrying up to 6,631 passengers at full capacity. It's tied with Carnival Celebration for the title of the largest ship in Carnival's fleet.

The vessel offers weeklong Caribbean voyages on a regular rotation from its home port in Galveston, Texas, meaning you'll find a healthy dose of Texas-style fun on board (more on that later). In fact, Carnival is so dedicated to keeping the ship in the Lone Star State that it had a Texas star painted on the ship's hull.

Carnival Jubilee's demographics run the gamut from families with young kids or extended family groups to groups of friends, couples and even solo cruisers (even though it doesn't have any cabins for singles). True to the rumors about Southern hospitality, the people on my cruise were some of the warmest and most polite I've ever encountered; fellow passengers were saying "excuse me," allowing others to go first in line and generally being more courteous than I've found on sailings from other places.

The ship is divided into six zones, where passengers can find a mix of bars, restaurants, live performances, water-filled fun and exhilarating activities like a ropes course, minigolf and, of course, the Bolt roller coaster . Here's a bit about each zone.

Carnival Jubilee zones

Grand Central: This bustling area rises up three decks — decks 6, 7 and 8 — and replaces the traditional atrium found on older Carnival vessels. The focal point is Center Stage, a starboard-side (on your right when facing the front of the ship) secondary theater that's home to events like bingo during the day and song-and-dance performances at night.

Surrounding the stage are tons of seating options, as well as JavaBlue Cafe, which serves coffee and snacks; Cherry on Top candy shop; the Center Stage and Grand View Bars; and Bonsai Sushi and Teppanyaki. It also serves as an access point for the onboard shops, Piano Bar 88, The Punchliner Comedy Club and the Jubilee Casino.

Currents: Currents is one of the other main social hubs on Carnival Jubilee. It starts on Deck 6, just aft of Grand Central and features two new bars. The Golden Mermaid has gilded decor and a custom-designed mural depicting mermaids and lots of hidden Easter eggs (look for SpongeBob SquarePants references). Meanwhile, Dr. Inks, Ph.D., is a bar based on the fictional character Dr. Inks — an octopus with academic credentials. Both bars have excellent drink menus.

Also in the space is Emeril's Bistro 717, a New Orleans-style, for-fee eatery developed by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.

On the wall above Dr. Inks, window-shaped screens provide a show for anyone passing through the length of the Currents promenade area. Programming rotates between underwater adventures, nature scenes and even artwork produced by passengers and kids from St. Jude's Children's Hospital. For a better view, head up one deck to the Alchemy Bar.

The Shores: If the Currents zone is the underwater-themed area of the ship, The Shores on Deck 8 is what you get when you pop your head above the metaphorical surface. Inspired by boardwalks and beaches, The Shores offers two walk-up food counters: Beach Buns (Carnival Deli on other ships) and Coastal Slice (the equivalent of Pizza Pirate or Pizzeria del Capitano). Offset by colorful, blinking carnival-style lighting, the venues all but scream, "Step right up!"

Other venues in the area include the Marina Bar for cocktails and coffee, complimentary Italian restaurant Cucina del Capitano and for-fee seafood eatery Rudi's Seagrill, created by food pop artist chef Rudi Sodamin.

Summer Landing: From The Shores, continue aft on Deck 8 to reach Summer Landing. It's an indoor space that encompasses Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, a Guy Fieri barbecue joint with its own microbrewery and live music; the Heroes Tribute Lounge, which honors members of the military; and soft-serve ice cream.

Outside, the area continues with The Patio, which features a pool and hot tubs, and neighboring The Watering Hole, a bar that serves the space.

Lido: A mix of food and fun, the Lido zone fans out on decks 16 and 17 around the ship's main Beach Pool, which serves as the center of the action. Around and above it, you'll find outdoor movies, dedicated teen hangouts, a video arcade, a two-story version of the RedFrog Tiki Bar, cruiser favorite BlueIguana Cantina, extra-fee Seafood Shack and Street Eats street food.

On the upper deck is the popular Guy's Burger Joint, which is oddly set a bit farther away from the action on Excel Class ships. Farther afield on Deck 16, passengers can check out Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken restaurant or venture to Lido Marketplace, the ship's complimentary buffet.

The Ultimate Playground: If you're looking for alfresco thrills to keep you busy, The Ultimate Playground is the place to be. It comprises a miniature golf course, a basketball court, a ropes course and the line's signature WaterWorks water park, all of which are free.

Of course, the highlight of this zone is the Bolt roller coaster. It's an added-fee experience during which passengers (one to two people per ride) zoom twice around the track on a motorcycle-style vehicle that allows you to throttle up or down to a speed that suits you.

What I love about Carnival Jubilee

Grand central.

Grand Central is one of my favorite spots on board. Although it's often loud, busy and difficult to navigate, especially on sea days, it's a prime place to sit and people-watch. I found myself gravitating there repeatedly to enjoy coffee or a snack from the nearby JavaBlue Cafe while watching the cast from that night's show rehearse at Center Stage — something you can't usually do on other ships.

Plus, the space is a bit of a throwback to the days when interior designer and architect Joe Farcus was responsible for Carnival's ship decor. The decor is midcentury modern style meets '80s quirk, featuring a pink and teal color scheme, fun light fixtures and a bar with colored mirror accents.

I'm not generally someone who cares about alcohol. Give me one or two pina coladas on a weeklong cruise, and I'm good to go. However, the massively creative options on the menus at both the Golden Mermaid and Dr. Inks, Ph.D., bars are absolutely worth a shoutout.

For the wow factor, the best drink I had was A Pearly Bubble. Found on the menu at the Golden Mermaid, it's a mix of gin, St-Germain liqueur, white cranberry juice, dragon fruit and lime juice. It was a bit too dry for me, so I didn't care for the taste; however, you won't want to miss the presentation, which involves a giant bubble atop the drink. It pops when you poke it, leaving behind a tiny poof of smoke.

For taste, which I know is subjective, my favorite is the Crimson Catch (Swedish Fish candy-infused vodka, lime juice, pomegranate liqueur, white cranberry juice and Swedish Fish candy). I prefer sweet drinks, and this hit the spot.

It's not unusual for the line at JavaBlue to snake around the corner and down the hall at peak times. The staff members try their best to keep things moving, but if you don't feel like waiting 10-15 minutes for a cuppa, head upstairs to Deck 8's Marina Bar instead.

There, you can order any of the same coffee beverages you'll find at JavaBlue but in far less time. If you're feeling more like a cocktail, you can grab one of those, too. On my sailing, the bartenders were phenomenal and even remembered that I prefer non-dairy milk with my lattes.

Bolt roller coaster

Cruise fans know that Carnival brought Bolt, the first-ever roller coaster at sea, to Mardi Gras in 2021. Carnival Jubilee offers the same ride — the third of its kind on a cruise ship — in the deck 18, 19 and 20 Ultimate Playground area.

Pay a fee to ride, and you (or you and a friend) can navigate two laps of twists and turns around the ship's funnel as you use the throttle and hyper-boost buttons to try to break the day's speed record. (Yes, you'll be timed, and don't forget to smile for a photo.) The ocean views from above are totally worth the cost.

What I don't love about Carnival Jubilee

There's no easy way to say this: The ship almost always feels crowded. If you want to enjoy it when it's not, you'll have to stay on board during port calls just to find some space to yourself. Many restaurants and walk-up counters have near-constant lines, particularly at the complimentary venues during peak dinner times every evening.

It's so common for JavaBlue to be backed up throughout the day that an easy-to-miss sign directs passengers to other locations where they can grab a cup of coffee. Meanwhile, lines at the onboard deli and pizzeria counters frequently snake so far down Deck 8 that they block the entrance to seafood restaurant Rudi's Seagrill. One night, as I was dining at Rudi's with some of my travel companions, we joked that the lines were dangerously close to melding with the line for the nearby guest services desk.

And it isn't just a problem with dining. I arrived 15 minutes early for a magic show at the Punchliner Comedy Club, and I couldn't find a single available seat in the entire place. On another night, I showed up on time for Family Feud Live in the ship's theater, and it was a standing-room-only situation. The sizes of the performance venues are generally way too small for the number of passengers wishing to watch the shows.

My cabin had some of the best soundproofing I've experienced on a new ship in a long time — I had balcony accommodations near an elevator bank and heard nothing when I was in my room. However, a couple of passengers told me they could hear noise from Bolt in their balcony cabin on Deck 15.

Most other places on board seem to be excessively loud. Even on port days, when most passengers are ashore, the public areas are filled with loud music that makes it hard to find a quiet escape. Some of it is understandable. After all, Carnival vessels are known as the Fun Ships, but some of it seems unnecessary.

One example is the Dr. Seuss-themed Seuss-a-palooza Parade that makes its way through the Currents zone once per sailing. I happened to be sitting at a table in the area when the festivities kicked off. I decided to stay to see what it was all about, and I'm sorry I did. As costumed Dr. Seuss characters arrived, Carnival staff asked the children to scream solely for the sake of screaming. Ear-piercing shrieks reverberated throughout the space, which was also blocked off to passengers trying to pass through.

The excessive upselling

Combining noise with the annoyance of hawking alcohol, the roving waiters visited every table at Chibang! — the ship's hybrid Mexican-Asian restaurant — one night while I was having dinner there. Their goal was to push Rumchata shots on everyone. Whenever somebody bought one, the waiter would demand that they yell "Shot, shot, shot!" before downing it. This was extremely disruptive and added to the already loud atmosphere.

One afternoon later in the sailing, two different crew members approached me a total of six times in less than half an hour while I was having lunch on the Lido deck. The first five times, I simply said, "No, thanks." After the sixth time, I had enough and told them nicely but firmly to stop asking me. I found the high-pressure sales tactics excessive and irritating when all I wanted to do was eat my meal in peace.

The inconsistencies

Oddly, there were some discrepancies on board that I was surprised to see on a ship that's been sailing for several months.

The first couple had to do with differences between the Carnival HUB app and the daily Fun Times printed schedule. On one occasion, the app said Seafood Shack opened half an hour earlier than it did, while the paper version of the daily schedule had the correct information. Another time, the printed daily had the wrong theater show listed for that night; the correct one was posted in the HUB. On another day, the printed schedule was missing part four of a four-part show, which did show up on the agenda in the app.

In terms of food and drinks, I had a strange experience at Chibang! when I ordered spring rolls. Usually, they don't have meat in them, nor was meat listed as an ingredient on the menu. When the waiter took my order, he said, "Spring rolls with chicken." When I asked him about it, he said he could request for them to be made without it, but that doesn't explain why something with meat in it wouldn't have meat in its list of ingredients. If I were a vegetarian or vegan, it would have concerned me.

As for drinks, I ordered a Snapping Pop at Dr. Inks., Ph.D. It was completely different — different color, different taste and different presentation — from what I received when I ordered the same drink on a sailing two months prior. I was told the drink had to be changed for several reasons. However, the old ingredients were listed on the menu, meaning passengers weren't getting what they thought they ordered.

Carnival Jubilee cabins and suites

Carnival Jubilee offers cabins in the usual varieties: insides with no windows or balconies, ocean-view accommodations with windows, balcony cabins with outdoor veranda space and suites that include additional perks. These include priority check-in, boarding and disembarkation; preferred dinner times in the main dining room; pillow-top mattresses; two large bottles of water and bathrobes; and extra square footage.

Within those categories, Carnival Jubilee offers three types of special cabins. First is Family Harbor, which offers nautically themed cabins that sleep up to five people and rooms that can be connected via an interior door. Families booked in Family Harbor cabins have access to a dedicated Family Harbor Lounge, which offers daily breakfast, snacks and drinks, as well as board games and TVs with a selection of movies and video games. They also receive a free night of babysitting in the kids club so parents can enjoy some alone time.

The second special cabin type is the Havana Cabana. Done up in bright, tropical colors, these rooms offer extended outdoor lounge space and private access to the Havana Pool and Bar area.

The third type is Cloud 9 Spa cabins. With calming seafoam green and yellow decor alongside extras like Elemis toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, these are some of the most relaxing cabins on any ship. These guests also receive priority spa appointments and free access to fitness classes and the onboard thermal suite.

Suites in all three of these special accommodation types also give passengers the suite perks mentioned above.

Excel Suites, Carnival Jubilee's highest-level accommodations, receive all standard suite perks plus additional ones. These include complimentary access to the private sun deck at Loft 19, priority cabana reservations at Loft 19, concierge services, guaranteed reservations at most extra-fee restaurants, free room service, upgraded toiletries, fruit and sparkling wine upon embarkation, a free soft drink package, free in-room movies, an in-cabin coffee machine and complimentary laundry service .

Standard amenities in all rooms include a queen bed that converts to two twins on request, bedside shelving with reading lamps and USB outlets, a desk and vanity area, a sofa or chair, a closet and drawers for storage, a safe for valuables, a house phone and a hair dryer.

Bathrooms feature a toilet, sink and shower with a door instead of a curtain. Complimentary toiletries are basic: bar soap for handwashing and dispensers of shampoo and shower gel mounted on the wall in the shower.

On my sailing, I stayed in a balcony cabin, which was elegantly decorated in neutrals with blue accents. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of storage space. I appreciated touches like ample vanity mirror lighting, adjustable shelving in the closets and a surplus of USB outlets throughout the room, including near the vanity and beside the bed.

Speaking of the bed, it was exceptionally comfortable, and I was excited to find that the TV across from it had a sizable selection of free movies (as well as newer releases for a fee). The TV also allows you to watch select live channels and shipboard programming and to check your onboard bill.

Dislikes for me include a shower door that opens toward you instead of into the shower, making the already tiny bathroom even tighter. I also didn't like the "SNOOZIN'" door hangers, which often got caught in my door when I closed it; I would've rathered a "do not disturb" button like many other new ships have.

I also would have liked a taller table on the balcony, but it only had room for two chairs (not lounger-style) and a small drinks table.

Carnival Jubilee offers 82 accessible cabins in a mix of types and categories: inside, ocean-view, balcony and suite, as well as rooms in the Family Harbor, Havana Cabana and Cloud 9 Spa categories.

Within those 82 options, there are fully accessible accommodations with access to both sides of the bed and rooms that are fully accessible with single-side access to one side of the bed, which work well for passengers who use wheelchairs and scooters. Ambulatory-accessible rooms provide accommodations for people who walk with the help of assistive devices like canes or walkers.

Fully accessible rooms are stair-free, flat-threshold cabins, which offer wider (32-inch) doorways, turning space and bathrooms equipped with grab bars and shower seats.

There are no solo cabins on Carnival Jubilee.

Cabin cleaning is limited to once per day. Unless you specifically request your cabin steward to come at night for turndown service instead of earlier in the day, your room will be made up in the morning. Hang the "SNOOZIN'" card on the outside of your door, and no one will bother you — but your room won't be cleaned that day.

Carnival Jubilee restaurants and bars

Carnival jubilee food.

One of the best ways Carnival provides value to its customers is through its food offerings. Complimentary dining abounds on Carnival Jubilee, and the variety of cuisines is impressive. You'll find more free options on Carnival ships than on just about any other fleet's vessels, and they're actually tasty. It's entirely possible to eat only food that's included in the cruise fare and not feel like you're missing out.

Excellent added-fee options include steak, seafood and teppanyaki, which might be worth trying if you're celebrating a special occasion or feeling like a splurge.

Dinner reservations are recommended for many eateries, even the main dining rooms. You can make them by visiting your restaurant of choice or by using the HUB app. If you don't make one, you might find yourself waiting 20 minutes or more for a table at peak times. If you make a reservation through the app, you'll receive a notification to report to the host stand when your table is ready.

In my experience, waiters were diligent in asking about dietary requirements and restrictions. However, it was disappointing to see that many menus weren't marked with specific options for vegetarians, vegans and people who can't eat gluten.

The ship has two main dining rooms: Atlantic Restaurant (Deck 6, mid) and Pacific Restaurant (decks 6 and 7, aft).

One of them is dedicated to passengers who select Your Time Dining, which lets you eat anytime between 5 and 9 p.m. (The dedicated YTD restaurant can vary by sailing, depending on how many people choose that option.)

Both serve the same menu for dinner, but only the larger Pacific Restaurant is open for Sea Day Brunch on sea days and breakfast (but not lunch) on port days.

I very much enjoyed an omelet with hashbrowns at Sea Day Brunch and salmon during the formal night dinner in the Pacific Restaurant. I also had a wonderful time at two special events — complimentary afternoon tea and an extra-fee Dr. Seuss-themed Thing 1 and Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast — held in the Atlantic Restaurant.

Tip: If you're a vegetarian or a fan of Indian food, don't miss the daily Indian dish on the main dining room menu.

The buffet is the other free food option that's a staple on just about any cruise.

On Carnival Jubilee, the Lido Marketplace on Deck 16 is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, but I found it largely uninspired and lacking in variety. The French toast I had for breakfast and the mahi mahi I had for dinner were tasty, but there are definitely better no-charge venues on board.

A little-known fact is that, at least for the inaugural season, passengers can dine at Mexican-Asian restaurant Chibang! and the Italian Cucina del Capitano, both on Deck 8, for free. Cruisers with YTD can eat there for dinner anytime; those with set seating can dine there after 7:45 p.m.

At Cucina del Capitano, I was exceptionally pleased with the spaghetti carbonara I ordered. The nachos and spring rolls are don't-miss items at Chibang!

Unfortunately, both the service and atmosphere at Chibang! are lacking. The space is simply packed with tables — so much so that there were only about two inches between my table and the one next to me, even though I was dining alone. It then took nearly 10 minutes for a waiter to bring me water and another 10 before someone came to take my order.

Also on Deck 8 are Coastal Slice and neighboring Beach Buns, which respectively replace the pizza and deli counters found by the pool on most other Carnival ships.

The former bakes several different types of pies nearly around the clock, and they're scrumptious. The latter whips up hotdogs, soups and a variety of sandwiches. (I was pleasantly surprised by the grilled ham and cheese.) Lines for both counters are often long, but I promise it's worth the wait.

Two great staples in the ship's outdoor Lido zone are the BlueIguana Cantina (Deck 16), where you can find yummy tacos and burritos throughout the day, and Guy's Burger Joint (Deck 17), which is the place to grab some of the best burgers at sea via Carnival's partnership with chef and TV personality Guy Fieri.

The breakfast burritos at BlueIguana are fantastic. My pick from Guy's is the Chilius Maximus — an 80/20 ground chuck patty with cheese, chili, onion rings and barbecue sauce.

Guy Fieri isn't the only celebrity affiliated with Carnival's free food.

Shaq's Big Chicken , a restaurant backed by basketball great Shaquille O'Neal (who is also Carnival's CFO, chief fun officer), is perfect if you have a hankering for some fried chicken. In addition to chicken strips, sandwiches and fries, the counter-service venue also serves breakfast. Do yourself a favor and try the chicken and biscuit combo with fries.

If you're seeking a between-meal snack or light bite, try the JavaBlue Cafe on Deck 6 in Grand Central. The cafe offers a sizable menu of specialty coffee beverages and tea, as well as free and for-fee snacks.

Breakfast pastries, bowls and English muffin sandwiches, as well as all-day options like salads, sandwiches, wraps, empanadas and calzones, are complimentary; cookies, doughnuts, cupcakes and cheesecake cost extra.

As a sucker for soft-serve ice cream, I was a frequent visitor to the three soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt machines on decks 8, 16 and 17. At some point, I lost count of how many cones I ate.

Since there are no toppings, I recommend you snag a bowl of dry Froot Loops from the buffet during breakfast, and stash them in your cabin to mix with your ice cream later. Or grab cookies from the buffet for a DIY ice cream sandwich.

Carnival Jubilee has so many places to eat that I ran out of time to try them all on my weeklong sailing.

I missed Fresh Creations, a salad station in the adults-only sun deck area on Deck 18, and Street Eats, a set of three street food-style walk-up windows on Deck 16 near the main pool. The walk-up windows include Steam Dream, which serves dumplings; Time Fries, offering creative takes on french fries; and Sizzle, a grill that specializes in kebabs and other dishes.

Extra-cost food

My favorite onboard dining experience of the whole sailing was at Emeril's Bistro 717 in the Currents zone on Deck 6. A version of this chef Emeril Lagasse-affiliated spot is on each of Carnival's Excel Class ships, bearing the hull number of the original vessel for which the new one is named. Simply walk up to order at the counter, have a seat and a waiter will take over from there.

During my visit, I ordered a pound of stone crab claws in garlic butter (market price) with red beans and rice ($3) and a brie bowl ($6). The food was fabulous, and the service was friendly. My only complaint is that, apart from a claw cracker, there were no other tools available to get to the crab meat. (I asked.) My waiter had no bibs or wet wipes to offer, which left me a bit messy afterward.

The food item I most recommend you try when sailing on Carnival Jubilee is an order of beignets at Emeril's. Pillows of soft fried dough coated in powdered sugar with chocolate and strawberry sauces for dipping are $5 for an order of six.

My second favorite experience was a calm, quiet and uncrowded lunch at Bonsai Sushi on Deck 8. I partook in edamame ($3) and a California roll ($8). It was fresh, tasty, filling and reasonably priced.

Another excellent dinner during my voyage occurred at Rudi's Seagrill (Deck 8), an upscale seafood restaurant named for chef and pop artist Rudi Sodamin. The lobster macaroni and cheese was the perfect indulgence to start my meal, and I followed it up with a delicious crab cake.

I wasn't overly hungry when I sat down, but the $49 cover charge ($15 for kids) would also have included a soup or salad and a dessert if I had wanted them.

No Carnival sailing would be complete for a carnivore without a visit to Fahrenheit 555, the onboard steakhouse . On Carnival Jubilee, it's adorned in neutral tans, dark browns and red tones.

The menu has several types of meat — including steak, of course, as well as lamb chops and chicken — and seafood items like fish and lobster tail. I went with a 9-ounce filet mignon, which was cooked to perfection. It came alongside several sauces and sides of broccoli and crinkle-cut fries for $49 ($15 for kids).

My two most disappointing extra-fee food encounters on Carnival Jubilee were Seafood Shack (Deck 16, in the Lido zone, near the pool) and room service.

The first one opened late, and despite my order being the first one of the day, it still took more than 20 minutes to be served. I chose a single crab cake for $15. When I received it, the bun was soggy, and no garnishes or sauces were offered until I went back to the counter to ask for coleslaw and tartar sauce, neither of which helped the flavor.

It didn't hold a candle to the crab cake from Rudi's, and I ended up abandoning most of it.

Room service, which comes with a la carte fees (except for free Continental breakfast), set me back almost $20 for a chicken quesadilla, chicken fingers with curly fries and a chocolate chip cookie, which I ordered sometime around 2 a.m.

Everything arrived quickly and at the right temperature. The fries and cookie were great, but the chicken fingers were rubbery and full of gristle. When I tried to order the quesadilla without chicken, I was told they were already made, which seems strange. Shouldn't room service be made to order?

Again, I couldn't fit every single restaurant into my time on Carnival Jubilee, so I missed out on Bonsai Teppanyaki, where chefs grill your food right in front of you, complete with corny jokes. I also missed Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, another Guy Fieri creation that serves barbecue fare, wings and microbrewed beer made right on the ship (lunch is free). I couldn't make it to Chef's Table, an exclusive multicourse small-group dining experience that's the most pricey meal on board, either.

Carnival Jubilee bars

Drinks are priced individually unless you have a Cheers beverage package that includes alcohol.

My favorite bar on Carnival Jubilee is the Marina Bar in The Shores zone on Deck 8. It offers a menu of adult beverages, but it also serves the same specialty coffees you'll find at JavaBlue, which often has a long line.

This nautically themed outpost is next to a popular access point to the outer decks, so the only downside is that you might be blasted with hot air while your drink is being made.

Unique to Carnival Jubilee are two new bars in the Deck 6 Currents zone.

The Golden Mermaid is a nod to treasures one might expect to find under the sea, and a mural on the opposite wall depicts underwater scenes, including mermaids. (For some "Where's Waldo"-style fun, try to spot a miniature likeness of the ship, a pair of custom sneakers and references to SpongeBob SquarePants.)

The menu of drinks is noteworthy, too, featuring names like From Far Seas and Atlantis Potion. My favorite, though, is A Pearly Bubble — a blend of gin, St. Germain liqueur, white cranberry juice, lime juice and dragon fruit that's as much for show as it is for taste.

The second new bar is Dr. Inks, Ph.D. In addition to a fun selection of cocktails — some of which involve candy — the bar's theme is tied to an animated octopus named Dr. Inks. She has a Ph.D., pet butterflies and extensive collections of both books and fashionable eyewear. Every so often, she'll appear on the screens above the area to chat.

Cruiser-favorite Alchemy Bar — where white-coated apothecaries prescribe drinks to heal what ails you (try the Cucumber Sunrise) — and the bar at Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse returned to Carnival Jubilee after finding success on other Carnival ships.

Besides beer that's brewed right on board — which you can order by the glass, flight or growler, or in cocktails — you can snag one of several whiskies or interesting cocktails like a smoky watermelon margarita and a black bourbon fizz. I tried a bacon Manhattan, but the taste wasn't my favorite. I also wasn't impressed with how long it took a bartender to ask for my order, especially since it wasn't particularly crowded.

I'm not a huge drinker, so I didn't personally try cocktails from the Center Stage Bar (Deck 6) or Grand View Bar (Deck 7) in Grand Central. The former features a bit of a retro vibe, and the latter is backed by a giant light-up wall that looks like wave.

I also missed out on the RedFrog Tiki Bar, a two-deck (decks 16 and 17), hut-style setup that replaces the RedFrog Rum Bar found on many other Carnival ships' pool decks. It's where you'll find the most quintessentially tropical menu of mixed drinks on board.

Other outdoor bar options include The Watering Hole near Summer Landing on Deck 8, the Serenity Pool Bar on Deck 18 in the adults-only area and the Loft 19 Bar on the exclusive Loft 19 sun deck. (Access is free for passengers booked in suites or anyone who reserves a cabana for anywhere from $250 to $500 per day.)

Back inside, Deck 6's Piano Bar is where passengers can order a tipple while an onboard pianist tickles the ivories. Make your way up a deck, and you'll find the Limelight Lounge, which serves as a secondary performance space and trivia outpost.

Go one deck farther, and you can choose between the Havana Bar, which serves Latin-themed cocktails, and the Heroes Tribute Lounge, which has a special menu of drinks dedicated to military members.

Carnival Jubilee entertainment

Carnival jubilee activities.

Carnival Jubilee offers a full roundup of daily activities on each voyage.

Passengers might choose to head to the casino, play bingo, enjoy an alcohol tasting, participate in a sports tournament, go on a digital scavenger hunt, mingle at a deck party, play minigolf, take a dance class, learn towel folding, or attend a spa, jewelry or shopping seminar.

Particularly notable are the rotating animations that pop up throughout the Currents zone during each voyage.

If you show up during "Soundwaves Jukebox," you'll see synthesizer-like graphics pulsating to the music on the giant screens above the space.

"Change the Currents" will allow you to view underwater scenes from different areas of the world, including the Arctic and swampy Everglades; other experiences take you on an underwater adventure in a submarine and display ocean-themed artwork drawn by kids at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Some of my personal favorite pastimes on board included trivia, pool deck movies, for-fee culinary classes and a particularly relaxing massage. (Watch out for discounts early in your sailing or on port days.)

In addition to treatments, the Cloud 9 Spa offers salon services and a thermal suite — access to which is free with the purchase of a pass or a spa treatment — with a thalassotherapy pool, heated tile loungers, a sauna and two steam rooms. The adjacent fitness center is on the small side but features for-fee personal training and organized fitness classes, as well as equipment that's free for passengers to use.

Looking to find a group of like-minded travelers on your sailing? Check out meetups for solo travelers, singles, veterans and members of the LGBTQ+ community listed in the daily program.

If you're interested in spending time outdoors working on your tan by the pool, you can do so at one of five onboard pools.

There's the Havana Pool (private access for cruisers staying in Havana Cabanas) and the Patio Pool, both on Deck 8 (the latter with hot tubs); the Beach Pool and Tides Pool on Deck 16 (also with hot tubs); and the Deck 18 adults-only Serenity Pool (with hot tubs). There's also a hot tub at Loft 19 on Deck 19, which charges a fee for access.

Cabanas are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis. Prices vary by sailing, but on my voyage, they were $500 per day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pool lifts accommodating up to 300 pounds are available for passengers with limited mobility.

On Deck 18, you'll find Waterworks, which offers waterslides and a splash area for kids.

Kids and adults who aren't afraid of heights will enjoy the top-deck ropes course, which offers two options for different levels of skill and bravery. The Bolt roller coaster, a minigolf course and a basketball court are also found in the SportSquare area within the Ultimate Playground zone.

Additional activities for youngsters take place in Camp Ocean, Carnival's kids club , which splits children into four groups: Turtles (up to 2 years old), Penguins (2-5), Stingrays (6-8) and Sharks (9-11).

Fun pursuits on the daily schedule might include arts and crafts, themed parties, science experiments, games and story time, depending on the age group.

Camp Ocean also has an interactive space wall, where astronauts lead kids on virtual expeditions, complete with a ceiling that lights up like the night sky to show the constellations.

Kids can also attend Build-A-Bear workshops, march along in a Dr. Seuss-themed parade led by the Fox in Socks and Thing 1 and Thing 2, and listen to the Cat in the Hat read stories.

Tweens and teens have their own dedicated hangout spaces. Activities here are less structured, and participants can come and go as they please. Plus, an onboard arcade offers video games for a fee.

Carnival Jubilee shows

Entertainment on Carnival Jubilee is a combination of passenger favorites from other ships and new shows that you'll only find on this vessel.

Of the performances, I most enjoyed two main-theater shows that are also found on some other ships in the fleet. "Celestial Strings" is a mix of classical and modern pop instrumentals partnered with ethereal costumes and sets; "Soulbound" is a song-and-dance performance with a Victorian steampunk vibe, set in what feels like New Orleans, during which a soul-stealer tries to mess with a twisted love story.

Another excellent show is "Rio Carnival," which occurs at Center Stage in the Grand Central zone instead of the main theater. Although the first half felt a bit shaky and slightly boring to me, the second half redeemed it all, featuring a parade of dancers and aerialists dressed in flamboyant costumes synonymous with Rio de Janeiro's Carnival.

The ship's two new shows are just OK. The first, "Dear Future Husband," is a song-and-dance theater show with a plot that involves a couple taking their closest friends on a cruise for a combination bachelor/bachelorette party and wedding. Musical numbers befit the wedding theme and include Bruno Mars' "Marry You" and, of course, Meghan Trainor's "Dear Future Husband."

After the performance, a "reception" (read: dance party with a DJ and visits from the cast) is held in one of the ship's public areas. When I saw this show several months ago, the reception was in the Limelight Lounge. On this more recent voyage, Dr. Inks, Ph.D., served as the reception location.

The second new show is the "Lone Star Tailgate." Drawing on Texas' love for all things football, Carnival has created four indoor/outdoor "quarters" of fun to mimic the four quarters of a football game. When I sailed, the first quarter, which is all about pool deck games for kids, was held on one sea day, and the other three were held on another sea day.

The second quarter involves pool deck games where passengers have to dress up in football gear to complete team races.

During "halftime," the ship's theater singers and dancers put on a show on the pool deck, dressed in team colors to support the fictional Carnival University — the team cruisers are supposedly cheering on during the festivities.

The third and fourth quarters occur in the Summer Landing zone; passengers can rope hay bales, participate in a hot wing-eating contest at Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse and follow it up with music from a live band.

Don't miss the audience participation-style game shows like "Family Feud Live," "Deal or No Deal" and the "Love & Marriage Show." The first pits two family teams against one another to guess popular answers to survey questions; the latter tests couples to see how well they know one another, often resulting in hilarious answers.

Other entertainment during my sailing included several day and nighttime comedy acts, an absolutely phenomenal magic show (be sure to arrive at the Punchliner Comedy Club at least 30 minutes early or you won't find a seat) and "We Are One," a farewell show that focuses on togetherness.

Carnival Jubilee itineraries and pricing

Through at least April 2026, Carnival Jubilee offers two seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries out of its Galveston home port on a regular rotation. Both types of sailings begin and end in Galveston and visit Mahogany Bay in Roatan and Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico with three sea days mixed in. The only difference between the two itineraries is the order in which the port calls and sea days occur.

At the time of publication, prices started from $709 per person ($101 per person per night) for an inside cabin or $919 per person ($131 per person per night) for balcony accommodations.

What to know before you sail on Carnival Jubilee

Required documents.

If you're a U.S. citizen on a cruise that starts and ends in a U.S. port, you'll need a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to sail. A few other forms of identification, such as a passport card, also are acceptable.

Passports must be valid for at least six more months. For cruises from international ports, you'll need a passport. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. All this said, we recommend checking Carnival's website before sailing for up-to-date requirements.

Related: Which documents do you need for a cruise?

Carnival Jubilee passengers will automatically have $16 per person per day added to their onboard bills. Cruisers staying in suites will pay $18 per person per day. (Children younger than 2 are exempt from gratuities.) An 18% gratuity is also added to bar and cafe bills, spa treatments and the cover charge of the Chef's Table.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships

Carnival Wi-Fi is generally fast and reliable, and Jubilee features StarLink connectivity. However, don't be surprised if you find yourself repeatedly and automatically disconnected, which is annoying.

Packages have increased significantly in price in recent years, and each plan is only for one device. (You can log out of one and into another with the same account, but you can't connect more than one simultaneously unless you buy additional plans.)

Three package tiers are available: Social (access to most social media and airline websites and apps for $18 per day or $126 for a weeklong cruise), Value (same as Social, plus access to financial and news websites and apps for $23 per day or $161 for a week) and Premium (everything from the Social and Value packages plus Skype access and video calling for $25 per day or $175 for a week). Passengers can also choose 24 hours of Premium access for $35.

Carnival claims that its packages don't allow FaceTime, iMessage or streaming from popular apps like Netflix and Hulu. However, TPG writers have had success using all of those services with the Premium package.

Carnival Jubilee is also the first ship in the fleet to offer 5G cellphone connectivity, which means faster speeds when you connect using your cellphone's plan. But be warned: If you don't have a special plan that allows you to connect at sea without roaming, you could be looking at hefty fees when you return. Generally, it's best to keep your phone in airplane mode when you sail.

Related: 5 things to know about cruise ship Wi-Fi

Carry-on drinks policy

Passengers can carry on one bottle of wine or Champagne per person (21 years and older); this will incur a $15 corkage fee for consumption in public areas. Each person can also bring up to 12 standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages like juice or soda. Alcohol-free drinks in plastic and glass bottles aren't allowed.

Related: Can I bring my own alcohol on a cruise ship?

Smoking policy

Smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is allowed but only in designated outdoor areas on Deck 8 mid-ship on the starboard side. Smoking is also allowed on the starboard side of the casino, but it's for cigarettes only. All types of smoking are forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

Related: Cruise line smoking policies

Carnival Jubilee has self-service pressing rooms on decks 4, 5, 9, 14 and 15 with ironing boards and irons that are free to use. There are no self-service laundry facilities, though. Instead, passengers can send out their clothing for washing, pressing and dry-cleaning for a per-item fee.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry

Electrical outlets

Carnival Jubilee has standard North American 110-volt outlets in its cabins, as well as plenty of USB ports. In my balcony room, I had three standard outlets and four USB lightning ports by the vanity. There was also a USB port (non-lightning) on either side of the bed, just below the reading lamp.

The currency on Carnival Jubilee is the U.S. dollar. The ship also operates without cash. Passengers link credit cards to their onboard accounts or put up a set amount of cash to charge against, using their keycards as a means of making purchases. The only time you might want to have some bills handy is for tipping your room steward, bartenders, room service delivery people, luggage porters or shore excursion guides.

Drinking age

You must be at least 21 years old to drink alcohol on Carnival Jubilee.

Carnival Jubilee does not have a specific daytime dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine.

During the evenings, the official dress code is pretty laid-back. Most nights are designated "cruise casual," which means just that — khakis or jeans, polo shirts, sundresses and the like. Super casual items such as cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts are supposedly not permitted, but I saw plenty of them in the dining rooms during dinnertime on Carnival Jubilee.

Each weeklong cruise will schedule two formal nights — known as "elegant nights." If you're bound for the dining rooms, men are expected to turn up in dress slacks and a dress shirt, preferably with a sports coat or even a suit. The suggested attire for women on such nights is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses. Passengers who wish to avoid dressing up can enjoy dinner in any of the casual eateries aboard.

Related: What to wear on a cruise – all about cruise line dress codes

Bottom line

Sure, Carnival Jubilee carries a lot of people, and it can feel crowded and cumbersome to learn your way around at first.

However, it offers new ocean- and beach-themed zones, delicious food, creative cocktails, friendly crew members, comfy cabins, outdoor thrills, Texas charm and a marquee packed with fun daily diversions and nighttime shows. You'll find it's an affordable Caribbean vacation that speaks to just about any traveler who enjoys a large-cruise-ship experience.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

5 ways cruise lines are nickel-and-diming worse than ever
The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
Top ways cruisers waste money
The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

P.E.I.'s first cruise ship of the year marks early start to Island tourism season

Ship arrives in time for solar eclipse, as tourism association hoping for another strong season.

Cruise ship entering the harbour as sun rises.

Social Sharing

The first cruise ship of the season sailed into Charlottetown Harbour on Monday morning, ahead of the total solar eclipse, though some tourist shops along the waterfront remained closed.

The MSC Poesia, which arrived around 8 a.m., is scheduled to depart at 5 p.m.

It can carry more than 3,000 passengers and nearly 1,000 crew members. It's roughly two and a half weeks earlier than last year's first port call.

Nellies and Reggies souvenir and gift shop was one of the few stores at Peakes Quay open for business Monday.

Charlottetown poised for record-breaking cruise ship season in 2024
P.E.I. tourism operators optimistic with high turnout at job fair

Owner Nellie Murray said she took advantage of the nice weather to take the plywood off the windows and start sales for the season. She said she usually can't find staff until May.

"I'm just going to work around today at getting things ready for the season," she said.

Murray said sales have improved year-over-year since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and she's hoping that trend continues this season.

"I'm finding more and more people are wanting to travel and get out of where they are just for a change, even in the Maritimes," she said.

Woman standing behind counter in tourist shop.

Corryn Clemence, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I., said while there won't be as many conventions and other events as last year, operators are hoping for a strong year for both golf and leisure.

"There's I think four big fish conventions coming in," she said, each bringing at least 400 delegates starting in May. "We have a lot of great festivals and events that are taking place this year, some that are happening standard in the summer season, but some ... into the fall."

People taking photos of Port Charlottetown sign with cruise ship in background.

Clemence said a strong tourism season is good news for the Island, even though some may complain about the extra traffic and people.

"As Islanders, maybe sometimes we take it for granted," she said. "But the tax revenues that are generated by our industry help to support so many other areas within government ... education, health care, all of these roadways and infrastructures."

Two more cruise ships are scheduled to arrive in Charlottetown this month: the Viking Polaris on April 25, and the Volendam four days later.

In total, 96 cruise ships are scheduled to visit Charlottetown this year.

The busiest day is expected to be Oct. 1, when the harbour will see four ships docked at the same time.

With files from Tony Davis

Australian Antarctic Division 'struggling' to use $528 million icebreaker for science voyages, review says

When the RSV Nuyina was first launched in 2021, the state-of-the-art vessel was described as a "Disneyland for scientists".

However, an internal review that the federal government initially refused to release has raised questions about whether Australia's only icebreaker is fulfilling its research capabilities.

In addition to its remit of transporting cargo, fuel and personnel to Antarctic stations, the $528 million ship is supposed to provide 60 days a year of dedicated marine science voyages.

But despite completing multiple resupply missions since coming into service, as well as a rescue operation , the Nuyina has yet to conduct a single expedition focused solely on marine science.

A red ship moves through broken up sea ice.

A previously scheduled science voyage to the marginal ice zone was cancelled last year because of delays caused by mechanical problems on the vessel.

It means the first research-focused voyage won't occur until early 2025, when scientists take part in a marine campaign at the Denman Glacier .

The dearth of science-based voyages to date is one of several issues raised in a report the federal environment department declined to release to the ABC.

The report, which was marked as "sensitive", was only made public after Liberal senator Jonathon Duniam successfully moved a motion in the Senate ordering the production of documents.

Prepared by the Department of Finance in February, the report said Australia's reliance on one icebreaker to meet multiple demands is leaving some of the ship's capabilities under-utilised.

"The [Australian Antarctic Division] is struggling to allow sufficient time on the ship to deliver marine science," the report stated.

"This is beginning to (and could continue to) raise concerns within the scientific community."

Two people, one wearing a mask, stand dockside next to a large ship

According to the report, discussions with the government were intended to take place regarding "the suitability of a single vessel operating model for AAD".

"Given Antarctic science is an important benefit that government sought from the investment in the RSV Nuyina, there may be a need to consider whether the single vessel model is going to achieve all that is required from government in the Australian Antarctic Program," it stated.

The report does not include comments about whether a second vessel should be considered to overcome the competing demands.

But Senator Duniam told the ABC alternative options should be on the government's radar.

"If we're serious about being a leader in the region — and the region is not just the Indo-Pacific, but also the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic territories — we need to make sure we do have appropriate resources deployed," he said.

"And if it does mean we need to consider an alternative model to supplement the role of the RSV Nuyina, then we should look to that.

"There are a range of measures that could be deployed, including the chartering of vessels for certain periods of time throughout the calendar year when appropriate."

'Significant impact' if risks transpire

The report is based on a review that examined eight focus areas surrounding the vessel, including governance, risk management and readiness for service.

Overall, the report said it "appears probable" the AAD will be able to realise the Nuyina's anticipated benefits.

However, it flagged several issues that could have significant consequences.

"Remaining questions about the resolution of past propulsion system issues, as well as the incomplete commissioning work (especially in relation to science systems) brings the possibility the vessel is unavailable for key roles," it stated.

The report also suggested the private company contracted to operate the vessel, Serco, could face increased crewing costs, and that "AAD may find itself without an operator for the vessel".

It said the AAD was aware of the issues and had plans in place to respond.

"However, if one or several of these [issues] transpired, they would have a significant impact on the government's ability to achieve the benefits expected from the investment," it said.

The report also flagged "infrastructure gaps" in Hobart and at Antarctic stations that were impacting the efficiency and effectiveness of the use of the ship's capabilities.

One of the gaps relates to the wharf where the Nuyina berths at Hobart's Macquarie Point, which is in need of a significant upgrade.

A large orange ship approaches a bridge span

Another issue is that the ship is unable to refuel in Hobart because, due to safety concerns, it has not been given permission to travel under the Tasman Bridge in order to reach a nearby fuel depot.

It means the Nuyina must travel more than 600 kilometres to Burnie in Tasmania's north-west to refuel , adding almost $1 million to the AAD's annual fuel bill.

The review also noted that the Nuyina was "not well designed to support and re-supply Macquarie Island", where the AAD has a research station.

Work underway to address issues: AAD

The AAD said the Nuyina was one of the most complex scientific icebreakers in the world, and that it would serve Australia's interests for the next three decades.

"Over the past 12 months, RSV Nuyina has supported resupply activities at Australia's research stations including, delivering personnel, cargo and equipment," an AAD spokesperson said.

"The Nuyina has also assisted critical Australian Antarctic Program science activities, including sea floor mapping, the Southern Ocean plankton survey, the deployment of whale and krill monitoring devices and support for the Denman Terrestrial Campaign."

The spokesman also said many of the issues raised in the report were being managed effectively.

"The gateway review found the overall delivery confidence for the project to design and build Nuyina was good," they said.

"It also noted that the AAD has completed work, or has work underway to address all issues."

X (formerly Twitter)

Australian Antarctic icebreaker's $875,000 refuelling debacle revealed in a single image

Stressed former Antarctic researcher had 'four cracked molars', quit on advice from her dentist

Ecologist Dana Bergstrom kneels among rocks by the sea

Authorities deem new icebreaker unsafe to pass under Tasman Bridge, meaning 700km trip to refuel

Academic Research
Earth Sciences
Marine Biology
Science and Research Management

COMMENTS

Arcadia Cruise: Expert Review (2023)
Editor Rating. 4.0. Very Good. Overall. Jeannine Williamson. Contributor. Arcadia is one of the line's three adult-only vessels and became one of the first P&O ships to offer weddings because its ...
Arcadia
Fuel supplements may apply. Availability of prices is subject to the supplier's pricing availability. Find details and photos of Arcadia cruise ship on Tripadvisor. Learn more about Arcadia deck plans and cabins, ship activities including dining and entertainment, and sailing itineraries to help you plan your next cruise vacation.
Arcadia
Find details and photos of Arcadia cruise ship on Tripadvisor. Learn more about Arcadia deck plans and cabins, ship activities including dining and entertainment, and sailing itineraries to help you plan your next cruise vacation. ... Offered £50 onboard spending money which we declined. Freedom dining a farce, last dined onboard Arcadia on a ...
Arcadia Reviews from Travelers
P&O Arcadia's cruise above the Arctic Circle by superplumb. Sail date: Nov 23, 2023 / Traveled as: Couple. Ship: Arcadia. Great cruise apart from the stormy beginning, the ship was great we prefer the smaller ships. The itinerary was changed and we missed a port due to bad weather but neither spoilt the cruise.
Arcadia Cruise Ship: Review, Photos & Departure Ports on Cruise Critic
Arcadia Cruises: Read 448 Arcadia cruise reviews. Find great deals, tips and tricks on Cruise Critic to help plan your cruise.
Arcadia Reviews, Ship Details & Photos
Find everything you'll need to know before sailing on Arcadia. Including Arcadia reviews, ship details, photos, dining, and more! Arcadia is a medium ship, carrying 1952 passengers and 880 crew, and sails from . ... Arcadia Cruise Reviews 4.1 (79 Reviews) Photo Gallery Photo. Photo Gallery Photo. Photo Gallery Photo. View all 902 Photos. Close.
Arcadia Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review
Arcadia cruise ship itinerary, 2024-2025-2026 itineraries (homeports, dates, prices), cruise tracker (ship location now/current position tracking), review, news ... Arcadia Review. Review of Arcadia. The 2005-built Arcadia cruise ship is one of the P&O UK's "adult ships" - together with the fleetmate Aurora (since 2019).
Arcadia Cruise Review by mrsretromal
4.7 out of 5. British Isles. Sail date: July 06, 2023. Ship: Arcadia. Traveled as: Couple. Reviewed: 8 months ago. Overall enjoyed the cruise but we probably will not take ships excursions again. 5 out of 5. We arrived at our allocated time and checked in went through security and were on board in 10 mins.
Arcadia
Arcadia offers guests a choice of 952 cabins including single cabins for solo cruisers. Enjoy the combination of sophisticated chic and classic design in her public spaces while onboard life has a relaxed pace. Facilities include a three tiered theatre, boutique 50 seat cinema, an expansive spa, and world class complimentary or specialty dining.
Arcadia 29th August
We were a group of 3 ladies in a deluxe balcony cabin. Our allocated boarding time was 2.15pm. We arrived at the Mayflower terminal in Southampton at 2.00pm and joined the short queue for check-in. Photos were taken and we went through security. Onto the ship and straight to our muster point.
Arcadia Cruise Review by Londonuk
Read the Arcadia review by Cruiseline.com member Londonuk from September 06, 2022 of the USA and Canada cruise. Cruise review , rated 4.1 out of 5 stars by member Londonuk ... very good First day we did evening tour round New York then we did day time tour Around New York last we did harbour cruise not run by ship Thumbs Up 1 Bar Harbor, Maine ...
Arcadia Cruise Review by gerry08
Overall rating: 3.7 out of 5. Western Europe. Sail date: December 29, 2022. Ship: Arcadia. Traveled as: Family (older children) Reviewed: 1 year ago. Me personally the ship is in need of an overhaul. Especially the toilet system as several of the toilets in public areas were closed for the duration of the cruise.
Arcadia Cruise Review by somersetmum
Railings were being varnished, the exterior painted and so forth. The ship was very clean overall but there was a lack of waste bins in the outdoor communal areas. It was easy to catch a lift to go between desks. However, at least 50% on each level seemed to be out of service most of the time.
Arcadia Cruise: Expert Review (2023)
Editor Rating. 4.0. Very Good. Overall. Jeannine Williamson. Contributor. Arcadia is one of the line's three adult-only vessels and became one of the first P&O ships to offer weddings because its Bermudian registry allows captains to marry couples at sea. Arcadia offers a raft of attractive facilities including excellent entertainment and top ...
P&O Arcadia Cruise Ship
P&O Arcadia Cruise Ship - Fantastic!! Review of P&O Ferries. Reviewed 14 May 2023 via mobile . P&O Arcadia Cruise Ship - Fantastic!! Our first cruise and after reading a few reviews we were a bit apprehensive but from start to finish our cruise from Southampton to the Fjords, Norway was fantastic. Food was excellent and staff were lovely.
Arcadia Cruise Ship For Adults Only
The Ship. The M / S Arcadia was commissioned in 2005 and last renovated in 2018. At a length of 285 m and with 11 passenger decks the ship can accommodate up to 2094 passengers. The M / S Arcadia is one of the two vessels of the cruise line, which is reserved for adult guests only. Its special features include the glass elevator on the outside ...
Arcadia
Arcadia Reviews Trustpilot. Explore P&O Cruises Reviews Looking for another cruise line? Leave a new review. Top Cruise Lines By Reviews. P&O Cruises (3674) ... Top Cruise Ships By Reviews. Azura (711) Ventura (693) Britannia (665) Arcadia (531) Iona (438) P&O Cruises Ship Reviews Arcadia
P&O Arcadia Cruise Ship Review
P&O Arcadia Cruise Ship Review | P&O CruisesThis is our P&O Arcadia Cruise Ship Review. P&O Arcadia is the second oldest, and second smallest cruise ship in ...
Arcadia reviews
Although Arcadia is older it is a lovely ship with plenty of space to sit both inside and out. Great service food and entertainment. Love the fact it is adults only. Wish P&O had more ships with adults only. Overall, a good cruise. Everything much as expected, no criticisms to make. Excellent, well planned cruise.
Arcadia cruise ship reviews, PO Cruises
Aurora. Inaugurated 2000. Occupancy 1,874. Aurora will enjoy a refit and refurbishment in April 2019 and will then move over to cater exclusively for adults; these changes will take effect from cruise R905 onwards. Aurora is a classic ocean going vessel with an elegant tiered stern and long bow.
Arcadia Cruise Review by BrysY
Thought we'd just walk around a bit. Instead we bought a return ticket for the cable car independently of the cruise line. It's right by the key side and appears pretty much new. A smooth ride to the to afforded spectacular views and the freshest air imaginable. 3.
P&O Arcadia Cabins to Avoid
3. Noisy Cabins on Arcadia. Like on any cruise ship, there are certain cabins on Arcadia where you may be able to hear noises or feel the ship's vibrations at certain times of the day. Cabins below the gym. A1 to A8. These cabins are directly below the gym, so you may be able to hear people using the treadmills or dropping heavy weights.
P&O Cruises Iona Cruise Ship Review
4.0. Very Good. Overall. Sue Bryant. Contributor. Iona is the biggest cruise ship ever built for the UK market, packed with entertainment venues and more than 30 places to eat and drink. With a ...
Utopia of the Seas cruise ship guide
Larger than its sister ship, Wonder of the Seas, Utopia will be the world's second-largest cruise ship (until the second Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, steals that spot in 2025). Royal Caribbean hopes to draw a new crowd of never-cruised-before travelers by focusing on short three- and four-night itineraries that allow folks to sample ...
Holland America's 'Have It All' Package Worth It for Couple, Review
For just $55 a day, my cruise felt way more luxurious. We recently upgraded our Holland America Line cruise. Rebecca Reuter. I tried Holland America Line 's Have It All package on a recent cruise ...
Carnival Jubilee ship review: A complete cruise guide
When Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Jubilee debuted in December 2023, it became the third ship in the line's Excel Class, closely mimicking sister ships Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration.Although there are more similarities than differences among the three, Carnival has still found a way to make Carnival Jubilee innovative and fun by tweaking a few of the offerings.
P.E.I.'s first cruise ship of the year marks early start to Island
The MSC Poesia was the first of 96 cruise ships scheduled to arrive in Charlottetown this season. (Matt Rainnie/CBC) The first cruise ship of the season sailed into Charlottetown Harbour on Monday ...
Australian Antarctic Division 'struggling' to use $528 million
When the RSV Nuyina was first launched in 2021, the vessel was described as a "Disneyland for scientists". But, three years, and several PR disasters, later, the $528 million ship is yet to ...