Just as Carnival Jubilee is slated to arrive in the Lone Star State for her much-anticipated debut, Carnival Cruise Line has partnered with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as the Rodeo’s Official Cruise Line. This is the first-ever cruise line partnership in the event’s history and is a great addition to Carnival’s commitment to Texas.
Carnival Cruise Line Joins Rodeo Partnership
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced the partnership on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 – the day before Carnival Jubilee is scheduled to arrive in Texas. The new partnership begins in 2024 and will extend through 2026, even as Carnival Jubilee is homeported year-round in the Lone Star State.
“Carnival Cruise Line will be the Rodeo’s first Official Cruise Line in the event’s history,”said Chris Boleman, Rodeo president and CEO.“We are grateful to have such a great sponsor involved in this outstanding event and look forward to seeing Carnival on Rodeo grounds.”
The partnership includes the cruise line’s sponsorship of the Rodeo’s Cowboy Cam, an in-stadium “fan cam” that offers candid moments with fans at each event. Carnival Cruise Line will also have a physical presence at Rodeo events, as well as offering prizes – including a Carnival cruise giveaway. Details of the vacation giveaway and other prizes have not yet been announced.
Carnival Cruise From Galveston (Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock)
By homeporting Carnival Jubilee from Texas with a gigantic star on her bow, Carnival Cruise Line has already demonstrated its commitment to the Lone Star State, but this partnership shows even more dedication to the region and everything that makes Texas unique.
“This partnership comes at an exciting time for us, as we debute Carnival Jubilee in Texas this month, we’ve proudly adorned this ship with a Texas Star on its bow as a symbol of our commitment to cruising from Texas,”said Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line.
“We’ve enjoyed many great partnerships here over the past two decades and we’re delighted to now become an official part of the world-famous rodeo. Just like at the Rodeo, at Carnival, we pride ourselves on bringing people together and creating lifelong memories, making this partnership a perfect match.”
About the Rodeo
The Houston Livestock and Rodeo Show began in 1932, showcasing and promoting agriculture with the annual 3-week event. A variety of events are part of the show, including live music performances, livestock awards, vendor booths, carnival games and rides, a parade, and many rodeo activities, including a calf scramble, bull riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, horse shows, and more.
The Rodeo is also heavily involved in charitable organizations, as well as local education and scholarships. In 2023, the show contributed more than $22.5 million toward scholarships, educational programs, and graduate assistantships.
In addition to Carnival Cruise Line as the Official Cruise Line of the Houston Livestock and Rodeo Show, the event has many other notable sponsors and partners.
Carnival’s Connection to Texas
As America’s Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line has the longest relationship of any cruise line with Texas, having begun sailing from the Lone Star State year-round in 2001.
Now, with Carnival Jubilee just hours from arriving in Galveston, Carnival’s commitment to Texas is bigger than ever, with the 182,800-gross-ton, Excel-class ship set to offer 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries visiting Roatan, Honduras as well as Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico on each sailing. Port order may vary based on departure date or port operations.
Carnival Jubilee Cruise Ship
Carnival Jubilee is not the only Carnival ship sailing from Galveston, however. Also homeported from Texas are Carnival Dream and Carnival Breeze, both 128,000-gross-ton, Dream-class vessels.
Carnival Dream offers 6-night Western Caribbean cruises that visit ports such as Roatan, Costa Maya, Belize City, and Cozumel, depending on the sailing date. The ship also offers 8-night Eastern Caribbean sailings that visit Key West, Florida and several ports of call in the Bahamas.
Carnival Breeze offers shorter 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean getaways to Cozumel, Progreso, and Costa Maya, with the exact ports depending on the departure date.
All three ships are slated to remain sailing from Galveston at least through April 2026. Itineraries after that date have not yet been announced by the cruise line, but no matter what happens, Carnival Cruise Line is sure to continue offering amazing fun sailings from the Lone Star State.
Guests looking forward to their February 6, 2025 sailing aboard Norwegian Joy are now disappointed to learn that the sailing has been cancelled for a full ship charter.
Norwegian Joy Cruise Cancelled
Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests and travel partners to notify them of the cancellation of Norwegian Joy‘s February 6, 2025 departure.
“We are committed to providing exceptional vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and by taking our guests to some of the most sought-out destinations around the world. As a result of a full ship charter, Norwegian Joy’s sailing on February 6, 2025 has been cancelled,”the notification email read.“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
The impacted cruise is a 5-night Mexican Riviera itinerary with ports of call in Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles.
While guests will be understandably disappointed in the cancellation, the cruise is more than a year away. This gives travelers plenty of time to choose a different cruise or make alternative travel plans so they can still enjoy a fun getaway.
Norwegian Joy is one of the largest ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, able to welcome 3,883 passengers on each sailing (double occupancy), with 1,700 international crew members on board to ensure everyone has a joyous cruise.
Norwegian Joy Cruise (Photo Credit: Just dance)
Because the cruise line has cancelled the sailing, all guests are receiving full refunds back to the original form of payment. These refunds will be processed from Norwegian Cruise Line within 30 days, but individual financial institutions may have different processing times.
If a guest used a future cruise credit for the now-cancelled cruise, the full amount of the credit will be automatically returned to their Latitudes loyalty account, with no further action required.
As further compensation for the cancellation, Norwegian Cruise Line is giving all guests a 10% discount in the form of a future cruise credit that may be used toward any published sailing through December 31, 2025. These new credits will be available for use from December 25, 2023.
More Cruises May Be Cancelled
While the information provided only applies to Norwegian Joy‘s February 6, 2025 cruise, it is possible that several cruises around the same time period may actually be impacted.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s booking engine on their official website does not show any available sailings for the 167,725-gross-ton, Breakaway-Plus-class vessel during February 2025.
Originally, there were three cruises aboard Norwegian Joy during that month – the February 6 departure, as well as a 16-night cruise from Los Angeles to Miami departing on February 11, 2025. That cruise includes a Panama Canal transit and calls in Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, and Grand Cayman before arriving in Miami on February 27.
Similarly, the February 27 departure from Miami – a 4-night Bahamas cruise visiting Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay – is not available for reservations on the cruise line’s website.
Norwegian Joy Open Deck
While these cruises may indeed be chartered and therefore unavailable for new bookings, it is also possible they may be sold out with no further space available for reservations to be made.
Cruise lines do not generally reveal what groups arrange for full-ship charter sailings, as the charter organization handles the bookings. Music festival organizers, lifestyle groups, business corporations, and other large groups often arrange charter cruises to bring their members together for amazing getaways.
Guests who are not part of charter sailings but have their cruises cancelled because of a new charter arrangement generally have no recourse about the cancellation, just as guests have no choice if a cruise line cancels a cruise for changes in dry dock schedules, ship redeployments, or other operational reasons.
Most cruise lines try to make such arrangements well before sailing dates, giving passengers plenty of time to choose another cruise or make alternative travel plans if they prefer.
Recently, Royal Caribbean International cancelled two cruises aboard two different ships for full-ship charter sailings, both of which are in 2024. Many other cruise lines also have charter sailings from time to time, and such arrangements are not unusual.
The Dominican Republic is ending the year with a bang. The popular Caribbean destination will have welcomed a record number of tourists by the end of December 2023 and is celebrating the debut of five new cruise ships sailing to the country for the first time during this month.
Five New Ships Arrive In The The Dominican Republic
December 2023 has proven to be a busy travel month in the Dominican Republic. When all is said and done, the Caribbean nation will have welcomed hundreds of thousands of cruisers by the end of the month.
According to the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM), 104 cruise ships will arrive in the provinces of Puerto Plata, Samaná, La Romana, and the National District during December 2023.
Tuesday, December 19, is expected to see the largest amount of cruise traffic in the country to date, with eight ships sailing through Taíno Bay, Amber Cove, and Samaná terminals simultaneously.
Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady, Carnival Vista, Carnival Celebration, Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas, and Norwegian Encore are expected in Puerto Plato and Amber Cove, while AidAdvida, Explora 1, and Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam will dock at Semana’s tender pier.
Not only is the country receiving a record number of cruise ships during the month, but five of the cruise ships are sailing to the Dominican Republic for the first time.
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock)
Norwegian Prima, Celebrity Ascent, Oceania Vista, and Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Sea already made their debuts earlier in December 2023. Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady will be the last ship to make its debut with a scheduled arrival on December 26.
Brilliant Lady will sail to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Frederiksted, St. Croix, U.S.V.I.; and San Juan, Puerto Rico, as part of a five-night holiday sailing beginning in Miami, Florida, on Christmas Eve.
Explorer of the Seas will return to the Dominican Republic two more times in late December and early January 2024 as part of its nine-night Eastern Caribbean holiday cruises, but the other ships will not be returning until later in the new year.
The Dominican Republic Celebrates Record Number of Visitors in 2023
The 104 cruise ships sailing to the Dominican Republic is a welcomed increase from past years, spelling good news for the nation’s economy. Looking back at the past December months, the country welcomed 76 cruise ships in 2019 and 97 in 2022.
Cruise Ships in the Dominican Republic (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock)
“Cruise passengers who arrive in our country will have the opportunity to explore the natural and cultural beauties of these destinations, and at the same time they will consolidate the economy by promoting tourism for our population and even interaction with businesses and services in the area,” says Jean Luis Rodríguez, executive director of the Dominican Port Authority.
This is the icing on the cake for a great year of tourism in the Dominican Republic. The Caribbean nation welcomed more than 7 million tourists during the first three-quarters of 2023, a record number marking a 25% increase in visitors over the same time period in 2022.
Cruise guests account for over 1.5 million of these visitors, with hundreds of thousands more expected during December. This number surpasses the 1.1 million cruise vacationers the country welcomed in 2019.
By the end of the year, the country expects more than 10 million visitors (combining those coming from land and from the sea), exceeding the country’s previous record of 7.5 million tourists in 2019, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Dominican Ministry of Tourism.
One of the unique features of the Caribbean Sea is that it is suitable for cruises throughout the year. In fact, that is a significant reason why it is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world!
That said, there are better times to schedule your trip than others. Like anywhere else, you want to ensure great Caribbean cruise weather and calm sea conditions, and you want to encounter as few crowds as possible when booking your vacation.
The worst months to visit the Caribbean are the mid-summer months of June, July, and August. You might think that these warm, sunny months would be ideal, but June, July, and August are peak hurricane months and the worst months to cruise the Caribbean. Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to consider before booking your cruise.
Avoid disappointment by using this guide to learn which months you should try to avoid. Let’s get started!
What Should You Try to Avoid When Planning a Caribbean Cruise?
Before we nail down which specific months are best to avoid, explaining the factors that could impact a Caribbean cruise is useful. Not only will this help you learn why certain months should be avoided, it will give you a greater understanding of conditions in the Caribbean.
A year in the Caribbean is loosely divided into two primary seasons – the dry season and the wet season. Sure, they still experience the same four seasons that any other region would, but conditions are far less pronounced than what separates the wet and dry seasons.
As the names suggest, the Caribbean experiences the most precipitation in the wet season, while the dry season is far less rainy. The wet season usually runs from the beginning of May until the end of October. As you’d expect, the dry season runs from November until roughly midway through April.
Along with more precipitation, the wet season also brings much higher daytime temperatures. While some people might enjoy the heat, it can be uncomfortable if you are not used to it. This is particularly true for the higher humidity levels you usually get during the peak wet season.
Assuming you want to enjoy the sunshine and clear skies, the Caribbean is famous for, it only makes sense that you would want to avoid booking your Caribbean cruise during these wet season months.
In the Caribbean, peak rainfall usually occurs during mid-summer, so any local would tell you to avoid booking a cruise during these summer months.
Avoiding Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
As more precipitation, higher temperatures, and increased humidity levels were not enough to put you off booking during the wet season, this is also when the Caribbean is under the most significant threat of experiencing a hurricane or major tropical storm.
Hurricanes and major storms often cause cruise ships to alter their itineraries. While many will try to continue the voyage while avoiding the storm, it is not always possible.
Even though it is pretty unlikely, there is always the risk that your cruise vacation will be cancelled or postponed if a major hurricane or tropical storm strikes.
Hurricane in the Caribbean
Even if the voyage goes as planned, storms can result in port closures, rough seas, cloudy days, heavy rainfall, and many other factors that could impact your cruising experience. Not only that, but severe storms and hurricanes can also ground flights for days at a time, which could affect your travel plans.
While it is true that the severity and timing of hurricanes and tropical storms can vary from year to year, June, July, and August have continually proven to be the months when they are the most frequent and destructive.
It is no coincidence that peak hurricane and storm season also lands in the heart of the wet season, another reason these months are best avoided.
Sea Conditions
While it may sound obvious that the Caribbean Sea would become rougher and choppier during storms and hurricanes, you may be surprised to learn that rough waters are pretty typical throughout the wet season, even without a severe weather event.
While modern cruise ships are designed to be incredibly stable, some passengers will still experience some degree of motion in rough waters even as they navigate rough waters. This is particularly true for passengers who are more sensitive to motion sickness.
Photo Credit: Toni Arsovski / Shutterstock
Not only will the calmer waters of the dry season help you enjoy a more comfortable experience while you are on board the ship, but the tranquil Caribbean Sea is truly a beautiful sight.
When you can look out from the ship at calm coastlines and endless turquoise waters that look completely still, you can understand why the Caribbean is one of the world’s premier cruising destinations.
Other Considerations
Since the wet season is less desirable than the dry season, it does mean that fewer cruise lines plan voyages during the summer as it’s not peak tourist season.
While the low season can mean fewer tourists and less crowded ports, it also means your options are pretty limited when booking. If there are specific dates that you plan on traveling, you may find it somewhat challenging to find the exact type of cruise experience you are looking for.
Bad Weather at CocoCay (Photo Credit: dnaveh)
Then, of course, there is also the risk that hurricanes and storms could result in itinerary changes or departure delays. Even on a smaller scale, storms and heavy rainfall can make it far less enjoyable to explore ports of call or sign up for excursions.
If you book your cruise vacation during the wet season, you’ll have to be flexible and understand that parts of the itinerary can change at the last minute. If this isn’t for you, you’ll want to book during the dry season.
So, What Are the Worst Months to Cruise the Caribbean?
While we have clarified that the dry season (November to April) offers many advantages over cruising the Caribbean during the wet season (May to October), we still have not nailed down which specific months are the worst.
While everything is subjective regarding traveling, it is clear that peak hurricane season months are the worst months to cruise the Caribbean. This means the mid-summer months of June, July, and August.
Bad Weather in Grand Turk (Photo Credit: Lisa Bronitt)
While things vary from year to year, we would highly recommend avoiding these months if you can. Rather than risk disruptive weather, sweltering heat and humidity, and potential itinerary changes, do yourself a favor and try to book during the first months of the dry season.
That said, it is worth stressing that the Caribbean is a year-round cruise destination. If you want to risk cruising during the worst months for scheduling or financial reasons, there is still an excellent chance that you will enjoy yourself!
Even during the least desirable months, the Caribbean Sea can still be a stunning setting for a cruise vacation. You just have to be comfortable with the fact that you are taking a risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the cheapest time to book a Caribbean cruise vacation?
Booking during the off-peak season will almost always be the cheapest time to book. For the Caribbean, this means booking between June and September. Unfortunately, these cheaper fares and rock-bottom deals also have a higher risk of rainfall, clouds, rough seas, and hurricanes.
We recommend booking during the shoulder months if you want to save money but still avoid the worst Caribbean weather. Both May and November are beautiful months in the Caribbean, and they are also months when prices tend to be a little lower than they are between December and April.
Like any other cruise vacation, there are also ways you can book a Caribbean cruise for less if you know how to check for price drops.
How many tropical storms and hurricanes does the Caribbean get each year?
While the exact number of storms and hurricanes the Caribbean experiences will vary yearly, the region tends to get an average of ten tropical storms yearly. Of these major storms, an average of six will develop into full-blown hurricanes.
Unfortunately, hurricanes are just a fact of life for those living in the Caribbean Islands. With that said, you can usually avoid running into one if you book your cruise vacation during the dry season (late November to late April).
Final Words
If we could offer any advice, it would be to avoid booking your Caribbean cruise during the middle of the summer. With that said, you should always weigh up the risks and benefits for yourself. What might not work for some travelers could be the best time for you to travel.
Some people can only get away during the summer months, while others face budget restrictions that prevent them from booking during the more expensive months.
When booking your Caribbean cruise, just be prepared for that type of weather. More importantly, go into your trip with a positive attitude, and we can almost guarantee you will still enjoy yourself!
Disney Cruise Line announced a significant progress update for Disney Treasure, marking a key milestone in her construction. The final block, which will house several key components of the vessel, has been put in place, an important step in the ship’s assembly.
The achievement signals the completion of structural construction of the vessel, which will now enter a new stage, the interior outfitting of the vessel, which is due to start sailing one year from now, on December 21, 2024.
Disney Treasure Structure Completed
Disney Treasure has reached another important stage in the construction phase as the last large block has been put into place at the Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany.
This part of the ship is set to feature exclusive areas like the Quiet Cove, an adults-only retreat, and Hero Zone, a dynamic sports arena combining physical activity with imaginative experiences.
Modern cruise ships are nearly entirely built up from large steel blocks that are put together like a puzzle. These are often constructed by outside contractors and shipped to the shipyard just in time to be put on to the new vessel. This means that shipyards such as Meyer Werft can build a vessel much faster than what was possible in the past.
With the structural work now completed, the shipyard will start focusing on the next step in the construction of Disney Treasure, preparing her for the maiden voyage scheduled for December 21, 2024. Disney Treasure will be based in Port Canaveral, Florida, and sail on seven-night cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean.
Disney Treasure Construction
The maiden voyage and future western Caribbean cruises sail from Port Canaveral to Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Castaway Cay, Bahamas, with some cruises replacing St. Thomas with San Juan, Puerto Rico.
While Disney’s Lighthouse Point, the cruise line’s newest private island resort, is opening in June 2024, there are currently no cruises available where Disney Treasure sails to Lighthouse Point. Western Caribbean cruises onboard will sail to Falmouth, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico.
Construction of Disney Treasure Progressing Steadily
Disney Treasure‘s construction has been progressing steadily since the steel-cutting ceremony on January 19, 2023. On March 30, 2023, the keel was laid down, involving the placement of a newly minted coin under the ship’s keel for good fortune.
Disney Treasure Cruise Ship
Key components have been installed throughout the year, including the Floating Engine Room Unit (FERU) and the ship’s bow. The bridge block, essential for navigation and control, was added on June 26, 2023.
Another highlight was the installation of the iconic forward and aft funnels, integral to the ship’s aesthetic and functional design, earlier this month on December 5. These funnels house unique attractions, like the AquaMouse and the Tomorrow Tower Suite.
Disney Treasure Design and Features
As the sister ship to Disney Wish, launched in 2022, Disney Treasure shares several features with its predecessor. The ship’s design, inspired by Walt Disney’s passion for travel, promises an air of grandeur and adventure, which features themes from Aladdin, Moana, and many more Disney favorites.
The 144,000 gross-ton Disney Treasure will accommodate 4,000 guests in 1,254 cabins, supported by a 1,555-member crew.
Disney Treasure is the second LNG-powered ship in the Wish-class series, which includes Disney Wish and a third unnamed vessel set to enter service in 2025.
Carnival Cruise Line announced it is enhancing its Seuss at Sea program, adding space-themed fun in collaboration with Kennedy Space Center, and enhancing facial recognition technology for secured check-ins to Camp Ocean.
Carnival Jubilee Revamps Family Fun
Carnival Cruise Line announced its newest flagship, Carnival Jubilee, will host an array of new innovative family experiences, including an enhanced Seuss at Sea program.
First introduced on Carnival Splendor in 2014, Seuss at Sea has been a staple of Carnival’s family entertainment and features an array of Dr. Seuss-themed activities, dining, and interactive fun. Jubilee will debut new programming to elevate the Seuss at Sea experience, starting with a reimagined Dr. Seuss Breakfast.
Beginning January 6, 2024, the breakfast will transform into a festive birthday party hosted by Thing 1 and Thing 2, featuring new menu items and engaging activities. This updated version will later be rolled out across the entire fleet.
The excitement continues with the introduction of a new character, “Fox in Socks,” in the Seuss-a-palooza Parade, starting February 17, 2024. Additionally, Seuss-a-palooza Story Time will bring the popular “Green Eggs & Ham” to life, hosted by Cruise Director Kyndall Magyar.
Carnival’s Thing 1 and Thing 2
These events unfold in the ship’s two-deck Currents zone, where LED screens displaying colorful and whimsical Dr. Seuss-inspired scenes will create an immersive underwater world experience. Here, guests can interact with virtual aquarium-like “portholes,” creating their own sea creature and seeing it animated on screens around the room.
“We are thrilled to introduce a new level of excitement and imagination aboard the Carnival Jubilee,” said Melissa Mahaffey, Carnival’s director of Youth and Family Experience. “Our aim is to craft a journey that resonates with every age group, integrating new characters, exclusive spaces, and captivating stories.”
Carnival Jubilee Debuts STEM Adventures and Expanded Youth Programs
Carnival Jubilee further enriches its onboard offerings through a partnership with Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The collaboration introduces a high-tech, space-themed area in Camp Ocean, aimed to promote STEM learning and providing engaging, hands-on experiences.
The 5,400-passenger ship also broadens its “See the World” program for teens, including the addition of the Panagbenga Festival. This authentic Filipino cultural experience will feature additional hands-on programs like a flower parade and jewelry-making activities.
Carnival Jubilee Space for Young Passengers
Meanwhile, younger guests can enjoy the updated Night Owls Camp Out, featuring outdoor-themed activities, obstacle courses, and a simulated campfire experience. Additionally, the introduction of Planet Play at Sea, a space-themed playground, and the implementation of enhanced facial recognition technology for secure check-ins at Camp Ocean will prioritize both safety and fun for junior cruisers.
Ship Will Call Galveston Home and Launches Caribbean Itineraries
Carnival Jubilee’s arrival in Galveston marks the beginning of a new chapter for Carnival Cruise Line. After her delivery on December 4 in Bremerhaven, Jubilee completes a transatlantic journey to her new year-round homeport, stopping in Tenerife, Spain, and Nassau, Bahamas, for supplies and crew.
Weighing 183,521 gross tons and joining sisters Mardi Gras and Celebration, Jubilee will depart on a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary on December 23, visiting Roatan, Honduras and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
Her inaugural holiday cruise promises to be a festive affair with special decorations and a special Christmas Gala Dinner.
Disney Cruise Line has notified booked guests of upcoming changes for the youth activity spaces onboard its ships, changing which young guests will be entertained in which facilities.
This change will permit the cruise line to revise activities for each age group to be more appropriate and engaging for young cruisers on every Disney cruise ship.
Disney Youth Age Ranges Revised
Disney Cruise Line is well known for its spectacular youth programs and experiences for all ages onboard. Now, the cruise line is revising the age ranges for its youth programs to better offer great activities young cruisers will enjoy.
Booked guests received an email with notification of the changes so they can be aware of which programs their children will be participating in during their upcoming cruises.
“Based on Guest feedback, and to enhance the youth activities experience for our youngest and tween guests, we are updating the age range for Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab,”the email read.
Now, young cruises between ages 3 and 10 will participate in the two programs. Previously, the age range was 3-12 years old. Guests ages 11-14 years old will enjoy Edge, while teens ages 14-17 will have their own space at Vibe.
Oceaneer Lab
These changes will take effect for all sailings that depart on or after Thursday, December 21, 2023. If a cruise is already in progress on that date, however, the age ranges will not change until the ship’s next sailing.
Parents should note that during Open House times – which are published in the onboard daily newsletters and may vary for each sailing – guests of all ages are welcome in all youth activity spaces, regardless of the aforementioned age divisions. This is a great time for families to enjoy the spaces together and can be a chance for kids to check out other spaces they may be able to enjoy in future cruises.
Registration No Longer Required
In addition to the age range adjustments, guests with children who are 11 or 12 years old will not need to register for youth activities as part of their online check-in before setting sail.
If guests have already completed that registration for upcoming cruises, there is no need to adjust the check-in, but the children will attend Edge rather than the Oceaneer Club or Oceaneer Lab. If passengers are 10 years old or younger, the online youth activities registration should still be completed.
Oceaneer Lab
Parents should note that it is the child’s age at the time of embarkation that is used for registration. If a child is celebrating a birthday onboard, their age at embarkation is still figured for registration purposes.
“We appreciate you sailing with us and look forward to creating magical memories at sea for your family,”the email concludes.
Youth Programs Onboard
Disney Cruise Line’s youth programs offer age-appropriate activities for young cruisers, with great options for all ages.
The Oceaneer Club features fun interactions with favorite Disney characters and interactive play with different themes. Each Disney cruise ship offers unique experiences, ensuring that all youngsters have a fabulous time on their cruise. The Oceaneer Lab offers educational and creative experiments and workshops to keep kids entertained and engaged.
Edge is a dedicated “tween” space for cruisers on the edge of teenagerhood offering games, movies, creative activities, and high tech fun sure to appeal to all travelers at this sometimes challenging age. Trivia contests, physical challenges, DJ lessons, dance floors, photo booths, and more are all part of the fun.
Vibe is the cruise line’s dedicated teen space, offering great activities for teenagers to connect with each other, including dance parties, karaoke, a high-tech media room, board games, movie spaces, sundecks, and more.
Exact activities and youth venues onboard vary from ship to ship, and may also change for holiday offerings or on different itineraries to connect young cruisers to the fun destinations they will explore on their cruise.
Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship and the fleet’s new flagship, Carnival Jubilee, will be arriving at her year-round homeport of Galveston, Texas on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 – just three days ahead of welcoming guests on board.
Port of Galveston is hosting a party to welcome the new ship, and Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald is planning a special contest as well. But exactly when will the ship arrive?
Carnival Jubilee Soon to Arrive in Texas
The new Carnival Jubilee, one of the most anticipated new cruise ships of 2023, has made her final stop before arriving in Galveston, Texas. The Excel-class vessel was officially delivered to Carnival Cruise Line on December 4, 2023, in Bremerhaven, Germany and in the two weeks since, has been making her way toward the Lone Star State.
First, the ship made stops in Tenerife in the Canary Islands and Nassau in the Bahamas, taking on additional supplies and crew members in preparation for her official debut. Her schedule while crossing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time has been tenuous, as weather can impact how quickly a ship can make that 3,700-mile (6,000-kilometer) journey.
Now, Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has confirmed the ship’s arrival time to Galveston for Wednesday, December 20, an event that is sure to be momentous for the ship, her crew, the Port of Galveston, the state of Texas, and Carnival cruise fans everywhere.
“The Captain will be alongside at approximately 8:00am on Wednesday morning,”Heald confirmed.“So if you are there about 7:00am you will have brilliant views of the ship arriving home.”
Welcome Home Party and Contest
Port of Galveston is hosting a “Howdy, Carnival Jubilee Celebration” event from 8-9 p.m. at Piers 20-21 to greet the new ship with a “Texas-sized welcome.”
Refreshments will be served at the party, which is sure to be a festive and exciting event. While few details have been revealed about the party, new cruise ships are often greeted by fireboat escorts, live music, and local dignitaries.
“Bring your welcome signs and don your cowboy hats to cheer the Jubilee and her crew as they arrive to dock at their new home at Cruise Terminal 25,”the event announcement said.“An airplane flying overhead with a welcome banner and a tugboat shooting its water cannon will add to the festivities.”
Carnival Jubilee Cruise Ship
Heald also noted that he will offer a prize for the best banner to welcome the new ship.
“I will be posting a space here on Facebook that day for all you to share photos and there will be a prize from me for the BEST BANNER so let’s see who wins that,”Heald said.
Photos will be able to be posted on Heald’s popular Facebook page, most likely in a special post dedicated to Carnival Jubilee‘s welcome. While Heald has not posted guidelines about banners for the contest – or what the prize for winning may be – undoubtedly they should be family-friendly and suitable for public display.
Setting Sail on Carnival Jubilee
The new 183,521-gross-ton ship, sister ship to Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, will be based in Galveston year-round at least through April 2026, offering 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries that will visit Roatan, Honduras as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico. Depending on the departure date, the order of ports will vary.
Carnival Jubilee will welcome her very first guests for a spectacular holiday sailing departing on Saturday, December 23, 2023. The ship will be decked out in her holiday finest for the inaugural sailing, and will offer guests an amazing Christmas Gala Dinner.
Onboard, travelers will find the new Currents and Shores zones exclusive to Carnival Jubilee, as well as Emeril’s Bistro 717, the third BOLT roller coaster, and plenty of fan favorites – Guy’s Burger Joint, Cucina del Capitano, Big Chicken, the Punchliner Comedy Club, Family Feud Live, the adults-only Serenity area, WaterWorks with three spiraling waterslides and twin racing slides, and much more.
The new ship can welcome 5,374 travelers based on double occupancy, or as many as 6,631 guests when fully booked with all berths filled. Also onboard are more than 1,700 international officers and crew members dedicated to ensuring that every sailing is indeed a fun-filled jubilee.
After severe weather rerouted several cruise ships and forced PortMiami to temporarily close, the busy cruise terminal is back in business. But its reopening hasn’t all been smooth sailing, as all seven ships currently docked in the port have been delayed.
PortMiami Reopens After Severe Weather Forces Closure
Winter storms have arrived early on the East Coast, with intense storms ravaging the East Coast with heavy rain and winds beginning on December 13, 2023 — about one week before the official start of the winter season on December 21. The storm systems had a particularly intense impact on South Florida and the Bahamas.
Due to adverse weather conditions, PortMiami was forced to temporarily close its doors to cruise traffic on the morning of December 17, before reopening in the early afternoon.
There will be a delay on Sunday, December 17th embarkation due to recent weather conditions. Please contact your cruise line for instructions and more information. pic.twitter.com/3POAPbDODc
As a result, cruise ships arrived late to port from their previous sailings, creating a chain reaction that delayed disembarkation of the current guests and embarkation of new guests by several hours.
“There will be a delay on Sunday, December 17th embarkation due to recent weather conditions. Please contact your cruise line for instructions and more information,” PortMiami posted on its X account early Sunday.
PortMiami, Florida (Photo Credit: Gia Javarova)
The closure at PortMiami has not been the only hiccup caused by the recent weather. The storm systems brought about rough seas, high swells, and strong winds that forced many cruise lines to shift itineraries and cancel port calls in the interest of their guests’ comfort and safety.
Port of Palm Beach also temporarily closed on December 15 after the National Weather Service forecasted sustained winds of up to 40 mph and swells of up to 15 feet. Port of Palm Beach has re-opened to cruise traffic as conditions improved, although a gale warning and small craft advisory was in effect until the early afternoon on December 17.
PortMiami’s Closure Delays Future Sailings
On December 17, 2023, seven cruise ships were scheduled to arrive in PortMiami for their current guests to disembark and to begin embarkation for guests booked on the next sailings, all of which have been delayed.
The ships impacted include Carnival Horizon, Carnival Celebration, Norwegian Encore, MSC Divina, Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, and Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady.
Carnival Cruise Line, which has two ships currently in the port, reached out to guests via email and text to advise them of the delays. The cruise line asked cruisers on Carnival Horizon to delay their terminal arrival time by five hours and guests heading to Carnival Celebration to delay their arrival by seven hours.
Photo Credit: Eric Gilbert Creative / Shutterstock
The final advisory sent to guests of the Carnival Horizon reads: “Embarkation for your cruise has been revised. Please delay your terminal arrival appointment by 5 hours. For example, 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM appointment will become 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Please stick to your new time, so we can effectively manage the embarkation process. All guests must be on board by 7:45 PM ET. Watch for an email with additional details. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Carnival is also compensating guests by posting a $25 (USD) onboard credit per person to their Sail & Sign accounts.
Although the other cruise lines haven’t publicly commented on how the delay will specifically impact their passengers, PortMiami recommended that any guests set to embark today should reach out to their cruise line directly.
PortMiami also released a parking advisory on X explaining that it will be a particularly busy day after the delays and that parking may be difficult. The port recommended that cruisers confirm their cruise terminal in advance and park at the garage closest to that terminal.
But if garages become full, travelers should park at the closest available option and use transportation provided by PortMiami to reach their terminals.
