Festival fans, you’ll have to wait a little longer for your next new cruise ship. Festival cruise line announced today that Carnival Jubilee’s maiden voyage has been pushed back from October to December 2023.
Due to shipyard delays related to supply chain issues, the cruise line was forced to cancel the first six scheduled sailings of Carnival Jubilee. The maiden voyage will set sail on December 23, 2023, off Galveston, Texas.
The original plan was for Carnival to take delivery of the Jubilee from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany in October 2023 and invite its first guests to board in Southampton, UK, for the transatlantic voyage. That trip was cancelled, along with five Caribbean cruises from Texas.
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With new deliveries in early December, Carnival Jubilee will skip the UK and head straight for the US Its maiden voyage will be a Christmas cruise from Galveston.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said: “This is disappointing news, but with the announcement from the shipyard, we are keeping our guests informed as quickly as possible. “We appreciate their understanding as we work to deliver another spectacular ship that will deliver the holiday experience our guests deserve and will absolutely love.”
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival isn’t the only carrier whose ship launch plans have been turned upside down due to supply chain issues and shipyard delays. Cunard, Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages and the new luxury cruise line Explora Journeys have it all back to launch upcoming ship.
A Carnival spokesperson told TPG that passengers who have booked on canceled Celebrations rides will receive a full refund of their ticket, additional taxes and fees, as well as any pre-purchase purchases. have taken (such as shore excursions).
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Additionally, Carnival will provide them with a future cruise credit equal to 25% of the cruise fare booked for use on any Carnival ship or cruise. Guests have until December 15, 2023 to use the credit. However, if they rebook before February 10, they will also receive $100 in built-in credit each.
When it finally sets sail next year, Carnival Jubilee will incorporate Carnival for the title of Carnival’s largest ship ever (passed only by the original Excel-class ship, Mardi Gras). Like Celebration, the Jubilee will carry 5,374 passengers with double the capacity and weigh about 182,800 tons.
Also, like its classmates, the new Carnival cruise ship will have a roller coaster on deck, water park and ropes; Guy Fieri and Shaquille O’Neal’s restaurant; a variety of cabins, including suites with private access to the sundeck and family cabins with dedicated family lounges; and six themed areas for dining and playing on board.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line’s 8 classes of ships explained
Carnival Jubilee will run seven-night cruises in the Western Caribbean from Galveston to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Mahogany Bay, Honduras. Fares start at $549 per person, based on double occupancy for cabins without interior windows.
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