(TAN): Carnival Cruise Line’s upcoming ship, Carnival Jubilee, reached a significant construction milestone as it floated out of the covered building dock at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. The ship displays a Texas star on its bow, the cruise company said.
“The Texas star on Carnival Jubilee’s bow is a symbol of our commitment to the Port of Galveston. As the first cruise line to sail year-round from Galveston, we have a long history with the community, and our next new ship is our latest investment in support of the local economy’s impressive growth while delivering innovative experiences for our guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “I’m looking forward to Carnival Jubilee showing off her Texas pride starting later this year.”
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Hundreds of spectators gathered at the shipyard to witness the debut of the ship. A fun tailgate-style party, with snacks and drinks from Carnival partner PepsiCo, accompanied the ship’s float out.
Carnival Jubilee will now proceed to its next construction phase alongside the shipyard’s outfitting pier. Sea trials are scheduled for November.
The new ship is part of the company’s Excel-class vessels and will offer features already available aboard her sisters Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, including the next iteration of the first roller coaster at sea, BOLT: The Ultimate Seacoaster. Six zones, two of which are unique to the ship and themed to celebrate the ocean, offer dining, beverage, and entertainment options.
The ship will sail year-round on Western Caribbean itineraries beginning in late December – though she will not be the first Carnival Jubilee to sail from Galveston. Like her sisters, the ship shares a name with a classic Carnival ship, and the first Carnival Jubilee sailed from Galveston in 2002. The new Carnival Jubilee is four times larger than her predecessor.
