Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Lines
Ship: Carnival Jubilee
Date of Cruise: August 8 - August 13, 2003

Western Caribbean from Galveston on the Carnival Jubilee
By: Single Traveler

I took the Jubilee out of Galveston to Calica/Cozumel. This was my first cruise. Most aspects of the cruise met or exceeded my expectations. For example, the people on board, most of them, were very friendly and hospitable. Sure, I ran into one female purser who left me wondering, "How did this woman ever get a job in the hospitality industry?" but her behavior was definitely the exception...and we all have bad days.

I'm writing this review to make future cruisers aware of certain things about this cruise. Maybe its the case that I am repeating information already contained at some other part of this web page, but here goes:

1.) Shore excursions. They aren't as pricey as you might have been lead to believe, especially considering that the prices seem the be the most closely guarded secret next to the formula for Coca Cola. But you MUST get signed up early for those that you want, right away!, especially the deep sea fishing, since it sells out early.

2.) Children. I'm a single cruiser, and, while I didn't necessarily expect to be boarding "The Love Boat" I certainly didn't enjoy the fact that the cruise was 40% children 16 and under. I was taking this cruise, alone, as a "get away" (I have a very stressful job) and the thought of meeting someone wasn't a priority, but I found it to be rendered completely impossible with dozens of obnoxious, misbehaved preteens running about. I talked to Carnival about this and they told me my cruise would be scheduled after school started, but it wasn't, and I am to blame. I should have known. But, if you're cruising adults, no kids, be warned. And if you're a parent considering a cruise, how about considering teaching your child some manners and restraint before you go. That would be a good thing.

3.) Down-time on the Ship: Some shore excursions only last 2 hours and, unless you want to spend your entire time drunk and laying on deck (which is not a bad way to go :) ) bring some things to do. There is a library on board, but its only open about 2 hours per cruise. There are stores and a casino, but, those too are closed most of the time, so good luck. Shopping in an option when you're in port, but I'd suggest being adventurous and creating your own tours via the local transportation.

4.) Calica/Cozumel -- Cozumel is a wonderful place and it looks like an easy place to spend at least 1.5 days. But, inexplicably, we only spend a short day in Cozumel, while we were docked in Calica for from early morning until midnight! Calica is nothing but a pile of rocks and for the cost of $10 you can rent a taxi to Playa Del Carmen, which is just a bigger pile of rocks. I dont know why Carnival even bothers with Calica. Everyone would have had a much better time if the ship had gone directly to Cozumel and stayed there.

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