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Carnival Cruise Line

MS Jubilee

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:Debbie Abston
# previous cruises: 1
Date of Trip: May 31, 2000
Itinerary: Alaska-Southbound

I thoroughly enjoyed my cruise. The scenery was breathtaking and my fellow passengers were mostly delightful. I would recommend an Alaskan cruise quite highly to anyone wanting a nice relaxing cruise experience. This was my first cruise and I cannot wait to take my second, third...

While the Jubilee lacks a grand atrium, I found the public spaces more than adequate. I did not use all of lounges (I dislike cigarette smoke). I liked the showroom and the enclosed promenade. Deck space was adequate except when trying to get photographs of the scenery (many tried to hog the best spaces instead of rotating). Very few people wanted to brave the pools (only one was ever filled that I could see). Most of us were in sweat shirts, jackets, or wool blankets. Mostly kids and one brave soul in a bikini. Lost the requisite amount in the casino (which needs newer slot machines, that casino is nothing like Vegas).

The food was very good. I did not care for breakfast in the dining room though. I had lunch in the dining room twice and dinner each evening. The coffee machines on the Lido deck were out of service for the last 3-4 days, which was disappointing. The pizza is as good as I heard. The waiter (Malcolm) was excellent and I gladly tipped him more than recommended. The busboy was adequate, needed a little more polishing. The buffet on the Lido deck was fine for breakfast and just ok for lunch. I had dinner the first night in the Burgundy dining room and it was pretty awful. The rest of the time I was in the Bordeaux dining room where I never found fault with a meal. There was always enough variety and the food was presented beautifully. I did feel for the staff though, why they have to perform for us is beyond me. They were always rushed those nights and I just felt they had enough to do.

The cabin was large and had plenty of closet space. The medicine cabinet was enormous and more than adequate. The shower was large with plenty of hot water and good pressure. The cabin was quiet, we were somewhat aft on the Upper deck, but the vibration was barely noticeable. The amenities basket was appreciated, as were the robes. It was just too cold most of the time.

I attended three shows while on board. The Hollywood and Broadway productions were very good. The dancers and singers were fine. The comedy show was pretty horrible. The ventriloquist was funny, his late night show I attended. The other guy (whose name I don't want to remember) was horrible, he needs to find a new job. The cruise director (Haste Merchant) was funny, charming and quite helpful. His staff was very good.

We took three shore excursions (Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan). All were booked through the purser's office and we were quite satisfied with them. All of the guides turned out to be knowledgeable, charming, young women. Shopping is always fun and we got some good deals on jewelry.

Our fellow passengers were really fun. I love interacting with older folks. There was a wide range of ages on board, babes in arms on up to very senior citizens. Most of them could drop by for dinner.