The two newest mega-ships designed explicitly for families have just set sail. In December 2023, Carnival Cruise Line launched Carnival Jubilee. This Excel-Class ship features amenities, dining venues, and entertainment for cruisers of all ages. Not to be outdone, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas set sail in January 2024. The world’s largest cruise ship includes several amenities for travelers of all ages as well. Heidi and I recently cruised on both ships and have received many questions about how they compare. So, we put together this cruise ship showdown, Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee – Which One Is Right For Your Next Cruise?
For this cruise ship comparison, we sailed on Icon of the Seas and Carnival Jubilee within a few weeks of each other. On both cruises, we sailed a seven-night Caribbean itinerary, stayed in a similar category stateroom, and tested out all of the onboard features.
SEE HOW ICON OF THE SEAS COMPARES TO CARNIVAL JUBILEE IN OUR LATEST VIDEO
Further, each ship was sailing at a similar capacity of around 5600 passengers. So, we could see how the different public spaces functioned with roughly the same number of cruisers onboard.
We organized this showdown around categories that are important to families when comparing cruise ships and deciding on vacations. Of course, feel free to skip around to the different categories based on your family’s travel preferences.
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Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Pool Deck
Winner – Icon of the Seas
Icon of the Seas and Carnival Jubilee offer several pool areas to disperse crowds. Carnival Jubilee has 5 separate pools scattered throughout several decks. Icon of the Seas has 7 pools.
Though, when it comes to theming and vibe, Icon of the Seas wins by miles. Each pool on Icon of the Seas offers a unique experience, with four of the main pools located on Decks 15-17.
The Cloud 17 pool is on Deck 17 and offers a more relaxed setting for all cruisers, with plenty of padded loungers and a small infinity pool. The Deck 16 Swim and Tonic is another popular spot, as it’s Royal Caribbean’s first swim-up bar at sea. On Deck 15, the record-breaking Royal Bay Pool is on the starboard side. Given its large footprint, two whirlpools, several in-pool chairs, and various other lounge options, this popular pool never felt overwhelmed by cruisers.
There’s also the secluded Cove Pool on Deck 15 for those seeking some shade. Once again, this infinity pool is surrounded by numerous loungers. Finally, families with little kids can access the Surfside neighborhood’s Water’s Edge pool on Deck 7, along with a separate splash pad and even a water feature for babies adjacent to this pool.
Meanwhile, the main pool on Carnival Jubilee is the Beach Pool, located on Deck 16 midship. The aft Tides Pool is on the same deck, and the Patio Pool is aft on Deck 8. These pools were never overly crowded, and cruisers could usually find a lounge chair near the main pool, which offers three decks of lounge space. Yet, these pool spaces lacked the theming and unique flair of those on Icon of the Seas.
Both Icon of the Seas and Carnival Jubilee also have pool deck areas that are exclusive to suite guests. Further, guests staying in Havana staterooms can access a private sundeck with a pool and whirlpool.
Not to mention, both ships offer adults-only spaces as well, but we rate those down below.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Casual Dining
Winner – Carnival Jubilee
It is true that Royal Caribbean vastly improved its casual dining options on Icon of the Seas. However, the casual dining on Carnival’s new ship still reigns supreme.
Guy’s Burger Joint on Deck 17 still serves up one of the best burgers at sea. Shaq’s Big Chicken cooks up irresistible sandwiches, chicken tenders, and fries most of the day, which is another big hit. Street Eats offers food cart-style snacks during the day near the Beach Pool on the Lido deck, and custom burritos, tacos, and bowls at BlueIguana Cantina are available for breakfast and lunch.
Inside, Coastal Slice serves five freshly prepared personal pizzas and is open from 9 AM to 4 AM. Despite what Heidi says, this pizza is much better than Sorrento’s on Icon of the Seas.
Next to Coastal Slice is Beach Buns, which features an expanded selection of hot dogs and fresh sandwiches. This venue is open until 10 PM most nights. Then, there is Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, where cruisers can get some barbecue from a buffet on the waterfront during sea days or enjoy table service in the evenings with similar specialties at no additional cost.
Additionally, both cruise ships boast buffets, which we would say are comparable. On both ships, we never needed to eat in the buffet with so many other options, but Icon of the Seas’ buffet is larger than that on Jubilee.
Both ships offer coffee shops with enhanced breakfast, lunch, and dinner food selections. While Java Blue on Carnival Jubilee had more selections, we did prefer the food at Pearl Café on Icon of the Seas.
In comparison, Icon of the Seas has several staple venues that cruisers who sail with the brand will know. There is the Tex-Mex El Loco Fresh and the Park Café sandwich shop. This venue also offers a new tapas menu in the evening at no additional cost. New spots include quick-service burgers and fries at Surfside Bites and Basecamp with free options like pretzel bites and tater tots.
But for cruisers who want to spend most of the week in shorts and a T-shirt, Carnival Jubilee offers a greater variety of flavorful dining options day and night.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Sports Deck
Winner – Icon of the Seas
Both Icon of the Seas and Carnival Jubilee have a dedicated sports deck.
The Ultimate Playground on Carnival Jubilee includes a small waterpark, a mini golf course, a sports court, and a ropes course. These amenities are fun for all family members but don’t really live up to all the attractions in Icon of the Seas’ Thrill Island.
The Thrill Island neighborhood on Icon of the Seas includes several attractions and amenities you will not find on any other cruise ship. The signature attraction is the Category 6 Waterpark. As the name implies, this attraction includes 6 waterslides.
Among the thrilling attractions are the first duo mat racing slides at sea, two family raft slides, and two body slides. There is the Pressure Drop, which is the first open freefall slide at sea. The 108-foot-long slide plummets cruisers down a near-vertical slide with a 66-degree incline. The other body slide is the Frightening Bolt. At 46 feet tall, it is the tallest drop slide at sea with gravity-swirling cruisers through a 360-degree loop.
Floating above Deck 16 on Icon of the Seas is a sports court. This full sports court is large enough to offer free-play activities, pickleball competitions, and other challenges. Additionally, Thrill Island is home to the Lost Dunes mini-golf course, which provides more challenges and intricate theming than the similar course on Carnival Jubilee.
Thrill Island is also home to a rock-climbing wall and Royal Caribbean’s signature surf simulator, the FlowRider. You won’t find either of these attractions on Carnival Jubilee’s sports deck.
However, the SkyCourse on Carnival Jubilee does offer a complimentary experience that is more thrilling and exciting than the upcharge Crown’s Edge found on Icon of the Seas. Still, when comparing all the included attractions, Icon of the Seas offers families more “wows” than Carnival Jubilee.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Signature Attraction
Winner – Carnival Jubilee
Even though the Icon of the Seas sports deck was our overall winner that wasn’t the case for all the attractions.
On Icon of the Seas, guests can pay around $39 to $49 per person to experience the Crown’s Edge. This mini ropes course includes a short zip line that glides over the ship’s side. The 90-second experience is fun but does not match the innovative BOLT rollercoaster found on Carnival Jubilee.
The Bolt rollercoaster only costs $15 per person and lasts about 45 seconds. In our opinion, this all-electric thrill ride at sea is more exciting and a better value than Crown’s Edge.
Another reason we picked BOLT over the Crown’s Edge is because of the complimentary ropes course on Carnival Jubilee. The SkyCourse on this ship includes 20 stations that offer cruisers various challenges. Along with a zip line and a plank, there’s a new challenge that hangs cruisers off the ship’s side.
So, while BOLT is better than the Crown’s Edge, we would also rate the SkyCourse as more exhilarating than its competitor. So, it is a win-win for Carnival Jubilee in this category.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Entertainment
Winner – Icon of the Seas
Heidi and I consider ourselves traditional cruisers, which means that our typical cruise night involves dinner and a show.
So, we checked out the signature entertainment across all of the venues in our cruise showdown of Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee.
When it comes to signature entertainment, Icon of the Seas shines with several signature shows in multiple venues. While Carnival Jubilee has exclusive Playlist Productions in the Theater and Center Stage, comparing those entertainment offerings to the Icon of the Seas’ Broadway shows and exclusive productions in the AquaTheater and Absolute Zero is tough.
In the main theater, Icon of the Seas showcases the Broadway adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. The state-of-the-art theater brings all aspects of the original film to life, from a tornado whipping through the theater to flying monkeys and strolls down the yellow brick road. This is one of the best full-scale productions at sea.
On Deck 16 in the AquaTheater, guests are amazed by AquaAction. This intense diving and aqua show attempts to replicate an action movie utilizing state-of-the-art pools, lifts, and robots. With a fantastic soundtrack and thrilling choreography, it was one of the most exhilarating shows at sea.
Additionally, Absolute Zero is now the largest ice rink at sea and features a new circular design with better sight lines. This venue is home to two signature shows. Starburst: Elemental Beauty brings the basic elements of the universe to life through an intricate mix of ice dancing, skating, and special effects. There is also the family-friendly Once Upon a Time: The King’s Royal Ball.
In contrast, Carnival Jubilee features the line’s exclusive Family Feud game show in the main theater, which is a hit. This show is fun for cruisers of all ages. There are also Playlist Productions, like Dear Future Husband, Soulbound, and Celestial Strings. Center Stage showcases the new Rio Celebration. This show has elaborate costumes and Latin hits to replicate the energy and festival feeling of Carnival in South America.
However, these productions are more simplistic than Royal Caribbean’s signature shows and more resemble what most people think of cruise ship entertainment.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Daytime Activities
Winner – Carnival Jubilee
Both Icon of the Seas and Carnival Jubilee offer a variety of daily activities. During the day, both ships feature trivia, game shows, dance classes, cruiser competitions, and cruise director staff-led events.
However, when comparing the number of activities offered to the size of the ships, Carnival Jubilee offers more activities per cruiser than Icon of the Seas.
During the day, Carnival Jubilee features several trivia sessions with themes like geography, sports, Harry Potter, and Friends. There are also several daytime games for those looking to compete for a prized plastic medallion.
In the theater, the What’s Age Got to Do With It was a fun spin on a couples match game. For music enthusiasts, there were several sessions of games like Name that Tune or the Lyrical Challenge and karaoke sessions. New to Carnival Jubilee is also the Lonestar Tailgate which is essentially just organized sessions of poolside games.
As a family-focused cruise line, many onboard activities are open to cruisers of all ages, like PG-rated comedy or even a magic show on busy sea days. There are also Dr. Seuss-themed events, including parades and story time hosted by the cruise director.
While Icon of the Seas offers similar daytime activities, Carnival Jubilee beats the competition regarding engaging and energetic daytime activities and events, and they were always well-attended too.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Nightlife
Winner – Tie between Icon of the Seas and Carnival Jubilee
When it comes to nightlife, both ships offer a variety of nighttime activities outside of the signature entertainment. We made the rounds on each ship to check out all the nighttime activities, and each ship shines for different reasons. Hence, we give the ships a tie in this category.
Both ships feature acoustic guitarists. We preferred the Point and Feather pub guitarist Kevin Philip on Icon of the Seas over Owen Stephen who often played in Dr. Inks on Carnival Jubilee. But the drinks at Dr. Inks were far better than those at the Pub.
Piano Bar 88 on Carnival Jubilee was busy every night with Ben belting out popular tunes. Likewise, the Dueling Pianos bar, featuring Tim and Sarah, was equally busy on Icon of the Seas. In fact, this was the most happening nighttime spot on the ship. Yet again, we preferred the vibe of Dueling Pianos over Piano Bar 88.
However, Carnival Jubilee shines when it comes to comedy. Carnival Jubilee featured five different comedians throughout our cruise. Each comedian had several sets, including both adults-only comedy and PG-rated comedy.
While Icon of the Seas offers comedy shows in the Attic as well, the three comedians performed the same sets all week.
Additionally, both ships feature Latin music and dancing. Icon of the Seas has Boleros with a signature menu and two Latin acts. Carnival Jubilee’s Havana Bar offers a similar style of entertainment and signature cocktail menu.
At Royal Caribbean’s Music Hall, we rocked out to the tribute band Phoenix. Their sets featured classic rock songs from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. On Carnival Jubilee, we sang along with the Backyard Band, which played rock, country, and even some pop songs.
Not to mention, both ships feature a variety of game shows and other nighttime events. Icon of the Seas’ signature Crazy Quest has adults searching for random items. While on Carnival Jubilee, there’s Deal or No Deal and other game shows in Center Stage. Both ships also offer classics like the Love and Marriage game show in the theater.
Both cruise ships also have parties. Royal Caribbean has its Midnight Balloon drop on the first night of the cruise. The Royal Promenade also comes alive for the One Hit Wonders party.
While similar, the deck parties on Carnival Jubilee were certainly more lively. The 80s Rock and Glow Party and the White Hot Night party were packed with cruisers dancing along with cruise director Kyndall out on the pool deck.
Overall, both ships offer diverse nighttime activities outside of the theater productions. Depending on your cruising style, there’s plenty to keep you occupied each night of your cruise on board either vessel.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Main Dining Room
Winner – Tie Between Carnival Jubilee and Icon of the Seas
On Icon of the Seas, we had My Time Dining. Pre-cruise, we booked several dining times around 6:30 PM. The three times we dined in the main dining room, we had the same waitstaff and sat in the same section.
Overall, the food quality met our expectations for a mega-ship main dining room. My NY strip was cooked medium rare and well-seasoned. It was one of the best steaks in any main dining room. Likewise, I enjoyed the braised lamb on the final night. Further, you can’t go wrong with lobster tails, and Heidi always enjoys the turkey dinner.
The food was always delivered well-plated and at the appropriate temperatures. The service was on point as well. We were in and out of dinner in about 75 minutes each evening.
Our server and assistant server were also friendly and talkative. In fact, Lyna remembered our drink preferences after one visit. She also made sure to time everything just right, so the pacing of our dinners was superb.
On Carnival Jubilee, we had that cruise line’s version of flexible dining, Your Time Dining. Unlike Royal Caribbean, we were not able to pre-make reservations. Instead, each night, we had to enter a virtual queue through the Carnival HUB app when we wanted to dine at a complimentary restaurant. Unfortunately, the estimated wait times in the app were not very accurate, and several times, we waited close to an hour before being called for our table.
On the flipside, while Royal Caribbean has made some cutbacks to its MDR menus, Carnival just rolled out new main dining room menus with some enhancements. These include new dishes and specialties from Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse.
During our three visits to the main dining room, some of the standout dishes were the Girod Street salad, spaghetti carbonara, jambalaya, prime rib, banana cream pie, and the melting chocolate cake.
The main dining food quality on Carnival Jubilee was on par with Icon of the Seas. However, the service in the Pacific Restaurant was not as attentive. There were often long delays between ordering and receiving our courses, and the waitstaff seemed overwhelmed.
Although, one benefit of Your Time Dining on Carnival Jubilee is access to additional sit-down restaurants for dinner at no additional charge. Along with the main dining room, Your Time Dining cruisers can dine at Chibang and Cucina del Capitano.
Chibang is a mix of Asian and Mexican cuisine. It features items like spring rolls and sweet and sour shrimp, as well as margaritas, tacos, and bowls. Cucina del Capitano serves up Italian-American cuisine. Can’t-miss dishes here include fried calamari, chicken parmesan, and tiramisu.
So, Royal Caribbean offered a more standard main dining room experience with excellent service during our cruise. While Carnival Cruise Line offered more options and flexibility.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Specialty Dining
Winner – Icon of the Seas
There are several similar specialty restaurants on these two mega-ships. While we did dine at different specialty restaurants on each ship, Icon of the Seas offers better variety and food quality in our opinion.
On each ship, we dined at the signature steakhouse. Chops Grill on Icon of the Seas was my favorite when compared to Fahrenheit 555. This signature steakhouse located in Central Park did not disappoint. My crab cake had a crispy crust with a moist stuffing filled with crab meat. For an entree, I opted for one of the new iconic cuts. The wagyu filet was tender and cooked to the ideal medium rare temperature.
Carnival Jubilee’s Fahrenheit 555 did sear up a flavorful Surf and Turf. But, the starters and side dishes did not match those found at the other steakhouse.
Both vessels offer sushi and teppanyaki at dedicated restaurants. Icon of the Seas has Izumi Sushi and Hibachi. We are fans of this Asian cuisine, and the mix of fried rice, dumplings, udon noodles, and spicy crispy tuna rolls were excellent.
Carnival Jubilee has Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, which are similar but has fewer hibachi tables.
When it comes to seafood, Carnival Jubilee boasts Rudi’s Seagrill. This seafood-centric venue delivers fresh options with Chef Rudi’s unique flair and plate presentations.
Starters like calamari and seafood bisque, along with entrees including surf and turf and the signature crab-stuffed lobster tail, will satisfy any palette. This restaurant is much better than Hooked Seafood on Icon of the Seas.
Another favorite of ours on Royal Caribbean ships is Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen. The pizza here is always a safe bet, with a thin handcrafted crust and just the right combination of toppings. The stromboli and the meatball were also favorites at our table.
For entrees, Heidi went with the chicken parmesan, and I did the osso buco, which were much better than similar options at Cucina del Capitano on Carnival Jubilee.
Icon of the Seas offers other upscale options, including the $200-a-person Empire Supper Club, which boasts an 8-course menu with cocktail pairings. While different, Carnival Jubilee also hosts a unique experience, Carnival Kitchen. The classes are led by a chef who provides step-by-step directions for guests to prepare the dishes at their own cooking stations. And then, you get to enjoy the finished product afterwards.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Bars and Lounge
Winner – Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean has elevated its beverage program with close to 20 bars on Icon of the Seas, 10 of which are brand new to the fleet. Still, Carnival Jubilee has nearly 15 bars and lounges on a ship that’s close to 30% smaller.
Overall though, in this showdown of Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee, we give the best bars category to Icon of the Seas for elevated decor and quality of beverages.
The 1400 Lobby Bar is the new hip watering hole on the Royal Promenade. This trendy and modern space serves signature cocktails themed after the different Royal Caribbean ships, with the Fourteen Hundred in honor of the Icon Class.
Further, the new AquaDome neighborhood is home to a few bars, too. These include the Overlook Bar, which serves the signature Overlook Spritz. The new Rye and Bean coffee bar serves espresso-infused cocktails and other coffee drinks. The espresso martinis here are a must, especially as a pre-show drink.
Signature drinks were available at several other bars too, including new selections at the Schooner Bar and Boleros, along with musically-inspired cocktails, like the Purple Rain, in several of the music venues.
On both ships, there is a well-themed pool bar. These include several Lime and Coconut bars on Icon of the Seas and new favorites like the Lemon Post. Likewise, there is the RedFrog Tiki Bar near the Beach Pool, the Watering Hole Bar near the Patio Pool, and the Tides Bar near the Tides Pool on Carnival Jubilee.
Not to mention, the adults-only Hideaway Bar on Icon of the Seas shakes up new signature cocktails. We preferred this bar’s drink menu, trendy layout, and vibe more than the Serenity Bar on Carnival Jubilee.
On Carnival Jubilee, we did like the drinks at the new Dr. Inks in the Current Zones. This Disney-like bar includes some digital elements and signature cocktails like the Seahorse Glide and the Crimson Catch.
The Golden Mermaid was also another one of our favorites on Carnival Jubilee. Light piano music accompanies signature cocktails like the Radiant Rose and the Atlantis Potion. While not new, we did like the concoctions at the Alchemy Bar as well.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Fun Factor
Winner – Carnival Jubilee
Carnival Cruise Line refers to its fleet as FUN Ships. Undoubtedly, the Fun Squad team and cruise director Kyndall on Carnival Jubilee are out to ensure everyone has the best vacation ever.
Kyndall is high-energy and can be found throughout the ship. She hosts many of the events and leans right into the role of cruise director. This Texas native is the ideal choice for a ship sailing from Galveston. She is personable, took time to talk to cruisers, and was always ready to take a selfie.
Unlike some cruiser directors who seemingly just go through the motions, Kyndall is always on. From the trivia hosts to the comedy hosts to the bingo hosts, this team is certainly more fun than their counterparts on Icon of the Seas.
This is not to say that the cruise director Mike and his staff on Icon of the Seas are bad, they just aren’t as high energy or as visible around the ship. Similarly, the Icon of the Seas’ parties were tame in comparison to those on Carnival Jubilee.
If you are looking for high energy and fun from morning till night, Carnival Jubilee delivers.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Adults Only Areas
Winner – Tie Between Icon of the Seas and Carnival Jubilee
Both mega-ships boast adult-only areas, and each space has unique attributes that won us over. So, we couldn’t pick one ship that was a clear winner for adult-only spaces.
Carnival Jubilee’s adults-only area is the larger of the two spaces. The Serenity Retreat forward on Deck 18 encompasses one-third of this outdoor deck.
The Serenity Retreat includes loungers, daybeds, and oversized sofas positioned in both the sun and shade. This area is also home to two whirlpools and a centralized pool, next to a sunken couch, daybeds, and additional tables and chairs in the shade.
On sea days, the Serenity Retreat showcases the Serenity Bar and Fresh Creations salad bar. Along with poolside classics, the bar menu features exclusive sangrias and wine-infused cocktails. Fresh Creations offers a self-service salad bar. Like many other venues on the ship though, there was often a line for this complimentary venue.
In contrast, the ideally located Hideway on Icon of the Seas is the perfect spot for an adults-only area on a mega-ship. Overlooking the wake, this venue features the first suspended infinity pool at sea.
The Hideaway also offers day beds and sun loungers on the terraced sundeck, overlooking the ship’s wake; though, the daybeds do come at a fee. The Hideaway Bar offers a signature cocktail menu that complements the beach club vibes of this aft pool deck. This lively, upbeat, adults-only area is far better than any solarium you might find on another Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
However, compared to Carnival Jubilee’s Serenity, the Hideaway on Icon of the Seas is too small and has no shaded areas. While we do prefer the location and trendy decor of the adults-only space on Icon of the Seas, Carnival Jubilee boasts a larger and more relaxed space with the Serenity Retreat.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Staterooms
Winner – Tie Between Carnival Jubilee and Icon of the Seas
For both cruises, we stayed in standard balcony staterooms.
On our Carnival Jubilee cruise, we stayed in cabin 12235, a balcony cabin located on the starboard side of the ship, forward of the forward bank of elevators.
This category 8D balcony cabin offered plenty of storage for our clothes and gear. Compared to similar mega-ships, this stateroom boasted the most closet space by far. It also had several power outlets, including 4 USB-A outlets near the desk. Cruisers could charge devices with a USB-A outlet on each side of the bed as well.
While the cabin was functional, we think the staterooms on Carnival cruise ships are rather plain. Still, it was a comfortable setup for our week-long Caribbean sailing.
We stayed in a traditional balcony cabin, cabin 14258, during our Icon of the Seas cruise. This midship stateroom was closer to the aft elevator bank on the ship’s portside. Given the enhancements and trendy design of the public venues, we were surprised that the Icon of the Seas cabins were rather basic as well.
For the most part, the cabin’s layout and function were identical to that of other vessels in the Royal Caribbean fleet.
Our stateroom on Icon of the Seas did include even more power outlets than our accommodations on Carnival Jubilee, along with both USB-A and USB-C outlets. The balcony on Icon of the Seas was slightly larger too, with chairs, a table, and small ottomans to help you relax while at sea.
The bathrooms in each stateroom were similar. They offered equally-sized shower stalls with glass doors utilizing a multifaceted hinge.
While each stateroom had its unique benefits, overall, there wasn’t much difference in features and comfort between the two cabins.
Icon of the Seas vs. Carnival Jubilee: Crowd Control
Winner – Icon of the Seas
As we mentioned earlier, both ships had a similar capacity of around 5600 passengers. With both ships having the same number of cruisers, we can confidently say that Icon of the Seas handled the crowds much better than Carnival Jubilee.
Icon of the Seas better dispersed crowds and maintained a more efficient flow of passengers.
Perhaps what surprised us most about Carnival Jubilee was the sheer number of lines we encountered during the trip. Complimentary restaurants, entertainment venues, or other activities usually had lines irrespective of the time of day. This is in contrast to Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, where we rarely encountered lines.
We never waited for dinner, and we could find seats at all entertainment spaces with the exception of Dueling Pianos. It is true that Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas requires reservations for many shows. It also offers cruisers the ability to reserve dining times in advance. So, part of the issue could be the difference in onboard systems.
Finding a lounger on the Icon of the Seas pool decks was never an issue. And the walkways were wide open allowing passengers to transit from one end of the ship to the other with ease. All the venues and public spaces felt more open on Icon of the Seas than Carnival Jubilee too.
Further, the elevators were another instance where Icon of the Seas far surpassed Carnival Jubilee. The intelligent elevators on this mega-ship were easy to use, and we had no issues getting a lift at any time of the day. This is compared with the small and often cramped elevators on Carnival Jubilee. Getting an elevator was often difficult, with Heidi and I often waiting for several different elevators to pass before we could hop on.
Final Verdict on Carnival Jubilee vs. Icon of the Seas
Carnival Jubilee is an excellent value for families looking for a relaxing, fun-filled, casual cruise. With multiple complimentary dining options, a jam-packed list of activities, and family-focused entertainment, kids of all ages will enjoy this fun ship. With a Dr. Seuss partnership, this cruise ship is an excellent option for those with younger kids too.
On the other hand, Icon of the Seas certainly has some of the biggest wows at sea. The Category 6 waterpark rivals those on land. The ship also has terrific entertainment, with multiple unique venues boasting innovative shows. Plus, it offers more upscale eateries than its competitor. However, this larger-than-life ship comes with a hefty price tag.
When comparing cruises six months out, we find that an Icon of the Seas cruise for a family of four has a fare of around $9,800. When planning a year out, in the summer of 2025, the same 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary was selling for about $1K less.
Comparing to Carnival Jubilee, an oceanview balcony cabin for a family of 4 on a similar itinerary in August 2024 is going for around $3,300. For a booking in August 2025, cruisers can lock in the same cabin type for a tad more, around $3,450.
While prices do fluctuate, it is safe to say that an oceanview balcony stateroom on Icon of the Seas would easily cost double that on Carnival Jubilee. So, it is really up to the discerning traveler to determine if the costs are worth it for a Western Caribbean cruise.
No matter which ship you choose, you can certainly have a great vacation. Both offer plenty of family-focused fun.
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