Pam's Jubilee Review - Jan 13-20, 2024

[chasinraynbowz]

Hi everyone, first let me introduce myself.  My name is Pam.  I am a 60 something widow who currently lives in Memphis, TN.  My husband and I used to love to cruise and now I continue to cruise on my own, with friends, with family or all of the above.  I still work full time and get a wonderful 5 weeks vacation annually, so at least 4 of those weeks are spent on the water!  I think this was cruise number 23 or 24 for me.  Traveling with me this trip is my best friend Linda from Huntsville, Alabama!  Also cruising with us were my friends Ryan (I met him 15 years ago on a cruise) and his husband AndyMike and AndyMike’s father and his GF.  So 6 of us total. 

 

Linda and I both had decided this was a cruise to relax!  We were not going to be running from one end of the ship to the other daily.  We planned naps, took unplanned naps… lol… and relaxed in our cabin, on our balcony, in the serenity area and the spa.  Both of us have things going on in our lives and it was time to just take a moment (or a week) for ourselves!

 

We were originally booked on this ship the week of January 20.  The only reason I had chosen that cruise was because it was an Elite casino cruise.  A few weeks later I found out that Ryan and AndyMike were cruising the week before us, so I called the casino hosts and was able to change to the week of the 13^th.  It was no longer an Elite cruise, but it would be so much more fun with my friends.  And boy was I right!  Out of all of my cruises, I think this was my favorite of all!!

 

Linda and I booked our airfare thru American.  She flew from Huntsville, Alabama and I flew from Memphis.  The prices for first class vs economy were so close, we upgraded ourselves!  We were supposed to meet in Dallas and fly together to Houston.  Well, Mother Nature and American Airlines had different ideas.  With the big storm coming in, my flight was late getting to Dallas.  Even though I was “on time” for my connecting flight with Linda, American had already removed me from that flight and a crew member took my empty seat…. Surprise surprise.  They rebooked me on another flight 30 mins later.  Linda got to Houston about 30 mins before me and was able to get her luggage…. and mine (which miraculously made the flight without me) about the time I landed. 

 

In November, I found a company called Cruise Driven (MacKenzie) who provides private transportation services for cruise ship passengers.  I paid ½ of the fare with the other half due day of travel.  She will even stop at Buc’ees y’all!!  MacKenzie was great!!  She knew our flights were delayed due to the weather, so she told us to text her when we landed, no matter the time, and she would come get us.  Luckily we landed around 830pm and she was there within 10-15 minutes to pick us up.  After a stop at Buc’ees for dinner and wine, we headed to Galveston.

We booked the Harbor House for Friday night.  It was a very nice room and very close to the port.  They offer a free shuttle to the port, so we took advantage of that instead of lugging all of our luggage.  Now, for those who say it’s within walking distance, you are correct.  But not for me right now.  I fell and currently have mobility issues, so until I am better, the shuttle it is.

 

 

Me and Linda waiting on our shuttle from Harbor House to the port.

[chasinraynbowz]

Since I booked us in an Ocean Suite and I am Platinum I had a check in time of 10am.  I didn’t want to hurry up and get there to sit and wait, so we headed over to the port around 11am or so.  Once we got thru all the lines and got checked in, we were able to walk right onto the ship. 

 

Quick note for passengers who may have mobility problems and have never cruised out of Galveston.  Arrange a wheelchair.  I didn’t know that.  Luckily, there was a man pushing an empty chair down the ramp who offered to take me to the ship.  I accepted! 

 

Once on the ship, we did our muster and then headed to our cabin to drop off our carryons.  We were in cabin 9418.  It was a great location inside the ship.  Middle and close to everything. 

 

We headed out to get our first drinks of the cruise and a quick bite to eat before going back to our cabin to unpack.  We had reservations at the steakhouse and didn’t want to eat too much!  We were both exhausted from the long travel day the day before and very little sleep that night, so we decided to rest before dinner.  I had just fallen asleep when the phone in our cabin rang which startled me and caused me to fall out of bed… hahaha!!  I will say those twin beds are narrow!!!!  All was good.  It was the steakhouse confirming our reservations.

 

[chasinraynbowz]

Our Ocean Suite

 

 

 

 

 

[kwokpot]

Thank you for posting your review. As someone who tries to post my cruise experiences I know how much time and effort it is to do this, so additional thanks for the effort! There hasn't been too many Jubilee reviews posted here on CC so I know people will be very interested in what you have to say about your cruise. 

[chasinraynbowz]

More pics of our cabin

 

 

 

 

Having sailed on the Celebration last year in a Cove Balcony, I will say that I like the bathroom a LOT better in the Ocean Suite than in the normal cabins.  They are just too small.  

 

 

[chasinraynbowz]

We all met at the steakhouse bar and ordered drinks before dinner (this is a common theme for the week – meet at a bar for drinks and then dinner).  Their 555 drink is amazing!  The steakhouse service and food was amazing, as usual.  For starters I had the shrimp cocktail and then ordered the ribeye steak for dinner with a side of potatoes.  For dessert I had the ice cream.  They no longer do the chocolate art show at the table.  After dinner and a quick visit to the casino, it was off to bed for all of us.  It was heavenly being rocked to sleep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[chasinraynbowz]

More steakhouse pictures.  This is the 555 drink!  Yum!

 

 

 

 

[chasinraynbowz]

Our first sea day was a lazy day.  We had room service for breakfast and then napped.  LOL  Once up and moving around, we went to Emeril’s for lunch.  We napped again, sat on our balcony and basically had a very quiet day.  

 

One thing I will say about our cabin, I would not choose it again.  Instead of being able to look down into the ocean, we looked down on the roof of Chibang.

 

 

 

We then got ready for dinner at ChiBang.  We met at the Havana Bar for drinks before dinner.  Dinner was great. Dinner, drinks and company were fantastic!!

 

 

 

 

Edited January 30 by chasinraynbowz

[chasinraynbowz]

Monday, January 15 was Cozumel Day!!  We love Cozumel.  A few months ago, we all decided to go to Mr Sancho's Beach Club, so we all made reservations.  Out of all of my visits to Cozumel, I had never been there.  I have been to Paradise Beach a few times with the grand kids, so I was excited.

 

We all met in Grand Central and headed out to grab a taxi.  We asked for a van so we could all go together, but had to wait a few minutes for one to be available.  It was a quick ride there and once there, one of us who will remain nameless, paid for all of our entry fees since the nameless one hit $10,000 the night before in the casino!!!  Sad to say, it wasn't me.

 

We spent a great day at Mr Sanchos.  We sat under a palapa and had all the food and drinks we could ever want.  Once we got a bit warm, some of us headed over to the pool and got in.  We swam up to the bar and ordered another drink or 3 and enjoyed our afternoon.  When we were ready to leave, we headed out and got into a van and headed back to port.  

 

It was a great day!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 30 by chasinraynbowz

[chasinraynbowz]

While we were enjoying sunshine, sand, margaritas and tacos, those at home weren't.  I left just in time!!!

 

[chasinraynbowz]

That's it for today.  I will start back up tomorrow with pictures of sloths, the Chef's table and much more!

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!!

[Butterbean1000]

Good review, looking forward to the rest.  Have you tried Nachi Cocum?

[chasinraynbowz]

3 hours ago, kwokpot said:

Thank you for posting your review. As someone who tries to post my cruise experiences I know how much time and effort it is to do this, so additional thanks for the effort! There hasn't been too many Jubilee reviews posted here on CC so I know people will be very interested in what you have to say about your cruise. 

Thank you so much!  I was determined to do this one!

[chasinraynbowz]

Just now, Butterbean1000 said:

Good review, looking forward to the rest.  Have you tried Nachi Cocum?

Thanks!  No, I haven't gone there yet.  Is it worth it?  I am headed back in March... lol.

[Butterbean1000]

8 minutes ago, chasinraynbowz said:

Thanks!  No, I haven't gone there yet.  Is it worth it?  I am headed back in March... lol.

It's our go to place on Cozumel.  Very laid back, not crowded.  We tried Sanchos once and it wasn't for us.  We're talking about trying Paradise next.

[dctravel]

Great trip so far! Following along as we sail in March!

[2Shoes2Go]

Thanks for the nice review! We’re heading over to Galveston soon, to check Jubilee out. 😊

[princess76021]

I just got here, IYKYK, I'm always late!

Thanks for doing this.

Going back to start enjoying your (our) cruise!!

Hugs from Texas

[TxCruiseGuy]

Thank you for the review! We sail Jubilee in April and this is just adding to the excitement!

 

And I agree that if you want a laid back day in Cozumel Nachi Cocom is the way to go, they limit the number of people each day so it keeps it from overcrowding.

[chasinraynbowz]

16 hours ago, Butterbean1000 said:

It's our go to place on Cozumel.  Very laid back, not crowded.  We tried Sanchos once and it wasn't for us.  We're talking about trying Paradise next.

If you like laid back, stick with Nachi Cocom.  I didn't find Paradise laid back.  Each time we cruise with our grand kids, thats where we go.   LOL

[chasinraynbowz]

12 hours ago, dctravel said:

Great trip so far! Following along as we sail in March!

You will love it!!  I am sailing from Galveston in March also, but on the Dream.  Taking my 82 year old mother on a birthday cruise!

[chasinraynbowz]

To continue.....

 

Once back on the ship and cleaned up, we met at the Havana Bar for drinks before dinner at Cucina Del Capitano.  While having drinks, someone may have gotten engaged.  (Out of respect for their privacy and I am not sure who all knows yet, I am keeping names to myself 😊)  Also, for you karaoke fans, there was karaoke each night we went in.  Some good, some bad but all in all fun!!

 

After dinner, we played in the casino for a bit and then went to watch Adult Family Feud.  I have never laughed so hard in my life.  If you have never been and are not easily offended, be sure to go!!

 

 

 

 

 

[chasinraynbowz]

Tuesday, January 16 was Be A Bum Day.  It was Costa Maya day and none of us really wanted to get off the ship.  So we slept in, had coffee in our cabin, napped and then decided to get up and get moving… lol.  Once we did, we got into our suits and headed for the Serenity Deck where we spent the entire day on a lounger.  Ryan and AndyMike joined us as well as another couple (there were 3 loungers next to each other in the shade).  What a great, relaxing day!  The server kept us cool with drinks, a couple of us went down and got lunch for everyone else (burritos) and if it got too hot, we just got under one of the showers next to the hot tubs.  After a few drinks, I am sure it wasn’t so “serene” near us.  There was way too much talking and laughing!!

 

Side note.  I get the internet package each cruise because I have to be able to communicate with my office should the need arise.  They text me if they need me and I check my emails several times daily.  This day, not once did I check my emails.  I took no pictures.  I just had fun!!!

[chasinraynbowz]

Wednesday, January 17 is SLOTH DAY!!!!  We are all excited.  We had room service delivered and met down in Grand Central so we could all get off the ship at the same time.  Our tour was for around noon, so we were not in a hurry.  We met our group and got in line.  Walked towards the vans and waited in line again and then headed the rest of the way to the vans.  Once at the Sloth Encounter we got off the bus and had to wait in line again…. lol.  Honestly, it wasn’t that bad, but we did wait.  They have so many tours going thru there and they do such a great job!  I will let the pictures tell you how our day was!!

 

 

 

 

 

[chasinraynbowz]

We had so much fun holding these amazing creatures.  Mine decided he was going to try to flirt with the sloth next to me and very slowly tried to get over there.  It surprised me as you can tell by the look on my face!!  LOL