Same Class, Which Sister?
Carnival Jubilee vs Mardi Gras
Carnival Jubilee and Mardi Gras are sisters in Carnival's Excel class, sharing the same zone-based layout, the BOLT roller coaster, and a nearly identical footprint. Mardi Gras was the ground-breaking first of the class in 2021; Jubilee arrived in 2023 as the more refined third iteration. What really separates them is a couple of signature zones and, more importantly, where each ship sails.
At a Glance
Carnival Jubilee
Carnival Cruise Line
Mardi Gras
Carnival Cruise Line
Highlighted rows show where the two differ.
Amenity Differences
Only on Carnival Jubilee
Nothing unique
On both
- ✓ BOLT Roller Coaster
- ✓ Casino
- ✓ Fitness Center
- ✓ Guy's Burger Joint
- ✓ Kids Club
- ✓ Pool
- ✓ RedFrog Tiki Bar
- ✓ Roller Coaster
- ✓ SkyRide
- ✓ Spa
- ✓ Specialty Dining
- ✓ Theater & Shows
- ✓ Water Park & Slides
Only on Mardi Gras
- + Family Feud Live
What Real Travelers Say
Pros and cons from real traveler discussions.
Carnival Jubilee
- BOLT: The Ultimate Sea Coaster lets you race two laps around the funnel with throttle and boost buttons for unmatched ocean views ($15 add-on)
- Newest Excel-class ship in the fleet (debuted Dec 2023), so finishes and decor feel fresh and modern
- Sails year-round from Galveston, making it the marquee mega-ship option for Texas and central-US drive-in markets
- 22+ dining venues with the bulk included in fare, so you can eat well without paying extra
- The Currents zone adds ocean-themed bars like Dr. Inks plus the WaterWorks aqua park for a strong activity lineup
- Overcrowding is the top recurring complaint — public areas and walk-up counters feel packed at peak times
- Complimentary dining venues develop near-constant lines during peak dinner hours each evening
- Service is reported as inconsistent, with some guests citing real misses especially on busy holiday sailings
- BOLT, the marquee attraction, is an extra $15 per rider and pricing/availability vary by sailing
- Some cabins drew cleanliness complaints (dirty carpets, moldy showers reported in member reviews)
Mardi Gras
- Lead ship of the Excel class and the first roller-coaster-at-sea vessel, with BOLT as its signature thrill ride
- First cruise ship in North America powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) for a cleaner burn
- Six distinct themed zones spread activity across the ship, headlined by a genuinely stunning multi-deck atrium
- Close to 20 dining venues, many of them included, serving everything from sushi to fried chicken
- Most-reviewed and most-established Excel ship, so itineraries, kinks and service patterns are well-proven
- Recurring complaints of long lines, packed venues and an overall crowded feel at peak times
- Several entertainment venues (Piano Bar, Punchliner Comedy Club) are too small to handle the rush
- Service quality is inconsistent, with some recent reviewers calling it underwhelming
- Daytime entertainment is the usual cruise-ship games and contests — quality is uneven
- Rowdier crowds turn up on pool decks and bars, especially on shorter sailings and peak seasons
The Verdict
These two are about as close as cruise ships get - same size, same crew ratio, same 4.4 rating, same headline attractions. The honest differences come down to a few themed zones and homeport. Mardi Gras pioneered the six-zone concept and carries the New Orleans-inspired French Quarter district, while Jubilee swaps in the ocean-themed Currents and coastal-inspired The Shores zones and generally feels a touch more dialed-in on the details past guests note about crowd flow. Since the ships are so similar, most travelers should choose on itinerary and departure port rather than trying to declare a winner onboard.
Choose Carnival Jubilee if…
Pick Carnival Jubilee if you want the newest ship in the class with its exclusive Currents and The Shores zones, and its Galveston homeport lines up with your travel plans.
See Carnival JubileeChoose Mardi Gras if…
Pick Mardi Gras if the original Excel ship's French Quarter vibe appeals to you, or if its East Coast itineraries and ports fit your schedule better.
See Mardi Gras