Papenburg's first Carnival-brand ship, Jubilee, gets first taste of Texas

Wearing cowboy-shaped hard hats, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy and SVP Newbuilds Ben Clement were joined by officials including Meyer Werft Managing Partner Bernard Meyer to celebrate the occasion by placing coins under a 375-ton keel block.

One of the coins commemorates an important part of Carnival history while celebrating its future by showing Carnival Jubilee alongside the original Jubilee from 1986. The coins will later be placed in a special compartment near Carnival Jubilee’s mast as permanent fixtures of the ship.

From left, Bernard Meyer, Christine Duffy and Ben Clement with the commemorative coins

Carnival Jubilee is the third LNG-powered Excel-class ship following Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras.

'Carnival Jubilee will significantly enhance our offerings from Galveston as the industry leader in the Texas cruise market and an important contributor to the Galveston tourism economy,' Duffy said.

First Carnival ship built in Papenburg

Carnival Jubilee is the first Carnival Cruise Line ship built in Papenburg.

Meyer Werft has already constructed four LNG-powered ships for other lines under Carnival Corp. & plc. Meyer Turku in Finland delivered Mardi Gras last year and is set to hand over Carnival Celebration later this year.

'The Meyer team will once again produce an advanced and innovative cruise ship that will provide a great vacation for millions of passengers,' Meyer said.

Carnival Jubilee will continue Mardi Gras features like the BOLT roller-coaster and will have signature venues to be announced. The ship is due to begin Galveston service in November 2023 with seven-day western Caribbean cruises to Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatán's Mahogany Bay.