'I was a cruise sceptic until I stepped on board this ship.'

If you had asked me a few months ago if I'd like to go on a cruise, my answer would have been a swift and firm, no.

Firstly, I get seasick so fast. Boats? Not for me. Then there's the whole question of, who wants to be stuck on a ship all day anyway?

But when the chance to head to Texas to spend a week on the Carnival Jubilee came my way, I knew I had to jump at it. Stops in Mexico and Honduras? Sign me up.

Of course, I was still hesitant. But off me and my sea-sickness tablets went.

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The first thing that struck me was the sheer magnitude of the ship. Living in Sydney, I'm all too familiar with the massive ships that dock in the harbour, but it wasn't until I boarded the Jubilee in Texas, that I realised this really was a city on the sea.

At an impressive 344m long with a gross tonnage of 180,000 tons, this maritime giant can accommodate up to 6,465 travellers at full capacity across its 15 passenger decks.

As soon as you step onboard, you're transported into what feels like a luxury resort.

What makes Jubilee truly special is its six distinct "zones," each designed with its own theme and character. Throughout the ship are thoughtful nods to its home in Galveston, Texas and the ocean that surrounds it (ping, Dr Inks — a bar with an octopus as its namesake).

I have to say, I was a bit worried I'd get lost. I'd be lying if I said I didn't occasionally take a wrong turn, but for the most part, the ship was surprisingly easy to navigate. And if in doubt, there was always the Carnival app to guide me.

Setting sail.

Up first on the itinerary was three days at sea. We bid farewell to the port at the sail away party, with dancers, DJs and live music kicking off the afternoon. It was clear that this crowd was ready to have a good time (and knew how).

The energy was electric — a mix of excitement, anticipation, and sheer joy as the Texas coastline gradually disappeared behind us.

I can't lie, I was a bit worried about being stuck on a ship for three days. Would I get cabin fever? Would I be kissing the ground once we docked in Roatan, an island in Honduras?

Any fears of boredom quickly evaporated as I discovered the staggering array of activities available around the clock.

There's something for the games' lover, with bingo and a Family Feud live show that's surprisingly authentic. For musical fanatics, there's a Texas tribute live show and cabaret performances featuring multi-talented performers filling the stage with song, dance and even aerial tricks.

There's plenty to do.

A personal favourite of mine was Love and Marriage, a hilarious live show where three couples from the crowd — newlyweds, the oldest married and happily married — were put to the test to determine how well they really know their partner.

The audience was in stitches throughout!

If you're travelling with kids (or just young at heart), you need to check out the Ultimate Playground. This isn't your average play area — it features a challenging ropes course, minigolf, three large spiralling waterslides, a splash park, and of course, the star of the show: BOLT, the first rollercoaster at sea.

This all-electric thrill ride puts the power of speed in your hands as you zoom your motorcycle-style speed machine around an open-air course high above sea level. (If anyone heard me screaming, no you didn't…)

You can hear the screams from here.

There's also the lido deck, where the ship's main swimming pool is flanked by casual grab-and-go food options, bars and lounge chairs.

The RedFrog Tiki Bar serves up the good stuff across two decks' worth of atmosphere, creating the perfect backdrop for sunny sea days.

Get dressed up for one of the themed nights on board.

Warning, the main pool areas can be quite lively, so if you're a more laid-back solo traveller (or parents searching for a break), drop the little ones off at Camp Ocean (the ship's youth program) and pay a visit to the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat for a peaceful pool and relaxation area.

Or go one step further to escape the noise and visit Loft 19, an exclusive area with cabanas, loungers and a hot tub to soak up the silence.

Safe to say, my Kindle and I spent a lot of time here away from the crowds, enjoying the gentle ocean breeze and panoramic sea views.

A culinary adventure.

Jubilee offers more than 20 dining options, and I was lucky enough to try quite a few.

The all-you-can-eat buffets at Lido Marketplace provided platefuls of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a late-night menu on offer for the night owls.

A stand-out for me was definitely Bonsai Teppanyaki. The food was amazing and it came with entertainment. What more could you want?

Our chef was funny and engaging and the meal was delicious. I also dined at Cucina del Capitano for Italian and ChiBang! which uniquely mixed Mexican and Chinese on two co-existing menus for anyone fancying a burrito with their fried rice.

Teppinyaki was tasty and fun.

Guy Fieri's Guys Burger Joint was a popular lunch spot, serving juicy, greasy burgers with a variety of special sauces and fixings at the toppings bar. His Pig & Anchor Smokehouse was equally impressive, offering expertly smoked meats in a down-home BBQ atmosphere.

The main dining rooms, Pacific and Atlantic, offered something for everyone (and if they didn't, you can be sure they'll make something you can enjoy).

The Pacific Restaurant, with its two decks of tables and panoramic, aft-facing views, was particularly stunning. If there's one thing you must try, it's the Carnival chocolate melting cake. All I can say is, yum — this signature dessert is arguably the best chocolate treat at sea.

For quick bites, BlueIguana Cantina offered freshly made tacos and burritos with a massive salsa and toppings bar, while Coastal Slice served up pizza made right in front of you, available from early morning into late night.

Cocktails and desserts were a stand out, of course.

The cocktails deserve a special mention, too. These were artfully crafted on board and it was a mission working my way through the different options.

The Golden Mermaid bar was a highlight, a sophisticated venue where drinks are inspired by precious metals and gemstones, served in exquisite glassware with garnishes like edible glitter. The aforementioned Dr Inks and its sea-inspired drinks were a delight. Special mention goes to the sea cucumber cocktail.

Or enjoy a few drinks at Piano Bar 88 and request some of your favourite songs. Note, they love Australians! The singalongs here became more enthusiastic as the night progressed, creating one of my most memorable evenings aboard.

My stateroom became a welcome retreat each evening. The décor and in-room amenities added a touch of luxury to the experience. I'd return each night to find cute towel animals waiting for me on my bed, a sweet touch in my new home away from home.

Travellers deck out their doors and staff make adorable towel animals.

The service was impeccable throughout. My room steward and staff showed such attentiveness and attention to detail. They remembered my name, were so friendly and went above and beyond to make me feel welcome.

This exceptional level of service was reflected throughout the ship, with dining room waiters just as helpful and accommodating of my vegetarian diet.

Port adventures.

You get three port days on the Jubilee: Roatan (Honduras), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico). This is what sold me on the trip and I have to say, it definitely delivered.

If you truly want to soak up the culture or experience some adventure. Make the most of the Carnival excursions on offer.

Beautiful beaches and sloths!

Zip lining was so fun!

In Roatan, we explored the area with a local guide, who told us about life on the Caribbean island and pointed out some of his favourite spots. I went ziplining head-first (hello thrill seeker, who is she?), met sloths and fed monkeys before enjoying a swim at a white sandy beach.

I have to say, this day was a dream come true. I mean, sloths in real life? Come on!

In Mexico, I soaked up the history of Myan ruins at Chacchoben before enjoying quesadillas by the beach at Costa Maya. Then in Cozumel, we opted for a day at Xplor Park, a high-adventure theme park where I flew through the air on zip lines into water, waded through caves in an underground river exploration, held on tight during an amphibious vehicle ride and screamed my lungs out on a five-in-one waterslide.

I just wish I had longer to explore Cozumel. I guess that's a sign to go back!

I loved port days.

Cruising is a world of its own.

The people are friendly and more eager for a chat than you'd find at a standard holiday resort. They come for a sense of community; to see the staff who have become friends and to make new ones.

I saw people in matching t-shirts celebrating their fifth cruise together, and others who were commemorating their dad's 60th. Couples were on their honeymoons. Families enjoying a well-deserved break. And little rubber ducks were everywhere (IYKYK).

Jubilee is the ship for someone who wants the vessel itself to be the destination.

Ultimately, I think three days at sea was a tad long for my personal liking (I'm a land-loving gal after all) and I found myself itching to get off and explore Roatan. But if you're someone wanting a fun and relaxing holiday, where convenience is key, this is the one for you. More than 20 restaurants, countless activities and the opportunity to lounge and swim all within walking distance? It's a pretty sweet deal.

So, if you're itching for something different for your next overseas holiday, don't be like me and instantly rule out a cruise, because who knows where things could take you. The Carnival Jubilee might just convert you too.

This writer travelled as a guest of Carnival Cruise. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's own.

Feature image: Mamamia.