mardi gras cruise ship images

MARDI GRAS: FUN-FUELED VACATION INNOVATION POWERED BY LNG

When we launched our first ship, 1972's TSS Mardi Gras , we made cruising a lot less stuffy, a bit less fancy, the kind of fun everybody could enjoy. Nobody expected this ship to change the cruise world, but... here we are! So here’s a brand-new ship with a familiar name. With this Mardi Gras ® we aren't just paying homage to our first ship — in cruising circles this name suggests innovation, signals the start of something big. Oh, and this Mardi Gras still shouts “fun!” at the top of its lungs. This ship introduces Zones — six themed areas packed with brand-new experiences for eating, drinking and spectacularly getting down to fun. There's BOLT ® , the first-ever rollercoaster at sea, Emeril's Bistro 1396 ™ from yes-that-Emeril, Family Feud ™ Live for everybody... plus incredible new bars like The Brass Magnolia and Fortune Teller . Everybody can enjoy Mardi Gras , sailing now. Come on down!

MEET THE HOMEPORT

On June 4 th , Mardi Gras met her homeport for the first time... which would be the awesome Port Canaveral , of course. So maybe you should meet it too! Port Canaveral is a great place to kick off a cruise from, especially with the beautiful, brand-new cruise terminal we built specifically to be Mardi Gras’ home. Cruise you soon, can’t wait!

MEET THE GODMOTHER

When it’s almost time for a new Carnival ship to start sailing, one of the most important decisions to make is who the ship’s godmother will be. This ceremonial position is such an important choice to get right… since the choice is not only a statement about the ship, but the things we value as a cruise line. That’s why Mardi Gras’ godmother is Kimberly Jiménez , better known as Miss Dominican Republic! Kimberly has distinguished herself through her important work as a champion for at-risk youth, and as a founding member of the Dominican Republic Women’s Club. She also recently won the Spirit of Carnival award for embodying our values of fun, friendship, diversity and inclusion. Congrats and welcome aboard, Kimberly!

MEET THE CEREMONY

We kick off a new ship’s career with a naming ceremony… and ours are one part tradition and a lotta parts fun! On the tradition end, we get dignitaries like Mardi Gras' godmother, Miss Dominican Republic Kimberly Jiménez, and our own Chief Fun Officer Shaq to help make sure the champagne bottle gets broken just right for good luck. And of course we don’t forget the party end of things, inviting countless well-known well-wishers, hosting a second line parade and spotlighting Mardi Gras’ crew of 120 nationalities. Welcome to the fleet!

INSPIRED BY THAT SPECIAL PLACE VACATION TAKES US

Ok, a few places — get ready for six distinct onboard zones featuring brand-new experiences for spectacularly getting down to food, drink and fun.

Grand Central

On a Carnival cruise your vacation starts in the atrium, and on Mardi Gras ® that's in the Grand Central zone. By the way... on this ship the atrium's different . Don't be surprised if you step inside and the first place you want to look is upwards. Up there are high ceilings that hint at even more fun living on the three decks above! But look around down here too... you'll find floor-to-ceiling windows that really bring in the ocean views. Of course you'll be back here throughout your cruise, taking a break with a nice cup of coffee or a menu of great food choices at JavaBlue ™ Café , enjoying performances up on stage, or killing time fabulously at the Grand View Bar. Just wait until the sun goes down and the space slips into evening dress, transforming into an amazing show venue after dark! In Grand Central you're never far from great dining spots like Bonsai Sushi ™ and Bonsai Teppanyaki ™ , plus feel-good entertainment like Piano Bar 88 ™ and The Punchliner Comedy Club ™ .

French Quarter

If "big" and "easy" sound about right for your vacation, you might just make the French Quarter on Mardi Gras ® your home zone. What inspired this area is no less than New Orleans itself… and if all this talk of NOLA has you half as hungry as we are, you’ll be pleased to hear that our French Quarter is lined with bars and eateries worthy of their namesake. For one thing there’s the spectacularly, authentically delicious Emeril’s Bistro 1396 ™ , developed in partnership with yes-that-Emeril. Just steps away is entertainment clearly influenced by the world-renowned Crescent City nightlife — yep, The Brass Magnolia bar features not only great drinks but also hot jazz, live. What’s more, you’re just steps away from sipping mystically at the Fortune Teller bar, and definitely save time to browse some funky little shops.

Summer Landing

Go ahead and call Summer Landing 'the greatest chill spot at sea'... and we'll be right there with you, any time of year! What's three letters long and goes great with chilling outdoors? BBQ, so we're building a Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse ™ into this zone so it always tastes like summer here with freshly-smoked faves designed by Guy Fieri and original Parched Pig ® beers brewed just feet away. If you're wondering where the pool and whirlpool are, we're so alike, you and us... and that's why we're sure you're gonna love The Watering Hole , a poolside bar we're building for aficionados of backyard-style relaxation. And for military folks — or folks who just want to raise a glass to them — please report to Heroes Tribute ™ Lounge for great service. We know you guys like soft serve too, so we're throwing in a Swirls ™ location — one of two! And why wouldn't we? At Summer Landing, fun this cool is literally always in season.

La dolce vita is within reach at La Piazza ... and we'd know, with all the Italian seafaring spirit that's literally driving the ship. This zone stands for atmosphere and flavor, and it starts with Cucina del Capitano ® , which brings your party together for an evening of Italian favorites served family-style, while Pizzeria del Capitano makes delizioso happen for you atop a base of imported Italian flour and fresh mozzarella. Mardi Gras ® debuts Piazza Panini where the handhelds are hot and pressed, plus Bar della Rosa , where you'll sip authentic espresso drinks by day and classic Italian cocktails when the sun goes down. All this flavor and flair we’ve got in here may practically transport you straight to Italy… but don’t forget that so much of it can be enjoyed outdoors, where the sea breeze is just bellissimo .

If you’ve cruised with us before, you know Lido ... but aboard Mardi Gras ® this poolside zone features even more delicious and fun experiences among the familiar flavors. Evolving the classic poolside rum-bar was a tall order, but RedFrog Tiki Bar will be serving up the good stuff across two decks’ worth of South Pacific atmosphere. Also first-time-fresh is Street Eats , bringing together highlights from the world’s fast-good cuisine like kebab, bao buns and seriously upgraded fries. Shaq’s latest Big Chicken ™ restaurant is here, and fan-fave spots like Guy’s Burger Joint ™ , the New England-inspired Seafood Shack ™ , and BlueIguana Cantina ™ taco spot aren’t done with your taste buds yet. And for folks hoping we haven’t forgotten: yes, Lido is absolutely home to one of two Swirls ™ locations, the free soft-serve spot!

THE ULTIMATE PLAYGROUND

Don't let the name fool you — this zone is ages everybody and up. Kids, you're going to love this. And adults, the playground has grown up with you. So yay for play! Of course The Ultimate Playground starts with BOLT ® , the first rollercoaster at sea, an all-electric thrill ride that puts the power of speed in your hands. But that's only the beginning — this playground has the largest Carnival WaterWorks ™ ever with three huge spiraling slides, plus SportSquare ™ is here featuring an entire mini-golf course, full-court basketball and a ropes course. And, of course, more. Ultimate enough for you?

INSPIRED BY ALL THE BEST STUFF

Mardi Gras ® is full of fun new ways to spend your time, but definitely isn’t leaving the fan favorites ashore.

BOLT: ULTIMATE SEA COASTER

Aboard Mardi Gras ® you’ll meet BOLT ® : the fastest — and first! — rollercoaster at sea. Strap in and zoom your motorcycle-style speed machine around an open-air course high, high above sea level. You know how on most rollercoasters... actually, never mind. Forget other coasters because this all-electric thrill ride puts you in the driver’s seat. That means you actually get to control how fast you go, so hit the gas and try for the fastest time, go for the biggest thrill — plus some amazing 360° ocean views! And for the folks who choose to chill: go light on the pedal, and this just might be the coaster for you!

The Brass Magnolia

Think about the fruity Hurricane cocktail or the stately Sazerac — for ages now, these hometown heroes have been ambassadors for New Orleans ‘credo of fun, flavor and just plain good times. So of course we’ll be serving up classics like these at The Brass Magnolia! You’ll also find a swingin’ jazz trio keeping things nice and hot … and it takes only one look at the décor to feel as if you just stepped into an elegant Southern estate. So come on down and let a white-coated bartender know what your pleasure is. Among the menu of Crescent City mainstays, we suggest starting off with a true connoisseur’s local favorite … the Brandy Crusta .

Fortune Teller

If you’ve strolled along New Orleans’ French Quarter in the evening, you’re not alone in feeling that mysteries and surprises lie around every corner. A French Quarter-styled zone on a new ship wouldn’t be complete without an unassuming little bar that feels like it’s always been there. On Mardi Gras ® , that’s Fortune Teller! Spirits truly abound here, and our unnaturally talented bartenders will be pleased to conjure up recipes like the all-black New Moon , the changes-color-before-your-eyes Abracadabra and the Golden Galaxy … actually made with a bit of real gold. Call us supernatural, but we’re sensing vacation fun in your future.

Family Feud Live

The show has been delighting viewers at home for generations, but you never had the chance to buzz-in on a cruise ship… until now! Carnival ships are the only place you’ll find Family Feud™ Live, and on every sailing we’ll be hosting games on an authentic Family Feud™ set — right down to the iconic Face-Off podium, plus all the excitement of Fast Money. Family Feud Live will be emceed by none other than your cruise director, so if you’re game, sign up your team of five for an audition… and make sure they bring that Family Feud spirit. And, of course, everybody’s welcome to grab a seat in the audience to catch all the hilarious action!

RedFrog Tiki Bar

Let's recap what we know about the mysterious RedFrog so far. He's cute, he knows how to chill… and flavor is everything to the little guy. We only just found out about the years he spent soaking up the sun among the grass skirts and frangipani flowers of the South Pacific where, he would tell you, it’s easy being red. You'll find some of his favorite recipes from those days on menu at the first-ever RedFrog ® Tiki Bar — sip a Polynesian Punch, try a Jungle Bird, or get a little tongue-twisted ordering a Red's Rum Jumper. This poolside bar on Mardi Gras ® spans two decks and transports you right to the land of Tiki.

For those who flock to waterparks just ready to make a splash, we’d suggest sliding on over to WaterWorks ™ aboard Mardi Gras ® . Three large-scale spiraling slides, a giant dumping bucket, twin racing slides and more — you know, the works — are all practically overflowing for your hydro-delight. When you spot the big slides on board you’ll see that they mean business, splashy business: Blue Lightning ™ is packed with headfirst, high-speed twists and turns, while Orange Thunder ™ starts you off standing before propelling you down into a world of wetness… and of course, our signature Twister ™ slide keeps on thrilling splash-seekers.

HAVANA BAR & POOL

On Mardi Gras ® you'll find the Havana Bar ™ & Pool. Good find — the relaxation pool is an exclusive retreat to paradise, and the bar becomes a hot dance spot when the sun goes down. Grab a seat at the bar and order up a handcrafted Cuban cocktail like a traditional daiquiri or classic mojito. This bar is just steps from the pool, whose ocean view and atmosphere mingles with the bar's own, for a bit of that old-time Cuban resort flavor.

SERENITY ADULT-ONLY RETREAT

Somebody at Carnival knows just what you need, and it's pretty much exactly the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat ™ . Look, you'll still be on the same ship as the kids, the hoopla, and all the Carnival-style excitement... but you could easily forget, because when you're at Serenity you could not be further from it all. The world you'll find yourself in is one of complete peace, sea breezes and, of course, a nearby bar. It's the place to get done the kind of stuff you just can't seem to do anywhere else — reconnect with your partner, finish that book, or do absolutely, blissfully, nothing at all.

CLOUD 9 SPA

True or false: cruises are a time for relaxation. Our answer: whether you're all action all the time, or chill to the core, everybody needs a chance to take it easy! And nobody will find an easier spot than Cloud 9 Spa ™ aboard Mardi Gras ® . This is an oasis built from the ground up for relaxation, from a full complement of traditional spa services like massages, facials, body wraps to the carefully-designed climates of Cloud 9's thermal suites... rooms swirling with moist or dry air, each heated very precisely. It turns out it's true: anyone can find a reason to say 'ahhh' at Mardi Gras's Cloud 9 Spa.

PLAYLIST PRODUCTIONS

When was the last time you got up and grooved... at the theater? Playlist Productions ™ takes songs you know and presents them like you’ve never known them before. Past favorites become full-blown musical productions featuring multi-talented performers absolutely bringing down the house with song, dance... and superstar attitude. With tunes from fan-favorite divas, crooners or rockers, each show has a different theme — and of course, a completely different playlist! Get ready for heartfelt emotions, straight-up bouncy fun, or something in-between — all types are welcome to get down here.

WISH MARDI GRAS ® HAD EVEN MORE FUN?

INSPIRED BY BOTH MMM & YUM!

Whether it’s casual munching or sit-down elegance you’re hungry for, we can’t wait to share all this dining variety with you.

You’ll detect some delicious Chinese and Mexican culinary traditions in the atmosphere at Chibang! ™ , our new restaurant… but even more importantly, you’ll notice them on your plate! We’ve brought together favorite dishes from the two cuisines, into an amazing menu that invites you to spread your culinary wings across the Pacific. Try a little from each side by mixing, matching and sharing in a dinner of flavor explorations. (Plus cocktails made from authentic ingredients!) Or stop in to Chibang! for a casual lunch that features noodle and burrito bowls based on our favorite ingredients from both of these worlds. Tip: Great news! Your first meal at Chibang! is on the house… and additional visits are just $8.

Rudi’s Seagrill

Rudi’s Seagrill ™ is the brainchild of cookbook author and master chef Rudi Sodamin. He has years of experience pleasing palates of vacationers… and this guy loves serving up a smile as much as Carnival does! But he’s serious about seafood, and an evening at Rudi’s proves it through the courses. Enjoy selections like seafood bisque and crab-stuffed lobster tail imperial — all served with an elegant flair that pays proper tribute to the beauty of the ocean from which so much fun, and flavor, arises.

Street Eats

Some of the world’s favorite flavors aren’t found in restaurants, but on the street in trucks, stalls and carts where flavor, convenience... and quality matter. That’s right, when you’re just feet from the chef, you know they’re cooking to impress! Street Eats is Carnival’s tribute to this food phenomenon, debuting aboard Mardi Gras ® with three ever-changing open-air stations. The first, Steam Dream , specializes in the steamiest stuff this side of the spa, featuring favorites like bao buns and pot stickers. Then there’s Mad Sizzle , which puts the “skill” in skillet with the likes of kebab and satay. And we’re definitely not about to forget Time Fries , which serves up every cruiser’s dream: fries loaded up with culinary creations from our chefs, like cheesesteak fries! On Mardi Gras you may be far from the street, but flavor’s right around the corner.

Emeril’s Bistro 1396

Mardi Gras ® sets sail with Emeril Lagasse's first-ever restaurant at sea: Emeril's Bistro 1396 ™ . Everybody knows about Emeril's love for Creole cuisine, and now you'll enjoy the authentic bayou flavors and fun New Orleans is known for on your vacation. If you haven't had the pleasure, we're talking about fried oysters, duck & sausage gumbo, po-boy sandwiches, fresh ceviche and more. We're serving up Emeril's faves all day… and because flavors this big don't just sleep in, we do some great ones for breakfast too! Raw bar, incredible desserts and Crescent City atmosphere round out the experience.

Big Chicken

When Shaq tells you to build a chicken joint on board, you start warming up immediately. The big guy brings his poultry know-how and good taste to the seas with Big Chicken ™ on Mardi Gras ® . Just like Shaq’s a multitalented entertainer, his restaurant is no one-trick chick. Step up to the counter for lunch or dinner and walk away with your choice of chicken sandwiches, crispy chicken strips or juicy fried chicken baskets... plus side dishes like potato salad and jalapeño slaw. Early-morning buzzer-beaters are invited to enjoy a breakfast of classics like chicken biscuits, a three-cheese omelet or our biscuit/egg combo featuring bacon or sausage. Snoozers are invited, too — breakfast is served until 3!

Bonsai Teppanyaki

It’s a meal, a performance, and it’s definitely unforgettable. The Bonsai Teppanyaki ™ experience is set to delight guests aboard Mardi Gras ® . Take a little time out of vacation to sit down to a selection of tempting appetizers, before your chef prepares the main course featuring selections of meats, tofu, fish, shrimp or lobster… right at your table. In the teppanyaki tradition — and Carnival’s tradition of fun — expect an interactive, satisfying meal full of surprise and delicious delight.

Bonsai Sushi

So maybe you’ve had sushi before, but have you tried it at Bonsai Sushi ™ ? This is Carnival’s onboard seafood-and-soy-sauce spot, and we think you’ll enjoy our latest location, aboard Mardi Gras ® . Dine indoors or out amidst carefully-pruned bonsai trees, while enjoying a delectable menu with sit-down service. Rounding out the meal: soups, sides, sakes and desserts. So the next time you’re taking a stroll down the onboard promenade, stop at Bonsai Sushi for a roll, a box or maybe order a whole sushi ship — seaborne satisfaction for two.

Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse

With choices like brisket, sausage, baby back ribs and dry-rubbed chicken, our pros do the smoking right there over hickory wood before serving them up at your table. You’re in Guy Fieri’s house — Mardi Gras ® has Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse ™ . Now about the brews: this house of BBQ tradition doesn’t just satisfy your hunger — you’ll also enjoy our all-new, exclusive line of Parched Pig ™ craft brews. There’s a smoked porter, a farmhouse ale, a hoppy IPA and a toasted amber, all brewed just feet from your table. Tip: Come by and check out the free menu at lunchtime, plus live music and lively atmosphere all day.

Seafood Shack

A good seafood dish… mmm, quite the catch. However you like yours — roll, bowl or platter — Seafood Shack ™ is Mardi Gras's place for you to cast your net. Imagine a seaside spot in New England, where the locals gather for great meals served with a bit of a breeze and a lot of a view. (That said, nowhere on land will you get 360-degree ocean views like ours!) Look to Seafood Shack for rustic favorites like Crab Cake Sliders, Lobster BLT, Fried Buffalo Shrimp, Snow Crab and more. Steer a course for Mardi Gras ® ... that’s where you’ll find this little shack by the sea, wherever in the world you happen to be!

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

Haute cuisine meets atmosphere at Fahrenheit 555 ™ , a dining experience that stands toe-to-toe with some of the best steakhouses on land. Except this one’s at sea — aboard Mardi Gras ® . Ours features your choice of steak cuts, lobster, lamb and more… and inside, there’s even a full bar that pours great pairings. These are the building blocks of an amazing experience — delectable elements that combine with great service to offer an evening to remember.

Cucina del Capitano

At Cucina del Capitano ® on Mardi Gras ® , who you’ve got gathered around the table is truly as important as what’s being served there. At our table you’ll enjoy delicious Italian favorites — we serve them family-style because we know that sharing large plates and sharing tales of your day’s adventures goes hand-in-hand. Speaking of which, our walls are adorned with old snapshots from our officers’ family albums, proving that the rustic Italian-farmhouse atmosphere definitely isn’t for show. Tip: Great news! Your first meal at Cucina del Capitano is on the house… and additional visits are just $8.

NOT HUNGRY YET?

INSPIRED BY COMFORT ITSELF

Mardi Gras’ staterooms are major innovations in the field of helping you get ready for fun, or relaxing after a long day. (No joke — we studied it!)

STATEROOM DESIGN

Design is more than just the way things look — it's as much about how they work. And staterooms aboard Mardi Gras ® are packed with innovative changes to both. It's the way the ring-lit vanity mirror lights you evenly and shadow-free as you get ready. How the ottoman cushion flips over to serve as an extra table. And even those reading lights, recessed into the wall so you can read in bed without waking anyone! These details are really more than just details. Better comfort, lighting and storage all spring from a deep understanding we've developed around how people actually use their staterooms… and how small changes to the room add up to make the experience that much better. (Enough USB charging ports for everybody’s stuff? Oh yes!) Thoughtful, guest-centric design is how we do it… and all this in-room convenience comes paired with a fresh new look.

Havana Staterooms & Suites

Consider your Havana stateroom or suite your own island resort aboard Mardi Gras ® . Most important is the exclusive location: near the Havana Bar & Pool. This relaxation pool is your members-only spot, and the bar's a fun-for-all hotspot when the sun goes down. Indoors, all Havana staterooms feature a unique décor, but step up to a Havana Cabana for an extra-large outdoor chill space. Step into a Havana Cabana suite for even more space, plus a luxurious rain shower. (All Havana stateroom guests must be 12 or older.)

Cloud 9 Spa Staterooms & Suites

Cloud 9 Spa ™ staterooms on Mardi Gras ® feature exclusive décor and in-room amenities to help soothe you after a long day’s fun — spa bathrobes and slippers, plus toiletries by Elemis. Book one of these staterooms and enjoy priority spa reservations, unlimited access to the thermal suites, free fitness classes, exclusive discounts and more! And you can have comfort and value — Mardi Gras’s got a full range of Cloud 9 staterooms in all sizes, from cozy Interiors to stretch-out Suites.

Family Harbor Staterooms & Suites

Family Harbor staterooms, with their unique nautical décor, can be found near Mardi Gras’ own Family Harbor Lounge — an exclusive spot with breakfast, snacks during the day, plus board games, family movies, video games and more. The benefits don’t end there — your little girls and boys eat free in most onboard specialty restaurants and get a free evening of Night Owls babysitting service, so you can enjoy a little alone time.

Interior Staterooms

Here’s the most affordable way to experience Mardi Gras ® , without cutting even a single corner in the comfort department. With an Interior stateroom you’ll get a full private bathroom, your choice of bed size and layout — covered in linens you can feel at home in — all of which make this truly a great spot for curling up after a long day’s fun. Get all the comfy details about Interior staterooms on Mardi Gras.

Ocean View Staterooms

These comfy rooms with a view let you take in the scenery as you sail toward your beautiful destinations. And how about those views? Nowhere on land will you find anything like ‘em. But the views aren’t all that matters here — Ocean View staterooms on Mardi Gras ® are a little bit bigger than Interior rooms and most feature a supremely loungeable couch for those times when neither lying nor standing will do. Get all the comfy details about Ocean View staterooms on Mardi Gras.

Balcony Staterooms

Balcony staterooms are proof that while it’s great to be cruisey… on vacation, breeziness is a virtue too. And any time you’re in your well-appointed Balcony stateroom aboard Mardi Gras ® , you’re just steps away from the outdoors by way of your private open-air oasis. Designed for kicking back al fresco, you’re in for some amazing ocean views… views so stunning you’ll just have to feel ‘em to believe ‘em. Get all the comfy details about Balcony staterooms on Mardi Gras.

Get all the comforts of home, and even a few extras. Since your huge Suite on Mardi Gras ® affords you VIP status, you're in the priority line when getting on and off the ship… plus Suites come with exclusive perks! (Carnival Excel Suites pack even more, like concierge service and access to Loft 19™.) A Suite is the ultimate way to enjoy the ship, and the extra comfort definitely goes a long way, with more room to put your feet up or stretch out on the extra-large balcony. Get all the comfy details about Suites on Mardi Gras.

Loft 19 ™ was designed to afford you a unique opportunity for relaxation and indulgence. This retreat-style space invites you to soak up the sun all day from the comfort of a lounge chair or infinity whirlpool. This pairs so perfectly with Carnival Excel suites that staying in one actually gets you Loft 19 access! Drink service is always close at hand, plus you can even opt for a little private time — renting a cabana gets you more than just a place in the shade, but extras like fresh fruit, chilled towels, lunch delivery and concierge service. (Cabana rentals are open to everyone, though guests in Carnival Excel-level suites enjoy priority reservations.)

INTRIGUED BY ALL THIS COMFORT?

Inspired by big plans for building fun.

Ships start as sketches, then come deck plans… and we get building from there. Check the decks on Mardi Gras ® and plan all the fun you're going to have on board.

INSPIRED BY FUN THAT MAKES HEADLINES

If you’re already excited about Mardi Gras™, nobody understands you quite like we do. Check back here for the latest news and announcements!

First Look Inside Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras [PHOTOS]

Richard Simms

• December 21, 2020

Although the first sailings of Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship are still several months away, photos of Mardi Gras offer a glimpse into some of what will await us on board.

From the stunningly redesigned atrium to familiar favorites with an updated look, we’ve got your first look at the ship… which will change everything for Carnival and their guests.

Come Aboard… They’re Expecting You

Carnival was one of the first cruise lines to recognize the importance of the atrium, especially since their ships’ design means that this is the first space guests encounter.

While the fleet’s past ships have always provided arriving passengers with a wow factor, Mardi Gras ‘ entirely new atrium concept takes that to a new level. A wall of glass stretching up three stories will offer incredible views of the waters through which the ship sails or the ports on which she calls.

Plus, the atrium will be home to a wide variety of entertainment options, including a unique nighttime show combining music, live performers, and technology.

It wouldn’t be a Carnival ship without an opportunity to chow down in one of Guy Fieri’s restaurants. Of course, Mardi Gras will offer the wildly popular Guy’s Burger Joint, but it will also feature Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse (aka Flavortown), a concept introduced on the newer Vista-class ships. This is the place to head for a variety of tasty treats, not to mention some amazing beers brewed right on board.

READ MORE:  5 Things To Know About Mardi Gras’ Cruise Director

Because you can never have too many spots offering menus created by celebrity chefs, Mardi Gras will feature Carnival’s first collaboration with Emeril Lagasse. If you know anything about Lagasse, you know he’s big on creole flavors. So look for Bistro 1396 to feature the kind of flavors that spice up your life and put a little pep in your step. Not surprisingly, Emeril’s restaurant will be located in the ship’s French Quarter Zone. As it happens, this is also where you’ll find another new-to-Carnival concept, the Brass Magnolia bar.

You can’t think of New Orleans without thinking of jazz, and the Brass Magnolia’s entire concept is that of an old-school lounge serving up not only great tunes, but also classic regional cocktails like the Sazerac.

Located just a stone’s throw from the Brass Magnolia is another new venue, the Fortune Teller’s Bar. Here, Vice President of Beverage Operations Eddie Allen and his staff have conjured up several unique cocktails with what he calls a “whimsical twist” — perfect for adding a touch of mystery to any evening.

Next on our photo tour of Mardi Gras is, well, another bar! This one’s a great outdoor spot, located in the Summer Landing zone. The Watering Hole was designed to be a bit reminiscent of the coolest backyard hangout spot ever. That is, if your backyard happened to come with views of the ocean.

READ MORE:  7 Stateroom Changes Coming to Carnival’s Mardi Gras

You can’t talk about Carnival cruise ship bars without mentioning our personal favorite, the Alchemy Bar. As you can see in the photo below, the version on board Mardi Gras has been both expanded and updated, allowing it to keep that classic cocktail bar theme while also upping the aesthetic.

While on some Carnival ships this venue can feel as if it was squeezed into a space instead of fitting in organically (which is, in some instances, the case), here the Alchemy Bar was given plenty of room.

As you might expect, Cucina del Capitano — Carnival’s signature Italian restaurant — can be found in the La Piazza zone on board Mardi Gras . What’s special about Mardi Gras’  version of the venue is that it will offer not only indoor, but outdoor dining as well. Want to avoid the madness that can sometimes be the main dining room on the first night of your cruise? Make a reservation here and enjoy a far more relaxed experience. Trust us, you won’t regret it.

When you’re ready for some fun, head to the Ultimate Playground Zone where you’ll find all kinds of ways to entertain yourself including miniature golf and, yes, the much-ballyhooed BOLT roller coaster.

In fact, in the picture below, you can see a section of the coaster’s track and the golf course’s cool landscaping. Good luck keeping the kids focused on their golf game when all they’re going to want to do is jump back on BOLT!

Another Carnival Cruise Line staple? The WaterWorks aqua park, complete with dizzying water slides and a whole lotta other ways to get wet without even having to get into the pool.

That concludes our photo preview of Carnival’s newest ship, which is slowly making its way toward a spring 2021 debut. Which of the six zones are you most excited to explore?

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Carnival Mardi Gras

Cruise line Carnival Cruise Line

• Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)

Carnival Mardi Gras current position

Carnival Mardi Gras current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 21.60349 N / -71.27201 W) cruising at speed of 19.1 kn (35 km/h | 22 mph) en route to DOPOP>TCGDT. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Carnival Mardi Gras

Carnival Mardi Gras current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean . Prices start from USD 789 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 13 Apr, 2024 and ends on 20 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Carnival Mardi Gras

•   Itineraries
•   Review
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Carnival Mardi Gras Itineraries

Carnival mardi gras review, review of carnival mardi gras.

The 2021-built Carnival Mardi Gras cruise ship is CCL-fleet 's first newest and largest liner of the Carnival XL-Class. All the three units in this series are from the German shipbuilder Meyer Werft (shipyard Turku Finland ). As with all other "Fun Ships", the shipowner is Carnival Corporation - the world's largest passenger shipping company .

The XL-Class is similar in design and facilities to Helios-Class ships produced for Carnival Corporation's brands Costa and AIDA by Meyer Werft in Papenburg Germany . Other Excellence-Class liners (Mardi Gras sisterships) are Carnival Celebration (2022), Carnival Jubilee (2023), P&O Iona (2020), P&O Arvia (2022), Costa Smeralda (2019), Costa Toscana (2021), AIDAnova (2018), AIDAcosma (2021).

The vessel (IMO number 9837444) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311001049) and registered in Nassau .

Carnival XL-Class ship design features a new (red-white-navy blue) hull and was created by the NYC-based naval architecture firm "Bluarch Architecture". Among the world's largest passenger ships , the new liner has length 1130 ft (344 m), passenger capacity 5200 (lower berths) and boasts the most advanced maritime technologies as well as various fleet-first and industry-first innovations.

On December 14, 2018, Carnival announced that the new Mardi Gras will have the industry's first roller coaster at sea. The facility ("BOLT Ultimate Sea Coaster") will be built by Maurer Rides ( Munich Germany -based company) specializing in roller coaster design and manufacturing. The race track has length 244 m (800 ft), with twists, turns, drops and speeds up to 64 kph (40 mph). Individual speeds are posted after the race. Carnival's roller coaster is all-electric and allows 2 riders to race along in motorbike-like vehicles at height 57 m (187 ft) above the sea. The experience features breathtaking top-deck 360-degree views and ends with a high-speed turn around the funnel/smokestack.

On January 25, 2019, was announced that the new Carnival XL-class vessel will have 6 themed zones (neighborhoods) - Grand Central, French Quarter, Lido-Pool, La Piazza, Summer Landing, The Ultimate Playground.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Mardi Gras staterooms (a total of 2641 passenger cabins) are divided into 22 different categories, including 2-deck apartments (duplex suites) and 80 wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers). All cabin bathrooms feature the fleet's first glass-door showers and in-shower shaving bar. Over 70% of all staterooms are outside, 300 pairs are connecting/family cabins.

The boat has 18 decks , of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 11 with cabins.

Cabin balconies are accessed via sliding floor-ceiling glass doors. The lounge area is furnished with new-type sofabeds (couch bed with footstools opening up for storage), under-bed storage (for suitcases), flexible reading lamps (bedside), mini-refrigerator with transparent glass door, plenty of power outlets, USB ports (on the vanity table and bedside), more shelving (for electronic devices), large wardrobe (with folding shelves, sliding shoe rack, 2 pull-out bins).

Like the Vista-class Carnival liners, Mardi Grass has Havana staterooms with a patio (indoor-outdoor space) with direct access to an exclusive Sundeck area with loungers, Bar and swimming pool. Another Vista-class type of cabins are Family Harbor (clustered near Camp Ocean/kids club) and with direct access to the exclusive Family Harbor Lounge. Cloud 9 Spa staterooms traditionally offer exclusive amenities, including premium bathrobes and slippers and Elemis brand toiletries.

Mardi Gras offers over 180 suites in 11 categories, including company's new premium category "Carnival Excel" suites (32 staterooms in 4 categories) with new VIP amenities and exclusive access to Loft 19 (resort-style, open-air sundeck). All ship suites offer a VIP amenities package including priority boarding/debarkation, bottled water upon arrival, priority MDR (main dining room) seating, plush bathrobes. Passengers in "Carnival Excel" suites receive as additional amenities:

• Dedicated concierge phone line
• Unlimited access to Loft 19
• Guaranteed specialty dining times (except Bonsai Teppanyaki, and Chef's Table)
• Complimentary room service, laundry, and Bottomless Bubbles soda package
• Fresh fruit basket and sparkling wine upon arrival
• Upgraded bathroom amenities

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The 19-decks high new Mardi Gras vessel also features Carnival's largest Atrium and open-deck areas.

• Grand Central (midship on Decks 6-7-8) is an expanded Atrium concept combining day-to-night entertainment complex (including aerial performances) with a bar lounge (overlooking the ship's starboard side) with 3-decks high floor-ceiling windows. From the Atrium are accessible the restaurants Bonsai Sushi, Bonsai Teppanyaki and Punchliner Comedy Club, as well as the intimate Piano Bar 88 (themed venue for sing-a-longs).
• French Quarter (aft on Deck 6) is lined with new eateries and bars. This neighborhood is linked via 2-deck-high Promenade with the traditional New Orleans jazz club lounge "The Brass Magnolia" (offering hand-crafted cocktails and live music).
• La Piazza (midship on Deck 8) is an Italy-themed area housing the 24-hour complimentary Pizzeria del Capitano and Cucina del Capitano (seafood restaurant). Classic Italian cocktails and live music nightly are offered at the new Bar della Rosa (cafe/patisserie/Lavazza-coffee bar, cocktails) and Piazza Panini (hand-pressed sandwiches/Deli food bar). La Piazza is designed like a courtyard with an interior marked by red brick walls, street lights, murals, ornate iron and tile works, an original Vespa scooter (Piaggio-made) and an original Fiat 126 (rear-engined car, 1972-made/the year when TSS Mardi Gras liner debuted).
• Summer Landing (aft on Deck 8/close to waterline) houses Guy's Pig and Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse (Carnival's complimentary smoked-on-board BBQ food by Guy Fieri), The Watering Hole (outdoor bar with wide selections of cocktails and beers), ParchedPig (onboard- brewed craft beers), Heroes Tribute Lounge. Also in this neighborhood are located a lunch counter (for the Smokehouse-Brewhouse), an expansive outdoor deck area with two whirlpools and an infinity pool, a stage for live music, a sports bar featuring indoor and outdoor TV screens, hang-out space with trivia, dance classes, arts and crafts.
• Heroes Tribute (bar lounge via partnership with Operation Homefront/USA-based nonprofit organization that provides services and supports military families and veterans) offers comfortable seating (leather armchairs with low tables) and large TVs (for live sporting events).
• Lido (aft on Decks 16-17) houses Carnival's complimentary Pool Deck eateries Seafood Shack, BlueIguana Cantina, and Guy's Burger Joint, plus the new venues "Street Eats" (grab-and-go eatery) and "Big Chicken by Shaq" (lunch and dinner take-away food bar).
• The Ultimate Playground (aft on Decks 18-20) is a large family-friendly outdoor playground area highlighted by fleet's largest Carnival WaterWorks (aquapark) and an expanded SportSquare (sports complex). Also here is the "BOLT - Ultimate Sea Coaster" (first at sea).

The new Mardi Gras ship also has Carnival's signature facilities Serenity (adults-only resort), Alchemy Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Carnival Mardi Gras main dining rooms feature select items from the onboard steakhouse, available for an additional fee. Mardi Gras also has a Lido buffet. Seafood lovers are pampered with the Seafood Shack - New England-inspired casual eatery. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating and the menu includes steamed lobster, lobster rolls, fried shrimp, fried clams, crab cakes, and other seafood surprises. Seafood Shack serves lunch and dinner and is priced a la carte starting at $4.

The ship has a Japanese specialty restaurant (named Bonsai Teppanyaki) located within the Bonsai Sushi restaurant (on Promenade-Havana Deck). The restaurant offers authentic Far East dishes and a live cooking show performance (by the chefs) at custom-built cooking stations positioned at the center of an 8-seat dining table. Due to the room's limited seating, reservations are required. Each meal at Bonsai Teppanyaki starts with a sampling of 5 appetizers (Miso Soup, Pork Belly Yakitori, Spicy Tuna on Rocks). Combo dinners are also offered. Each meal ends with the specialty desserts "Chocolate Bento Box" and "Green Tea Ice Cream". The restaurant is open for lunch (seadays only) and for dinner (every night of the voyage). Cover charge/price is per person and covers the entire meal.

Available on all Fun Ships is Chef's Table (VIP dining experience / 12-guest capacity) that includes multicourse dinner with ship's Master Chef, private cocktail reception and galley/kitchen tour. This dining option usually takes place in a non-traditional venue (a dedicated room in the galley) and can be booked onboard for USD 75 per person.

Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse has a specialty restaurant (located in the French Quarter of Deck 6 / portside). Lagasse is the chef and owner of 11 different restaurants, including 4 in New Orleans . He is a regular guest on Good Morning America (TV show) and has hosted 2000+ shows on Food Network (US pay-TV channel). Lagasse Restaurant offers New Orleans cuisine, including spicy creole specialties. Menu items include muffuletta sandwiches, oyster and cochon de lait po-boys, gumbo, jambalaya, side dishes (Creole potato salad with diced scallions, red beans, jazz-man rice), desserts (Bananas Foster, lemon icebox pie). For Breakfast are also offered Shrimp & Grits, and Shrimp Creole Omelet. A-la-carte menu appetizers cost US$2 each, entrees are priced at US$12.

New (Mardi Gras only) drinking and dining venues are within the themed zones "Lido" (deck 16) and "Summer Landing" (Lanai/promenade deck 8 aft). These include RedFrog Tiki Bar, The Watering Hole, Street Eats, Big Chicken by Shaq.

• RedFrog Tiki Bar is a South Pacific Island-themed, 2-level bar designed as a variation of Carnival's poolside RedFrog Bar. New is the island-inspired outdoor decoration with floral patterns, vibrant colors, tiki heads. Located close to Guy's Burger Joint, RedFrog Tiki Bar offers refreshing cocktails (like Red's Rum Runner Jumper, Jungle Bird, Polynesian Punch) presented in souvenir glasses and pineapples.
• The Watering Hole (located within The Patio at Summer Landing) is a backyard-like designed outdoor bar with wide selections of cocktails and beers (including Carnival's own brands / canned and draft brews).
• Street Eats is an open-air complimentary eatery located next to Seafood Shack. It offers ready-to-eat street food via 3 themed kiosks (steamed, fried, and plancha food). The new grab-and-go dining venue has a daily rotating menu. Small plates (including falafel or empanadas) are available at the fried food station, siu mai or bao buns - at the steamed food outlet, and satay and kebabs at the plancha food kiosk.

The new Mardi Gras has Carnival fleet's second "Big Chicken" restaurant at sea (by Shaquille O'Neal). Debuting on Carnival Radiance in 2021, Big Chicken by Shaq is located aft on Lido Deck. Many menu items are developed by the basketball player himself, the rest are based on the star's favorite food recipes.

Rudi's Seagrill is another fleet-first dining venue (seafood restaurant by Rudi Sodamin / Holland America Line 's Master Chef). Rudi's Seagrill is a specialty restaurant (at surcharge / reservation fee) located on Deck 8 (between Summer Landing and La Piazza) with indoor (80 seats) and outdoor seating (al fresco dining on The Lanai). The Seagrill offers appetizers, entrees and desserts, with all menu items presented as food faces. Signature dishes include Bigeye Tuna, Lemon-Stuffed Grilled Branzino, Seared Scallops, Salt-Roasted Prawns, Broiled Lobster Tails, Crab Cake, Caramel Apple Cheesecake, Chocolate Truffle Cake. Non-seafood options are also on offer.

Ship's 2-deck-high Lido zone houses fleet's biggest "Guy's Burger Joint" (by Guy Fieri), the Mexican food bar BlueIguana Cantina, the New England-inspired Seafood Shack, and Lido Marketplace (ship's buffet restaurant). Other signature facilities in the area are Beach Pool (midship) and the infinity swimming pool Tides Pool (aft) with a bar, great stern views and ample seating. Lido-Pool Deck also houses deck parties and Dive-in Movies (at Carnival Seaside Theater/outdoor cinema).

Follows the complete list of Carnival Mardi Gras restaurants and food bars.

• Palm Restaurant (2-level Aft Dining Room)
• Flamingo Restaurant is a dinner-only Dining Room (complimentary) with sit-down waiter service.
• "Emeril’s Bistro 1396" is the first-at-sea restaurant by chef Emeril Lagasse (celebrity chef and owner of 11 different restaurants in the USA). The restaurant was named after the Mardi Gras ship's hull/Turku shipyard number (1396). A-la-carte menu appetizers cost US$2 each, entrees are priced at US$12. The restaurant offers New Orleans cuisine, including muffuletta sandwiches, side dishes (Creole potato salad with diced scallions, red beans, jazz-man rice), desserts (Bananas Foster, lemon icebox pie). For Breakfast are also offered Shrimp & Grits, and Shrimp Creole Omelet. Signature dishes at Emeril’s Bistro 1396 are chef's favorites Slow-Cooked Cochon de Lait Po'Boy (Boston butt pork roast), BBQ-Grilled Shrimp (large shrimp/peeled-deveined, tails attached), Emeril's Classic Seafood Gumbo (shrimp, fish, oysters), Cajun Jambalaya (boneless-skinless chicken thighs).
• Bonsai Sushi restaurant (including Bonsai Teppanyaki) serves Japanese cuisine specialties and drinks (a la carte priced menu).
• Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse (indoor/outdoor seating, open between 6 - 9:30 pm) is a premium steakhouse-seafood restaurant at a surcharge (reservations recommended).
• The Chef's Table (private dining room) is a small room dedicated to the multi-course Chef's Table VIP dinner package (surcharged at $75 per person).
• La Piazza (Italy-themed zone) houses Pizzeria del Capitano (complimentary 24-hour pizzeria restaurant), Cucina del Capitano (seafood restaurant) as well as fleet's first/new venues Bar della Rosa (cafe/patisserie/Lavazza-coffee bar, cocktails) and Piazza Panini (hand-pressed sandwiches/Deli food and desserts bar).
• Summer Landing houses Guy's Pig and Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse (Carnival's complimentary smoked-on-board BBQ food by Guy Fieri) and ParchedPig (onboard-brewed craft beers).
• Lido houses Carnival's complimentary Pool Deck eateries Seafood Shack, BlueIguana Cantina (Mexican fast food bar), and Guy's Burger Joint
• BlueIguana Cantina is a complimentary poolside (self-serve) fast-food bar with Mexican cuisine serving the Beach Pool area.
• Lido Marketplace (self-service buffet restaurant)
• Big Chicken by Shaq (specialty restaurant by Shaquille O'Neal)
• Rudi's Seagrill (specialty restaurant by Rudi Sodamin)
• RedFrog Tiki Bar
• The Watering Hole
• Street Eats (grab-and-go eatery)
• (deck 16/Lido) Chibang! is a new (introduced on the ship Mardi Gras) restaurant for signature Chinese and Mexican dishes (a la carte-priced), with two separate food menus plus a beverage menu (including specialty cocktails, like Chibang! Margarit, Smokey Mezcal Negroni, Green Tea Martini). The decor is marked by floor-ceiling windows (wall-to-wall), heavy red and green, with gold accents, a colorful dragon (at the entrance). Dishes include favorites like Kung Pao Chicken, Singapore Chili Shrimp/Prawn, Slow-Braised Pork Belly, Egg Drop Soup, Crispy Pork Carnitas Tacos, Steak Ranchero, Mole de Pollo Mexicano, Pork Lomito, Pescado Frito Crujiente, Camarones a la Diabla (shrimp).

In mid-January 2018, CCL announced 4 new craft beers that will be brewed onboard the Carnival Horizon (and the new Mardi Gras) ship. The brews were developed by brewmaster Colin Presby. They are offered at Guy's Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse (Brewhouse), The names of the new draft beers are inspired by the BBQ offerings at the Smokehouse/Brewhouse.

• "ParchedPig Farmhouse Ale" is a lightly hopped dry finish beer.
• "ParchedPig Smoked Porter" is brewed with in-house smoked malt, hickory smoke, and molasses.
• "ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale" has rich amber color and notes of toasted caramel and biscuit.
• "ParchedPig West Coast IPA" is a traditional West Coast India Pale Ale loaded with bitterness and a distinctive aroma of pine and citrus.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The outdoor activity complex on the Mardi Gras ship is named The Ultimate Playground (2-deck high) with SkyCourse, SportSquare, Carnival WaterWorks (fleet's largest aquapark, has 3x spiraling waterslides, 1x 2-lane racing slide, 1x tipping bucket) and "BOLT - Ultimate Sea Coaster" (world's first rollercoaster at sea).

A signature outdoor fun facility is the ropes course SkyCourse (length 600 ft / 183 m). SkyCourse is part of the SportSquare (sports complex) with an indoor hangout, mini-bowling, mini-golf course, The Clubhouse, Ping-Pong area with tables, jogging track, interactive sports gaming, arcade basketball.

Located on the ship's top-deck ( deck 19 ), Loft 19 is a new VIP leisure concept (secluded retreat for adults) designed as an exclusive (Excel Suites-only) premium resort complex. Here are offered full bar service, swimming pool, sunbathing area with cabanas, deckchairs and sun loungers available for rent. The cabanas are fully-stocked with beverages, chilled towels, plush bathrobes and provide dedicated concierge service with lunch delivery and fresh fruits. Carnival Excel Suite passengers enjoy priority cabana reservations.

Grand Central Atrium is a large open-floor-designed space (midship on decks 6-7-8) that combines an entertainment complex with a bar lounge overlooking the ship's starboard side) with 3-decks high floor-ceiling windows.

• Grand Central features 3000-ft2 (280-m2) glass panels (built into the vessel's superstructure) to provide passengers with unobstructed views as they relax in comfortable seating. From the Atrium are accessible 3 dining venues (Bonsai Sushi, Bonsai Teppanyaki, Punchliner Comedy Club) as well as Piano Bar 88 (themed venue for sing-a-longs), Mardi Gras Casino (gaming lounge), The Fun Shops (retail shops).
• During the day, Grand Central Atrium serves as a relaxing space for enjoying beverages, light food, live music performances or participate in trivia contests and leisurely pursuits. At night, the Atrium transforms into an intimate venue with live performances (stand-up comedy acts, dancing, acrobatics) and quality media as guests can interact with 16 individually controlled LED screens (sized 6x14 ft / 1,8x4,3 m each) displaying video and special effects, along with aerial feats and lasers.
• On Atrium's top-level (deck 8) is the Grand View Bar which offers floor-ceiling views and custom-made cocktails amidst new design features - such as a virtual waterfall displayed on translucent panels. The Atrium's mid-level (deck 7) is served by the Center Stage Bar. Both Atrium bar lounges offer specialty cocktails inspired by the theme of the evening's entertainment.
• On Atrium's low-level (deck 6) are JavaBlue Cafe (a coffee bar serving lattes, coffees, cappuccinos, fresh bakery items, salads and light food throughout the day) and Cherry on Top (sweets shop).

Follows the complete list of Carnival Mardi Gras lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Family Harbor Lounge (a dedicated to families space with 24-hour complimentary dining, concierge and babysitting service, movies, video games, board games by Hasbro).
• Mardi Gras Theater is the boat's main show lounge for grand style show productions featuring live performances (tribute acts - singing and dancing) combined with sound and lighting special effects.
• French Quarter's "The Brass Magnolia" is a New Orleans-themed jazz lounge featuring live performances and hand-crafted cocktails.
• Punchliner Comedy Club/brunch (Karaoke, art auctions, nightly shows).
• Piano Bar 88 (cocktail bar) offers themed music nights, a grand piano for live performances by a resident pianist, singalongs, trivia quizzes.
• JavaBlue Cafe (open between 7-10 am, and between 4 pm-12:30 midnight) is a specialty patisserie/coffee bar.
• Havana Bar is an authentic Cuban cafe (cocktail/coffee bar) with live Latin music in the evenings. After midnight, the bar transforms into Latin disco/nightclub.
• Cherry on Top (open between 4-10:30 pm) is a Carnival signature shop selling bulk candies by the oz (mix and match, sugar-free, assortments), confections (lollipops, sweet apples, truffles, chocolate deep cheesecakes and pretzels, cupcakes, fudge, cookies /and sugar-free).
• The Fun Shops is named the shipboard duty-free shopping complex of retail stores (open between 8 am - 12-midnight).
• Special Occasions shop sells Bon Voyage wines/champagnes/liquor, Carnival cruise packages, specialty items, and gifts.
• Mardi Gras Casino is a Vegas-style gambling casino equipped with various slot machines (Coinless Fun Slot Machines) and gaming tables (Craps, Roulette, Black Jack 21, Caribbean Stud Poker, dealer-free poker tables).
• Limelight Lounge offers live evening entertainment by vocalists, musicians, comedians, karaoke.
• Lanai promenade (with outdoor seats, served by Lanai Bar-BQ Bar).
• Alchemy Bar is a vintage-themed cocktail bar (drink pharmacy) where professional mixologists (dressed in lab coats) serve handcrafted cocktails and made-to-order drinks from unique ingredients.
• Dreams Studio (photo sessions studio)
• Pixels Photo Gallery and Shop (professional photo-video services, duty-free equipment, and accessories, photos on display available for purchasing)
• Havana Outside is the Havana complex's pool area (1 swimming pool /Havana Pool, live palm trees).
• Tides Pool (aft) has 1 swimming pool flanked by 2 Whirlpools and a large sunbathing area served with drinks by the Tides Bar.
• Circle C (kids club lounge), Club O2 (teens club lounge)
• Warehouse (Video Arcade)
• Camp Ocean (formerly known as "Camp Carnival" - youth activities program)
• Creative Cove (a dedicated room for kids arts-crafts and workshops)
• Dr Seuss Bookville is a family-themed indoor playground (kids room/library) fitted with all Dr Seuss books (available for reading), fun games, themed decorations and activities (Dr Seuss characters, memorable phrases from the books, character meet-and-greets). Other themed events held on the ship include Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast (at Main Dining Rooms), Story Time (at Camp Carnival), Seuss-A-Palooza Parade (Promenade Deck show).
• Carnival Cloud 9 Spa (wellness complex with Thalassotherapy Pool)
• The Fitness Center/Gymnasium (complimentary)
• Serenity Retreat (adults relaxation area served by Serenity Bar, with 2 cantilevered Whirlpools and sunbathing area)
• Loft 19 Retreat offers full bar service and a swimming pool surrounded by cabanas.
• The Ultimate Playground is a large (2-decks high) family-friendly outdoor playground with fleet's largest Carnival WaterWorks (aquapark), expanded SportSquare (sports complex with a basketball court, ropes course, jogging track, mini-golf) and "BOLT - Ultimate Sea Coaster" (world's first rollercoaster at sea).

Carnival Cruise Line's entertainment team partnered with celebrity directors from Los Angeles (Broadway) and London (West End) to create 3 new signature shows - part of the onboard "Playlist Productions" revues. The new shows (named "Celestial Strings", "Soulbound", "Vintage Pop") use the full capacity of the interactive LED screens. A 4th show ("Amor Cubano - A Caribbean Dance Romance") is also available on the Horizon ship. It was introduced in 2017 on Carnival Vista.

• "Celestial Strings" show is themed on classical music mixed with modern pop.
• "Soulbound" is a gothic-inspired, New Orleans-themed show featuring R&B music favorites.
• "Vintage Pop" show is themed on "Gatsby's Cotton Club", featuring modern songs recomposed into classic jazz interpretations performed live by a 6-piece jazz band.
• "Amor Cubano - A Caribbean Dance Romance" show is themed on classic Latin songs mixed with modern music hits. It is held at the Havana Bar and highlighted by a 7-piece Cuban music band.

Itineraries

Mardi Gras ship's itinerary program is based on Caribbean roundtrips leaving from homeport Port Canaveral (Orlando City, Florida USA) , with preferential berthing at the new "Carnival Terminal 3" (CT3). The canceled in early-July "Caribbean 2020" program was planned to start after the Transatlantic repositioning from Europe. Bookings opened on January 30, 2019.

The canceled 2020 program offered a diverse schedule with 6-day to 15-day itineraries in Europe and the Caribbean. The ship's 2020 schedule included:

• (repositioning) 9-day "maiden voyage" from Copenhagen to Southampton UK (August 31-September 9, 2020) visiting Kiel, Gothenburg, Oslo, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge and Le Havre (Paris).
• (repositioning) 14-day Transatlantic crossing from Southampton to NYC New York (September 9-23, 2020) visiting Canary Islands (Las Palmas, Tenerife), Funchal (Madeira Island), Ponta Delgada (Azores).
• 6-day "inaugural Caribbean cruise" (September 24-30, 2020) roundtrip from NYC to Portland ME and Saint John NB
• (repositioning) 15-day "Carnival Journeys" itinerary one-way from NYC to Port Canaveral FL (September 30-October 15, 2020), visiting Amber Cove (Dominicana), San Juan (Puerto Rico), St Thomas (USVI), St Maarten, St Kitts, Aruba, Curacao, Grand Turk.
• Following a special 8-day Caribbean voyage from Port Canaveral (October 16, 2020), the liner had to start a 7-day Caribbean program on October 24, offering two different 3-ports-7-days itineraries (alternating weekly) to Eastern-Western Caribbean ports.

The boat's Maiden Voyage is currently planned to depart on October 2, 2021 (previously scheduled for February 6, April 24, May 29, July 3). The 7-day Western Caribbean itinerary (Port Canaveral roundtrip) visits Mexico ( Cozumel, Costa Maya) and Honduras (Roatan Island's Mahogany Bay).

Carnival Mardi Gras - user reviews and comments

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Carnival Mardi Gras Wiki

Like most large -sized newbuilds , the new Carnival ship Mardi Gras is LNG-powered , with 4x Caterpillar Marine LNG engines (model MaK 16M-46DF) generating combined output 57,2 MW. The propulsion system is based on two Azimuting thrusters with combined power output 37 MW. The ship has 3x LNG tanks (cryogenic steel) with total capacity ~3200 m3. Two of the tanks are larger (length 35 m / 115 ft, diameter 8 m / 26 ft, gas capacity 1525 m3), while the 3rd tank has length 28 m (92 ft), diameter 5 m (16 ft) and gas capacity 520 m3. The ship's bunkering takes ~8 hours and her LNG capacity is enough for ~14 days of operation (navigation and onboard electricity production).

The shipbuilding order (Meyer Turku yard number / hull 1396) was placed on September 6, 2016. On November 15, 2018, was held the steel-cutting ceremony, which officially started the vessel's construction by the shipbuilder Meyer Werft ( Turku Shipyard, Finland ). The keel-laying ceremony was on June 18, 2019. The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) on January 24, 2020, and scheduled for delivery in October. The launch ceremony was attended by Ben Clement (Carnival Cruise Line's Senior VP of newbuilds) and Jan Meyer (Meyer Turku's CEO).

The new liner was officially delivered on December 18, 2020, at Meyer Turku Shipyard. The ceremony was attended by Christine Duffy (Carnival Cruise Line's President) and Tim Meyer (Meyer Turku's CEO).

The second liner (Carnival-XL series sistership) Carnival Celebration will be delivered in 2022, with its construction starting in 2020. In March 2022, Carnival Cruise Line celebrates the company's 50th Anniversary.

The name for the newbuild (yard/hull number 1396) was officially revealed on December 6, 2018, at the Puzzleboard of the US TV game show "Wheel of Fortune" - at the very end of the broadcast. Newbuild's name honors Carnival Cruise Line's first-ever "Fun Ship" - MARDI GRAS. The traditional ocean liner was launched in 1961 (under the name "Empress of Canada"). The vessel (last named Apollon) was scrapped in 2003.

For its LNG-bunkering operations in Florida (at homeports PortMiami and Port Canaveral ), CCL-Carnival partnered with Royal Dutch Shell plc as fuel supplier.

In mid-June 2019 were announced ship's senior officers - Giuseppe Giusa (Captain, 31-year of maritime service, former Italian Navy sergeant, with Carnival since 1993, ex-Master of Ecstasy and Breeze), Ferdinando Ruocco (Chief Engineer, former tanker ship officer, with Carnival since 1997, ex-Chief Engineer of Triumph and Valor) and Pierre Camilleri (Hotel Director, with Carnival since 2004, ex-Hotel Director of BreezeVista and Horizon).

The vessel's keel-laying (aka "coin ceremony") ceremony was held on June 18, 2019, with which officially started ship's construction at Meyer Werft's Turku Shipyard in Finland. During the special event, newly-minted unique coins were placed under the first hull/keel block in the drydock. The coins are traditionally placed to bring luck to the vessel during construction and later at sea.

Mardi Gras was initially Panama- flagged (MMSI 352049000) and started Baltic Sea trials on September 28, 2020, spending 10 days at sea (through October 7) for testing its machinery and navigation equipment. For 5 months in 2021 (January thru May) the boat remained berthed in Barcelona Spain . On May 21st started the Transatlantic repositioning crossing (without passengers) to Florida USA, with scheduled arrival in Port Canaveral on June 4. CCL announced on May 17th that the vessel will change flag-state to Bahamas (MMSI tba) and registered in Nassau .

On May 17, 2021, CCL announced the name of the ship's godmother - Kimberly Jimenez (Kimberly Marie Jimenez Rodriguez, 1997-born in Puerto Rico and raised in Dominicana actress and model, resident of La Romana ).

• Kimberly Jimenez was crowned "Miss Dominican Republic 2020" (the beauty pageant was held in Santo Domingo on August 18, 2019) and also represented the Dominican Republic at "Miss Universe 2020" (ended 4th Runner Up in the beauty pageant held in Hollywood Florida, on May 16, 2021).
• Kimberly Jimenez is a champion for at-risk youth and an advocate for adoption, volunteering at Los Ninos de Cristo - an orphanage in La Romana serving abused and abandoned girls. She is also a founding member of IWC Santo Domingo (Dominicana's International Women's Club) providing services to indigent women suffering from breast cancer.
• CCL also announced that during the Maiden Voyage, Kimberly Jimenez will be joined by Andrea Meza (1994-born Mexican model, crowned "Miss Universe 2020", previously crowned "Mexicana Universal 2020", "Miss Mexico 2017" and 1st Runner-Up at "Miss World 2017").

The christening ceremony was held on October 23, 2021, at Port Canaveral. The official naming ceremony was attended by the Godmother (Kimberly Jimenez) as well as Andrea Meza (Miss Universe 2020), Asya Branch (Miss USA 2020), Arnold Donald (Carnival Corporation's President & CEO), Christine Duffy (CCL's President), Shaquille O'Neal (CCL's Chief Fun Officer), many VIP guests - including Romero Britto (Brazilian painter & sculptor), Emeril Lagasse (restaurateur, celebrity chef), Kathie Lee Gifford (TV presenter, singer), Vanna White (TV personality/film actress), Guy Fieri (restaurateur).

Inaugural cruise 2021 itineraries

Due to construction delays (delayed delivery), the new ship's first 8x cruises in 2020 were canceled. These voyages included the Inaugural Cruise in Europe (Copenhagen to Southampton), the Transatlantic crossing (Southampton to NYC), 2x NYC departures, 4x Port Canaveral roundtrips. You can see the itineraries at the liner's CruiseMinus (accidents) page .

On July 6, 2020, CCL announced that Mardi Gras officially debuts in 2021 (~4 months later), with the inauguration planned for February 6 (Maiden Voyage). A total of 11x itineraries (departures planned for the period November 14 through and including January 30) were canceled.

• On December 3, 2020, CCL canceled additional 11x Caribbean cruises on Mardi Gras - departures February 6-13-20-27, March 6-13-20-27, April 3-10-17. The Maiden Voyage was rescheduled from February 6 to April 24.
• In late-January 2021 were canceled 5x more Caribbean departures (April 24 through May 22). The Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for May 29. In early-April were canceled 2 more Caribbean sailings (June 19 and 26) and the Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for July 3.
• In May 2021 were canceled 10x more Caribbean departures (July 3 through Sept 25) and the Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for October 2.
• Eventually, Carnival canceled a total of 42x Caribbean sailings planned for the new boat.

Next tables show the ship's revised program with the maiden voyages (inaugural itineraries by destination) as call ports (arrival/departure times) and lowest prices per person in USD (Inside cabin fares based on double occupancy).

( MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021 ) 7-day "Western Caribbean" itinerary (from USD 690 pp)

Inaugural 7-day "Eastern Caribbean" itinerary (from USD 720 pp)

The old Mardi Gras ship

TSS Mardi Gras vessel had IMO number 5103936, LOA length 198 m (650 ft), width 26 m (87 ft), draft 9 m (29 ft) and GT tonnage 27,300 tons (originally 18261 GT tons). Liner's capacity was 1240 passengers (originally 1048) plus 470 crew. During its service history, the vessel was named Empress of Canada (1961-1972), TSS Mardi Gras (1972-1993), Olympic (1993), Star of Texas (1994), Lucky Star (1994-1995) and Apollon (1995-2003).

The ocean liner was built at Vickers-Armstrongs shipyard in Newcastle England UK . The yard was located in the city's Walker suburb. Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd (1927-1977) was an engineering-design and shipbuilding company formed in 1927 as a merger of two British companies - Vickers Ltd (engineering) and Armstrong Whitworth (manufacturing - armaments, ships, locomotives, automobiles, planes). In the 1960-1970s, most of Vickers-Armstrongs was nationalized, with the remainder of the company's private assets divested in 1977 as Vickers plc. In 1999, Vickers plc became defunct and was purchased by Rolls-Royce plc. In 2004, the Vickers brand became defunct.

The vessel's launch (float-out from drydock) was on May 10, 1960. It was delivered to Canadian Pacific in March 1961. The inaugural cruise departed on April 24, 1961, from Liverpool to Montreal . The shipowner Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd was founded as "Canadian Pacific Steamship Company" in 1887 in Vancouver BC . In 2005, the company (aka CP Ships) was purchased by TUI AG and became part of TUI's subsidiary Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (acquired in 1998).

Empress of Canada offered regularly scheduled Transatlantic crossings between the UK and Quebec Canada (Liverpool - Montreal). Like all CP liners, Empress of Canada was UK-flagged. After 121 Transatlantic crossings ( RepositionCruises.com ) and 82 Canadian cruises, Empress of Canada arrived in Liverpool on November 23, 1971, with which the regular Liverpool-Canada service was terminated. On December 17 (1971) the liner was laid up in Port Tilbury-London .

In January 1972, the vessel was sold to Carnival Cruise Lines and started operations as "TSS Mardi Gras" under flag-state (registry) Panama. The first "Fun Ship" started its maiden voyage on February 26, 1972, leaving from London to Miami . Mardi Gras sailed for Carnival until 1993 when was sold to Epirotiki Line (Greek shipping company founded in 1850).

In 1995 was created Royal Olympic Cruise Lines as a merger of "Epirotiki Line" and "Sun Line". In 2000, all scheduled voyages were canceled and the boat was laid up in Port Piraeus-Athens Greece . In 2001, the ship (renamed "Apollon") re-entered service for short-breaks (3-4-day) roundtrips from homeport Piraeus. In 2003, the 42-years-old liner was laid up again, and soon sold for scrap.

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Carnival Mardi Gras

Ship overview.

Spanning 20 decks high above the sea level Mardi Gras is the latest XL-Class flagship in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet. Paying homage to the line's very first ship TSS Mardi Gras, which set sail in 1972, the new Mardi Gras is a grandiose vessel that accommodates 6,500 passengers. With all the new features Mardi Gras is one of the most innovative cruise ships adding more dining options, staterooms choices, and of course tons of fun activities for all ages. Among many innovations incorporated in this ship is the introduction of six themed "zones", each a tribute to a different culture. The New Orleans-inspired zone “French Quarter” is the heart and soul of the ship where guests will experience classic live jazz music, and a dining venue by the celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. The Grand Central zone located mid-ship features three-deck-high floor-to-ceiling windows and an impressive bar overlooking the ship’s starboard side. This area which is used for various entertainment events will also offer easy access to the Bonsai Teppanyaki and Bonsai Sushi restaurants, Piano Bar 88 and the Punchliner Comedy Club. On Deck 8 is located La Piazza zone where guests will experience authentic Italian cuisine at the family restaurant Cucina del Capitano, a Mediterranean-themed seafood restaurant, and the 24/7 Pizzeria del Capitano, as well as a bar serving coffees during the day and Italian cocktails in the evening. The ultimate chill spot, Summer Landing is located at the aft of Deck 8, offering an expanded Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, a pool and whirlpools, and lounge areas. Lido area on Decks 16 and 17 offers a variety of casual poolside restaurants, including BlueIguana Cantina, Guy’s Burger Joint, the New England-inspired Seafood Shack. Higher above on Decks 18 -20 is the family-friendly Ultimate Playground, which will feature Bolt, the first rollercoaster at sea, Carnival’s largest WaterWorks aqua park in the fleet, and an expanded SportSquare.  Carnivals most popular signature venues including Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Alchemy Bar and the Serenity adult-only retreat are also be incorporated onboard Mardi Gras

Ship Specifications

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First Look at the Inside of Carnival Mardi Gras

Last Updated on October 1, 2023

Today, the Carnival Mardi Gras was turned over to the company by the shipbuilders, Meyer Turku. With that transfer, we got some of the first real looks inside of the Mardi Gras. It looks like it’s going to be an impressive ship, but let’s go over some of our first impressions.

Let’s take a look at what we see and how we think it differs from Carnival’s other ships.

Update : July 15th – we have some better looks at the pool in the Serenity area and a first look at the Street Eats section. This will be the last update to this post. The ship will launch in 2 weeks and we’ll have full coverage at that point. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Facebook if you want to be notified.

Alchemy Bar on the Mardi Gras

The Alchemy Bar is a staple on every Carnival Cruise ship, delivering delicious cocktails like the Cucumber Sunrise . Traditionally, the Alchemy Bar is more subdued with dark woods and gray, stone countertops, but it looks like they went with a more modern vibe on the Mardi Gras. The bar also has a colorful LED backdrop, similar to the LED funnels you see on the Vista , Horizon , and Panorama , but it looks like they just change color rather than have full-on video effects.

You can see how the bar overlooks the French Quarter, a new story “zone,” as Carnival calls it, that replaces the popular Promenade area on their other ships. The colorful LED funnels appear to be used throughout that space, which should create a great atmosphere at night.

Waterslides on the Mardi Gras

Carnival was the first cruise line to introduce a water slide on their ships. Since then, every ship they’ve introduced has had at least one water slide. Here we see the three slides on the Mardi Gras.

To be honest, with other cruise lines stepping up their game on water slides, these seem to be pretty lackluster. They look very similar to the slides I rode on the Horizon. They weren’t bad, but they can’t compare to things like Aqua Coasters and looping waterslides available with some other cruise lines.

Update: The new picture of the top of slide tower gets my hopes up a bit. It looks like the red slide has a drop-style entrance where you get in and the floor drops out beneath you. I’ve been on several and even if the slide itself isn’t that unique, the anticipation of the floor dropping out beneath you is really thrilling. The view from the top of the slides looks amazing! You can see the Bolt Roller Coaster track against the beautiful blue ocean. It’s going to be amazing to experience in person while cruising through the Caribbean.

Emeril’s Bistro

When you think of New Orleans cuisine, you think of celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. It made sense that Carnival tapped him to create a brand new specialty restaurant on the Mardi Gras. We haven’t seen a menu for the restaurant yet, but you can expect traditional Creole and New Orleans.

You can see how the new two-story French Quarter creates a feeling of grandeur here. It feels much more open and less claustrophobic than single-story designs. It looks like the venue even has a second story which will overlook the French Quarter through windows.

Fortune Teller Bar

I’m excited to see what the Fortune Teller Bar will end up being. It’s a unique venue that’s debuting on the Mardi Gras, and we’ll see if it pops up on Carnival’s new ships after that. The lush red colors and Victorian-inspired mirrors really make the place seem inviting.

It seems like Carnival is pushing innovative and exciting drinks here. According to their website, Carnival said this bar will offer “all-black  New Moon , the changes-color-before-your-eyes  Abracadabra , plus the  Golden Galaxy … this drink is actually made with a bit of authentic gold.” It sounds like it’s creating exciting, Instagram worth cocktails like you would see in Olga’s at Galaxy Edge in Disney Studios; drinks that use molecular gastronomy to create a unique look or taste.

The Mardi Gras Theater

It’s too early to know for sure, but it really looks like Carnival has learned from their mistakes on the Vista, Horizon, and Panorama. The theater’s on those ships were horrible ( see why ). Bad site lines, uncomfortable seating, no drink holders on many seats; you really wonder what the designers were thinking.

The Mardi Gras theater seems to have traditional theater type seating again with a nice incline. We’ll see to see how big it is and how the stage compares, but it already looks so much better than the Vista-class ships.

The theater itself seems a lot more subdued than their other ships, with neutral colors and warm tones, much different from the neon on Carnival’s older ships and the chrome and LED flashiness of the newer ships.

Mardi Gras Grand Central Atrium

One of the main places to visit on Carnival ships is their atrium. On their older ships, it’s a grand space with a glass ceiling and golden elevators that go all the way up to the top of the ship. On the newer Vista-class ships, they were replaced with a 3 story space that used an LED funnel to create a visual focal point. While the funnel was nice to look at, the space felt much smaller, and it was much less visually impressive.

Carnival changed that up with the Grand Central Atrium. The space is 3 stories tall still, but this time overlooks the ocean with huge windows. It has seating set up for quiet get-togethers and drinks, while at night, there’s a stage for exciting performances and music. I imagine this is also where the cruise director will lead things like 90’s trivia and the White Hot Dance Party.

As part of the night time shows, they said they will have up to 16 controllable LED displays that can be used for performances. It sounds very similar to the Two70 venues that Royal Caribbean has on their Quantum Class ships. See how they’ll look below.

The Java Blue Coffee Shop and Cherry on Top store are right at the back of Grand Central, so we can definitely see this becoming a central hub for many people. The seating looks a little awkward, as benches are hard to congregate around and get in and out of quickly. It really depends on how Carnival tends to use this space.

With the new overview picture below, I’m not sure how this place will function during non-show times. Unlike the Atrium Bars on it’s other ships, the seating seems to be much more suited to shows here than meeting up with friends and having a drink. That being said, Carnival has added several new bar areas to this ship, so maybe this function will really be more of a secondary theater space.

Mardi Gras Fitness Center

Carnival usually has their fitness center on the front of their ships, with the treadmills and ellipticals overlooking the horizon. I always love spending some time there, running along while looking out on the ocean.

On the Mardi Gras, they moved the fitness center to the side of the ship. It looks like they kept the windows though, so you’ll still have nice views, but you won’t be facing head-on. The room itself does look a bit narrow, but there are certainly quite a bit of treadmills available.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the elevators on Carnival’s Vista-class ships (Vista, Horizon, and Panorama) are universally disliked ( see why here ). They’re confusing for many passengers, which leads to long wait times and overcrowded elevator cars. 

This photo of the mid-ship elevator lobby gives hope that they’ve come up with a better system. The Hotel Director, Pierre B. Camilleri , indicated that it’s a smart elevator system, but not the same as the other ships. As you can see here, there seem to be no individual buttons call an elevator, but there are large display screens on both sides of the lobby. We assume that they will be to input the floor. 

There’s nothing inherently wrong with smart elevator systems, large skyrises in major cities use them all the time, but Carnival’s implementation was severely lacking previously. Seeing that the Mardi Gras can hold up to 30% more passengers than the Horizon, I sincerely hope they worked out a better system. 

Lido and Red Frog Tiki Bar

Lido Deck is always a happening area on a Carnival ship. In this picture, we see how it’ll look on the Mardi Gras. Overall, it doesn’t look much different from the Lido areas on the newer Carnival ships. The pool looks a bit bigger than the Vista-class ships, and the hut/cabanas on the side of the pool appear to be gone.

The screen looks absolutely massive, and it will be great to watch their Dive-in movies at night here. With the Red Frog Tiki Bar being right under it though, I worry about its lighting and noise taking away from the movie experience at night.

The area also shows their new 2-story Red Frog Tiki Bar; an upgrade from the Red Frog Rum Bar on the rest of their fleet. On the other ships, while the Red Frog Rum Bar has a similar theme, it’s much smaller, and during sea days, the line for drinks snakes all through the area, making sitting there unpleasant.

This new venue has expanded seating and a second floor to alleviate some of this congestion, hopefully. Personally, I never understand why Carnival hasn’t put in a to go / walk up window for drinks. Trying to get a drink on a sea day is so frustrating because people sit at the bar, making it impossible to get to a bartender.

Tides Pool and Hot Tubs

I was always jealous of the Havana area on the Vista, Horizon, and Panorama. While the area was small, it offered an amazing view off the back of the ship with pools overlooking the ocean. The Mardi Gras expands on this concept and makes it available to everyone in two areas, the Tides Pool and Summer Landing.

This picture shows the Tides Pool and two hot tubs. It’s the rear of Lido Deck (Deck 16) and will be close to the new restaurant Big Chicken (see the menu) and the Tides Pool Bar. The pool doesn’t seem that large, but the two hot tubs look spacious. It looks like it’ll be an amazing view.

BOLT – the First Roller Coaster at Sea

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carnival Cruise Line (@carnival)

BOLT is going to be the first roller coaster at sea. While we’ve seen several renderings and computer-generated ride-throughs, this is the first footage we’ve seen of a live-person riding the BOLT. The roller coaster cars will whip around an 800-foot track at up to 40 MPH. Users will be able to choose how quickly to use using controls on the vehicles.

Seeing actual footage, the ride itself seems more intense than I thought. Originally, I thought it would be closer to a motorized version of the SkyRide, found on the Vista-class ships, than a real roller coaster. Looking at the footage, though, the car really whips around pretty quickly. Even though 40 MPH doesn’t sound like roller-coaster speeds, hitting that speed while being suspended 187 feet over the sea has to make it feel even more extreme.

Unfortunately, Carnival has said they plan to charge to ride the BOLTs. We don’t yet know how much it’ll be, but it’s a move in the wrong direction for Carnival, who usually doesn’t charge for on-board activities (with the exception of IMAX movie theaters or the SkyZone on the Panorama.

Piazza Panini

Carnival recently told us more about a new food venue on the Mardi Gras, Piazza Panini. This restaurant is replacing the Carnival Deli that’s found on almost every other Carnival ship. Here you’ll find fresh-made, pressed sandwiches like Ruebens, Meatball Sandwiches, and Caprese Paninis. At night, you’ll be able to get a variety of dessert paninis, which is a treat because Carnival’s late night dessert game is rather lacking.

The restaurant is located in the new “Piazza” zone on Deck 8 of the ship, along with Pizzeria del Capitano . I’m not sure how I feel about moving these two staples from the Carnival Lido deck to a lower deck. You used to be able to get a slice of pizza, a Rueben, a Guy’s Burger, and something from the Buffet and sit right in the Lido Restaurant. It was a one stop place where a whole family could find something that would appeal to them. Now you’ll have to choose which deck to go to and your food choices will be limited by that.

This strategy makes sense from a people flow perspective, because it divides the large number of passengers into separate areas to keep things from getting crowded and having long lines. It’s what Royal Caribbean has successfully done on their Oasis-Class ships, so it makes sense Carnival is trying it here. That being said, on Royal Caribbean Ships, I’ve always hated that the pizza was so far away from the regular buffet.

Rudi’s Seagrill

I’ll admit, of all the new restaurants Carnival is debuting on the Mardi Gras, I was least interested in Rudi’s Seagrill . I’ve never heard of Rudi Sodamin previously and all Carnival’s PR just talked about his seafood plates that look like faces.

Today, Carnival released a picture of the dining room and the menu for the venue. The dining room has a beautiful blue and cream color scheme with really interesting curved walls that lend a feel of being at sea. It really screams fresh seafood. The menu also looks like it has more mainstream dishes as well, not just the face plates they were promoting. Still, does this food stand out enough to get people to pay extra to eat here? The Mardi Gras has more for-fee dining venues than any other ship in the fleet; it’ll be interesting to see which ones passengers are drawn to.

Serenity Area Pool

The Serenity Area on any of the Carnival ships is one of the most relaxing areas you can find. It’s adults only and has a bunch of cool lighting, comfy chairs, soft music, and a dedicated bar. This area is open to passengers 21 and older, and it often a great place to escape the crowds and the noise. Unlike some other cruise lines, like some Norwegian ships, Carnival doesn’t charge for this private child-free area.

On many of its older ships, Carnival had both a pool and hot tubs in these areas, but on the newest Carnival ships, the Vista, Horizon, and Panorama, they downgraded it to just two hot tubs. On the Mardi Gras it’ll be going back to a pool and hot tub design. It’s much needed considering there can be almost 6,000 people on this ship at one time, and because it’s Carnival, a good chunk of them will be children. I love the blue LED lighting by the pool, it’s reminiscent of the Serenity areas you see on the Sunshine-class ships, which just feel more elegant.

Street Eats

We got a first look at the new Street Eats dining venue on the Mardi Gras. It’s meant to bring back the feeling of street food vendors you’d find in other countries, or food trucks in the US. Street Eats serves small plates, or tastings almost, which makes it great for a quick snack. It’s located right on the main lido pool area. The colors are very big and bold, hopefully they flavors can match it. I love their red and white checkered dishes they’re using. They remind you of what you’re typically get at a food track, but they’re reusable so you’re not polluting more.

Overall Impressions

Overall, the ship looks like a great evolution from the Vista-class ships. It’s elegant and contemporary, yet still full of Carnival’s signature energetic vibes. It will be interesting to see how a cruise on this ship is. It’s Carnival’s first time attempting a ship this large, and will they have enough to manage the flow of the nearly 6,500 people on board. The new venues and dining options are nice, but it will be interesting to see if people will be willing to pay for them. Carnival’s one of the lines with the fewest additional fee restaurants, and it might be a shock to their average guests.

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Related posts:

• Carnival Pride 7-Day Winter Cruise: Day 7 (Sea Day Home)
• 4 Hits and 4 Misses on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas

Randy Young

Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 19 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there. He's known for providing detailed and analytical coverage of cruising to help cruisers get a comprehensive picture of a ship's offerings.

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Images libres de droits de Carnival cruise ship mardi gras

56 photos, objets 3d, images vectorielles et illustrations de stock « carnival cruise ship mardi gras » libres de droits sont disponibles..

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