Carnival Cruise Ship Mardi Gras

Cruise Ship Spotlight: Carnival Mardi Gras

The maiden voyage of Carnivals Excel-class was a big way to step back into cruising after the pandemic, and so far the reviews are stellar. From its rollercoaster-ringed top to the limitless food options, is just the thing we need after being cooped up inside through 2020!

Need something to look forward to this fall? Dont worry. The is making waves in Port Canaveral with Zones, environmentally-friendly LNG power, and resort-style stateroom.

Join us as we cover the magic of the in our Cruise Ship Spotlight! Or, if youre already sold on this awesome cruise vacation, go ahead and check out the current cruise destinations.

Carnival Celebrates 6 Months Of Mardi Gras

Carnival Cruise Line has announced that today marks the six-month anniversary of its ship Mardi Gras, which welcomed her first guests from Port Canaveral on July 31, 2021.

According to a press release, to date, the Mardi Gras the first of Carnivals new Excel class has welcomed more than 110,000 guests.

To celebrate the six-month mark, as well as looking ahead to the arrival of her two sister ships the Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee Carnival released a video.

According to the press release, the Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship in the Americas powered by liquefied natural gas technology. The Mardi Gras is also the first ship to feature a roller coaster at sea, BOLT. So far, guests have enjoyed more than 30,000 BOLT rides, Carnival said.

The Mardi Gras also includes dining options that include several new venues onboard, like Emeril’s Bistro 1396, Shaq’s Big Chicken, Chibang! and Street Eats.

Nearly one million guests have taken a cruise vacation with Carnival since the restart on more than 400 sailings, according to the cruise line. This fall, Carnival will also mark Carnival Celebrations arrival at PortMiami.

Carnival’s next Excel-class ship will include all the features found onboard the Mardi Gras, like BOLT, as well as some exclusive features.

A third Excel-class ship, the Carnival Jubilee, will begin operations from its homeport in Galveston in the fall of 2023 and will also feature unique aspects. The ship opened for sale last week.

Bar Crawl On Carnival Mardi Gras

offers guests close to 20 awesome bars and lounges onboard, which is perfect for a Fun Ship named after New Orleans most epic party of the year.

There are ton of new specialty drinks and bars to try on this ship. Head out on a fun Bar Crawl and discover some fabulous new bars and cocktails as well as old favorites.

Youll find two cant-miss spots in French Quarter. The Brass Magnolia has a New Orleans-inspired atmosphere, serving up strong Hurricanes and live jazz music.

The Fortune Teller Bar, another brand new bar for Carnival Cruise Line, is located here as well. Make sure to order a Crystal Ball cocktail here its as potent as it is Insta-worthy.

Bar Della Rosa, another new Carnival bar located in the Italian-themed La Piazza zone, serves espresso drinks during the day and Italian cocktails and wine at night. The Grand Central atrium is home to two bars, making it easy for those watching a show to get a drink.

The Carnival Mardi Gras bar line-up also features popular favorites including the Alchemy Bar, Havana Bar, Guys Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, and Piano Bar 88.

Carnival cruise lovers will be happy to know that the RedFrog Rum Bar has been expanded into the two-story RedFrog Tiki Bar on .

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Street Eats On Carnival Mardi Gras

Located on Lido Deck 16 around Beach Pool area, Street Eats is another new dining concept for Carnival Cruise Line. Inspired by food trucks and street eateries, Street Eats consists of three open-air, counter-service stalls Steam Dream, Mad Sizzle, and Time Fries.

Steam Dream serves up delicious bao buns and potstickers, while Mad Sizzle features kebabs and satays. Time Fries features chef-created french fries loaded with toppings, such as Cheesesteak Fries.

Street Eats is free of charge and open for lunch. Menus change constantly. If you like these kinds of food stalls, dont miss having lobster rolls at the Seafood Shack and the free shawarma station and hot dog stations in the Lido Marketplace. The Lidos free gelato is also a big hit with kids and adults.

Getting To Know The Mardi Gras

Everything about the says BIG fun. In fact, to accommodate the s 19 decks, 6,500 passengers, and 181,000 tons, Port Canaveral totally revamped Cruise Terminal 3 in 2018. Now, were proud to be the homeport for this awesome ship!

The has been making waves in cruising. Not only is it the largest ship in Carnivals fleet, but it is also the first cruise ship in North America that is fueled by Liquified Natural Gas ! Though the was supposed to debut in 2020, its first sailing in 2021 marked Carnivals return to cruising at Port Canaveral after COVID.

But what exactly can passengers expect from their Caribbean cruises on the ? Lets take a peek!

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The Original Mardi Gras: The First Carnival Cruise Ship

In only a short two months Carnival Cruise Line expects to launch its newest member of the Carnival Family: . It will be the ultimate fun ship, and one of the most ambitious that Carnival Cruise Line has attempted.

Back in 1972, it was a whole different challenge that Ted Arison was about to undertake when he purchased the RMS Empress of Canada. It would be a ship that changed the history of cruising forever and whose name lives on today.

Ted Arison certainly had an eye for choosing the right ship the RMS Empress of Canada was a well-maintained vessel and certainly in better shape than some pre-war vessels offering cruises from Miami.

RMS Empress of Canada was an ocean liner built in 1961 by Vickers-Armstrongs, Walker-on-Tyne, England, for Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd. The liner sailed in the trans-Atlantic trade between Liverpool and Canada.

So when Arison bought the ship, there wasnt much to do. Which, it turns out, was a good thing.

Grand Central Atrium Shows & Entertainment

The innovative three-deck-high Grand Central Atrium space is one of Carnival Mardi Gras six themed zones and its a winner.

The atriums huge 3,000 square-foot glass panels built into the side of the ship provide guests with beautiful sea views. Its a wonderful place to relax and listen to live music or take part in games and contests.

At night, the Grand Central Atrium transforms into a multi-story venue for spectacular shows with talented performances, aerial acrobatics, and special effects. The Grand Central Atriums 16 massive LED screens can display videos, lasers, and other unique effects providing an ever-changing backdrop.

Dont miss the ships New Orleans Celebration with its Mardi Gras-style parade and incredible Voodoo Moon performance. Its one of the most amazing entertainment experiences Ive seen at sea.

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Taking Staterooms To Another Level

At launch, Carnival hyped the s staterooms and suites and now we totally see why. Turns out, luxury comes in all shapes, sizes, and décor. The launch of the marked the introduction of better comfort, storage, and lighting in their rooms.

• Snooze with Exclusive Benefits step it up a notch when you reserve your resort-style stay on the The Havana, Cloud 9 Spa, and Family Harbor staterooms and suites offer exclusive amenities, unique designs, and quick access to amazing discounts and locations like the .
• Interior Staterooms Love the affordability that inside cabins bring? The Interior Staterooms dont cut corners on comfort, even while saving you money!
• Ocean View & Balcony Staterooms Get a little more space and a way better view with these rooms. Youll love the breathing room after a big day of fun in the sun.
• Suites Ready to feel like a VIP? Then youll definitely want a suite on the Not only are these rooms the best on board, they also come packed with perks.

Carnival Cruise Line Adding More 2 Cruise Ships Into Service Next Week

Carnival Cruise Line, one of the worlds largest cruise lines with 22 cruise ships in their fleet, will have two more ships enter service next week.

Carnival Cruise Lines newest and largest ship, Carnival Celebration, will enter service on November 6. The maiden cruise on Carnival Celebration will be a 14 night voyage from Southampton to Miami.

Once the ship arrives in Miami, the vessel will be christened on November 20. After a six day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean on November 21, Carnival Celebration will start sailing week long cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean on November 27.

Carnival Celebration is the cruise lines second Excel class ship, the largest in their fleet. The vessel will have many of the same features as sister ship Mardi Gras including the roller coaster BOLT.

The cruise ship will also have never before seen live entertainment with new production shows, aerialist acts, game shows, and parties. Carnival Celebrations unique offerings have been designed to be as much celebrations as they are performances, with elevated and engaging presentations, upbeat vibes, energetic music, playful choreography, colorful scenes, and tons of fun.

Carnival Celebration will also have a Miami theme zone called 820 Biscayne, named after the address of Carnivals original headquarters.

Once in Seattle, the ship will offer seven night cruises to Alaska through the middle of September.

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About Carnival Cruise Line

The Carnival Corporation is the largest cruise company in the world and operates several different brands. The cruise line Carnival Cruise Lines has the largest fleet in the group with 30 vessels. The fleet sails almost exclusively in the seas of North America and the Caribbean. For Carnival Cruise Lines the guest’s experience of the ships is at least as important as the visited destinations. The concept is comparable to a club holiday and convinces an active, mostly younger audience. The ships offer a colorful world of experience including high-quality food, award-winning entertainment and excellent child and youth care. On board you will find mostly Americans.

Carnival Kitchen Cooking Class

Want to improve your pizza-making skills or upgrade your BBQ game? Take a Carnival Kitchen cooking class on and learn from Carnivals culinary pros.

A wide range of classes are available from sushi-making to cake workshops. A limited number of classes are held each week sometimes two or three per day for groups of 18 or less.

Theres also an evening workshop class that includes making a delicious dinner that could include Carnivals famous Warm Chocolate Melting Cake.

Classes are available for guests ages 12 and older and prices vary depending on the class. Make sure to sign up online as early as possible they sell out fast!

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Balcony Rooms And Ocean Suites Top Carnival Mardi Gras Staterooms

Carnival Mardi Gras rooms are more thoughtful in terms of design and storage than other Carnival ships. Unsurprisingly, balcony rooms and Ocean Suites are popular for their views of the sea. If you’re an ocean lover, look to the Cove balcony cabins on Deck 5 – weve heard of people spotting marine life like dolphins from their cabin.

Health And Safety Protocols

In addition to Carnival’s existing rigorous daily cleaning regimen and standards, Carnival has established additional sanitation/disinfection/cleaning measures:

Carnival’s onboard Medical Centers are staffed to handle a wide variety of staff and crew medical situations. Any guest or crew member who exhibits symptoms of influenza or upper respiratory infection with fever is strongly encouraged to visit the medical center for a complimentary medical consultation.

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Carnival Mardi Gras Overboard

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a man overboard Carnivals cruise ship. The cruise line confirmed on Saturday morning that the crew reported that an adult man went overboard in the early hours of Saturday morning.

According to passengers onboard, it occurred at approximately 1:00 AM, 55 miles off Port Canaveral, Florida.

At the time, the ship was heading back towards Port Canaveral, Florida, to end its seven-night Eastern Caribbean voyage, which included calls at Nassau in The Bahamas, Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, and Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Cruise Hive reached out to Carnival Cruise Line and received the following statement:The crew of Carnival Mardi Gras reported to the U.S. Coast Guard that an adult male guest jumped overboard early Saturday morning during the ships return to Port Canaveral.

The cruise line continued with,The ships crew participated in search and rescue efforts until the ship was released by the U.S. Coast Guard, which continues the search. The Carnival Care Team is supporting the guests family. Mardi Gras has arrived to Port Canaveral and will be sailing its next itinerary. Our thoughts and prayers are with the guest and his family.

was initially involved in the search but was later released from its efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guest continues to search the area at this time.

Carnival Mardi Gras Onboard Costs

Another way to gauge the cost of a cruise is to consider how much you’ll spend on board. Even though a lot is included in the base cruise fare, you may still spend money on things like spa treatments, specialty dining, drinks, and excursions. In addition, guests can also have to pay for things like gratuities and tips.

Typically guests can expect to spend about 25 – 40% of the cost of the cruise on onboard expenses. In other words, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, you might spend between $250 and $400 on extra expenses.

The table below will help you understand what you might spend onboard a Carnival ship.

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Dining Establishments On Carnival Mardi Gras

Food is a big part of any cruise, and there will plenty on the Carnival Mardi Gras. You have 21 different dining options to choose from. Of those options, 12 are complementary, or included with your cruise fare. The other 9 options have an additional fee. Some of those options are a set price and some have a la cart menu pricing. 57% of the dining options are included which means if you’re watching your budget, you won’t feel like you’re missing out by not going to a lot of extra fee dining places.

In terms of drinks and cocktails, you have a variety of choices. Carnival serves the Pepsi family of products. That means Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierrna Mist, Mug Root Beer, and Mountain Dew, although the selection can vary by ship.

There are also plenty of bars available on this ship. You can see the recent bar menus for the mardi gras at this link .

All About The Carnival Mardi Gras

The Carnival Mardi Gras is a fairly new ship, being built in 2021. It’s considered a large size ship. Coming in at 1,130 ft long and 137 ft wide, it’s roughly the length of 3.1 football fields, as wide as 2.6 tractor trailers, and the same height as a 17-story building. The Mardi Gras pays homage to Carnival’s first ship, also named the Mardi Gras. It’s the first ship to have a roller coaster at sea.

The Mardi Gras can hold 5,282 based on double occupancy and more when you take into account 3rd and 4th passengers. When you compare the total tonnage of the ship to the number of passengers, the Mardi Gras has a space ratio of 35. Depending on the ship, this number can range from 30 to 52 so this ship has less space per person than average.

The Mardi Gras is one of three Excel-class ships currently sailing with Carnival. Excel-class ships are Carnival’s newest and largest ships. Some signature features are the BOLT roller coaster, a LOFT 19 suite area, the exclusive Havana. They’re Carnival’s first ships that run on LNG, a cleaner burning fuel. They’re known for their six-distinct zones, all with a different theme, that make the ship easier to navigate and breaks up the large crowds. The Mardi Gras is very similar to its sister-ships Celebration and Jubilee, although each ship may have some differences.

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Enjoy A Celebration At Sea With Zones

With the Carnival has introduced a brand-new way to enjoy their ships. Now there are six different Zones to explore each with its own theme, food, and fun-filled adventures!

• Grand Central boasts an incredible atrium with an ocean view alongside shows, bars, and great food!
• Keep the New Orleans-style show going with the French Quarter, where hot jazz, cool bars, and voodoo vibes go hand-in-hand.
• If soft serve, BBQ, and poolside lounging is more your style, then Summer Landing is your spot!
• Discover the music and magic of Italy with pizza, espresso, and paninis in La Piazza!
• Lido is a fan-favorite for Carnival cruisers and its no surprise! Time to kick back with your favorite food selections, poolside.
• The Ultimate Playground certainly lives up to its name, with the first rollercoaster at sea, a ropes course, mini golf, and three water slides!

Things To Do On Carnival Mardi Gras

Carnival debuted in summer 2021 as the flagship of Carnival Cruise Line and is spending her inaugural season sailing from Port Canaveral.

Carnivals biggest cruise ship is divided into six themed zones and offers a number of fun attractions and innovative features, including the first-ever roller coaster at sea.

With more than 20 dining options and nearly the same number of bars and lounges, its easy to let the good times roll on this new Carnival Fun Ship.

Theres so much to experience on Carnival Mardi Gras, so weve rounded up a series of must dos for those planning their cruise.

While sailing on in late October, I asked Carnival executives, journalists, crew members, and dozens of guests to name one or two dont miss experiences on board.

Here are 21 things to do on Carnival Mardi Gras that were named most often, along with some insider tips:

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