It's A Party Every Day on Carnival's Mardi Gras
Picture courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras arrived June 4th at her homeport in Port Canaveral, Florida. This is a brand new ship for Carnival Cruise that pays tribute to their very first Cruise ship in 1972, the TSS Mardi Gras. Who's ready to set sail and party?
The Mardi Gras is part of Carnival Cruise Line's Excellence class ships. It is the largest ship in Carnival's fleet. Her inaugural cruise was on July 31, 2021. This ship is one of the unique ships with it having six distinct onboard zones.
Grand Central
French Quarter
Summer Landing
La Plaza
Lido
The Ultimate Playground
Grand Central is where it all starts as soon as you board, and it's known as the atrium on other ships. As soon as you step in, you will want to look up. The high ceilings hint at even more fun on the three decks above. Don't forget to look down too because you will find floor-to-ceiling windows with a spectacular ocean view. You can check out the JavaBlue Cafe and enjoy a cup of coffee or a snack, Enjoy performances on a stage, or visit the Grand View Bar. After dark, the space puts on its "evening dress" and transforms into s show venue. There are some great places to eat, like the Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki. You can also check out some entertainment at Piano Bar 88 and The Punchliner Comedy Club.
The French Quarter is a tribute to New Orleans's own French Quarter District. This zone has some amazing bars and eateries such as Emeril's Bistro 1396 and The Brass Magnolia bar featuring live Jazz music. Don't forget to check out the Fortune Teller bar and browse in the little shops.
Summer landing is the chill spot at sea. One of my favorite places to eat is in this zone. Guy's Pig and Anchor Smokehouse/Brewhouse. You can enjoy freshly-smoked foods by Guy Fierei and enjoy some of the original beers brewed right on the ship. If you are looking for a place to cool down, you can take a swim in The Watering Hole. The watering Hole features a poolside bar. If you are in the military or support the troops, you can raise a glass to the heroes in the Heroes Tribute Lounge. Who can't enjoy a day at sea without some ice cream? You can get some soft serve at Swirls. Don't worry; you don't have to have just one.
La Piazza is the Italian zone, as I put it. If you are looking for some great Italian food, make sure you check out the family-style restaurant Cucina del Capitano. Craving pizza at midnight? We have you covered with Pizzeria del Capitano that is open 24 hours a day. There is also Bar della Rosa, where you can sip authentic espresso during that day and Italian cocktails at night.
The Lido deck is one of my favorite decks. It is the poolside zone. My favorite place to hang out is the RedFrog Tiki Bar. Can anyone say Pina Colada? There are some pretty amazing places to eat, such as Street Eats, Shaq's Big Chicken, Guy's Burger Joint, Seafood Shack, and the BlueIguana Cantina. There is also a Swirls location here for your free 24-hour soft-serve ice cream.
The Ultimate Playground is just that. It features the first-ever rollercoaster at sea, Bolt. Bolt is an electric open-air course high above sea level. You can actually control how fast you go and get some amazing 360-degree ocean views. That is not all. Get your swimsuit on and head to the Carnival WaterWorks, and try out the three huge spiraling slides. Don't forget to check out SportsSqure that features a mini-golf course, basketball court, and a ropes course.
Pictures Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line
Let's talk Staterooms for a minute. Not that you will be in there that much. All rooms have a ring-lit vanity mirror and ottoman cushion that flips over to serve as an extra table. There is better comfort, lighting, and storage in these staterooms. Did I mention there are a ton of USB charging ports in the room?
The Havana Staterooms and Suites is like having your own island resort. These rooms are located near the Havana Bar and Pool, where you can relax in a members-only spot. All the Havana staterooms feature a unique decor but step up to a Havana Cabana for a large outdoor chill space. Did I mention the rain shower? Please note that all Havana staterooms, the guest must be 12 or older.
Cloud 9 Spa staterooms have some great in-room amenities. Such as bathrobes, slippers, and toiletries by Elemis. When you book one of these staterooms, you can enjoy priority spa reservations, unlimited access to the thermal suites, free fitness classes, and a ton of other discounts.
Bringing the Family? You can book one of the Family Harbor staterooms that are near Family Harbor Lounge. It has an exclusive spot with breakfast, snacks during the day, plus board games, family movies, video games, and more. Little kids can eat free in most onboard specialty restaurants and get a free evening of Night Owls babysitting service so that you can enjoy some alone time.
Interior Staterooms feature a private bath, your choice bed size, and layout. Don't forget the comfy bedding.
Ocean View Staterooms offer a stunning view. These rooms are a little bit bigger than Interior rooms, and most feature a couch.
Balcony Staterooms are amazing. You can sit out on the balcony and enjoy the breeze as you watch for any signs of dolphins. There are a few different types of balcony rooms other than the sections mentioned above. You can get a Premium-view extended balcony that gives you a little bigger balcony. You can also book an extended balcony that gives you a bigger outdoor lounge area.
Pictures Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line
Let's talk entertainment and shows. Make sure you check out Family Feud Live. Family Feud has four unique games on the look-alike Family Fued Set. The emcee is your cruise director. You do have to sign up with a team of five for and audition. Don't want to be in the game? You can still join the studio audience for the evening.
Looking for a place to relax away from all the kids? Check out Serenity, the Adults only area. You can also relax some more with Cloud 9 Spa. You can get a massage, facials, body wraps.
Looking for a show that will make you groove to the beat? Check out Playlist Productions as they take songs you know and present them as you have never heard them before.
Where does Mardi Gras go?
Mardi Gras has a few Itineraries to choose from. You can visit either the Eastern Caribbean or the Western Caribian. The eastern Carivevan lets you visit Nassau, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk. The Western Caribbean lets you visit Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Mahogany Bay. All of these cruises are 7-8 nights.
Let's get that cruise booked on Madi Gras today.
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