Carnival Mardi Gras Review

5.0 / 5.0
184 reviews
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Editor Rating
5.0
Excellent
Overall
Chris Gray Faust
Executive Editor, U.S.

If you give a cruise ship the name Mardi Gras, you're setting expectations that everyone onboard is going to have a good time -- and Carnival's newest ship delivers just that. With its own roller coaster and a stunning Atrium, the ship packs a punch with lots of free dining and entertainment options.

Carnival Mardi Gras's Deck Plans Feature Fun Themed Sections

With significantly more real estate than the other Fun Ships -- the Carnival Mardi Gras size is 35 percent larger than the class of ships before it -- the line has made sure that all the old favorites are onboard and bigger than ever, and also made room for features that are bound to impress.

The first one on everyone's list is the Carnival Mardi Gras roller coaster Bolt, the first roller coaster at sea -- a genuine thrill ride you need to try at least once. And then there's the Atrium, located on the side of the ship instead of the center, a placement that allows the space to have three-story sea views during the day and become a top-notch entertainment space at night.

Mardi Gras is also the first Carnival ship to be divided into "neighborhoods" -- six to be exact. While it's by no means the first cruise ship to have themed sections -- Royal Caribbean pioneered this with Oasis of the Seas way back in 2008 -- the neighborhoods break the megaship up into segments that are easy to navigate and enjoy.

Cocktail-lovers will flock to the New Orleans-themed French Quarter, which has two of the best new bars we've seen on a ship in years: The Brass Magnolia, which has a dark lounge with live music and a lofty botanical bar complete with mixologists; and the Fortune Teller Bar, which has a kooky, spooky velvet lounge feel. By contrast, the Patio at Summer Landing area goes for an outdoor BBQ vibe with games like cornhole.

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 - we’ve heard of people spotting marine life like dolphins from their cabin.

Carnival Mardi Gras Restaurants are Stellar, But Venues Could be Bigger

One downside to the Carnival Mardi Gras cruise ship is that while there are lots of venues, some are too small to handle a rush. The traditional theater can only seat 900 at a time, and both the popular Piano Bar and Punchliner Comedy Club are laughably small. The fitness center is also overly packed on sea days, while on Elegant Nights, the main dining rooms have long lines as people are drawn by the temptation of free lobster.

Still, the sheer number of different free places to eat is astounding; there are so many breakfast and lunch venues, you might never eat in the buffet. Old favorites that used to be overly packed -- such as Guy's Burgers, the RedFrog bar on the Lido Deck and Alchemy Bar -- now have plenty of real estate to handle happy crowds.

The Carnival Mardi Gras Casino and Serenity Deck Pool are Standouts

Other highlights include the casino, which is by far the largest on Carnival, taking up a significant portion of Deck 7. The Havana Pool is exclusive to Havana stateroom guests, but is more of a hot tub than a pool. The adults-only Serenity Deck now has a full pool, as well as two hot tubs, a bar and a salad bar.

What it all adds up to is a Carnival cruise experience that delivers the affordable Fun Ship experience that people love, with a dash of sophistication that never crosses the line into snooty.

Behind the scenes, Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship in North America powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), making it a cleaner burn (and indeed, you do not see smoke billowing behind the ship when you sail).

About

Passengers: 5282
Crew: 1750
Passenger to Crew: 3.02:1
Launched: 2021
Shore Excursions: 320

Inclusions

Included with your cruise fare:

  • Main dining rooms, buffet, and Lido deck restaurants (Guy's Burgers, Big Chicken, Street Eats, BlueIguana).

  • Sandwiches at Piazza Panini, Pizza at Pizzeria del Capitano.

  • Sandwiches and select pastries at Java Blue.

  • A handful of specialty restaurants on a limited basis (Cucina del Capitano, Chibang, Guy Fieri's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse).

  • Ropes Course

  • Waterslides and splash park

  • Serenity adults-only pool and sundeck

  • All pools other than Loft 19 and Havana

  • All evening entertainment and most daily activities

  • Fitness center (although not classes) and jogging track

Not included with your cruise fare:

  • Specialty restaurants (Rudi's Seagrill; Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse; Emeril's, Seafood Shack)

  • Specialty coffee and some pastries and cakes at Java Blue

  • Bolt roller coaster

  • Spa treatments and thermal suite access

  • Casino games and slots

  • Gratuities

  • Automatic beverage and spa tips

  • All drinks beyond water, lemonade, iced tea and coffee

  • Wi-Fi

  • Shore Excursions

  • Photos and artwork

Find a Carnival Mardi Gras Cruise from $549

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More about Carnival Mardi Gras

Where does Carnival Mardi Gras sail from?

Carnival Mardi Gras departs from Port Canaveral and Barcelona

How much does it cost to go on Carnival Mardi Gras?

Cruises on Carnival Mardi Gras start from $549 per person.
Carnival Mardi Gras Cruiser Reviews

Mardi Gras was large but fun

7 day Mardi Gras cruise.Read More
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silky15642

few6-10 Cruises

Age 54s

Love Carnival

2nd cruise on Carnival Mardi Gras. I moat often sail with Carnival as we love the laid back cruise style.Read More
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Dukinfield28

many10+ Cruises

Age 59s

Second time aboard Mardi Gras, just as good as last time!

Mardi Gras is a beautiful ship, I love the new decor of the Carnival Excel class. The layout also works really well I think....after the first day, the ship never felt crowded.Read More
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pirate4me2

many10+ Cruises

Age 30s

Great look of the ship in the Mardi Gras theme great variety of dining options included

Loved the overall look of the ship the Mardi Gras but not as easy to get familiarized and find your way around. Many dining options included and loved the layout of buffet area in smaller rooms.Read More
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Canadian Christine

few6-10 Cruises

Age 62s

Carnival Cruise Line Fleet
Carnival Elation

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