Carnival Cruise Line SHIP

Carnival Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras: Fun-Fueled Vacation Innovation Powered by LNG

Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Mardi Gras

Overview

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!

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Carnival Excel Presidential Suite

The largest stateroom with the best view on the ship, the Carnival Excel Presidential Suite features a separate living room and bedroom (each with a TV), a walk-in closet, a lighted vanity and sectional sofa. There’s also a dining area with a wet bar. You’ll find deluxe extras like a bathroom with large shower and two sinks, plus we put the toilet and an extra sink in a separate room for convenience and privacy. Enjoy your private tub on the large wraparound balcony along with plenty of loungy seating options and an al fresco dining table.

Amenities exclusive to Carnival Excel Presidential Suites:

Complimentary access to Cloud 9 Spa™ Thermal Suites and Havana Pool
Complimentary minibar selection (glass-bottled water and sodas)
Plus, all Carnival Excel suites include:
Complimentary access to Loft 19™, plus priority cabana reservations
Dedicated concierge phone line
Guaranteed Main Dining Room time assignment
Guaranteed reservations at most specialty dining spots, when reserved 24 hours prior
Wine and welcome treat upon arrival
Bottomless Bubbles™ soft drink package
Complimentary room service (regular bar prices apply for beverages), on-demand movies and wash & fold laundry service
Binoculars to enjoy the view during the cruise
Upgraded bathroom amenities

Plus, all suites include:

Priority check-in and boarding
Immediate access to your suite after boarding
Priority Main Dining Room time assignment
Priority debarkation at homeport, and ports of call requiring a water shuttle or with arrival times later than 9:30 AM
Complimentary wash & fold laundry service (1 bag per cruise)
Two large bottles of water
Pillow-top mattress
ELEMIS in-stateroom bath products
Bathrobes

Plus, every room includes:

Dedicated stateroom attendant
Soft, cozy linens
Plenty of closet and drawer space
In-room safe for valuables
Television
Stateroom climate control

french

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.

casual

Dining Room

“Hey, which side does the fork go on?” is a question you’ll never have to ask at a dining room dinner aboard a Carnival cruise… we set the table for you. We also bring to the table a full three courses in an experience that’s satisfying, not stuffy — after all, you’re just as likely to catch waiters table-dancing as you are to order dessert.

The menu is amazing — and included in your cruise fare! — with fan-favorite Carnival cornerstones now being joined by innovative selections from Emeril Lagasse and our chefs. New choices like Pappardelle with Braised Lamb, Coffee Glazed Roast Duck and Hawaiian Shrimp Poke are sure to please, to be honest… almost every palate. That’s why Carnival’s new vegan dining room menu is so important to making sure everyone finds food they love. Look for plant-based options like Baked Vegetable Au Gratin, Eggplant Cutlet a la Parmigiana — and even modified versions of Hawaiian Salmon Poke and Spaghetti Carbonara! Our chefs always work to accommodate dietary needs, but this menu puts delicious choices front-and-center.

Tip: When you book, choose Early Dining or Late Dining for reserved seating nightly, or go with Your Time Dining to chow whenever the clock strikes “hungry.”

DINING ROOM BREAKFAST

If looking forward to the whole day of fun that’s ahead isn’t enough to make an early riser out of you, we have something else that’s sure to do the trick. Join us for breakfast in the main dining room and sit down to the kind of menu that might make you want to start things off a little slow. Order up some eggs any way you like them… even benedict- or omelet-style with your choice of filling. Get pancakes, waffles or french toast hot off the griddle — each comes with a surprising and delicious flavour twist like vanilla, pecan or salted caramel. There’s breakfast standards like oatmeal, granola and a generous selection of fresh fruits and cereals. Add crispy bacon, awesome sausage — which is actually the only kind — or ham to any dish… or go for more of a curated flavour with a selection of breakfast entrees, including some lighter choices.

If you’re thinking that’s all nice, but who has time for all this… you do! The very first item on the menu is a plate that kicks your day off with an express selection of all the classics.

STEAKHOUSE SELECTIONS

Whoever said you can’t always get what you want certainly never said it on a Carnival cruise. Odds are that something from our steakhouse sounds good — filet mignon, New York Strip, lobster or surf & turf — and you know what? Now you can get these signature steakhouse dishes on your plate anytime you’re enjoying dinner in our lively main dining room. Whether you’re with friends, have the kids in tow or are just in the mood for something different in a familiar setting, you’ll find great options on your dining room menu.

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Adrenaline

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?

Casino

Whether you're a seasoned veteran or it’s your first time at the table, we have a game for you: roulette, craps, poker, blackjack and more! We’ve even got fun variations on these, like PokerPro tables and Carnival’s own Fun 21™ to keep the games fresh. Whether you take your stakes high or low, your table’s ready. We’ve got your favorites, but if you’re ready to sit down and try something new, our friendly casino staff will be glad to show you the ropes.

Don’t forget to bring your Sail & Sign Card when playing your favourite table games. You’ll get rated for your play AND earn points towards Drinks On Us!, Carnival’s free drinks program.

CARNIVAL PLAYERS CLUB®

Joining the Carnival Players Club® is easy and, best of all, free. In fact, if we’ve ever had the pleasure of hosting you at one of our onboard casinos, you may already be a member!

But if you’re just getting started, here’s how it works. Guests 18 years or older can join and earn points while playing at our table games and slots. The more points you earn, the more benefits you’ll get — like free drinks while you play and private invitations to Carnival Premier Cruises and tournaments.

To make sure you’re making the most of your play, keep your Sail & Sign® card inserted when playing slots, or present your card to the dealer when playing at a table. Once aboard, see your Casino Host for more details.

TABLE GAMES

Whether you're a seasoned veteran or it’s your first time at the table, we have a game for you: roulette, craps, poker, blackjack and more! We’ve even got fun variations on these, like PokerPro tables and Carnival’s own Fun 21™ to keep the games fresh. Whether you take your stakes high or low, your table’s ready. We’ve got your favourites, but if you’re ready to sit down and try something new, our friendly casino staff will be glad to show you the ropes.

Don’t forget to bring your Sail & Sign® Card when playing your favourite table games. You’ll get rated for your play AND earn points towards Drinks On Us!, Carnival’s free drinks program.

SLOTS

The wild unpredictability of the spin —those hopeful, breathless moments spent awaiting the outcome. It’s a triumph when things line up… and when they don’t, it's an opportunity to give it another go. We’re always adding new and exciting slot machines to our Carnival casinos. From thrilling slot tournaments with big payouts to penny slots — and everything in between — we invite you to go for a spin at sea.

Here’s an example of machines you may find aboard our ships:

Wheel of Fortune 3D Slot Machines
Bring the prize wheel to life like never before with true 3D reels.

999.9 Gold Wheel Legend™ and Bags of Cash™ by Aruze
Feel the excitement as you watch your riches pile up.

Sphinx 3D™ by IGT
Mysteriously cool — features amazing new Tru3D™ technology.

88 Fortunes™ by Bally
One of the most exciting progressive games in our fleet.

Fu Dao Le™ by Bally
Try your hand at good fortune with this guest favorite!

BLACKJACK

Blackjack, the card game that’s as easy as counting up to 21, is one of the most popular table games… and it’s available on every sailing. Carnival ships feature Classic Blackjack, plus fun new twists like Fun 21™ and Face-Up Blackjack. With low buy-ins, hit the table and try your hand at big payouts.

Note: Some state laws won’t allow us to serve Drinks On Us! until we’ve reached international waters. (This includes, but isn’t limited to, Texas and New York.)

CASINO PRIZE GAMES

Try to keep your excitement under control — at least for the time being — because you're gonna need a steady hand and a little luck to win at our casino prize games. There are cash prizes and awesome electronics at stake, so when you win, you win big. At that point, feel free to go a little crazy, jump up and down if that's your thing… because you and your steady hand are winners!

POKER

You know poker. One of the most popular casino games, it’s all about holding onto some cards and letting other ones go. If that sounds simple enough, you’ll want to check out our onboard poker games. Minimum bets are nice and low, but we haven’t forgotten about you, high rollers — there’s plenty of action at high-stakes tables and tournaments. Choose your game, play it right and you could end up collecting some serious winnings.

SCRATCH-OFFS

Ask anyone — scratch-off games are just plain fun. (Winning is great too!) Pack your luckiest scratching coin and go to town on a ticket, or a whole stack during your cruise. There’s a bunch of games to choose from, prizes go all the way up to $500,000… and with the new Cruise For Life game†, you could instantly win exactly what it says on the card! (Ahh, this is the life.) Best of all, each ticket gives you more than one way to win. Check out all the action in your onboard casino — head to the casino cashier’s desk for more information.

† Terms and conditions apply. Must be 18 or older to gamble onboard Carnival Cruise Line. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1-800-GAMBLER. Void in Georgia, Hawaii, Michigan, Utah, Ohio, and other states where prohibited.

Shop

Shopping

FINE JEWELLERY

If you catch sparkling on your cruise, it may be the night sky. It could be the sun on the waves. Or you may just be near The Fun Shops™, where you’ll discover a selection of pretty much all that glitters. Like gold, of course… but there’s also diamonds, tanzanite, gemstones of every hue — even coloured diamonds! You won’t pay tax or duty on any of them: a great deal on top of great prices, take it from us. Try to catch our exclusive onboard trunk shows, where styles by top designers will be shown off by our experts in carat, cut, clarity… get all the Cs out on the seas.

BEAUTY

A journey to new destinations is sure to give you a new outlook… so why not meet the experience with a new look? Treat yourself to cosmetics, fragrances and skincare items — up to 25% off retail prices. Located just steps from the heart of the ship, The Fun Shops™ have everything you need to pamper yourself, perfect your signature look or try out a new makeup trend with authentic top-name beauty products. Also keep an eye open for Travel Exclusives, extra-special deals on famous brands that you’ll only find on the ship. So whether oops! your favourite lipstick is in your other bag — or you’re just looking to try something new — stop in to The Fun Shops.

WATCHES

Time isn’t really a big deal on vacation, so it may seem surprising that one of the best times to save on watches is during your cruise. But it’s true! From the simple to the sporty, the intricate to the luxurious, our onboard Fun Shops™ have a selection to fit your style, your wrist… and even your budget. Grab a new dive watch for your shore excursion, or something sparkly for elegant night, and you’ll save 35% to 75% off retail prices. Whether it’s a timepiece to commemorate a great vacation, a thoughtful gift for someone back home, or just because the time is right — all purchases are tax-free and duty-free! — head to The Fun Shops for big-time savings.

LIQUOR

Did you know that your bartender will be glad to list the ingredients of your favorite onboard cocktail? Give it a shake once you get home… but first, make sure your bar is ready for action. Stock up on spirits at the onboard Fun Shops™! Here, the savings start with up to 50% off prices on land, but they really add up when you subtract the taxes — every bottle at The Fun Shops, even the top-shelf stuff, is tax-free and duty-free. (The bottles are also bigger than most — we’re talking 33% bigger, 1 liter.) Raise a glass and drink deeply of great vacation memories… and vacation savings.

ACCESSORIES

It’s all in the details! The right accessory — cool sunglasses, elegant bracelet, butter-soft leather handbag — makes for the finishing touch that pulls your outfit together. To wrap up your next-level look, stop by The Fun Shops™, where you’ll find delightful details direct from top designers. Check yourself in designer sunglasses, jewelry both understated and bold, fine-leather bags… plus all the other little things that mean so much to your personal style. While you’re there, keep an eye out for limited-time-only special events — the perfect deal on that watch gift set or resort fashions may only come along once per sailing. But while pop-up sales may come and go, the tax-free, duty-free savings — which you definitely won’t find on land — are available all cruise long!

APPAREL

Come home from your Carnival cruise looking as refreshed as you feel. The Fun Shops™, located conveniently aboard the ship, let you wear your love for cruising — plus your taste for high fashion — on your sleeve. Live the cruise life with exclusive Carnival logo-wear… or the runway life with a great selection of authentic designer fashion, including the latest and hottest trends from some of the top names in fashion. Every fashionista’s dream includes tax-free and duty-free pricing, so that’s exactly what you’ll find on great looks for the entire family, right aboard your ship.

Spa

Cloud 9 Spa

Sometimes you just need to get away… from all that vacation. We know — sitting at home, it’s hard to imagine that, but trust us — it’s really, really nice to have a place to unwind from the day’s excitement. Escape to a world designed, from the ground up, for relaxation. Cloud 9 Spa staff are masters (or, maybe more like artists) trained in the craft of simply helping you chill. What’s their secret? Massages, facials, body wraps, thermal suites and more — plus, on certain ships, the amazing Thalassotherapy Pool — these are the tools of the trade. And the trade is ultimate relaxation.

CLOUD 9 SPA: THERMAL SUITE

To be the king or queen of the thermostat — doesn't it feel great? While bending the elements to your will, finding that perfect temperature for relaxation is awesome… even better is not needing to. Carnival's Cloud 9 Spa™ thermal suites are dedicated relaxation zones with a variety of available environments, each carefully developed by our master climate artists. Whether you prefer to lounge in the dry heat of the Laconium or Tepidarium, or like a little soothing moisture in the air (in which case try the Oriental or Aroma steambaths), prepare to experience temperature nirvana.

MASSAGE

Cruising always feels good, but it doesn’t usually — ooh, right there. Right where? Sorry, we’re at the onboard spa, where they do these amazing massages by hand. But they don’t just stop there — they’ve got tools to enhance the benefits too. Select from different hands-on experiences featuring seaweed for detox, herbal poultice for energy, bamboo for deep tissue penetration and hot stones for — ahhh — for perfection. We know you’re all about feeling good, and so are these massages.

FACIAL TREATMENTS

Your face is the first thing the world sees, and while a nice smile can make a world of difference, one of the best ways to put a smile on your face is with a nice, refreshing facial. Of course, there’s more to it than just feeling great… post-facial, your rejuvenated skin will also be looking its best, so there’s definitely substance behind the good looks you’ll be catching glimpses of in all the mirrors you pass. Whichever facial option you go for — and our onboard spa offers a few — you’ll be treated to a luxuriously enhancing experience.

ACUPUNCTURE

Lots of pins in your body — who would want that? Lots of people, clearly — acupuncture is performed all around the world, and has been used for all manner of ailments for thousands of years. Whether you’re looking to pinpoint a specific health concern or just searching for a different way to relax, our onboard, licensed acupuncturist’s table is a great place to do it. (Some common ailments that draw people to the acupuncturist? Back pain, arthritis, digestive disorders and more.)

Sports Court

SportSquare

Your Carnival cruise may take you far, far away from the competitive daily rat-race, but you’ll find an oasis of friendly competition at SportSquare. Take on friends at mini-golf, battle strangers at basketball, or push yourself to new heights at SkyCourse... or to record-setting low times at the jogging track. SportSquare gets you in the game with soccer and volleyball (the b-ball court converts!), brings pool, foosball and ping-pong to the table, and rounds things out for shaping up with your choice of stationary bikes, elliptical machines, weight-lifting equipment and punching bags. Are you game? (SportSquare offerings vary by ship.)

VOLLEYBALL

A Carnival cruise is all about service. There’s usually someone to take you dinner order, make your bed, bring you drinks, give massages at the spa, and so on. In fact, there’s actually very little aboard where you’re left to fend for yourself. Volleyball is an activity we’d definitely term to be — pardon the pun — self-service. That said, whatever your serving style happens to be — overhand, underhand, sidearm — you can take to the court and get the play started your way.

JOGGING TRACK

Jogging may not immediately come to mind when you think of things to do at sea, but it probably should. You don’t have to walk on water, you just have to get on a Carnival cruise. After all, if you’re going to jog, you’d be hard-pressed to find a place to do it with a more scenic view, or a more refreshing breeze — both of these are available in abundance when you go for an open-air jog on the upper-deck. Jogging tracks are available on almost all Carnival ships, and are even padded for long-distance comfort.

BASKETBALL

You may think basketball is all about the hoop and getting the ball in there, but you may not have ever played on a Carnival® ship. Here, it’s all about the journey to the hoop: the view and the sea breeze you take in as you drive your way past defenders to put the rock in the bucket. Say, that actually reminds us of cruising — the destinations may rock, but it’s all about getting there. (Be warned, though — on our court, strange as it may seem, traveling is still considered a foul.)

MINI GOLF

Ah, imagine a perfect day out on the links, the golfer's zen of the ball, the hole and nothing in between but well-manicured fairway... plus one cactus, a treasure chest... and wait, is that a windmill in the way? Just who designed this course anyway? Whoever it was, they had one thing in mind — maximum fun for mini-golfers, big and small! That's precisely why you'll find a course on every Carnival ship, where you can hit the holes and take in everything you’d expect, like the sights and the sounds... plus the seagulls.

PICKLEBALL

If you’re hungry, the deli is that way! But whether you’re a pickleball novice or kind of a pro, we’re serving up a spot on-board where you can meet up for some friendly competition. In this scaled-down tennis-like game — pop! — oh hey, that’s just the way it sounds when someone hits the ball, you’ll get used to it. This game’s history goes way back to the 60s but it’s gotten pretty popular lately, and best of all your cruise is a great time to learn the simple rules and take a whack at this game — pop! — yep, like they just did. So if you’ve ever played tennis, ping-pong or badminton, you might already have the skills. And even if you haven’t, just — pop! — pop on over for a game.

Age 2, Age 3, Age 4, Age 5, Age 6, Age 7, Age 8, Age 9, Age 10, Age 11

Camp Ocean

The little ones can enjoy the best parts of summer camp, year-round aboard their Carnival cruise. At Camp Ocean kids will have a blast in supervised, age-based groups and give each a cool marine-life label: Penguins (2 to 5 years), Stingrays (6 to 8 years) and Sharks (9 to 11 years). Together with their group they’ll enjoy tons of fun-filled, age-appropriate activities like arts and crafts, songs, games, toys, dancing, movies and video games. When it’s mealtime, kids eat together and get their own menus with back-on-land faves like mac & cheese, chicken nuggets and more. The whole time, our experienced counselors will be there to make sure everyone in these small groups has an amazing time. Plus, when the sun goes down it’s Night Owls time — fees apply, but kids get to stay up late having fun while their parents also enjoy themselves well into the night.