From the moment details about Carnival’s next-generation ship were revealed in 2018, Mardi Gras has been generating buzz among cruisers. The 5,200 guest ship is futuristic with its top deck BOLT roller coaster and six themed zones and it runs on liquefied natural gas that produces almost zero emissions.
Finally, after a roller coaster of a year for all kinds of travel, the innovative Fun Ship is ready to set sail from its new home of Port Canaveral, with pre-inaugural sailings to the eastern and western Caribbean from July 31.
“We are very excited to finally welcome guests on Mardi Gras,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “With our desire to preserve summer vacations for our Mardi Gras guests, we are going to find a later date to formally christen her so that we can operate these pre-inaugural sailings just as soon as we can.”
And there’s an eager audience for the new Carnival ship that, in addition to the first roller coaster at sea, will feature the longest suspended ropes course at sea as part of an Ultimate Playground. Mardi Gras will also feature a cruise ship edition of Family Feud Live and a brand new restaurant from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.
With all the buzz, early sailings had been sold out far in advance. So Mardi Gras is destined to have a wait lists for popular cruises in 2021. But it will be worth the wait to experience Carnival’s bold new class of ships.
Meanwhile, Carnival announced its plans for other ships in the fleet.
- Carnival Magic will return from her dry dock with a new hull design – and homeport from Port Canaveral where she will pick up four- and five-day cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean that were previously scheduled for Carnival Elation, effective Aug. 7 through Oct. 7. Guests already booked on Carnival Elation will be re-accommodated on Carnival Magic, and because she is a larger ship, additional stateroom inventory is being made available on Carnival.com and other sales channels. Carnival Magic will also operate three new six-day cruises and one new eight-day cruise from Port Canaveral between Oct. 11-31.
- Carnival Sunrise will enter service from Miami, effective Aug. 14, sailing four- and five-day cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean.
- Carnival Panorama will enter service from Long Beach on Aug. 21, sailing her seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises.
- Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze (from Galveston), Carnival Horizon (from Miami) and Carnival Miracle (from Seattle to Alaska) will continue with their cruises through August that are part of the line’s restart plans in July.
Carnival has extended its pause for other ships through Aug. 31, but will continue to ramp up more ships and homeports in September and beyond, bringing hundreds of crew on board each week to be vaccinated, complete CDC-mandated quarantine and then begin work to prepare for guests and the return to guest operations.
“Our focus remains on the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we serve and visit,” said Duffy. “We are taking a deliberate approach so we can execute with excellence and deliver a fun experience to our guests, who have been tremendously patient and supportive throughout this pause.”
