When Carnival launched their first ship, 1972's TSS Mardi Gras, they 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 it is! So here's a brand-new ship with a familiar name. With this Mardi Gras they aren't just paying homage to their 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!
Mardi Gras Ship Zones
Get ready for six distinct onboard zones featuring brand-new experiences for spectacularly getting down to food, drink, and fun.
Grand Central: On a Mardi Gras cruise your vacation starts in the Grand Central zone. Don't be surprised if you step inside and the first place you want to look is upwards. Up there are high ceilings that hint at even more fun living on the three decks above! You'll also find floor-to-ceiling windows that really bring in the ocean views. In Grand Central, you're never far from great chilling and dining spots, plus feel-good entertainment.
French Quarter: What inspired this area is no less than New Orleans itself. You'll be pleased to hear that the French Quarter is lined with bars and eateries worthy of their namesake. For one thing, there's the spectacularly, authentically delicious Emeril?s Bistro 1396. Just steps away there's The Brass Magnolia bar, featuring not only great drinks but also hot jazz, live.
Summer Landing: What's three letters long and goes great with chilling outdoors? BBQ, so there's a Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse so it always tastes like summer. You're gonna love The Watering Hole, a poolside bar for aficionados of backyard-style relaxation. And for military folks, please report to Heroes Tribute Lounge for great service. At Summer Landing, fun this cool is literally always in season.
La Piazza: La dolce vita is within reach at La Piazza with all the Italian seafaring spirit that's literally driving the ship. This zone stands for atmosphere and flavor, and it starts with Cucina del Capitano, which brings your party together for an evening of Italian favorites served family-style. Mardi Gras debuts Piazza Panini where the handhelds are hot and pressed, plus Bar della Rosa, where you'll sip authentic espresso drinks by day and classic Italian cocktails when the sun goes down.
Lido: Aboard Mardi Gras this poolside zone features even more delicious and fun experiences among the familiar flavors. RedFrog Tiki Bar will be serving up the good stuff across two decks' worth of South Pacific atmosphere. Street Eats brings together highlights from the world's fast-good cuisine like kebab, bao buns, and seriously upgraded fries. Shaq's Big Chicken restaurant is here, and fan-fave spots like Guy's Burger Joint, the New England-inspired Seafood Shack, and BlueIguana Cantina.
The Ultimate Playground: 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. 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.
Madri Gras Ship Activities
Mardi Gras is full of fun new ways to spend your time, but definitely isn't leaving the fan favorites ashore.
- Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster: Aboard Mardi Gras you'll meet BOLT: the fastest and first! rollercoaster at sea. Strap in and zoom your motorcycle-style speed machine around an open-air course high, high above sea level. Forget other coasters because this all-electric thrill ride puts you in the driver's seat. That means you actually get to control how fast you go, so hit the gas and try for the fastest time, go for the biggest thrill plus some amazing 360 ocean views! And for the folks who choose to chill go light on the pedal, and this just might be the coaster for you!
- WaterWorks: Three large-scale spiraling slides, a giant dumping bucket, twin racing slides, and more. When you spot the big slides on board, you'll see that they mean business, splashy business: Blue Lightning is packed with headfirst, high-speed twists and turns, while Orange Thunder starts you off standing before propelling you down into a world of wetness, and of course, the signature Twister slide keeps on thrilling splash-seekers.
- Build-A-Bear Workshop At Sea: When kids visit the Build-A-Bear Workshop At Sea, they use their little hands and big creativity to bring a new stuffed friend to life. They can customize their furry friend from head to toe by choosing the bear, clothing, and accessories.
- Mini Golf: 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.
- Cooking Demonstration: Learn to cook, Steakhouse-style from the team of chefs as they demonstrate the tricks of the trade used to make those multi-course dinners everyone loves so much.
- Video Arcade: If you love to play video games, you're in luck. The video arcade boasts a huge array of games and is open to players of all ages, all night and all day.
- Mixologist Competitions: The onboard competition may be stiff, but don't let that shake you, stir up your signature concoction and make flavor worth a savor using spirits from all over the map. Throughout the cruise, everyone will be able to enjoy the winning cocktail at bars throughout the ship.
- Art Seminars: Carnival offers a variety of educational and enlightening seminars, your cruise features an 'Art 101' lecture series designed to be your entrance into this vibrant world.
Madri Gras Ship Dining
Whether it's casual munching or sit-down elegance you're hungry for, Mardi Gras can't wait to share all this dining variety with you.
Chibang!: You'll detect some delicious Chinese and Mexican culinary traditions in the atmosphere at Chibang!. Chibang! brings together your favorite dishes from the two cuisines, into an amazing menu that invites you to spread your culinary wings across the Pacific. Try a little from each side by mixing, matching, and sharing in a dinner of flavor explorations.
Rudi's Seagrill: is the brainchild of cookbook author and master chef Rudi Sodamin. He has years of experience pleasing the palates of vacationers, but he's serious about seafood, and an evening at Rudi's proves it through the courses. Enjoy selections like seafood bisque and crab-stuffed lobster tail imperial, all served with an elegant flair that pays proper tribute to the beauty of the ocean from which so much fun, and flavor, arises.
Street Eats: Street Eats is Carnival's tribute to this food phenomenon, debuting aboard Mardi Gras with three ever-changing open-air stations. The first, Steam Dream, specializes in the steamiest stuff on this side of the spa, featuring favorites like bao buns and pot stickers. Then there's Mad Sizzle, with the likes of kebab and satay. And there's Time Fries, which serves up fries loaded up with culinary creations from the chefs, like cheesesteak fries!
Emeril's Bistro 1397: This new restaurant collects extra flavor inspiration from every corner of the world. Then it serves up international dishes, all with Emeril's signature culinary flair! From one day to the next you'll find new stuff on the menu, so make sure to come back and see what surprising specialties are ready to delight you for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Big Chicken: Shaq brings his poultry know-how and good taste to the seas with Big Chicken on Mardi Gras. Step up to the counter for lunch or dinner and walk away with your choice of chicken sandwiches, crispy chicken strips, or juicy fried chicken baskets. Early-morning buzzer-beaters are invited to enjoy a breakfast of classics like chicken biscuits, a three-cheese omelet, or the biscuit/egg combo featuring bacon or sausage.
Bonsai Teppanyaki: It is an experience set to delight guests aboard Mardi Gras. Sit down to a selection of tempting appetizers, before your chef prepares the main course featuring selections of meats, tofu, fish, shrimp, or lobster, right at your table. In the teppanyaki tradition and Carnival's tradition of fun, expect an interactive, satisfying meal full of surprise and delicious delight.
Bonsai Sushi: This is Carnival's onboard seafood-and-soy-sauce spot aboard Mardi Gras. Dine indoors or out amidst carefully-pruned bonsai trees, while enjoying a delectable menu with sit-down service. Rounding out the meal: soups, sides, sakes, and desserts.
Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse: With choices like brisket, sausage, baby back ribs, salmon, and dry-rubbed chicken, they will smoke the meat right there over hickory and apple wood, all before serving up these favorites at your table, complete with classic sides. Drinks? How about a smoked porter, a farmhouse ale, a hoppy IPA, or a toasted amber? All brewed under the supervision of a pro brewmaster.
Seafood Shack: Seafood Shack's the place to cast your net. Imagine a New-England-style seaside spot where you can take it all in, enjoying a great meal complete with a side of ocean view. On a Carnival cruise is where you'll find this shack by the sea, wherever in the world you happen to be!
Fahrenheit 555: A dining experience that stands toe-to-toe with some of the best steakhouses on land. Except this one is at sea. Fahrenheit 555 features your choice of steak cuts, lobster, lamb, and more. Outside, there's seating for dining al fresco. These are the building blocks of an amazing experience, delectable elements that combine with great service to offer an evening to remember.
Cucina del Capitano: At your table you'll enjoy delicious Italian favorites, family style because sharing large plates and sharing tales of your day's adventures go hand-in-hand. Speaking of which, the walls are adorned with old snapshots from the officers' family albums, proving that the rustic Italian farmhouse atmosphere definitely isn't for show.
Mardi Gras Ship Bars
Just imagine the next scenario: You, with a drink, with family or friends laughing and dancing while your favorite songs are played. Sounds cool, right? Onboard you'll find the perfect place for that and more.
Alchemy Bar: For the perfect antidote to all that pre-vacation stress, try a unique cocktail custom-concocted by truly mix-masters. Choose from a variety of select spirits, fresh juices, infused syrups, spices, and other tantalizing secrets performed before your very eyes.
Havana Bar: Step in and enjoy an authentically Cuban experience as you cruise. Take in great ocean views as you try something authentically Cuban, like cafe Cubano or handcrafted Cuban cocktails with music and dancing keeping things hot well into the night.
Redfrog Tiki Bar: Sip a Polynesian Punch, try a Jungle Bird, or get a little tongue-twisted ordering a Red's Rum Jumper. This poolside bar actually spans two decks and, no matter where you're sailing can be counted on to transport you right to the land of Tiki.
The Brass Magnolia: With a swingin' jazz trio keeping things nice and hot, it only takes one look at the decor to feel as if you just stepped into an elegant Southern estate. So come on down, grab a seat, and let a bartender know what your pleasure is.
Cheers!: Bartenders bring you your drinks, but never the bill. Once aboard, sign up and enjoy the ease of one flat price for drinks throughout your cruise. Now that's something to raise a glass to!
Piano Bar: Finally, a bar where singing along isn't just tolerated, it's strongly encouraged. Pull up a seat, order your favorite cocktail, and let your friendly piano player know what you'd like to hear for a hand-clapping, foot-tapping, finger-snapping good time.
Cruise the Vineyards: From the soft and fruity flavor of the Merlot to the light and dry Sauvignon Blanc, choose from three packages featuring selections from Italy, New Zealand, France, Australia, Germany, California, Washington, and Oregon.
Mardi Gras Ship Entertainment
Hey there, do you have a plan for the day? Onboard there are a lot of different things to do and have a fun time. You can go to a show or have a good time laughing at the Comedy Club. Your vacations have never been this entertaining!
- Family Feud Live: On every sailing Mardi Gras hosts four unique games on an authentic Family Feud set, right down to the iconic Face-Off podium, plus all the excitement of Fast Money. There's even a version where kids can get in the game!
- Playlist Productions: Your favorites become full-blown musical productions featuring singers and dancers bringing down the house. Shows vary by ship, but there's a playlist for every music lover.
- The Punchliner Comedy Club: Up on stage you will find some real pros who know how to wedge a little laughter into anyone's evening. Since some of them get up and say exactly what's on their mind, family-friendly performances are also scheduled.
- Dive-In Movies: From the comfort of your poolside lounge chair you'll enjoy sporting events and recent blockbuster films. Or bring your suit and take in all this action from the pool itself!
- Karaoke: Believe it, you've got a rock star, pop idol, or country crooner inside you. Take the stage and grab the mic because everyone's ears are waiting. Your moment in the spotlight is here.
- Nightclub: Get up and get down at the most happenin' club in the Caribbean. Whether you're doing the robot or the worm or just swaying to the music, you'll want to dance 'til the sun rises.
Mardi Gras Ship Spa & Fitness
After a long day of activities and having fun day and night, sometimes it's necessary to find a good place to relax. Aboard Mardi Gras there are many places where you can have a good time for yourself or if your way to relax is doing exercise, try to jog with a breathtaking view.
- Cloud 9 Spa: Escape to a world designed, from the ground up, for relaxation. Cloud 9 Spa staff are masters trained in the craft of simply helping you chill. What's their secret? Massages, facials, body wraps, thermal suites, and more.
- ZSPA: keeps teens looking their best from head to toe, with everything from trendy hairstyles to pedicures. Okay, so it's not all about looking good, it's about feeling great too!
- Acupuncture: Whether you're looking to pinpoint a specific health concern or just searching for a different way to relax, the onboard, licensed acupuncturist's table is a great place to do it.
- Massage: Select from different hands-on experiences featuring seaweed for detox, herbal poultice for energy, bamboo for deep tissue penetration, and hot stones for perfection.
- Fitness classes: Check out Carnival's selection of onboard fitness classes. Whether it's yoga, pilates, indoor cycling, or boot camp, there's a fitness class that'll get you the workout you need, and the instruction you need to do it right.
Mardi Gras Ship Accommodations
Mardi Gras' staterooms are major innovations in the field of helping you get ready for fun, or relaxing after a long day.
- Havana Staterooms and Suites: Your very own island resort aboard Mardi Gras near the Havana Bar & Pool. All Havana staterooms feature unique decor but step up to a Havana Cabana for an extra-large outdoor chill space. Step into a Havana Cabana suite for even more space, plus a luxurious rain shower.
- Cloud 9 Spa Staterooms and Suites: Featuring exclusive decor and in-room amenities to help soothe you after a long day's fun: spa bathrobes and slippers, plus toiletries by Elemis. Book one of these staterooms and enjoy priority spa reservations, unlimited access to the thermal suites, free fitness classes, exclusive discounts, and more!
- Family Harbor Staterooms and Suites: With their unique nautical decor, can be found near Mardi Gras' own Family Harbor Lounge, an exclusive spot with breakfast, snacks during the day, plus board games, family movies, video games and more.
- Interior Staterooms: This is an affordable way to cruise without leaving out the comfort or convenience! Great for curling up after a long day of fun.
- Ocean View Staterooms: A picture window gives you views of scenery you won't find anywhere on land, all from the comfort of your stateroom.
- Balcony Staterooms: Designed for a maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you're looking to cruise aboard Mardi Gras.
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