VICTORIA CARLES✦YOUR WORLD. WIDE OPEN.
Mardi Gras at sea

CARNIVAL · FROM PORT CANAVERAL

MARDI GRAS
fun, turned all the way up.

Good food. Great company. All-out fun.

  • 7-day Caribbean
  • 4–5 day Bahamas from May 2027
  • Celebration Key
  • Cruise Terminal 3

MEET MARDI GRAS

THE SHIP WITH
a roller coaster.

Mardi Gras is Carnival’s first Excel class ship and the first Carnival ship powered by liquefied natural gas. It has called Port Canaveral home since its maiden voyage on July 31, 2021, the first sailing with guests from the port after the industry pause.

Six themed zones spread across the ship, from the New Orleans-inspired French Quarter (home of Emeril’s Bistro 1396) to Summer Landing and the Ultimate Playground, where BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, races around the top deck.

Know which Mardi Gras you’re booking: 7-day Caribbean cruises run through May 15, 2027. From May 22, 2027 she switches to 4- and 5-day Bahamas getaways, making her Carnival’s largest ship ever to sail short cruises.

Ship class
Excel
Maiden voyage
July 2021
Gross tonnage
180,800
Guests
5,270
Crew
1,735
Length
1,130 ft
Themed zones
6
Terminal
CT3

WHERE SHE SAILS

ITINERARIES
from Port Canaveral.

Mardi Gras sails from Cruise Terminal 3 on Saturdays. Every current itinerary includes Celebration Key, Carnival’s exclusive destination on Grand Bahama. Week-long Caribbean sailings run through May 15, 2027, then short Bahamas cruises begin May 22, 2027.

7 days · through May 2027

Eastern Caribbean

  1. Port Canaveral
  2. Amber Cove
  3. RelaxAway Half Moon Cay
  4. Nassau
  5. Celebration Key
  6. Port Canaveral

Some sailings swap in Grand Turk, San Juan or St. Thomas.

7 days · through May 2027

Western Caribbean

  1. Port Canaveral
  2. Isla Tropicale (Roatán)
  3. Cozumel
  4. Celebration Key
  5. Port Canaveral
5 days · from May 22, 2027

Bahamas getaway

  1. Port Canaveral
  2. Celebration Key
  3. Nassau
  4. RelaxAway Half Moon Cay
  5. Port Canaveral
4 days · from May 27, 2027

Bahamas long weekend

  1. Port Canaveral
  2. Celebration Key
  3. RelaxAway Half Moon Cay
  4. Port Canaveral

Sample routings for inspiration. Ports, order and sailing lengths vary by date. Confirm your exact itinerary with Victoria.

THINGS TO DO

SIX ZONES,
zero dull moments.

Mardi Gras is organized into themed zones, each with its own food, drinks and personality.

Aerial view of the BOLT track, WaterWorks and pools on Mardi Gras

The six zones

Grand Central three-deck atrium: floor-to-ceiling aft windows, LED video walls, stage and tiered lounge seating (no people) Shown on Carnival Jubilee ▶ 2 videos

Grand Central

A three-deck atrium with floor-to-ceiling ocean windows that turns into a show venue at night. JavaBlue Café, Piano Bar 88 and The Punchliner Comedy Club are nearby.

Fortune Teller bar in the French Quarter: guests at the round bar, black-and-white checkerboard floor, "Past Present Future" fortune poster ▶ 2 videos

French Quarter

New Orleans flavor: Emeril’s Bistro 1396, The Brass Magnolia with a live jazz trio, and the Fortune Teller bar.

La Piazza outdoor terrace: red-checked tables set for dinner, ocean view at dusk (Cucina del Capitano al fresco seating) ▶ 1 video

La Piazza

Italian charm with Cucina del Capitano, Pizzeria del Capitano and Bar della Rosa.

Guests in the Lido pool with blue loungers and the RedFrog Tiki Bar behind ▶ 2 videos

Lido

The pool deck, with the two-deck RedFrog Tiki Bar, Shaq’s Big Chicken, Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina.

Aerial view of the top deck: BOLT track, WaterWorks slides, mini-golf and pools ▶ 2 videos

Ultimate Playground

BOLT, the fleet’s largest WaterWorks and SportSquare with mini golf, basketball and a ropes course.

Thrills, pools & play

Two riders on a BOLT roller-coaster car on the track above the ocean
Extra cost
▶ 2 videos

BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster

The first roller coaster at sea: about 800 feet of track, 187 feet above the water, and you control the speed. Height 52–77 inches.

WaterWorks slides and splash tower beside the funnel, with the BOLT track

WaterWorks

The fleet’s largest, with the Blue Lightning, Orange Thunder and Twister slides plus a splash area.

SportSquare: full basketball court with SportSquare logo and the ropes course overhead, ocean view

SportSquare

Mini golf, full-court basketball and a ropes course.

Four guests toasting with cocktails inside a slatted-wood Loft 19 cabana
Extra cost

Loft 19

A sun deck with an infinity whirlpool and rentable cabanas; included for Excel Suite guests.

Also on board

Havana Pool

A pool area just for Havana stateroom and Excel Presidential Suite guests.

DINING

COME HUNGRY.
leave happy.

Mardi Gras is a food lover’s ship. Plenty is included, from Shaq’s Big Chicken to Guy’s Burger Joint, and the specialty lineup includes Emeril Lagasse’s first restaurant at sea.

Guests at The Brass Magnolia bar in the French Quarter
The Brass Magnolia in the French Quarter

Included in your fare

Waiter serving a family dinner in a Carnival main dining room (official Express Dining press photo) Representative photo

Main dining rooms

Multi-course dinners, plus Express Dining when you want to be done in under an hour.

Guy's Burger Joint: round Guy's Burger Joint sign on a brick wall, serving counter and queue rail (empty, pre-launch)

Guy’s Burger Joint & BlueIguana Cantina

Poolside burgers, tacos and burritos.

Big Chicken sandwiches and fries in branded paper boats in front of the Big Chicken rooster mural

Big Chicken

Shaq’s fried chicken spot.

Street Eats: guests walking past the Mad Sizzle station with a chef at the grill

Street Eats & Pizzeria del Capitano

Quick bites and pizza.

Guests dining at ChiBang! by the windows (red pillars, teal chairs)

ChiBang! & Cucina del Capitano

Chinese-Mexican mashups and family-style Italian; your first visit is included.

Worth the splurge (extra cost)

Guests dining at Emeril's Bistro 1396: tiled bistro with bistro chairs and the open kitchen/raw bar
Extra cost

Emeril’s Bistro 1396

Emeril Lagasse’s first restaurant at sea, named for the ship’s hull number.

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse dining room: red chairs, set tables and the dry-aged meat display case
Extra cost

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

Carnival’s classic steakhouse.

Bonsai Teppanyaki chef doing a flame show at the grill for guests
Extra cost

Bonsai Sushi & Bonsai Teppanyaki

Sushi and teppanyaki-grill shows.

Guests laughing over barbecue and Carnival-brewed beer at Guy's Pig & Anchor
Extra cost

Guy’s Pig & Anchor

Smokehouse barbecue and beer brewed on board (with a free lunchtime menu).

SHOWS & NIGHTLIFE

AFTER DARK,
the fun turns up.

Playlist Productions shows, comedy and Family Feud Live are included; you’ll pay only for drinks.

Playlist Productions cast performing on the main-theater stage with an LED backdrop

Playlist Productions

Song-and-dance shows in the main theater.

Family Feud Live: host and two guest families at the podiums in front of the game board

Family Feud Live

Play the famous game show on board.

Guests with cocktails at The Brass Magnolia bar

The Brass Magnolia

Classic New Orleans cocktails and live jazz, only on Mardi Gras.

FOR THE KIDS

LITTLE ONES,
big fun.

Dr. Seuss Bookville reading room: Seuss bookshelves, Cat in the Hat figure and colorful seating (no people) Representative photo

Seuss at Sea & Dr. Seuss Bookville

A character parade, story time, a reading space and a Seuss character breakfast.

Family in a Family Harbor suite: kids reading on the nautical-flag bedspread, adults at the window Representative photo

Family Harbor

Family staterooms with a lounge for breakfast and snacks, kids eating free in most specialty restaurants and a free night of Night Owls.

FOR THE GROWN-UPS

ADULTS ONLY,
deep breaths.

Couple with drinks on a round wicker daybed at the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, ocean beyond
21+

Serenity Retreat

A quiet deck for guests 21 and over, included.

Cloud 9 Spa Thermal Suite: hydrotherapy pool, heated ceramic loungers and starry ceiling (no people)
Extra cost

Cloud 9 Spa

Treatments and a Thermal Suite.

Havana Bar interior: Cuban-style décor, teal shutters, bar tables with tropical drinks (no people; the pool is not in frame) Shown on Carnival Jubilee

Havana area

An exclusive pool and bar for Havana guests (all 12+); the bar turns into a dance spot at night.

Four guests toasting with cocktails inside a slatted-wood Loft 19 cabana
Extra cost

Loft 19

Cabanas and an infinity whirlpool high on the ship.

WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP

STATEROOMS
& suites.

Mardi Gras has stateroom “neighborhoods” with their own perks, plus 100 more connecting rooms added in 2025.

Rendering of a Havana Cabana stateroom
Havana Cabana stateroom (rendering)
Family relaxing in the living area of the Presidential Suite, balcony doors at left Shown on Carnival Celebration

Excel Presidential Suite

The top suite, with Excel Suite perks plus Thermal Suite and Havana Pool access.

Rendering of a Carnival Excel Suite bedroom and living area Rendering

Excel Suites

Loft 19 access, a concierge line, guaranteed dining reservations, a soft-drink package and complimentary room service and laundry.

Rendering of a Havana Cabana stateroom Rendering

Havana staterooms

Exclusive Havana Pool access; all guests must be 12 or older.

Cloud 9 Spa balcony stateroom: queen bed, sofa, desk and balcony door (older fleet décor) Shown on Carnival Breeze

Cloud 9 Spa staterooms

Unlimited Thermal Suite use, priority spa bookings and spa-style amenities.

Family in a Family Harbor suite: kids reading on the nautical-flag bedspread, adults at the window Representative photo

Family Harbor

Interior, oceanview and suite options with the Family Harbor Lounge.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

GOOD
to know.

  • The last 7-day Caribbean departures are May 1, 8 and 15, 2027. From May 22, 2027, Mardi Gras sails 4- and 5-day Bahamas cruises.
  • BOLT costs extra and has rules: 52–77 inches tall, up to 300 lb, under-12s ride with someone 15+, and closed-toe athletic shoes are required.
  • Havana staterooms are 12+ only. Families with younger kids should look at Family Harbor instead.
  • Mardi Gras departs Saturdays from Cruise Terminal 3. Confirm on your boarding pass.
  • The Cheers! drink package must be bought by every adult in the stateroom, for the whole cruise, and doesn’t work at Celebration Key.
  • Short on time? Express Dining serves a multi-course dinner in under an hour; opt in through the Carnival HUB App.

QUESTIONS

MARDI GRAS
FAQ.

Does Mardi Gras sail from Port Canaveral?+

Yes. She has been homeported there since her July 31, 2021 maiden voyage and sails from Cruise Terminal 3.

Is BOLT included?+

No. BOLT is an extra-cost attraction with height (52–77 inches) and weight (300 lb per rider) limits.

Does Mardi Gras visit Celebration Key?+

Yes. Every current Mardi Gras itinerary through 2028 includes Celebration Key.

Will Mardi Gras still sail week-long cruises in 2027?+

Only until mid-May 2027. From May 22, 2027 she sails 4- and 5-day Bahamas cruises, and the new Carnival Festivale takes over longer Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral.

Can kids stay in Havana staterooms?+

No. All Havana stateroom guests must be 12 or older.

Details summarized from Carnival: Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras fact sheet, Mardi Gras short cruises (2027-28), BOLT, 2025 dry dock, Port Canaveral cruise schedule. Reviewed October 2026. Venues, shows, pricing and itineraries change; confirm for your sailing.

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READY FOR MARDI GRAS?

LET’S GET
you on board.

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A LITTLE DREAMING STARTS HERE

Your next chapter.

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