Carnival Mardi Gras

A mix of interior, ocean view, balcony, and suites make up the 2,641 handsomely designed guest staterooms on board. Within these categories are a wider array of options, ranging from Cloud 9 Spa rooms, draped in a soothing color palette; Havana staterooms and cabanas near the members-only Havana Bar & Pool; and nautically-themed Family Harbor rooms, which are located on a special deck with access to an exclusive lounge where passengers can enjoy breakfast or stock up on snacks. Plus, Family Harbor guests can bring their kids to eat free at most specialty restaurants and are able to enjoy one free night of Night Owls babysitting service. All cabins have a telephone, 110 AC power outlet, USB outlets near each side of the bed, reading lights, individual climate control, Carnival Comfort Bed Collection, hair dryer, safe, mini bar fridge, and interactive flat-screen TV mounted flush to the wall. 

Whether a guest has a service dog, dietary needs, mobility limitations, or are hard of hearing, travel with an oxygen tank, or have children with disabilities, the Carnival Mardi Gras is ready to accommodate and deliver a fun and fantastic cruise. The 82 accessible staterooms on board feature a similar standard cabin layout, only with considerably more space, plus a bathroom that is much larger, with roll-in toilet and shower areas. In fact, a mobility scooter can easily fit inside the room (although many guests still opt to park outside in the hall). 

Accessible balcony staterooms have no lip between the interior of the room and the balcony, with will allow guests to transition easily from inside and out. Furthermore, accessible tables are available in all the dining venues, from the main dining room to Lido Deck buffet.

In Chibang!, Carnival has created a brand new dining destination for its fleet. Billed as a Chinese and Mexican Mashup, the restaurant’s sweet & sour shrimp with hakka noodles and green beans is not to be missed. Guy’s Burgers and Pig & Anchor Smokehouse and Brewhouse, Shaq’s Big Chicken, and Pizzeria del Capitano are other offerings on what surely has to be one of the most robust inclusive food programs on board a large, mainstream cruise ship. 

Outside on the sunny deck 16, beside the underrated, affordable a la carte Seafood Shack is a brand new destination for quick and complimentary bites, called Street Eats. A rotating menu at three separate food cart-style spots give guests new foods to try for free every day. Steam Dream serves up bao buns and pot stickers, and kebab and satay are found at Mad Sizzle, while Time Fries loads up everyone’s favorite side with a slew of toppings. One of the greatest aspects of a Carnival Mardi Gras cruise is the ability to eat in some of the specialty restaurants for lunch free of charge—with that in mind, don’t sleep on the create-your-own pasta bowls in Cucina Del Capitano.

Guests will enjoy spending their nights with the jazz band in The Brass Magnolia, sunken down into plush red velvet seats, sipping glamorous cocktails like Hurricanes or Sazeracs, wines, beers, or even an Abita, a craft root beer from Louisiana, available in bottles on board. For more musical entertainment with an adult beverage in hand, guests can grab a seat at the Piano Bar to hear talented musicians tickle the ivories in a fun sing-along show, try an elixir in the mystical Fortune Teller bar, or chill out poolside at the Redfrog Tiki Bar.

There is no shortage of fun on the original FUN ship’s newest and largest vessel. The Punchliner Comedy Club will have the whole family laughing with both all-ages and adult-only stand-up comedy shows on offer. There’s also a casino, a huge water park (the largest in the extensive Carnival fleet), and of course the first roller coaster at sea. For those athletically inclined, the SportSquare multi-purpose court hosts soccer games, basketball, and more. And the stellar Playlist Productions, which put on theatrical shows and make up the Center Stage Band, provides an opportunity to be dazzled or get your dance shoes on, depending on the performance.

The adults-only Serenity Retreat, featuring a 24/7 fitness center, outdoor track, and full-service spa is complimentary and just for the grown-ups. Cloud 9 Spa offers manicures, pedicures, and massages for passengers seeking ultimate pampering and relaxation.