OMG, this has a rollercoaster and water slides. If you are an IONA fan and are waiting for the ARVIA wondering just how the Excellence Class can evolve, here is a hint. The Mardi Gras is the latest Excellence Class Carnival Cruises ship to hit the seas. At 181,808 GT, 42m wide, and 340m long she is the largest of the Excellence Class yet, and the largest ship in Carnival’s fleet. Port Canaveral was building the new dock and Terminal 3 when we were there, and this was specifically for these new ships. Port Canaveral is the Gateway port for the space centre, Disney Land and for those wanting to avoid the parks the beach, old wooden pier and gator-infested glades are an option. See our Port Canaveral Guide.
Nobody expected this ship to change the cruise world, but the Excellence Class did, and this is a step up. The name pays homage to Carnival’s first ship which began sailing from Miami in 1972. Carnival say that using the name again signals the start of something big because 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!
We look forward to the Arvia here in the UK.
Excellence ships at Carnival
Carnival Mardi Gras Carnival Celebration Carnival Jubilee
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See my cruise and port accurate mystery thrillers in paperback and eBook Some in large print & as audiobooks. They are all set on a cruise and written like movies or TV series. Well, that is where I spent the last 50 years! The income is reinvested into this cruise site.
CHAT GROUPS – a fantastic way to help others and a place to find answers. We run a Facebook Group for each of the ships. For example, P&O IONA group P&O Ventura MARELLA EXPLORER Disney & Family cruise chatSAGA Ocean & River cruise chat group Viking Ocean & River Cruising chatCunard Chat – Premium cruise liners Find the complete list of chat groups here
