reviews
Carnival Cruise Line Mardi Gras
OVERVIEW: Every so often, a ship changes the course of the cruise industry. Mardi Gras is one of these vessels. The 5,282-passenger ship is the first in the sector to have a rollercoaster. It’s difficult to miss Bolt’s four bends as you look up at the ‘seacoaster’. That said, a ship should not be defined by one feature. Frankly, there are enough activities on Mardi Gras to keep practically any passenger entertained for an entire sailing, whether that’s at the water park, volleyball court, casino or one of the many bars.
CABINS: Mardi Gras has a wide range of cabins and suites. During my seven-night sailing, I stayed in a regular 245sq ft balcony cabin, which struck me as quite large. The couch even pulled out to create a second bed. The cabin’s aqua-blue decor married well with the clean design of the headboard and desk. Elsewhere, there are Cloud 9 Spa cabins that offer passengers a string of perks including priority reservations, and family-focused cabins that give occupants exclusive access to the Family Harbour, a secluded hangout space.
FOOD AND DRINK: Agents and customers frequently remarked on how many speciality restaurants were included. There are 18 onboard eateries – including Shaq’s Big Chicken, Guy’s Burger Joint and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse – which are free to dine at. I can’t think of another ship where so much food is factored into the fare. However, aside from some limited international options such as sushi, Mexican and Chinese, the menus focus largely on American food.
42 May 2022
FACILITIES: The Ultimate Playground on decks 18 and 19 features the motorcycle-inspired Bolt rollercoaster, three water slides and the line’s longest ropes course. If your clients take a cruise on Mardi Gras, they won’t be bored but they might grow tired. And in that case, there are cocktail bars, a tiki bar, plus Heroes Tribute Bar and Lounge where you can kick back and watch vast TVs showing sport from around the globe. And of course, there is the Cloud 9 Spa. Bolt’s presence on deck 19 means that the Fitness Center is on deck six, rather than on a higher deck as on other Carnival ships.
USP: Without a doubt, Bolt is Mardi Gras’ standout feature. The seacoaster’s twists and turns at 40mph are not for the faint-hearted, but you’re unlikely to find sensitive cruise passengers on any Carnival ship. It seems everyone is fun at heart. The rollercoaster costs $15 for a two-lap session, which can be booked via the slick Carnival Hub app.
BOOK IT: Mardi Gras is homeporting in Port Canaveral, Florida, for the next 12 months. The Excel-class ship is operating a mix of seven-night Western and Eastern Caribbean sailings. Eastern Caribbean sailings start at $729, departing on July 30, 2022. Ports of call include San Juan in Puerto Rico, Amber Cove in Dominican
Republic and Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos.
carnival.com Reviewed by Harry Kemble
travelweekly.co.uk/cruise travelweekly.co.uk/cruise
PICTURE: DANNY LEHMAN
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