The Mardi Gras, an Excel-class ship from Carnival Cruise Line, returns to service with a series of enhancements designed for families and groups, after completing a dry dock in Marseille, France. The ship began its return voyage from Barcelona to Port Canaveral on a 15-day itinerary before resuming its regular Caribbean cruise schedule.
Connecting Staterooms and Enhanced Spaces
One of the main features is the addition of connecting doors in 100 staterooms, making it easier to accommodate multigenerational families and large groups, providing flexibility and comfort during their vacations.
Additionally, the Carnival Adventures area has been redesigned, offering an improved experience for booking shore excursions onboard. The casino was expanded with new slot machines, and several retail spaces were remodeled, including the Tag Heuer, Breitling, Pandora, and Swarovski boutiques.
The refurbishment process also included accessibility improvements: corridors and common areas were adapted, and enhanced features were incorporated in public spaces and cabins to improve the experience for all guests.
Itineraries and Fleet’s Future
The Mardi Gras is sailing a 15-day transatlantic cruise with port calls in cities such as Málaga and Cádiz (Spain), Tenerife (Canary Islands), and Carnival’s exclusive destination, Celebration Key. The ship then returns to its homeport in Port Canaveral (Florida), where it will operate year-round with seven- to nine-day itineraries to popular Caribbean destinations.
Starting in 2027, the Mardi Gras will be the first Excel-class ship and the largest in the fleet to offer short four- and five-day Caribbean itineraries, marking a new chapter in Carnival’s offerings for those seeking shorter vacations.
Commitment and Evolution
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, emphasized that the Mardi Gras continues to innovate, now as the first ship in its class to complete a dry dock. The new enhancements are designed to enrich the guest experience and anticipate the direction of future fleet refurbishments.
