Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Mardi Gras Cruise Ship Review

Last Updated: July 20th, 2022

Cruise Line: Carnival

Ship: New Carnival Mardi Gras

When: January 8, 2022- January 15, 2022

Itinerary: Western Caribbean With Cozumel Plus

Ports: Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; & Roatan (Mahogany Bay), Honduras

We sailed on the Carnival Mardi Gras January 2022 to the Western Caribbean with Cozumel Plus out of Port Canaveral, Florida. Here is our review of the Carnival Mardi Gras.

When we sailed, I hadn’t planned on writing a review or becoming a Travel agent at the time. But, now that I am, I have decided to share with you our experience from what I can remember.

When I plan a cruise either for myself or someone else I love to read and watch videos on everything I can find about the Ship, Where we are going, everything I can possibly find cruise related. This is part of the planning process that I love the most.

When we took this cruise it was just my husband and I as we wanted to do a cruise with just the two of us. This was also a casino offer cruise that came upon us quickly. We decided it was a good deal and booked and paid for it in full in November 2021. With our offer we got a free Oceanview Stateroom, $500 Fun Play for the Casino and free drinks for us both anywhere on board and all we had to pay was the port cost & taxes. For two people that cost us roughly $500 for a 7 Day Cruise. Now we did buy Wi-Fi, Pay for port parking, A hotel, Shore excursions, and gas to get from where we live in Alabama to Port Canaveral.

Before going on this cruise we had to both have both our COVID vaccines with the last shot being at least 14 days prior to our boarding date. We of course had this done last year because I work in Healthcare and it was required by my job. My husband because well I told him it was required to cruise so he did.

Another requirement before cruising and due to the current COVID Pandemic was that we both had to have a negative COVID test 48 Hours prior to Sailing. We did ours through Navica & Optum with a proctor and via our computer so they could watch us test and verify our results. 30 minutes later, 15 for the test and 15 for them to send us the results, we had our negative results via email which I printed off before we headed out the door to start our drive to Florida. We arrived the day before our Cruise was to set sail as we prefer to arrive a day before sailing just in case.

Embarkation

Photo Credit: Carnival

Carnival had staggered check-in Port Canaveral. About 2 weeks before the cruise I logged onto Carnival’s website and selected the 10:30AM-11:00AM check in slot. We arrived at the port via car and dropped our luggage off with the porter before heading in to board.

The embarkation process was smooth and fast. There was a line to board the ship but it moved rather quickly. I think the entire process took about 30-45 Minutes.

When It was our turn, We were directed by a Carnival Staff member to a table with another Carnival Staff member. Here we had to show our COVID vaccine records, Proof of our negative COVID test results, Our Passports, Our Driver’s License, and then lastly our Boarding pass. Once they checked everything off we were directed to the scanners. Here we put our carry-on bags on the belt and my husband cleaned out his pockets before we proceeded through the metal detector. Once we were all clear, we gathered our bags and belongings and proceeded on. We were stopped by a Carnival Photographer who took our embarkation picture in front of a lovely Backdrop of the Carnival Mardi Gras. Once we were done here we proceeded up the stairs to the gangway. At the top of the stairs, we were asked by a Carnival Employee to put our face in front of the scanner, which checked our temperature and scanned our face to ensure we were the person listed on our passports per customs regulations. Once we were all clear here we proceeded up the gangway and finally onto the ship.

Sailing

Picture Credit: Carolyn Smith

On The Ship

Once onboard the ship, we were greeted by a Carnival employee who welcomed us on board, reviewed our boarding pass and scanned it. We were then directed to our muster station which happened to be straight ahead of where we boarded. Muster Drill done check. Now we were free to explore and enjoy the ship.

Our next stop was to our cabin which was located on the fourth floor. Outside our room there was a box in which our Sign & Sail cards were located. We dropped off our carry on and put our luggage which was located outside our room in our room. Our room steward was making rounds and introduced themselves. Our Room Steward was A (I can’t even pronounce let alone spell her name) and gave us her card in case we needed to call her for anything. She asked us what time of day we preferred our room to be cleaned morning or night. We opted for mornings as we would be out most of the day. We asked her to bring us a fresh pail of ice each day and tipped her $20.00. After that we left her $5.00 a day.

Once we were done in our room, It was still early and a long way from Dinner so we made our way to the BlueIguana Cantina where we enjoyed some Tacos for lunch.

Cabin Review (Family Harbor Ocean View Stateroom)

Our cabin was located on the fourth floor as we stayed in Room 4320 which was a Family Harbor room and was located directly across from the Family Harbor Dining Room. I didn’t feel like there were a lot of people coming and going down our hallways and it was not very loud either considering it was a Family Harbor Room and its location. Overall it was a nice quiet location. I felt like the cabin was a good size and easy to get around in. I liked that it had a window view and we had a very nice unobstructed view from it. I would definitely book this room again without hesitation.

See our video Here.

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Got To Love Those Towel Animals!!

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Family Harbor Lounge

This lounge provides a 24 hour spot serving breakfast and snacks during the day. Includes concierge desk to help with booking shore excursions, making spa and dining reservations, requests for housekeeping needs, checking out video games and movies and to help register children for youth programs. Also includes large-screen TVs, Hasbro board games, family movies, video games and more.

We did not sail with our children on this cruise but wanted to see what it had to offer for them in the future. However if you do have kids:

Kids in this category will eat free at for-pay dining restaurants (excludes Chef's Table and children must dine with adult and order off Kids menu). Included is one free attendance to Night Owls (up to 3 hours of free babysitting)

Family Harbor Self serve breakfast stations open on port days, 6:30am-9:30am and sea days, 7:30am-10:30am, serving: pastries, yogurt, deli meats, cereal, cut fruit, coffee, tea, water and orange juice. Self serve snack stations open daily, 3:00pm-5:00pm, serving: sandwiches, pastries and cookies. Self serve cookies and milk at family bedtime, 9:00pm-11:00pm each evening. Swirls soft serve ice cream and frozen yogurt machines, 24/7

Photo Credit: Cruise Deck Plans

Photo Credit: Cruise Deck Plans

Food & Drinks

We really enjoyed all the food that was offered on Mardi Gras. We only ate at the places that were included. The only specialty restaurants that we took advantage of where the ones that were included due to the Inaugurational Season still going on for the Carnival Mardi Gras. However, we did not feel like we were missing anything by not eating all the specialty restaurants. We had nothing to complain about when it came to the food. It was all good and there was no shortage of options to eat.

Main Dining Room

Our MDR was the Palm Restaurant which was located on both deck 6 & 7. We primarily ate on Deck 7 Due to having anytime dining and ate breakfast a few times on Deck 6.

We had “Your Time Dining” for the main dining room. We could choose to eat in the Palm dining room any time from 5:45-9:30 p.m. We ate in the main dining room four out of the seven nights. At the time we went we just had to request a table and wait for them to come get us. Our wait was never more than 10 minutes. Often times we would request our table before leaving our room and by the time we got to the restaurant it was ready.

We always got a different table for two and a different staff due to having the Anytime dining option. However, all the staff were wonderful. You couldn't ask for a better dining staff. We enjoyed the service offered so much that we left a tip each night on the table for them (About $5.00 each night).

In the main dining room, trying the chocolate melting cake off the dessert menu its a must have. Trust me you'll be glad you did.

We also enjoyed eating in the MDR for Breakfast and ate in their every morning we could. They have a wonderful breakfast menu with so much to choice from and all so good.

The Palm Restaurant

Photo Credit: Cruise Deck Plans

Elegant Night (Main MDR)

Steak & Baked Potato

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Lobster & Rice

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Carnival Melting Cake

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Some Other Places We Ate Were:

Chibang

Chibang is a Mexican And Chinese restaurant in one. This is a specialty restaurant but was free during our sailing due to it still being its Inaugurational season. We really enjoyed this restaurant and ate there twice. Chibang is located on Deck 8. It is Open for dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Reservations and walk-ins are accepted. Though at the time we went just had to request a table and wait for them to come get us. Our wait was never more than 10 minutes. Often times we would request our table before leaving our room and by the time we got to the restaurant it was ready.

Photo Credit: Cruise Deck Plans

Sweet & Sour Shrimp, Steak Ranchero

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Guy’s Burger Joint

Photo Credit: Cruise Deck Plans

We loved this place especially my husband. We ate there several times primarily for lunch. It is located on deck 17. They were open from 12 noon until 6 p.m.

Blue Iguana Cantina

Photo Credit: Cruise Deck Plans

This was another of our favorites. It is conveniently located on deck 16. It was Open 7:30 am to 10:30 am for breakfast. Open 12:00 noon to 2:30 pm for lunch. We ate here for lunch. They have the absolute best Tacos.

Street Eats

Photo Credit: Cruise Deck Plans

We also enjoyed Street Eats a few times with our Blue Iguana for lunch especially considering it was so close and located on deck 16. Street Eats is a Food venue serving quality food commonly found on the street in trucks, stalls and carts. I really enjoyed cheesesteak fries. The time fries vendor was by far my favorite.

Pizzeria Del Capitano

Photo Credit: Cruise Deck Plans

We ate here a few times late night because who doesn't want some pizza after a few drinks. They are open 24 hours and can be delivered to your room via room service.

There are so many other places to eat on the ship but we couldn't eat them all especially since we enjoyed eating in the dining room for breakfast and almost every night for Diner.

Bars

We enjoyed almost every bar on the ship with our favorite bars being the Alchemy Bar & The Fortune Teller Bar. After all did have the free drinks anywhere on board for us both as part of our booking promo.

The Alchemy Bar Located on Deck 7

Photo Credit: Cruise Deck Plans

The Fortune Teller Bar Located on Deck 6

Photo Credit: Cruise Deck Plans

Our Favorite Drinks

Strawberry Daiquiri

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Kiss On The Lips (From the Casino)

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Favorites At The Fortune Teller Bar

Watch our video Here

Abracadabra

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Crystal Ball

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Casino

We spent a lot of time in the Casino, it was one of our favorite places to be. Plus, we had all that fun play money to spend. We didn't win anything and spent more money than we were given but it was still a lot of fun. The casino is located on Deck 7.

Photo Credit: Cruise Deck Plans

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Entertainment, Etc.

Carnival Mardi Gras had a lot to offer in Entertainment from Shows, parties, games, and so on. We took advantage of a lot of the shows and took pictures with the Carnival Photographers every chance we got. There was so much to do on the ship that we didn't have time to do it all. We could take another trip and probably still not do it all.

Carnival Photos

(Courtesy Of Carnival Photographer)

A Random Night

Our First Formal Night

Itinerary

On our sailing the Carnival Mardi Gras we had two formal nights, & three sea days in addition to stops in Cozumel Mexico, Costa Maya Mexico & Roatan (Mahogany Bay) Honduras. We got off in each port.

Cozumel, Mexico

Our first stop was In Cozumel, we booked a beach pass & enjoyed the day at Mr. Sancho's. You can see our full review of Mr. Sancho's Here.

While in Mr. Sancho's I enjoyed a Fish Spa for the first time. It did not cost much at all under $30.00 I believe the hubby paid for it.

Watch Our Fish Spa Video Here

Looking for Idea for what to do in Cozumel, Mexico? View our Port Guide Here.

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Photo Credit: Mr. Sancho's

Photo Credit: Mr. Sanchos

Costa Maya, Mexico

Our second stop was In Cost Maya, we did a beach pass as well at Maya Chan which we reserved and paid for in advance on their website. You can see our review of that full experience Here.

While at Maya Chan we enjoyed a 30 minute couples Massage which cost us about $60.00 total for us both. It was very nice and very much worth the cost. it was also a very good price compared to the price to get a massage on the ship and in port.

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Roatan (Mahogany Bay), Honduras

Our last stop was In Roatan, we just explored the port, did a little shopping in the port, and took advantage of their free beach located right in the Mahogany Bay port were we docked. I wasn't feeling very well (It was not COVID) this day so we didn't spend a lot of time in this port maybe 4 hours before returning to the ship. The rest of the afternoon we ate a little Dinner in the MDR before turning in early for the night. The next morning I was feeling much better. We enjoyed our last 2 days at seas before debarkation.

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Diamonds International

I of course had to stop in every port and get my Charm for both mine & my daughter bracelet. There was a charm available in each port (Cozumel had 3 stores each giving out a different charm).

Photo Credit: Carolyn Smith

Sea Days

We really enjoyed the sea days just as much as the port days. There were so many fun activities and amenities onboard not to mention amazing food and ice cold drinks. There were some days that we were so exhausted that we slept or hung out our room for a few hours.

Debarkation

Debarkation was the saddest day of the entire trip as it always is. However, it was a fast process and since we carried our luggage off we were off the ship and on our way back to Alabama by 10AM. Of course we had to trade the nice hot weather for Snow as we got into Georgia headed home and ended up having to book a hotel and proceeding home the next morning. All in all it was a wonderful trip that I would love to do again & highly recommend.

Conclusion

In conclusion we loved this cruise vacation and just having at little time to our selves. We loved the ship and loved cruising on Carnival. I hope this review helps you plan and get excited about your next cruise vacation.

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