Carnival Mardi Gras
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Named after the first Carnival ship that started it all way back in 1972, the Carnival Mardi Gras is also the first new ship to debut and depart from Port Canaveral since the industry-wide cruise shutdown.
There are six key themed zones that feature new dining, entertainment and attractions. They are the Grand Central, the French Quarter, the Summer Landing, the La Piazza, the Lido and the Ultimate Playground.
Click through the slideshow for a glimpse at some of the highlights of this brand-new cruise ship.
From Then to Now
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Featured just past the main atrium, this panel shows the original Carnival Mardi Gras ship vs. the brand new one. The new ship has 2,641 total guestrooms and can hold 6,500-passengers.
Grand Central Atrium
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Most ships design their main atrium to be in the middle of the ship, but Carnival Mardi Gras did something truly unique by building the multi-level atrium to be on the side of the ship.
Balcony Stateroom
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There are 1,026 standard balcony rooms on Carnival Mardi Gras. There are 20 plus room categories and all feature: telephone, 110 AC power outlet, USB outlet, individual climate control, Carnival Comfort Bed Collection, hairdryer, safe, non-stocked mini bar unit and an interactive flat-screen TV.
Bolt Roller Coaster
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The first-ever roller coaster at sea does not disappoint. It lasts under 30 seconds, but it's still an epic ride. The rider controls the speed with the throttle on the right, and the throttle on the left has a boost button that makes you go even faster. The current cost is $15 per ride and you have to make a reservation
Ultimate Playground Waterworks
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This area features the largest water park in the fleet for Carnival. With three main slides, a smaller space for young kids and a water bucket dump, this zone is a plethora of fun.
Lido Marketplace
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The buffet area on Deck 16 has multiple stations and the hall between seating spaces features a shawarma station, a gelato station and a hot dog station. In the morning, these become omelet stations for breakfast.
Shaq's Big Chicken
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The first-ever Carnival restaurant from Shaq packs a flavor punch of delicious fried chicken sandwiches. It's open for breakfast as well for those craving a chicken biscuit.
Guy's Burger Joint
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Arguably the best burger you can eat at sea, Guy's Burger Joint is one of the most popular lunch spots on the ship. It's also now open for breakfast.
Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse
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Choose 3 types of meat, 3 sides and a dessert to get your grub on during lunch or dinner. Oh, and this is now complimentary to guests as well.
Rudi's Seagrill
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Rudi Sodamin's first restaurant on a Carnival Cruise is absolutely fantastic. It is not complimentary but if you love seafood, this is one restaurant you don't want to miss. Pictured here is the incredible lobster mac and cheese starter dish.
Emeril's Bistro 1396
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Renowned chef Emeril Lagasse brings big flavors to Carnival Mardi Gras with this bistro. It is not complimentary to guests, however. The 1396 in the name refers to Carnival Mardi Gras being the 1,396th ship that was built at Meyer Turku in Finland.
Pizza and Paninis
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Pictured here is the line for pizza, which is open 24 hours. Behind this line is where guests can order panini sandwiches.
Street Eats
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These food stalls are similar to what you might find on food trucks. It's a quick grab-and-go set up and the menus change throughout the sailing.
Carnival Kitchen
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Step up your cooking skills by taking in a class at the Carnival Kitchen.
Cucina del Capitano
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A 1972 FIAT car sits outside the Italian restaurant. The license plate pays homage to the original Carnival Mardi Gras ship.
Bonsai Sushi and Teppanyaki
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A variety of sushi options await cruisers here at Bonsai Sushi. And just to the right is the Bonsai Teppanyaki restaurant where chefs cook right in front of you. Space is limited here though.
Chibang
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A fusion of Chinese and Mexican food in one restaurant. Guests can pick from an array of Chinese or Mexican dishes for lunch or dinner.
Time Dining Rooms
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The Flamingo (which has one level) and The Palm (which has two levels) are the two main time dining rooms on the ship. Pictured here is the lower level of the Palm.
Serenity Adults-Only Retreat
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Carnival ships are known for having multiple families onboard. This adult-only area is a perfect escape from the noise of kids.
Loft 19
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Looking for even more quiet space? This exclusive area located above the adults-only retreat offers large cabanas for purchase.
Casino
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From table games to slot machines and more, the casino onboard this ship is quite massive. Part of the casino does allow smoking.
Heroes Tribute Lounge
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Located in Summer Landing next to Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, this tribute lounge to America's armed services is outfitted with super comfy couches and chairs, massive TVs and décor to honor the U.S. military.
Mardi Gras Theater
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This huge theater space is the top spot for entertainment shows onboard Carnival Mardi Gras.
Punchliner Comedy Club
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In the mood for a good laugh? Head over to the Punchliner in the evening to hear from different comedians throughout the night.
Brass Magnolia
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Sit back and enjoy the smooth sounds of a jazz band playing tunes while you sip on specialty co*cktails.
Fortune Teller Bar
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Find creative co*cktails at this unique bar that sits between the Flamingo main dining and Emeril's Bistro.
RedFrog Tiki Bar & Main Pool
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The most popular bar on the ship, the Red Frog Tiki bar is located by the main pool and is two levels. Be sure to try the authentic Mai Tai.
Alchemy Bar
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Overlooking Emeril's Bistro, this bar's lighting continuously changes colors to set the mood for a fun night.
Piano Bar 88
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Located next to the comedy club, guests can hang out by the bar or grab a seat to listen to talented pianists work their magic.
Fitness Center
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Whether you want to lift some weights or hit the treadmill or elliptical machines, this spacious gym has you covered.
Spa Room
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Don't let your eyes deceive you. Cloud 9 Spa is a huge space with multiple rooms that offer several different treatments for guests.
Arcade
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For the kid in all of us, the arcade zone is bigger than one might think, and it features a variety of games for all ages.
Teen Zone
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For kids 15 to 17 years old, the club 02 offers a chill hangout spot for teens to relax, play video games and more.
Swirls Ice Cream
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The ship features multiple ice cream stations which offer a perfect cool treat on a warm-weather day. Pictured here is the station in between Guy's Burger Joint and Red Frog Tiki Bar.
More Pools
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Various small pools and hot tubs are featured on different decks of the ship. Pictured here is the Tide Pools set up at the back of the ship on deck 17.