Mardi Gras

The defining concept behind Mardi Gras is the six-zone outdoor and indoor organization: The French Quarter (jazz lounge, New Orleans-inspired dining), La Piazza (Italian piazza architecture, gelato bar, Cucina del Capitano), The Gateway (global street food, international themes), Summer Landing (outdoor games, Guy's Burger Joint, RedFrog Rum Bar), 820 Biscayne (Miami-inspired cocktail bar and outdoor lounge), and Celebration Central (central atrium where the ship's formal entertainment happens). The zones give the ship a coherence that most mega-ships lack — instead of random venue placement, there's a sense that each section of the ship has a distinct identity.

BOLT is the headline attraction: a roller coaster on the top deck, running above and around the ship's upper structures. It operates on individual electric vehicles that riders control for speed — faster or slower depending on comfort level. The queue is long on sea days, but the experience is genuinely unusual and difficult to replicate outside of a land-based park. The coaster is included in the fare.

The dining program is the most ambitious in Carnival's history. Emeril Lagasse's Emeril's Bistro 1396 is a specialty restaurant from a Michelin-decorated chef with a New Orleans legacy. Rudi's Seagrill focuses on seafood. Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse covers the premium dinner category. Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, and the international food hall options are all included in the fare. The main dining room operates in the three-venue format of the Excel class, separating Early Dining, Late Dining, and Your Time Dining across distinct spaces.

The honest consideration is scale. Mardi Gras at near-capacity is a city at sea. On sea days, the pools are crowded, the popular venues have lines, and finding quiet space requires intention. The ship is designed for guests who want density of programming and activity — guests seeking space and solitude should look at smaller ships. For guests who want the most Carnival has to offer in a single sailing, and for whom the LNG design and Excel-class innovation are worth prioritizing, Mardi Gras is the clear choice.