Carnival Cruise Line Delays Mardi Gras Debut Date

Meyer Turku shipyard, which is currently building Carnival Cruise Line’s new ship Mardi Gras, has informed the cruise line that the vessel’s delivery date will be delayed by two months.

Instead of being delivered to Carnival in August 2020, the line will now take delivery of the ship in late October and her first revenue sailing will be from Port Canaveral on November 14. Because of this, the first eight cruises that were scheduled starting August 31 have been canceled, including European, transatlantic, cruises from New York, and four voyages from Port Canaveral.

Since the delay will impact vacation plans that guests already have in place, Carnival is offering those on the canceled sailings a 25 percent future cruise credit (FCC), as well as a full refund of the cruise fare and all taxes and fees involved in it. The line will also be offering assistance with non-refundable airline and hotel reservations that have already been booked. 

READ MORE: Carnival's Mardi Gras to Include 'Ship Within a Ship' Concept

If travelers rebook their cruise using their 25 percent FCC by February 18, 2020, they will be credited with an additional $100 per person onboard credit for that cruise.

"We have been working closely with Meyer Turku executives to keep the Mardi Gras delivery on schedule, and while we deeply regret disappointing our guests, this change in the delivery date is required to make sure all of the ship's systems, features and technology will be fully operational, so that we can give our guests the vacation they expect. Our commitment is to deliver a great and innovative ship, and Mardi Gras will definitely be that when it arrives in North America," said Ben Clement, Carnival Cruise Line's senior vice president of newbuild.

Mardi Gras will be Carnival’s largest cruise ship to date, with features like a top deck rollercoaster, a new class of suites with a private ‘ship within a ship’ area for passengers staying in them, a new restaurant in partnership with Chef Emeril Lagasse, and more. Read more details on the innovative ship here.