What a ship!

Item: Mardi Gras
Rating: 4.4
Author: KevinOMReb

Mardi Gras Cruise Review

KevinOMReb

Contributor Level: Second Mate

161 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Reviews: 7

Helpful Votes: 154

Overall rating:

4.4 out of 5

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 09, 2021

Ship: Mardi Gras

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 15386

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 3 years ago

Review summary

Fabulous ship. Right there with Symphony. The central atrium was awesome. Mardi Gras is a party ship. Lots of music and activities constantly. If you’re looking for serenity, not the ship. Infiniti pools were great. So many places to go. Highly recommended

Embarkation

5 out of 5

We came 2 minutes before our 11:30 time and from door to ship was less than 15 minutes.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Other than the pizza, which Carnival hasn’t mastered, the food was surprisingly good. Better than the Symphony. Vast array of venues. We didn’t make it to the MDR until Wednesday! Lido buffet scaled back. It didn’t look appealing. Guys still the best burger not only at sea but anywhere. Steakhouse better than expected. Chi bang very packed and not our favorite. Cuchina was also free this trip and solid.

Cucina del Capitano

4 out of 5

Free this trip. Solid. Nothing spectacular but good. Very good tiramisu

Havana Bar

5 out of 5

Best drinks on the ship. Quiet and nice.

Pizzeria del Capitano

2 out of 5

Dear Carnival, learn from RCL how to make a pizza. No sauce. Burnt and garlicky. Dear RCL, learn how to make a burger.

Palm Restaurant

5 out of 5

Ambiance not so good. But the food was. And quick turnaround. Better than Vista and Symphony.

Lido Marketplace

2 out of 5

Underwhelmed. Not appealing.

JavaBlue Cafe

5 out of 5

Free with drink package unlike Starbucks on other ships. Has spiked drinks as well. Rum laced shake delicious

Heroes Tribute Lounge

3 out of 5

I’ve tried it on Vista and Mardi. Still just ok. Good beef. Beans not.

Guy's Burger Joint

5 out of 5

Best burger anywhere. So so good. But the fresh cut fries are gone. New fries look good but taste meh.

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

5 out of 5

Ate at the one on Vista in 2018 and was underwhelmed. This one was excellent. Delicious rib-eye.

Chibang!

3 out of 5

Had the fish which was good. Wife and son didn’t like theirs at all. Steak and pork. Very busy and packed in like cattle. Not our favorite

Bonsai Teppanyaki

5 out of 5

Our chef was by far the best of the three. Very very entertaining. Huge amount of food.

Big Chicken by Shaq

5 out of 5

For chicken fingers and sandwiches, its good. But it’s chicken fingers. Enjoyed the biscuit at breakfast.

Alchemy Bar

5 out of 5

Nicola and Nicola worth the price of admission. The best.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Watched nearly every show and performances. No Broadway shows like RCL but still enjoyable. Comedians were hit and miss. Mike the director grew on us and by weeks end we really liked. One hard working dude.

Mardi Gras Theater

4 out of 5

Love and Marriage hilarious. M ok. Rock revue solid.

BOLT Ultimate Sea Coaster

5 out of 5

We’ll worth the $15. Fun!

Punchliner Comedy Club

4 out of 5

Hit and Miss.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Everyone friendly and hard working. Clean ship.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Incredible ship. Beautiful. But takes the whole week to figure out layout.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

How anyone over 250 lbs uses the bathroom is beyond me. Tiny. Good shower. Closet space fine. Very good bed. Balcony fine. We were on 15 so the views were solid. Tv selection was woefully bad.