Do not care for the big ships!

Item: Mardi Gras
Rating: 4
Author: Glen220

Mardi Gras Cruise Review

Glen220

Contributor Level: Second Mate

96 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 17

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 20, 2022

Ship: Mardi Gras

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 14234

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

The itinerary was fine, the Mardi Gras is too big and too crowded! The cruise industry seems hung up on building bigger ships. Most of the seasoned cruisers I spoke with do not like the big ships at all!

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ship tip

Find a smaller ship! With 6,000 plus passengers and a crew of 1,700 (IF fully staffed, which ours wasn’t ) it is crowded; always waiting for an elevator- then they arrive full; slow service at the bars- due to crowds and not enough staff; you waited in line for everything on the ship; not enough public bathrooms; automatic sliding doors that don’t open 80% or the time, requiring you to push the tiny button in the middle; the public areas from about the 12th floor up were hot.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

5 out of 5

Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

5 out of 5

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

13 Comments

GabeNSteph 2 years ago

Thanks for the update

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HD2003 2 years ago

I also prefer smaller ships but I say that without having been on a super large ship. With that said, I did book the Mardi Gras for January 2024 because I was on the original Mardi Gras as a teen in either 1972 or 1973. I just want to have the experience of being on both so I am ready to take the good with the bad and I never cruise Carnival otherwise.

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xraymomma 2 years ago

I didn’t care for the Mardi Gras either, and it was supposedly at reduced capacity when I was on. As crowded as that was, I can’t imagine what full capacity is like! Thanks for sharing your experience.

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AuntPinkie 2 years ago

Appreciate your feedback. Bigger isn’t always better. It fits some people. Glad we have the option.

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lspop205 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing

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CurlyCruiserYAY 2 years ago

Thanks for info

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cortneyb 2 years ago

I sailed the mardi gras August 13, we were at capacity and never felt too crowded. lines were surprisingly short. I really liked it

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javawoody 2 years ago

Thanks for the review

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Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.

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Ramsey1986 2 years ago

We have wondered about the cruise experience on a “mega” ship and appreciate you taking the time to share your review. We thoroughly enjoyed our May cruise on the Magic. 😎🚢☀️🩴🏝🪸🐠🌺

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FJcruiZer 2 years ago

Have been on Mardis Gras twice now, both times were great and didn't feel crowded at all.

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CruzeFan 2 years ago

Thanks for the review. I have seen many comments about Mardi Gras feeling overly crowded, with many of the public areas being too small.

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Travelflea 2 years ago

Thanks for your perspective I will be sailing on her in November hopefully it won't be a capacity. I want to enjoy what the ship has to offer.

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Other reviews of this sailing

Carnival Cruise Line standards have suffered. Beautiful ship but passengers are out of control.

Not the best cruise out of 58 cruises

Great Cruise!