Not the best cruise out of 58 cruises

Item: Mardi Gras
Rating: 3.6
Author: susanvincenzi

Mardi Gras Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

susanvincenzi

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 23

Overall rating:

3.6 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 20, 2022

Ship: Mardi Gras

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 11300

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

Not my best experience. A fight broke out on the lido deck one day so half of the lido deck was closed for a while. To many people in one ship.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Getting on wasn't bad, but our room was supposed to be ready and it was not.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Main dining room was terrible. Not much of a variety. I have been cruising since 1992, you can't compare the food now to the spread the ships had back then. Waiters were a lot friendlier. I think the medium ships are a better way to go.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Did a few trivia sessions, they were very good. The host was very funny. Couldn't get in the piano bar unless you went an hour early, so never got in. Went to 2 shows I was not impressed. We left halfway through the 2nd one. Center stage where a lot of things were held was not a good set-up. If you were not right on the first floor up in front you couldn't see what was on the screen. If you were up on top You could see if you were right by the glass barrier. The comedy shows were very good. There was plenty of room and no matter where you sat you could see the stage. The Platinum and Diamond party was a BIG disappointment. It wasn't even a party. I have never been to any platinum and diamond party that was like that, I have been to many of them.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

I answered that above. I was disappointed in the Mardi Gras show and parade.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Our stateroom attendant, Astika was very good. I have no complaints at all. He was always happy to see us. The bartenders were all good. The casino bar and Pink and Achor bartenders were great.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

The design was poor. The cleanliness was good. My Husband has a PHD in human factors and ergonomics, he pointed out many things that should have been changed. The all black staircase that went from center stage to the casino was not easy to see where each step was going down. Going up was fine. The jogging track was not good. There was not enough space for someone to continue walking all the way around because every one else up on that deck had to use is for a walkway. Other ships have room on either side of it for others to walk. The center stage with the low ceilings prevented you from seeing the big screen that was used for most every thing.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

I thought the rooms would be a little bigger than the other ships since the ship was so big. It was just like all the other balcony state rooms I have been in. I did like the door to the balcony. It was much easier to open and close.

Ship tip

Don't expect special treatment even if you are Diamond. To many people not enough staff. You wait in line just like everyone else. No priority dining like other ships offer. The diamond gift was another coozie to wrap around a can. I advise to cruise on a smaller ship or wait until the ship is fully staffed.

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