Very large ship
Mardi Gras Cruise Review
Contributor Level:
Third Mate
Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 3
Helpful Votes: 58
6 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)
Sail date: September 10, 2023
Ship: Mardi Gras
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 15439
Traveled as: Large Group
Reviewed: 1 year ago
Review summary
We had fun. Experienced a large cruise ship. It’s really safe for families with kids. They have very high plexiglass so it would be difficult to fall off. All in all I’m glad we went but wouldn’t do it again unless we took grandkids. Casino is huge. We never saw the entire ship it’s very large. We did a lot of walking and stair climbing. I wish they would add some staff.Embarkation
Parking is hectic but it’s a large parking garage. Pay before you park so that’s efficient. But we went down elevators to walk across the street to walk up steps to the same level we parked to get in another line. Didn’t make sense but they said it was for handicap persons so ok. Everything went smooth through the machines then if you don’t set up set and sail with credit card your in for a treat.
We used a travel agent. Who was on vacation of course. Was supposed to have casino credits. Needless to say, just book the cruise through offers and bypass the agents. It tied up 2 hours after boarding the ship for no reason. And don’t get me stated about the lack of communication.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Never ate or found the main dining room. But the food I had was pretty good. The buffets were cold food regardless which ones you ate at. So just keep that in mind. The pig and anchor ( get the watermelon margarita) would have been better if the sides were hot or warm. Guys burgers are always good, big chicken yes please best food I ate on this cruise. Did eat at the omelette station and it was good.
Very disappointed in the BLUEIGUANA CANTINA. Made ahead not like the smaller ships. Everything was cold but the eggs. Totally terrible and that’s what I usually eat for breakfast every morning. Not on this ship.
Very disappointed in the sushi. Service awesome but food not great.
Had coffee every morning. Super good. They have options with breakfast sandwiches and also a self serve set up with fruit and granola. And later in the afternoon they also have very good deserts $$ but worth it.
Pizza : Best pizza on any cruise I’ve been on. Not 24 hrs only like 10-11 am to like 2am. Sandwich’s really good ( not friendly and want you to be ready before you get in line and no changing what the description that is listed. Pre put together to heat and serve and move those people through)
And you can’t seem to get food outside of certain times. People drinking and nothing available ? They need to end services at different times to make sure all guests can get something to eat when they are not on a certain time schedule.
Onboard Activities
Not an activities person per say but the cruise director was awesome, energetic and fun. We watched a lot of stuff going on and it’s definitely a family friendly cruise. Kids seemed to have stuff to do. We had a windy cruise so no one in our group did the roller coaster. But they did 2 water slides the other was broken, and there’s a neat obstacle type thing. Did not do but watched younger people enjoy it.
Pools are everywhere so you can find a pool on this boat if you want to and at most times anyone of them except the main one were available.
Serenity area though I only went through was super nice with a Salad bar and it’s own bar. Very nice and looks we’re like a couple of people not crowded.
This shop is huge and although there are a ton of people the only place that’s really crowded was the shows and those tee tiny elevators. You better be in shape to do stairs or stand waiting on those things. Everyone on day 2 on figured if you could get on one just ride it whichever direction it’s going until you get to where you want to be.
There’s an 80’s and 90’s night ( well there was on our cruise). My son took a costume for the 80’s night and so did a lot of others and it was fun but it starts at like 11:30 and over at 12:30. It was fun.
Entertainment
It was typical cruise entertainment. We took in a comedy show that was mediocre, the entertainers were typical, we had a good time. Seating is not great but we found seats but if your on time or late you are standing.
Service and Staff
Our room attendants were awesome. It is once a day and they do a great job.
Waiter staff at the places we ate at were friendly except sandwich place or the pizza place. But they were extremely busy and stressed so there’s that.
Overall most of the bar staff seemed fake nice and in a hurry. Lots of people and lots of hours in extreme heat. I understand but still. Especially the bar on the 8th floor by the pizza and sandwich place: Don’t go to this bar Bar Della Rosa WORST STAFF. The 3 ladies completely ignored us with it being only a few of us at the bar. Would not even make eye contact and seemed to dislike each other as well. But the bar actual shares a outdoor section that has the smokers and they were on top of it sweating and working like crazy while being friendly.
The Red Frog staff was hit or miss just trying to get through. They were insane busy most of the time and for some reason most of the time the upper floor was almost never open so the lower floor was really busy especially when deck events were going on. Very understaffed.
Ship Quality
It’s a beautiful ship. It’s huge and it’s great for families. We prefer the smaller ships and will not take another one on this large of one. The elevator situation was bad. The rooms were extremely thin but the bathroom was actually a plus. It never really seemed crowded except at certain times like shows.
The photo people were annoying but tons of people where there for photo sessions.
Never saw people cleaning like on the smaller ships but it was clean except my husband got Covid and on the departure day got extremely sick. And he’s a hand washing / sanitizer person.
Cabin / Stateroom
Very narrow but the bathroom was just the right size for it’s purpose. The bed is in front of the tv and there’s a couch by the deck. The deck is small. But it’s at the top of the ship so there’s no cabins above it. It was mostly too hot to set out there in September.
Ship tip
It’s a very large ship. Be ready to walk. It’s very pretty.
Thumbs up
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Ports of call
There’s shopping and a beach you can just go get in right off the boat. It was fun. The water is different as it’s not sandy but more like rocky. Kinda sharp in places and you had to be careful where you stepped. The water was not cool but it was fun. They want to rent you a beach chair for 40.00. But we found a spot and put our things and kept and eye on them and never paid anything. Did not see any fish like in some places and went pretty far out. We took a float from Amazon and blew it up and used it there and just deflated it when we got back on the ship.
The shopping is decent but outside the port looked really sketchy so we choose to stay in the port. Nothing really to eat at the port except margaritaville
Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic
I woke up early and watched as we could see land. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. And we stayed at the port and had a blast. It’s really amazing and would love to go there again. Amber Cove is a must see. Loved it.
Not much to do and people are sketchy here. But we’ve been there so many times it’s like all the ships hit this port. If your gonna do anything book it through them.
Disembarkation
I am Giving this a 5 star for 1 reason. The staff at Port Canaveral are completely awesome. My husband was extremely sick. We could not get an elevator and he drug a heavy suitcase and large back pack down 9 floors to get off this ship. The lines were extremely long and he asked a woman for some water. She went to get it and noticed he looked bad. She took us out of the line, assisted with our luggage to get us outside and had another very helpful man help us to our vehicle and I am so grateful to those people. They were completely awesome.
Traveler Photos
