Less than stellar

Item: Mardi Gras
Rating: 2.8
Author: arlenexiomarah

Mardi Gras Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

arlenexiomarah

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 72

Overall rating:

2.8 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 23, 2023

Ship: Mardi Gras

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 16202

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

I'M PLATINUM WITH CARNIVAL, this last cruise has made me rethink my choices, I will be cancelling my scheduled cruise for September 2024 on carnival, I will be trying Royal Caribbean or NCL NEXT. The Mardi gras is over hyped and Definitely overrated, it's a very Dull looking ship with unfriendly staff. Extremely Rude Dr. Seuss breakfast (Carlos) ruined it for 7 1st time cruisers and 4 others . Food choices were not many and most entrees were not flavorful, more like cafeteria food . The ICE CREAM IS NOW ICE MILK, NOT CREAMY NOT GOOD AT ALL. A FEE FOR POPCORN IS ABSURD. Overall not a good experience for me and my family of 12 totalling 14 of us that took this cruise.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

It was fairly quick and well organized

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Not many good choices , less than previous cruises

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Seminars on health and fitness was interesting , lido deck activities were fun and entertaining

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Good shows , I enjoyed them all

Children's Programs

I traveled without children

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Crappy service everywhere on the ship , unfriendly staff / bartenders rude and CARLOS FROM DR SEUSS BREAKFAST WAS RUDE & WITH A VERY NASTY DISPOSITION, I traveled with a party of 14 , 11 of which are Dr Seuss fans, booked Dr.Seuss breakfast and Carlos the one on the mic was very rude , I had requested a picture with thing 1 & 2 & he told me I needed the maitre D approval , i then asked to see the maitre D & Carlos walked away. He was argumentative & rude. The assistant maitre D took down my name & complaint & arranged for my group to meet with thing 1 & 2, which was good , but only 5 of us agreed to meet up at 4:30p. The rest were too upset & refused to go bc the Dr. Seuss breakfast experience was awful & ruined for them .

Ship Quality

2 out of 5

I don't like the layout of ship & as you walk in the ship it doesn't impress at all , As we initially entered the ship we were directed towards the left elevators which takes away the glamour of walking into a beautiful atrium , seemed dull and gloomy.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Balcony room for 2 with not enough drawers ,

Ship tip

I would advise them to skip it , too many people and not enough staff , and the staff they do have are unhappy and miserable and they show it

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Nassau, Bahamas

3 out of 5

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic

3 out of 5

Grand Turk Island

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

Well organized

16 Comments

TNTGreen 1 year ago

The ice cream has always seemed like more water based to me since I started cruising Carnival. I’m not loyal to any line, but you will find a lot of fees on Royal. They charge for popcorn as well, they have a kids “fun day” on the Oasis Class ships in the Boardwalk but they are charging for Cotton Candy as well. Stateroom turn over is once a day and specialty dining is higher. Doesn’t matter the cruise line you will find the same.

Thumbs Up 1

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Mimi1225 1 year ago

I agree with you about the Mardi Gras Ship it was a disappointment. Even though we traveled on Carnival before and we loved the other ships, the Mardi Gras was something else. Anyways, husband and I we travel with NCL and Princess too, and so far, Princess is our number one choice.

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Sogmoore 1 year ago

Best of luck. The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Thumbs Up 2

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sfcvan 1 year ago

My wife and I have sailed the Mardi Gras twice, and both times, we had a great time. You probably need to look in the mirror, not to another cruise line. The problem is you and the so-called privileged attitude. Get a life, everything since Covid-19 has changed. Even your hometown restaurants, the service industry is struggling to staff people, and the cruise line is hurting more. Goodbye Karen, and enjoy your next complaint adventure.

Thumbs Up 4

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javawoody 1 year ago

If you are Platinum with Carnival you know not all ships are the same.

Thumbs Up 1

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cruisent 1 year ago

What is thing one and thing two?!

Thumbs Up 1

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bsing 1 year ago

How does one complain about Carnival so much and still go. If you are this dissatisfied with Carnival, try something else already🤷🏾‍♀️

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lsbs 1 year ago

Thanks for your review. Our experience on the Mardi Gras was totally different. Hope your next vacation is better.

Thumbs Up 2

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GLINER43 1 year ago

The "ice cream" is not dairy at all. I have watched the crew service the machine and they fill it with a "frozen dessert" mixture. As for your other complaints, maybe NCL is for you.

Thumbs Up 0

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carolj68 1 year ago

Just got off her in June and this was not the case for our group of 15. Sorry u didn't like it

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AuntPinkie 1 year ago

Appreciate your detailed feedback. Now that you’ve reached Platinum level, it’s a good time to try other cruise lines to see if there’s a better fit. Sorry this cruise didn’t meet your expectations. Best of luck with your new adventures.

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UglyBetty 1 year ago

I wouldn’t recommend NCL. Just went to an Alaska cruise with NCL and their port hours and location sucks! Staffs were mostly friendly though. I myself will try Royal Caribbean next time.

Thumbs Up 2

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Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Oops sorry 😞 thanks

Thumbs Up 1

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Dumfy75 1 year ago

You say you’re Platinum with Carnival and have other cruises booked with them, yet your other reviews are also poor reviews of Carnival, including one on the Mardi Gras. Why do you keep cruising with them just to moan about it.

Thumbs Up 7

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cruising2004 1 year ago

Definitely not our experiences when traveling on the Mardi Gras.

Thumbs Up 3

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RetiredRay 1 year ago

Interesting, apparently they have not cruised for a couple of years and seen the ‘NOT cutbacks’ occurring.

Thumbs Up 4

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