Cousins trip

Item: Mardi Gras
Rating: 4.6
Author: valrie205

Mardi Gras Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

valrie205

Contributor Level: First Mate

70 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 8

Helpful Votes: 121

Overall rating:

4.6 out of 5

6 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 14, 2024

Ship: Mardi Gras

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 12378

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 3 months ago

Review summary

We have a wonderful time cruising on Mardi Gras! this was our second time. I like the ship and the many activities, bars, and food choices that is offered.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

We arrive at our appointed time. we walked in and lined up for a security check. There was two people in front of us, one with a 6 pack of juices in plastic bottles and the other with waters in bottles. The person checking and scanning items was so busy shouting out what to do she only stopped the person with the juices and let the person with the waters go through. Then we were guided to a place for priority and platinum members, it seemed like a waste of time to even become a platinum member due to the number of people have made it to this status. The only thing special about priority and platinum is at this port you get to use the escalator instead of the stairs.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

The food in the main dining room for dinner was good enough to eat, serves was fast enough. But for breakfast it was a long wait every morning we ate in the main dinning room(it was only two of us),then service was very slow. We reserved Teppenyaki for lunch one day ,it was entertaining and delicious. It was very filling. The buffet(when we did catch it open) was hit and miss, this ship is huge and the buffet is two small sections and one middle section with desserts,salad,sandwiches. Breakfast is standard and lunch i did not ever catch open and dinner maybe once and the main food was laden with sauces and could not tell what it was.

The Watering Hole

5 out of 5

This spot has a bar with tables and chairs and lounge chairs and a whirlpool!! it's a beautiful spot.

Redfrog Tiki Bar

3 out of 5

It was mostly crowded all the time. the one drink I did get was not what I ordered and it tasted strange. I did not get to try another from that bar.

Piazza Piani

5 out of 5

I ate a tuna sandwich and it was delicious! The line is long when they open but they work quickly and keep it moving.

Bonsai Teppanyaki

5 out of 5

We reserved this pre-cruise and was seated with two families. This was such a fun dinning experience, we talked, sang and ate. The chef was really friendly and entertaining! The food was really tasty and satisfying. I will do this again!

Fortune Teller Bar

5 out of 5

This bar stayed crowed daily. So we hit it one a port day as soon as it opened. We were the only two there and got to laugh and talk to the bartenders before the rush of people came. My favorite drink is Venus rising. We tried several, they all were good but that one was my favorite. It was really fun.

Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que

5 out of 5

We ate here on first day. It has improved since the last time i ate it. The greens are much better. The meats are still good. We enjoyed the food.

Lido Marketplace

3 out of 5

Breakfast offered the same choices every morning, having bacon every other day. We never could catch it open for lunch of dinner and midnight buffet either. The times that it is open was hard to catch for us.

Tides Pool Bar

5 out of 5

fun spot to relax

Palm Restaurant

5 out of 5

Our dining staff was awesome and the food was better than usual. I account this to it only being two of us instead of 12 or more.

JavaBlue Cafe

5 out of 5

Enjoyed coffee from this venue. It was always busy!

Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse / Brewhouse

3 out of 5

This is a paid dining venue. It is not as good as the free one on the outside. It was packed every evening with people eating. It just wasn't to my liking.

Guy's Burger Joint

5 out of 5

As usual this place is slamming!! They be working so hard! The line is always long! Thy just keep it moving! i always say anything worth having is worth waiting for!! I always enjoy these burgers!

Big Chicken by Shaq

5 out of 5

This food is really good we ate there several times through out the week.

Bar della Rosa

4 out of 5

First drink of the cruise. I had a problem understanding what the bartender was saying and ended up with a coffee based drink, which my cousin does not like coffee,and i do. The drink was really good for me. We had to find my cousin another one.

Alchemy Bar

5 out of 5

This bar is so entertaining! The bartenders are really looking the part!! I enjoyed several drinks here and enjoyed watching them make them.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

There were lots of activities offered, most trivia, games, and dance parties. We enjoyed the white glow party! The cruises Director(TJ) said it was the most people he has ever had to attend.

Tides Pool and whirlpool

5 out of 5

Fun spot to hang out.

Summer Landing

5 out of 5

My favorite spot on the ship!! I love the open space and the pool at the back. Even with a lot of people there it still was alright! The bartenders(Andreas) made wonderful drinks and conversations. We spend every evening here.

Serenity Adult-Only area

5 out of 5

Plenty of space to relax. The bar made good drinks and the servers came around often.

Mardi Gras Casino

5 out of 5

I did really good here. I brought more back home than i started with. They have several casino host, i believe 5 of 6 but i never had any of them to come talk to me or my cousin. My cousin plays a lot usually enough to get steak house meals and gifts sent to room. She asked at the casino host desk why she had not gotten anything. They asked her what she wanted, she said seafood shack and steakhouse. They gave her vouchers for each. I guess now you have to ask for your comps.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

The shows at the center stage were awesome. Las Vegas, Voodoo Moon and celestial strings were performed well by the cast and band. I didn't like the magician that much. The comedy was good also. There are so many talented musicians and performers on this ship !

Mardi Gras Theater

4 out of 5

Went to several shows here. The only problem is no drinks are served in here.

Children's Programs

we did not have any children traveling with us.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Great service from room attendant, waiters in dining and bartenders.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

the ships design is beautiful. The ship was made to hold more passengers but the venture are still the same size which in turn makes lines long and then popular shows like the comedy show in the limelight lounge is packed full.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

cabin was functional and a good size for two people. The balcony was very nice. Having a glass door on the shower was awesome.

Ship tip

make sure you have good walking shoes. It's a lot of walking.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5

We stayed at Country inn and suites in Port Canaveral. This is the second time we have stayed here and it has been consistently good each visit. We walked to Preacher's bar for supper and it was good also.

Thumbs Up 1

Nassau, Bahamas

3 out of 5

We got off the ship and walked around, we took a horse and buggy tour and then we got back on the ship, we did not do an excursion. Not much to do if you don't have an excursion booked. New pier is good for people that like to shop.

Thumbs Up 0

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic

5 out of 5

We got off the ship we did not have an excursion planned so we went to the nearest place to sit down and chill for awhile and it was to the right after you get thru the duty free store. there is a pool, bar and restaurant.

Thumbs Up 1

Grand Turk Island

5 out of 5

we got off the ship but did not have an excursion planned. We walked to the right and sat by the beach, it was plenty of loungers and a beautiful view of the ships. we sat for a while and then took some picture and walked back to the ship

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

It was very quick. no trouble,

8 Comments

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