Carnival’s Mardi Gras Returns From Dry Dock With Upgrades
Carnival Cruise Line’s flagship Mardi Gras has returned to service following an extensive dry dock in Marseille, France, that introduced several new upgrades, refreshed spaces, and accessibility improvements across the ship.
The 6,400-passenger Excel-class vessel is now sailing a 15-day transatlantic voyage from Barcelona to Port Canaveral, Florida, with calls in Málaga and Cádiz (Seville), Spain, Tenerife in the Canary Islands, and Celebration Key, Carnival’s new private island destination. Once it returns to Florida, Mardi Gras will resume its year-round Caribbean itineraries.
Looking ahead, Mardi Gras is set to make history again in 2027 as the first Excel-class ship—and the largest in the Carnival fleet—to operate four- and five-day Caribbean cruises, expanding short-cruise options aboard one of the line’s most popular ships.
The ship’s dry dock brought several guest-focused enhancements. Among them are new connecting doors in 100 staterooms, offering greater flexibility for multi-generational families and group travelers. The Carnival Adventures excursion booking area has been redesigned with an improved layout, while the casino has been expanded and fitted with additional slot machines to meet growing demand.
Guests will also find refreshed retail spaces featuring high-end brands such as Tag Heuer, Breitling, Pandora, and Swarovski. Meanwhile, the ship received a series of accessibility upgrades, including redesigned walkways, improved access points, and updated features in both public areas and select guest cabins.
“Mardi Gras was a game-changer when she debuted as our first Excel-class ship, and now she’s setting the pace again as the first in her class to complete a dry dock,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “These updates not only enhance the onboard experience for families and groups but also highlight the exciting direction we’re taking with future fleet enhancements.”
Launched in 2021, Mardi Gras remains a standout in Carnival’s fleet with its six themed zones, BOLT roller coaster, and eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) propulsion system. With her latest updates complete, Mardi Gras continues to set the standard for fun, innovation, and family-friendly cruising—solidifying her position as one of Carnival’s most iconic ships sailing the Caribbean.
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