CruiseTravel

Carnival Cruise Line · Carnival Mardi Gras

Southern Caribbean

January 27, 2026February 4, 2026·8 nights·5,282 guests

Year Built2021
Tonnage180,000 GT
Pools3
From$627/perpersonSolo from $1,254

What's Included

Room Service

Not included

Wi-Fi
All Drinks
All Excursions
Gratuities
Specialty Dining
Port Shuttle
Flights
Airport Transfers

Insider Tips

Things seasoned cruisers wish they knew

Wi-Fi

WiFi prices have quietly increased multiple times. Even the basic Social plan is $20+/day. Streaming (Netflix, Zoom) requires the Premium plan.

All Drinks

A 20% service charge (increased from 18% in late 2025) is added on top of the drink package price. The Bottomless Bubbles soda package also increased to $11.99/day plus 20% service charge.

Gratuities

Gratuity rates increase regularly. The April 2026 increase is the latest. A 20% service charge is also added automatically to all bar, dining, and spa purchases.

Room Service

The 20% automatic service charge applies to all room service orders beyond the free continental breakfast.

Specialty Dining

A 20% gratuity is automatically added to all specialty dining charges.

Tipping

Daily gratuities of $17/person/day (standard) or $19/person/day (suites) are auto-charged starting April 2026. Pre-purchasing before April 1, 2026 locks in the lower rate.

Policy Change

Carnival increased its automatic service charge on all purchases from 18% to 20% in late 2025. This applies to drinks, specialty dining, spa, and room service.

Booking

Advertised fares look very low but exclude taxes, port fees ($150-350+ per person depending on itinerary), and daily gratuities. Alaska itineraries have especially high port fees.

Cancellation

Canceling before final payment gives a non-refundable future cruise credit minus a $50/person service fee. After final payment, penalties escalate to 100% within 14-56 days of departure depending on cruise length.


About the Ship

Hot Tubs
7
Elevators
18
Cabin Voltage
110V & 220V
USB in Cabins
Yes
Pets
Not Allowed
Service Animals
Allowed
Dress Code
Casual
Formal Nights
Yes
Balcony Smoking
Allowed
Accessible Cabins:30
Self-Service LaundryMedical CenterPool LiftWheelchair Rentals
Dietary Options
Gluten-FreeVegan

Your Journey

A top embarkation hub with one of the easiest airport-to-port connections in the U.S.

Day 2At Sea
Day 3At Sea

Aruba's sunny capital sits near Eagle Beach, consistently rated among the world's best beaches.

Curaçao's UNESCO-listed waterfront of vivid Dutch colonial facades is unmistakably photogenic.

Bonaire's protected marine park offers some of the Caribbean's finest shore diving.

Day 7At Sea
Day 8At Sea

A top embarkation hub with one of the easiest airport-to-port connections in the U.S.


Before you sail — hotels in Fort Lauderdale

Arrive a day early and explore Fort Lauderdale before boarding


Cabin Pricing


Reviews & AI Summary

4.2
Ship rating

First Excel-class ship and first cruise ship in the Americas with a roller coaster. Named after Carnival's original ship, it blends New Orleans-inspired fun with cutting-edge entertainment. Six themed zones from French Quarter to Summer Landing.

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