Carnival’s Excel-class flagship, Mardi Gras, has officially returned to service following a dry dock in Marseilles, France. The ship, which carries up to 6,400 passengers, is now en route from Barcelona on a 15-day transatlantic voyage to its homeport in Port Canaveral, Florida, where it will resume year-round Caribbean itineraries.
“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, said in a media statement. “These updates not only enhance the onboard experience for families and groups but also signal the exciting direction we’re heading in with future fleet enhancements.”
New & Improved Madri Gras
The dry dock introduced several updates. Among the enhancements are 100 new connecting staterooms providing more flexibility for multigenerational travelers and larger parties. Carnival Adventures was reimagined with a streamlined layout to simplify the excursion booking process, while the casino was expanded with new slot machines and refreshed retail venues, including Tag Heuer, Breitling, Pandora and Swarovski.
Accessibility upgrades were also a major focus, with redesigned walkways and enhanced features in public areas and guest cabins.
Following its transatlantic voyage—with calls in Malaga and Cadiz (Seville), Spain; Tenerife, Canary Islands; and Carnival’s private destination, Celebration Key—Mardi Gras will continue sailing seven- to nine-day Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral. Looking ahead, the ship is set to become the first Excel-class vessel in the fleet to offer shorter four- and five-day Caribbean cruises beginning in 2027.
For more information, visit carnival.com.
