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Carnival Mardi Gras returns after dry dock

Carnival Mardi Gras departs Barcelona after dry dock with refreshed spaces and new connecting staterooms for families.
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3 min read

Key points

  • Mardi Gras returns to service after Marseille dry dock.
  • 100 staterooms now offer connecting doors for families.
  • Expanded casino and refreshed luxury retail onboard.
  • 15-day Barcelona to Port Canaveral transatlantic underway.
  • Short 4- and 5-day itineraries begin in 2027.

Carnival Cruise Line's flagship of the Excel class, Mardi Gras, has returned to service after a comprehensive dry dock in Marseilles, France. The ship departed Barcelona on a 15-day transatlantic voyage with calls in Málaga and Cádiz in Spain, Tenerife in the Canary Islands, and Celebration Key, before resuming year-round Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida. Carnival says the work added 100 new connecting stateroom doors, refreshed multiple retail venues, and expanded the onboard casino. The upgrades also include accessibility improvements across public areas and guest cabins, signaling how the brand plans to update its newest ships.

Carnival Mardi Gras ship update

Launched in 2021 as Carnival's first Excel-class vessel, Mardi Gras introduced headline amenities such as BOLT, the all-electric roller coaster at sea, and a three-zone top-deck recreation area designed for families. The latest yard period focused less on new attractions and more on how travelers actually use the ship, with connecting rooms aimed at multi-generational groups and larger parties that want adjoining space without moving to suites. Carnival also reconfigured its Carnival Adventures shore-excursion venue for a more streamlined booking flow, while updating boutiques with brands like Tag Heuer, Breitling, Pandora, and Swarovski. The 6,400-guest ship remains homeported in Port Canaveral with seven- to nine-day Caribbean itineraries.

Analysis

For families and group travelers, the additional connecting doors are the most practical change, expanding options for adjacent cabins without a price jump to higher categories. The casino expansion and retail refresh are incremental, yet they address demand patterns on sea days where crowding can be noticeable on popular sailings. Accessibility upgrades matter system-wide, especially on Excel-class ships that carry several thousand guests, and they should reduce friction for travelers using mobility devices. Looking ahead, Mardi Gras will pivot in 2027 to the fleet's first short four- and five-day schedules on an Excel-class ship from Port Canaveral, which will make the newest hardware accessible to travelers who prefer long weekends over full-week vacations.

Final thoughts

Carnival Mardi Gras returns after dry dock with changes that are squarely targeted at how travelers use the ship, from multi-generational cabin planning to smoother excursion booking and refreshed entertainment spaces. With a 15-day transatlantic repositioning to Port Canaveral now underway, the ship resumes Caribbean service before adding short itineraries in 2027, broadening options for first-time cruisers and loyal Carnival guests alike.

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