More Mardi Gras announcements

[jimbo5544]

A I write this, Carnival is announcing new features for the Mardi Gras at a conference in southeast Florida.  These include a new game show (family fued) and description of the new suites.

[Shirleybird]

I watched it.  it was pretty funny. The new ship will be cool tho. I'm just hoping that they eventually move the Family Fued fleet wide.  I think it would be fun. 

[ProgRockCruiser]

I caught a bit of the Heald Live Stream, and then the official announcement via the Carnival FB page.

 

Interesting, I have enjoyed the show (Family Feud) in the past, but it is a shell of when Richard Dawson ran it.

 

"Richard talks too slow, he'd get interrupted long before; 

I always loved that guy, and he's not on TV anymore"

Edited April 9, 2019 by ProgRockCruiser

[jimbo5544]

7 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I caught a bit of the Heald Live Stream, and then the official announcement via the Carnival FB page.

 

Interesting, I have enjoyed the show (Family Feud) in the past, but it is a shell of when Richard Dawson ran it.

 

"Richard talks too slow, he'd get interrupted long before; 

I always loved that guy, and he's not on TV anymore"

He did not return the calls when they reached out to him....

 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

Cruise Critic was at the press conference - here's our story: 

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/3962/

[shof515]

It seems to me the Mardi Gras might have less staged production shows/playlist productions compare to the other ships. 

On a typical 7/8 day cruise in the theater, you have the welcome aboard show, then a night of the Hasbro game show, and then newlywed game. With this new game show taken place most likely in the theater then it might mean one less staged show 😞

Edited April 9, 2019 by shof515

[jimbo5544]

3 minutes ago, shof515 said:

It seems to me the Mardi Gras might have less staged production shows/playlist productions compare to the other ships. 

On a typical 7/8 day cruise in the theater, you have the welcome aboard show, then a night of the Hasbro game show, and then newlywed game. With this new game show taken place most likely in the theater then it might mean one less staged show 😞

Interesting point, I am not sure I read it that way, and I think we need to continue to see if there are other things like that for the Mardi Gras.  I would be shocked if this is not rolled out flee wide, albeit slowly.  I have mentioned it before, and to your point, I think Carnivals view on entertainment is changing as is the people who cruise on the ships.  While some may disagree, I cannot remember a single show we went to that was packed in the last 10 or so cruises.  I feel a LOT of that is what the cruisers want vs the options being offered.  Carnival has always been of the mindset to have much more varied entertainment vs a rerun of an off broadway show.

[crewsweeper]

52 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

He did not return the calls when they reached out to him....

 

Kinda hard hear the ringtone from 6 feet under.

[jimbo5544]

6 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

Kinda hard hear the ringtone from 6 feet under.

Yes it is....

[ProgRockCruiser]

28 minutes ago, shof515 said:

It seems to me the Mardi Gras might have less staged production shows/playlist productions compare to the other ships. 

On a typical 7/8 day cruise in the theater, you have the welcome aboard show, then a night of the Hasbro game show, and then newlywed game. With this new game show taken place most likely in the theater then it might mean one less staged show 😞

Remember they have the "big" side stage in the Atrium area - that might be a common place for Family Feud like activities, freeing up the main theater for the traditional stage shows.

[ProgRockCruiser]

So I just read the CC story linked by @Cruise Critic Chris above.

 

"Additionally, Carnival revealed details of the line's new top-tier suite category -- Carnival Excel suites -- which will include access to an exclusive enclave called Loft 19. Perched on Mardi Gras' highest deck, Loft 19 will include a full-service bar and a pool surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas available for rent. The cabanas will be fully stocked with beverages, robes, chilled towels, fresh fruit and lunch delivery, among other perks."

 

So..pay extra for a big suite, and then you get VIP access to a special deck, where you have to pay extra to use a cabana?

 

Although the Carnival press release is worded a bit differently, and makes it sound like everyone has access to the Loft 19 area, and the Excel suite guests only get "priority" in reserving the cabanas.

 

"Located on the ship’s highest deck, Loft 19 is a brand new concept for Carnival Cruise Line – a secluded retreat modeled after the world’s finest resorts with full bar service, a private pool surrounded by sun loungers and spacious cabanas, available for rent. Cabanas are fully stocked with beverages, plush robes and chilled towels, fresh fruit, lunch delivery and dedicated concierge service. Carnival Excel suite guests will receive priority when reserving Loft 19 cabanas."

 

EDIT: but it does say this just above:

 

Guests in the 32 Carnival Excel suites will enjoy standard suite amenities plus the following:

• Unlimited access to Loft 19

 

So...maybe limited access for the hoi-polloi during specific, limited hours like the evening, a la the Havana area, but Excel suite guests can go there 24 hrs a day?  Hmmm.

 

It all seems a bit vague on purpose.

Edited April 9, 2019 by ProgRockCruiser
adding in extra bit from Carnival P.R.

[HeavyMetalDeacon]

If I are reading this and the deck plans correctly, the excel suites are what used to be deluxe vista. Can anyone confirm?

 

[omarchs]

So it appears only the Excel suites will have access to the loft 19 with the exception of anyone buying cabanas in that area if Excel passengers don’t buy them. I know that MSC had Cabanas in their suite area but the cabanas weren’t available for purchase by anyone not in the Yacht club accommodations, but Carnival wants to ensure they are always filled.

 

As described, it appears that only the highest level Excel suite would also have access to the Havana area. There is no mention of Excel or non-Excel suites having access to the Havana Area so there would appear to be roughly 150 suites that don’t have a perk of a separate sun deck area.

[shof515]

23 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

Remember they have the "big" side stage in the Atrium area - that might be a common place for Family Feud like activities, freeing up the main theater for the traditional stage shows.

 

Since the Mardi Gras does not have an ocean plaza that is on most newer ships, i think the events that take used to take place in ocean plaza area will be moved to the atrium. 

 

With the theater and the atrium being two of the main places for entertainment, it reminds of how NCL ships is and i hate that concept. 

[vicky3vicky]

Family Feud? They had that on every cruise years ago, but I think it was in the afternoon. They had the exact questions every cruise [all about cruising] Once, I played the "mother" on the female side and my husband played the "father." He kept telling the cruise director that I was cheating because I remembered the questions from the year before. They also had "What's my Line?" and it was very funny and it was pretty amazing how well the audience could figure out at least basically what the persons' profession was. I think it would be fun if they brought that back as well. 

[Tiger0613]

With the way Family Fued is today, even a seemingly innocent question is going to end up with a not-so-innocent answer.  I'm wondering how Carnival is going to pull off the family-friendly variation.

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, shof515 said:

It seems to me the Mardi Gras might have less staged production shows/playlist productions compare to the other ships. 

On a typical 7/8 day cruise in the theater, you have the welcome aboard show, then a night of the Hasbro game show, and then newlywed game. With this new game show taken place most likely in the theater then it might mean one less staged show 😞

 

Another thing to consider is these shows aren’t always at night. I have been on several cruises where the Hasbro Game Show and Love and Marriage Show were in the afternoon. 

[beachbum53]

I'm curious to know what the prices will be for the Excel Suites. Based on what's already been posted for the regular suites, I'm guessing the Excel Suites will be approximately $2000.00 pp., depending on the usual factors (time of year, length of cruise, itinerary).

[hotsauce126]

25 minutes ago, beachbum53 said:

I'm curious to know what the prices will be for the Excel Suites. Based on what's already been posted for the regular suites, I'm guessing the Excel Suites will be approximately $2000.00 pp., depending on the usual factors (time of year, length of cruise, itinerary).

 

They're on Carnival's website. A mock booking I did for a 7-day in Oct 2020 came out to about 2500 pp

[Jerseygirl1416]

I’m very excited and hoping the Loft 19 area is similar to the Vibe area on NCL and anyone can pay for entry and the Excel Suite guests would get complimentary entry. If it is like the Vibe area I hope Carnival finds a better way to sell cabanas and entry than NCL. If you’re reading Carnival sell cabanas and entry’s under excursions and make them non refundable. Incentive to book the cruise earlier rather than later. The running on board to beat everyone else method sucks. Sign me up for a cabana for the week!

[jimbo5544]

3 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

So I just read the CC story linked by @Cruise Critic Chris above.

 

"Additionally, Carnival revealed details of the line's new top-tier suite category -- Carnival Excel suites -- which will include access to an exclusive enclave called Loft 19. Perched on Mardi Gras' highest deck, Loft 19 will include a full-service bar and a pool surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas available for rent. The cabanas will be fully stocked with beverages, robes, chilled towels, fresh fruit and lunch delivery, among other perks."

 

So..pay extra for a big suite, and then you get VIP access to a special deck, where you have to pay extra to use a cabana?

 

Although the Carnival press release is worded a bit differently, and makes it sound like everyone has access to the Loft 19 area, and the Excel suite guests only get "priority" in reserving the cabanas.

 

"Located on the ship’s highest deck, Loft 19 is a brand new concept for Carnival Cruise Line – a secluded retreat modeled after the world’s finest resorts with full bar service, a private pool surrounded by sun loungers and spacious cabanas, available for rent. Cabanas are fully stocked with beverages, plush robes and chilled towels, fresh fruit, lunch delivery and dedicated concierge service. Carnival Excel suite guests will receive priority when reserving Loft 19 cabanas."

 

EDIT: but it does say this just above:

 

Guests in the 32 Carnival Excel suites will enjoy standard suite amenities plus the following:

• Unlimited access to Loft 19

 

So...maybe limited access for the hoi-polloi during specific, limited hours like the evening, a la the Havana area, but Excel suite guests can go there 24 hrs a day?  Hmmm.

 

It all seems a bit vague on purpose.

So, are you booking one?

[James4me]

After seeing photos of the Aft Excel Suites, sign me up!  To have your own private hot tub was the deciding factor for me.  I’m looking at sailings now🤗

[sanmarcosman]

4 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

 Carnival has always been of the mindset to have much more varied entertainment vs a rerun of an off broadway show.

Not always. When we began sailing Carnival in the 80s up until the recent advent of the Playlist Productions a main lounge show with orchestra, the casino and the dance club were the evening entertainment draws. Today it is much more varied but to say its always been this way on Carnival is not so.

Edited April 9, 2019 by sanmarcosman

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, sanmarcosman said:

Not always. When we began sailing Carnival in the 80s up until the recent advent of the Playlist Productions a main lounge show with orchestra, the casino and the dance club were the evening entertainment draws. Today it is much more varied but to say its always been this way on Carnival is not so.

True enough that it has been a migration to more, but always had many other things going on throughout the ship, they just do it better.

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, James4me said:

After seeing photos of the Aft Excel Suites, sign me up!  To have your own private hot tub was the deciding factor for me.  I’m looking at sailings now🤗

They got my attention as wells other things.  Clearly this ship is going places that Carnival has notion before.