More Mardi Gras announcements

[Jerseygirl1416]

I believe the Loft19 area is going to be like Vibe on NCL. I wonder how they’re going to sell this?

[James4me]

16 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

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

I agree 100%.  I’m excited to go on this ship and experience a whole new level of suites🤗

[jimbo5544]

1 minute ago, James4me said:

I agree 100%.  I’m excited to go on this ship and experience a whole new level of suites🤗

We are on her first sailing from Copenhagen, it certainly will be like no other Carnival cruise we have done (for many reasons).

[James4me]

Just now, jimbo5544 said:

We are on her first sailing from Copenhagen, it certainly will be like no other Carnival cruise we have done (for many reasons).

Jimbo how exciting!!  Please be sure to post your experience!

[jimbo5544]

3 minutes ago, James4me said:

Jimbo how exciting!!  Please be sure to post your experience!

Of that there will be no doubt. The review will be from the ship.

[James4me]

One thing I haven’t heard yet, is the Excel Suites like the Havana retreat in that no one under 12 allowed in the Loft 19?

Edited April 10, 2019 by James4me

[Dylobs]

Just getting off of work and I’m finally catching up on all of the Mardi Gras news! Such an exciting day of announcements!

 

I originally had my hubby and I booked into a Havana Vista Suite, now called a Havana Cabana Corner Suite, and after these Excel-class announcements I’ve defo put a hold on a room so that we can transition into a Carnival Excel Corner Suite!

 

The hot tub, outside loungers, and cabana on deck really sold it for us. Loft 19 is an additional perk that we are excited to experience as well - it appears that Excel guests will have access to the area, but the rented Cabanas are just an optional touch to make things a little extra special 😉😁

 

This room is not only much better than the day time access to the Havana area for us, but we also will have a better view since the Havana Vista/Cabana Corner suites have an obstructed view out of the front of the ship.

 

The best part for us is that the two rooms were nearly the same price!

 

My only question now is if Carnival will let us keep the $100 p.p. OBC that they gave when they originally opened bookings for Mardi Gras. I’ll certainly find out once I get home and call!

Edited April 10, 2019 by Dylobs

[James4me]

3 minutes ago, Dylobs said:

Just getting off of work and I’m finally catching up on all of the Mardi Gras news! Such an exciting day of announcements!

 

I originally had my hubby and I booked into a Havana Vista Suite, now called a Havana Cabana Corner Suite, and after these Excel-class announcements I’ve defo put a hold on a room so that we can transition into a Carnival Excel Corner Suite!

 

The hot tub, outside loungers, and cabana on deck really sold it for us. Loft 19 is an additional perk that we are excited to experience as well - it appears that Excel guests will have access to the area, but the rented Cabanas are just an optional touch to make things a little extra special 😉😁

 

This room is not only much better than the day time access to the Havana area for us, but we also will have a better view since the Havana Vista/Cabana Corner suites have an obstructed view out of the front of the ship.

 

The best part for us is that the two rooms were nearly the same price!

 

My only question now is if Carnival will let us keep the $100 p.p. OBC that they gave when they originally opened bookings for Mardi Gras. I’ll certainly find out once I get home and call!

Let us know if you get it.  I’m certainly looking now to book one.

[jimbo5544]

7 minutes ago, James4me said:

One thing I haven’t heard yet, is the Excel Suites like the Havana retreat in that no one under 12 allowed in the Loft 19?

no details yet on that

[jimbo5544]

6 minutes ago, Dylobs said:

Just getting off of work and I’m finally catching up on all of the Mardi Gras news! Such an exciting day of announcements!

 

I originally had my hubby and I booked into a Havana Vista Suite, now called a Havana Cabana Corner Suite, and after these Excel-class announcements I’ve defo put a hold on a room so that we can transition into a Carnival Excel Corner Suite!

 

The hot tub, outside loungers, and cabana on deck really sold it for us. Loft 19 is an additional perk that we are excited to experience as well - it appears that Excel guests will have access to the area, but the rented Cabanas are just an optional touch to make things a little extra special 😉😁

 

This room is not only much better than the day time access to the Havana area for us, but we also will have a better view since the Havana Vista/Cabana Corner suites have an obstructed view out of the front of the ship.

 

The best part for us is that the two rooms were nearly the same price!

 

My only question now is if Carnival will let us keep the $100 p.p. OBC that they gave when they originally opened bookings for Mardi Gras. I’ll certainly find out once I get home and call!

If history is true you will lose the OBC, but hope springs eternal.

[beachbum53]

3 hours ago, hotsauce126 said:

 

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

 

Thanks. I didn't think about doing a mock booking. $2500.00? I wasn't too far off from my guess. I didn't see the Excel Suites posted yet. Just the regular suites, which run anywhere from approximately $1400 - $1800.00, depending on time of year and itinerary.

[PortSideCruzan]

8 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

 

As 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.

 

 

Hi Jimbo ☺️

 

Thanks for the update! My wife & are sailing Mardi Gras 15-night Journeys Repositioning Voyage and I've been following everything Mardi Gras & everything Meyer Turku Shipyard... 

 

🤗Very exciting following a new build!!🤗

 

 

🌴

[jimbo5544]

11 minutes ago, PortSideCruzan said:

 

Hi Jimbo ☺️

 

Thanks for the update! My wife & are sailing Mardi Gras 15-night Journeys Repositioning Voyage and I've been following everything Mardi Gras & everything Meyer Turku Shipyard... 

 

🤗Very exciting following a new build!!🤗

 

 

🌴

They are releasing it slowly to get the biggest bang for the buck on it.   More coming 

[Dylobs]

2 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

If history is true you will lose the OBC, but hope springs eternal.

 

Went into it knowing the $200 OBC was likely a wash - it was.

 

But!!!

 

I just got off of a sailing on the Dream a few weeks back and had a past suite offer for $100 OBC, and that was applied instead. Overall, I’m happy!

[Illbcruzn4life]

10 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

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.

 

maybe you're right and CCL cruisers like game shows more than they like rerun Broadway shows. who knows

 

The reruns seem to pack them in on other lines. Maybe if the choice is Playlist vs game shows the masses would pick the game shows.

 

It is much cheaper to put on a game show vs a rerun Broadway show that's for sure.

[jimbo5544]

3 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

 

maybe you're right and CCL cruisers like game shows more than they like rerun Broadway shows. who knows

 

The reruns seem to pack them in on other lines. Maybe if the choice is Playlist vs game shows the masses would pick the game shows.

 

It is much cheaper to put on a game show vs a rerun Broadway show that's for sure.

It is not about whose is bigger in this case, it is another choice.  I made my comments based on that and my preference, yours may vary. I can tell you loved Playlist from your comments.....or maybe just critical of Carnival in general.  Like you said who knows...

[crewsweeper]

With the reconfiguration of the Havana area on the Mardi Gras, I can see the appeal for the Loft 19 suites.   Not sure about how "private" that hot tub and infinity pool will be.  And if you don't also pay up for a cabana, you could be missing out on the key perk for Loft 19.. 

 

 

[AmberTeka]

I really liked Carnival's 'Class status Free'  Policy.  Have areas set aside for those who pay more is putting in a class system. That  said,  if  it   draws more passengers away  from congested  Areas, that is good. We were on the Elation during spring break. Shows were full every night. We had to get there early to get a seat. I enjoyed them all. We were with a family  group, and even the kids enjoyed them. Hope they don't cut them. I cringe when people get on stage on stage and say intimate details of their married life, or play a game where I am just an observer. I love the Trivia on Carnival. My husband and I donate to the Casino. We eat three meals a day. I shop some.  We did have a suite on the Elation. It was lovely. Loved the room. But we were seldom there.  I love the people on Carnival. We have over 40 cruises all total. Over 20 on Carnival.  That is my favorite line. I don't want them to be NCL. Or HAL. I want them to stay Carnival.  But that is just me.  I do wish they would spend some money and put ABC,CBS, NBC,  Fox, ESPN back on cabin TV's.

Edited April 10, 2019 by AmberTeka

[hotsauce126]

7 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

 

 

Edit: misread the post. Delete

Edited April 10, 2019 by hotsauce126

[JaniceB]

Exciting news!

[soulsistah007]

This was just posted by John on Facebook:

 

"Now, on to the suites and let me just throw some bullet points at you please.

First of all we have a no charge Serenity Deck on the ship for all adults to use and that has a stunning pool, hot tubs and the usual gorgeous furniture to relax on

Then we have Loft 19. This is part of the experience which is complimentary for guests in the suites we spoke about yesterday and will also be available to use for other guests for a fee.

Will other guests onboard Mardi Gras have access to Loft 19?
While Excel suite guests will have first access to Loft 19, all guests aboard Mardi Gras will have the opportunity to experience this new inviting area which include 108 sun loungers and 12 private cabanas.

How much is it to rent a cabana? 
Full-day (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.) and cruise long rentals are available at a cost of $50 on port days, $150 on sea days, and $900 for the cruise, per cabana, plus 18% gratuity.

Booking a Carnival Excel suite grants complimentary, unlimited access to Loft 19; however, Carnival Excel suite guests must still reserve and pay for a cabana, they will receive first priority when reserving.

Can kids use the Loft 19?
Yes, as we do have suites that are for 5 people we will allow children on Loft 19 but not on the Serenity deck as usual

Loft 19 ( on deck 19) will be a sensational slice of cruising heaven for those who wish to use the pool and all the other things that we will feature there.

cheers and stay tuned for more news on your new ship soon"

[ProgRockCruiser]

13 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

So, are you booking one?

 

Nah, not yet.  That is well over twice the price we pay for our current cabin choices, and I'm not sure I could justify it sailing at the current rate of two or three times per year, based on current income and other expenses for our disposable income, blah blah blah.  

 

I'm sure it would be a great time, but we cruise to explore the ship and ports, not hang out in our own space (we can do that at home, we have a nice pool and extremely private backyard), so the allure of soaking in my own "private" hot tub is not so strong.  (To be honest, I only like to jump into a hot tub for about 10 or 15 min max - I am not a long-term soaker like some folks.  If it is hot enough to be a true "hot" tub, the heat becomes annoying, and if it isn't really hot, it becomes boring.  Yeah yeah, Goldilocks syndrome.)

 

Still, I will look at a few mock booking for giggles.  And when the next round of bookings are released for late 2021 into 2022, maybe there will be an itinerary that will be "perfect" for such a suite and will make the extra cost worthwhile.

[Jerseygirl1416]

16 minutes ago, soulsistah007 said:

This was just posted by John on Facebook:

 

"Now, on to the suites and let me just throw some bullet points at you please.

First of all we have a no charge Serenity Deck on the ship for all adults to use and that has a stunning pool, hot tubs and the usual gorgeous furniture to relax on

Then we have Loft 19. This is part of the experience which is complimentary for guests in the suites we spoke about yesterday and will also be available to use for other guests for a fee.

Will other guests onboard Mardi Gras have access to Loft 19?
While Excel suite guests will have first access to Loft 19, all guests aboard Mardi Gras will have the opportunity to experience this new inviting area which include 108 sun loungers and 12 private cabanas.

How much is it to rent a cabana? 
Full-day (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.) and cruise long rentals are available at a cost of $50 on port days, $150 on sea days, and $900 for the cruise, per cabana, plus 18% gratuity.

Booking a Carnival Excel suite grants complimentary, unlimited access to Loft 19; however, Carnival Excel suite guests must still reserve and pay for a cabana, they will receive first priority when reserving.

Can kids use the Loft 19?
Yes, as we do have suites that are for 5 people we will allow children on Loft 19 but not on the Serenity deck as usual

Loft 19 ( on deck 19) will be a sensational slice of cruising heaven for those who wish to use the pool and all the other things that we will feature there.

cheers and stay tuned for more news on your new ship soon"

Can someone who’s on Facebook ask him how and when will guests who aren’t in Excel Suites be able to rent the cabanas?

[soulsistah007]

4 minutes ago, Jerseygirl1416 said:

Can someone who’s on Facebook ask him how and when will guests who aren’t in Excel Suites be able to rent the cabanas?

Someone has already asked this question and it seems like they are still trying to figure it out. He responded that he will have news on this soon.

[Jerseygirl1416]

I paid less than half of that to rent a Cabana in Vibe on the Breakaway and it was worth every penny. I liked the Vibe cabana set up better than what I’m seeing in drawings of the Mardi Gras cabanas. They were more private and all faced the ocean with no room in front of it for other people to stand there. That all said I’d definitely rent one for the week. It’s so nice being a legal chair hog. No stress...