Mardi Gras 1st thoughts

[jimbo5544]

19 minutes ago, sailingships said:

Is his what the regular balconies look like?

Yes

[EMOSEA]

1 hour ago, jimbo5544 said:

Aft excel corner suite.   My fav

 

 

 

 

 

That tub 😍  Just went on my bucket list, lol

[jimbo5544]

Just now, sailingships said:

Oh yes I knew about those but I thought you meant CCL.

I did.  They took that build and it will NOW be a Carnival ship.  They will have 3 excel ahips by end of year 2023

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

I really do not know.  I saw it as well and was going to ask, but a film crew from one of the internet sites was getting everybody out so they could film.  

 

Not sure that we'll be using the lighted outdoor ice chest at night - but it looks "cool"  🙂

[jimbo5544]

1 minute ago, EMOSEA said:

That tub 😍  Just went on my bucket list, lol

Lol. That is my room in January.  Got bumped twice and it was the first opening we  could get it.  LOVED the suite and loft 19 comes with it 

[jimbo5544]

1 minute ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Not sure that we'll be using the lighted outdoor ice chest at night - but it looks "cool"  🙂

Thought you were going to use it to stock cold beer for the cocktail party😆

[jimbo5544]

That did catch my eye as well.  Huge bathroom, the 3 sinks will come in handy

[jimbo5544]

30 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

(reposting - I think it was lost in your initial photo postings):

 

Did they have BOLT operating for you guys?

 

I was thinking that Emeril's would be my first lunch following embarkation next Saturday !! I see on the copies of the FunTimes which were posted that many of the lunch places open at 10:30. I wonder if that's just for the initial sailing - seems earlier than typical.

 

See you onboard !!

 

Tom

One thing I did notice with bolt.  Good thing it has limited hours, you could def feel and hear it running aft portion of ship

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 minute ago, jimbo5544 said:

Thought you were going to use it to stock cold beer for the cocktail party😆

 

No doubt!

 

When we had the Owner's Suite on the Sensation and Inspiration (prior to them being "bookable"), they actually brought us a beer stocked cooler! Things have changed a lot since then.

 

 

 

[jimbo5544]

Just now, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

No doubt!

 

When we had the Owner's Suite on the Sensation and Inspiration (prior to them being "bookable"), they actually brought us a beer stocked cooler! Things have changed a lot since then.

 

 

 

Yes first time on Ecstasy we got escorted to the room, that never happened again

 

[jimbo5544]

Havana area

 

[ladylyn915]

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and the great photos.  What was your opinion of the digital wall?  While watching John Heald's live video yesterday, it looked like their were spaces of light between the panels when they changed positions.  While the imagery was fabulous,  for me, the space was distracting.  How did it seem in person?

[pokerguy90]

WOW! What a change from the old Joe Farcus designs… 

 

[WhaleTailFlCruiser]

How hard is the ship to navigate? Usually with the other classes I can figure my way around in a day or two max.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 minutes ago, WhaleTailFlCruiser said:

How hard is the ship to navigate? ...

 

Most ships can almost navigate themselves these days with GPS and all.

 

(Couldn't resist 😜)

 

Tom

[Joebucks]

So far, from what I can see, this ship has exceeded my expectations. The design is clean. More options and amenities than ever. A reinvigorated Carnival brand. I can't wait to sail it!

[RoperDK]

Thanks for posting your thoughts and pics of Mardi Gras.  It looks gorgeous and has so many options.  I hope that the food and service don't disappoint as time goes by.  We have 2 cruises booked on her now and will probably add another this week.  So tempted to book the Aft Excel Suite, but so far we have gone with OT Suites with the larger rounded balcony.  We love Oasis Class ships and I think Mardi Gras will compete really well with them.  Hands down Mardi Gras has the best versatile food options.  Hard to beat Royal Suite Class though.    

[CruisingFromLA]

[NCTribeFan]

My TA was on yesterday and is sailing today.  She said it's $15 for Bolt.  She said it was a lot of fun.

 

Yes, I think the ship looks lovely.

 

I've just never been one to pay a premium to sail a new ship.  I sail solo and since I get the privilege of paying 200% to sail, I stick with what I can afford so that I can sail more often.

 

Newest, biggest, most-bells-and-whistles just isn't my thing.  But the biggest issue for me is the size.  I don't want to pay to have all these options if there isn't time to take advantage of them.  Now, I might consider a TA on a ship that size, but a week isn't enough time.  And since I still mainly sail for the ports, staying on a ship the entire time isn't something I'm going to do.

 

I'm booked on a quasi B2B on NCL Bliss in spring 2023.  She's not quite as large as MG but, to me, is larger than I like.  But I'll have lots and lots of sea days so explore, which is the only reason I ended up booking her.

 

I do think Carnival might have considered joining the trend to include some solo cabins on this class.  I have one on Bliss. 

 

Yes, the interiors look rather narrower.  That has been one plus to sailing Carnival - their interior cabins have traditionally been larger than on other lines.  But why give us any space in interior cabins?  They can put huge suites on the ship instead and people will pay the high fares.  Separation of the classes seems to be trending again.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

47 minutes ago, RoperDK said:

... Hard to beat Royal Suite Class though.    

We sailed on the Allure, it was the first couple of sailings of their new program. We had a "Genie"... count us as not impressed. I trust they've upped their game since then.

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

15 minutes ago, NCTribeFan said:

....  They can put huge suites on the ship instead and people will pay the high fares.  Separation of the classes seems to be trending again.

 

It's just a matter of paying more, to "get" more. It's market driven.

 

Tom

[NCTribeFan]

Of course it is.  I've just always felt if I had the big bucks to spend, I probably wouldn't be on Carnival.  And I have 30 cruises on Carnival so, obviously, I've enjoyed my sailings with them.

 

I just don't need to get more.  I don't feel any more special when I'm in a Verandah cabin on a new HAL ship than I do when I'm in a 1A on a Fantasy-class ship.  The cabin just isn't important to me.  I just want it clean and quiet at night.

 

I'll pay a little more for HAL and get a little better food and service (and I think their ships are all gorgeous, not just the new ones).  Love the size of their ships too and, especially, the space ratio (ftr, they're much more like the Spirit-class ships).

 

I'm not saying I don't see the appeal of this ship.  Just that it's not for me at this point.

[jperry2011]

The ship is awesome. The drinks are flowing. Almost time for dinner and to hit the casino tonight...  Can't believe it's been so long but we are beyond glad to be back.

[sailingships]

3 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

Havana area

 

Do the showers in all the cabins have doors on the MG?

[sailingships]

an d that's a dinky little sink