LIVE! Mardi Gras on the Mardi Gras 2/26 - 3/5. Let’s Cruise!

[TravelBluebird]

50 minutes ago, kelkel2 said:

@TravelBluebirdwhat time did you get off the ship and to the airport? 

 

We left the Lido to disembark at 9:30 and were at the airport by 11:20

[SNJCruisers]

2 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

Thanks; I have bookmarked his page for future use at MCO/Port Canaveral!

My pleasure, just paying it forward.

[Cherries Jubilee]

Does Mardi Gras have a white night?

[TravelBluebird]

59 minutes ago, Cherries Jubilee said:

Does Mardi Gras have a white night?

 

It did not have a White Night on our cruise. We had Sail Away Party, 80s Night, Mega Deck Party, and ,the Mardi Gras party.

[TravelBluebird]

I have been on a low carb diet since January 1, and had lost 8 pounds by the time I sailed on the Mardi Gras. I also stay very active to help combat my Rheumatoid Arthritis. So, if you are a Low Carb dieter or concerned with maintaining a certain activity level while on board, this post is for you.

 

Overall on the Mardi Gras I gained 1.5 pounds, but I expect it will come off quickly. I definitely cheated on my Low Carb diet on the ship (I couldn’t refuse the dumplings/Asian food goodness of Street Eats for Lunch every day, and I had like some deserts which were TOTALLY not low-carb approved (chocolate melting cake with vanilla ice cream, the delicious dessert Bento Box at Teppanyaki restaurant, Mardi Gras cake, Grand Marnier Soufflé, etc.) BUT I didn’t eat the entire desserts and I usually have like the chocolate melting cake nearly every night when I cruise on Carnival, so at least I made an attempt at cutting back. I also had small servings of the pizza twice (I LOVED the pizza on the Mardi Gras; very Italian authentic!). 

 

Otherwise, I ate very well and mostly low carb. Didn’t eat the breads. For breakfast, eggs and meat were easy to come by; could treat myself with Eggs Benedict and not eat english muffin OR Huevos Rancheros and not eat the tortilla. There were truly delicious  proteins available at dinner and at the buffet; I had filet mignon 2x, lobster 3x, roast beef (buffet), mahi mahi, etc. Veggies sides were fine and salad bars available on buffet and Serenity Deck.  I mostly stayed away from potatoes and the only fries I had the entire trip were a small handful at Shaq’s Chicken, just to try them.

 

Drinking was tough; I tried to stay to lower-carb wines (drier whites) and lower carb drinks like whiskey sours. Had a couple of sweeter drinks; many fewer tropical punches and pina coladas than I’d normally have.

 

Keeping active on the Mardi Gras is no problem. Just walking around the ship to and from things averaged us about 16,000 steps a day! Plus we took stairs up and down whenever the destination was within 3 floors.  There is a great, well marked jogging/walking track on the top sports deck.  There are many dance classes (line dancing on Lido, Latin dancing in Havana Bar,even a Thriller course) which I took advantage of. Daughter hit the gym nearly every day.  

 

So it can be done, and we did not feel deprived at ALL.  The activity level I think was the key to being able to indulge a little and not gain 5+ pounds. I have to really watch it since I’m 5 foot tall and my metabolism left the building about 10 years ago. PLUS I have 3 more cruises/trips already planned for this year!

[cruises42]

18 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

If you need transportation either from MCO to PC or vice versa, we used Corey @ Cruise Control Transportation.  His shared van is 20 pp and his private Uber XL like service is 85.00 for two people and 95.00 for three.  On google he's rated 4.9/5.0.

https://www.cruisecontrol-transportation.com/

Thanks, we already have him booked. My question was for the hotel in PC to port.

[cruises42]

8 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

I don’t mind your asking! It cost us $134 because it was the Uber XL; we could have waited and tried the regular Uber for $96 again but my anxiety was getting the better of me after several of the regular Ubers dropped our ride.  

 

We probably could have waited it out, but there was so much bedlam at Terminal 3 with people coming in for the new cruise, all the long lines for the shuttles etc. I was disappointed that the Terminal does not have a designated spot for Uber/Lyft pick ups OR a designated taxi line (for sure there was not one for an Uber, and if anyone knows of a designated Taxi line, please let us know!

Thanks. I was asking for the hotel in PC to the port. I think I saw on another thread that you said $19?

[TravelBluebird]

33 minutes ago, cruises42 said:

Thanks. I was asking for the hotel in PC to the port. I think I saw on another thread that you said $19?

 

Yes, that one was just $19

[Cherries Jubilee]

4 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

It did not have a White Night on our cruise. We had Sail Away Party, 80s Night, Mega Deck Party, and ,the Mardi Gras party.

Thank you!

[DGNewton]

On 2/25/2022 at 8:11 AM, DGNewton said:

Screw all the carp - let's cruise this weekend!  Both of us negative - be at the port at check in time 10am!

 

If your sick stay home, if not, join the crowd!

 

I hope everyone is mostly respectful on board.

Well, in my opinion, the mask were off the majority and the ship jam packed.

Elevators packed with people not wearing mask.  Did not respect my privacy nor meet our expectation.  That was the protocol.  They make you wear them in the terminal and embarkation/debarkation a the ports and home. 

 

The past cruise this year were at 60% tops on the Horizon July and Oct cruise and the Disney Fantasy had only 1000 on board in Sept.

We did our best wearing our, but when outdoors we took them off.

 

Carnival is now going to say mask are optional and considering non vaccinated cruise starting in May.  Why?  So, they can fill the ship with the kids out of school and make more money.  I say, take each step with caution.

 

Yes we own stock and want it to go up, but don't want to risk bankruptcy with another cruise shutdown.

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

Just wanted to report that I have heard reports of 2 people testing positive for COVID this week who were on this cruise (since in my last report I said I hadn’t heard of any cases after the cruise). Both minor symptoms.

 

My hubby woke up this morning with muscle aches, fever and chills. Tested negative. He worked at our church a ton last week so may have caught something there. I am still feeling fine since my return (no symptoms of any sort).

 

 

[Joe817]

11 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

Just wanted to report that I have heard reports of 2 people testing positive for COVID this week who were on this cruise (since in my last report I said I hadn’t heard of any cases after the cruise). Both minor symptoms.

 

My hubby woke up this morning with muscle aches, fever and chills. Tested negative. He worked at our church a ton last week so may have caught something there. I am still feeling fine since my return (no symptoms of any sort).

 

 

Oh no. Well, nurse him back to health. And I hope it's nothing serious. Thanks for the info. 

[Lee Cruiser]

On 3/7/2022 at 2:08 AM, SNJCruisers said:

If you need transportation either from MCO to PC or vice versa, we used Corey @ Cruise Control Transportation.  His shared van is 20 pp and his private Uber XL like service is 85.00 for two people and 95.00 for three.  On google he's rated 4.9/5.0.

https://www.cruisecontrol-transportation.com/

Gas prices have them steadily increasing. Someone said that they just went up to $85 from $80.  I just looked to book them.  It's now $100!!

[TravelBluebird]

1 hour ago, Lee Cruiser said:

Gas prices have them steadily increasing. Someone said that they just went up to $85 from $80.  I just looked to book them.  It's now $100!!

 

Wow, that’s quite the increase in one week’s time! Thanks for the info; I’m sure all manner of transportation to and from the ports will be passing on the huge rise in fuel prices, and as has been discussed elsewhere on this board, I wonder if its only a matter of time till we see fuel surcharges on the cruises and plane flights.

[TNcruising02]

1 hour ago, TravelBluebird said:

Just wanted to report that I have heard reports of 2 people testing positive for COVID this week who were on this cruise (since in my last report I said I hadn’t heard of any cases after the cruise). Both minor symptoms.

 

My hubby woke up this morning with muscle aches, fever and chills. Tested negative. He worked at our church a ton last week so may have caught something there. I am still feeling fine since my return (no symptoms of any sort).

 

 

I am sorry to hear about your husband and hope he feels better soon.  I took a home covid test this morning just as a precaution before seeing relatives and it was negative.  We attended all of the comedy shows and also had to take a flight home after our cruise, so we were around a lot of people.  But all is fine with us.

Edited March 8, 2022 by TNcruising02

[TravelBluebird]

12 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

I am sorry to hear about your husband and hope he feels better soon.  I took a home covid test this morning just as a precaution before seeing relatives and it was negative.  We attended all of the comedy shows and also had to take a flight home after our cruise, so we were around a lot of people.  But all is fine with us.

 

That is good to hear (that you are negative). Also heard a couple of B2Bers from our cruise tested positive so couldn’t continue for the Sailabration; I am trying to get more info on that.

 

Like you, I was around a ton of people on board (especially the deck parties) plus hours in the airport; so I’m being cautious around others just in case I brought COVID or any other illness home with me.

[clginal]

hate to hear of some positives..........we are fine.  And we were around so many.......every day.  Yes, the elevators were jammed packed each day.  We attended so much that was crowded.......and flew home.  

Prayers for all to stay well!!!  

[DGNewton]

On 3/8/2022 at 2:01 PM, TravelBluebird said:

Just wanted to report that I have heard reports of 2 people testing positive for COVID this week who were on this cruise (since in my last report I said I hadn’t heard of any cases after the cruise). Both minor symptoms.

 

My hubby woke up this morning with muscle aches, fever and chills. Tested negative. He worked at our church a ton last week so may have caught something there. I am still feeling fine since my return (no symptoms of any sort).

 

 

I tested positive Sunday - would of tested Saturday but waited for the am.

From the cruise.

[TravelBluebird]

14 hours ago, DGNewton said:

I tested positive Sunday - would of tested Saturday but waited for the am.

From the cruise.

 

Oh no!  I hope that your symptoms are mild.  Sorry you were one of the unlucky ones. Any inkling how you caught it (sick person in elevator type thing?)

[TravelBluebird]

OK; yesterday I didn’t do one of my finish-up posts because work and my RA got the best of me.

 

Many people say “you can’t do it all in 7 days” for the Mardi Gras, and they are right! Below is my stream-of-conciousness lists  of what we DID do on the ship and what we did NOT do on the ship. I’m sure the list is not complete, but it will give you an idea of how much there is to do, eat, and explore on this ship, and how even busy cruisers like us couldn’t come close to “doing it all!”

 

THINGS WE DID DO ON THE MARDI GRAS:

 

Celestial Strings, Variety Shows, Vegas Show (Grand Central Shows)

Playlist Production (Broadway Beats)

Bingo

Teppanyaki Restaurant

Cucina del Capitano

Rudi’s Seagrill

Shaq’s Big Chicken

Chibang

Casino

Havana Bar

MDR Dinners

Brass Magnolia

Alchemy Bar

Fortune Teller Bar

Bolt

Walking Track

Gym

80s Deck Party

Mardi Gras Deck Party

Thriller Dance Class

Deck Line Dance Classes

Sea Day Brunch

Lido Buffet

Serenity Pool / Deck

Summer’s Landing Pool / Deck

Emeril’s Bistro (breakfast only)

Java Blue Cafe

Pizzeria del Capitano

Blue Iguana Cantina

 

 

THINGS WE DID NOT DO ON THE MARDI GRAS

 

Mega Deck Party

Voodoo Moon

Seafood Shack

Steak House

Punchliner Comedy Show

Limelighter

Any Comedy Show

Red Frog Tiki Bar

Ropes Course

Water Slide

Spa

Chef’s Table

Salsa Etc. Dance Classes Havana Bar

MDR Breakfast Port Days

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse

Bonsai Sushi

Bar Della Rosa

Guy’s Burger Joint

Carnival Kitchen (cooking classes)

Loft 19

Piazza Panini

Lido Pool

Tides Pool

Any Hot Tub

Most Shops

 

 

 

 

[Houst]

Thanks for taking us along. I sailed on her last September and a wonderful time. I did hate my cabin that over looked the big white canopy. For our Celebration cruise coming in February we book an Ocean Suite on the opposite side of the ship. Not sure it's worth the upgrade? What do you think in your opinion and what suite did you have?

Thanks again! 

[TravelBluebird]

3 hours ago, Houst said:

Thanks for taking us along. I sailed on her last September and a wonderful time. I did hate my cabin that over looked the big white canopy. For our Celebration cruise coming in February we book an Ocean Suite on the opposite side of the ship. Not sure it's worth the upgrade? What do you think in your opinion and what suite did you have?

Thanks again! 

 

I had Ocean Suite 9305, which was over the white canopy for the Havana Bar.

 

For us, the Ocean Suite was wonderful. I didn’t think I’d like the long layout of the suite, but I really did...it felt like we had 4 separate little areas—1. the Bathroom//Desk with Lightup Mirror and the big closets, 2. The Sleeping area (beds with big TV) 3. The Sitting area (couch, table, chair, another big TV) and 4. The Balcony.

 

We both made use of the sitting area when writing or sketching or just needing some alone time, while the other person was in the dressing or sleeping area. We were in the room for part of every afternoon (after ports, just taking a break) and we got good use out of the balcony.

 

I know some people don’t like that the balcony is open to the sky (and that everyone can look down on you) but we didn’t mind and in fact loved looking up at the stars in the evening,.  Only time a ton of other people were out there was for sail aways from ports, and then its just like a semi-private mini lido deck 😂

 

I just wish that canopy wasn’t stark white; so glaring in the sun.

 

One other caution for anyone who might want to book this room—you definitely hear the music from the Havana Bar. Its muffled, but its there, sometimes as late as 12:30am. For us, we are night owls and never in bed before 1am, so it didn’t bother us at all, but for anyone who is noise sensitive//early to bed, probably  not the best room.

 

The room was also RIGHT by the stairs and elevators, but we did not hear any noise from that at all (and liked how quickly we could dash to things from the room).

 

I’ll upload some photos from the room later  (camera/camera card it upstairs; took ‘em with my wide angle).

 

 

[lolalow]

On 2/27/2022 at 8:20 AM, TravelBluebird said:

 

We intend to! Gotta try the beignets. We did Street Eats the first day (steamed buns) and will be back again! Ocean Suites do NOT have access to the separate cabana area.

I looked at the menu at Emrils and did not see beignets on it.  Is it only certain time or day?

[lolalow]

On 2/28/2022 at 12:00 AM, TravelBluebird said:

Oops left off the prime rib photo—here it is plus one of Marcus Allen and a few from Ringmaster Rhapsodies:

 

 

 

What day is the ringmaster rhapsodies on?

[TravelBluebird]

2 hours ago, lolalow said:

I looked at the menu at Emrils and did not see beignets on it.  Is it only certain time or day?

 

I only went to Emeril’s in the morning but if I recall correctly the Beignets were offered on a little sign by the register (so possibly not on the official menu at all). 6 for $5; plenty for 2 people to share