Mardi Gras... worth the extra money?

[CanadianCruiseCritic]

Trying to decide between these two itineraries for March 2024. Will be taking our kids 5 and 7 after a week in Disney World:

 

Option1: Mardi Gras, 7 nights out of Port Canaveral 

Nassau

Puerto Plata

Grand Turks

 

Option 2: Odyssey of the Seas (Royal Caribbean), 6 nights out of Fort Lauderdale 

CoCo Cay

Labadee

Puerto Plata 

 

Mardis Gras costs about $2000 more when you factor in taking excursions in Nassau and Grand Turks (Odyssey's itinerary has things to do right at the port on all 3 stops, so no need to pay for extra excursions). They both look like beautiful new ships, but both get mixed reviews online. Is Mardi Gras worth the extra money? Any insights would be greatly appreciated! 

[1025cruise]

Option 2 requires you to get from Orlando to Ft. Lauderdale. Make sure to take that into account.

[lizord]

Consider posting to the RCI board as well if you want the opposite answer.

[RoperDK]

I have been on both Mardi Gras and Odyssey.  I preferred Odessey, especially for $2000.  There is plenty to do on both.  Mardi Gras has Bolt and obstacle course. Odyssey has bumper cars, IFly, the flowrider, and the jumpy thing.  Lol, I can't remember the name.  I felt the food on Odyssey was better than Mardi Gras.     

[CanadianCruiseCritic]

Thank you! Yes having to drive to Fort Lauderdale is a bit of a pain. Odyssey looks beautiful, but it is missing the Comedy Club that Mardi Gras has... we loved it on our last Carnival Cruise! 

[RoperDK]

23 hours ago, CanadianCruiseCritic said:

Thank you! Yes having to drive to Fort Lauderdale is a bit of a pain. Odyssey looks beautiful, but it is missing the Comedy Club that Mardi Gras has... we loved it on our last Carnival Cruise! 

Mardi Gras would definitely be more convenient than the drive down to Ft. Lauderdale.  Wonder of the Seas sails from Port Canaveral.  Have you checked that ship out?  We don't usually make it to the comedy shows because we are always in the casino at night, lol.  However, I do know that Odyssey has comedy shows.  Don't remember the venue's name.    

[cruisinqt]

I don’t know if you’ve been to Grand Turk or not (if you have ignore this) but Carnival has a really nice multi million dollar pier they built there with pools, restaurants & shops so there’s no need for an expensive excursion there. 
 

I recently did the Mardi Gras and I have to say it’s totally worth the extra money. Here are the things that I really liked:

1. Soda fountains at Lido & Guys bbq

2. Bolt roller coaster 

3. Multiple new restaurants like Shaq’s, Emeril’s, Rudy’s, Bonsai Teppanyaki, Chibang, & Street Eats 

4. More variety in entertainment like magic shows, the Family Feud, & multiple comedy shows daily in 2 locations simultaneously so there’s no long lines  

5. The Summers Landing area is a fun place with foosball, shuffle board, a sports lounge area with TV’s & sofas, Guys bbq, soft serve ice cream machines, a microbrewery, and pool & hot tubs outside. It was our favorite hangout place. 

6. The ships layout was the best I’ve seen on Carnival. And the decor is very regal and completely different from their other ships. It reminded me a lot of Royal Caribbean

 

I can’t compare it to Odyssey of the Seas because I haven’t been on that ship yet. But I’ll be going on the Quantam of the Seas in May so I’ll be able to compare them then. But I would highly recommend the Mardi Gras. 

Edited December 22, 2022 by cruisinqt
Spelling

[crewsweeper]

Odyssey is a bit different in layout from Wonder and other Oasis class ships.  There is comedy, just not a separate comedy club.  Best to look at the various activities on each ship  (and the Wonder) and see what appeals to your family.

 

Also, no need for an excursion in Grand Turk.  

Edited December 22, 2022 by crewsweeper

[lazydayz]

I would go with the Mardi Gras.  PC is only about an hour from Orlando and the MG is beautiful with so much to see and do.   Really no need to pay for ship excursions in any of these ports. In Nassau, the kids might enjoy shopping in the straw market and seeing the sights, including the Queens Staircase and the fort.  In Grand Turk, you walk right off the ship and you are at the beach.  At Amber Cove, there is a giant pool and lovely gardens.  
 

if you go with Royal, will your kids want to go to the huge water park at Coco Cay?  If so, that will cost you hundreds of dollars since at least one parent will have to purchase a ticket to accompany the kids.  
 

 

[Palmetto Pilot]

On 12/20/2022 at 6:28 PM, CanadianCruiseCritic said:

Trying to decide between these two itineraries for March 2024. Will be taking our kids 5 and 7 after a week in Disney World:

 

Option1: Mardi Gras, 7 nights out of Port Canaveral 

Nassau

Puerto Plata

Grand Turks

 

Option 2: Odyssey of the Seas (Royal Caribbean), 6 nights out of Fort Lauderdale 

CoCo Cay

Labadee

Puerto Plata 

 

Mardis Gras costs about $2000 more when you factor in taking excursions in Nassau and Grand Turks (Odyssey's itinerary has things to do right at the port on all 3 stops, so no need to pay for extra excursions). They both look like beautiful new ships, but both get mixed reviews online. Is Mardi Gras worth the extra money? Any insights would be greatly appreciated! 

Absolutely option 2. Odyssey is a great ship, as is MG but CoCo Cay and Labadee is the better itinerary but that option is cheaper. It's a no brainer. Getting to FLL would be the only headache. 

 

1 hour ago, lazydayz said:

if you go with Royal, will your kids want to go to the huge water park at Coco Cay?  If so, that will cost you hundreds of dollars since at least one parent will have to purchase a ticket to accompany the kids.  
 

 

90 % of the water parks are free, all of the ones geared towards children are free. Thrill waterpark is extra yes, and the rides are for people older/bigger than a 5- and 7-year-old. 

[lazydayz]

1 hour ago, Palmetto Pilot said:

Absolutely option 2. Odyssey is a great ship, as is MG but CoCo Cay and Labadee is the better itinerary but that option is cheaper. It's a no brainer. Getting to FLL would be the only headache. 

 

90 % of the water parks are free, all of the ones geared towards children are free. Thrill waterpark is extra yes, and the rides are for people older/bigger than a 5- and 7-year-old. 

 

To each his or her own choice.  The OP really didn't give us info on pricing other than to say MG was $2,000 more after adding excursions.  But with either of these, no excursions are really needed, and either ship would be a good choice.  And it is a much quicker to get to PC from Orlando, with no additional hotel expense. 

 

I like Royal ships, but with MG you get many free options that are not to be found on the Royal ship.  Guys Burgers (versus paying extra per person for Johnny Rockets), Shaq's Big Chicken, Street Eats, etc.  And two of the specialty restaurants are included at no charge on the MG, Cucina and ChiBang.  In addition, there are more pools and not just on the Lido deck.  

 

Add in that MG is one night longer than the Odyssey cruise and it really is a no brainer. 

[Riles34]

What excursions are you planning on doing that will run $2,000? Or is it the MG is $600 more and then $1200 in excursions? Either way, Amber cove has the pool and zip line plus some smaller water slides, Grand Turk has Margaritaville and the beach right at the ship, and Nassau is more of a walking port imo. What excursions are you looking at for MG?

[CanadianCruiseCritic]

1 hour ago, Riles34 said:

What excursions are you planning on doing that will run $2,000? Or is it the MG is $600 more and then $1200 in excursions? Either way, Amber cove has the pool and zip line plus some smaller water slides, Grand Turk has Margaritaville and the beach right at the ship, and Nassau is more of a walking port imo. What excursions are you looking at for MG?

 

We were looking at Blue Lagoon in Nassau ($350 for 4 ppl) and Catamaran ride in Grand Turk ($500) plus MG costs more as it is 7 nights vs. Odyssey is 6 night. I really didn't like walking around Nassau last time we were there so I would want to get on a boat and go somewhere else. Grand Turk we could just do the beach off the boat but figured it would be pretty packed with people. Amber Cover we plan to do the free pool! 

[firespud]

6 hours ago, CanadianCruiseCritic said:

 

We were looking at Blue Lagoon in Nassau ($350 for 4 ppl) and Catamaran ride in Grand Turk ($500) plus MG costs more as it is 7 nights vs. Odyssey is 6 night. I really didn't like walking around Nassau last time we were there so I would want to get on a boat and go somewhere else. Grand Turk we could just do the beach off the boat but figured it would be pretty packed with people. Amber Cover we plan to do the free pool! 

If you choose to go to Grand Turk continue walking down the beach to Jack’s Shack. Much less crowded and cheaper for food and drinks. There are also dogs on the beach that the kids might enjoy.

[ray98]

Option 2 all day.

[Riles34]

17 hours ago, CanadianCruiseCritic said:

 

We were looking at Blue Lagoon in Nassau ($350 for 4 ppl) and Catamaran ride in Grand Turk ($500) plus MG costs more as it is 7 nights vs. Odyssey is 6 night. I really didn't like walking around Nassau last time we were there so I would want to get on a boat and go somewhere else. Grand Turk we could just do the beach off the boat but figured it would be pretty packed with people. Amber Cover we plan to do the free pool! 

Staying on the ship is also an option while in Nassau, pretty empty and cost you nothing. If you haven't done a catamaran ride before, just note that they jam them packed with people! Do your research on it. Lots of great beaches on Grand Turk right near the ship that do not have more than 20 people at. 

 

Either way you go, you will spend some money and have a great time. I personally don't cruise less than 7 days at a time, but I am coming from New England and want out of winter! 

[bguppies]

17 hours ago, CanadianCruiseCritic said:

 

We were looking at Blue Lagoon in Nassau ($350 for 4 ppl) and Catamaran ride in Grand Turk ($500) plus MG costs more as it is 7 nights vs. Odyssey is 6 night. I really didn't like walking around Nassau last time we were there so I would want to get on a boat and go somewhere else. Grand Turk we could just do the beach off the boat but figured it would be pretty packed with people. Amber Cover we plan to do the free pool! 

We booked Blue Lagoon on our own a few years ago and it was great. (not sure what they are charging today, but they have a pretty nice website)

 

We just had to get a cab to the ferry terminal on Paradise island to catch the ferry but it was much cheaper than what you are going to pay through the cruiseline. (their markups are insane. On our Sept. Bimini cruise there was an excusion to a beach club, that also had a version with lunch included for an extra $25 per person. When we got to the club, that same lunch, just buying off the mernu there was $10. Every excursion the cruiselines are jacking up what the vendor gets by double or triple)

Edited December 23, 2022 by bguppies

[firefly333]

3 hours ago, bguppies said:

Every excursion the cruiselines are jacking up what the vendor gets by double or triple)

I have the 14 day booked on dream with new ports to me but was shocked at carnivals excursion prices.

 

I have booked some excursions for 2 of those ports on radiance at the black friday rcl sale at 35% off. Never thought rcl would be cheaper than carnival. 

 

I want both ncl prima and carnival jubilee but going to wait and hope last minute prices drop. Rcl harmony inside balcony is cheaper for me than either carnival or ncl. I do get rcl discounts for loyalty the others dont give. 

 

Still waiting to book jubilee and prima. But I want both. Carnival seems to be getting expensive vs rcl for me. Hard to pay extra. I'm in the same spot as OP, not wanting to pay extra for carnival. 

[Ellaleah]

2 hours ago, firefly333 said:

6 hours ago, bguppies said:

 

I have the 14 day booked on dream with new ports to me but was shocked at carnivals excursion prices.

 

I have booked some excursions for 2 of those ports on radiance at the black friday rcl sale at 35% off. Never thought rcl would be cheaper than carnival. 

 

I want both ncl prima and carnival jubilee but going to wait and hope last minute prices drop. Rcl harmony inside balcony is cheaper for me than either carnival or ncl. I do get rcl discounts for loyalty the others dont give. 

 

Still waiting to book jubilee and prima. But I want both. Carnival seems to be getting expensive vs rcl for me. Hard to pay extra. I'm in the same spot as OP, not wanting to pay extra for carnival. 

I think it’s accurate to say that whenever you book an excursion through a cruise line it’s a ripoff.  There has to be extra $ for the cruise line.  I have booked practically all my excursions by myself and not through the cruise line.  I did go through Princess in 1/22 because of Covid, but I felt ripped off and. I safer.  I vowed not to do it again.  Go on the board to the destination of the cruise and asked for the companies they use,

[ObstructedView2]

Hi @CanadianCruiseCritic🙂

 

I like option #3 that was mentioned by a couple of members above, instead of the 6-night Odyssey Of The Seas.

 

The Wonder Of The Seas out of Port Canaveral has four very nice voyages March 2024.

 

7-night sailings, visiting St. Maarten, St. Thomas & Coco Cay. 

 

7-night sailings visiting Coco Cay, Cozumel, Roatan & Costa Maya.

 

Far superior itineraries than option #1 and #2...

 

Something to certainly consider, research & think about. 

 

 

 

✌

Edited December 23, 2022 by ObstructedView2

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, Ellaleah said:

I think it’s accurate to say that whenever you book an excursion through a cruise line it’s a ripoff.  There has to be extra $ for the cruise line.  I have booked practically all my excursions by myself and not through the cruise line.  I did go through Princess in 1/22 because of Covid, but I felt ripped off and. I safer.  I vowed not to do it again.  Go on the board to the destination of the cruise and asked for the companies they use,

I booked for Columbia for 27.99. I cant take a taxi most places solo for that. Originally 44.99. I booked some 30% off very cheap last sept. Seems to vary by date. Sometimes lately rcl sales when they are that cheap I book rather than mess with a taxi.

 

Imo rcl is slanting toward excursions where you spend money. They only had 3 to the locks for Panama, top was $99., with 35%. Half a day at the locks and half in some city sightseeing and eating, spending money.  We were disappointed none spend the whole day seeing the locks. Carnival on the other hand does offer a whole excursion seeing the locks for a much higher $169. 

 

Rcl seems to be aiming more toward cheap ones where you spend $$$, but gets you off the ship cheap. My $27.99 columbia excursion takes me to old town to some emerald museum. And to see jewelry. I wanted to see old town specifically so signed up. Rcl has changed since covid what's offered. I see it as a divergence. If I can get excursions for under $30 I like I'll buy. Buying for all 5 new carnival ports would cost me more than I want to spend. I'll go private. 

 

It also makes a small difference that rcl offers me 2 free days of wifi and 5 free drinks a day. I like carnival but it's not the value for me it used to be. 

 

I just booked 8 day harmony inside balcony for under 1k oct 2024. I cant book carnival dream 8 day under 1k. Carnival makes it hard to choose when their prices are higher and less included.

[CruizinSusan70]

On 12/20/2022 at 7:02 PM, CanadianCruiseCritic said:

Thank you! Yes having to drive to Fort Lauderdale is a bit of a pain. Odyssey looks beautiful, but it is missing the Comedy Club that Mardi Gras has... we loved it on our last Carnival Cruise! 

Make that comedy clubs.  The MG has two, the Limelight lounge does family shows and the Punchliner does adult shows as well as late night in the MG theater.

[CruizinSusan70]

To the OP.  Here's another thought.  Since this cruise is coming after a week of Disney, where it's run and gun each and every day, you could just chill and enjoy whichever ship you choose, especially if it's the Wonder or the MG.  There are plenty of things to do on each ship and nobody is forcing you to drop 1000+ on shore excursions.  Grand Turk, Amber Cove and CocoCay  can all be enjoyed for free as well.

[Joehult]

Mardis gras isn’t a very good family ship. Entertainment is mostly adult oriented, the bolt is constantly shut down(only ran 8 hours over a 7 day cruise, a few weeks ago). And those ports suck, with grand Turks being the only one with a beach right off the ship. Also, for a being a good sized ship, carnival really botched the floor plans. Over half of the free roam space is being taken up by the center stage, which is the main hub of the entertainment on board. The central pool deck is about 60% the size of carnivals average ships. The water slide area, was also constantly shut down due to weather and waves. I don’t know, it’s a poor ship for those that just want to relax, and not a great ship for kids. 

[firefly333]

39 minutes ago, Joehult said:

Mardis gras isn’t a very good family ship. Entertainment is mostly adult oriented, the bolt is constantly shut down(only ran 8 hours over a 7 day cruise, a few weeks ago). And those ports suck, with grand Turks being the only one with a beach right off the ship. Also, for a being a good sized ship, carnival really botched the floor plans. Over half of the free roam space is being taken up by the center stage, which is the main hub of the entertainment on board. The central pool deck is about 60% the size of carnivals average ships. The water slide area, was also constantly shut down due to weather and waves. I don’t know, it’s a poor ship for those that just want to relax, and not a great ship for kids. 

First so negative I've read. I've been looking forward to jubilee. I'm waiting for a last  minute sailing once it finally arrives. I'm not that picky about cabins, and as you say just want to relax.