LIVE from the Carnival Mardi Gras April 6th-13th

[Knights on the Beach]

7 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Agree with others above about the better food experience on Mardi Gras - didn't see anyone mention Big Chicken, it's another great new addition to Carnival.  

 

Ninjakitty must be in stealth mode again. 😺🤣🤣

[IntrepidFromDC]

2 minutes ago, Knights on the Beach said:

... Brass Magnolia is our favorite inside bar but our drinks there weren't on the menu. ...

Mine too, the live music there has been consistently great all three cruises, especially the Washboard Band.

[IntrepidFromDC]

2 minutes ago, Knights on the Beach said:

 

Ninjakitty must be in stealth mode again. 😺🤣🤣

Oops!  I read her reply but somehow skipped right over Shaq's!  Don't claw my eyes out!

 

[GothOnAShip]

16 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Looking forward to joining you on your first live from my favorite ship!  Agree with others above about the better food experience on Mardi Gras - didn't see anyone mention Big Chicken, it's another great new addition to Carnival.  Don't sleep on shawarma!  And if you're a non-smoking gambler you will love the casino with the floor to ceiling window views of the ocean.  I've been on Mardi Gras three times and still haven't ridden Bolt even though I planned to each time - that's how much there is to do (and eat!)

Great to have you along! 

[GothOnAShip]

12 minutes ago, Knights on the Beach said:

 

 

My favorite drink at Fortune Teller is Abracadabra. Lime in the Coconut is pretty good too. Brass Magnolia is our favorite inside bar but our drinks there weren't on the menu. We were lucky enough to cruise with the fabulous Melissa behind the bar on 3 different cruises and she just whipped us up drinks we ended up loving. She knew I liked champagne with peach schnapps from a previous cruise when she was working at Center Stage Bar so for something a little different she made me a drink with champagne, Chambord and St. Germaine. Pretty sure it's the same as Christine's Fav at Golden Jubilee on Celebration. She made my husband some kind of chocolate martini that was amazing.

 

 

2 hours ago, TrqoisWtrs said:

My all time favorite is New Moon with salted rim.  Bog Juice is good for a change of pace, it’s a bit sweeter and has the tapioca pearls.

 

so jealous…enjoy!

I’m so excited to try all these drinks!!! Thanks for the suggestions!

 

I googled the New Moon already and it’s looks amazing! It’s so pretty, even if I don’t like it, I’d be tempted to get one just to carry around and look at. 

[SenatorsFan]

I'll be following. I was on MG in Sept. and had a great time! Sweet potato waffles at Emeril's and drinks and entertainment at Brass Magnolia were among my favourites. Have fun. 😃

[ninjacat123]

14 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

1. Woo Hoo!!  Love MG and Port Canaveral! Go check out Big Chicken, Street Eatz, gelato (on Lido by Shawarma) and definitely Emeril's!!  Looking forward to your LIVE!! 

@IntrepidFromDC let’s see who mentioned Big Chicken AND gelato by shawarma!! That’s right, me!! 🤣🤣

Edited April 6 by ninjacat123

[ninjacat123]

24 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Oops!  I read her reply but somehow skipped right over Shaq's!  Don't claw my eyes out!

 

Oooh, you are in trouble!!🤣🤣

[phoneman69]

Cruise morning !! How Exciting a Day. Following along looking forward to your comments

[pirate4me2]

She’s ready & waiting for you!!

[GothOnAShip]

9 minutes ago, phoneman69 said:

Cruise morning !! How Exciting a Day. Following along looking forward to your comments

Thanks for following along. Glad to have you! 

[GothOnAShip]

3 minutes ago, pirate4me2 said:

She’s ready & waiting for you!!

Ahhh!!!! She’s beautiful!!! So excited!!! Thanks for the picture. Any sign of the Vista yet? 

[GothOnAShip]

Good morning to the People’s Republic of Cruise Critic! 
 

It’s cruise day! So excited! 
 

Since we live so close to the port, we typically use the morning of cruise day to make sure the cats are squared away and get in some last kitty cuddles before we board the ship. My husband and I usually like to leave the earlier check in times for those that have to check out of their hotels, so our check in is between 1 pm and 1:30pm. That’ll give us just enough time to board and muster before staterooms open, so we don’t have to lug our stuff around for long… No platinum or diamond benefits yet, so no dropping stuff off at our room unless we pay for fttf. That’s okay, we’ll get there! For now, I’m excited to be moving up to red card status for this cruise. After all, we all know that free bottle of water is the perk we’re all after 😉 

 

Alright, kitty snuggles, last second packing, a jaunt to Port Canaveral and before you know it…. MARDI GRAS!!!! 

[Knights on the Beach]

Yes, all the ships are in port and I saw almost all of them come in! I missed NCL Escape's arrival, it came in a bit early.

[Knights on the Beach]

Have so much fun!

[GothOnAShip]

1 minute ago, Knights on the Beach said:

Have so much fun!

Thank you!!! 

[pirate4me2]

40 minutes ago, GothOnAShip said:

Ahhh!!!! She’s beautiful!!! So excited!!! Thanks for the picture. Any sign of the Vista yet? 

Yep! She’s on the other end of the port. 

[DeanDeeDee]

I'm following along as well.  We were on the Mardi Gras in October of 2021 and are scheduled for December of this year.  Can't wait to see if things have changed.  I agree with the Brass Magnolia as the best bar and atmosphere.  Enjoy your crruise.

[GothOnAShip]

On the ship!!! Embarkation was so easy. I was going to live that process but we didn’t stop moving. Ray at check in table 32 was very personable and friendly! Went directly to the muster station on deck 8 in the Palm Dining Room and it took about 2 minutes. We walked up the stairs to deck 10. Elevators were empty, but we’re planning to eat a lot this cruise and hoping taking the stairs will offset some of that. Then we dropped things off in our room and picked up our sail and sign cards. Made it all the way to red card status, which I’m embarrassingly excited about. 
 

We went to Pig and Anchor for lunch. I got pulled pork, sausage and Mac and cheese with a blackberry homemade lemonade. All delicious. 

Returned to the room so I could call my parents and let them know we made it here.

 

Super fun surprise… we were on this ship for our first cruise about a year ago and we had a balcony room that we liked a lot. I booked in pretty much the same area of the boat, just a few doors down and the balcony is like triple the size. Did it grow? No judgement Mr. Balcony. If I were on this ship for a year, I’d triple in size too. 

 

We’re going to go explore the ship and maybe get a drink. We’re eating at teppanyaki tonight! So excited! 
 

Here’s a picture of our first look at the ship… not a great picture, but an exciting one!

[GothOnAShip]

Exploring led us to Alchemy for a spicy pineapple martini. 
 

 

Safety briefing completed and the last minute pleas for everyone to complete their muster have begun. Sail away is upon us. 

[#55worktoplay]

I am looking forward to following. I am looking at Mardi Gras for November, I actually have it on hold, just waiting on confirmation from sista.  

[mrpayroll]

Coming along for the ride. 

[mamiamjo]

Following along. Hope you have a great cruise!

[1st4our25th]

Following along. We will be on Mardi Gras for the first time this November and I can't wait! Have a great cruise!

[GothOnAShip]

2 hours ago, mrpayroll said:

Coming along for the ride. 

Welcome aboard! Glad to have you! 

2 hours ago, mrpayroll said:

Coming along for the ride. 

I somehow quoted your post twice, so I guess I’m double glad to have you along!

2 hours ago, mamiamjo said:

Following along. Hope you have a great cruise!

Thank you! Glad to have you aboard! 

7 minutes ago, 1st4our25th said:

Following along. We will be on Mardi Gras for the first time this November and I can't wait! Have a great cruise!

Thanks for following! If you have questions about the ship let me know and I’ll try to answer them. It’s an amazing ship and you’re gonna love her!!