Excel class · Carnival · In service since 2020
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is an Excel class cruise ship operated by Carnival, in service since 2020. At about 181,808 gross tons, it carries roughly 6,338 guests and ranks #3 by size in the 29-ship Carnival fleet we cover.
- 181,808 gross tons
- 6,338 guests
Photo: kees torn, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ship facts
- Cruise line
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Ship class
- Excel class
- Entered service
- 2020 (6 years ago)
- Gross tonnage
- 181,808
- Guests
- 6,338
- Speed
- 23 knots
- Builder
- Meyer Turku
- IMO number
- 9837444
About Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras launched Carnival’s Excel class and entered service in 2021 as the first cruise ship in North America powered by LNG. It is organized into themed zones, from the three-deck Grand Central atrium with its wall of windows to the French Quarter, home to Emeril’s Bistro 1396, and Summer Landing, an aft pool area anchored by Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse. The headline act is BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, which races around the top deck on an all-electric track. Mardi Gras has been based at Port Canaveral for week-long Caribbean sailings, an easy drive from Orlando.
Best for: Families and friend groups who want Carnival’s biggest party, a roller coaster at sea and plenty of casual dining on a Caribbean week.
Mardi Gras highlights
- BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster, the first roller coaster on a cruise ship
- Emeril’s Bistro 1396 in the New Orleans-inspired French Quarter zone
- Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse, with beer brewed on board
- Grand Central, a three-deck atrium with floor-to-ceiling ocean views
- Big Chicken, Shaquille O’Neal’s fried-chicken spot
How Mardi Gras compares in size
- Carnival Celebration183,521
- Carnival Jubilee183,521
- Mardi Gras181,808
- Carnival Venezia135,500
- Carnival Firenze135,156
- Carnival Vista133,500
- Carnival Horizon133,500
- Carnival Panorama133,500
- Carnival Dream130,000
- Carnival Magic130,000
- Carnival Breeze130,000
- Carnival Splendor113,300
- Carnival Conquest110,000
- Carnival Glory110,000
- Carnival Valor110,000
- Carnival Liberty110,000
- Carnival Freedom110,000
- Carnival Encounter108,977
- Carnival Adventure108,806
- Carnival Sunshine102,853
- Carnival Sunrise101,509
- Carnival Radiance101,509
- Carnival Luminosa92,720
- Carnival Pride88,500
- Carnival Legend88,500
- Carnival Miracle88,500
- Carnival Spirit85,920
- Carnival Elation71,909
- Carnival Paradise70,367
Gross tonnage measures a ship's enclosed volume, not its weight. Source: Wikidata.
Excel class sister ships
Sailing with Carnival
Carnival Cruise Line is America’s budget-friendly “Fun Ship” brand: casual, sociable and packed with free food, comedy and pool-deck parties. It sails from more US ports than almost any other line, which makes short Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico getaways easy to reach. It suits families, groups and value seekers, less so travelers wanting quiet elegance or fine dining.
Read our full Carnival guide: dining, drinks, tipping and who it suits →
Mardi Gras FAQs
How big is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras measures about 181,808 gross tons. That makes it #3 of 29 Carnival ships we cover by tonnage, and #22 among all 255 ocean cruise ships in our guide.
How many passengers does Mardi Gras carry?
About 6,338 guests, according to Wikidata's record for the ship. Cruise lines usually quote capacity at two guests per cabin; with third and fourth berths filled, the maximum is higher.
When was Mardi Gras built?
Mardi Gras entered service in 2020 and was built by Meyer Turku.
What class of ship is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras belongs to Carnival's Excel class, alongside Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee. Ships in the same class share a layout and most signature features.
Is Mardi Gras good for families?
Camp Ocean runs free supervised activities for kids aged 2 to 11 in age groups, Circle C is for 12- to 14-year-olds and Club O2 is for teens 15 to 17. Night Owls offers paid late-evening group babysitting. Facilities vary by ship, so check what Mardi Gras offers for your kids' ages.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikidata, Wikipedia, Carnival official site.