Carnival Mardi Gras Crew Share Favorite Foods, Shows, and Cruise Hacks

When it comes to figuring out what to do while on a cruise ship, nobody has better trips and tricks than the crew members who live and work onboard.

Crew members spend months onboard at a time and often return to the same cruise ships for repeat contracts, which really makes them experts on the entertainment and amenities.

Thanks to a video from Carnival Cruise Director Jacky Tang, who is currently leading the fun onboard Mardi Gras, future guests now know exactly what crew members would prioritize during their vacations.

“Us crew members have all the tips and tricks and we’d love to share some with you,” Tang said to begin the video.

As eating is certainly a favorite pastime for cruisers, let’s start with what the crew members think about the food.

When it comes to dining, Emeril’s Bistro came up not once, but twice – which says a lot when the video is only just over a minute long. 

The specialty restaurant, which is only found onboard Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, is inspired by Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse’s most famous dishes and signature creole style.

“Try beignets at Emeril’s Bistro. They’re to die for, trust me!” one crew member insisted.

In addition to Emeril’s Bistro, the crew members were also quite fond of Chibang and Guy’s Burger Joint.

“Favorite food…it’s gotta be the pot stickers together with the egg drop soup from Chibang. Put it together. Yum!” another crew member weighed in.

“The Ringer at Guy’s Burgers but with two onion rings on it,” another declared as her favorite food onboard.

It’s worth noting that Emeril’s Bistro comes with an additional cost, while dining at Chibang and Guy’s Burger Joint is included in the cruise fare.

Emeril’s Bistro is a walk-up venue that does not take advance reservations. But keep in mind that other specialty restaurants onboard Carnival ships do require advance bookings, so make sure to plan accordingly.

Even More Tips & Tricks

When it comes to entertainment onboard, the crew members were quick to recommend the production shows.

“My number one cruise tip is to come see the amazing shows that we have on board. But be sure to get there early so you can get a good seat.” another crew member suggested.

Try to make sure your whole travel group stays together, as cruise guests often do not take kindly to seat savers.

Additionally, it’s also important to keep an eye on the Hub App and listen for announcements from cruise directors like Jacky Tang so that you don’t miss out on any of the fun onboard.

And while spontaneity is definitely possible on Carnival ships, there are occasions where planning ahead is important.

For example, the BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster, which first debuted onboard Mardi Gras, requires advance reservations that can be made on the HUB App on embarkation day as soon as guests board.

The roller coaster operators may turn away passengers who just try to walk up and join the line.

Last but not least, the crew members named their favorite ports to visit. After all, cruises are not just about what’s onboard, but also where the journey takes you. 

Without hesitation, the crew members named Alaska, San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Cozumel, Mexico, as their preferred destinations to visit.

Luckily for these crew members who live onboard Mardi Gras, the Excellence-class cruise ship primarily operates eastern and western Caribbean itineraries out of Port Canaveral, so they get to visit two of these ports (San Juan and Puerto Rico) quite often.

If you ever need suggestions or advice during your sailings, never be afraid to ask a crew member for their best tips and tricks. They love to share their hard-earned wisdom with guests.

And if you’re ready to start planning your next cruise, make sure to check out Cruise Hive’s booking feature for lots of Carnival sailings, often listed at discounted rates.