Carnival cruise line’s newest addition, Mardi Gras, has arrived in Barcelona this morning at 08:00 AM CET. This will be the last stop for the most anticipated ship of 2021 before she arrives in the United States. Mardi Gras will likely stay in Barcelona until tomorrow, after which she sets sail towards Port Canaveral.
Second Technical Stop For Mardi Gras
After the Meyer-Turku shipyard delivered her in Finland on December 18, Mardi Gras has been slowly making her way south.
The vessel performed a technical stop in the Port of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on December 22. This stop was the ship’s first-ever port call, and luckily for the dutch, they had every opportunity to see her as she was docked right in the city center. Here the vessel took on LNG and provisions, while crew changes were also performed.
Barcelona’s port call will feature much of the same as Rotterdam and Barcelona are the two only cruise ports in Europe that can fuel LNG vessels. Mardi Gras will be taking on LNG, provisions and go through crew changes before setting off on her first-ever transatlantic voyage. Due to crew movements’ restrictions, the line is forced to perform these changes before arriving in the US.
One of the most technically advanced ships at sea, Mardi Gras is equipped with four medium-speed LNG engines that will be run in port and at sea. The ship can operate for two weeks between refuelings.
The departure tomorrow means the vessel will be underway for at least another 10 days before she arrives in the US as she has around 4,300 nautical miles to cover. For those of you wanting to welcome Mardi Gras into port on her first call in her homeport, Carnival will soon confirm the date so keep checking.
First Cruise Will Only Be In Three Months
After the many postponements Mardi Gras has already experienced in the last 12 months, it hardly comes as a surprise that the vessel’s first cruise has been postponed until April 24, 2021.
Mardi Gras will sail on her first Caribbean cruises out of Carnival’s new Terminal 3 at Port Canaveral, Florida, on April 24, 2021. She was originally scheduled to debut on August 31, 2020, out of Copenhagen. Marking an eight-month delay due to the Corona pandemic.
Related: Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal – Your One-Stop Guide
The vessel’s first cruise will be a 7 Days Eastern Caribbean cruise, with port calls in San Juan, Amber Cove, Grand Turk, and includes three days at sea. So ample time to enjoy all of the features that Mardi Gras has, and there is a lot to enjoy!
All Of The Favorites, And More!
Much has been said about Mardi Gras’ features, and for a good reason. With six different zones to explore onboard and the first-ever rollercoaster at sea, there will be more than enough to do on those days at sea.
Now we know that everyone will be craving some food after the holidays, so what about food options on Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras boasts an impressive amount of restaurants and culinary styles to keep the foodie in you perfectly happy!
Also Read: Latest Photos of Carnival Cruise Ship That’s Being Transformed
What restaurants will be on Mardi Gras?
- Emeril’s Bistro 1396: Creole cuisine and authentic bayou flavors
- Rudi’s Seagrill: Delectable seafood classics
- Big Chicken: Shaq’s chicken sandwiches, crispy chicken strips, or juicy fried chicken baskets
- Street Eats: Street food with three ever-changing stations
- Bonsai Teppanyaki: featuring selections of meats, tofu, fish, shrimp, or lobster, prepared right at your table
- Bonsai Sushi: Carnival’s onboard seafood-and-soy-sauce spot
- Seafood Shack: Rustic favorites like Crab Cake Sliders, Lobster BLT, Fried Buffalo Shrimp, Snow Crab, and more.
- Fahrenheit 555: The best steakhouse at sea with steak cuts, lobster, lamb, and more…
- JiJi Asian Kitchen: Featuring a mix of exotic and familiar Asian dishes
- Cucina del Capitano: Delicious Italian favorites — served family-style
- Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse: With choices like brisket, sausage, baby back ribs, salmon, and dry-rubbed chicken
Related: Free Carnival Cruise Dining Options
There will be much more like the Bluelgana Cantina, Pizza Delivery, Guys’s Burger Joint, The Lido marketplace, a Main Dining Room, The Chef’s table, and if all those don’t satisfy your cravings? You can always order Room Service.
Another two weeks before Mardi Gras will be in the US after she sails from Barcelona tomorrow. Then, we have to wait for a few more months until she finally sails with guests. No matter what, as we look closer to all the fantastic features that Mardi Gras boasts, there is every reason she is the most eagerly anticipated ship for 2021.
Photo Credit: Edwin Muller Photography / Shutterstock.com
