MIAMI — New features on Carnival’s new Mardi Gras ship, set to debut in late summer 2020, include floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors on nearly all verandahs as well as larger, customizable closet space.

Mardi Gras will also offer the widest variety of accommodations of any Carnival ship with more than 70% of staterooms featuring an ocean view or balcony, along with 300 pairs of connecting staterooms, for large families or groups. 

Mardi Gras will also offer the most suites of any Carnival ship, a total of more than 180 of varying size and locations.

New details are emerging about the ship, setting sail Aug. 31, 2020. Carnival says the Mardi Gras’ staterooms will reflect new and innovative design practices that are ergonomically-friendly and maximize visual space, clean lines, surfaces and storage. 

Bookings for the ship opened up in January 2019.

“We took a unique approach to our stateroom design with Mardi Gras, utilizing DCA’s design experts who are well known for innovative product design and partnered them with Miami-based interior architect Studio Dado,” said Ben Clement, Carnival’s senior vice president of new builds.

DCA is the Warwick, England-based firm that worked with Carnival on the ship’s design. “DCA employed a thoughtful guest-centric approach gleaned from observations of how our guests use their space in conjunction with their vast experience in product design to make the staterooms as comfortable and functional as possible.”

Based on a palette of muted turquoise hues, the staterooms’ are enhanced by design touches that include:

• Floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors on nearly all verandahs for easier balcony access;
• New sofas that flip into a bed and foot stools that open up for storage;
• Clear glass doors on the in-room mini-refrigerators to see what’s inside;
• More 110V power outlets and USB connections both on the vanity and by the bed as well as more shelf space to accommodate electronic devices;
• Flexible bedside reading lamps that allow guests to read without disturbing others;
• A larger, customizable wardrobe with two pull-out bins, a sliding shoe rack, folding shelves and storage under the bed for luggage.
• Spacious bathrooms with glass shower doors, a first for Carnival, along with an in-shower shaving bar. 

Dom Hargreaves, sector manager for DCA Design International, says: “We’ve taken the best practices in new interior design and hotel concepts and applied them to Mardi Gras to create guest-friendly staterooms designed to make guests feel at home.”

Mardi Gras will also offer favourites introduced on Carnival’s Vista-class including:

• The tropics-inspired Havana staterooms feature vibrant interiors and an outdoor patio space.  These staterooms have access to an exclusive open deck with sun loungers, Cuban-themed bar and relaxation pool.

Havana Cabana Stateroom

• Extra-roomy Family Harbor accommodations with their nautical décor are located near Camp Ocean, the children’s facility, and have access to the Family Harbor Lounge, an exclusive spot with breakfast and snacks throughout the day, plus board games, family movies, video

Family Harbor Stateroom

• Cloud 9 Spa staterooms feature exclusive, soothing décor, spa bathrobes and slippers as well as Elemis toiletries. These accommodations offer privileges to the ship’s spa.

Cloud 9 Stateroom

Details on the ship’s suites and amenities will be announced in mid-April, including the premium level Carnival Excel Suites, which will include a set of exclusive features and offerings.

The new accommodations complement Mardi Gras’ activities and attractions, including BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, and six themed zones with dining, libation, entertainment and activity offerings.

Currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, Mardi Gras is slated to enter service in Europe in August 2020, before repositioning to New York for a series of voyages then shift to Port Canaveral for year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning in October 2020.