by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 10:50 AM ET, Thu October 16, 2025
Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras is back on the water after refurbishments.
The Excel class ship underwent a comprehensive dry dock in Marseilles, France.
It’s now setting sail from Barcelona on a 15-day voyage across the Atlantic—featuring stops in Málaga and Cádiz (Seville), Spain; Tenerife, Canary Islands; and Celebration Key—to return to Port Canaveral, Florida. From there, the vessel will resume its year-round schedule of cruises to the Caribbean.
In 2027, Mardi Gras will be the first Excel class ship, and the biggest in the fleet, to offer four- and five-day itineraries to the Caribbean
The 6,400-guest ship boasts new connecting doors in 100 staterooms, offering more flexibility for multi-generational families and groups traveling together. The Carnival Adventures excursion booking venue has a new layout, and the ship’s casino has been expanded with new slot machines. The vessel also has refreshed retail venues, including Tag Heuer, Breitling, Pandora and Swarovski.
Renovations also included accessibility updates, including redesigned walkways and upgraded features in public areas and guest cabins.
“Mardi Gras was a game-changer when she debuted as our first Excel-class ship, and now she’s setting the pace again as the first in her class to complete a dry dock,” says Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “These updates not only enhance the onboard experience for families and groups but also signal the exciting direction we’re heading in with future fleet enhancements.”
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