Carnival Celebration vs. Mardi Gras: A complete guide

Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras are the newest and biggest ships in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet. Both Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras are in the Excel class, with Carnival Jubilee joining them in December 2023.

Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras offer more fun than ever before; after all, that is part of their brand! The Excel class of ships are 40% larger than all the other Carnival ships, meaning there is a huge variety of venues, restaurants, bars, and more for guests to enjoy.

Mardi Gras, the first ship in the Excel class, was truly a shift for Carnival Cruise Line. Previously, Carnival’s ships were all very similar in size and design. 

With Mardi Gras, Carnival unveiled a completely different ship with brand new offerings, such as BOLT, the first rollercoaster at sea, exclusive Excel Suites, the first restaurant at sea by chef Emeril Lagasse (Emeril’s Bistro), along with many other firsts. Mardi Gras was also the first ship in North America to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

With Mardi Gras debuting in 2021, sister-ship Carnival Celebration was soon to follow in 2022. Both of these massive cruise ships represent a new era of cruising for Carnival, as most other cruise lines had already built and launched mega ships.

So, how do Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras stack up against each other? Is one better than the other? How are they similar and where do they have differences? In this blog, I will be doing a deep dive into each ship to see how they compare.

Overview of Carnival's Excel Class

If you were to put the two ships side by side, you would find that Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras are almost identical, with Celebration being just a little bigger. This is because the two are in the same ship class, Carnival’s Excel class.

Below are a few fast facts about both ships.

Mardi Gras

• Debuted in July 2021
• Guest capacity: 5,282 (double occupancy)
• Staff capacity: 1,735
• Gross Tonnage: 180,800
• Length: 1,130 feet
• Decks: 19

Carnival Celebration

• Debuted in November 2022
• Guest capacity: 5,374 (double occupancy)
• Staff capacity: 1,735
• Gross Tonnage: 183,521
• Length: 1,130 feet
• Decks: 19

Carnival Celebration is a bit heavier and can hold about 100 more passengers.

These ship names may sound familiar to you if you know about Carnival's brand. That is because the cruise line decided to reuse names from its retired ships. Mardi Gras and Celebration were once old ships in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet.

Mardi Gras was the company's first ship. Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said, “Our first ship Mardi Gras was a historic vessel, introducing a brand new style of cruising to the vacationing public. The new Mardi Gras will follow the trailblazing lead of her predecessor, introducing features and technological innovations that have never been seen before on a cruise ship while setting a new standard for seagoing vacations.”

Similarly, Celebration was considered top of the line when it debuted, and it held more passengers than anything Carnival had built before.

“[Carnival Celebration] represents the culmination of our 50th birthday while also shining a light on our bright future with so much more excitement to come,” Duffy said.

The original Mardi Gras sailed under Carnival from 1972 to 1993, while the original Celebration sailed under Carnival from 1987 until 2008. 

How do Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras differ?

Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras are more alike than they are different, but there are a few discrepancies to be aware of.

Cruisers will find that certain areas of the ship (or zones as Carnival calls them) have different themes. Of course with a name like Mardi Gras, this ship is going to be New Orleans themed. The same goes for Carnival Celebration; she celebrates Carnival Cruise Line’s 50-year anniversary with nods to the company’s history and its presence in the cruise industry.

Both ships are broken down into six zones. Three of these zones have different names but offer similar venues. The zones are:

• Grand Central (Mardi Gras) and Celebration Central (Celebration)
• French Quarter (Mardi Gras) and The Gateway (Celebration)
• La Piazza (Mardi Gras) and 820 Biscayne (Celebration)
• Summer Landing
• Lido
• The Ultimate Playground

Grand Central vs. Celebration Central

The main atrium located at the center of both ships is considered Grand Central on Mardi Gras and Celebration Central on Carnival Celebration.

Grand Central and Celebration Central are laid out the same. Both of these zones feature the expansive, three-story Center Stage. We Are One and Celestial Strings are two Center Stage shows that are unique to Carnival and performed on both ships.

Center Stage is dazzling and truly a spectacle!

I would highly recommend you see a show or two in this versatile space, but make sure to get there early to snag a good seat. Seating can be limited because of its unique layout. There are also two bars found near Center Stage. On Mardi Gras, these are called Grand View Bar and Center Stage Bar.

On Carnival Celebration, these bars are named Aquaria Bar (which features a beautiful glass mural from Carnival Victory) and Tropicale Bar. If you are looking for a drink to enjoy while watching the show, this is the perfect place to go.

On both Excel-class ships, these zones also consist of dining options like JavaBlue Café, Bonsai Sushi, and Bonsai Teppanyaki, and entertainment spots like Piano Bar 88 and the famous Punchliner Comedy Club.

French Quarter vs. The Gateway

On decks six and seven, you will find a themed walkway unique to each ship. On Carnival Celebration, this walkway is dubbed The Gateway, and on Mardi Gras, it is appropriately named the French Quarter.

The Gateway on Carnival Celebration is all about celebrating travel. The Golden Jubilee bar is a fun spot with decor that spotlights Carnival Cruise Line’s history.

Right around the corner, cruisers can learn more about the cruise line’s history by admiring the Porthole Gallery exhibit. Also right outside The Golden Jubilee, you will see the classic Rolls Royce that was actually taken from Carnival Ecstasy, which was scrapped in October 2022.

Additionally, you can find Latitudes in The Gateway. This is a bar that offers drinks from around the world and is designed like a vintage train station. Above Latitudes are 12-foot LED screens that project short shows for guests to enjoy and make you fele as though you are traveling through time.

Comparatively, on Mardi Gras, the Golden Jubilee Bar is replaced with the Brass Magnolia bar. Here, guests can listen to jazz music like they’re in the streets of New Orleans. Instead of Latitudes, there is a themed bar called Fortune Teller. This is a fun spot to get a variety of bizarrely-crafted cocktails. Both of these bars perfectly fit the New Orleans theme, hence the name French Quarter.

(Pictured above is Brass Magnolia on Mardi Gras)

Emeril’s Bistro and the Carnival-classic Alchemy Bar can also be found on both Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras in this zone.

La Piazza vs. 820 Biscayne

On deck eight, you will find another zone filled with more themed bars, eateries, and lounges. These zones are named La Piazza on Mardi Gras and 820 Biscayne on Carnival Celebration. This is a great spot to grab a quick bite to eat or drink.

Mardi Gras’ La Piazza is Italian themed because the captain and officers are from Italy. You are transported to Italy as soon as you enter this zone because you are greeted with a tiny, red Fiat! 

As such, the bar here is named Bar della Rosa, while the pizza shop is called Pizzeria del Capitano, and the deli is called Piazza Panini.

On Carnival Celebration, 820 Biscayne is a tribute to Miami, Carnival Celebration’s hometown and Carnival Corporation’s headquarters. The zone is brightly decorated with neon colors to make you feel as though you’re in downtown Miami. 

You are greeted with a postcard mural that reads, "Greetings from Miami." Here, guests will find the same offerings with different names: Bar 820, Miami Slice, and Deco Deli.

The Italian restaurant Cucina del Capitano and Rudi’s Seagrill are found on both ships in this zone. Cucina del Capitano is complimentary, while Rudi’s Seagrill is a specialty restaurant. Guests who dine here must pay a cover charge. 

(Pictured above is Cucina del Capitano on Carnival Celebration)

What do Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras have in common?

Overall, Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras are similar in many ways. On both Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, cruisers will find the same bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. 90% of what you can enjoy on Mardi Gras is also found on Carnival Celebration!

Both Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration are currently sailing the Caribbean, with itineraries ranging from six to nine nights. As of May 2023, Carnival Celebration sails from Miami, while Mardi Gras sails from Port Canaveral. As such, you can expect similar pricing, although Carnival Celebration is newer and might have slightly higher fares.

Let’s break the similarities down into categories.

Dining and bars

(Pictured above is the main dining room on Mardi Gras)

Complimentary dining options on both ships include:

• Cucina del Capitano (Italian)
• Chibang! (a fusion of Mexican and Asian dishes. Note: Second visits on Mardi Gras are subject to an additional fee)
• JavaBlue Café (specialty coffee, shakes, and other treats cost extra)
• Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse (brewhouse costs extra)
• Street Eats (food-truck style with quick bites)
• Big Chicken (crispy chicken tenders and sandwiches)
• Guy’s Burger Joint (jazzed-up burgers and fries)
• BlueIguana Cantina (freshly-made tacos and burritos)
• Main dining room (Palm Restaurant on Mardi Gras and Festivale Restaurant on Carnival Celebration)
• Lido Marketplace (buffet)
• Swirl’s (ice cream and frozen yogurt)
• Fresh Creations (salad bar)

(Pictured above is Fahrenheit 555 on Carnival Celebration)

The specialty dining venues that can be found on both ships are:

• Rudi’s Seagrill (seafood and steakhouse options)
• Bonsai Sushi (freshly-made sushi)
• Bonsai Teppanyaki (dinner and a show)
• Fahrenheit 555 (steakhouse)
• Emeril’s Bistro (creole favorites)
• Seafood Shack (poolside seafood)
• Cherry on Top (candy shop)
• Carnival Kitchen (where guests can take cooking classes)

(Pictured above is the Alchemy Bar on Mardi Gras)

Both ships also share a variety of bars, like:

• Alchemy Bar (chemistry-themed bar)
• RedFrog Tiki Bar (poolside bar)
• Havana Bar (exclusive access for Havana suites)
• Tide Pool Bar (classic bar with poolside favorites)
• Serenity Pool Bar (in the adults-only area)
• The Watering Hole (poolside bar)

Entertainment

(Pictured above is WaterWorks on Carnival Celebration)

Cruisers will never be bored with all the activities and entertainment offered on Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras. On both ships, you will find:

• Playlist Production shows
• Main theater shows like Family Feud Live and Deal or No Deal
• Piano Bar 88
• Punchliner Comedy Club
• LimeLight Lounge (hosting trivia, karaoke, and comedy)
• BOLT ultimate rollercoaster
• WaterWorks (water park with slides)
• Basketball court
• Ropes obstacle course
• Miniature golf

Other venues

(Pictured above is the Tides Pool on Carnival Celebration)

Here are some more venues that can be found on both Excel Class ships:

• Heroes Tribute Lounge
• Cloud 9 spa and fitness center
• Shopping at the various “Fun Shops”
• Casino
• The Warehouse (arcade)
• Camp Ocean, Club O2, Circle C (kids and teens clubs)
• The Patio (pool area)
• Tides Pool (pool and hot tub area)
• Serenity (adults-only retreat)

Staterooms

Since Carnival is known for having affordable cruise fares, there is sure to be an accommodation option that fits your travel party’s needs and budget. Both Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras offer a variety of interior, ocean view, balcony, and suite cabins.

These two ships offer Excel Suites, which include the top-of-the-line Presidential Suite and other various Excel Suite layouts. On both ships, you can also find uniquely-themed suites that include additional perks and benefits. These include Family Harbor, Havana, and Cloud 9.

Family Harbor is an excellent option for families. You will be located on the same deck as Camp Ocean and have access to the Family Harbor Lounge. In this lounge, you will find snacks and daily breakfast, as well as board games, movies, and video games. Additional benefits include kids eating free in some specialty restaurants and a free evening of babysitting service!

Those staying in Havana Suites must be 12 or older. If you are in a Havana Suite, you will have access to the private Havana Bar and Pool on deck eight.

If you choose a Cloud 9 suite, you will have access to many spa and fitness center benefits, such as:

• Priority reservations
• Unlimited access to the thermal suites
• Free fitness classes (two per guest)
• Complimentary body composition analysis
• Exclusive discounts (during port days)
• Upgraded bathrobes, slippers, and Elemis toiletries

Loft 19 (above Serenity) is new to both ships. Passengers who book one of a variety of Excel Suites will benefit from a dedicated concierge phone line, complimentary laundry service, included bottomless bubbles soda package, and gain exclusive access to a private pool, bar, and cabana areas. Also, anyone onboard can rent a cabana at Loft 19 during their cruise.

Read more: Carnival Drink Package Guide and Tips

Is Carnival Celebration or Mardi Gras better for your vacation?

Because Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras are so similar, both would be excellent choices for a cruise vacation. You can’t go wrong with either ship, as both have great food, entertainment, and experiences.

If you appreciate the NOLA (New Orleans) culture, then Mardi Gras would be a better option for you. Keep in mind that Mardi Gras is currently sailing from Port Canaveral, so this may influence your planning. Mardi Gras is the OG Excel-class ship and therefore has lots of firsts to experience, like the first rollercoaster at sea, BOLT, and new dining options like Big Chicken and Street Eats.

If you want to go on the latest and greatest that Carnival has to offer, then Celebration would be the better option because it is the cruise line’s newest vessel (that is until Carnival Jubilee comes out in December of 2023). This ship is currently sailing from Miami, which could be a factor of consideration for your travel.

When Carnival Jubilee launches, she will differ from her two sister ships in that she will feature two zones that cannot be found on Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration: The Shores and Currents. She will also sail from Galveston, Texas. Stay tuned for more information on Carnival's third Excel Class ship! 

As of 2023, both ships visit Caribbean destinations like Amber Cove, Mahogany Bay, Cozumel, Nassau, and more. If you are looking for a fun Caribbean cruise, look no further than Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras!