Hop on to the double-decker bus as many times as you want within the chosen time period and experience everything that makes this musical city so fantastic. The propulsion system is based on two Azimuting thrusters with combined power output 37 MW. Carnival's biggest cruise ship is. Imagine a seaside spot in New England, where the locals gather for great meals served with a bit of a breeze and a lot of a view. Also in this neighborhood are located a lunch counter (for the Smokehouse-Brewhouse), an expansive outdoor deck area with two whirlpools and an infinity pool, a stage for live music, a sports bar featuring indoor and outdoor TV screens, hang-out space with trivia, dance classes, arts and crafts. Rounding out the meal: soups, sides, sakes and desserts. See Carnival Mardi Gras's 2023 to 2024 schedule and. The ship's 2020 schedule included: The boat's Maiden Voyage is currently planned to depart on October 2, 2021 (previously scheduled for February 6, April 24, May 29, July 3). PRO TIP: The earlier you book your accommodation and flight, the better prices you will get. It is customary for our guests to extend gratuities to the shipboard staff in appreciation for their hard work and exceptional service. TSS Mardi Gras vessel had IMO number 5103936, LOA length 198 m (650 ft), width 26 m (87 ft), draft 9 m (29 ft) and GT tonnage 27,300 tons (originally 18261 GT tons). The planned route of the parade is shown below (please be aware that it can be changed without notice): Drury Plaza Hotel ($$$) This hotel is located on Poydras street along the parade route. Guests are required to be 21 years old (on embarkation day) to travel. Passenger Capacity: 6,630 Year Built: 2020 Last Refurbished: N/A Before you dive into all the highlights of Mardi Gras - stop! They parade down Jackson to St. Charles Avenue where they take a left turn. The traditional ocean liner was launched in 1961 (under the name "Empress of Canada"). But also it will be more usually more expensive than other parts of the city. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); Cover charge/price is per person and covers the entire meal. There also seem to be so many fun things to do. In 2000, all scheduled voyages were canceled and the boat was laid up in Port Piraeus-Athens Greece. What could be more convenient than that? Our expert Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Mardi Gras review breaks down deck plans, the best rooms, dining, and more. Havana Bar is an authentic Cuban cafe (cocktail/coffee bar) with live Latin music in the evenings. Moreover, watching parades from the street is free. Taxes, fees and port expenses not included. The main question is, what is the best time to visit New Orleans? The first celebration of Mardi Gras in America took place in Fort Louis (currently Mobile) in 1703. Carnival Mardi Gras current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 21.44198 N / -72.43376 W) cruising at speed of 13.3 kn (25 km/h | 15 mph) en route to Puerto Plata-Amber Cove. Please check availability and book your room here. Carnival Mardi Gras Cruises Mardi Gras is the first of two "XL-Class" ships under construction for Carnival, with a second vessel to arrive in 2022. Grab a seat at the bar and order up a handcrafted Cuban cocktail like a traditional daiquiri or classic mojito. The Ultimate Playground is a large (2-decks high) family-friendly outdoor playground with fleet's largest Carnival WaterWorks (aquapark), expanded SportSquare (sports complex with a basketball court, ropes course, jogging track, mini-golf) and "BOLT - Ultimate Sea Coaster" (world's first rollercoaster at sea). Carnival Mardi Gras current location is at US East Coast (coordinates 28.20915 N / -80.15177 W) cruising at speed of 13.2 kn (24 km/h | 15 mph) en route to Port Canaveral. Welcome to the group page for the 3/25/23 sailing of the Carnival Mardi Gras!! However, there are no official warnings or travel advisories. Thanks for providing some tips on safety, great to know information before visiting. Carnival Mardi Gras current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean, themed as "Comedy". The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) on January 24, 2020, and scheduled for delivery in October. I appreciate that Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse has a specialty restaurant (located in the French Quarter of Deck 6 / portside). Mardi Gras brought new concepts and innovations to the fleet, including the BOLT roller coaster, a first-ever at sea. Affiliate Disclaimer. Mardi Gras remained on hold until finally setting sail on her first guest voyage on July 31, 2021, from Port Canaveral, Florida. Try to book a room with a Canal Street view, and please make sure to book the right Marriott hotel on the Canal (there are more). gallery. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Limelight Lounge offers live evening entertainment by vocalists, musicians, comedians, karaoke. More frequent open deck sanitation of sun loungers, outdoor furniture, mini-golf, sports equipment, handrails, etc. Fat Tuesday. Hi, we are Agnes & Chris! Following a special 8-day Caribbean voyage from Port Canaveral (October 16, 2020), the liner had to start a 7-day Caribbean program on October 24, offering two different 3-ports-7-days itineraries (alternating weekly) to Eastern-Western Caribbean ports. Events. The vessel's keel-laying (aka "coin ceremony") ceremony was held on June 18, 2019, with which officially started ship's construction at Meyer Werft's Turku Shipyard in Finland. I have never been to New Orleans, so I would take it as any regular day too, but visiting during Mardi Gras would make it extra special. Like all CP liners, Empress of Canada was UK-flagged. The all-electric thrilling ride takes guests around the iconic Carnival funnel with drops and twits of up to 50 MPH on the open deck, 187 feet above the water. Street Eats is an open-air complimentary eatery located next to Seafood Shack. A complete list of Mardi Gras Parades in New Orleans between January 6 and February 21, 2023, can be found on the official website. With 2022 coming to an end, its that time to begin announcing the winners of Cruise Hives Cruise Ship Awards. Name. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); The Krewe of Nyx will follow St. Charles all the way to Lee Circle, around the circle and back on St. Charles northward to Canal Street. They take a right onto Carrollton and continue until it intersects with Canal Street. The Krewe of Nyx parade will start immediately after the Krewe of Ancient Druids. Id live to visit New Orleans one day but Mardi Gras might be a little too wild for me , But a food or walking tour of the city would be awesome. At night, the Atrium transforms into an intimate venue with live performances (stand-up comedy acts, dancing, acrobatics) and quality media as guests can interact with 16 individually controlled LED screens (sized 6x14 ft / 1,8x4,3 m each) displaying video and special effects, along with aerial feats and lasers. Everybody knows about Emerils love for Creole cuisine, and now youll enjoy the authentic bayou flavors and fun New Orleans is known for on your vacation. There is a lot of things to do in New Orleans. Carnival Mardi Gras Itinerary December 2022 . With all the excitement surrounding the city, the Sambadrome during Rio Carnival will play host to the biggest party on the planet! Just make sure to have the right room while booking. The name for the newbuild (yard/hull number 1396) was officially revealed on December 6, 2018, at the Puzzleboard of the US TV game show "Wheel of Fortune" - at the very end of the broadcast. In mid-January 2018, CCL announced 4 new craft beers that will be brewed onboard the Carnival Horizon (and the new Mardi Gras) ship. There were also smaller luxury vessels, including Viking Sea, Star Breeze, and Silver Dawn. At Elk they continue onto Loyola and take a right onto Girod St. Summer Landing houses Guy's Pig and Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse (Carnival's complimentary smoked-on-board BBQ food by Guy Fieri) and ParchedPig (onboard-brewed craft beers). I love the culture, food, history, and unique beauty. I had no idea before we visited how many different ones there were. In 2003, the 42-years-old liner was laid up again, and soon sold for scrap. On December 3, 2020, CCL canceled additional 11x Caribbean cruises on Mardi Gras - departures February 6-13-20-27, March 6-13-20-27, April 3-10-17. 2124 1998 Carnival Elation. Find out where the ship is sailing and future vessel deployment at the exact date with arrival and departure times. Lagasse Restaurant offers New Orleans cuisine, including spicy creole specialties. Lido Marketplace (self-service buffet restaurant), Big Chicken by Shaq (specialty restaurant by Shaquille O'Neal), Rudi's Seagrill (specialty restaurant by Rudi Sodamin). Piano Bar 88 (cocktail bar) offers themed music nights, a grand piano for live performances by a resident pianist, singalongs, trivia quizzes. The year we went was an early Mardi Gras and we found it very chilly. You can also read the Latest Cruise News, Download Ship Itinerary, or take peak at the Crew Galleries. From there they travel southeast down Orleans Avenue to the intersection with N. Carrollton Avenue. Recommended Hotels in New Orleans for Mardi Gras 2023. The decor is marked by floor-ceiling windows (wall-to-wall), heavy red and green, with gold accents, a colorful dragon (at the entrance). French Quarter's "The Brass Magnolia" is a New Orleans-themed jazz lounge featuring live performances and hand-crafted cocktails. Due to construction delays (delayed delivery), the new ship's first 8x cruises in 2020 were canceled. For more information on Carnival and the marvelous Carnival Mardi Gras, call The Cruise Web today at 1-800-377-9383! French Quarter, Cemetery, and Voodoo Tour You can do it yourself or go for an organized tour. Summer Landing (aft on Deck 8/close to waterline) houses Guy's Pig and Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse (Carnival's complimentary smoked-on-board BBQ food by Guy Fieri), The Watering Hole (outdoor bar with wide selections of cocktails and beers), ParchedPig (onboard- brewed craft beers), Heroes Tribute Lounge. Cruise Line Data. Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras ship. We have already mentioned the best time to visit New Orleans its February 2023, when Mardi Gras happens in the city. Mardi Gras was up against many other ships across multiple cruise lines. It is an incredible experience. In addition to the hotels balconies listed above, you have many other options to admire the parades. If you would like to reach some more remote city areas like a city park or some cemeteries, its good to take a taxi or Uber or even a tram or bus. Domestic Partners/Same-Sex Union minor couple - The booking must be documented that the couple are legal Domestic Partners/Same-Sex Union. On December 17 (1971) the liner was laid up in Port Tilbury-London. The ship has a Japanese specialty restaurant (named Bonsai Teppanyaki) located within the Bonsai Sushi restaurant (on Promenade-Havana Deck). The temperature in the ships' washers and dryers has been increased for enhanced disinfection of laundered goods, including bedding, tablecloths, towels, napkins, etc. Receiving the most votes from readers, Carnival Cruise Lines Mardi Gras cruise ship has become the winner of the best overall cruise ship of 2022. Follows the complete list of Carnival Mardi Gras restaurants and food bars. Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. You will explore the French Quarter and Armstrong Park in the district of Treme. On July 6, 2020, CCL announced that Mardi Gras officially debuts in 2021 (~4 months later), with the inauguration planned for February 6 (Maiden Voyage). Crew Center is website run by ex-crew members sharing their experience and Insights about life and work on cruise ships. Carnival Cruise Lines first Excel-class vessel, Mardi Gras, has come out on top in Cruise Hives annual Cruise Ship Awards for the second consecutive year. Check out the best Carnival Mardi Gras cruise ship tips now. Here are offered full bar service, swimming pool, sunbathing area with cabanas, deckchairs and sun loungers available for rent. Good find the relaxation pool is an exclusive retreat to paradise by day, and the bar becomes a hot dance spot when the sun goes down. The best grandstand locations are on St. Charles Ave, in Lafayette Square, and two on the intersection of St. Charles and Poydras. Each meal at Bonsai Teppanyaki starts with a sampling of 5 appetizers (Miso Soup, Pork Belly Yakitori, Spicy Tuna on Rocks). are heating up at Latitudes , The Golden Jubilee and Emeril's Bistro 1397 . I havent been to Mardi Gras in NOLA, not even visited the city in other times. Never knew it was linked to voodoo tradition in anyway but that is intriguing and Im always a fan of good food, its what pulls me to a city. Gratuities apply regardless of the dining options selected, such as eating at the casual dining restaurant or open seating dining. Dine indoors or out amidst carefully-pruned bonsai trees, while enjoying a delectable menu with sit-down service. And from our experience, the best idea is to observe the parade from the balcony of your hotel. All the three units in this series are from the German shipbuilder Meyer Werft (shipyard Turku Finland). BlueIguana Cantina is a complimentary poolside (self-serve) fast-food bar with Mexican cuisine serving the Beach Pool area. French Quarter (aft on Deck 6) is lined with new eateries and bars. There are 15 passenger decks, including a total of 2,641 cabins. A good seafood dish mmm, quite the catch. It is not yet clear why the Coast Guard search for a man overboard from the Carnival Mardi Gras cruise ship. Select your itinerary below to see shore excursions for that cruise sailing Carnival Excel Suite passengers enjoy priority cabana reservations. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Ill definitely use this in the future if I ever get to see Mardi Gras. The canceled 2020 program offered a diverse schedule with 6-day to 15-day itineraries in Europe and the Caribbean. Passengers in "Carnival Excel" suites receive as additional amenities: The 19-decks high new Mardi Gras vessel also features Carnival's largest Atrium and open-deck areas. Other signature facilities in the area are Beach Pool (midship) and the infinity swimming pool Tides Pool (aft) with a bar, great stern views and ample seating. Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour The hop-on, a hop-off sightseeing tour will allow you to enjoy and take in this beautiful city at your leisure. You can check prices and availability by clicking this link, Please check the availability and prices by clicking this link, 15 Best Things To Do In Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, 10 Best Things To Do in Canyonlands National Park. If you cant find a hotel with a balcony, you can try to identify one with specially-prepared platforms in the front of the hotel. In 2021, New Orleans canceled its Mardi Gras parades and official celebrations, though visitors still flocked to Bourbon Street in the days leading up to the holiday. Carnival Celebration current location is at Caribbean Sea (coordinates 18.67747 N / -65.44342 W) cruising at speed of 10.2 kn (19 km/h | 12 mph) en route to VI STT. You should be able to find a room with a view of Poydras Street and admire the parade through your window. The world youll find yourself in is one of complete peace, sea breezes and, of course, a nearby bar. Our goal is to share travel & photo experience and inspire you to outdoor adventures through America. Haute cuisine meets atmosphere at Fahrenheit 555, a dining experience that stands toe-to-toe with some of the best steakhouses on land. You will visit the City of the Dead, the oldest cemetery in New Orleans (access is only with a guide, so it will be complicated to organize it on your own). The second liner (Carnival-XL series sistership) Carnival Celebration will be delivered in 2022, with its construction starting in 2020. The vessel's launch (float-out from drydock) was on May 10, 1960. The Krewe of Zulu begin at S. Claiborne and Jackson Avenue. Debuting on Carnival Radiance in 2021, Big Chicken by Shaq is located aft on Lido Deck. Please call for more details. Exploration is one reason we love Carnival cruises, but why stop at the seas? It combines 3 tours in one and lasts 2 hours. Among the world's largest passenger ships, the new liner has length 1130 ft (344 m), passenger capacity 5200 (lower berths) and boasts the most advanced maritime technologies as well as various fleet-first and industry-first innovations. Definitely need to prepare for colder weather. The Krewe of Rex parade will start at the intersection of Napoleon Avenue and Carondelet St. in New Orleans. JavaBlue Cafe (open between 7-10 am, and between 4 pm-12:30 midnight) is a specialty patisserie/coffee bar. We are travelers, photographers, and bloggers. But it will also be a bit loud and crowded. There were no nominations within the category, and readers were able to type in their favorite ship. The Maiden Voyage was rescheduled from February 6 to April 24. What a good idea to create a post for the upcoming Mardi Gras festival. Find mardi gras sailing dates and sailing calendars and rates on icruise.com. Ship: Mardi Gras Cruise Line: Carnival Cruises Sailed: Saturday, Oct 29, 2022 from Port Canaveral, United States Ended: Saturday, Nov 5, 2022 The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Saturday, Oct 29, 2022 departure of the Mardi Gras. The most popular time to visit New Orleans is the extended weekend before Mardi Gras, when you can catch parades, like Endymion, Bacchus, Zulu, Rex, and all of the festive celebrations throughout the whole city. The Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for May 29. Year founded: 1972 Owned by: Carnival Corporation & plc. Mardi Gras' current position, recent track, speed, course, next port destination, estimated time of arrival (ETA) and more are available in the cruise ship tracker map below. The idea of Mardi Gras is to eat lavish last night before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. You will be close to parades and other events. Located only one block from Bourbon Street, it also offers a charming rooftop pool and fantastic Carousel Bar and serves tasty food in Criollo Restaurant. PRO TIP: In 2023, Mardi Gras Day is February 21st. Ancient Druids and Krewe of Nyx will happen on Wednesday, February 15,2023, beginning at 6:15 PM. Come see the. La Piazza (midship on Deck 8) is an Italy-themed area housing the 24-hour complimentary Pizzeria del Capitano and Cucina del Capitano (seafood restaurant). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The restaurant was named after the Mardi Gras ship's hull/Turku shipyard number (1396). The official start of the Carnival Season is Twelfth Night, January 6, 2023. However, that incident sparked . Seafood Shack serves lunch and dinner and is priced a la carte starting at $4. Hotel Monteleone ($$$$) This hotel is a historic and more luxurious one. If you havent had the pleasure, were talking about fried oysters, duck & sausage gumbo, po-boy sandwiches, fresh ceviche and more. (MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021) 7-day "Western Caribbean" itinerary (from USD 690 pp), Inaugural 7-day "Eastern Caribbean" itinerary (from USD 720 pp). Builder Shipyard: Meyer Werft (Turku, Finland). 2023 Carnival Fun Times. Rudi's Seagrill is a specialty restaurant (at surcharge / reservation fee) located on Deck 8 (between Summer Landing and La Piazza) with indoor (80 seats) and outdoor seating (al fresco dining on The Lanai). Take on friends at mini-golf, battle strangers at basketball, or push yourself to new heights at SkyCourse or to record-setting low times at the jogging track. The Fun Shops is named the shipboard duty-free shopping complex of retail stores (open between 8 am - 12-midnight). I have not attended Mardi Gras and didnt realize there are different parade routes. All cabin bathrooms feature the fleet's first glass-door showers and in-shower shaving bar. If you are going to Mardi Gras with kids, below are some suggestions for spending time with them. It was delivered to Canadian Pacific in March 1961. (deck 16/Lido) Chibang! Definitely would want to try the Ghost Tour. Close your eyes as you savor a series of courses for the main event, but prepare to have them opened during a galley tour a behind-the-scenes appetizer event that offers a look at where all that magic gets prepared. 25. You guessed it:Mardi Gras. Revelers celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans for the first time on this day in history, Feb. 27, 1827. Mardi Gras is an Excellence-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line.The ship is Carnival's lead vessel of the fleet's Excel-class, a subclass of the Excellence class, and was built by Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku in Turku, Finland.The ship has often been incorrectly referred to as Carnival Mardi Gras, though Carnival has specified that her name does not include the "Carnival . Thank you for your generous recognition of Carnival's onboard team. All Itineraries Current Position Current itinerary of Carnival Mardi Gras Pleasecheck the price and list of attractions here. Kimberly Jimenez was crowned "Miss Dominican Republic 2020" (the beauty pageant was held in. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. TRIP TIP PLANNING: If you cant visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras 2023, check out our ultimate New Orleans 3 days Itinerary for any time of the year. Grand Central Atrium is a large open-floor-designed space (midship on decks 6-7-8), Costa Maya) and Honduras (Roatan Island's, Grand Turk Island, Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos, world's largest passenger shipping company, Port Canaveral (Orlando City, Florida USA), Nassau Cruise Port boasts new 1-day passenger record of 28,554, CCL-Carnival replaces San Juan (Puerto Rico) with Nassau (Bahamas) in 21 Mardi Gras ship cruises, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line launches Childrens Space Program, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line's ship Carnival Luminosa sets sail with new livery and funnel, Carnival Celebration cruise ship successfully completes sea trials in Finland, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line handled 3 million passengers since the restart in July 2021, Carnival Mardi Gras cruise ship rescues 16 people stranded at sea, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line introduces The Golden Jubilee on its newest ship Carnival Celebration, Search suspended for passenger who jumped off Carnival cruise ship Mardi Gras, Passenger jumps overboard from Carnival Cruise Line's ship Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee, AIDAnova, AIDAcosma, P&O Iona, P&O Arvia, Costa Smeralda, Costa Toscana, Guaranteed specialty dining times (except Bonsai Teppanyaki, and Chef's Table), Fresh fruit basket and sparkling wine upon arrival. 1996 Carnival Sunshine. On December 14, 2018, Carnival announced that the new Mardi Gras will have the industry's first roller coaster at sea. Lido-Pool Deck also houses deck parties and Dive-in Movies (at Carnival Seaside Theater/outdoor cinema). for expert advice to help select the best excursions for you. Below, we present some of the most exciting parades, with hotel recommendations worth booking to be in the heart of the event and have the best view. Classic Italian cocktails and live music nightly are offered at the new Bar della Rosa (cafe/patisserie/Lavazza-coffee bar, cocktails) and Piazza Panini (hand-pressed sandwiches/Deli food bar). At Canal, the parade will turn east and proceed to the intersection at Tchoupitoulas St., where the parade will take a right turn. Celebrated between the Friday before Ash Wednesday and Ash Wednesday itself (51 days and 45 days before Easter respectively), you'll find Carnival happening all over Brazil, yet the festivities in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador de Bahia are by far the largest celebrations. During its service history, the vessel was named Empress of Canada (1961-1972), TSS Mardi Gras (1972-1993), Olympic (1993), Star of Texas (1994), Lucky Star (1994-1995) and Apollon (1995-2003). . It is the name of the events of the carnival celebration. Please make sure you can book a room with a Canal Street view to admire the parade through your window. In addition, there are many more tourists during Mardi Gras, some roads are closed to cars due to parades and accompanying events, and there are traffic jams. Parades are in New Orleans throughout Mardi Gras season, but the biggest and most exciting parades occur the last weekend of Mardi Gras through Fat Tuesday. Margarit, Smokey Mezcal Negroni, Green Tea Martini). However, Mardi Gras had some tough competition, with Royal Caribbeans Wonder of the Seas having the second-highest number of votes. On March 2nd, 1699, French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived at a plot of ground 60 miles directly south of New Orleans. Carnival Cruise Line's entertainment team partnered with celebrity directors from Los Angeles (Broadway) and London (West End) to create 3 new signature shows - part of the onboard "Playlist Productions" revues. Mardi Gras for the year 2022 is celebrated/ observed on Tuesday, March 1st. 2056 1999 Carnival Sunrise. Many menu items are developed by the basketball player himself, the rest are based on the star's favorite food recipes. These cookies do not store any personal information. Mardi Gras is the first excel-class cruise ship built for Carnival Cruise Line and the first in the fleet fully powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). In January 1972, the vessel was sold to Carnival Cruise Lines and started operations as "TSS Mardi Gras" under flag-state (registry) Panama. It is not worth renting a car to move around the New Orleans center. It is held at the Havana Bar and highlighted by a 7-piece Cuban music band. This fascinating ghost tour is designed for both children & adults. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. On November 15, 2018, was held the steel-cutting ceremony, which officially started the vessel's construction by the shipbuilder Meyer Werft (Turku Shipyard, Finland). The best area to stay in New Orleans during Mardi Gras is the French Quarter. Carnival Mardi Gras Itinerary Cruise Line: Carnival Carnival Cruise Line 2023 itineraries of the cruise ship Mardi Gras with homeports and ports-of-call including dates and times. JiJi offers a full-service menu featuring a mix of exotic and familiar dishes designed to challenge and delight your senses. Palm Restaurant (2-level Aft Dining Room). Where to stay in New Orleans with Motorhome? This is a fab guide on the best neighborhoods, where ta stay, best parades, and how to get around. Our partners who list cruise pricing on Cruise Critic are required to provide prices for cruise only or cruise packages, per person, double occupancy, and are based on specific cabin types and sailing dates, and may not be available for all cabin types/sailings. Visiting during Mardi Gras would be awesome, but I think visiting any time would make for a great experience. Mardi Gras is so much fun, and this is such a great, comprehensive guide for how to enjoy it to the fullest in New Orleans. The exceptions Carnival will make to this policy are:Married minor couple - The booking must be documented that the couple is married. Click here to book Hotel Provincial. If a guest booked with a travel agent, they may contact their travel professional to add pre-paid gratuities to their booking. This is a great guide to Mardi Gras! The French Quarter and the Garden District both sound like my kind of areas. Like the Vista-class Carnival liners, Mardi Grass has Havana staterooms with a patio (indoor-outdoor space) with direct access to an exclusive Sundeck area with loungers, Bar and swimming pool.