Carnival sends new Port Canaveral-bound ship out for trials
Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship Mardi Gras is headed for10 days of sea trials ahead of its 2021 debut in Port Canaveral.
The new class of ship, the largest ever for the line, was originally to debut in North America this year, but because of COVID-19, the line has pushed its first planned sailing to Feb. 6, 2021.
The 1,130-foot-long vessel will be 180,800 gross tons with a 5,282-passenger capacity based on double occupancy. It’s planned for year-round sailings of seven-night alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries out of Port Canaveral’s new Cruise Terminal 3. The ship’s construction has proceeded at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, and recently departed for sea trials to test its seaworthiness before returning to the shipyard for final preparations before it makes its way to the U.S.
When it arrives, it will become the first cruise ship to use liquefied natural gas to be based in North America. Port Canaveral has been gearing up for its arrival as well as planning infrastructure to handle future LNG-powered cruise ships including Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Wish beginning in 2022.
The ship’s most notable feature is the nearly 800-foot-long roller coaster called Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster. Other features on board include its segmentation into six neighborhoods: Grand Central, French Quarter, La Piazza, Summer Landing, Lido and The Ultimate Playground. One unique dining option coming will be Emeril’s Bistro 1396 from Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse, who is taking his first stab at a cruise ship venue.
Other features include an expanded Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse from Food Network star Guy Fieri as well as Guy’s Burger Joint. Also on board will be Carnival mainstays like Alchemy Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Seafood Shack, BlueIguana Cantina Mexican eatery and Pizzeria del Capitano.
The ship will feature more than 20 stateroom categories including the family-friendly Family Harbor and adults-only Havana Cabana options.