Mardi Gras Cruise Review - February 19, 2022

Mardi Gras Cruise Review - February 19, 2022

Just The Facts:
Ship:  Mardi Gras…Largest & flagship of the Carnival fleet. 182,000 gross tons. 5282 capacity.
Ship Captain: Allessandro Iemmi   -  Hotel Director: Damir Mrsic  - Cruise Director: Chris, the Flying Scotsman
Ports: Port Canaveral - Cozumel, Mexico - Costa Maya, Mexico - Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan Honduras

This is my forth cruise on Carnival’s new flagship, Mardi Gras, My 93rd Carnival cruise, and my 174th cruise overall.  I am sailing as a solo on my second leg of a B2B2B2B, four consecutive cruises on the Mardi Gras.  I am meeting a group of my regular sailing friends this week.

Day One -- Saturday --  February 19th, 2022 -- Port Canaveral -- Embarkation 

We had smoother seas overnight but I didn’t sleep well. I couldn’t get to sleep yet I was up early than I wished to pack since I have to change cabins for this cruise. I packed in less than an hour and since the food venues were open early…I did the Blue Iguana at about 7:30 am. They began regularly announcing self-debarkation by 7:05 am so I assume the Diamonds and other priorities must have rolled off before 7:20 am. After breakfast, I went to the B2B guest met at 8:45 pm in the MDR. We received our new cards, a voucher for a cocktail, and a voucher for a photo, these were to replace the little B2B ceremony we usually get. About 120 guests were doing the B2B. About 9:50 am we were taken down to customs and went through a facial recognition ID. Then back on the ship by 10:15 am. Easy Peasy. I went up to my new balcony cabin on deck 16 and my bags were there so plenty of time to set up my cabin. I then did my Muster Drill check-in. I was meeting my cruise group in the Summer Landing so I started the day by purchasing a Mason Jar mug from the Pig & Anchor bar, these can be refilled for a discount and I can use them for the next three cruises. I had BBQ for lunch and the 32 oz. mug of draft beer. All my friends were on board by 2:00 pm so I retired to the cabin for some rest. Safety drill announcements make a nap difficult, but I did meet my cabin steward Rose and requested ice, robe, and mid-day service. I did enjoy the Elation sailing past us and our sail away…it will be nice having the balcony this week. I met the group at the Brass Magnolia for cocktails at 6:00, New Age was playing, then we went as a group to the Pig & Anchor for dinner as the Filet Mignon is on the nightly special on this night. I had the Filet, St. Louis style Pork Ribs, the pickled vegetables, Slaw, and Fries. It was excellent. The best meal, by far, on the Mardi Gras in my opinion (photo above). After dinner some of the group went to the casino, some to explore the ship, some to the Center Stage…I retired to the cabin. It was an easy and great day with old friends onboard the Mardi Gras.

 

Day Two -- Sunday --  February 20th, 2022 -- Fun Day at Sea 

Smooth seas and I slept very well. I was awake before dawn and browsing on the internet and updating this blog as usual but did go back to sleep. I was up about 9:00ish and it is a cloudy day hopefully many of the 5200+ guests will be able to get some sun and deck time today, if not it will be very crowded inside. I picked up my Diamond gift and Pin from Pixels on the way to Summer Landing. I met friends for a super-sized Bloody Mary and had a nice breakfast from the Pig & Anchor buffet: Eggs Benedict, Bacon, Potatoes, and Grapefruit. Afterward, I picked up my $25 free play chip from the casino, I still have last week's chip, I’ve been too busy to play. The Sun began to break just after the Captain's noon announcements. My balcony had the most sun of anyplace on the ship so I sat out for a little while and enjoyed a Coca-cola. Thankfully I later got some shade and had some great balcony/cabin time this afternoon. I finally set up my little JBL speaker and hung it with a magnet on the wall by the TV and balcony door. Perfect. About 4:00 pm I went on a walkabout then stopped at the Alchemy Bar for a nice cocktail by Daniel.  I met the gang at the Brass Magnolia for cocktails at 5:30 pm. Nice social time before our group reservations for La Cucina de Capitano at 6:30 pm. We had a nice large table and our waiter was Winsu who waited on me twice before back on the Carnival Sunshine ten years ago. Tonight I ordered: the Arancini, Nonna’s Meatballs, a Pasta Pomodoro (as a starter), and the Lobster Tail entree. It was a very good and filling meal and some great FUN among good friends. The group split up for Music, Casino, or a Nightcap.  It was a FUN and lazy sea day on the Mardi Gras.

 

Day Three -- Monday — February 21st, 2022 — Isla Cozumel, Mexico 

Smooth seas overnight and I again slept well. We arrived at Puerto Maya earlier than the 10:00 am scheduled arrival time. I met a friend for breakfast at the Blue Iguana and I had the usual Huevos Rancheros with fried eggs, Watermelon, and Arepas. I prepared laundry for pick up, thank you Diamond VIFP Club for the complimentary service. I met the group at noon and we shared a van into San Miguel ($16 for 8). We went to Woody’s Bar & Grill located just off the main square where we had a table reserved for us. We enjoyed Hamburgers, Cokes, Beers, Guacamole, and more. The live music was fantastic today and we made a day of it. Some went shopping, had pedicures, or visited the church. I was surprised with a Birthday Cake so that was special indeed. Thanks, Woody’s and Nelly. Most returned to the ship earlier than I but that allowed me time to use the great internet and get an hour + of work done. I returned to the ship about 5:00ish. I met some of the group for cocktails in the French Quarters Brass Magnolia for cocktails then we went to dinner at ChiBang. I ordered the Egg Drop Soup, the Slow-Braised Pot Belly, Kung Pow Chicken (very spicy) with Hakka Noodles as the side dish, and Ice Creme for dessert. I have dined in ChiBang several times, but tonight was the first time I knew that they had a ‘showtime’. It was two Dragons that marched around the room to music…interesting to many I suppose. After dinner a walkabout then cabin time. Bosque Travel booked six cruises online this evening. It was a surprising day in Cozumel today.

 

Day Four -- Tuesday --  February 22nd, 2022 -- Costa Maya, Mexico  

Smooth seas overnight and I slept very well. I woke about 9:00 am after a late night and we were already docked at the pier in Puerto Costa Maya. I continued some business and actually was able to log into some secure accounts that require secondary security by using the Carnival WiFi on my laptop and my iPhone using data through Mexico. Luckily my balcony is high on the ship and I’m facing the mainland so good signal. Sometimes we do need to work especially when on a long trip. I went to Big Chicken for lunch, Tender Basket with Slaw…maybe the best food on the ship. I saw some guests with Guy’s Burgers and they looked to be cooked correctly so I’ll give them another chance this cruise. About 2:00 pm I went to ride The BOLT, the only roller coaster at sea. No line at all just a steady flow of riders as doing the reservation online helps tremendously. The ride was great, I just let the governor speed take me around because on a previous ride I was going full throttle and was going too fast to enjoy the views and ride. I only used the booster when I came through the terminal for the second loop. Later watching the video that my friend took it looks like an old man just barely moving along, but believe me it seemed fast to me. It would take some practice to actually drive it perfectly through the course. Bottom line: It was FUN. I stopped by Red Frog Tiki Bar briefly as I saw new friends and got the celebratory birthday ‘bells and whistles’ from Pedro the bartender. Nice to be recognized without them seeing it on the ticket. I did not go ashore today but used the opportunity to call home as I have telephone service in Mexico. I later did a walkabout stopping at Cherry on Top for another gift card and at Fortune Teller for a cocktail. Smaller group meeting at Brass Magnolia and for dinner tonight at La Cucina de Capitano. Tonight I ordered my favorites: the Arancini & Nonna’s Meatballs then new items: Ligurian Minestrone soup and the Chicken Parmesan entree. Excellent as was the service and we had a nice table. Group split for various events and venues. It was an excellent Birthday on the Mardi Gras.

 

Day Five -- Wednesday --  February 23rd, 2022 -- Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan, Honduras  

A little rocking of the seas overnight and I slept well but short time. I woke very early and out of habit from living in the country (without bandwidth) taking advantage of faster internet times. We began docking before morning light by 7:00 am. I went back to sleep and had cabin time until noon. I met the group on deck 8 and we went up to deck 18 to watch a couple ride the BOLT at 1:00 pm. While up on deck 18 Sports Deck I had a game on Miniature Golf on the 9-hole course, I had not done that in a while, I did get one Ace. I’ll do it again. I planned on doing the slide but it wasn’t open for some reason. The entire group went to Guy’s Burgers for a late lunch, it was good, properly cooked Guy’s style. We also decided we won’t be meeting for dinner this evening, it was a filling late lunch, I had balcony and cabin time the rest of the afternoon…I have a great view of Mahogany Bay (photo above) and a good combination of shade and sun on my little piece of Lido deck. I went to the Fortune Teller for some cocktails about 7:00 pm then ended up at the Alchemy Bar where Pedro prepared an interesting Absinthe cocktail…so good I had to have another. I enjoyed the show with Alchemists Jennifer and Pedro and visiting with the guests at the Bar very much. Good to know the younger generation of Alchemists are talented and entertaining. I did a walk about the ship before returning to the cabin, a lot going on on this large and beautiful ship. It was a FUN day on the Mardi Gras in Mahogany Bay Roatan.

Day Six -- Thursday --  February 24th, 2022 -- Fun Day at Sea 

Somewhat rocky seas overnight but I slept very well and late for me. Many of the group met in Summer Landing for Bloody Marys and that was my breakfast, but with three slices of bacon on the drink, it was fine. I met the group +1 in the Brass Magnolia prior to the Diamond Luncheon at noon. With over 200 Diamonds on board, it’s a big turnout for the luncheon. We actually sat at my favorite table plus a four top so all was well, especially with two of my favorite cocktail servers assisting. For lunch, I ordered the Lobster Bisque, the Pork Belly, the NY Strip Steak entree, and the Fruit Plate for dessert. The food was good, but as a good friend mentioned, ‘we’re here for the drinks’. It was a FUN get-together. Afterward, I had cabin time, tried to nap, but very busy with client bookings and financial accounts. Being on a cruise ship certainly contrasts the current world outside. I feel sorry for crew who are from the Ukraine.  Guests out on deck were enjoying the cooler than normal weather so staying in the sun perhaps too long. Tonight is the second elegant night so we decided to eat in the MDR as did most of the other guests. We had a 20+ minute wait for seating that is acceptable on a busy night, but the service was also very slow. The food was good though. Tonight I ordered: two Shrimp Cocktails, Stuffed Mushrooms, Four Season Salad, and the Filet Mignon. After dinner cocktails at the Alchemy Bar were very nice. I retired after the mini Mardi Gras parade came by the bar on their way for the late Mardi Gras show on the Center Stage. I watched a movie in the cabin, Carnival doesn’t many choices on the Video on Demand channel, but the big screen TV in the cabin is wonderful. It was a nice Day at Sea on the Mardi Gras.

 

Day Seven -- Friday --  February 25th, 2022 -- Fun Day at Sea  

Smooth seas and I slept very well. I woke at a normal 7:30 am this morning and had my morning accounting done by 9:00 am. So off to the Summer Landing for a Bloody Mary. I used my Sea Day Brunch drink voucher and had my first at the bar, then had a nice Breakfast topped off with another Bloody Mary and beignets from Emerils. Thanks, friends. Not busy this morning in Summer Landing perhaps because the weather is the best of the cruise and most guests are on deck. Walkabout on the ship including some area never seen on outer deck 8. I had my Rapid-antigen Test at 1:30, I was a bit early and it went very fast. I had a quick BBQ lunch with a friend then went to the Platinum/Diamond Party in the Mardi Gras Theater at 4:00 pm. Following the party, our group met at Fortune Teller Bar for cocktails. Dinner tonight was at La Cucina de Capitano. Tonight I ordered my favorites: the Arancini & Nonna’s Meatballs then different items: Ligurian Minestrone and the Farfalle Al Pistachio entree. Apple Crostata was my dessert, and everything was very good. Service again by Winsu. After dinner, the group split up to Casino, the Centerstage, or back to the cabin to pack. I did a walkabout then retired early. It was a lovely final sea day on the Mardi Gras.

Highlights of the Cruise

The fortune to stay on board for an additional cruise

Alchemy Bar, Fortune Teller Bar, Pig & Anchor Bar

Pig & Anchor BBQ, Big Chicken, Cucina de Capitano, ChiBang

Diamond Luncheon