Hi, I’m Shani, the Wife half of the duo. After 16 months of very limited travel Have Wife Will Travel is finally setting sail (literally) to destinations mostly known at least to us. After not being able to travel for the better part of the last year and a half we (Shani, Rob and the teen) will be embarking on a relatively simple cruise to the Eastern Caribbean with my mom and two of our cousins.
After returning from a ten day trip back East to visit family, we came home ready to take a true vacation. We had originally planned to head to Seattle for a concert but when those plans changed we realized we really needed to do “something”. A few internet searches later and we decided to book ourselves onto the Inaugural sailing of Carnival’s newest ship Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras is set to sail from Port Canaveral on July 31st on what they are calling a “pre-inaugural” sailing. As of right now the cruise is set to sail with 95% vaccinated passengers, with the only exceptions being reserved for those who legitimately cannot be vaccinated which includes families with children under the age of 12. It should be noted that the amenities on board for those families will be significantly limited. Since we are vaccinated and our only offspring doesn’t fit that category we booked.
Booked is putting it mildly. With the launch of the Mardi Gras Carnival is also launching a new category of rooms. Excel Suites have upgraded amenities and unlimited access to another new feature for Carnival, Loft 19. We were able to snag the last Aft Excel Suite, which is a two room suite with a wrap-around balcony overlooking the Summer Landing area of the ship and the Patio Pool. Oh, and there’s a hot tub on our balcony. The suite was a definite splurge after not travelling in so long and we are looking forward to the experience.
Because there are still travel restrictions in some ports of call, the initial itinerary is rather uninspiring with three sea days and ports including San Juan, Nassau and Amber Cove. Given the amenities on the ship we will likely take the opportunity to explore vs spending a lot of time on shore. Although we may step onshore to wander on our own for a few hours.
Carnival’s website has plenty of pictures of all of the cabins onboard in all of the available categories. In addition to the standard offerings you’ll find Spa, Family Harbor and Havana rooms onboard as well. There are also a host of restaurants both included and those available for a slight upcharge. The ship also features Bolt, the first at sea roller coaster. Whether any of us are brave enough to take a ride on a roller coaster 20 stories above the Atlantic Ocean remains to be seen.
Stay tuned we will be posting our reviews of the ship, the amenities we take advantage of, places we opt to visit on shore as well as our overall experiences as a family with travelers ranging in age from 14 to 74 as we embark on the relaunching of the American Cruise industry.
Anchor’s Away!
Shani
Have Wife, Will Travel 