• Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras completed a comprehensive dry dock refurbishment in Marseilles, France.
• The ship added interconnecting doors to 100 staterooms for family and group travel flexibility.
• Enhancements included an expanded casino, redesigned retail spaces, and improved accessibility features.
• Mardi Gras will return to Port Canaveral to continue year-round Caribbean service, including new shorter itineraries starting in 2027.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel-class ship, Mardi Gras, has completed a comprehensive dry dock in Marseilles, France, and has now set sail on a 15-day transatlantic voyage from Barcelona back to its homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida. The refurbishment focused on enhancing the guest experience, particularly for multi-generational families and large groups.

A key enhancement is the introduction of new interconnecting doors across 100 staterooms, providing increased flexibility and space for families and groups traveling together. Beyond staterooms, public areas also received updates, including the expansion of the ship’s casino with new slot machines. Retail venues such as Tag Heuer, Breitling, Pandora, and Swarovski were refreshed, and the Carnival Adventures desk received a new layout to streamline the booking of shore excursions.

The dry dock also included important modifications to improve accessibility, featuring redesigned walkways and upgraded amenities in both public areas and selected guest cabins. The ship’s return marks the first time an Excel-class vessel has undergone this type of comprehensive dry dock, setting a precedent for future fleet enhancements.

Following its transatlantic journey, which includes stops in Spain and the Canary Islands, Mardi Gras will resume year-round service from Port Canaveral with seven- to nine-day Caribbean itineraries. Furthermore, in 2027, the ship is scheduled to become the first Excel-class vessel to offer shorter four- and five-day Caribbean cruises, signaling a diversification of its travel offerings.