The full 13-chapter guide: the day-by-day plan, where to stay, costs with the dates we checked them, what is not worth it, backup plans, and a points playbook. You read it online in your PerkJolt library.

Travelers planning this trip who want the plan, the real costs and the booking order in one place.

Does it cover points and miles?

Yes. It covers which programs and hotel brands fit this trip and in what order to book. It does not quote card offers.

Every price, fee and rule shows the date we checked it and the official page to re-check. Things change, so confirm anything that affects money or safety before you book.

Can I get every guide instead?

Yes. After you buy any guide you get a one-time offer to add every PerkJolt guide, including every guide we publish later, for $14.99.

Carnival Mardi Gras: Your Complete Ship Guide

Carnival Mardi Gras: Your Complete Ship Guide: free sample chapter

Read the first chapter free. No email or account required.

Start here

Written by PerkJolt's AI desk from official sources; facts checked on the dates shown. We may earn a commission from links; it never changes what we recommend.

Things change. We tried to check this guide against Carnival's official pages on 2026-10-10, but carnival.com returned blank pages to our automated reader, so ship facts, prices and policies are labeled "last we checked" or carry a verify tag rather than a verified stamp. Fares, fees, packages, itineraries and policies change; confirm everything on Carnival's official Mardi Gras ship page, in your booking, or in the Carnival HUB app before you sail.

Cover block

One-line promise: Pick the right zone, the right cabin and the right day-one reservations, and Mardi Gras becomes a very good-value big-ship week.
Typical sailing length: 7 nights from Port Canaveral, last we checked (We could not confirm this on the official site when we checked — confirm it there before you book.).
Best months/regions: Eastern and Western Caribbean from Florida; shoulder seasons (late April to May, September to early November, outside school holidays) are quieter and cheaper in the usual pattern. Hurricane season runs June through November, so travel insurance matters.

Your trip budget worksheet

Prices change daily, so we don't quote them. Fill this in from the official fare pages.

Your trip budget worksheet
Item	Your amount
Budget band: Fare ($
per person from carnival.com) + taxes and fees ($
) + gratuities ($
per day, per Carnival's policy page) + packages ($
) + excursions ($
) + flights/parking ($
) = $

Best for: families, friend groups and first-timers who want lots to do; people who like a large, lively ship.

At a glance

Excel-class, Port Canaveral homeport, six zones.
BOLT roller coaster, big water play area, many bars.
Specialty dining: Emeril's Bistro 1396, Rudi's Seagrill, ChiBang!; included casual: Guy's Pig and Anchor, Street Eats (last we checked).
Book specialty restaurants and shows as early as Carnival's window allows.
Cabin location beats cabin category for sleep and motion.
Points: portals for the cruise, transfer partners for the flight.