It’s Vacay Time
EPIC TRAVEL GUIDE 24'
We've put together a comprehensive guide for our family and sharing with you.
With the wind in our sails and the sea stretching out before us, let's embark on this incredible voyage together. Here's to laughter, adventure, and cherished moments. Bon voyage!
CONTENTS 2 Special Message 5 Transportation 5 Carnival HUB Get familiar with this! You will use it a lot! 6 Excluded Things that are not included and will be charged to your room, payable upon debarkment 7 Itinerary A quick glance at vacation timeline 9 Embarkment Tips on how this onboarding thing goes 10 Food There is just soooo much food! 11 Zones What? Where? Go have FUN! 12 FunTimes Sample of what happens daily! 14 Debarkment It’s time to book our next cruise! WHAT’S INSIDE FOOD Setting up your HUB BEFORE you GO! HAVE FUN!!! We will not be together the entire part of this cruise! There will be dry erase boards on your door to leave each other messages! 4 5 10
Know Before You Go
Embarking on our family cruise, being well-prepared and informed will help your trip go more smoothly and an enjoyable experience. Here are things I could think up: TravelDocuments.KEEPinYOURCARRYON! []AirplaneTickets[]Passport[]ID[]CruiseTickets []Cash(min$300)
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02 03 04
Packing essentials:
[ ] Medicines [ ] Put your contact information inside of your luggage!
[ ] Bring a refillable water bottle [ ] Sunscreen [ ] Waterproof bandaids [ ] Pepto [ ] Benadryll [ ] Advil [ ] Asprin [ ] Credit card
[ ] Motion sickness patch [ ] Sun-burn relief
The day prior to your departure, you will need to check-in online. Print your boarding pass, luggage tags and choose an Arrival Appointment time This is earlier than your Sailing Departure time to allow for you to check your bags and present your documents before boarding Staggered Arrival Appointments make for a calmer, less crowded experience for everyone. PURCHASE WI-FI if you want internet! Premium Wi-Fi Plan is $170 per person.
Guests who are scheduled to arrive at the terminal early, usually check their bags with a porter so they can be free to enjoy lunch on Lido Deck before access to their stateroom is granted. Lunch is served on Lido Deck from boarding until the commencement of the safety briefing
HUB
SKIP THE LINE
Check into a virtual queue and skip the lines. We’ll simply notify you when it’s your turn.
DINE IN, VIEW MENUS & ORDER FOOD
Reserve restaurants ahead of time or checkin if you’re ready to go
View food and drink
menus via QR scans
Lounging by the pool?
Order food for delivery!
CHAT, VIEW EVENTS & SO MUCH MORE
Chat What’s Happening
Ship Maps
Food and Drinks
Account Management
Kids and Teens
Thefollowingservicesarenotincludedinthecruiseprice:
Dininginspecialtyrestaurantsandsnackingatcafesandlounges,suchasbutnotlimitedto:The Steakhouse,BonsaiSushi,BonsaiTeppanyaki, SeafoodShack,CucinadelCapitano,Chibang!,
Guy'sPig&AnchorBar-B-QueSmokehouse|Brewhouse(someitemsarefree),TheChef'sTable, Emeril'sBistro,Rudi'sSeagrill,andotherloungesthatmayservelightbites
'SteakhouseSelections'servedintheMainDiningRoom
"PizzaAnywhere"delivery
Thing1andThing2BirthdayBreakfast
24-hourroomservice(chargesapply;Continentalbreakfastiscomplimentary)
Alcoholicandnon-alcoholicbarbeverages(excludingbeveragesservedintheMainDiningRoom andLidoRestaurantsuchasnon-bottledwater,lemonade,icedtea,selectjuices,hotchocolateand non-specialtycoffeeandtea)
GiftShoppurchases
PurchasesatCherryonTopandSpecialOccasions
Spatreatments,Salonservicesandselectfitnessclasses
Gamblinginthecasino
PlayingBingoandDealorNoDeal™
VideoArcadegames
BOLTUltimateSeaCoaster$15/person
Loft19rentalforguestsnotoccupyngaCarnivalExcel-levelsuite
ArtAuctionProgram
CarnivalAdventuresShoreExcursions
Photos Internetaccessand'chat'optionontheHUBapp
Useofyoursmartphone
Ship-to-Shoretelephonecalls
Medicalservices
Laundryservices(valetorself-service)
Servicegratuitiesandtips
BOLT&RopesCourse ARE REQUIRED FOR LOSTTOWELSARE $22PERTOWEL
24HourRoomService;chargesmayapply.Roomserviceisaphonecallaway;simply accessthemenuviatheQRcodeinyourstateroom
Breakfastfrom6:00amto10:00am:complimentarycontinentalchoicesalongwithàla carteselections(chargesapply)**
Menuincludesfruit,cerealsandbakeshopgoodies,yogurt,andbeveragessuchas coffee,tea,milkandjuices
Restofday/eveningfrom10:00amto6:00am:àlacarteselections;chargesapply
Menu includes an assortment of delicious sandwiches, quesadillas, wings, chicken tenders,salads,panpizza,andyummydesserts
Beveragesfromthebarmaybeorderedthroughroomservice
*Pleasenotethatthatbeveragesorderedthroughroomservicearenotincludedinthe Cheers!andBottomlessBubblespackages
Inadditionto24HourRoomService,theCarnivalDeliandourPizzeriasareopenfor latenightsnackoptionsOnthelastmorningofthecruise,roomserviceisnotavailable; guestswillhavetheoptionofenjoyingbreakfastattheLidorestaurantorinthemain restaurant.
D e t a i l e d t i m e l i n e o f y o u r u p c o m i n g c r u i s e v a c a t i o n
DAY 1
June 8th
Boarding the Carnival Mardi Gras by 4:00 PM at Port Canaveral’s Cruise Terminal 3 (CT3)
DAYS 2-3
June 9th and 10th (I think Day 2 is Formal Night (aka Elegance Nice if you want to participate)
Sea Days: Check out FUNTIMES and choose things to do!
DAY 4
June 11th
Aruba: Thinking about taking a taking to Eagle Beach. If you go - take $3 per person for a day pass to the bathroom on the beach! Arrival at 1:00 PM, back on ship at 11:00 PM
DAY 5
June 12th
Curacao: Friends recommended Mambo Beach Arrival at 7:00 AM, back on ship at 4:00 PM
DAY 6
June 13th
Sea Day
DAY 7
June 14th
Grand Turk: Friends stated there is a beach at the port to spend the day at (note there may not be any free chairs on the beach)
Arrival at 7:00 AM, back on ship at 4:00 PM
DAY 8
June 15th
Sea Day
DAY 9
June 16th
Disembarkment
Arrival at 7:00 AM
EMBARKMENT
Complete Pre-cruise Online Check-in & Health Forms
Before you even get to the cruise terminal to board your cruise ship, remember to complete your online check in on the cruise line website or app There’s important personal information to enter that needs to be done prior to your cruise.
Print all Your Documents
Print your cruise documents including boarding pass and luggage tags and be ready for your cruise embarkation day! Do this as early as possible to avoid last minute stress.
Bring a Carry-On Bag
Since your luggage won’t arrive at your cabin until later in the day, bring a cruise carry-on bag for the first day of your cruise Whether you bring a small piece of luggage as a carry-on, a backpack or a small duffle bag, it’s a must!
Things to pack in your embarkation day include medication, valuables, laptops and tech items, sunscreen and a change of clothes. Keep your documentation and passports on you.
ELEVATORS are usually a pain to wait for!!! If you’re going up or down - just take the first available and ride it
Don’t
Expect to Go to Your Cabin Right Away
A surprise for many new cruisers, your cruise cabin probably won’t be cleaned and ready as you board your cruise ship Often this means waiting an hour or a bit longer before you can head to your stateroom and put down your bags However, you can still eat, drink and explore the ship while you wait.
Muster Drill
You can watch your safety briefing on your phone over lunch and then head over to your muster station to check in with a crew member. Cruise tip: Do your safety briefing as soon as possible after you embark so that you can enjoy your day without interruptions before sailaway
Check out Your Cabin and Drop off Your Bags
By the time you’ve eaten lunch and done your muster, your stateroom will likely be ready. Check out your cabin, and if you want to take a photo or video, go ahead It will look as perfect and welcoming as it will ever be, so now’s the time Your key will be in a sealed envelope at your room. Keys are used to turn on lights in the room.
Meet your Cabin Steward
A cabin steward or attendant who will clean your stateroom daily, as well as ensure you have everything you need to be comfortable in your cabin
Upon embarkation day, your cabin attendant will introduce themselves. Take a minute or two to chat, however keep in mind that this is a very busy time for them If you have requests, now is the time to ask
Put your Phone on Airplane Mode
This is a very practical cruise embarkation day tip –make sure to put your phone on airplane mode before your cruise ship sails away from the embarkation port Cell phone plans are not usually applicable in International waters and the charges can be enormous.
AFTERDECK this is the rear/back
the ship
section of
FOOD!!!
Main Dining Rooms: Palm & Flamingo Restaurants
At the heart of the Mardi Gras dining experience are the Palm and Flamingo Restaurants, offering a sophisticated atmosphere for breakfast, brunch, and dinner These main dining rooms share the same rotating menus
Port Day Breakfast: Palm Restaurant 7:00-9:00am
Sea Day Brunch: Palm Restaurant 8:30am-12pm.
Sea Day Tea Time: Flamingo Restaurant 3:004:00pm
Dinner: Early seating 5:00pm • Late seating 7:45pm • Anytime Dining 5:00-9:00pm
More places to eat!
Big Chicken (INCLUDED, free) Breakfast, Lunch
BlueIguana Cantina (INCLUDED, free) Breakfast, Lunch
ChiBang! (first meal free, after it’s $?) Sea Day Lunch, Dinner
Fresh Creations (INCLUDED, free - but located at Adult Only Section) Sea Day Lunch
Guy’s Burger Joint (INCLUDED, free) Sea Day Lunch, Sea Day Dinner
Guy’s Pig & Anchor BBQ (I think free on sea days) Sea Day Breakfast, Sea Day Lunch, ***DINNER IS $$$
NOT INCLUDED, & there is a section for up-charge
Lido Marketplace (INCLUDED, free) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ***Does MADE-TO-ORDER Omlets!
Piazza Panini (INCLUDED, free) Lunch, Dinner
Pizzeria del Capitano (INCLUDED, free) 9:00 AM to 4:00 AM
Street Eats: Steam Dream, Sizzle, Time Fries (INCLUDED, free) Sea Day Lunch
Specialty Dining
Bonsai Sushi (a la carte $2-$22) Sea Day Lunch, Dinner
Bonsai Teppanyaki ($38 lunch, $42 dinner per person) Sea day Lunch, Dinner
Cucina del Capitano (Italian) (first meal free, after it’s $24 per person) Dinner
Emeril’s Bistro 1396 (approx $6-$20 per item)
Breakfast, Sea Day Lunch, Dinner
Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse (approx. $49 per person) Dinner
JavaBlue Cafe (approx $4-$7 per item) Breakfast, Sea Day Lunch, Dinner
Rudi’s Seagrill (approx. $49 per person) Dinner
Seafood Shack (approx. $4-$12 per item) Lunch, Dinner
Beverages
The following beverages served in the Main Dining Room and 24/7 in the Lido Restaurant: non-bottled water, lemonade, iced tea, hot chocolate and nonspecialty coffee and tea
COFFEE is available on Deck 8 at Italian Bar
Pepsi
Diet Pepsi
Pepsi Zero Sugar
Caffeine Free Pepsi
Diet Pepsi Caffeine Free
Sierra Mist
Sierra Mist Zero Sugar
Mug Root Beer
Mountain Dew
Diet Mountain Dew
Bubly Lime Sparkling Water
Bubly Blackberry Sparkling Water
Cocktail-lovers will flock to the New Orleans-themed French Quarter, which has two of the best new bars we've seen on a ship in years: The Brass Magnolia (has jazz music), which has a dark lounge with live music and a lofty botanical bar complete with mixologists; and the Fortune Teller Bar, has a solo singer at night in a velvet lounge feel. By contrast, the Patio at Summer Landing area goes for an outdoor BBQ vibe with games like cornhole. ***REDFROG has a large beer selection. ***Bar Della Rosa on Deck 8 offers speciality coffees also.
Fun Zones
In addition to all your fan-favorite Carnival features, you can choose even more fun on Mardi Gras. Fun fact: this ship was our first to introduce distinctive onboard zones where you can take minionboard excursions to different “worlds” and experiences! Here are some of the fun highlights you’ll find across Mardi Gras’ zones:
Grand Central
Your vacation has to kick off somewhere, and on Mardi Gras, that place is Grand Central Picture high ceilings, plus floor-to-ceiling windows with see-it-to-believe-it ocean views. When the sun goes down, this gorgeous atrium transforms into a spectacular show venue. Don’t forget to hit up spots like JavaBlue Café, Bonsai Sushi, and Piano Bar 88 to satisfy all your cravings!
French Quarter
Inspired by the vibrant culture, lively atmosphere, and incredible flavors of New Orleans, the French Quarter is lined with bars and restaurants that are sure to make your mouth water! That includes our Chief Culinary Officer’s very own Emeril’s Bistro 1396 and bars like The Brass Magnolia and the Fortune Teller that are known for their A-plus drinks and live jazz.
Summer Landing
steamrooms
The fun never stops at Summer Landing, aka “the greatest chill spot at sea.” Whether you’re savoring Guy Fieri’s freshly-smoked BBQ over at Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse or sipping on a cool drink from poolside bar The Watering Hole, Summer Landing is here to keep the summertime vibes coming all year long.
La Piazza
Step back and let la dolce vita do its thing at La Piazza! This zone brings the spirit of Italy with the perfect pairing of atmosphere and flavor, whether you’re enjoying the family-style meals of Cucina del Capitano, fresh slices over at Pizzeria del Capitano, Piazza Panini’s hot-pressed sammies, or the authentic perfectlypoured drinks at Bar della Rosa.
Lido
If you’ve cruised with Carnival before, you already know Lido. But trust us you’ve never seen it like this. The fun and flavor? It’s all here Dig into South Pacific vibes at RedFrog Tiki Bar, global street food delights at Street Eats, the latest from Shaq’s Big Chicken, and, of course, Carnival favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint, Seafood Shack, and BlueIguana Cantina.
The Ultimate Playground
Nobody plays like Carnival. The Ultimate Playground offers thrills you won’t find anywhere else, including BOLT, the first and only rollercoaster at sea! Believe it or not, BOLT is just the beginning when it comes to this thrill-filled, all-ages playground. The Ultimate Playground is also home to one of the largest Carnival WaterWorks, plus the full mini-golf course, full-court basketball, ropes course, and more
Deck 17 has an arcade - THIS IS NOT FREE
FUNTIMES
A new FUNTIMES will be delivered daily! Seats at shows can fill up fast! Get there early if you are really wanting to see something.
DEBARKMENT
Debarkment Information
This information is provided to you in your stateroom the night prior. You will be given a zone of where to debark.
Luggage
Once you have your luggage in the terminal, guests will be split into two lines One line is for passports and the other for birth certificates. ***Passport line moves faster because they use optical scanners.
Transportation
Look for white Ford transit vans with Radisson Resort or Cocoa Beach Express magnetic stickers
COCOA BEACH EXPRESS They will take us to the airport
We sincerely hope that you had a fantastic time on this unforgettable cruise adventure. We aimed to provide you with all the information needed to make your trip enjoyable and stress-free We hope this guide helped you navigate and enhance your experience, allowing you to create wonderful memories.
Thank you so much for joining us on this memorable journey Your presence made it truly special, and we are grateful for the time we spent together. Here's to many more adventures in the future!
Instructions
Working in pairs or individually, you will have until the end of the cruise to complete the photography scavenger hunt below.
Remember to stay safe while taking photos and avoid any shot that puts you or others in danger. Always ask for permission before photographing anyone.
A view that took your breath SCENE
Random moment with family CANDID
HEY LOOK!
Something you want others to see
HAPPY FACES
Candid of smiling family
What amazed you?
Something that made you laugh FUNNY
Something packed but not used at all UNUSED
THRILLING
What gave you anxiety but FUN!
Something you appreciate/grateful APPRECIATE
A shadow that caught your eye SHADOW
A family member dancing DANCING
NEXT TIME
What do you want to try next time?
A Unique or odd area. QUIRKY SPOT
Something you could eat everyday FOOD
Any signs of love/caring HEART
FOOTSTEPS
Literal, or a popular walking spot.
No line at the elevator ELEVATOR
Instrument or music-related spot
Something you want to do again
Anything interesting YOUR PICK
SURPRISE
MUSIC
AGAIN!