Carnival Cruise Line’s much anticipated 180,000 ton ship, has been given a name that harkens back to the beginnings of the company. The new ship, previously only known as Carnival XL, will be called Mardi Gras. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because the Mardi Gras was the name of the first ship to sail for Carnival Cruise Line.
The original 27,000-ton TSS Mardi Gras, a converted trans-Atlantic ocean liner purchased by entrepreneur and Carnival founder Ted Arison, ushered in the modern-day cruise industry when it set sail on its inaugural voyage in 1972, helping to transform cruising from an experience once reserved for the elite into a mainstream vacation accessible and affordable to everyone.
In keeping with Carnival’s tradition of fun, the cruise line revealed the ship’s name on the popular game show, Wheel of Fortune on its signature Puzzleboard at the conclusion of the broadcast.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line said:
Our first ship Mardi Gras was a historic vessel, introducing a brand new style of cruising to the vacationing public. What better way to pay tribute to our company’s nearly 50-year history of creating wonderful vacation memories than by naming this groundbreaking vessel after our original and beloved ‘Fun Ship,’”
“The new Mardi Gras will follow the trailblazing lead of her predecessor, introducing features and technological innovations that have never been seen before on a cruise ship while setting a new standard for seagoing vacations.”
When completed, the Mardi Gras will be the largest Carnival Cruise Line cruise ship ever. It will also be the first in North America to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), part of Carnival Corporation’s green cruising platform. At 180,000 tons, the new Mardi Gras will be more than six times the size of its namesake.
Currently under construction at Meyer Turku in Finland, and scheduled to be delivered in 2020, the 5,200-plus lower berth vessel will offer a variety of never-before-seen innovations and attractions. Carnival has announced plans to base the Mardi Gras in Port Canaveral, Florida, which will feature a new state-of-the-art terminal.
Itineraries for Mardi Gras will be announced in January 2019 and go on sale later that same month. Excited cruisers can sign up to be the first to hear about Mardi Gras and receive an exclusive offer by visiting https://www.carnival.com/Registration/Promotions/Mardi-Gras.aspx