Carnival Mardi Gras vs. Carnival Celebration: Which is Better?
Mardi Gras vs. Carnival Celebration: Which Carnival Titan Should You Choose?
Welcome back to Traveling Flamingo! This is Aron and Linda, and today we're comparing Carnival's two titans: Mardi Gras vs. Carnival Celebration.
They may look like identical twins, but these massive Excel-class ships have unique personalities. Both are packed with dining, entertainment, and the epic BOLT roller coaster at sea. The layouts are the same, which makes it easy to navigate if you've been on one (though we still got lost finding the elevators to the sports deck!).
So, what's actually different?
1. The "Neighborhood Swap"
The biggest difference is the theming. Two key "neighborhoods" are completely different on each ship.
On Mardi Gras:
The French Quarter: A charming, New Orleans-themed zone with live jazz at The Brass Magnolia bar.
La Piazza: An Italian-inspired area with 24/7 pizza and Cucina del Capitano.
On Carnival Celebration:
820 Biscayne: A bright, retro-Miami zone (a nod to Carnival's roots) with the Deco Deli and Miami Slice pizzeria.
The Gateway: A cool, travel-themed area with giant LED "windows" displaying virtual destinations.
2. The Heart of the Ship (The Atrium)
The main atrium (Grand Central on Mardi Gras, Celebration Central on Celebration) is the entertainment hub. Both are stunning, three-deck-high venues, but Celebration features more advanced, movable LED screens for its high-tech shows. We loved getting coffee from JavaBlue here and watching rehearsals!
3. Bars & Entertainment
Aside from the neighborhood bars, the biggest change is the incredible Golden Jubilee lounge on Celebration. It replaces The Brass Magnolia and is a "must-see" floating museum dedicated to Carnival's 50-year history, filled with actual artifacts from retired ships.
Both ships feature Playlist Productions and comedy clubs, but the show lineups are different. This is a huge plus, as you can sail on both sister ships and enjoy a completely new set of entertainment. (Just be sure to get to the theater early to grab a seat!)
What's the Same? (The Good Stuff!)
Foodies, don't worry! All the fan-favorite, included food venues are on both ships:
🍔 Guy’s Burgers
🍗 Shaq’s Big Chicken
🌮 Blue Iguana Cantina (Our little one loved the tacos! Pro tip: Check their hours, as they close between meals.)
🥡 Street Eats
🥢 Chibang!
The buffet wasn't our favorite on either, but with so many amazing quick-service options, we were happy.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Honestly, both ships are fantastic. The atmosphere is massive, with quiet adult-only areas, fun party zones by the pool, and everything in between.
🚢 Choose Mardi Gras if: You love the romantic, jazzy vibe of the French Quarter and the Italian-themed La Piazza.
🚢 Choose Carnival Celebration if: You're a Carnival fan who will love the nostalgia of The Golden Jubilee or you're drawn to the retro-Miami theme.
For us, the ships are so similar that we would simply choose based on which one has the better itinerary or which is cheaper.
Which ship would you pick — Mardi Gras or Celebration? Let us know in the comments!
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