Mardi Gras

You are in the driver's seat on this all electric, open air rollercoaster, taking a motorcycle style vehicle around an approximately 800 foot track. Control your own speed, check the digital speedometer and take in 360 degree ocean views from high above the sea.

Find it aft on Deck 18 in Ultimate Playground. Wear closed toe athletic sneakers and workout clothing, and note that under 12s must ride with someone aged 15 or over.

On Deck 18, Serenity is your adults only corner of Mardi Gras, for guests aged 21 and over. Settle in with sea breezes, a book or someone worth switching your phone off for, then take a dip in the salt water pool, which is 4 feet 9 inches deep.

Fresh Creations serves a complimentary made to order salad lunch, with greens, toppings and dressings to build your way. The Serenity Bar has cocktails and frozen drinks when the mood calls for one.

Cloud 9 Spa on forward Deck 5 is where you swap shipboard bustle for proper switch-off time. Choose a Swedish Massage, a facial or a body treatment, then ease into the infrared heat chamber or aroma steam chamber.

You must be 18 or over to use the spa facilities. Staying in a Cloud 9 Spa stateroom or suite? Thermal suite access is included. Otherwise, daily or cruise-duration passes are available.

Fancy seeing whether your family knows the answers, or merely has strong opinions? Family Feud Live is a TV-style game show on an authentic set, complete with the Face-Off podium and Fast Money round, hosted by your cruise director.

Bring a team of five and sign up to audition if you fancy playing. You must be 12 or over to compete, but all ages can watch the onstage answers unravel.

WaterWorks on Deck 18 is where you trade lounging for a proper soaking. Tackle the 265 foot Twister Waterslide, take Blue Lightning headfirst on a mat, or brave Orange Thunder’s standing-start drop.

Little ones have the Mini Racer and splash area, while the 150 gallon Power Drencher has no respect for dry hair. Slides generally run from 9am until sunset, with daily times in the Carnival HUB app.

Familiar songs get the full musical-theatre treatment at Playlist Productions, with singers, dancers and enough stage energy to make staying in your seat feel optional.

Head to the Mardi Gras Theater, forward on Decks 6 and 7, for playlists spanning pop, rock, soul and more. Showtimes vary by sailing, so check your onboard schedule before you go.

Camp Ocean gives children aged 2 to 11 their own patch of the ship, midship on Deck 4. Penguins, Stingrays and Sharks have age-tailored games, arts and crafts, science, movies and video gaming, including Design Your Own Aquarium.

Scheduled daytime programming is complimentary, while the late evening Night Owls session carries a charge. Register before you sail, Carnival recommends it and capacity can be limited.

Professional comedians take to the stage at this live stand-up venue, forward on Deck 6. Choose a family-friendly performance or an adult-only show, depending on how blue you like your humour.

There is no cover charge or two-drink minimum. Check the Carnival Hub App or your daily Fun Times programme for showtimes, then settle in for a proper laugh.

SportSquare is your open air playground at the aft of Decks 18 and 19. Take on the ropes course, putt your way around nine holes of mini golf, or make your case for being the family basketball champion.

There is also a padded jogging track, outdoor fitness area and games including ping pong and shuffleboard. For basketball, football or volleyball, pack closed toe trainers and workout clothes. Height and weight restrictions apply to relevant attractions.

Perched on Mardi Gras's highest deck, Loft 19 is an open-air retreat for sun loungers, a private pool and an infinity whirlpool. Settle into the lounge areas, take the slow route through the afternoon and make use of the full bar service.

You can reserve a private cabana, with fresh fruit, chilled towels and lunch delivery among the available extras. Carnival Excel Suite guests have complimentary access and priority for cabana reservations.

For teens aged 15 to 17, Club O2 on Deck 17 is a dedicated lounge where the grown-ups need not apply. You can drop in for video games, karaoke, music, sports and themed events, with an outdoor space in the mix.

Programmes are supervised and included in your cruise fare. Get registered by a parent or guardian before your first visit, as capacity can be limited on some sailings.

For ages 12 to 14, Circle C is the supervised midship hangout on Deck 17, made for cruising, chilling and connecting with fellow teens.

They can dip into games, karaoke, video gaming and dance parties, with outdoor movies and more in the mix. A parent or guardian must register them first, then there is no sign-in or sign-out requirement.

Fancy seeing the sea from nearly 150 feet up? In SportSquare, this 600-foot aerial challenge has rope bridges, swinging steps and suspended beams, with two levels to tackle at your own pace.

You are secured in a safety harness throughout. Wear closed-toe athletic trainers and workout clothing, and check the height and weight limits before you go.

A proper switch-off spot within the Cloud 9 Spa on Deck 5, with heat-based relaxation areas for those who prefer dry warmth or more humid conditions. You can also make time for the large hot-tub spa.

The suite is for guests aged 18 and over, and Cloud 9 Spa stateroom guests have unlimited thermal-suite access for the first two adults. Day passes are available onboard, while cruise-length passes can also be pre-purchased.

Night Owls is Carnival’s supervised late night childcare programme for children aged 6 months to 11 years, held in Camp Ocean on Deck 4, midship. While they settle in with films, crafts, toys, video games and snacks, you can make the most of your evening.

It has the feel of a slumber party, with pillows and blankets for sleepy heads. Let the Youth Staff know during the day if your child will be attending.

Create a personalised stuffed friend to take home, choosing your animal, clothing and accessories. Dogs, bunnies, sharks, sea turtles and a Carnival exclusive bear can all make the cut.

It is fun for all ages, so you need not be travelling with little ones to get involved. Look out for the event details in the onboard FunTimes, as this is an event rather than an always open shop.

Settle into a poolside lounge chair, or watch from the water, as recent blockbusters and sporting events light up the large LED screen on Deck 16, midship in the Lido area.

Evenings can come with popcorn and blankets for a film under the stars. Check your Fun Times newsletter for showtimes, then bring your best serious cinema face.

When the sun goes down, the Lido Deck comes alive with a DJ, games, giveaways and enough line dancing to loosen up even the most determined sit-down spectator. The cruise director, Fun Squad and fellow guests keep the energy moving under the stars.

You can join the party by the Lido Deck Pool, with food and tropical cocktails part of the occasion. Check your FunTimes programme for the latest time and location, as the schedule can change by sailing.

Five salt-water pools give you plenty of ways to spend a sea day, from a proper swim to the serious business of doing very little. Choose the Beach Pool on Lido Deck 16 for the buzz, or head aft to Aft Tides Pool for wake views and two adjoining hot tubs.

For quieter soaking, Serenity Pool is reserved for guests aged 21 and over. Havana Pool is exclusively for Havana accommodation and Carnival Excel Presidential Suite guests.

Fancy a game where the numbers are the main event? Head to the Mardi Gras Theater on Deck 6 or 7 forward for lively Bingo, where you mark your card with a dauber as the calls come in and the room joins the fun.

Prizes add to the suspense, and beverage service is available during activities. Check the daily Fun Times programme for session times. You must be 18 or over to buy a card and play.

Cherry on Top is Mardi Gras' candy and celebrations shop, where you can browse bulk sweets, food gifts and logo clothing, or pick up flowers and stateroom decoration packages for an occasion worth making a fuss of.

Find it midship on Deck 6 in Grand Central, and save room for made-to-order ice cream. Hours can vary, so check the onboard Fun Times newsletter before you go.

Ready for your moment in the spotlight? Head to the Limelight Lounge on Deck 7, midship, choose a song and take the microphone. The playlist covers classic and modern hits, from 1980s favourites and Motown to boy-band anthems.

Karaoke is for all ages and included in your cruise fare. Check the Fun Times newsletter for session times, then warm up those vocal cords. Drinks from the lounge are available at an extra charge.

A little sparkle never hurt anyone. EFFY Fine Jewellery on Deck 8 midship is where you can browse gold, diamonds, tanzanite and coloured gemstones, including coloured diamonds.

Look out for onboard trunk shows, where experts talk you through carat, cut and clarity. Opening hours can vary by sailing day, so check your programme before you go.

Grand Central is Mardi Gras' three-deck atrium, spanning Decks 6, 7 and 8 amidships. Settle in beneath the high ceilings, watch the sea through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and enjoy live music, trivia or a spot of people-watching.

By night, it becomes a theatrical entertainment space with LED screens, video effects, lasers and aerial performances. Coffee, drinks and light bites are close at hand when lounging turns into lingering.

Live music on Mardi Gras is scattered across the ship, so you can follow the sound rather than hunt for one named venue. Catch performers in Grand Central, where the multi deck atrium becomes a show space after dark.

For jazz, head to The Brass Magnolia for its live trio and a Hurricane or Sazerac. It is for guests aged 21 and over, and carries an extra charge.

When the evening needs a little more rhythm, this is where you head. DJs spin current hits and retro favourites, so you can dance until late night or last call, whichever arrives first.

Drinks are available, and free dance classes give you a chance to sharpen your moves before the floor fills up. It is strictly for guests aged 18 and over.

Take on SkyGreens, Mardi Gras’s nine-hole miniature golf course at the aft of Decks 18 and 19. You can putt your way past a cactus, treasure chest and windmill, with sea views adding a little extra pressure to every shot.

It is playful, nautical and made for all ages, so bring the family or settle a score with your travelling companions. Check the daily Fun Times for onboard programme details.

You do not need to know your Renaissance from your pop art to enjoy this onboard gallery. Browse works ranging from classic to modern, with art experts on hand to put the pieces, and their artists, into plain English.

Look out for showcases featuring European artists and Peter Max, plus the art-themed battle of the sexes. The gallery was listed on Deck 7 aft on one sailing, though opening times can change.

A sea day is an excellent excuse for a little polish. Tucked into Cloud 9 Spa on Deck 5, this salon offers hair styling, cuts and colouring, plus manicures, pedicures, makeup, waxing and barbering.

Try a Red Carpet Blowout before an evening out, or book through Cloud 9 Spa in advance. Walk-ins are available if space allows, but a little planning saves you from relying on luck.

Four mini martinis, one very sensible way to find your favourite. At Alchemy Bar, midship on Deck 7, you can choose any four to sample, from a Spicy Chipotle Pineapple to a Gilded Rose.

Feeling experimental? Ask for a custom creation, then order your preferred pour in full size. A cocktail pharmacy, but the prescription is entirely for fun.

Forgot your favourite lipstick, or simply fancy a new look for dinner? Beauty at The Fun Shops brings together cosmetics, fragrances and skincare, with recognised brands and shipboard travel exclusives to browse.

It is shopping, not a spa treatment, so you can pop in when you are passing and pick up what takes your fancy. All ages are welcome.

Pixels is where your best shipboard moments get their moment in the spotlight. Pose at creative backdrops or visit a portrait studio for formal or casual shots, while photographers may catch you around the ship too.

Find the digital gallery on Deck 8 Mid, then view your photos on its iPads or in the Carnival HUB app, usually by the following day. You can browse without buying, then order prints or digital copies if one is too good to leave behind.

Swap the treadmill view for open sea and a proper breeze. SkyTrack is Mardi Gras's padded jogging track, giving your longer run a little more comfort while the horizon does its best to distract you.

You will find it in the SportSquare area aft on Decks 18 and 19, close to the splash park and sports court. It is open to all ages, so lace up and take your pace outdoors.

Whether you fancy the spotlight or a seat in the crowd, Mardi Gras puts game night centre stage with Family Feud Live. You can audition in a team of five, then take on the Face Off podium and Fast Money with the cruise director hosting.

Art Games add an interactive art valuation challenge for all ages, with an art related prize up for grabs. Both activities are included in your cruise fare, so bring your quick thinking.

Sailing over a holiday? Mardi Gras turns the calendar into part of the fun, with themed entertainment, family activities and seasonal traditions for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Christmas brings an atrium tree-lighting and carolling, while Thanksgiving features a traditional meal with roasted turkey and pumpkin pie. Halloween costumes are welcome, but leave masks, weapons and sharp objects at home.

The Warehouse is Mardi Gras' high-tech arcade, midship on Deck 17. Take on video games, prize games, e-ticket redemption games and air hockey, whether you are chasing the high score or settling an old family rivalry.

Open 24 hours a day, it is ideal for a late-night play or a port-day pause. Load arcade credit onto your active Sail & Sign card, collect e-tickets and visit the self-service prize hub where available.

Take the long way down on this 265 foot spiralling tube slide at WaterWorks, high on Deck 18 aft. You start up top, then twist your way towards a proper splashdown.

It is included in your cruise fare, so go again if one turn is not quite enough. Waterslides generally run from 9.00am until sunset, but check the Carnival HUB App for the day's schedule.

Keep your sea-day energy ticking over at the Cloud 9 Spa Fitness Center and Cycling Studio, forward on Deck 6. Choose from yoga, Pilates, indoor cycling and boot camp, with sessions for every mood from steady focus to full throttle.

RYDE Indoor Cycling packs climbs and sprints into 45 minutes. Classes are scheduled onboard, so check your daily programme, and bring proper athletic kit and footwear, sandals and flip-flops are out.

Find the slot machines in Mardi Gras's Casino on Deck 7, where a quick spin can turn into an evening's entertainment. Set up a Player Bank and use your Sail & Sign® card to access your gaming funds.

You must be 18 or over to play, and the casino is closed in port. Check the HUB App once onboard for opening hours, then try your luck at sea.

Put your card nerve to the test at the blackjack tables in Mardi Gras Casino and Bar, forward on Deck 7. You can play Classic Blackjack or give Fun 21™ a go. Blackjack is for guests aged 18 and over.

Bring your Sail & Sign® card to the dealer when you play, as it is used for play ratings. On sea days, table games open from late morning until late. In port, the casino opens after departure.

The Fitness Center in the Cloud 9 Spa gives you a proper place to keep moving at sea, with Life Fitness cardio and strength equipment for treadmill sessions, rowing, cycling or weights. Find it on Deck 6, open from 6:00am to 10:00pm.

The gym itself is complimentary, while selected classes cost extra. Pack proper trainers and athletic clothing, because sandals and backless shoes will not get past the door.

Put your skill and luck to the test at Casino Prize Games, tucked inside the Mardi Gras Casino on Deck 7 forward. Cash prizes and electronic goods are up for grabs, so a steady hand could make your evening rather more interesting.

This one is strictly for guests aged 18 and over. Planning a go on a port day? The casino opens after departure, so save your game face for when the ship is back at sea.

Take your pick from blackjack, roulette, craps, Texas Hold ’Em, Three Card Poker, Let It Ride and Carnival’s own Fun 21™. Mardi Gras’ casino takes up a sizeable part of Deck 7, so there is plenty of atmosphere when the cards are on the table.

Use your Sail & Sign® Card while you play to have your gaming rated and earn points towards the Drinks On Us! programme. Casino hours vary by itinerary, so check the HUB App once you are onboard. Adults aged 18 and over only.

Art Auctions in the Art Gallery on Deck 7 aft give you a livelier way to look at art, with works ranging from paintings and watercolours to animation art and signed sports memorabilia. Expect a Lightning auction, Guess the Price competition and champagne to keep proceedings suitably un-stuffy.

You can browse without bidding, then check the onboard daily programme for sailing-specific timings, as auctions are usually held towards the end of your cruise.

Fancy shooting hoops with sea breezes rather than a leaky village sports hall? SkyCourt is Mardi Gras’s full basketball court, aft on Deck 18 in SportSquare. Bring friends, challenge fellow passengers, and see who has the steadier shot.

The lighted, open-air court also hosts volleyball and football. Pack closed-toe trainers and workout clothes, as swimwear, sandals and flip-flops are not permitted.

Front Street Watches is Mardi Gras' place to browse watches and timepieces, whether you are marking a brilliant trip or simply fancy something new for your wrist. You will find it midship on Deck 8, within The Fun Shops.

Keep an eye on the daily schedule or Carnival HUB app for opening hours and any watch showcases. The ship has previously held Rolex sales and a TAG Heuer Journey Through Time presentation here.

A good outfit deserves a supporting cast. HipFish, part of The Fun Shops, is your place to browse designer sunglasses, jewellery in understated or bolder styles, and fine leather bags.

You will find it midship on Deck 6. A published programme showed opening from 9:00am to 11:00pm, but hours can vary by sailing, so check the Carnival HUB app before you browse.

Apparel is the clothing section within The Fun Shops, where you can pick up exclusive Carnival logo wear or browse authentic designer fashion for all the family. You will find it midship in Grand Central, across Decks 6, 7 and 8.

No reservation, no dress code, just a spot of holiday retail therapy. Check the Fun Times newsletter for opening hours, as the shops are closed while the ship is in port.

Cruise the Vineyards is Carnival’s separately purchased wine package, with two options spanning vineyards from Italy and New Zealand to California, Chile and beyond. You can broaden your palate with pours such as Santa Helena Sauvignon Blanc or Leonard Kreusch Riesling.

You must be 21 or over. Buy before sailing through Cruise Manager, or ask your dining-room wait staff onboard. Coupons can be redeemed at bars, speciality restaurants and dining rooms, then enjoyed anywhere on the ship.