The float-out of the coming flag-ship of Carnival Cruise line ‘Mardi Gras’ (see also CruiseMapper) was celebrated today at Meyer Turku shipyard. The 180 000 GT cruise ship will be the largest one in the Carnival fleet after delivery later in 2020.
“We can’t wait for our guests to experience Mardi Gras, a one-of-a-kind ship that is true game changer and continues the evolution of the Carnival vacation experience,” says Ben Clement, Carnival’s senior vice president of newbuilds.
“I believe Mardi Gras will be a truly special ship. She will be the first to use our now proven LNG cruise ship propulsion system in North American markets and feature many other sophisticated technologies – including BOLT, the first roller coaster onboard a ship”, CEO of Meyer Turku Jan Meyer states.
With the float-out Mardi Gras' six themed zones are also beginning to take shape with the interior build out of spaces like Emeril’s Bistro 1396 created by famed chef Emeril Lagasse and a groundbreaking new atrium concept with spectacular three-deck-high floor-to-ceiling windows and moveable LED screens.
A custom designed floating smart city
A cruise ship is always a result of cooperation by many parties. The ship yard’s own design office works with the ship owner architects to create a custom designed ship for the signature style of the Carnival brand – a totally new architectural design. Next almost 1000 specialized companies are engaged in providing materials and complex services to create the cruise ship at Turku Shipyard.
CEO Jan Meyer reminds that the ships are truly smart floating cities:
“We are building all the facilities a smart modern city would have: hospitals, IT-networks, restaurants and sophisticated environmental technologies, on a ship sailing the seas. It is a very difficult undertaking but also the end result is really spectacular.”
Mardi Gras will be delivered in late October and Carnival has announced she will enter revenue service on Nov. 14, 2020 from Port Canaveral, Florida.
Mardi Gras in numbers:
- Gross tonnage: 180 000
- Passengers: Approximately 5200
- Delivery: October 2020
Source: Meyer Turku
Additional information about Carnival Cruise Line and Company fleet itineraries at CruiseMapper