Carnival Mardi Gras Review: Our March Break Family Cruise to San Juan, Amber Cove and Grand Turk
By Amy Davoli, CTA, Owner · Travel & Cruise ConsultantSailed March 2023 · 9 min read
Quick takeaways
- A 7-night March Break cruise on Carnival Mardi Gras from Port Canaveral, Florida with my two sons, with 2 sea days to start, then San Juan, Amber Cove and Grand Turk.
- Our balcony cabin had a gorgeous colour scheme, 3 balcony chairs and a ton of closet storage, but the smallest cruise ship bathroom I’ve ever seen!
- BOLT, the roller coaster at sea, was a really cool experience. It felt a bit pricey for how short the ride is, so ask us about current pricing before you go.
- The ship is huge, with so much to do that we’d barely scratched the surface after the first day. Those 2 sea days were perfect for exploring.
- Zip lining at Amber Cove was a highlight for the boys!
- Ship: Carnival Mardi Gras (Carnival Cruise Line)
- Sailed: March 2023 (March Break), 7 nights
- Departure port: Port Canaveral, Florida
- Itinerary: 2 sea days, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Amber Cove (Dominican Republic), Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos), then a sea day home
- Cabin: balcony, set up for 3
- Travelled with: my two teenage sons
I’ve sailed with Carnival 4 or 5 times now, and for March Break 2023 I took my two boys, Benjamin and Christopher, on one of the biggest and newest ships in the fleet, Carnival Mardi Gras! We sailed 7 nights from Port Canaveral, Florida, with 2 full sea days to start, then San Juan, Amber Cove and Grand Turk. We definitely had a lot of fun on this trip! I shared so much of it live in my Facebook group, and I’ve pulled it all together here with my photos and videos so you can see what a Carnival Mardi Gras family cruise is really like.
Fun fact: I haven’t sailed with Carnival since this cruise. No reason at all, it just worked out that way!
Boarding day in Port Canaveral
Port Canaveral is one of my favourite places to start a cruise. It’s an easy drive from Orlando, which makes it a great fit for families who want to add a few days at the parks before or after. Once we were onboard, we did what we always do: dropped our bags, grabbed some lunch and started exploring!
Our balcony cabin
I loved the colour scheme and design of our balcony cabin! The blues and soft neutrals felt fresh and beachy. With 3 of us, the beds were set up split, which looked great, but it did make the walkway to the balcony very narrow. I joked that I could see bruised thighs in my future!
The closets had a ton of storage, including the option to use shelves or not. Love this idea! The balcony was great too, and I loved that it had 3 chairs instead of just 2, perfect for a family of three. The one thing I’ll be honest about: it was the smallest bathroom I’ve ever seen on a cruise ship. We made it work, and it was still such a great place to call home for the week!
Amy’s tipTravelling as 3 in one cabin? Ask how the beds will be set up. Split beds are great for the kids, but they can make the walkway to the balcony tight. And if bathroom space matters to your family, let’s talk about cabin categories before you book!
Exploring Carnival Mardi Gras
There is so much to see and do on this ship! After our first day, we honestly hadn’t even scratched the surface. Thankfully we had 2 full sea days to explore before we even reached land. Carnival Mardi Gras is split into themed zones, from Grand Central at the back of the ship, with its 3-deck-high windows, to the Lido pools, the French Quarter and the Ultimate Playground up top.
Around the ship
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Come explore with us!
On our first day onboard, I couldn’t stop filming! This quick reel strings my clips together so you can see how much there is to do up on deck, even before you get to the shows, restaurants and zones inside.
In this reel:
- The main pool deck, with the giant outdoor screen and rows of loungers
- More pool spots around the ship, so there’s always room to find a lounger
- The WaterWorks water slides and splash zone, a big hit with kids of all ages
- Mini golf on the top deck, with palm trees and ocean views
- A peek at BOLT, the roller coaster that races around the top deck
Tip: pool decks fill up fast on sea days, so head up early in the morning if you want your favourite spot!
For the kids (and the kids at heart), the WaterWorks area has water slides and a big splash zone, and the Ultimate Playground has a sports court, mini golf and more. The boys were never bored!
BOLT: the roller coaster at sea
BOLT was a lot of fun! It’s the first roller coaster at sea, and it runs right along the top deck, so you’re racing around with nothing but ocean around you. My honest take: it felt a bit expensive for how short the ride is, but it still made for a really cool experience, and it’s something you can’t do anywhere else.
Amy’s tipBOLT is an extra cost, and pricing changes, so ask us what it is for your sailing. If your crew is excited about it, plan for it in your onboard budget!
What we ate
Food is a big part of any Carnival cruise! Guy’s Burger Joint is still one of my favourite free spots on any Carnival ship, and the boys were big fans of Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken. We also loved walking through the French Quarter, home to Emeril’s Bistro 1396.
Big Chicken and more
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Big Chicken, Guy’s and Emeril’s
A quick look at some of our favourite food spots onboard! Carnival Mardi Gras has so many casual places to eat that you’ll never go hungry, and a few were on repeat for my boys.
In this reel:
- Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken, with crispy chicken sandwiches that are a must for chicken lovers
- Guy’s Burger Joint, my go-to for a burger and fries by the pool
- Emeril’s Bistro 1396 in the French Quarter, with New Orleans-inspired dishes like gumbo and po’ boys
Tip: Big Chicken and Guy’s are included in your cruise fare, while Emeril’s Bistro has a small charge per dish. Ask us which restaurants are included on your ship before you sail!
Barbecue night at Pig & Anchor
One of our favourite dinners was at Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse in the Summer Landing area at the back of the ship. It has a laid-back Southern feel, and it was the perfect spot to refuel after a busy day.
What’s on the menu:
- Slow-smoked barbecue like brisket, pulled pork, ribs and sausage
- Southern-style sides like mac and cheese, baked beans and coleslaw
- Beers brewed right onboard in the Brewhouse
Tip: barbecue lovers, don’t miss this one! Ask us what’s included in your fare and what has an extra charge on your sailing.
Evenings onboard
Carnival does fun so well! We all dressed up for elegant night, and there’s always something going on, from trivia with the Fun Squad to game shows like Guess That Groove and live music around the ship. And of course, there was a new towel animal waiting in the cabin every night.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
After 2 fun sea days, our first port was San Juan, Puerto Rico. The cruise pier is right by Old San Juan, so it’s easy to get out and explore on foot. We had to get our photo with the colourful I love PR sign, and the sunset view over San Juan from the ship was gorgeous.
Amber Cove and zip lining
Next up was Amber Cove in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. This is a cruise port built by Carnival, and it’s so pretty, with mountains behind it and turquoise water all around. Right at the port there’s a big lagoon-style pool, cabanas, shops, restaurants and zip lines that fly right over it all.
The boys zip lined, and it was a highlight of the trip for them! They got geared up with helmets and harnesses, climbed the tower and flew over the palm trees and the pool. The views from the top of the tower are amazing.
Zip lining at Amber Cove
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Zip lining over Amber Cove
From gearing up to flying over the pool, here’s the boys’ zip line adventure in one quick reel. If you have teens who love a thrill, this one is a great pick right at the port, with no long bus ride needed!
In this reel:
- Getting fitted with harnesses and helmets
- The safety check with the guides
- Climbing up to the zip line tower, with views over the bay
- Flying over the palm trees, the gardens and the big pool
Tip: wear closed-toe shoes and leave loose items in your bag. The zip line is an extra cost, so book it ahead of time!
Amy’s tipThe zip line at Amber Cove is an extra-cost activity and it’s popular, so book it ahead of time. You don’t need to leave the port for a great day here, which makes it so easy with kids!
Grand Turk
Our last port was Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos, and the water here is unreal. The beach is right beside the cruise centre, so you can walk off the ship and have your toes in the sand in minutes. We spent the day on the beach, swam, and stopped at a fun little beach bar covered in licence plates.
Amy’s tipIn Grand Turk, the beach right by the ship is beautiful, so you don’t need an excursion to have an amazing day. Walk a little further down the beach for more space!
Sea days and sunsets
After Grand Turk, we had one more sea day on the way home, and we soaked up every minute. Breakfast on the balcony, feet up with a cold drink and some of the prettiest sunsets of the trip. This is why I love a balcony cabin!
My tips for a family Carnival cruise
- Use your sea days to explore: Carnival Mardi Gras is huge, and an itinerary that starts with sea days gives you time to find your favourite spots.
- Think about bed setup and space: with 3 in a balcony cabin, split beds make the walkway tight, and the bathroom is small.
- Budget for extras: BOLT and port activities like the Amber Cove zip line cost extra.
- Don’t miss the free eats: Guy’s Burger Joint and Big Chicken were favourites for my boys.
- Pack for elegant night: it’s a fun excuse to dress up and get a family photo.
- Bring your passport: Passport valid for at least six months past your return date (the safest rule of thumb).
Thinking about a Carnival cruise for your family? March Break sailings book up fast, so it pays to plan early. I’ve been there with my own kids, and I’d love to help you find the right ship, cabin and itinerary for your crew!
FAQs
Is Carnival Mardi Gras good for families?
Yes! Amy sailed Carnival Mardi Gras over March Break with her two teenage sons, and they were never bored. There are water slides and a splash zone, mini golf, a sports court, the BOLT roller coaster, trivia and shows, plus favourite free eats like Guy’s Burger Joint and Big Chicken.
Is the BOLT roller coaster on Carnival Mardi Gras worth it?
BOLT is an extra-cost ride and it’s short, so Amy found it a bit pricey for how long it lasts. Still, it was a really cool experience and something you can’t do anywhere else at sea. Pricing changes, so ask your travel agent what it costs for your sailing.
What are the balcony cabins like on Carnival Mardi Gras?
Amy loved the colour scheme and design of her balcony cabin, the generous closet storage with optional shelves, and a balcony with 3 chairs. With 3 people and split beds, the walkway to the balcony was narrow, and the bathroom was the smallest she has seen on a cruise ship.
What is there to do at Amber Cove?
Amber Cove is Carnival’s cruise port in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Right at the port there’s a big lagoon-style pool, cabanas, shops, restaurants and zip lines over the port. Amy’s sons zip lined, and it was one of their favourite parts of the trip. The zip line costs extra, so book ahead.
Do I need a passport for a Carnival cruise to the Caribbean?
Canadians must travel with a valid passport, and we recommend it be valid for at least six months past your return date. Some destinations only require three months, but six months is the safest rule of thumb.
