PORT CANAVERAL, Fla., June 4, 2021
/PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras, made her U.S. debut this
morning, docking for the first time at Port Canaveral's Cruise
Terminal 3, built specifically for this vessel which is the first
in the Americas powered by eco-friendly Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)
and features the first roller coaster at sea.
Port Canaveral-based Carnival Freedom and Carnival Liberty
joined Mardi Gras as she made
her way down the cruise channel, creating a truly grand and
memorable entrance befitting this innovative, game-changing
ship.
More than 1,500 fans lined Jetty
Park, located adjacent to the terminal, to welcome
Mardi Gras to the Space
Coast, while Carnival President Christine
Duffy, Carnival Corp. Chairman Micky
Arison, Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold
Donald, Carnival Corporation COO Josh Weinstein, and Canaveral Port Authority CEO
Captain John Murray, along with 300
travel advisors, partners, dignitaries and guests, participated in
a welcome reception highlighting the excitement for Mardi Gras' arrival and its impact on the
local economy.
A video highlighting the journey of Mardi Gras from construction to today's
arrival in Port Canaveral can be viewed here.
"Mardi Gras has been five
years in the making and today's arrival is a historic milestone for
our company not to mention a truly emotional moment for everyone
here at Carnival Cruise Line," said Duffy. "This ship offers
so many innovations and ways for our guests to choose fun that we
are certain that she will quickly become a guest favorite.
And as we look forward to our restart in guest operations,
Mardi Gras' arrival is
symbolic of the excitement and anticipation we have about the
future at Carnival Cruise Line."
"For nearly four years we have been working hard to prepare for
Mardi Gras," said Capt.
Murray. "As we welcome home this magnificent ship to Port
Canaveral, we are filled with pride to see her at berth at our
beautiful Cruise Terminal 3."
The company will now begin the process of ramping up
Mardi Gras' crew to a full
contingent of 1,750 ready to create memorable vacations for guests
who will enjoy the widest array of entertainment at sea, including
the first shipboard version of the hit TV show Family Feud,
and dine in more than two dozen restaurants with venues from
Guy Fieri, Emeril Lagasse, Rudi
Sodiman and the line's Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O'Neal.
Guests can enjoy a host of culinary, bar and entertainment
experiences throughout 19 decks and six distinct themed zones, as
well as a wide range of outdoor attractions, including the longest
ropes course and largest water park in the fleet.
Mardi Gras will sail
year-round from Port Canaveral, offering seven-day itineraries to
the eastern and western Caribbean.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a
cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or
contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
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SOURCE Carnival Cruise Line