The best Mardi Gras suites depend on what you want from the upgrade. For the ultimate splurge, the two Excel Presidential Suites on Deck 17 are the largest rooms in the Carnival fleet. For the best balance of space and value among the top-tier options, the Excel Corner Suites usually make the most sense. If you mainly want suite perks without Excel prices, the Ocean Suite is the sensible pick. Couples who like a quieter pool scene should look at the Havana Cabana suites, and families should consider the Family Harbor Ocean View Suite.
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Mardi Gras at a Glance
Mardi Gras was the first of Carnival’s Excel-class ships and entered service in 2021. At around 180,000 gross tons and about 5,200 guests at double occupancy, it is one of the largest ships in the Carnival fleet. At the time of writing (October 2026) it sails from Port Canaveral, Florida, mostly on seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. Those sailings are scheduled to continue into 2027, when sister ship Carnival Festivale is due to join it at the same port.
The ship is laid out in themed zones such as Grand Central, the French Quarter, Summer Landing and La Piazza. Several of the suite categories are tied to specific areas: Havana, Cloud 9 Spa and Family Harbor.
Every Suite Type on Mardi Gras
Carnival splits its suites into two broad groups. The Excel suites are the premium tier, with 32 suites across four categories, all with their own extra perks. Every other suite gets Carnival’s standard suite benefits. Sizes below are approximate and come from published deck-plan data. Figures vary slightly by source and by individual room, so check the exact cabin before you book.
| Suite | Approx. size (inside + balcony) | Where | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excel Presidential (2) | About 1,100 sq ft total, with a balcony of 600+ sq ft | Deck 17 | Milestone trips, no-compromise splurges |
| Excel Aft (12) | About 350 sq ft inside plus a large wraparound balcony | Aft, decks 9-15 | Wake views, outdoor hot tub |
| Excel Corner (12) | About 400 sq ft plus a balcony of about 300 sq ft | Aft corners, decks 9-15 | Space and value within Excel |
| Excel Suite (6) | About 415 sq ft plus a balcony of about 200 sq ft | Decks 10-12 | Excel perks at the lowest Excel price |
| Havana Cabana Corner Suite | About 350 sq ft plus a patio | Aft, Deck 8 | Adults and older teens who want Havana pool access |
| Havana Cabana Suite | About 205 sq ft plus a patio of about 80 sq ft | Deck 8 | Couples who want a relaxed, tropical vibe |
| Cloud 9 Spa Suite | About 290 sq ft plus a small balcony | Near the spa, high deck | Spa lovers |
| Ocean Suite | About 290 sq ft plus a small balcony | Decks 9-12 and 14-16 | Suite perks on a budget |
| Family Harbor Ocean View Suite | About 310 sq ft, no balcony | Lower deck, by Family Harbor | Families with young kids |
The Excel Suites: What You Get
Excel Presidential Suite
Only two exist, both on Deck 17, with separate living, dining and sleeping areas. The headline is the balcony of more than 600 square feet, with a large sunbed, a private outdoor hot tub and an outdoor shower. Presidential guests also get access to the Cloud 9 thermal suite and the Havana pool area, which other Excel guests don’t.
Excel Aft Suite
The Aft suites face the back of the ship and overlook the wake and the Summer Landing area. Each has a separate bedroom and living room, and a wraparound balcony with a hot tub, a daybed and a table for four. Most of what you pay for is the balcony.
Excel Corner Suite
The Corner suites sit on the port and starboard aft corners. They offer a wet bar, separate lounging and sleeping areas, and a wraparound balcony with space to dine and lounge. For many cruisers they hit the sweet spot. You get a lot of private outdoor space and full Excel perks, usually for less than an Aft suite, though prices vary by sailing.
Excel Suite
The six standard Excel suites on Decks 10 to 12 are the entry point to the Excel tier. They have defined sleeping, dining and lounging areas and a generous balcony with loungers and a table. There’s no hot tub, but the perks match the bigger Excel suites.
Excel Perks, Including Loft 19
- Unlimited access to Loft 19, an adults-focused enclave on the top deck with a pool, loungers and cabanas you can rent
- Priority booking for Loft 19 cabanas
- A dedicated concierge phone line
- Guaranteed dining times at extra-charge specialty restaurants (Bonsai Teppanyaki and Chef’s Table excluded)
- The Bottomless Bubbles soda package, plus room service and laundry
- Sparkling wine and a fruit basket on arrival, and upgraded bath amenities
- All the standard suite perks listed below, including priority boarding and debarkation
Set your expectations: Carnival’s Excel program is not a “ship within a ship” like the suite areas on some rival lines. You don’t get a private restaurant or a butler, and concierge help comes by phone, not from a desk. Cabanas at Loft 19 also cost extra.
The Other Suites
Havana Cabana Suite and Havana Cabana Corner Suite
These sit in the Havana area on Deck 8, with patios that open onto a promenade. Havana guests get exclusive access to the Havana Bar and Pool, which is limited to guests aged 12 and over. The standard Havana Cabana Suite has a rain shower and a hammock outside. The two Corner versions are bigger, with more outdoor space. Patios on a promenade offer less privacy than a regular balcony.
Cloud 9 Spa Suite
These sit close to the Cloud 9 Spa and come with spa perks on top of the suite benefits. Those include unlimited thermal suite access, a couple of fitness classes and priority spa booking. If you would buy a thermal suite pass anyway, that can recover a good share of the price difference.
Ocean Suite
The Ocean Suite is the most common suite on board and the cheapest way to get suite status. It is noticeably larger than a standard balcony cabin, with a bigger bathroom and a sitting area. The balcony is modest. These suites don’t include Excel extras such as Loft 19.
Family Harbor Ocean View Suite
These have no balcony, but they give families what they actually need: more floor space, room for up to four, and a short walk to the Family Harbor Lounge. The lounge offers breakfast, snacks, games and a big screen for Family Harbor guests.
Standard Suite Perks (All Suites)
- Priority check-in, embarkation, debarkation and tender boarding
- Priority main dining room seating requests
- Bottled water, plush bathrobes and enhanced turndown service
- A complimentary laundry bag
Mardi Gras Rooms Beyond the Suites
If a suite is more than you want to spend, Mardi Gras rooms come in the usual Carnival categories, with a few Excel-class extras. Knowing them helps you judge whether a suite upgrade is worth the jump:
- Interior rooms: the cheapest way to sail. Some interiors in the Havana and Family Harbor areas carry the same area perks as the suites there.
- Ocean view rooms: a window but no balcony, usually on lower decks.
- Balcony rooms: the most common choice. Standard balconies are compact, so if you plan to spend time outside, an Ocean Suite’s extra space can be worth the difference.
- Cove Balcony rooms: low-deck balconies close to the waterline, popular for sea views at a lower price than higher balconies.
- Havana, Cloud 9 Spa and Family Harbor rooms: themed cabins that give access to the Havana pool (ages 12+), spa perks or the Family Harbor Lounge, without full suite status.
Before you book any Mardi Gras room, check the deck plan for noise risks such as the galley, the Summer Landing bars or the BOLT roller coaster on the top deck. Our guide to Carnival cabins to avoid covers what to watch for across the fleet.
Which Mardi Gras Suite Should You Choose?
- Once-in-a-lifetime celebration: Excel Presidential, if you can get one.
- Best all-round Excel value: Excel Corner Suite.
- You want a private hot tub: Excel Aft (or Presidential).
- You want Excel perks and don’t need a huge balcony: standard Excel Suite.
- Couples on a sensible budget: Ocean Suite, or a Havana Cabana Suite if the adults-leaning pool appeals.
- Spa regulars: Cloud 9 Spa Suite.
- Families with little ones: Family Harbor Ocean View Suite.
One practical note: the aft suites sit above Summer Landing and close to the stern, so you may notice some vibration or deck noise. Check what sits above and below a specific room on the deck plan before you commit.
How to Book a Mardi Gras Suite for Less
- Book early for Excel. There are only 32 Excel suites, so the best rooms go first and prices tend to rise as the date gets closer.
- Watch for sales and price drops. Carnival often runs promotions with reduced deposits or onboard credit. If the fare drops before final payment, ask your travel agent or Carnival to re-price your booking.
- Consider an upgrade bid or offer. Carnival sometimes invites booked guests to bid on or buy upgrades closer to sailing.
- Use loyalty and casino offers. VIFP Club members and Players Club guests sometimes get discounted or complimentary cabin offers.
As a rough guide, Ocean Suites often cost a few hundred dollars more per person than a balcony on a seven-night cruise. Excel suites typically run into the several-thousands per person, and the Presidential Suites cost the most. Prices change constantly, so compare live fares on Carnival’s Mardi Gras page. For broader timing tips, see our guide to cruise deals in 2027.
Sister Ships: Celebration, Jubilee and Festivale
If Mardi Gras dates don’t work for you, the other Excel-class ships offer the same suite tiers, with some layout and theming differences. Carnival Celebration (late 2022) sails from Miami. Carnival Jubilee (late 2023) is based in Galveston and has recently added shorter itineraries, which we covered in Carnival Jubilee’s first short cruises. The fourth ship, Carnival Festivale, floated out at Meyer Werft in Germany in late September 2026. It is scheduled to begin sailing from Port Canaveral in spring 2027. Carnival has announced a further Excel-class ship, Carnival Tropicale, for 2028. Deployment details may change, so check with Carnival.
FAQs
How many suites are on Carnival Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras has around 180 suites across roughly a dozen categories. Only 32 of them are Excel suites: 2 Presidential, 12 Aft, 12 Corner and 6 standard Excel.
Do all suites get access to Loft 19?
No. Loft 19 is included only for Excel suite guests. Ocean, Havana, Cloud 9 and Family Harbor suites get standard suite perks but not Loft 19. Other guests may be able to rent a cabana there, subject to availability.
Where does Mardi Gras sail from?
At the time of writing, Mardi Gras sails from Port Canaveral, Florida, mainly on seven-night Caribbean cruises.
Are Havana suites suitable for kids?
The Havana area is reserved for guests aged 12 and over, so Havana suites aren’t an option for families with younger children. Look at Family Harbor instead.
What is the Carnival Mardi Gras Presidential Suite like?
The Excel Presidential Suite is the largest room in the Carnival fleet, at about 1,100 square feet including a balcony of more than 600 square feet with a private hot tub, outdoor shower and large sunbed. There are only two, both on Deck 17, and guests get every Excel perk plus Cloud 9 thermal suite and Havana pool access. They are the most expensive rooms on the ship and sell out early, so book as far ahead as you can.
What kinds of rooms are on Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras has interior, ocean view, balcony and Cove Balcony rooms, themed Havana, Cloud 9 Spa and Family Harbor cabins, and suites ranging from the Ocean Suite to the two Excel Presidential Suites.
