Carnival Cruise Line’s new ship, Mardi Gras, will feature Carnival Excel Suites, a new premium suite category with select amenities including a special part of the ship only a privileged few may access. Here, look:

“All of our accommodations have been designed to exceed our guests’ expectations, and the suite offerings will kick that up a notch or two for those who want an extra special Choose Fun vacation.”- Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line President

A notch or two? Try ten. The Presidential Suites are more than just more space which they are, larger. But up until now, suite level accommodations on Carnival ships came with few amenities and upgrades, just more space.

Here, they do come with more, like when we sailed Carnival Fascination in what was then a Category 12 Suite stocked with barware and anything else we wanted. At the time, anything we wanted was probably something with the Carnival logo on it. The Fun Ships were red hot, scooping up new travelers as fast as they could build ships to carry them.

This cruise business has turned out to be a way better idea than embracing the world of RV Motorcoaches, although I have come to know travelers who enjoy both. Gluttons. Cruising opened up the world to a boom of travelers never before seen at a time when the travel industry needed them most. After the tragic events of 9-11. The world of travel fell apart as agency after agency closed their storefront locations. No one wanted to go anywhere. This was better and no one had to clean out the toilet and ‘black water’ which sounded like a disgusting affair.

Cruising was already a hit and one that continued to be when safe ways to travel were called for. Now we have come full circle with new premium level Carnival Excel Suites.

New Premium Level Carnival Excel Suites

There are 32 suites in four categories. Let’s start at the top:

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Carnival Excel Presidential Suite –Two Presidential Suites – the largest in the fleet – located on Deck 17 that feature spacious living, dining and sleeping areas along with the fleet’s most expansive balconies with vast sea views, large sunbed and lounging areas, as well as a private outdoor hot tub and shower. These suites also include access to the spa’s thermal suite and the Havana pool area although for the life of me I can’t imagine wanting to leave this space.

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Carnival Excel Aft Suite – Twelve suites overlooking Summer Landing (it’s a place, like a neighborhood. No not like those neighborhoods, this is different) and boasting separate living rooms and bedrooms with large wraparound balconies offering impressive ocean views, as well as a private outdoor hot tub and areas for al fresco dining and relaxing. You had me with the private hot tub as opposed to the public bacteria cauldron.

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Carnival Excel Corner Suite – Twelve suites on the port and starboard sides of the ship featuring separate sleeping and lounging areas, a wet bar and wraparound balconies with lounging and dining areas. Def two room suites here. It’s like they’re reinventing something.

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Carnival Excel Suite – Six suites on Decks 10, 11 and 12 with (stacked & smushed) sleeping, dining and relaxing areas. The spacious balconies include loungers and a dining area.

Exclusive New Suite-Level Amenities

All suites onboard Mardi Gras will include an amenities package that includes priority boarding and debarkation, priority main dining room seating, plush bathrobes and bottled water upon arrival.

Guests in the 32 Carnival Excel suites will enjoy standard suite amenities plus the following:

Unlimited access to Loft 19

All New ‘Loft 19’

Located on the ship’s highest deck, Loft 19 is a brand new concept for Carnival Cruise Line – a secluded retreat modeled after the world’s finest resorts with full bar service, a private pool surrounded by sun loungers and spacious cabanas, available for rent (I would do this every day). Cabanas are fully stocked with beverages, plush robes and chilled towels, fresh fruit, lunch delivery and dedicated concierge service. Carnival Excel suite guests will receive priority when reserving Loft 19 cabanas.

• Dedicated concierge phone line
• Guaranteed specialty dining times (with the exception of Bonsai Teppanyaki and the Chef’s Table)
• Complimentary Bottomless Bubbles soda package, room service and laundry
• Sparkling wine and fresh fruit basket upon arrival
• Upgraded bathroom amenities

          Itinerary Information and Reservations

Currently, under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, Mardi Gras is slated to enter service in Europe Aug. 31, 2020, before repositioning to New York for a series of voyages then shift to Port Canaveral for year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning in Oct. 2020. Yowza!

Images- Carnival Cruise Line