From palm reading to po' boys, Carnival brings French Quarter vibes to its latest cruise ship
Carnival Cruise Line's much-anticipated Mardi Gras is on day two of its first revenue sailing after its debut was delayed by nearly a year. The ship, named after the line's original passenger vessel, circa 1972, has tons of modern touches.
Notably, the new-build boasts six neighborhoods. If you've sailed on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class vessels, the concept might sound familiar to you, but Carnival has taken a slightly different approach by incorporating amenities like a two-deck tiki bar, a brewpub, the first roller coaster at sea and an area called the French Quarter with a New Orleans jazz-and-jambalaya ambiance.
In the French Quarter, on Deck 6, aft, four outposts tie the area together. Here, I'll walk you through each.
Fortune Teller Bar
This mystical watering hole is shrouded in dark hues and features a menu of 17 standout drinks that are gimmicky but tasty. One of the most popular, the Crystal Ball -- a combination of Herradura Silver Tequila, Green Chartreuse, agave nectar and lime -- packs a punch, but its allure comes in the form of a giant smoke bubble that sits on top. Poke it with your finger for a surprise that will elicit a round of oohs and ahhs.
Other fun tipples include the color-changing Abracadabra (Bacardi Superior with pineapple and lime), Bayou Smoke (Remy Martin 1738 Cognac, spiced peach shrub, Bayou Satsuma Liqueur and Regans Orange bitters No. 6) and Bog Juice (Absolut Vodka, passion fruit, kiwi, pineapple, lemon and Sierra Mist). They're reasonably priced, ranging from $9.50 for a classic Hurricane to $12.50 for some of the more showy options.
You can enjoy your beverages at the bar or at nearby high-top tables or booths set in front of crushed red velvet walls that are adorned with golden mirrors. The mysterious atmosphere is rounded out with crystal ball decor and bartenders who tell ghost stories and conduct palm readings.
Emeril's Bistro 1396
In a partnership with famed chef Emeril Lagasse, Carnival brings his first-ever at-sea restaurant to Mardi Gras. Its name, Emeril's Bistro 1396, is a nod to the construction of the vessel, which was built at Finland's Meyer Turku shipyard. Before the ship was named, it was simply dubbed vessel 1396 -- the 1,396th ship the yard had created.
Passengers can walk up to the counter, place an order and have their food delivered to one of several bistro-style tables in the area.
Menu items range from $5 small plates like fresh seafood ceviche and fried oysters to slightly larger portions of barbecue shrimp, sausage gumbo and red beans with rice. The latter range in price from $3 to $8 and can be topped off with $4 desserts that include lemon icebox pie and bananas foster, among others. There's also a children's menu with $3 portions of fried chicken tenders, pasta and Emeril's "Who Dat" Burger. Beverage options include beer, wine and coffee, as well as nonalcoholic selections.
The Brass Magnolia
The Brass Magnolia will make you feel like you're in a New Orleans jazz club, complete with cushy red velvet chairs, trumpet lights and live music that screams Big Easy.
The drink menu provides a selection of wines, as well as cocktails. Among the considerable number of specialty options are Sazerac (Sazerac Rye Whiskey, Hennessy VSOP Cognac, sugar, Peychaud's Bitters and Herbsaint), a Pimm's Cup (Pimm's No. 1 Cup, fresh lemonade, Sierra Mist and a cucumber garnish), a Praline Truffle (Absolut Vodka, Praline Liqueur, Chocolate Liqueur, cream and Kahlua) and Brandy Milk Punch (Hennessy VSOP Cognac, heavy cream, whole milk, simple syrup and vanilla extract). All cost $9.95.
This refined bar, located next to the Flamingo Restaurant main dining room, is a great place to relax and unwind with an adult beverage before or after dinner.
Carnival Kitchen
Whether you're a kitchen whiz who likes to show off their skills or someone who needs a cooking lesson or two, Carnival Kitchen puts you in a real culinary setting under the supervision of an onboard chef who will teach you how to whip up some delicious dishes.
Follow along with your own set of ingredients and instructions as the chef prepares themed meals that vary by day. The cost is $30 per person, and on our sailing, options included a tailgate party with canapes on the menu and a pit grill smoke class, where barbecue was the name of the game.
When you're finished concocting your masterpiece, you can dig in to taste the fruits of your labor.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.