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From palm reading to po' boys, Carnival brings French Quarter vibes to its latest cruise ship

Aug. 01, 2021
5 min read
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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.

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Fortune Teller Bar

(Photo by Ashley Kosciolek/The Points Guy)

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

(Photo by Ashley Kosciolek/The Points Guy)

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.

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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

(Photo by Ashley Kosciolek/The Points Guy)

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

(Photo by Ashley Kosciolek/The Points Guy)

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.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees