Carnival Is Going Big With Its Largest Suites Ever on New Ship
Carnival Cruise Line is going big with the suites on Mardi Gras, the giant new ship it has on order for delivery in 2020.
The 5,200-passenger vessel will feature two sprawling Presidential Suites that measure 1,120 square feet — bigger than any other accommodations in the line’s fleet — Carnival president Christine Duffy revealed on Tuesday at the Seatrade Cruise Global convention in Miami.
Located at the top of the ship on Deck 17, the complexes will have separate living and sleeping areas as well as the most expansive balconies in the Carnival fleet. Measuring more than 600 square feet, the balconies will feature a lounging area with a large sunbed as well as as a private outdoor hot tub and shower.
“That’s where I’ll be staying, hopefully, assuming our revenue management team allows me,” Duffy joked during the announcement.
Pricing for the Presidential Suites will start around $3,675 per person for a week-long Caribbean sailing. That's about five times the cost of a basic cabin.
While not nearly as big as the palatial, $11,000-a-night owner’s suite in the works for the next Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship, the new President Suites on Mardi Gras will be notable for Carnival, which never has been known for big suites. The suites will also mark a deliberate move by the line to offer more high-end accommodations on its ships.
Duffy said the Presidential Suites will be among 180 suites on Mardi Gras: the most ever for a Carnival ship. Carnival’s most recent series of vessels, the Vista Class, each offer cruisers fewer than 75 suites. The line’s earlier Conquest Class series of ships have around 50 suites.
Duffy said Mardi Gras would have 11 different categories of suites in all, four of which will be part of a new premium “Excel” category of suites that come with extra amenities and access to a new-for-the-line, resort-style enclave at the top of the ship called Loft 19.
In addition to the two Presidential Suites, the Excel suites will include a dozen 861-square foot Excel Aft Suites that overlook the back of the ship and boast separate living rooms and bedrooms as well as large wraparound balconies with hot tubs. Slightly smaller will be a dozen 710-square-foot Excel Corner Suites that will also offer separate sleeping and lounging areas and wraparound balconies. A step down are six smaller Excel Suites that will measure 614 square feet.
Passengers staying in all four categories of Excel suites will have access to a dedicated concierge phone line and guaranteed dining times at Mardi Gras’s extra-charge specialty restaurants (with the exception of Japanese eatery Bonsai Teppanyaki and the Chef’s Table). Other upgraded amenities for Excel suite passengers will include complimentary Bottomless Bubbles soda packages; room service and laundry service; sparkling wine upon arrival; and upgraded toiletries in bathrooms.
The new Loft 19 enclave planned for Mardi Gras will offer full bar service, a private pool surrounded by sun loungers and cabanas available for rent, Duffy said.
At 180,000 tons, Mardi Gras will be the world’s sixth-biggest cruise ship at the time of its arrival and by far the biggest vessel ever for Carnival. It’s named after Carnival’s first ship, which sailed for the line from 1972 to 1993.
Scheduled to kick off its inaugural season in Europe on Aug. 31, 2020, Mardi Gras will offer two sailings from New York in the fall of 2020 before moving to its permanent home of Port Canaveral, Florida.
Massive suites are just one way Carnival is going big with its newest vessel. The ship will be crowned by a deck-top roller coaster called BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster. The 800-foot-long attraction is a cruise industry first, and will twist around the ship’s funnel and hits speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour. Mardi Gras will also have a (very fitting) New Orleans-themed French Quarter lined with bars, restaurants and music venues such as a jazz club.
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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
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- 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.
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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. |
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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
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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.