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Overall, I don't know if your experience will be much different on Mardi Gras. The layout is totally different, but it's the same kind of experience overall. It'd be different if you were talking about Carnival's older ships for booze cruises, but the Vista should provide similar levels of service, options, and class as the Mardi Gras. I've cruised both ships plus the two newer Carnival LNG ships, Celebration and Jubilee, and several other Carnival ships. Both ships are nice although the Mardi Gras being a good bit larger has more entertainment, more bars, more food options, and larger crowds. Carnival Vista 1: 8 days in September Ports of Call: Aruba, Curacao, Grand Turk Carnival Vista 2: 8 days in September Ports of Call: Amber Cove, San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Thomas Mardi Gras. 7 days in late October Ports of Call: Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Nassau Do you think Mardi Gras is worth losing a day and an arguably worse intinerary? I'm stuck picking between Vista and Mardi Gras for myself, wife, and sons (4 and 6). Picking between Vista family harbor cove balcony or family harbor ocean view deluxe. and then on the mardi gras either family harbor ocean view or a higher up extended balcony. Which ship is better suited for kids? Is one waterworks area larger than the other. Haven’t been on Vista but have been on Panorama, Horizon and Mardi Gras. I agree with most of what’s been said but as a Cloud 9 Spa fan I hated the Thalassa pool on Mardi Gras, much nicer on the Vista class (Dream class still best). Loved the food options on Mardi Gras, Shaq’s Chicken is great, never ate a Guy’s burger on Mardi Gras. How does the Carnival Mardi Gras compare to the Carnival Vista? The Mardi Gras was built in 2021. It is 5 years newer than the Vista, which was built in 2016 and renovated in 2024. See all the differences in terms of size, facilities, and dining options. While we wanted to like the Mardi Gras, it just seemed to miss the mark for us. I haven't cruised on Vista, but we have 26 Carnival cruises under our belt on most classes of ships. Royal is our go to now. Particularly Oasis class. We have been disappointed on Royal's cut backs recently and looking to give Carnival another chance. Mardi Gras is Carnival's flagship. I would much rather go to Half Moon Cay than Nassau however and I don't think anyone would disagree with that. So it really depends, are you more of a ship cruiser or a destination cruiser. If the ship is your destination, then Mardi Gras. If you're more interested in the ports of call, then Vista. The Vista has the Red Frog pub, which is much more fun than Guy's Pig and Anchor I visited when on the Panorama. The Red Frog has nightly entertainment, a few ski ball tables, and a nice atmosphere. I personally dislike the layout of the Vista class ships. Mainly the promenade deck because of the lack of seating outside of the atrium. The Carnival Vista has a total of 3 pools and 6 hot tubs. 1 of the pools and 2 of the hot tubs are exclusive access, which means there's either an extra charge to access them or you need to book a certain class of cabin to have access to them. Carnival Mardi Gras has more pools than the Vista and more hot tubs. Carnival Vista has a 6 day itinerary to Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove. Never been to any of these places but I’m interested. Carnival Celebration has a 7 day itinerary of Amber Cove, San Juan, and St Maarten. I’ve been to San Juan but not the other ports. My husband and I went on the Mardi Gras in May and it was our 5th cruise and 4th ship. The Mardi Gras was beautiful and absolutely massive. The interior was decorated beautifully. Having said that, I really missed the layout of the older ships. There doesn’t seem like there is really a centralized area on the MG. Loved the mardi gras. Unless it's a specific itinerary we need, we will steer clear of anything Vista-class or lower. The mardi gras had so much to do, so many bars, eateries, fun things, it never felt crowded. The Mardi Gras is 40% larger, and has more dining options if you like options. It also has a more upscale look/feel to it. The rooms on Mardi Gras are nice,looking, but the Magic's rooms are a bit bigger. If you want the latest and greatest, Mardi Gras is the way to go. If you want tried and true, Magic is a safe bet. The Mardi Gras is shiny and new and on an entirely new level for Carnival. The itinerary is definitely not amazing. I love Cozumel. But Mahogany Bay was not a great spot. Just a beach with abysmal food and shopping options. I’d probably still pick the Mardi Gras even with that, though. I’m a sucker for a shiny mega ship. Curious if your experience was what I felt when I did Carnival Vista a few years back. I'm so used to the RC Oasis class ships and their layouts (I've done about 5), I absolutely hated the Vista layout. RC was just easy to familiarize with as the neighborhoods were easy to hop around to and from. That said, I gave Mardi Gras a try earlier this It doesn't say which boat is which in the pictures, but I would go with the 7 day cruise from Port Canaveral assuming they are similarly priced. I haven't been on Mardi Gras but people have nothing but good things to say about the newer Carnival ships like Mardi Gras/Celebration. The ports on the 7 day are much better. I went on Mardi Gras 3 weeks ago. My wife, two young kids and me. I sailed a lot as a kid (mostly Carnival but also RC and NCL) so on the MG I went platinum. It helped a lot with the lines for embarkation, guest services and disembarking. However, you’re right on. It’s quite crowded and the elevators are too small. It is tucked in the heroes bar. Bolt roller coast was out of service for whole cruise and is an extra charge too. (Skybike on Vista was free). And I am booked on its sister boat, celebration, in January so I am dreading it. I booked Mardi gras and celebration cruises at same time and paid for them together, big mistake on my part. I have been on both the Celebration and the Mardi Gras. They are basically identical minus some of the theme areas. The Mardi Gras has a New Orleans/Mardi Gras theme while the Celebration is Miami/Art Deco. The biggest difference in venues is two of the bars on deck six. They have different themes and drinks on the two ships.
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