But Mardi Gras is an entire season, often called Carnival. It begins 12 days after Christmas on Jan. 6 and lasts until Fat Tuesday, or the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Also known as Carnival or Carnaval, it’s celebrated in The Carnival season there opens on Twelfth Night (also called Epiphany, which is observed on January 6) and climaxes with the Mardi Gras festivities commencing 10 days before Shrove Tuesday. This period is filled with citywide revelry and elaborate parades, both day and night, building up to Mardi Gras and the Rex parade. Mardi Gras (UK: / ˌ m ɑːr d i ˈ ɡ r ɑː /, US: / ˈ m ɑːr d i ɡ r ɑː /; [1] [2] also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the final day of Carnival (also known as Shrovetide or Fastelavn); it thus falls on the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. [3] Mardi Gras is Carnival's grand finale and is the day that ends the festive season. What do the Mardi Gras colors represent? According to Mardi Gras New Orleans, the holiday's colors have a meaning The History & Traditions of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in Louisiana since the 18th century, brought by French settlers. Today’s traditions stem from European carnival customs mixed with local culture, creating a uniquely New Orleans spectacle. The Mardi Gras season, also known as Carnival, begins on January 6th and ends on March 4th, 2025. The first Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S. took place in 1699, but celebrations were temporarily The origins of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras traces its roots to ancient Roman festivals like Saturnalia, which involved feasting and revelry. With the advent of Christianity, these traditions were adapted into Carnival—a period of indulgence before the austerity of Lent. Mardi Gras specifically refers to the day before Ash Wednesday, when people From Rome to New Orleans, Mardi Gras is the ultimate carnival. In fact, it’s the last day of what is known as Carnival season. This period of revelry begins on Epiphany on January 6 and ends 47 Mardi Gras celebrates the last day of Carnival before Lent, but its roots go all the way back to pagan spring festivals thousands of years ago. The day has similarities to the raucous Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia. Built in 2020, the Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Mardi Gras cruise ship weighs 181K tons and has 2641 staterooms for up to 6338 passengers served by 1745 crew. There are 18 passenger decks, 11 with cabins. Mardi Gras Ship Stats. Mardi Gras’s size is nothing to scoff at.As mentioned, this is the largest ship in Carnival’s fleet, but it also ranks pretty well compared to other mega-ships around The Carnival Mardi Gras bar line-up also features popular favorites, including the Alchemy Bar, Havana Bar, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, and Piano Bar 88. The new Mardi Gras ship also has Carnival's signature facilities Serenity (adults-only resort), Alchemy Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse. Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks. Carnival Mardi Gras main dining rooms feature select items from the onboard steakhouse, available for an additional fee. Mardi Gras also has a Lido buffet. When it comes to festivals that celebrate the spirit of revelry and indulgence, two names stand out: Carnival and Mardi Gras.While both are synonymous with vibrant parades, colorful costumes, and extravagant celebrations, they have distinct origins, traditions, and cultural significance. Whether you’re craving casual bites or gourmet meals, this guide will help you discover the best restaurants onboard Mardi Gras. About Carnival Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras, launched in 2021, is a groundbreaking Excel-class ship that redefines the cruising experience with its innovative features and diverse amenities. Mardi Gras is an Excellence-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line.She is Carnival's lead vessel of the fleet's Excel-class, a subclass of the Excellence class, and was built by Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku in Turku, Finland. Mardi Gras Excel Suites. An ultimate, luxury category of Carnival’s suites, the Excel Suites debuted on Mardi Gras, bringing exclusive suite-level amenities, unlimited access to resort-style features, and an open-air enclave called Loft 19. The smallest Carnival ship (in terms of length) measures 855 feet (261 meters) from end to end. The longest vessel spans 1,130 feet (344 meters). Our chart below shows the length of the Carnival Mardi Gras vs all other active Carnival Cruise Line ships. Mardi Gras, which is also known as Fat Tuesday, is a day of indulgence that marks the end of Carnival. It's immediately followed by Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.Lent is a 40-day season of
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |