Debut delayed for Mardi Gras cruise ship featuring roller coaster

Carnival Cruises pushes back debut to Feb. 6, 2021

Carnival Cruise Lines revealed a roller coaster, Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster, will be a permanent fixture on its new cruise ship coming to Port Canaveral the Mardi Gras (Image: Carnival Cruise Lines)

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – If you were hoping to take to the waves on one brand new cruise ship come fall, you’ll have to wait just a bit longer.

Carnival Cruises is pushing back the debut of its Mardis Gras ship to Feb. 6, 2021.

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Its maiden voyage was originally set to begin from Port Canaveral in September.

Carnival Cruise officials say the date change is due to construction delays at a shipyard in Finland.

[RELATED: Carnival names new mega ship | Everything you need to know about Mardi Gras cruise ship]

Once the 180,000-ton Mardis Gras is sea-ready, the ship, featuring the first roller coaster at sea, will have a maximum capacity of 6,500 passengers and about 2,000 crew members.

Last year, Florida Today reported that Port Canaveral was building a two-story, 188,000-square-foot cruise terminal and 1,000-space parking garage that will be used by the Mardi Gras. It is part of the port’s largest single construction project in its 65-year history — the $163 million Cruise Terminal 3 complex.


About the Author

Erin began her career at News 6 as an assignment editor, then became a show producer. She is now a digital storyteller as part of the Click Orlando team.

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