The cruise line has decided to name the latest addition to its fleet, which is also said to be the largest the company has ever constructed, Mardi Gras.
The ship will be delivered in 2020 and will share the same name as the first ever Carnival ship, which entered service in 1972 and helped kick start cruise holiday popularity in America.
Mardi Gras will be the largest Carnival Cruise Line ship ever constructed and the first in North America to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), part of Carnival Corporation’s green cruising platform.
At 180,000 tons, the new Mardi Gras will be more than six times the size of its namesake.
Currently under construction in Finland, the 5,200-plus lower berth vessel will offer a variety of never-before-seen innovations and attractions, of which details are yet to be revealed.
Itineraries for Mardi Gras will be announced in January and will go on sale later that same month.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, commented: “Our first ship Mardi Gras was a historic vessel, introducing a brand-new style of cruising to the holidaying public. What better way to pay tribute to our company’s nearly 50-year history of creating wonderful holiday memories than by naming this ground-breaking vessel after our original and beloved ‘Fun Ship.’
“The new Mardi Gras will follow the trailblazing lead of her predecessor, introducing features and technological innovations that have never been seen before on a cruise ship while setting a new standard for seagoing holidays.”
Carnival previously announced that the ship will be based in Port Canaveral, Florida, which will feature a new state-of-the-art terminal.
A second ship will start construction in 2020 and will be delivered in 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Carnival Cruise Line’s founding.
For more information, visit www.carnival.com.
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