So you’re thinking of booking a suite on Mardi Gras for your next cruise? Good decision!
Your next step is now to decide which suite type to choose. With nine different types, that’s something you’ll want to get right.
Whether you want the best suites on the ship, or need to know which Mardi Gras suites to avoid, I have all the info for you in this thorough guide. Then, I’ll give an overview of the different perks you can expect with each suite type and whether they’re worth the upgrade or not.
The 9 different suites on Mardi Gras (ranked best to worst)
There are nine different suite types to choose from on Mardi Gras, here’s an overview of each to help you decide which to choose…
1. Excel Presidential Suites
Sleeps: Five guests. There are two twin beds that convert to a king-size, a double sofa bed and one upper bed.
Size: 1120 square feet. The interior is 476 square feet and the balcony is 646 square feet.
Category: SV
Suite Numbers: 17209, 17210
Why Choose: Mardi Gras’ Excel Presidential Suites are the largest suites you’ll find on any Carnival cruise ship. These luxurious suites feature huge balconies with an outdoor hot tub and shower, a day bed, loungers, an outdoor dining table and enough space for your to invite all of your friends over for a party.
When you stay in a Carnival Excel Presidential Suite, you’ll enjoy complimentary access to the Havana Pool and the Spa’s Thermal Suite.
How much is the Presidential Suite on Mardi Gras?
A stay in the Presidential Suite on Mardi Gras costs from $3,675 per person for a seven-night Caribbean cruise. However, on popular itineraries, you can expect to pay $10,000 per person or more.
If you want to stay in a Presidential Suite you’ll need to be quick. As there are only two of these on the ship, they usually sell out really fast.
2. Excel Aft Suites
Sleeps: Two to five guests. In the bedroom, there are two twin beds that convert to a king-size. In the living room, some suites have a single sofa bed, some have a double sofa bed and some also have an extra Pullman bed that comes down from the ceiling.
Size: 861 square feet. The interior is 463 square feet and the balcony is 398 square feet.
Category: LS
Suite Numbers: 9501, 9504, 10492, 10495, 11501, 11506, 12502, 12503, 14498, 14517, 15478, 15495
Why Choose: If you don’t manage to get a Presidential Suite, then the Excel Aft Suite is the next best choice. In fact, some may even prefer it as it has views over the wake of the ship, whereas Presidential Suites are forward-facing.
When it comes to space, the interior area of the Excel Aft Suite is almost identical to the Presidential Suite and you’d barely notice the difference in size. The wraparound balcony is pretty large too, with almost all of the same facilities, except for the outdoor shower.
3. Excel Corner Suites
Sleeps: Two to four guests. Depending on which Excel Corner Suite you choose, there will be space to accommodate two, three or four guests. Some suites come with a single sofa bed, some have a double sofa bed and some have a single sofa bed with an upper Pullman bed.
Size: 710 square feet. The interior is 398 square feet and the balcony is 312 square feet.
Category: KS
Suite Numbers: 9210, 9211, 10209, 10210, 11211, 11212, 12211, 12212, 14210, 14211, 15209, 15210
Why Choose: Located on the forward corners of Mardi Gras, the Excel Corner Suites offer huge wraparound balconies at a more affordable price. You won’t get a Jacuzzi on your balcony, but there is a lounge chair, patio chairs and a dining table for two.
You might want to avoid the Excel Corner Suites on deck 15, these have a split balcony due to the presence of a structural support.
4. Excel Suites
Sleeps: Two to five guests. There are various bed configurations with a combination of sofa beds and upper Pullman beds. The Suites on Deck 10 are fully-accessible and feature king beds that do not convert to twins.
Size: 615 square feet. The interior is 410 square feet and the balcony is 205 square feet.
Category: DS
Suite Numbers: 10363, 10367, 11359, 11363, 12363, 12367
Why Choose: Excel Suites on Mardi Gras are twice the size of Extended Balcony Staterooms with space for a four-seater dining table and two loungers on the balcony.
If you want the Excel Suite perks (more on those later in this guide), then this is the cheapest type of suite that will get them. It’s also the only Excel Suite that has a wheelchair accessible option for disabled guests.
5. Havana Cabana Corner Suites
Sleeps: Two guests. There are two twin beds that convert to a king-size bed.
Size: 511 square feet. The interior is 350 square feet and the patio cabana is 161 square feet.
Category: HU
Suite Numbers: 8209, 8210
Why Choose: Havana Cabana Corner Suites feature a large patio cabana. There’s a walkway between the cabana and the edge of the ship and the view is obstructed by a steel railing. However, the hammock makes the cabana a nice place to relax and you’ll also get exclusive access to the Havana Pool area.
These suites aren’t good options for families as they only sleep two people and children under 12 years old are not allowed.
6. Havana Cabana Suites
Sleeps: Two or three guests. There are two twin beds that convert to a king-size bed. One suite also has a single sofa bed.
Size: 426 square feet. The interior is 308 square feet and the patio cabana is 118 square feet.
Category: HS
Suite Numbers: 8250, 8251, 8256, 8257
Why Choose: Located on Deck 8, Havana Cabana Suites have a large cabana area with a lounger and comfy chairs. There’s a walkway between the patio and the edge of the ship though, so you won’t get the best views of the ocean. But, you do get access to the exclusive Havana Pool and Bar.
If you want a Havana Suite with three guests, this is your option as one of the suites has a sofa bed with a privacy divider between it and the bedroom area. However, kids under 12 are not allowed.
7. Cloud 9 Spa Suites
Sleeps: Two guests, with two twin beds that convert to a king-size bed.
Size: 341 square feet. The interior is 287 square feet and the balcony is 54 square feet.
Category: SS
Suite Numbers: 17229, 17233, 17258, 17267, 17284, 17293
Why Choose: Cloud 9 Spa Suites are located on Deck 17 of Mardi Gras, close to the spa area and come with exclusive spa perks. These suites are the same size as Ocean Suites, but with relaxing decor and upgraded ELEMIS in-suite toiletries.
8. Ocean Suites
Sleeps: Two to five guests. Various bed configurations are available in addition to the twin beds that convert to a king-size. Some suites have a single sofa bed and an upper bed, some have a double sofa bed and some have a double sofa bed and one upper bed.
Size: 341 square feet. The interior is 287 square feet and the balcony is 54 square feet.
Two of the suites are fully-accessible, these are larger at 410 square feet with a 205-square-foot balcony to accommodate wheelchair users.
Category: OS, OT
Suite Numbers: 9284, 9286, 9288, 9289, 9290, 9291, 9292, 9293, 9294, 9295, 9296, 9297, 9298, 9299, 9300, 9301, 9302, 9303, 9304, 9305, 9306, 9307, 9308, 9309, 9310, 9311, 9315, 9317, 9357, 9361, 9405, 9407, 9409, 9410, 9411, 9412, 9414, 9415, 9416, 9417, 9418, 9419, 9420, 9421, 9422, 9423, 9424, 9425, 9426, 9427, 9428, 9429, 9430, 9431, 9432, 9433, 9434, 9435, 9436, 9437, 9438, 9439, 9440, 9441, 9442, 9443, 9444, 9445, 9446, 9447, 9448, 9449, 9450, 9451, 9452, 9453, 9454, 9455, 9456, 9457, 9458, 9459, 9460, 9461, 9462, 9463, 9464, 9465, 9466, 9467, 9468, 9469, 9470, 9471, 9472, 9473, 9474, 10276, 10287, 10302, 10315, 10401, 10402, 11282, 11283, 11308, 11309, 11409, 11414, 12278, 12291, 12304, 12315, 12410, 12415, 14277, 14280, 14303, 14306, 14410, 14429, 15266, 15279, 15292, 15301, 15390, 15407, 16250, 16253, 16276, 16279
Why Choose: Ocean Suites are the most popular suite type on Mardi Gras and also the most affordable. Staying in an Ocean Suite is the best way to get Carnival’s suite perks without the hefty price tag of some of the larger suites.
Each suite has a privacy curtain to divide the bedroom from the living area where the extra beds are found. There are three closets for lots of storage space and two TVs.
On Mardi Gras, some Ocean Suites have larger balconies than others. If you want a big balcony, then avoid the Ocean Suites on Deck 9 and choose one of the higher decks where the balconies are larger.
9. Family Harbor Ocean View Suites
Sleeps: Five guests. There are two twin beds that convert to a king-size along with a double sofa bed and one upper bed.
Size: 312 square feet. These suites do not have a balcony.
Category: FP
Suite Numbers: 4330, 4332, 4370, 4376, 4388, 4394
Why Choose: For families who want space to relax but do not want the worry of a balcony with young kids, Family Harbor Ocean View Suites are ideal. Instead of a balcony, there’s a large picture window with a window seat to look out and admire the view.
Each Family Harbor Ocean View Suite on Mardi Gras sleeps five people with a privacy curtain between the bedroom and sitting area. There are two bathrooms – one with a shower, toilet and sink and one with a small bathtub and sink.
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The perks you get
While suites offer extra space compared to staterooms, it’s not all about the square footage. Carnival Cruise Line’s suites come with a whole host of extra benefits and amenities that will make you feel like the VIP that you are.
The perks differ depending on which suite you choose, so I suggest that you now take a look at my Guide to Carnival Suite Perks before you finalise any decisions about the best accommodation for your cruise on Mardi Gras.
How to book your Carnival cruise for less
Whichever suite you choose, the price you pay will vary depending on which travel agent you book it with, even though what you get will be exactly the same!
Click here to compare the best prices for Carnival cruises
To help you avoid these worst cabins on Carnival Mardi Gras, I’ve created a cabin checklist that you can get for free.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
