MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Line is giving guests more to dream about in 2027 and 2028 by offering shorter itineraries aboard its Excel-class ship Mardi Gras for the first time.
Mardi Gras will offer four- and five-day Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral, while sister ship Carnival Celebration will continue its week-long Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from PortMiami.
“With a new Excel class ship on its way to Port Canaveral in 2027, we’re excited to offer more ways to experience these fabulous ships our guests love, with new shorter itineraries on Mardi Gras for the first time,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
“Mardi Gras introduced a number of new entertainment and dining options along with the first roller coaster at sea, so it’s fitting that this ship will take on another first for us as the largest-ever to sail short cruises. This will give our guests more variety as they choose their next family vacation – whether that’s a short getaway on Mardi Gras from Port Canaveral or a week-long sailing on her beautiful sister Carnival Celebration from Miami,” she added.
After three week-long voyages from Port Canaveral departing May 1, May 8 and May 15, 2027, Mardi Gras will begin a new schedule of four- and five-day sailings to The Bahamas starting May 22, 2027. The five-day cruises will visit Celebration Key, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. Beginning on May 27, 2027, four-day sailings will run over Memorial Day weekend and include stops at Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
For all new Mardi Gras sailings currently open for sale from Port Canaveral, click here.
Carnival Celebration will continue to offer seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from PortMiami from May 2027 through April 2028. Eastern Caribbean itineraries starting May 2, 2027, will visit destinations such as Celebration Key, Amber Cove, Grand Turk, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, San Juan, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. A special New Year’s sailing on Dec. 26, 2027, will include Celebration Key, Amber Cove, Grand Turk and Nassau. Western Caribbean cruises beginning May 16, 2027, will stop at Celebration Key, Cozumel and Isla Tropicale.
Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee each carry more than 6,400 guests and feature more than 20 dining venues, 12 bars and lounges, and relaxing spaces like Loft 19 and the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat. Attractions include BOLT: The Ultimate Seacoaster, along with nightly entertainment from comedy shows to Playlist Production shows. Carnival Festivale will join the Excel-class fleet in spring 2027, followed by Carnival Tropicale in 2028.
For all new Carnival Celebration sailings from Miami, click here.
Carnival plans to announce more itineraries as part of its 2027/28 deployment rollout, offering guests a wide variety of options. For more details, visit www.carnival.com.