MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel-class ship, Mardi Gras, is back in action following a dry dock in Marseilles.

The ship has set sail from Barcelona on a 15-day transatlantic journey back to its homeport of Port Canaveral, to resume a year-round schedule of Caribbean cruises.

Among the enhancements for the 6,400-passenger Mardi Gras are new connecting doors across 100 staterooms, offering more flexibility for multi-generational families and larger groups.

Mardi Gras’ Breitling watch boutique

Carnival Adventures was revamped with a new layout, the ship’s casino was expanded with new slot machines and several retail venues were refreshed including Tag Heuer, Breitling, Pandora and Swarovski.

The ship also underwent a series of changes aimed at improving accessibility, including redesigned walkways and upgraded features in both public areas and guest cabins.

“Mardi Gras was a game-changer when she debuted as our first Excel-class ship, and now she’s setting the pace again as the first in her class to complete a dry dock,” said Carnival Cruise Line’s President, Christine Duffy. “These updates not only enhance the onboard experience for families and groups but also signal the exciting direction we’re heading in with future fleet enhancements.”

In 2027 Mardi Gras will be the first Excel-class, and the biggest in the fleet, to offer short four- and five-day itineraries to the Caribbean.