As her second cruise ever is now underway, Carnival Cruise Line’s new ship Mardi Gras has visited another port for the first time: Cozumel, Mexico.
This week’s sailing is seven-night western Caribbean itinerary that will call on both Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico as well as Roatán, Honduras. Last week, the ship sailed a seven-night eastern Caribbean route that stopped in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and Nassau, Bahamas.
As passengers disembarked in Cozumel, they were greeted by a mariachi band on the pier to celebrate the ship’s inaugural visit.
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Mardi Gras’ leadership team joined local officials for a traditional plaque exchange to celebrate the ship’s first arrival into the port.
Cozumel is an island off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, and despite having a bustling port area and tours for cruise visitors, is mostly undeveloped. The island and its surrounding waters is world-renowned for its spectacular scuba diving opportunities, which includes the second-largest reef system in the world, the Mesoamerican reef system.
Other popular activities on and around Cozumel for cruise visitors include snorkeling and snuba, swimming in a cenote, driving jeeps and ATVs, enjoying the beach, riding bicycles, taking a historical tour, swimming with dolphins, and exploring the Mayan ruins in Tulum.
Some highlights of the brand-new Mardi Gras include the BOLT roller coaster, RedFrog Tiki Bar, Loft 19 exclusive sundeck, New Orleans-inspired bar The Brass Magnolia, new Excel Suites, Chibang! Chinese and Mexican restaurant, Family Feud Live game show, WaterWorks aqua park, and the adults-only Serenity Retreat sundeck.
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