Carnival’s Mardi Gras First Cruise Ship to Sail from Port Canaveral Post Pandemic

Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras set sail this weekend from Port Canaveral, making it the first passenger cruise to leave the port since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last March. The vessel left Port Canaveral on Saturday for a seven-day voyage through the Caribbean. 

The moment was an emotional one for the captain and crew, as they have anxiously been waiting for the all-clear to restart cruises in the U.S.

The Mardi Gras can carry up to 5,282 passengers, but this voyage carried about 70 percent of the vessel’s normal passenger capacity.   

The Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship in the U.S. to be powered by liquid natural gas. The ship is also the first of its kind to have a roller coaster on board.    

Mardi Gras is the fifth Carnival Cruise Line ship to resume operations since the Covid-19 pandemicand all U.S. The company hopes to be sailing at least half of its fleet by October 15.   

Carnival Cruise Lines required all passengers to either show proof of vaccination prior to boarding the Mardi Gras or undergo COVID testing at the cost of $150 per passenger.  The company is also requiring 95 percent of its passengers and crew to be vaccinated for all of their July and August sailings.  

As always, we recommend that before you book your cruise, that you visit the CDC’s website where you can research different cruise ships to see how they performed in their last inspection. These random inspections verify that ships are maintaining a healthy and safe environment on board. Now in a post-Covid world, this type of preparedness and vigilance is key when booking your next cruise. 

INJURED ON A CRUISE SHIP OR CRUISE SHIP EXCURSION? SPEAK TO A CRUISE SHIP ACCIDENT LAWYER TODAY:  

1-866-597-4529. 

If you have been injured on your cruise, on a wet and slippery deck, down a poorly lit staircase or steep gangway, in port on an excursion, or on a tender boat- it is important that you speak as soon as possible with a lawyer who specializes in personal injury claims against cruise lines. Most cruise lines, require that claims against them be pursued in a very specific place under very strict deadlines. Failure to comply with each individual cruise lines deadlines can result in a complete loss of any and all legal rights. 

Aronfeld Trial Lawyers is a personal injury firm located in Miami, Florida since 1991.  We have fought hard to hold cruise lines accountable when they put their profits ahead of passenger safety.  We are available 24/7 and encourage you to contact us even if you are still on your cruise. The sooner we can begin our investigation and preservation of key evidence, such as the CCTV footage of your trip and fall, slip and fall, assault, or other type of injury the more likely we will be able to understand and prove how the incident occurred. Remember, the cruise lines have the most aggressive and well-funded defense lawyers in the world- protecting their profits.  You need an experienced legal advocate in your corner who will fight to obtain the compensation you deserve for lost wages, medical expenses, transportation reimbursement and pain and suffering.  Call us today and speak with a cruise ship claims lawyer about your potential claim- toll free 1-866-597-4529, 305-441-0440, or by email. We are ready to help.