Mardi Gras vs Wonder of the Seas: Head-to-Head Comparison
CDC inspection scores, outbreak history, and sanitation records compared
Mardi Gras or Wonder of the Seas? The Short Version
This is a cross-line matchup: Mardi Gras sails for Carnival and Wonder of the Seas sails for Royal Caribbean. Wonder of the Seas is the newer ship by 2 years (2022, against 2020 for Mardi Gras). Mardi Gras carries 5,282 passengers to 5,734 on Wonder of the Seas, and measures 180,800 gross tons to 236,857. That is 34.2 gross tons per passenger on Mardi Gras and 41.3 on Wonder of the Seas, so Wonder of the Seas gives each guest more space.
On their most recent CDC inspections, Mardi Gras scored 98 (April 11, 2026) and Wonder of the Seas scored 99 (September 4, 2026). Mardi Gras averages 95 across 2 inspections; Wonder of the Seas averages 98.2 across 5 inspections. Their lowest scores on record are 92 for Mardi Gras and 95 for Wonder of the Seas. Neither ship has a failing score in the inspections we hold.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | Mardi Gras | Wonder of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Line | Carnival | Royal Caribbean |
| Latest Score | 98 | 99 |
| Avg Score | 95 | 98.2 |
| Total Inspections | 2 | 5 |
| Times Failed | 0 | 0 |
| Outbreaks | N/A | N/A |
| Trend | ↑ Improving | ↓ Declining |
| ShipTea Rating | 🟢 Smooth Sailing | 🟢 Smooth Sailing |
| Gross Tonnage | 180,800 | 236,857 |
| Passengers | 5,282 | 5,734 |
| Year Built | 2020 | 2022 |
Score History
Mardi Gras
Wonder of the Seas
Every CDC Inspection on Record
Each ship's dated Vessel Sanitation Program scores, newest first. A score of 86 or higher passes.
| Date | Ship | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 4, 2026 | Wonder of the Seas | 99 | Pass |
| May 11, 2026 | Wonder of the Seas | 95 | Pass |
| Apr 11, 2026 | Mardi Gras | 98 | Pass |
| Feb 13, 2026 | Wonder of the Seas | 99 | Pass |
| Jan 24, 2026 | Wonder of the Seas | 100 | Pass |
| Sep 5, 2025 | Wonder of the Seas | 98 | Pass |
| Aug 10, 2025 | Mardi Gras | 92 | Pass |
Beyond Sanitation: Ship Tea's Other Ratings
Each rating is scored out of 100 and explained on its rankings page.
| Rating | Mardi Gras | Wonder of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Score | 96.9 | 98.1 |
| Crew Treatment Score | 66.4 | 82 |
Where and When They Sail
Mardi Gras has 48 sailings scheduled through August 2027, mostly from Port Canaveral; Wonder of the Seas has 48 sailings scheduled through May 2027, mostly from Miami. They do not share a departure port on the current schedule, so where you want to leave from may decide this one for you. The next departures are Mardi Gras on November 7, 2026 and Wonder of the Seas on November 2, 2026.
Every Mardi Gras sailing → Every Wonder of the Seas sailing →
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