Mardi Gras: Sanitation Record & Health Report
ShipTea Verdict
The first ship in Carnival's Excel class and the first cruise ship in North America with a roller coaster. Mardi Gras proved Carnival could build a genuinely excellent ship. CDC score of 92 is lower than its sisters, suggesting some ongoing maintenance attention needed.
The BOLT roller coaster gets all the marketing attention, but the real improvement is in the dining: Emeril's Bistro 1396, Rudi's Seagrill, and Guy's Pig & Anchor are leagues better than the buffet-focused reputation Carnival carries.
**Who it's for:** First-time Carnival cruisers. Anyone who wants to ride a roller coaster at sea. Foodies who've been told Carnival food is bad (it's not, on this ship).
**Who should skip it:** The 92 CDC score makes it less appealing for germaphobes than its higher-scoring sisters.
Score History
Inspection History
Outbreak Timeline
No outbreaks on record for the Mardi Gras.
Total outbreaks on record: 0
Safety score last updated: Feb 20, 2026
How Does This Compare?
USCG Deficiency Records
No USCG deficiencies on record.
Marine Casualties & Investigations
No marine casualties or investigations on record.
Crime Rate Context
Carnival Crime Rate
Based on DOT CVSSA quarterly crime reports, Carnival has a crime rate roughly in line with the industry average. This score applies to all ships in the fleet. Crime Score: 85/100.
Crew Treatment: Fair Passage
This score reflects how Carnival treats its crew — based on employee reviews, flag state quality, safety compliance, and editorial assessment. All ships in the Carnival fleet share this line-level rating.
Glassdoor Employee Rating
★★★★☆ 3.9Based on 718 employee reviews
Score Breakdown
Flag State Quality
Mardi Gras is registered under a Paris MOU Grey List flag state — average performance on port state inspections. Flag State Score: 50/100
Upcoming Sailings
| Voyage | Departs | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean | Mar 14 | 7N |
| 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean | Mar 21 | 7N |
| 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean | Mar 28 | 7N |
| 7 days, round-trip Western Caribbean | Apr 4 | 7N |
| 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean | Apr 11 | 7N |
Sailing on Mardi Gras?
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Find Your Roll Call →How This Ship Compares
Should You Book?
Good For You If...
- You want a ship with a passing CDC score (92/100)
- A clean outbreak record matters to you
Proceed With Caution If...
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Frequently Asked Questions
The latest CDC sanitation score for the Mardi Gras is 92/100 as of August 10, 2025.
No, the Mardi Gras has never failed a CDC inspection. All recorded scores have been 86 or above.
No, the Mardi Gras has no recorded gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on file with the CDC.
Based on CDC inspection data and our editorial review, the Mardi Gras has a ShipTea rating of "🟢 Smooth Sailing". Check the full profile for detailed inspection history.
The Mardi Gras was last inspected by the CDC on August 10, 2025.