Carnival Cruise Line is to name its new XL-class ship Mardi Gras, resurrecting the name given to Carnival’s first ever cruise ship that entered service in 1972.
The new class of vessel, to be delivered in 2020, will be the largest Carnival Cruise Line ship ever constructed and the first in North America to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), part of Carnival Corporation’s green cruising platform.
At 180,000 tons, Mardi Gras will be six times bigger than its pioneering namesake.
How the new Mardi Gras will look, top of page, and the original 1972 Mardi Gras, above
The original 27,000-ton TSS Mardi Gras, a converted transatlantic ocean liner purchased by entrepreneur and Carnival founder Ted Arison, ushered in the modern-day cruise industry when it set sail on its inaugural voyage in 1972,
It helped to transform cruising from an experience once reserved for the elite into a mainstream vacation accessible and affordable to everyone.
“Our first ship Mardi Gras was a historic vessel, introducing a brand new style of cruising to the vacationing public,”said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
“What better way to pay tribute to our company’s nearly 50-year history of creating wonderful vacation memories than by naming this groundbreaking vessel after our original and beloved ‘Fun Ship,’”
“The new Mardi Gras will follow the trailblazing lead of her predecessor, introducing features and technological innovations that have never been seen before on a cruise ship while setting a new standard for seagoing vacations.”
Itineraries for Mardi Gras will be announced in January and go on sale later in the month.