Port of New Orleans

The Mardi Gras was originally slated to sail out of New York before the COVID pandemic

The Costa Captain of the Costa Venezia said this on the cruise to me when we were talking.

The Costa Captain of the Costa Venezia said this.

I absolutely love the Fantasy class. I have been on the Carnival Magic before, and I have also been on the Carnival Elation (a really close clone to the Carnival Paradise) and I love it. The Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise got a massive overhaul in 2018 which included new rooms, which is why you found USB plugs on the Carnival Paradise. The Carnival Magic isn't too old, but it didn't have the same Carnival design that newer ships have and the Carnival Paradise and Elation have now to.

It just depends on what you request when checking in for your cruise. Some of the earlier check in times may be gone if Platinum, Diamond, or Suite guests choose them first as they have first priority.

I've heard sources that the Costa/Carnival Venezia and Firenze will only be in the Carnival fleet for 2 years before they are transferred back into the Costa fleet again. It makes sense though. They send two ships to the fully recovered North American market giving them modest changes for North American cruisers and gain a profit for 2 years while the European cruise market returns and then the ships will return back to Costa with more modest changes on its return. I wouldn't be too surprised if the ships are kept for a little more than 2 years, but I wouldn't imagine anything crazy long. If Carnival really wanted to keep them, they would at least paint the funnel red white and blue like the Carnival Luminosa.

Carnival does offer a lot of advantages for booking a suite. Like you mentioned, you are the first to board the ship, and there are also priority lines for you at places like Guest Services and Carnival Adventures (their shore excursion desk). There is also priority tender disembarkation if your ship sails to a port that a tender is required to get ashore. Unfortunately you won't receive double VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) points for your cruise. I'm also not sure if your room will be cleaned twice. The last cruises I have travelled on, my family got a balcony so I don't know if your room is cleaned twice. I want to say it is, but don't take my word for it. As for the priority dining times, just call Carnival or go to your booking reservation and click for the dining time you want (the options are: 6:00 PM, 8:15 PM, or Your Time Dining [so anytime]). Finally, the onboard credit can be put to many things. It could be used to purchase drinks, food, shore excursions, and various packages (including internet and drinking packages). Hopefully this helps and enjoy your Carnival Cruise!