Went for Elite but ended up booking Mardi Gras

[Clearwater]

Was excited to book my first Elite cruise. Looked like some perks.  Logged in at midnight and the itineraries and dates just didn't match to what we were looking for.  

 

So I chose another casino promotion which was excellent and we are going to try the Mardi Gras.  I am nervous and excited.  I have never been on a ship that big.  It's for Memorial Day week next year.  Lots to review and read.  I hope I didn't make a bad choice.  

 

Booked midship Balcony on level 9 so it's in the middle and we can take stairs down to some of the busy decks.  We looked at the high levels but didn't want to wait on elevators all the time. 

 

Help - good choice? Am I nuts?  lol

[Prometheus1]

I haven't been on Mardi gras but was on Celebration so almost same ship. Beautiful ship but Big! Lots of dining choices which is really nice. The roller coaster is actually really fun!  Im glad I went on an Xcel class ship but I think I like a smaller ship better.  Either way you will have a great time!

 

Hopefully booking my first Elite as well and going for the Dream. 

[csm5986142]

I think you made a good choice.  We have been on Mardi Gras twice and Celebration once.  Our first cruise on Mardi Gras we were also mid-ship, deck 9.  It is a good location (but we have also been in a Havana Cabana and aft, deck 9 on our other Excel cruises, and all were great locations). I agree with you on staying deck 9 (or lower) in regard to the elevators.  

I see you are cruising over a holiday, so likely a very full ship (we were over spring break on a completely full ship). In our experience the Excel class doesn't seem as crowded when sailing full (the crowds on the Dream class kill me when sailing full).  

[skywalkr2]

ignore

Edited April 20, 2023 by skywalkr2

[ObstructedView2]

10 hours ago, Clearwater said:

 

Booked midship Balcony on level 9 so it's in the middle

 

 

Hi @Clearwater🙂

 

What is the cabin number?

 

There are cabins above you (on deck 10) but there isn't cabins below you (Deck 8) for a sound buffer.

 

Take a look at the deck plans to see what is directly below your cabin.

 

My only concern would be having a cabin directly above Grand Central's 3-deck high atrium entertainment space located (mid ship) on decks 6, 7 & 8.

 

A cabin directly above that location would possibly be prone to hearing music below, atrium activities, Grand Central show rehearsals at odd hours, & so on. 

 

 

 

 

🍹

Edited April 20, 2023 by ObstructedView2

[csm5986142]

For reference, we were in 9370 (right above grand central) and loved it - close walk to many popular areas and no noise issues that we noticed (but we spend very little time in the room).  

[lazydayz]

Just make sure you are not above the Limelight.  In 80 cruises, this was the only time we actually changed rooms once on the ship!  The Limelight turns into the nightclub and the bass thumps until 2 a.m.  

[ObstructedView2]

12 minutes ago, csm5986142 said:

For reference, we were in 9370 (right above grand central) and loved it - close walk to many popular areas and no noise issues that we noticed (but we spend very little time in the room).  

 

Hi @csm5986142🙂

 

Cabin 9370 is directly above Bonsai Sushi restaurant. Not directly above the entertainment venue that is more on the starboard side of Grand Central. Take a peek at the deck plans. 

 

 

 

🍹

[Clearwater]

1 hour ago, ObstructedView2 said:

 

Hi @Clearwater🙂

 

What is the cabin number?

 

There are cabins above you (on deck 10) but there isn't cabins below you (Deck 8) for a sound buffer.

 

Take a look at the deck plans to see what is directly below your cabin.

 

My only concern would be having a cabin directly above Grand Central's 3-deck high atrium entertainment space located (mid ship) on decks 6, 7 & 8.

 

A cabin directly above that location would possibly be prone to hearing music below, atrium activities, Grand Central show rehearsals at odd hours, & so on. 

 

 

 

 

🍹

Just checked - we are in Room # 9326

[Clearwater]

33 minutes ago, lazydayz said:

Just make sure you are not above the Limelight.  In 80 cruises, this was the only time we actually changed rooms once on the ship!  The Limelight turns into the nightclub and the bass thumps until 2 a.m.  

We are in Room # 9326. Looking at the layout, it looks to be pretty far and two down so should be ok from there.  I am hoping this cabin is ok.  It was the only cabin left on deck nine which I found worrisome lol

 

[ObstructedView2]

46 minutes ago, Clearwater said:

Just checked - we are in Room # 9326

 

You're in a decent location in regards to what is below.

 

However, cabin 9326 is a 'connecting cabin'. There will be a door inside your stateroom that will connect to cabin 9322.

 

 

 

 

🍹

[audcc77]

I’ve been on MG 4 times.  Excellent location.   You can’t go wrong with midship on deck 9 or 10.  👍

 

Please note:

Smoking is permitted in a designated outdoor area at Bar Della Rosa on Deck 8 (starboard side, midship).

 

Therefore, you may wish to move if you’re on that side.  Not bad when sailing but possible smoke if in port. 
 

Enjoy!   
 

 

[TravelBluebird]

13 hours ago, Clearwater said:

So I chose another casino promotion which was excellent and we are going to try the Mardi Gras.  I am nervous and excited.  I have never been on a ship that big.  It's for Memorial Day week next year.  Lots to review and read.  I hope I didn't make a bad choice.  

 

Booked midship Balcony on level 9 so it's in the middle and we can take stairs down to some of the busy decks.  We looked at the high levels but didn't want to wait on elevators all the time. 

 

Help - good choice? Am I nuts?  lol

 

I think you made a great choice!
 

I’m a big fan of the Mardi Gras; been on it twice. I think it is my favorite ship! Was surprised how much I liked it…insisted my husband come along with me last month and he, who has said he would NEVER like a big ship, really enjoyed it, so much that we are already booked on the Jubilee next year!

 

As for the casino you will LOVE it. The biggest casino at sea I’ve ever seen! I’m a non-smoker, and there is just a huge non-smoking area.  Smoking area looked just as big.

 

And for me, the 9th floor is the PERFECT location, and the deck I always pick on the Excel class ships. Everything you want is an easy walk down the stairs on 6, 7 (Casino!) and 8. Coffee, restaurants, pizza (I always grab some pizza after late-night gambling), Havana Bar, Summer Landing, Grand Central…it’s great. Really only need the elevators to go up to Lido deck and the sports//outdoor activity deck.

[Clearwater]

27 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

I think you made a great choice!
 

I’m a big fan of the Mardi Gras; been on it twice. I think it is my favorite ship! Was surprised how much I liked it…insisted my husband come along with me last month and he, who has said he would NEVER like a big ship, really enjoyed it, so much that we are already booked on the Jubilee next year!

 

As for the casino you will LOVE it. The biggest casino at sea I’ve ever seen! I’m a non-smoker, and there is just a huge non-smoking area.  Smoking area looked just as big.

 

And for me, the 9th floor is the PERFECT location, and the deck I always pick on the Excel class ships. Everything you want is an easy walk down the stairs on 6, 7 (Casino!) and 8. Coffee, restaurants, pizza (I always grab some pizza after late-night gambling), Havana Bar, Summer Landing, Grand Central…it’s great. Really only need the elevators to go up to Lido deck and the sports//outdoor activity deck.

Thanks!!  Made me way more excited! Really happy to hear about the non smoking section as well!  

[Clearwater]

56 minutes ago, audcc77 said:

I’ve been on MG 4 times.  Excellent location.   You can’t go wrong with midship on deck 9 or 10.  👍

 

Please note:

Smoking is permitted in a designated outdoor area at Bar Della Rosa on Deck 8 (starboard side, midship).

 

Therefore, you may wish to move if you’re on that side.  Not bad when sailing but possible smoke if in port. 
 

Enjoy!   
 

 

Just checked!!  Appreciate you pointing that out. Looks like the bar is on the other side and further down.  

[PortSideCruzan]

3 hours ago, ObstructedView2 said:

You're in a decent location in regards to what is below.

However, cabin 9326 is a 'connecting cabin'. There will be a door inside your stateroom that will connect to cabin 9322.

 

 

This is an extremely valid concern. Of course some passengers experience no issues & some have experienced terrible issues. It depends on your neighbors.

 

If you have loud, noisy neighbors, it'll certainly be noisy.

 

Loud, noisy neighbors will sound as if they are in the same cabin with you. 

 

Personally, we will NEVER book an adjoining/connecting cabin ever again. Once was enough.

 

We avoid them at all costs.

 

 

 

.

Edited April 20, 2023 by PortSideCruzan

[Lee Cruiser]

21 hours ago, Clearwater said:

Booked midship Balcony on level 9 so it's in the middle and we can take stairs down to some of the busy decks.  We looked at the high levels but didn't want to wait on elevators all the time. 

Don't know much about the rooms on that deck, but if you can take the stairs, you will be glad.  The elevators on Mardi Gras, especially the mid elevators are small and stay busy.  Having eight elevators there actually just makes it worse as people who are waiting in the middle will often get passed by people who just walk up and jump on one of the end ones that open.  You will be glad you are able to take the stairs.

[Momma1980]

We had a cabin on Mardi Gras with an adjoining room. I was concerned about noise but never heard anything from the cabin next door. 

[d-train]

We were on MG last summer, one week in 9363 (heard music from below once, during the day), and one week in 9366 (right above the bonsai sushi, never heard any noise).

 

Looks like you will be above Chibang - I bet you will not hear much of anything from below.

 

Loved being on deck 9, mid, both starboard and port sides. Easy to get just about everywhere. Close to 2 elevator banks and stairwells. The extended balcony was great too!

 

Enjoy Mardi Gras! Good luck getting to everything you want to - even on our 2 weeks aboard, still did not hit is all! Great ship!