Day 8 - all good things must come to an end

Alas, the cruise has come to an end.  We awoke already docked at Port Canaveral.  We headed up for a quick breakfast but were greeted with the second Ba-cation sign in a row.  We pivoted and headed to Shaq's Big Chicken for a breakfast chicken sandwich.

Back in the room, we awaited clearance and a call for luggage tag zone 5.  That came quickly and we headed off the ship.  If you haven't been through Customs lately, it is so much better than it used to be.  You smile for the camera, it recognizes you, and you're done.  It's great!

A quick ride to Park Port Canaveral on the shuttle and we were on our way home.  Getting home and being fully unpacked before 11:30 AM is a great thing.

Since our cruise is over, let me first say that it was a terrific week.  Did everything go perfectly?  No, but that didn't diminish the fun.  We enjoyed a great week with terrific friends and that makes for great memories.

Here are my thoughts on the Mardi Gras, Carnival's new direction for cruise ship design.

• Running on liquified natural gas (LNG) is a great thing.  No smoke, no soot.
• The expanded variety of eateries and watering holes is great.  Lots of variety.
• The division of the ship into neighborhoods is nice.  Each area has its own distinct feel and character.
• The rooms - while well-decorated and visually appealing, are small.  Narrow walkways, narrow doors, tiny, and I mean tiny, bathrooms all make for a cramped feel.  The larger shower was a nice touch, but I'd take a smaller shower and a larger, wider room.
• The elevators suck, and I mean really suck.  They are small and there simply aren't enough for a ship this size.  With 19 decks, you're going to use the elevator and when you do, you'll be waiting.  And waiting.  And, if it is a busy time, like port mornings, you'll wait even more.  Carnival really blew it on this one.
• Getting a table for my time dining worked through the Hub app, and it works well.  No standing in lines.  That's nice.
• I'm not sure they have enough pool and hot tub space.  There were days when the pools were shoulder to shoulder, and that's at 60% guest capacity.  I can't imagine the pools at 100% capacity, nor the elevators.
•  Using two venues as comedy clubs was great.  Still, most shows were completely full.  Get the message, Carnival, people like live comedy.  You need a bigger venue.
• The port (left) side is not a good side for a balcony if you're not a smoker. The smoking area is on deck 8 port side, and even on deck 14, we could smell it frequently.

Even with the complaints, the Mardi Gras is a beautiful ship.  The Grand Central space in the middle of the ship with the center stage was great. I'd be a little leary of cruising at 100%, though, as I think it will feel crowded.

That's a wrap for this trip.  Watch this space for the next adventure!