Precious Memories: Boarding the Mardi Gras in Port Canaveral

34-Day Cross Country RV Trip + 7-Day Caribbean Cruise 2022

Day 16: Port Canaveral, Florida

May 14, 2022

This is the day! Boarding Day on the Mardi Gras in Port Canaveral. It's especially exciting boarding a cruise ship during the pandemic. Well, we had a cruise last September to Alaska, but unfortunately, MOR fell sick (non-COVID) on the second day so that cruise was ruined by his health issue. This time around, he should be able to enjoy the whole cruise if everything goes right. The only difference is that we will need to watch our every move to make our cruise as safe as can be since we are still in COVID watch.

From Orlando to Port Canaveral it is just about an hour and a half. I actually woke up at 4:30, too much excitement, I suppose. We left the campground at 9:00 and on our way to the port on the east coast. It was about 10:30 by the time we arrived port. It was an easy drive being on a Saturday but just as everybody said, do not trust the GPS. We just watched for the signs and ignored what the GPS said because it was telling us to go to the other terminal where the rest of the Carnival ships dock at. Terminal 3 is built especially for Mardi Gras, a mega ship.

As we were driving into the terminal, we were instructed by the staff to drop off our luggage and then park on the side of the parking structure. We wouldn't be able to fit inside the structure so we will be outside for the week. There were a couple of vans parked nearby and we fit right in. A female attendant came over and took our credit card to pay for the week. She assured us that it is safe to park out here because they have security and cameras 24-hour a day. It cost $17 a day and $135 a week, not a bad deal actually. I have checked the other parking services nearby and some of them required to pay for two spots because of the size of the RV. This turned out to be much better, at least it's right at the port terminal.

Leaving the RV at the outdoor parking for the week.

Next to the parking lot of the casino boat.

Checking in with long lines of people but it went really quick. We had a 11:30 check-in time and we were on board at around that time.

Mardi Gras is huge!

Stepping onto the gangway is always exciting!

First thing was to report to our muster station for a safety briefing. Our station was inside ChiBang where they showed us how to put on the life jacket. That was it! Just a few minutes of our time. Much easier than before.

Since the cabins were not ready, we headed over to Pig and Anchor, the BBQ venue on the ship, for some lunch. It was a little difficult to find the service because the counter is outside on deck, but we finally figured it out. Got our food and then brought it back inside to eat at the restaurant. Food was delicious, with different kind of meats with all the fixings, like beans, corn, and mac and cheese.

Inside Pig and Anchor

It soon got quite crowded.

After lunch, our cabin was still not ready, so we just waited by the stairways for the door to open.

At 1:30, they finally opened all doors to the hallway and we were able to enter our cabin.

Our room for the next seven days. I really like the sleek design.

Spacious even with the third bed set up.

Port Canaveral, with the Jetty Park RV Campground nearby.

Parking structure in port.

I guess Carnival lived up to it's reputation as Party cruises.

This must be the most actively participated sail-away I have seen.

The fun begins!

We found a quiet and shady spot in the back of the ship as we watched another Carnival ship sailed away. I believe that was the Elation, a ship we sailed on quite a few years back.