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Ship comparison

Carnival Venezia vs Mardi Gras

The verdict

Which should you choose?

Carnival Venezia is a mega Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 4,072 passengers, in service since 2019. Mardi Gras is a mega Carnival Cruise Line ship carrying 5,282 passengers, in service since 2021.

Choose Mardi Gras if you want a better-rated spa and gym, better-rated dining or better-rated staterooms: it outscores Carnival Venezia for spa & fitness (7.0 vs 5.0), dining (7.0 vs 5.0) and staterooms (7.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.

Carnival Venezia does not lead by a clear margin on any measure we track, so pick it for its itinerary or its dates.

Side by side

Specifications

marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.

Carnival VeneziaMardi Gras
Cruise line Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Cruise Line
Ship size Mega Mega
Maiden voyagenewer highlighted 2019 2021 (better)
Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted 2023
Gross tonnage 135,225 180,000
Passengers 4,072 5,282
Crew 1,424 1,745
Passengers per crew memberfewer is better 2.9 (better) 3.0
Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier 33.2 34.1 (better)
Decks 14 17
Length 1,061 ft 1,130 ft
Beam 122 ft 137 ft
Cruiseable ratingout of 10 9 / 10 9 / 10
Cruises on sale 23 12
Upcoming sailings 76 109
Cruise lengths 4–14 nights 4–7 nights
Fares fromlower highlighted $347 (better) $400

Bliss scores

How they rate, out of 10

Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Carnival Venezia leads on 0 of the ten, Mardi Gras on 7, with 3 level.

  • Active Carnival Venezia: 7.0 Mardi Gras: 7.0
  • Adventure & nature Carnival Venezia: 5.0 Mardi Gras: 5.0
  • Cultural Carnival Venezia: 5.0 Mardi Gras: 5.0
  • Dining Carnival Venezia: 5.0 Mardi Gras: 7.0
  • Entertainment Carnival Venezia: 6.0 Mardi Gras: 7.0
  • Family friendly Carnival Venezia: 8.0 Mardi Gras: 9.0
  • Party Carnival Venezia: 7.0 Mardi Gras: 9.0
  • Romantic Carnival Venezia: 5.0 Mardi Gras: 6.0
  • Spa & fitness Carnival Venezia: 5.0 Mardi Gras: 7.0
  • Staterooms Carnival Venezia: 5.0 Mardi Gras: 7.0

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Venezia

The 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia debuted for Carnival in 2023 with a generous dose of Italian flair. The ship, which launched under the Costa Cruises banner in 2019, is a heady blend of signature Carnival ship attractions plus a dollop of Italiana meant to evoke the experience of visiting the ship's namesake, Venice.

Sailing now

23 cruises on sale, from $347.

Carnival Cruise Line

Mardi Gras

When you step on board Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras, which debuted in July 2021, you will see all the great features you have come to expect from Carnival Cruises and then find all the new treasures on this ship.

Sailing now

12 cruises on sale, from $400.

Questions

Carnival Venezia or Mardi Gras?

Which is bigger, Carnival Venezia or Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is bigger at 180,000 gross tons, against 135,225 gross tons for Carnival Venezia. Carnival Venezia carries 4,072 passengers and Mardi Gras carries 5,282.

Which ship is newer, Carnival Venezia or Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2021 against 2019 for Carnival Venezia.

Which has more space per passenger?

Mardi Gras, with 34.1 gross tons per passenger against 33.2 on Carnival Venezia. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.

Which has more crew per passenger?

Carnival Venezia, with one crew member for every 2.9 passengers against one for every 3.0 on Mardi Gras.

Which is better for families?

Mardi Gras scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 9.0 out of 10, against 8.0 for Carnival Venezia.

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