What Crew Members Say About Mardi-Gras

**Title: Mardi Gras Cruise Ship Saves Nine Castaways in Dramatic Rescue** On May 16, 2026, the Carnival cruise ship 'Mardi Gras' became a beacon of hope, rescuing nine stranded individuals off the Florida coast near Sebastian Inlet. This heroic act took place shortly after the vessel set sail from Port Canaveral, embarking on a journey to the Caribbean. The crew's quick response was triggered when they noticed a struggling boat in the water, where its occupants were desperately trying to signal for help. Utilizing distress signals and frantic gestures, the castaways indicated their dire situation, having run out of critical supplies such as food, water, and fuel during their time at sea. Without hesitation, the 'Mardi Gras' crew sprang into action, coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard while maneuvering the ship close enough to the distressed boat to carry out a successful rescue operation. A rescue boat was dispatched, safely retrieving all nine individuals and transporting them back to the cruise ship. Once aboard, the castaways received crucial assistance, including initial care and medical attention when needed. The U.S. Coast Guard joined in the efforts, subsequently taking charge of the abandoned vessel, which was likely towed away for further examination. The rescued individuals spent the night on the 'Mardi Gras' before being handed over to local authorities in Nassau on May 17. Notably, this incident did not disrupt the vacation plans of the ship's passengers, who continued to enjoy their cruise experience. For more details and visuals from this inspiring rescue, you can view the report here: [Fox 35 Orlando](https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/carnival-ship-rescues-9-from-disabled-boat-near-sebastian-inlet-cruise-line-says).

On Aug 15, 2025, two passengers of the 'Carnival Elation' and 'Mardi Gras' have died in separate incidents in the lagoon and at the beach of a private island in the Bahamas. One tourist, 79, became unresponsive while snorkelling at a beach on Celebration Key. Attempts to revive him failed. A woman, 74, was found unresponsive while swimming in a pool. Both were believed to be US citizens. They had been travelling on the Carnival Cruise ships which had been docked at the cruise line’s private resort Celebration Key, on Grand Bahama Island. Celebration Key opened in July at a cost of US$600 million.

The 'Mardi 'Gars' was delayed and the next embarkation will be later than expected due to a medical evacuation at Port Canaveral on Feb 3, 2024. Guests have been asked to push back their arrival to the cruise terminal due to the medical evacuation. The 'Mardi GrasÄ had to divert to Nassau for the medical evacuation at the end of the most recent sailing, a 7-night Eastern Caribbean voyage that left Port Canaveral on Jan 27. The ship visited Nassau, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk, but on her return to Florida had to turn around and go back to Nassau in order to get a guest to a hospital. As soon as the individual was debarked in Nassau to seek medical treatment, the ship continued on the return to Port Canaveral. As a result of the diversion, however, the ship did not dock until 9 a.m., several hours after the ship would normally arrive. Carnival Cruise Line reached out to guests booked on the next sailing to alert them to the delay and advise them to change their arrival time to the cruise terminal. Guests were asked to delay their arrival to Cruise Terminal 3 by 1,5 hours. There was no expected delay to the 'Mardi Gras'‘s planned departure from Port Canaveral at 4 p.m. The ship’s next sailing is a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise to visit Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, as well as Roatan Island in Honduras.

The 'Mardi Gras' responded to a request of the USCG and diverted to a sailing yacht with two people on board, who had issuced a distress call, on Aug 7, 2023, at 1 a.m. in the Bahamas. The ship had just left Port Canaveral en route to Aruba. It diverted to the scene and approached the boat 30 nautical miles from Castle Island. After a search of two hours, it was located, and the MOB was launched as well as one of the lifeboats. Both US citizens were transferred aboard and received medical treatment. Report with video:https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-ship-rescues-two-people-from-stranded-boat/108233

The 'Mardi Gras' assisted a small vessel in distress, this time bringing four individuals safely aboard in an at-sea rescue on June 30, 2022, while the ship was en route from Honduras on the way back to the homeport in Florida. In the afternoon, the 'Mardi Gras' encountered the small rowboat, which was signaling distress, and stopped nearby. The boat with four occupants came alongside the ship and were tossed a rope to bring them in closer to the vessel. All four individuals were safely brought aboard. The rowboat, which appeared older but in moderate condition, was left adrift and not recovered. The castaways received medical care, food, water, and lodging, while the cruise ship contacted the proper authorities to determine what will be done with them upon arriving in the United States. Report with video: https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-ship-rescues-individuals-from-small-rowboat/75694