Worked on Mardi Gras

Hi, I found this forum searching for info on the Mardi Gras. I worked on this ship Jan. 1976 to April 1976 out of the port of Miami. I worked in the Casino making change. I was just interested in any info and old photos of the ship or anyone that worked or traveled during that time. Most of the travelers were senior citizens, it was before the Love Boat show came on when cruising became more popular and afordable! :D Thanks for any info, Sunny6sea

Carnival's first ship! I wonder too if anyone on these boards ever sailed her. I found these two links. She was apparantly scrapped in 2003.

http://www.ssmaritime.com/empcanada3.htm

http://www.ssmaritime.com/empcanada2.htm

She really was a beautiful ship and helped launch Carnival into one of the most popular cruise lines in the world.

I sailed in 1987 - as a 16 year old and had a great time. Even had fun in the casino. It was a great time with my whole family - there was 10 of us. My best friend and I had our own cabin and we thought we were so grown up.

If you go to the "Whatever Happened To' section of Cruise Critic and do a 'search' on Mardi Gras, it brings up a few threads.

Here is a link to the Whatever Happend To section :

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=56

And here is an ongoing thread regarding Mardi Gras:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=89318&highlight=mardi+gras

Hi, I found this forum searching for info on the Mardi Gras. I worked on this ship Jan. 1976 to April 1976 out of the port of Miami. I worked in the Casino making change. I was just interested in any info and old photos of the ship or anyone that worked or traveled during that time. Most of the travelers were senior citizens, it was before the Love Boat show came on when cruising became more popular and afordable! :D Thanks for any info, Sunny6sea

Well, hello there.

My first cruise on Carnival was on Mardi Gras in 1976...don't recall the month. I owned a small travel agency and Carnival was really pushing for the group business. They offered many "fam" trips for agencies and lots of marketing help getting those groups on board. I loved the Mardi Gras...and the Festivale and Carnivale. After my first cruise with them, I was a fan....still am. I'm about to embark on my 62nd cruise with them on the Triumph......but, oh, how I'd love just one more on one of their first ships.....

What fun!!!!

Thanks everyone for your replys. Can you believe I have never again taken a cruise:eek: I have visited many places and did go back to St. Thomas for my honeymoon but i'm just one of those gals that like to spend my whole week IN the ocean and sand, I love the beaches of Cancun.:) Sunnysea

Well' date=' hello there.

 

My first cruise on Carnival was on Mardi Gras in 1976...don't recall the month. I owned a small travel agency and Carnival was really pushing for the group business. They offered many "fam" trips for agencies and lots of marketing help getting those groups on board. I loved the Mardi Gras...and the Festivale and Carnivale. After my first cruise with them, I was a fan....still am. I'm about to embark on my 62nd cruise with them on the Triumph......but, oh, how I'd love just one more on one of their first ships.....

 

What fun!!!![/quote']

I wonder if we were on the Mardi Gras at the same time? Do you have any old pictures? Sunnysea

Our first cruise was on the Mardi Gras but much later (1990) We were hooked after that first cruise. Did not have as much time off in those days.

THis was the first ship that I sailed on sometime in the 80 s.I just remember the rooms being so small.This the ship that got me hooked on cruising.

I wonder if we were on the Mardi Gras at the same time? Do you have any old pictures? Sunnysea

We could have been on together. Seems like first cruise was in May...or so and we had 2 groups on later in the year....

No, no pictures...unfortunately. I wasn't much of a camera freak then and oh, how I regret it.

I do have some things from her though; an ashtray...the pebbled glass they used to use with the Carnival "fun ship" logo on the bottom, a shot glass and a post card of the ship I bought onboard.

Back in those days, "Uncle Bob" Dickinson was a lowly Sales Manager for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware. He had a great team of Sales Reps who called on the travel agencies....and once a year, threw one heck of a party in Philly for the agents. I could tell you such stories.......or write a book......:eek:

Back in that era, Mickey Arison used to board one of his ships every week or so...sometimes would stay a day, sometimes 2/3 days. He'd do a ship inspection and would party with the passengers. Whatever bar he was in was an open bar for everyone. Sometimes he'd board with his wife, sometimes with his sales team...but it was always a great time.....AHHHH, the good old days.

Interesting that everyone made fun of Carnival back in those days....really trashed them... and now.....Carnival owns the whole bunch...

Revenge is sweet!!:D

Hi... Seeing this post brought back a lot of memories and I was able to dig up some of them. I was on the Mardi Gras in March 1983 - what a great ship!

Here are a couple of pics of the Carnival Capers and some pics of the ship/deck plans/rates from a folder they gave us. Enjoy!

Gary

We were on the Mardi Gras on one of her last voyages in Dec 1989 and it was the cruise from ..... It was 10 years until we had the nerve to cruise again. The ship was so old and the rooms were so small. We had an inside cabin and had to sit on the commode to take a hand held shower. The food was great and we have sailed many times after this once we tried a newer ship. Love to cruise and we are now hooked.