Sakeenah Hylton
The Hylton Way Travel Agency
Blended Family Cruise
Jul 13, 2025 to Jul 19, 2025
Bahamas, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk
Dates: July 13th - 19th, 2025
Cruise Line: Carnival
Ship: Mardi Gras
When we launched our first ship, 1972's TSS Mardi Gras, we made cruising a lot less stuffy, a bit less fancy, the kind of fun everybody could enjoy. Nobody expected this ship to change the cruise world, but... here we are! So here’s a brand-new ship with a familiar name. With this Mardi Gras® we aren't just paying homage to our first ship — in cruising circles this name suggests innovation, signals the start of something big. Oh, and this Mardi Gras still shouts “fun!” at the top of its lungs. This ship introduced Zones — six themed areas packed with brand-new experiences for eating, drinking and spectacularly getting down to fun. There's BOLT®, the first-ever rollercoaster at sea, Emeril's Bistro 1396™ from yes-that-Emeril, Family Feud™ Live for everybody... plus incredible new bars like The Brass Magnolia and Fortune Teller. Everybody can enjoy Mardi Gras. Come on down!
Ports of Call: Bahamas > Amber Cove > Grand Turk
***All prices listed may be subject to change until payment is received***
Once deposit is paid, you will receive an email with your confirmation document.
Travel Insurance is a PER PERSON rate.
There are two travel insurance options available. Please review the terms and conditions carefully before making your selection. It's important to note that if one person on the reservation opts for insurance, everyone listed must also purchase it.
The two available options are Faye Insurance and Carnival Vacation.
Be sure to read the FAQs for each to help make an informed decision. You'll need to select just one insurance plan, and all travelers on your reservation must choose the same one.
Gratuities -
If you would like to pre-pray gratuities please choose under Extra Options (it will need to be added for ALL guest).
Be sure to enter the correct quantity (Ex: 2 travelers = 2 gratuities)
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If you have any questions/concerns, please reach out to the travel consultant:
Fun Onboard Activities
- Amazing stage shows, live musical performances, stand-up comedy and more
- Clubs, bars and lounges featuring DJs spinning, karaoke, piano sing-alongs and more
- Deck parties, game shows, trivia contests and more fun ways to get involved
- A fully-stocked fitness center, plus outdoor sports activities
- Pools and hot tubs for all, plus Serenity™ Adult-Only Retreat
Delicious Food & Drink
- Great options for all six meals — breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and late-night, that is — at the full-service Main Dining Room or the casual Lido Restaurant
- Specialty food spots for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacking
- Self-serve soft-serve: choice of ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors
- Lemonade, iced tea, hot chocolate, non-bottled water and non-specialty coffee and tea
- Kids' menus available at most onboard dining venues
Very Comfy Staterooms & Amenities
- A variety of room types, with options to sleep up to 5 people per room
- Stateroom attendant and daily turn-down service
- Soft, cozy linens
- Plenty of closet and drawer space
- Stateroom climate control
- Television
- Beach towels ready in your room, with bathrobes upon request
- In-room safe for storing valuables
Age-Perfect Fun for Kids & Teens
- The fun and educational Camp Ocean® for kids ages 2–11
- Circle "C"®, the fun spot for younger teens, ages 12–14
- Club O2® for older teens, ages 15–17, to hang out, enjoy activities and more
- Plus tons of kid-friendly activities, including exclusive ones like Seuss at Sea™, Space Cruisers™, and Zumbini®
What's not included:
- Gratuities: While some cruise lines now include them, gratuities for staff are generally not included and can be automatically added to your onboard account or paid in advance.
- Shore Excursions: Activities and tours in ports of call are not included and need to be booked separately.
- Specialty Dining: While there are plenty of free dining options, specialty restaurants may carry additional charges.
- Alcoholic Beverages & Specialty Drinks: Soft drinks, cocktails, and wine are generally not included, though beverage packages can be purchased.
- Wi-Fi and Internet: Internet access is typically not included and is available for purchase through various plans.
- Spa Treatments and Services: Access to the spa is free, but treatments and services are charged separately.
- Personal Onboard Purchases: Items such as souvenirs, photographs, and certain fitness classes often have additional costs.
- Shipboard Activities: While many activities are included, some, like casino play, bingo, or certain workshops, might require additional fees.
- Travel Insurance: It's highly recommended but not included; you would need to purchase it separately.
- Transportation: Costs associated with getting to and from the departure port are not included.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Port Canaveral (Orlando)
Departs at 4:00 PM
Buckle up for big adventure on the Space Coast when you book a Carnival cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida. Fun in the sun is a mission easily accomplished in Port Canaveral: before or after your cruise, take time to blast off from the Kennedy Space Center, hug the turns in a stock car at the world famous speedway, and zoom through the screaming roller coasters of Orlando's theme parks. In addition to all these man-made thrills, cruises from Port Canaveral depart from a coastline of sugary sand beaches and protected islands for native wildlife.
- See a rocket up close at the Kennedy Space Center™.
- Walk the bustling Cocoa Beach boardwalk before your cruise from Port Canaveral.
- Encounter exotic animals and exciting adventures at Disney's Animal Kingdom® park.
- Enjoy an exciting wildlife and alligator tour by airboat.
Day 2: Nassau
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sightseeing, swimming and soaking up the island flavor — it's all yours for the taking on a Carnival cruise to Nassau, Bahamas. Boasting balmy breezes and jumping to a bouncy calypso beat, Nassau promises sizzling fun in the sun. The historic and cultural heart of The Bahamas is one of the world’s most popular cruise destinations — one million travelers board cruises to Nassau every year. Carnival guests come for fine beaches, shopping, water sports, and fun-filled attractions at the Atlantis Resort, connected to Nassau by a bridge to Paradise Island. Throw in a chance to swim with dolphins, or do a little slipping and sliding at a water park, and it's clear what makes Nassau a top spot for cruisers of all ages.
- Shop the straw market for cute and kitschy crafts.
- Pose for the classic ‘dolphin kiss’ during a private island swim with the dolphins.
- Relax on the white sands of a private island.
- Stroll 18th-century colonial streets and climb the sandstone Queen’s Staircase.
Day 3: Fun Day at Sea
No port today! It’s a great time to explore your ship and its exciting entertainment, food and activities! Or take it easy at the pool, spa, or... if you book a room with a balcony, enjoy the waves.
Day 4: Amber Cove
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Discovering new sights is one of the beauties of travel, and that couldn't be more true when it comes to Amber Cove®, Dominican Republic. In this world full of information on just about everything, Amber Cove is a throwback — it’s the kind of quiet little spot you won’t find on most maps. But you will find it — brimming with bars and pools, plus opportunities for lounging and shopping — to be the gateway to island paradise, Dominican-style. Beyond Amber Cove is Puerto Plata, a town that began life as the first European settlement in the Americas. Its founder? Oh, just a guy named Christopher Columbus… so you know that arriving by sea is the ultimate way to get here. Whether you're looking for a day at the beach, some Dominican Republic adventure or just a little poolside me-time, Amber Cove is just the ticket.
- Explore Fort San Felipe, originally built to ward off pirates, which today welcomes curious travelers of all kinds.
- This spot is known for its remarkable local amber — actually the clearest you’ll find anywhere in the world.
- Take a ride on the wild side on an amazing ATV Adventure tour through the undiscovered Dominican Republic backcountry!
- Swim with dolphins, stingrays — and yes, even sharks! — at Ocean World.
Day 5: Grand Turk
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Let the name fool you — Grand Turk, of the Turks & Caicos islands, may be small but it’s packed with scenic punch and historic charm. Carnival cruises to Grand Turk deliver you to this enchanted island outpost dotted with old windmills, grassy trails and picture-perfect beaches. Discover an oasis of green set in aquamarine seas, ringed by a pristine coral reef and the steep wall of the continental shelf.
- Swim in the sparkling turquoise seas off Governor’s Beach.
- Tour historic Cockburn Town and the old salt pans.
- Shop for duty-free jewelry and local crafts in the colorful Grand Turk Cruise Center.
- Feel the velvety touch of a stingray’s wings in Gibbs Cay.
Day 6: Fun Day at Sea
No port today! It’s a great time to explore your ship and its exciting entertainment, food and activities! Or take it easy at the pool, spa, or... if you book a room with a balcony, enjoy the waves.
Day 7: Port Canaveral (Orlando)
Arrives at 8:00 AM
Buckle up for big adventure on the Space Coast when you book a Carnival cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida. Fun in the sun is a mission easily accomplished in Port Canaveral: before or after your cruise, take time to blast off from the Kennedy Space Center, hug the turns in a stock car at the world famous speedway, and zoom through the screaming roller coasters of Orlando's theme parks. In addition to all these man-made thrills, cruises from Port Canaveral depart from a coastline of sugary sand beaches and protected islands for native wildlife.
- See a rocket up close at the Kennedy Space Center™.
- Walk the bustling Cocoa Beach boardwalk before your cruise from Port Canaveral.
- Encounter exotic animals and exciting adventures at Disney's Animal Kingdom® park.
- Enjoy an exciting wildlife and alligator tour by airboat.
Cancellation policy:
Deposits and Travel Insurance is non - refundable.
If travel protection is not purchased, you are subject to Carnival's cancellation policy.
Vacation Protection provides you with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption for a variety of reasons.
Cancellation penalties are as follows:
- Cancellations made after April 16, 2025, will incur a fee of $250 per person.
- Cancellations made after May 21, 2025, will incur a penalty of 50% of the total per person.
- Cancellations made after June 16, 2025, will incur a penalty of 75% of the total per person.
- Cancellations made after June 1, 2025, will result in a full penalty per person.
Available Packages
Interior Cabin (Early Saver PROMO) - Offer
Unavailable as of
October 31, 2024
Starting At: $896.00
Deposit: $50.00 per person
EARLY SAVER BONUS SALE
- Includes price protection.
- Includes onboard credit of USD $50.00 per cabin.
What You Get
- Includes price protection.
- Includes onboard credit of USD $50.00 per cabin.
Room Includes:
The Fine PrintOffer Code: OJS Offer ends on October 26, 2024 11:59 PM EST.
Two twin beds (convert to king)
Vanity with illuminated mirror
Full bathroom with shower
Ample closet space
Connecting door to adjacent stateroom
Vanity with illuminated mirror
Full bathroom with shower
Ample closet space
Connecting door to adjacent stateroom
Deposit is non-refundable and non transferable. A USD $50.00 per person fee will be assessed for ship/sail date changes made prior to final payment date.
Interior Cabin - Standard Price
Unavailable as of
April 19, 2025
Starting At: $1,185.00
Deposit: $1,185.00 per person
What You Get
- Includes price protection.
Room Includes:
Two twin beds (convert to king)
Vanity with illuminated mirror
Full bathroom with shower
Ample closet space
Connecting door to adjacent stateroom
Vanity with illuminated mirror
Full bathroom with shower
Ample closet space
Connecting door to adjacent stateroom
Balcony (Standard Price)
Unavailable as of
February 28, 2025
Starting At: $1,326.00
Deposit: $50.00 per person
What You Get
- Includes price protection.
Room Includes:
Two twin beds (convert to king)
Vanity with illuminated mirror
Full bathroom with shower
Ample closet space
Vanity with illuminated mirror
Full bathroom with shower
Ample closet space
Balcony
OceanView Cabin
Unavailable as of
February 28, 2025
Starting At: $1,187.00
Deposit: $125.00 per person
EARLY SAVER BONUS SALE
- Includes price protection.
What You Get
- Includes price protection.
- Includes onboard credit of USD $50.00 per cabin.
Room Includes:
The Fine PrintOffer Code: OJS Offer ends on October 26, 2024 11:59 PM EST.
Two twin beds (convert to king)
Vanity with illuminated mirror
Full bathroom with shower
Ample closet space
Vanity with illuminated mirror
Full bathroom with shower
Ample closet space
Window
Deposit is non-refundable and non transferable. A USD $50.00 per person fee will be assessed for ship/sail date changes made prior to final payment date.
Extra Options
Carnival Vacation Protection
Unavailable as of
April 1, 2025
$109.00
Deposit: $109.00
Carnival's Vacation Protection provides your guests with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption for a variety of reasons. Vacation Protection can be selected at the stateroom level. Carnival Vacation Protection is not available to residents of New York, Quebec, British Columbia, or Puerto Rico.
More coverage details.
More coverage details.
Gratuities
Unavailable as of
April 1, 2025
$96.00
Deposit: $96.00
ratuities on a Carnival Cruise cover the hard-working dining, stateroom, and housekeeping staff, ensuring top-notch service and a seamless cruise experience.