CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE’S BOLT ROLLER COASTER RECOGNIZED WITH “BEST OF WHAT’S NEW” AWARD BY POPULAR SCIENCE MAGAZINE 

MIAMI, Nov. 30, 2021 – Proving that the first roller coaster at sea is both fun and a feat of modern engineering, Popular Science magazine has recognized Carnival Cruise Line with its “Best of What’s New” engineering award for the innovation and design work that resulted in the July 2021 debut of BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea on board the line’s flagship Mardi Gras.

Photo Opportunity outside the ride with stand alone Bolt car.

Since 1988, Popular Science annually reviews thousands of new products and innovations and chooses the top 100 winners across 10 categories. To win, a product or technology must represent a significant step forward in its category.

“Normal roller coasters use gravity to send thrill-seekers zooming and looping. But if you want to build a ride on a cruise ship—where stable, level ground is far from guaranteed—you have to get creative,” according to Popular Science.

Ready for our ride on the 1st Roller Coaster at Sea!

“As you’re whipping around the Mardi Gras’ funnel while riding BOLT, I doubt many people are thinking about how we got the roller coaster built, but this recognition from Popular Science underscores the tremendous work that went into making this happen,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “While ultimately, we’re about providing new ways for our guests to have fun, we’re also honored and appreciative of this incredible recognition for our team.”

A marvel in maritime engineering, BOLT is an all-electric roller coaster encompassing an elevated track across Mardi Gras’ upper decks with 800 feet of exhilarating twists, drops and turns, including hairpin turn around the ship’s iconic funnel. Riders can achieve speeds of up to 40 miles per hour as they enjoy views to the sea 187 feet below.

Highly Recommend the “BOOST” Button!

Established in 1872, Popular Science is one of America’s oldest and most trusted magazine brands with a legacy of bringing readers groundbreaking innovations and discoveries.

Sister ships to Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee will also feature BOLT: The Ultimate Sea Coaster when they debut in late 2022 in Miami and in 2023 in Galveston, Tex., respectively.

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Watch the video to hear from President of Carnival Cruise Line, Christine Duffy. She gives a 3-month progress report with where Carnival Cruise line stands with the fleet returning back to sailing. Discussing how long it will take for the rest of the ships to return to service and shares some fun statistics since the restart of cruising!

Nearly 100 Cruises and 237,000 guests sailed since July

MIAMI, Oct. 7, 2021 – With half its U.S. fleet back in service and sailing from six U.S. homeports – the most in cruising – Carnival Cruise Line has had an accomplishment-filled three months since resuming guest operations this summer.

The company’s restart began on July 3, 2021 when Carnival Vista set sail from Galveston and since then 10 additional ships have resumed service, carrying 237,000 guests from homeports along the East and West Coasts and the Gulf of Mexico all while guests were devouring nearly half a million Guy Fieri burgers and enjoying 11,000 adrenaline-fueled rides on BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea that debuted on the new Mardi Gras July 31, 2021.

But it’s more than just burgers and roller coaster rides, Carnival’s resumption of service has provided much-needed vacations to hundreds of thousands of loyal guests, a boost to the economies in its homeport and port-of-call communities and opportunities for its shipboard team members to support their families in 120 countries around the world. 

“Our first three months back in service has underscored our strong brand loyalty, the best customer base in the cruise industry and our team’s ability to deliver outstanding results and guest service,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “It has been an emotional experience for everyone involved, myself included, as we have resumed operations with a focus on health and safety while providing a positive impact for our guests, team members and the communities we visit.” 

Carnival Cruise Line has announced plans to have 17 ships back in guest service by the end of 2021, with additional ships returning in January and February and the entire U.S. fleet back in guest operations by spring 2022.

Take a look at some of the incredible stats from the restart!

Take the behind the scenes A to Z Exclusive of the Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruise Line Terminal in Port Canaveral!

Learn more about Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras distinct 6 themed zones or neighborhoods here.

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Who’s hungry?! As one of the most anticipated cruise ships ever, makes us wait a little longer to set sail on her, why not drool over some of the menu options!

First up is Big Chicken is a quick-service restaurant by Carnival Cruise Line’s Chief Fun Officer, Shaquille O’Neil. What would you order? I want to turn up the heat and would order the “Shaq Attack”!

Have a look at the other menu items from Emril’s Bistro 1396 and Piazza Panini!

Big Chicken

When Shaq tells you to build a chicken joint on board, you start warming up immediately. The big guy brings his poultry know-how and good taste to the seas with Big Chicken™ on Mardi Gras™. Just like Shaq’s a multitalented entertainer, his restaurant is no one-trick chick. Step up to the counter for lunch or dinner and walk away with your choice of chicken sandwiches, crispy chicken strips or juicy fried chicken baskets... plus side dishes like potato salad and jalapeño slaw. Early-morning buzzer-beaters are invited to enjoy a breakfast of classics like chicken biscuits, a three-cheese omelet or our biscuit/egg combo featuring bacon or sausage. Snoozers are invited, too — breakfast is served until 3!

EMeril’s Bistro 1396

This year Mardi Gras™ will set sail with Emeril Lagasse's first-ever restaurant at sea: Emeril's Bistro 1396™. Everybody knows about Emeril's love for Creole cuisine, and now you'll enjoy the authentic bayou flavors and fun New Orleans is known for on your vacation. If you haven't had the pleasure, we're talking about fried oysters, duck & sausage gumbo, po-boy sandwiches, fresh ceviche and more. We're serving up Emeril's faves all day… and because flavors this big don't just sleep in, we do some great ones for breakfast too! Raw bar, incredible desserts and Crescent City atmosphere round out the experience.

Piazza Panini

Carnival Cruise Line today revealed additional details on La Piazza, a stunning Italian-themed zone on its newest ship, Mardi Gras, set to debut in May.

Inspired by Italy’s unique culture and delicious culinary offerings, La Piazza will be home to a variety of new food and beverage outlets, as well as expanded versions of longtime Carnival favorites.

Designed to resemble a stroll through an Italian courtyard with red brick, street lights and ornate iron and tile work, as well as murals of famous piazzas in Rome, Venice and other Italian cities, La Piazza also features fun, “Insta-worthy” touches like a Vespa scooter and a Fiat – both from 1972, the year of Carnival Cruise Line’s founding with the original Mardi Gras – positioned along the promenade.

Learn more about Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras distinct 6 themed zones or neighborhoods here.

Other dining options aboard the Carnival Mardi Gras include:

RUDI'S SEAGRILL

When the food arrives at the table it’s smiles all around, especially on a Carnival cruise! But can you remember a time when your plate beamed one back? That just isn’t how it works… except at Rudi’s Seagrill™. This new fine dining restaurant, exclusively aboard Mardi Gras™, was dreamed up to serve delectable seafood classics that keep more than just an eye on the presentation — more like a whole face. Rudi’s Seagrill is the brainchild of Chef Rudi Sodamin, and you’ll quickly discover that this award-winning culinary artist loves fun as much as Carnival does. The focus here is seafood, and whether we’re talking about his signature face-based dishes or options with a more traditional presentation, Rudi’s delivers everything with an artful flair that will have your taste buds beaming!

The Details:

Meal Time: Dinner

Cost:Additional

Adults: $38

Kids: $12

Carnival has not released Rudi Seagrill’s menu yet.

Learn more about RUDI'S SEAGRILL Here:

Take the behind the scenes A to Z Exclusive of the Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruise Line Terminal in Port Canaveral!

Learn more about Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras distinct 6 themed zones or neighborhoods here.

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Come behind the scenes of the New Carnival Mardi Gras Terminal, T3! While touring the brand-new Terminal 3 in Port Canaveral we got to explore and learn how this port is getting ready for the first LNG powered cruise ship in North America! Which is the Mardi Gras! We had a blast and got to strike a pose for the photo backdrops. My favorite thing we learned about the new cruise terminal is how Carnival opted into $4 million worth of extras that makes the terminal absolutely gorgeous! Check out another EXCLUSIVE Tour!

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Here is the Disney Cruise Line Terminal in Port Canaveral, CONSTRUCTION

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Two epic roller coasters are changing the game of catching thrills at sea! As it stands, there will be at least 2 different cruise ships with roller coasters at sea by the end of 2021. The Mardi Gras (from Carnival cruise line) and it will be called Bolt and the second will be on the Global Dream ship (from Dream Cruise line) and they are calling theirs, Space Cruiser. These roller coasters will have the most innovative settings available out there. They look like incredible user experiences, but which will be better?! We break down each coaster to do aside by side comparison to see which offers the most thrills, comparing speed, length, price, and other features.

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📺 Watch more from the Carnival Mardi Gras here: Carnival Mardi Gras Gingerbread Cruise Ship in Atlanta Mall!

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I flew to Atlanta, Georgia to go check out the Carnival holiday installation in the Lenox Square Mall! The massive gingerbread cruise ship is modeled after Carnival Cruise Line's New Mardi Gras! What a fun way to spice up the holiday season!

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New CARNIVAL MARDI GRAS Instagram & Foodies Delight - Get ready for the Carnival Mardi Grad as a new restaurant onboard, Rudi's Seagrill will soon be serving up fun and dishing up delights. Where you come face to face with your dish, quite literally.

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The anticipation for 2020 is looming as we learn more details about the Carnival Mardi Gras! The ship will make her grand appearance in only a few short months and the wait for this highly anticipated cruise ship will be over! Some of the incredible features the ship will be "Bolt" the roller coaster, and an aqua park!

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