Cruise ship atriums are an important part of a ship's design. Carnival Cruise Line is finalizing details for its Grand Central atrium, a three-story space and one of six Mardi Gras-themed areas, which will debut in February.
Grand Central spans decks 6, 7, and 8, featuring enormous glass panels built into the starboard side of the ship, providing passengers with breathtaking views of the sea and ports of call. During the day, Grand Central serves as a relaxing space for passengers to enjoy a coffee, a drink, or a light meal while listening to live music or participating in other leisure activities. But at night, Grand Central transforms into an intimate and immersive venue for spectacular experiences created exclusively for Mardi Gras, where performers interact with 16 LED screens displaying videos and special effects to create a truly unforgettable entertainment experience.
Glenn Aprile, Carnival's director of new-build product development and a member of the design team, noted that "with a ship as innovative as the Mardi Gras, we wanted to create a multifunctional space that guests could enjoy day and night, and we are extremely pleased with the result.".
Overlooking Grand Central are the Center Bar and the Grand View Bar, offering passengers the chance to enjoy ocean views while sipping cocktails amidst stunning design touches, such as a virtual waterfall on translucent panels. Both venues will feature specialty cocktails inspired by the evening's entertainment theme.
Aprile added: “We have created a stunning, comfortable and functional environment that, with its transformation from daytime relaxation to nighttime entertainment, makes Grand Central unlike anything that has been done before on a cruise ship.”.
Just steps away is Java Blue, which, in addition to serving coffee, offers a menu of fresh baked goods, salads, and light meals throughout the day. Next door is the Cherry on Top candy shop, as well as other shops and the casino. Connecting all these spaces are a series of walkways and bridges that provide convenient access to other areas of the ship.
The first North American cruise ship powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Mardi Gras, will debut from Port Canaveral, Florida, on February 6, 2021, with week-long itineraries.
