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MARDI GRAS ship
This Mardi Gras
ship model was commissioned by Carnival Cruise Line
in 2018. It was the second model that ModelShipMaster.com built for Carnival. There
were good reasons for Carnival to choose us. For one, we posted very large
photos to demonstrate that the ship's windows, doors,
portholes were not black decal. The
high-definition photos also showed details that other
builders missed such as home port name on the stern, the
little cranes for life rafts, the intricate details of
the davits, the water-like pool surface, the
stabilizer...
In
February 1972 the former Canadian flagship, the
Empress
of Canada, was sold and renamed Mardi Gras.
Despite a rocky start, and one that actually began with
her grounding in Miami on her Carnival maiden voyage,
Mardi Gras would prove not also to be the most popular
cruise ship in the American market, but form the success
story of the Carnival Cruise Line dynasty.
The early years of
Carnival Cruise Line were not as vibrant as it very
financially weak, and overhead had to kept at bay to
ensure they would remain afloat. In fact, there were not
enough funds to hire someone to design a logo for their
new ship Mardi Gras. As a result, they
adapted the Canadian Pacific logo multi-mark that was
actually welded onto the funnel. All that was
altered was changing the colors of green and white to
red, white and blue with the angles of the mark softened
more into curves. At the request of the Canadian
Pacific line, and the very similar likings of their
logo, Carnival reduced the thickness of the white
section. While the "C" of the company was
backwards at certain angles, the changes made at that
time reflect the current “crescent” markings on all
present day Carnival ship.
Due to the
dire financial position of the Carnival, it was deemed
necessary that the Mardi Gras ship should immediately begin
making money. On February 26, Mardi Gras departed Tilbury on an Atlantic crossing bound for Miami.
She was grounded. The grounding was a result of
both her deep draft. Along with the rudder command
from pilot to helmsman - that was either misunderstood
or inaccurate -had resulted in her touching bottom.
The so called “Mardi Gras on the Rocks,” something of
amusement and an actual cocktail on competitors vessels
turned out something more serious as there was 75%
damage to her hull plating and underwater segments, of
which was repaired in a later refit.
After a
$1 million bond had been paid, and a mere six weeks
after her purchase, on March 11, 1972, the Mardi Gras
departed Miami on her first cruise with 300 travel
agency members among the passengers. In many ways,
the ship was still the EMPRESS OF CANADA.
Internally, the major changes included ensuring all
cabins were fitted with a shower and toilet. With
the exception of the two forward cargo booms, all cargo
handling equipment was removed as her role as a full
time cruise ship no longer required them.
As their first ship, Mardi
Gras helped Carnival create what is said to be the best
run cruise operator in the world, encompassing a fleet
of over 40 ships to date. Today, Carnival Cruise
Lines is the most successful cruise
line in the world, carrying more passengers than any
other.
This primarily wood
Mardi Gras
ship model was constructed for Carnival Cruise Line
in 2018. It was the second model that ModelShipMaster.com built for Carnival Cruise Line. It features:
-
Superior
hollow hull construction.
- Windows and portholes are cutouts (not black decals),
uniform, and on straight lines. We are not shy
to show the model in large photos. Nothing to hide!
36" long x 11" tall x 7"
wide (including base's dimensions)
$3,500 Shipping and insurance in
the contiguous USA included.
Other places: $400 flat rate.
Lighting feature is included.
A ship is
not an ocean liner without beautiful lighting.
LED light
powered by standard 9v battery for your
convenience. Our model has realistic and
beautiful lighting, including navigation light.
Model is built per commission only. We require only a
small deposit (not full amount, not even half) to start
the process $500  The
remaining balance won't be due until the boat is
completed,
in several months.
"I
just placed the below order, which will be a service
award for one of our Chief Engineers. He started his
career with Carnival Cruise Line aboard the Mardi
Gras back in 1972. We were looking for a meaningful
reward and couldn't think of anything better than
this beautiful model. We would like to present this
to him early next week, would it be possible to get
this to us by Monday morning?
Thank you so much!
Ash
Spencer
Employee Experience Manager |Carnival Cruise Line
3655 NW 87th Avenue | Miami, FL 33178
"Received safe and sound - what a fantastic model! I
wish I could get one :)
Do you have an ETA on
the display case? Just so I can let the team member
know."
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