Floating Paradise Lost: Carnival's Original MARDI GRAS

[@chrisbrady-t1u]

I went to check out the Mardi Gras once when it was in the yards at Newport News when I was a seaman.The crew quarters was this vast room filled with steel bunk beds with people trying to sleep,others playing cards and socializing,others just sitting around.A vast hive of people in a scene reminiscent from the 18th century.Like a Hogarth print of the lower classes in London circa 1700.Mostly South Americans.And thats how Carnival was able to make a profit.

[@midshipcinema]

Fascinating. Thanks for postimg.

[@fredacuneo5180]

I love the simplicity of the ship. I miss my early cruising days.

[@midshipcinema]

Me, too. Echoing your sentiments.

[@benwilson6145]

Thank you Peter

[@c2964-o9e]

Man im old, Mardi Gras was my first cruise in 1980ish with my parents... Way different experience than today. Some good, some not so good.

[@midshipcinema]

Well, we're all in the same age boat if we sailed in the MG. I wish I had but at least I got to do CARNIVALE. :)

[@MichaelAnderson-s1w]

Wow, just wonderful! Really great video. Do you have a video on the Carnivale? That was the first ship I sailed on starting in 1988 when I was 5. 3 times actually but never on the Mardi Gras. My parents did a yearly family cruise and we also sailed on the Jubilee and original Celebration 4 times.

[@midshipcinema]

Thanks so much, Michael! I have limited footage of CARNIVALE but will probably do something about her in one of her next guises, either as OLYMPIC or THE TOPAZ or both. Stay tuned and thanks again. :)

[@JohnnyT002]

This was the first cruise ship I went on. We stopped at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios. 🚢🚢🚢🚢. Watching this hsa brought back some Great memories. Thanks.👍👍👍👍👍

[@midshipcinema]

Perfect way to start a lifetime of cruising. :)

[@cliff481]

Thank you so much for that. You evoked many memories for me in that film. I had the pleasure of working on her both as The Empress of Canada and as The TSS Mardi Gras. As the Empress I worked for Alpha Sound Services in Liverpool UK. We where converting all her valve (tube) DC amplifiers to AC Transistor amps and were half way through a job of several months length when Canadian Pacific stopped cruising. It was a few years later when CCL called Alpha Sound and requested a tech to help sort out the half done job. While doing that I was offered a job as Slot Mechanic in the Carnivale Casino and later became tech for both ships. Left CCL in 1978 and loved every second of it. Now retired in Las Vegas Thank you again. Cliff.

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you, Cliff! SO glad you enjoyed the tribute to MG and love your story. Thank you for sharing here. All the best to you! Peter

[@thomasfinch8599]

I remember visiting the Empress of Canada in March of 1966 when she did a series of winter Caribbean cruises out of New York. It was a overcast drizzly day and I envied those passengers who'd be in the warm sunshine in a day or two.

[@kerry4283]

Wow!!! This video was GREAT! Brings back a lot of memories. I worked on the T.S.S Mardi Gras way back in the summer of 1972, They were looking to hire 2 new pursers (they had four) and I was hired as a Junior Purser. Loved every moment of it. Thank you

[@wouldntitbenice5356]

Mardi Gras was my first ever cruise in 1985.

[@LoganLavery]

The wood paneling and polished nickel are stunning and a far cry from what they offer today. That Mayfair Room was beautiful as was the St Lawrence Bar and the other public rooms. As usual Peter’s presentation is exceptional.

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you, Laurence! Very kind of you. I share your admiration for those interiors. :)

[@dfharris03]

I sailed on the Carnival when it was the S.A. Vaal. We sailed for ten days to Cape Town from England, I was very young but it was magnificent!

[@midshipcinema]

Very nice ship, the old S.A. VAAL. Externally she was Carnival's prettiest ship as FESTIVALE. Thanks for posting.

[@josephh16]

Thanks so much for this wonderful film. As a ten-year old in 1968, I travelled with my parents from Montreal to Liverpool and then back two months later. My dad had just retired from CP Railway and we visited our English relatives. The ship made a permanent impression on all of us. Great to see her again in detail, even with the Carnival renovations.

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you, Joseph! So glad you enjoyed it and that it rekindled great memories! She was a beauty!

[@drunk3n_m0nk12]

7:10 Exactly how I remember her from when we went for a cruise that same year. Growing up in south Florida I got to see this ship regularly. So many fond memories...

[@davidmacmahon7964]

Great memories! I spent a few voyages on her as 3rd Officer when she was the Empress of Canada in 1970, and met my wife aboard her when she was a Nursing Sister. then again as a passenger on the Mardi Gras in the 80’s.

[@midshipcinema]

Fantastic that you knew her in both guises. Must have been fascinating to experience her as MARDI GRAS after that intro as an officer on EOC. Thanks for sharing. :)

[@davidmacmahon7964]

@@midshipcinemaactually, she really hasn’t changed very much internally- still lots of wood panelling. I was able to spend some time on the navigating bridge and even the nav equipment seemed unchanged, although they were no longer using sextants for ship positional fixes! We looked for the Officers Wardroom where we spent our leisure time, but couldn’t find it. Although my trips on the liners were interesting, I actually preferred my time on Canadian Pacific’s general cargo ships, bulk carriers, and before I ‘swallowed the anchor’ in 1972, the new container ships. Thanks again for posting the video - it was greatly appreciated!

[@midshipcinema]

Thanks so much, David! I appreciate your post very much and loved that ship. I rescued many of her fittings from the breakers yard. The large glass wall from the Mayfair Lounge is now on board the CARNIVAL CELEBRATION in the Golden Jubilee Bar along with other items from the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN/CARNIVALE. :)@@davidmacmahon7964

[@davidmacmahon7964]

@@midshipcinema thanks Peter - your devotion to that era of travel is appreciated! I have a pewter salt and pepper shaker engraved CP, but many memories and photos from 1970!

[@davidmacmahon7964]

@@p.b.1589 I remember those names - I was 3rd officer- married the nursing sister Sylvia Prentice and both left the sea 3 years later

[@chrispeasley1780]

Wonderful to view {once again} a glimpse into the past and appreciate the class and style of those long gone liners converted into cruise ships. As an enthusiast of the Union-Castle line in the 1960's and 70's these are the ships of my era! Thanks Peter.

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you, Chris! :)

[@shipspiros3766]

@@midshipcinema I Was Worked At The MS Apollon (Mardi Gras 1961) In 1995!!!

[@midshipcinema]

@@shipspiros3766 Were you a watchman in Piraeus when she was laid up before the charter to Direct Cruises?

[@shipspiros3766]

@@midshipcinema In 1996 I Was Worked Again The RMS Olympic 2004 Again!!!

[@midshipcinema]

@@shipspiros3766 She was laid up in Elefsina and Piraeus that year. I visited her in 1997, just before her refit for Direct Cruises, then again, afterwards, when she looked magnificent.

[@TheInternetToaster]

Finally!! A video about the original Carnival Mardi Gras ship! This was the very first ship I ever took a cruise on. I was also on its last cruise for Carnival. Both times, my family's group were the largest group on the ship (about 150 relatives and family friends, mostly Filipino. Lol). Back in the day, my family was well known to Carnival as we did many large group cruises throughout the '90s and early 2000's with groups of up to 400 people. I know somewhere I have some old video tapes recorded from this ship. One day, I'll get to finding them and maybe posting some of it. I also have a box of "collectible" items that I've saved from that ship. Especially from its last cruise when they let us passengers have all sorts of odds and ends from the ship. I remember even in its last couple years of service for Carnival, cruises on this ship were significantly cheaper than on their newer ship. Just like today, people at the time were looking for the newest and biggest ships to go on. Cruises on Mardi Gras in the last couple years were mainly older people or people who didn't have the money to go on the Fantasy or Ecstasy but could still get a great enjoyable cruise. It brings back a lot of memories seeing this video of this ship. I remember the movie theater typically showed some old 1970's movies I've never heard of. I know the Point After Discoteque also doubled as the ship's "Kid's Club"/"Camp Carnival" (whatever the heck they called it at the time) during the daytime hours and where our group had our private cocktails prior to dinner on both cruises. I never swam in the indoor coral pool but I remembered it being open on one of my cruises.

[@midshipcinema]

Fantastic memories! Thank you for sharing them! :)

[@colinstewart6458]

Thanks Peter - your videos have a certain charm that makes them watchable time and time again - and more importantly your time documenting these fantastic passengers cruise ships / liners before they were lost has proven invaluable - what would ship enthusiasts do without you! PS - I collect nautical antiques over in England and have an extensive collection including the Emergency Steering Station and 2 x Library Wall Light Scones from the Regal Empress.

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you so much, Colin! Really appreciate your kind comment -- I realize the limitations of my footage and editing skills but I do my best to make the videos watchable and, when possible, entertaining. I feel fortunate to finally be able to share this footage after all these years -- like a lot of my friends, I took photos but for some reason most people were not using video at the time. I love having the motion of the ships and various sounds to work with in putting these together. And congratulations on that Emergency Steering station and Library sconces from one of my very favorite ships! Well done!

[@dennisbishop6448]

I had the pleasure of sailing on her twice. I loved this ship as this was my first cruise. They really new how to entertain you on this ship.

[@tammyherndon6701]

This was my first cruise July 1990, now that was a true fun ship. I would sail again on her if I could😭😭😭😭😭,

[@HDPhysiques1]

Me too - July 8-12, 1990!

[@markt9805]

I sailed on the original tss Mardi Gras three times when I was a kid, almost a teenager. My grandparents loved to cruise and took us, another two times with my parents. I always loved this ship and have fond memories. She was and always will be the grandmother of Carnival Cruise Lines.

[@CursedEarthPizza]

Your channel is a gold mine for cruising and ship enthusiast. Thank you for all of your effort in editing and uploading. Ive binge watched many of your videos today.

[@midshipcinema]

Awww, thanks so much. That is music to my ears. I hope more will discover this channel as time marches on and so appreciate those who enjoy it and take the time to let me know. :)

[@alancanavan3196]

I sailed on the Empress of Canada in July of 1962 from England to Canada. I still remember her as an amazing ship.

[@richardhill3531]

I was a musician (piano) on board in 1980. I played in the Mardi Gras Ballroom. Those were sort of the "wild west" days of cruise ships. The Mardi Gras was a beautiful ship. Lots of that rich maple wood throughout, especially in the gift shop area.

[@midshipcinema]

Thanks so much, Richard. Yes, she doesn't get proper credit for the quality of her construction and all that beautiful woodwork. Nothing like it today. Thanks for watching and posting.

[@JeffreyDavisChristianAuthor]

My Senior Class trip--and first cruise, overall--was on the final voyage of the original Mardi Gras in May, 1993. This brings back such wonderful memories.

[@midshipcinema]

How cool! Your first was her last but at least you got to experience the legend that she was.

[@martinonderwater2615]

Sailed from Montreal to Liverpool in 1971. When the ship docked in Liverpool the cp crew walked off as the ship had been sold to carnival. They left the passengers with cars in the hold to fend for themselves. I seem to remember this took a few days to sort out. Much fun was had by us kids exploring all parts of the ship.

[@frederickpillsbury7467]

Hi Peter. Enjoyed this. I sailed,on Carnivale in 1978 or 1977 on a 5 day voyage from Norfolk to Nassau. In addition to CP decor there were also Greek Line features as the ship was Queen Anna Maria. I now live in Vancouver. Best wishes, Frederick

[@midshipcinema]

Hi Frederick! She was an EMPRESS and a QUEEN before Carnivale got her. Both of those CP ships were beauties. Wonderful that you are in Vancouver! Maybe I'll run into you up there one of these days. One of my favorite cities. Thanks so much for posting. :)

[@frederickpillsbury7467]

Hi Peter. Lots of guest room here but we live on Vancouver Island, 45 minutes north of Victoria. Please do visit. I'm often in touch with our Cornish friends, John and Brian, who are on cruises half the year. I see Bill Miller whenever I get to NYC. I have family in San Diego area and maybe we an meet there sometime. Our next cruise will be on Azamara Onward. Cheers. Frederick@@midshipcinema

[@randybarnes6426]

Great presentation , and whom knew the ship that gave Carnival its beginning ! its been a trying year and tributes to all the ships we have lost . Happy sailings to all. Randy Barnes Palm Springs , Ca.

[@aussiejohn5835]

Thank you for this most amazing presentation. I know I would much prefer to sail on the magnificent vessel featured in this video rather than the floating amusement park which will carry her name. I know that I am in the minority but I am happy to be a traditionalist.

[@drdata1967]

You are not alone.

[@krazyklipz4450]

Your crazy then the new Mardi Gras is amazing

[@terris711]

I worked on her from 1980 10 1982 Beauty

[@chattanoogacruiseconnectio2793]

I agree Aussie John. I miss the classic converted liners that ushered in modern-day cruising.

[@davidmacmahon7964]

Having served aboard the liners of the 1970’s, and later as a passenger on the newer ones, I’m done with big ship cruising - you feel like part of a herd of cattle! Try small ship cruising eg Katarina out of Split, Croatia- it will convert you for life!

[@melissajohnson2935]

I wish carnival would of kept her, or bought her back to make into a museum. I would have loved to have seen it. I wasn't born until 1982 and took my first cruise at 30 on the Triumph. I was also on the last sailing the Triumph did before being docked, renovated and renamed. That's what sparked my intrest in getting to know the older ships.

[@TheClive1949]

What a great way for me to begin my morning! Such a joy to (almost) walk her decks again - even though I did not sail aboard her until later in her career when she was Apollon. Thank you so much for the credits at the end and the mention of my book. That was a lovely surprise.

[@midshipcinema]

Thanks so much, Clive! So glad you enjoyed it! And thank you again for "The Last White Empresses", which was so nice to read again in preparation for this project. :)

[@TheClive1949]

@@midshipcinema Thanks for those kind words but if only I had known then (when I wrote that book) what I know now. It was only after it was published that I learned about the long cruise that Mardi Gras did to the Mediterranean, which was the big anniversary to mark the establishment of Israel. Also, it is only in the last few months that I've learned that Mardi Gras made those cruises out of California. How did I not know about this stuff?

[@midshipcinema]

@@TheClive1949 Well, if it is any consolation, I'm sure Carnival had forgotten about those cruises. MG actually came back out here again in 1979 but I had no idea until friends told me they sailed in her. I think she set up the demand for TROPICALE a few years later. Later, Carnival even forgot TROPICALE inaugurated their Alaska cruise service. Seems no one kept records there, which is why we are all discovering things, even at this stage. Perhaps it's time for a new edition of "The Last White Empresses"! :)

[@GardeningLadybug]

Fantastic video Peter.

[@geofflara1]

Oh my gosh!! Thank you SO much for this Peter.

[@midshipcinema]

Always a pleasure, Geoff! :)

[@carolyngardner4999]

@@midshipcinema Will you be going on the revamp Mardi Grass

[@midshipcinema]

@@carolyngardner4999 At some point, yes. :)

[@jimsimpson2253]

Thank you. Great memory's. I was on her in 1981 for my first cruise.

[@midshipcinema]

MY pleasure. Thank you for watching and posting.

[@andrewtaylor4558]

Although not a Carnival fan, I really enjoyed this!

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you! Appreciate that. :)

[@kathychumley2359]

Thank you for this video. I sailed on the Mardi Gras in 1973. I was 17, just graduated high school, and went with 3 of my friends. Oh, what a time we had! We thought the ship was huge, and it was for its time. As I watched your video I was surprised at how many areas of the ship I recognized almost 50 years later. I wish I had known it came to Port Canaveral in the 90s. I live nearby (lived here since Port Canaveral was just a little fishing port) and would have loved to see it.

[@midshipcinema]

Thanks so much for posting. So happy the video rekindled those memories of the ship. :)

[@shipspiros3766]

@@midshipcinema I Was Traveled With The M/S Achille Lauro From Genova,Naples,Egypt,Limassol,Rodos And Arrived In Piraeus In October Of 1993!!!! I See The TSS Fiesta Marina In Perama He Was Sold To Epirotiki Lines And Renamed Olympic (III). I See The Olympic (I) The Former Mardi Gras But The Colours Of Epirotiki Where's It???

[@midshipcinema]

@@shipspiros3766 I haven't made a video yet with OLYMPIC 2004, which was the temporary name for the former MARDI GRAS.

[@shipspiros3766]

@@midshipcinema The Olympic (I) The Former Mardi Gras The Colours Of Epirotiki Blue And Grey Where's It??? (1993-1994)

[@fares-please]

Wow very well done! Thank you for this very interesting history .

[@thesketchydude1315]

my good friend Taki was trying to purchase her for his "Royal Venture Cruise Line" which sadly fell through, he even had brochures made showing that it was going to be painted all white with a bright sea-foam colored striped painted down the side, the Company prefix on the funnel, and the Dark blue nameplate with Orange Highlights, it was going to be truly something to behold! (he had the same plan for his older ship the former Regent Sun but that too ended when it was deemed too far gone to repair and then sold to...of all people, Canyon Ranch the spa company, and the last attempt for him to purchase another ship was a former soviet ferry which he ended up losing on the betting to another company)

[@MFHOOD56]

I appreciate the effort you put into this video. Been cruising carnival since around 2000 and am only 29 so this is a very interesting look into their early history!

[@midshipcinema]

Thanks so much. Glad you appreciate this beautiful vintage lady and appreciate your commenting here.

[@stevefromr.i6351]

I was just on the Mardi Gras and wanted to know the history behind the name and ship. Awesome history indeed! On the Mardi Gras, the ship had memorabilia from the 1972 ship for example tags made with portions of the handrails from the 1972 ship among other things. 50 years in business Carnival did not disappoint with this new ship, what a way to celebrate 50 years in business

[@midshipcinema]

Well done on the key chains that came from the EMPRESS OF CANADA/MARDI GRAS' brass rails! They did a beautiful job with turning the rails that I rescued from the scrap yard and once had piled up in my back yard -- they weighed a ton -- into something useful and commemorative for fans of the ship. I purchased several, along with a lapel pin that also was once part of a railing, while on the CARNIVAL CELEBRATION last week. The idea came from the QUEEN MARY in Long Beach when one of that ship's props was melted down into souvenirs shortly after she arrived in Long Beach. Thank you for posting. :)

[@seand580]

I sailed on the original Mardi Gras back in 1992. when I was 14. It was a nice ship and my family ran into the Cruise Director once, sometimes twice a day. That's how small the ship was even back then. You could probably fit both the Carnivale and Mardi Gras would probably fit on the Lido Deck of the modern ships.

[@midshipcinema]

Wish I sailed in MG but did visit her many times. Thankfully got to sail in CARNIVALE back in the day. Such beautiful and well maintained old liners. Thanks for watching and posting.

[@PirateMTH_ToddH]

Great presentation. I have searched for info on the original Mardi Gras and this video more than I had hoped to find. Thank you!

[@HarryMillerMusicOfficial]

Thanks for putting this video together. It seems like another lifetime ago. When I saw the footage of the Grand Ballroom I was like "oh yeah--I remember that now!" lol. I was the pianist in the show band on this ship for part of 1987 when it was doing 3 and 4 days trips to the Bahamas. The beach on Paradise Island was awesome back then before all the tacky over development. Really lousy pay, but an easy gig, fun memories, and good musicians in the band. It was one of the only cruise ships where musicians had their own single cabins (shared bathrooms though).

[@midshipcinema]

Wow, thank you for your message. I'm so glad you enjoyed the tribute to your former ship. Wish I had sailed in her back in the day. I'm sure you have some fantastic stories.

[@HarryMillerMusicOfficial]

@@midshipcinema I remember a lot of the people I met and worked with back then--especially the musicians--but it was so long ago now (34 years?) that any stories are kind of misty at this point. Plus I worked on a lot of ships so the memories tend to get blurred together into a jumble.

[@misnomer345]

Dec 1989, a few days before Christmas. Dining room was set in Christmas theme. First cruise. Will always remember the orginal Mardi Gras, was a magnificent ship for its time.

[@midshipcinema]

Aww. Great memories. She was one of my all time favorites and is very much missed, although I'm happy to have saved what I could from her. Thanks for posting.

[@benwilson6145]

Thank you for a very informative video, your knowledge is fantastic.

[@TheGmbz]

Just delightful Peter as was the video on the Margarita L.

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you. :)

[@grand_vacation]

This is amazing, thanks for sharing!!

[@simonherts]

I was a (nearly) 5 year old when my parents took myself and my brother on a cruise around the Mediterranean. It was September 1969. I remember the ship looked more classy than some of the Early CP pictures depicted - I think the furniture was less red and rooms like the ballroom were beautiful as they were lit like a nightclub. I also remember the nursery and how deep the swimming pool seemed. It almost looked like you had to climb a cliff face to get out - and this would be with my Dad helping me in his arms. These ships had a wonderful elegance to the. Something that was more common then and which is totally missing today apart from some of the smallest vessels or maybe the queen Mary. My Dad was General Manager of CP Ships at the time and I remember the Carlton dining room very well. It looked in reality that the pictures with a dark ambience with feature lighting at night and a balcony that curved around. Very fond memories and your video brought back many thoughts. I even have a cine film taken on the ship which I might just go and play now ! Thanks for this video.

[@midshipcinema]

Thanks so much for your post and for sharing those fantastic memories of the Empress! I really appreciate it!

[@A2Wx8]

I love the postwar British-built liners. Not ostentatious or gaudy, just pretty, well-designed, and very functional ships.

[@mrslinarcos]

Thanks to Facebook, I'm just now seeing your channel and subscribed. What a thorough tour that was. I enjoyed it. We never got to sail the MARDI GRAS, but I would rather sail her than the new one. The larger ship just isn't for me. Thank you for documenting these wonderful classics.

[@midshipcinema]

Welcome on board, Deborah! More ships to come!

[@mrslinarcos]

@@midshipcinema I am looking forward to it I know it's going to be good I've known you for a very long time. And I know to expect only the best.

[@julianlockwood3040]

Great video .. thanks for posting !

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@ephapax1]

Excellent narrative. Great work. Thanks.

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you. :)

[@dennisbishop6448]

Along with my previous comment my daughter was only 6 months old when we were on this ship man what memories

[@malcolmpope8864]

Thank you so much for this. I travelled on Empress of Canada in 1971 (in her swansong as a liner) on a mini cruise out of Liverpool to Cherbourg, notable memories were the airline style dressed stewardesses (I have a photo somewhere!) and as a 6 year old watching Willy Wonka in the cinema. However, I did travel on her twice more as the Apollon..the first out of Greenock was a 2 week Mediterranean cruise that was incredibly eventful…soon out of the Clyde we were warned of bad weather, we were heading for the tail end of a hurricane. The ship remained at sea for a couple of days longer than scheduled and took a battering, at one dinner I only had a couple of people in the whole restaurant to share a meal with…whilst the itinerary was shattered the experience was incredible and certainly proved her builders skills. The second time was a 2 week cruise to the Canary Islands out of Liverpool. That cruise, beyond a delayed departure due to windage issues was exemplary. Everything else went to plan, I was delighted to see her cross a millpond like Biscay at a steady 22.9 knots with no vibration. Sad that she was scrapped as her machinery was I understand in excellent condition. Thanks for sparking some memories!

[@midshipcinema]

Well, thank you so much for your incredible memories of her as both EMPRESS OF CANADA and APOLLON. She was such a beauty. I really wish I sailed with her during her charter to Lowline or in her Royal Olympic days, which almost happened before they decided to run the OLYMPIC COUNTESS instead. Really appreciate your sharing here.

[@hawknews8503]

Great video, thank you!

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you. :)

[@jimmywhite3922]

Great memories for the Class of '74 Senior Trip and a family cruise in '77. The Behemoths of the Seas just cannot match those early Carnival ships.

[@tammyherndon6701]

I totally agree with you , there's nothing like carnival's first ships.

[@richatom71]

Thank you for this .

[@RailPreserver2K]

I technically have a personal connection to this ship my grandmother, some friends of hers and her late husband sailed on this ship in 1986, she and I have since sailed on 3 later ships, legend, eleation and fantasy.

[@nordisk1874]

I’m amazed how as you filmed her get underway how clean her exhaust is out of her stack. She wasn’t an old tub she was maintained and loved you can tell from the smoke. Look at the ex Monterey towards the end boiler issues can be seen, same with the SS Norway on my last cruise on her, thick black. Or my colleges training ship! Great videos!

[@aircal737]

LOVE this one!

[@midshipcinema]

Thanks so much for watching and posting. :)

[@20bluebug]

Very cool video, I learned a whole lot I never knew.

[@JoST41]

We sail on the new Mardi Gras this coming Sept. this was fascinating.

[@midshipcinema]

Thanks so much and I hope you have a fantastic time on her namesake. Completely different ships but glad they brought back the name. :)

[@midshipcinema]

Apologies that I loaded this video incorrectly and that it starts in progress. Please just drag the red dot back to the beginning. One day, I'll get this right.

[@ChrisCruises]

Great work here! Thanks Peter

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you so much, Chris!

[@merlemileham2646]

My friend Ms Madeleine Lategan and her belated husband Mr Pieter M Lategan were on the Achille Laura when the incident occured in November 1994.

[@midshipcinema]

It was quite an event. I'm sure they had some fascinating stories. Many thanks for posting.

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

That was brilliant 🚢

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you, Chris!!!

[@Edgetravelguy]

Very interesting.............well done!

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you. :)

[@berntd]

They sure built nice ships in the past.

[@midshipcinema]

Yes, they did. :)

[@SeaTravelr123]

Such a lovely visit. Have you done one of Carnivale ?

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you. I will probably do one of her as OLYMPIC or TOPAZ as I have limited footage of CARNIVALE, which I took on the same day as MARDI GRAS.

[@colinstewart5154]

Fantastic presentation Peter - I'm afraid the modern Mardi Gras looks to be a floating amusement park at sea - I love the lines of the classic ships and with COVID the very few we have left have already gone to the breakers or about to. The love of balcony cabins and need to make as much money as possible out of all available spaces as unfortunately made many modern ships pretty ugly - classic lines don't come into it now!

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you, Colin. Yes, new requirements don't include making ships look beautiful, unfortunately. :)

[@atomcata]

Great video. But i think it will be good if the video said about the after Carnival services. The ship had -a small duty- with EPIROTIKI CRUISES.

[@midshipcinema]

Thank you. I will cover her as APOLLON in a future video but this was just to show her as MARDI GRAS. :)

[@atomcata]

@@midshipcinema im so pleased. Please keep your good work!!

[@midshipcinema]

@@atomcata Thank you very much . :)

[@atomcata]

@@midshipcinema all ready subscribed to your channel. If you ever make a video for TSS ATLAS (EPIROTIKI) and THE VICTORIA (CHANDRIS) you will make me very happy!!!!!

[@midshipcinema]

@@atomcata Thank you! Never got to see ATLAS but did cover her as COPA CASINO, which was tragic. However, I have VICTORIA well covered as PRINCESA VICTORIA and will definitely feature her and AMERIKANIS at some point but these take a lot of time, so please be patient, lol. :)

[@LC-r2b]

I sailed on this ship in the 80’s

[@midshipcinema]

I paid her several visits but never got to sail in her.

[@richardhill3531]

Who was that girl who cruised on the Mardi Gras in 1980 or about that time. She visited my cabin and let me make a copy of her treasured "M" Pop Music cassette. She was sharing a cabin with her three friends. I was playing piano in the band. I still have good memories of that.

[@midshipcinema]

Indeed, who was she? "Pop Muzik" was a fun tune in the day. :)

[@richardhill3531]

@@midshipcinema She is only a distant but fond memory. No contact after that cruise. Their cabin was forward where the 2nd restaurant originally was. I would walk at night on the open decks and there she was perched on a fixture contently by herself. The next time I was out walking and spotted her at the same location I struck up some small talk with her. It was a friendly meeting. I still have that same cassette copy of "M". Cassettes do hold up well after 44 years.

[@richardhill3531]

@@midshipcinema My first cruise ship was MS Rennaisance, then Sitmar ships, SS Oceanic, Holland America ships, QE2, Princess ships (old IP, PP, Royal, Regal,) The old Royal Princess had the most open deck space.

[@midshipcinema]

@@richardhill3531 All wonderful ships! :)

[@richardhill3531]

@@midshipcinema Oh. And I was also on the Royal Odyssey in 1985. Out of Tilbury, England. We did the Mediterranean and also Scandinavia. It was the old Doric and the Shalom.

[@Ezm87]

I can smell those rooms lol😊

[@edison3397]

My dad work in this chip back in the 70's

[@midshipcinema]

Was this when she was EMPRESS OF CANADA or MARDI GRAS?

[@grand_vacation]

What ever happened to the salvaged items from Mardi Gras? I'm currently in talks with someone about salvaging my cabin door off the former Celebration ship. It's so fun to rescue these things knowing they'll never be another.

[@midshipcinema]

Most are sold but you can find some things on www.midshipcentury.com

[@maryloulong6789]

How can I negotiate a ship model that was part of the Helm Library on the Grand Celebration?

[@midshipcinema]

@@maryloulong6789 Everything was removed from the space before the ship left for India, I imagine in the Bahamas.

[@bukasb]

She should have been preserved honestly. But like most ocean liners in the 2000s, their end was at the beaches of Alang where they have become useless.

[@rego007]

Awesome video! Thanks for posting it! Any idea why the ss Oceanic (also of this generation) seems to get overlooked? I'm guessing it was because she was something of an in-betweener...designed as a liner, but served exclusively as a cruise ship. I'd love to know your thoughts.

[@midshipcinema]

Thanks so much. Actually, Oceanic is one of the most loved and successful cruise ships of all time. I think she gets a great deal of much deserved acclaim in ship enthusiast circles. :)

[@A2Wx8]

One of the most beautiful ships ever built IMO! I've been in love the 60s Italian ships ever since my first cruise on Celebrity's Meridian.

[@fredscratchet1355]

The cruise industry seem to think everyone wants bigger bigger bigger. So those of us who like much smaller intimate ships are being ignored. Some years ago I went around the Med on Independence of the Seas. Once the initial excitement wore off and fighting for tables in the restaurant or trying to squeeze down the central mall through the thousands of cruisers I thought what the hell am I doing here?

[@paularc1899]

I sailed with her in the 80s. Amazing food but not a place for a 15yo me. I found a girl. We kissed at night when our parents were getting hammered. My butt at the time was big.. Never understood that but anyhow I had white jeans and I was going to fit in them! I did! Met some girl and smooched for hours. My dad finally found me and I was grounded to the room. Ahhhh the 80s :)

[@ElloImNoodle]

I search up original this is the only video with the original

[@darploin5071]

Let me guess those curved glass windows are in your living room now along with the melamine panels from the kids playroom

[@midshipcinema]

The etched glass wall was saved but is not in my living room and the playroom panels were also saved by a friend who is donating them to the Merseyside Museum in Liverpool. :)

[@MariaDuarte-xh2sm]

cant wait for progect pinnacle

[@Shipwright1918]

Given a choice, I'd rather have this magnificent old lady back than her modern namesake. They can keep the roller coaster, I'd prefer a sturdy classic liner.

[@captdavec590]

24:38 🎉

[@velezdragon3574]

Wish I could have sailed on her

[@midshipcinema]

Me, too. Although I did get to sail in her sister under two different names.

[@sammyk.3567]

Peter Knego. The Empress of Canada was indeed launched by Canada's PM John Diefenbaker's wife. However it's Diefen"BAKER" not Diefen"BACHER". Back to History school?

[@midshipcinema]

Yes. I've already been corrected on that. Someone beat you to the punch. I got the history correct but pronounced the name wrong, so fifty lashes for me. :)

[@richardhill3531]

Would like to compare notes with you. You left quite an impression on me. Don't pass this up.

[@darploin5071]

I heard Joseph Fargas destroyed Those 2 beautiful Carnival vessels With his tacky interior designs

[@midshipcinema]

More so on CARNIVALE but you can see most of MARDI GRAS was still intact if you watch the video.

[@seanwebb605]

Sort of a cranky and defensive video. That's not how you pronounce Diefenabaker.

[@midshipcinema]

Ah, well. Sorry you did not like it but my goal was to counter all the false negative anecdotes that have been spread about this beautiful ship over the years by people who never even stepped aboard. I didn't feel cranky making it, so I'm surprised that came across. I guess that makes me a cranky shiplover. And, yes, thank you, I was corrected long ago on the Diefenbaker gaffe.

[@guardianoftheduat]

I'm sorry but I think the newer ships are better