Mardi Gras’s inaugural sailing is new scheduled for 24 April 2021; the ship will be Carnival’s first Excel-class ship.

Prior to the pandemic, it had originally been due to depart on its maiden voyage on 31 August 2020.

The line expects to take delivery of Mardi Gras at the end of the month. It will be the first LNG-powered ship to operate in the Americas, and will feature Carnival’s BOLT rollercoaster.

Carnival has also cancelled all remaining itineraries scheduled to operate from Miami, Port Canaveral and Galveston up to the end of February.

"We apologise to our guests, but we must continue to take a thoughtful, deliberate and measured approach as we map out our return to operations in 2021," said Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy.

"Our commitment to the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we visit is at the forefront of our decisions and operations."