Yes, you can cruise over Mardi Gras break 2027 without missing all of Carnival. Seven ships sail from New Orleans, Galveston, or Florida within the school break, and several let you catch Saturday's parades before you leave.

I'm a New Orleans girl at heart, and I love Mardi Gras. But if skipping Mardi Gras Day means a fabulous Disney cruise with my family, that's fine with us from time to time. A lot of the parades and festivities happen the Saturday and Sunday before Fat Tuesday, so catch the weekend, then sail, and you get the best of both worlds.

Ready to plan? Call me or a member of my team at (337) 257-7294. Not sure whether to drive or fly? See Cruising from Louisiana: Your 3 Options.

When is Mardi Gras break 2027?

Fat Tuesday is February 9, 2027. Louisiana schools are out Monday, February 8 through Friday, February 12.

  • Last day of school: Friday, February 5
  • Parade weekend: Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7
  • Fat Tuesday: February 9
  • Back to school: Monday, February 15 (schools are not out for Presidents' Day)

That gives you a window from Saturday, February 6 to Sunday, February 14. Every sailing below fits inside it.

Every Mardi Gras 2027 sailing that fits the break

Ship Sails from Getting there Dates Nights Ports Parade weekend?
Mariner of the Seas New Orleans Across town Sat, Feb 6 to Sat, Feb 13 7 Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth Miss it
Liberty of the Seas Galveston Drive Saturday morning Sat, Feb 6 to Thu, Feb 11 5 Costa Maya, Cozumel Miss it
Disney Magic Galveston Drive Sunday morning Sun, Feb 7 to Fri, Feb 12 5 Cozumel, Progreso Catch Saturday
Legend of the Seas Fort Lauderdale Fly Friday evening Sat, Feb 6 to Sun, Feb 14 8 Curaçao, Aruba, Cabo Rojo, Perfect Day at CocoCay Miss it
Star of the Seas Port Canaveral Fly Saturday Sun, Feb 7 to Sun, Feb 14 7 Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, St. Maarten Miss it
Disney Wish Port Canaveral Fly Sunday Mon, Feb 8 to Fri, Feb 12 4 Nassau, Castaway Cay Catch Saturday
Utopia of the Seas Port Canaveral Fly Sunday Mon, Feb 8 to Fri, Feb 12 4 Nassau, Perfect Day at CocoCay Catch Saturday

Can I see the parades and still cruise?

Yes. Catch Saturday's parades, then pick one of these:

  • Disney Magic from Galveston: drive over early Sunday morning and sail that afternoon.
  • Disney Wish or Utopia from Port Canaveral: fly to Orlando Sunday and sail Monday.

You'll spend Fat Tuesday at sea and be home before school starts back. If you'd rather leave town for the whole thing, Mariner, Liberty, Legend, and Star give you the most time on the ship.

Which Mardi Gras cruise is best for my family?

If your family is... My pick Why
Kids 10 and up, budget allows Disney Wish Bigger ship with more to do. The Hero Zone has basketball, ping pong, games, and inflatable activities, and it's a big hit with boys.
First Disney cruise or younger kids Disney Magic Super charming, high-touch service, and a true Disney classic. Plus you can drive.
Want the simplest trip Mariner of the Seas Sails from New Orleans, so there's no flight or hotel night.
Want the biggest ship Legend or Star of the Seas Icon class, with the full week at sea.
Want a short Royal Caribbean getaway Utopia or Liberty of the Seas 4 or 5 nights, with time left over at home.

I've sailed the Wish, the Magic, Utopia, and Star. Families have fun on both Star and Utopia, so I'd go with whichever lines up with your budget, availability, and dates. Utopia, Star, and Legend all stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island. I've been multiple times, and it's always a wonderful family beach day, with water slides, zip lining, and an adults-only section.

Getting to the ship

Driving to Galveston: about 360 miles, roughly 5½ to 6 hours without traffic. Leave around 5:00 a.m. and you'll make it the same day. Reserve your Galveston cruise parking online well in advance, because the good spots DO sell out.

Flying to Florida: Southwest flies nonstop from New Orleans to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. Always fly in the night before so a delay can't make you miss the boat.

For the full breakdown of each option, see Cruising from Louisiana: Your 3 Options.

Our exclusive perks

Cruise line Your perk Which sailings
Disney Cruise Line Our exclusive Magical Bonus Bucks, a booking gift to spend on your Disney cruise Every Disney Cruise Line sailing
Royal Caribbean Onboard credit through our agency perks Most sailings. Ask us about yours

How to plan with us

Mardi Gras break sailings fill first, so reach out early. Talk with me or any advisor on my team:

Two heads are better than one. Not to worry, we'll be here every step of the way.

Frequently asked questions

When is Mardi Gras break 2027 in Louisiana? Fat Tuesday is February 9, 2027, and schools are out Monday, February 8 through Friday, February 12. School starts back Monday, February 15.

Can you take a cruise from New Orleans during Mardi Gras 2027? Yes. Mariner of the Seas leaves the Port of New Orleans on Saturday, February 6 for 7 nights and returns Saturday, February 13.

Can I see Mardi Gras parades and still cruise? Yes. Catch Saturday's parades, then sail Sunday on the Disney Magic from Galveston or Monday on the Disney Wish or Utopia from Port Canaveral.

Is there a Disney cruise over Mardi Gras break 2027? Yes, two. The Disney Magic sails from Galveston February 7 to 12, and the Disney Wish sails from Port Canaveral February 8 to 12.

Is there an Icon-class cruise over Mardi Gras break? Yes. Legend of the Seas sails from Fort Lauderdale February 6 to 14, and Star of the Seas sails from Port Canaveral February 7 to 14.

About the author: Marissa Prejean is the owner of Castles and Cruises Travel Company and C&C World Travel, based in Louisiana (New Orleans and Lafayette) and serving families nationwide. She has sailed every Disney Cruise Line ship that has home-ported in the US, plus Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas. Castles and Cruises Travel Company is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency, Earmarked Gold, and Universal Preferred Gold, with a 5.0 rating across 175+ Google reviews. Marissa completed Disney's College of Disney Knowledge for 2026. C&C World Travel is a member of Virtuoso.