Mariah Carey -- Flaunts Truckloads of Hits & Her Ass For Giant Las Vegas Welcome (VIDEO)

Mariah Carey was welcomed Monday to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with a quiet, understated gathering of a few close friends ... jkjk ... it was a giant, over-the-top spectacle!

Carey begins her residency at The Colosseum next week, and arrived Monday in a pink convertible, white fur stole, and nude bodysuit -- Mimi wasn't hiding a thing. In fact, she showed off all her #1s with a parade of 18 trucks -- one for each hit song.

Mariah spoke a little -- maybe she's saving her voice -- but mostly she let her anti-Nick Cannon anthem "Infinity" do the talking during her queen-like entrance.

If her Vegas shows are this well-produced, Mariah will be worth the price of admission.