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Carnival Venezia Deck Plans & Reviews

carnival venezia ship tour

Carnival Venezia

carnival venezia ship tour

Activities & entertainment

  • Piazza San Marco
  • Cloud 9 Spa *
  • Fitness Center
  • Fitness Classes *
  • Beauty Salon *
  • Camp Ocean - Kids Club
  • Circle "C" - Tweens Club
  • Club O2 - Teens Club
  • Space Cruisers
  • Seuss at Sea
  • Evening Kids Programs *
  • Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea *
  • Seuss-A-Palooza Story Time
  • Dr. Seuss Bookville
  • Venezia Casino *
  • The Fun Shops *
  • Pixels Photo Gallery *
  • Dreams Studio *
  • Art Gallery *
  • Gondola Lounge
  • Terrazza Carnevale - Exclusive Deck
  • Whirlpools (6)
  • Burano Pool
  • Serenity - Adults-Only
  • Carnival WaterWorks
  • Sports Court
  • SportSquare
  • Jogging Track
  • Ropes Course
  • The Warehouse - Arcade *
  • Seuss-A-Palooza Parade
  • Deck Parties
  • White Party
  • Groove for St. Jude *
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Guest Services
  • Carnival Adventures *
  • Wine Tasting *
  • Teatro Rosso
  • Limelight Lounge
  • The Punchliner Comedy Club
  • Piano Bar 88
  • Carnival Seaside Theatre
  • Carnevale Lounge
  • Playlist Productions
  • Dive-In Movies
  • Atrium Bar - Atrium Bar *
  • Marco Polo Restaurant - Main
  • Canal Grande Restaurant - Main
  • Heroes Tribute Bar - Military-Themed Bar *
  • Cherry On Top - Candy *
  • Bonsai Teppanyaki - Teppanyaki *
  • Bonsai Sushi - Sushi *
  • Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse - Steakhouse *
  • Amari Bar - Cocktail Bar *
  • Frizzante Bar - Wine Bar *
  • Specialty Italian Restaurant - Italian *
  • La Strada Grill - Italian
  • Gondola Lounge Bar - Popular Bar *
  • Carnevale Bar - Popular Bar *
  • Rococo Bar - Poolside Bar *
  • JavaBlue Cafe - Coffee Bar *
  • Tomodoro Mexitalian Fusion - Mexitalian
  • Guy’s Burger Joint - Pool Grill
  • Lido Marketplace - Buffet
  • Pizzeria Del Capitano - Pizza
  • The Carnival Deli - Sandwiches
  • Seafood Shack - Seafood *
  • Burano Bar - Poolside Bar *
  • Serenity - Adult-Only Bar *
  • Swirls - Ice Cream
  • Room Service *
  • Excellent 2
  • Very Good 4
  • All languages ( 29 )
  • English ( 29 )

Upcoming itineraries

The map for this itinerary is not available at this time.

Carnival Venezia cruise ship review: What to expect on board

Gene Sloan

Carnival Venezia is the Carnival ship you book in lieu of a trip to The Venetian in Las Vegas — or maybe the Italy area of Epcot at Disney World.

From a real gondola "sailing" down the middle of its main dining room to a pool deck built to look like a Venetian boulevard, Carnival Venezia boasts a Venice-themed design that makes you feel like you've stolen away to the iconic Italian destination. The theming carries through to just about everything on board, from the handmade Italian gelato on offer at JavaBlue Cafe to the Italian liqueur-infused concoctions found at many bars.

Like all Carnival ships, Carnival Venezia is a vessel aimed at travelers looking for an affordable, fun and lively cruise vacation. But it's one with an Italian twist — one so strong that you suspect there's a backstory, and indeed there is.

Carnival Venezia was never meant to be in the Carnival fleet. It was originally built for an Italy-based cruise line.

But now that it's part of Carnival, it seems to fit right in.

Overview of Carnival Venezia

carnival venezia ship tour

Carnival Venezia is the newest ship in the Carnival fleet, having joined the line in May 2023. But, as noted above, it's new with an asterisk. The 4,090-passenger vessel was originally launched in 2019 for a different line — Italy-based Costa Cruises — and is already 3 years old.

Carnival Corporation, which is the parent company of both Costa and Carnival, transferred the ship between the two brands in 2023 due to shifting demand for cruises in the markets where the two lines operate.

This makes Carnival Venezia something of an outlier in the Carnival fleet. While it underwent an overhaul in dry dock to add many of Carnival's signature venues, it retains much of its Costa-aligned, Italian-themed design.

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This includes, notably, many public spaces that offer design nods to the palaces lining Venice's Grand Canal. (Venice is the inspiration for much of the ship's theming.) It also still boasts its original and distinctive yellow-and-blue Costa funnel (there's no Carnival "whale tail" on this ship).

In short, Carnival Venezia combines elements of both Costa and Carnival ships — enough so that Carnival originally planned to call the ship a "Costa by Carnival" product to differentiate it from the rest of the Carnival fleet. Carnival has since switched to marketing Carnival Venezia as a vessel that offers "Carnival Fun Italian Style."

All that said, as I saw in late May while sailing on Carnival Venezia's first voyage under the Carnival banner, it's a ship on which Carnival fans will probably feel right at home, despite its Costa roots. The Carnival and Costa brands have many similarities, and their ships are often built on the same platforms. While Carnival Venezia is considered a "Venezia-class" ship, it shares the same basic structural design and layout as Carnival's three Vista-class vessels ( Carnival Panorama , Carnival Horizon and Carnival Vista). If you've been on those ships, you'll find the ship's flow and location for venues strikingly familiar.

As is typical of Carnival (and Costa) ships, Carnival Venezia is an affordable, fun-focused vessel aimed at budget-minded vacationers looking to let loose and have a good time. It's loaded with eateries, bars, showrooms and lots of upper-deck activity zones, including pool areas, a water park, a ropes course and a sports court.

What I loved about Carnival Venezia

Fun ship vibe.

Carnival Venezia may not be the fanciest cruise ship afloat. You won't dine on foie gras and caviar or sleep on 1,000-thread-count sheets. But few vessels have such a fun vibe.

I loved that I could careen down a ripping waterslide, scramble across ropes more than 100 feet above the sea, practice my putting on a minigolf course and soak in a hot tub, all in advance of a night of bar-hopping, live music and not-for-your-kids late-night comedy.

This is true of pretty much every Carnival vessel, of course. This is the Fun Ship line, after all. But that doesn't make it any less true for Carnival Venezia. It's hard not to have a good time on this ship.

Italian theming

carnival venezia ship tour

The Italian theming on Carnival Venezia was so strong when Carnival took over the ship from Italy-based Costa that, instead of stripping it away, Carnival chose to lean into it. When it sent the ship into dry dock in 2023 to become Carnivalized, the biggest new thing it added from scratch was ... a high-end Italian restaurant.

It also doubled down on the Italian vibe with new Italy-themed drinks at multiple bars, including the new Italian liqueur-focused Amari bar. The captain's reception is themed as a Venetian masked ball, with the crew handing out Venetian masks for passengers to wear.

The theming is a little over-the-top in places. The golden lion of St. Mark, a symbol of Venice, looming over the ship's central atrium on a giant faux-marble column sets the tone. But I found it wonderful in the way that Las Vegas resorts can be wonderful.

Carnival Venezia is a make-believe zone that whisks you away from your mundane, everyday life. There's no mistaking you are on vacation here — if not in Italy, at least in a faux version of Italy. Be warned, Venetian Resort. You have new competition.

carnival venezia ship tour

Carnival has jumped into the mixology craze in a big way with Carnival Venezia — but with an Italian twist. At many of its main bars, you'll find creative concoctions made with unusual Italian liqueurs and bitters that you probably didn't know existed.

In the name of research, I ordered up one oddball creation after another at the Italy-themed Amari bar, from the Bitter Guiseppe (a Manhattan-like drink infused with Cynar, an Italian bitter aperitif) to an Amalfi Martini made with Italy-made limoncello and limoncino — and, for the most part, loved them.

Related: Why the coolest new bar in North America may be on a Carnival ship

For the Middle America crowd that is a mainstay on Carnival ships, the cocktails are a fun and playful diversion from the typical pre-dinner drink routine typically centered on ho-hum concoctions like vodka tonics and American light lagers. When in Rome (or fake Venice), as they say.

What I didn't love about Carnival Venezia

The lido pool.

carnival venezia ship tour

As noted above, Carnival Venezia was originally built for Italy-based Costa. But it was a Costa ship designed for a specific group of travelers: residents of China. The ship was originally to sail in Asia for the Chinese market, offering Chinese travelers a taste of cruising Italian style. The result is that it has one of the most convoluted main pool decks that I have ever seen — one that would have worked for the Chinese market but is flawed for an American crowd.

Specifically, the pool area has little open-to-the-sky lounge space for sunbathing. This was by design, as Chinese travelers, in general, do not sunbathe. They prefer to be shielded from the sun, and that sort of environment is what Costa delivered around the ship's main pool.

The Lido pool, as it's called, is surrounded by Venetian villa-themed "buildings" that house lots of covered lounge and eating areas — places you can sit and have a coffee covered from the sun (the area has an unusually large coffee bar for a Carnival ship, the JavaBlue Cafe) or scarf down a burger from the nearby Guy's Burger Joint. There are two full decks of these covered, sunless areas around the pool, and if that weren't enough, the area is topped with a glass magradome that can be closed to completely shield the area from the elements.

Even when left open, this magradome has enough apparatus associated with it that it noticeably eats away at the space available for sunning, though to be fair there is quite a bit of sunning space with lounge chairs at other areas of the ship's top deck.

The cabin service

It's not entirely fair to judge any part of a ship's service based on its first sailing when the crew is still getting used to each other and the layout and procedures of a new vessel. That said, it's fair to say that service provided by cabin attendants in general on Carnival ships isn't quite what it used to be as the line cuts costs — something that will be true for Carnival Venezia six months from now as much as it is today.

My visit to Carnival Venezia in late May marked the first time I had sailed on Carnival since the line reduced cleaning service for cabins to just once a day from twice a day, which happened in 2022. Given the low price point of the typical Carnival cruise, it's hard to argue that one should expect twice-a-day room cleaning. Still, this was always one of the big wows that set Carnival (and other cruise lines) apart from similarly priced land-based resorts. You got a room steward who seemingly was always there, keeping your room spick-and-span.

I met my room steward in passing in the hallway, and he seemed pleasant enough. But I didn't feel the connection with him that I have in the past with some Carnival room stewards. And perhaps because I had my "Snoozin" do-not-disturb sign out a bit while working in my room, I went a full day and night at one point without my room being cleaned at all, which is something that never used to happen in the old days of twice-daily service.

Carnival Venezia cabins and suites

carnival venezia ship tour

Carnival Venezia has 32 cabin and suite categories — a daunting number. But finding the right cabin category for you isn't as complicated as that number might make it seem. Many cabin categories on Carnival Venezia are essentially the same, with the exception of where the rooms are located.

My cabin was a cove balcony cabin. Near the bottom of the ship on Deck 2, these are the least expensive balcony cabins on Carnival Venezia, in part because they have balconies that aren't quite as open and light-filled as standard balcony rooms. Because they are near the ship's waterline, the balconies are built with more protective steel than is normal, creating a somewhat enclosed "cove" effect.

carnival venezia ship tour

Other than that, cove balcony cabins (of which there are 110) are identical to the far more common standard balcony cabins that account for the greatest segment of Carnival Venezia accommodations (794 out of 2,045 cabins), all of which are located much higher on the ship.

Both standard balcony cabins and cove balcony cabins have the same interior space (185 square feet) with identical furnishings — a queen bed that can be split into two single beds; a built-in desk area with a miniature refrigerator; a seating area with a sofa and small table; built-in closets; and a bathroom.

Cove balcony cabins are priced a little lower than standard balcony cabins because, in theory, their unusual balcony configurations and low-on-the-ship locations make them less desirable. But to me, the more-enclosed nature of the balcony isn't a major drawback, and the closer-to-the-waterline location of the cabins is a plus, not a minus.

I love lounging on cruise ship balconies that are close to the waterline. You get more of a sense of the ship's movement through the waves and can sometimes spot waterbirds gliding just above the water.

There's a magical connection to the sea that one only gets from staying in a cabin near the waterline. You won't find that when you're lording it over the ship in a high-priced cabin or suite on Deck 12 or 14.

For the most part, I was happy with my cove balcony cabin on Carnival Venezia. Clearly, it won't win any awards for style. Its relatively bland white-and-cream walls and neutral, blue-accented carpeting are designed to fade into the background. The bedding is perfectly adequate for the Carnival price point but nothing memorable, with somewhat cheap-feeling polyester pillows topped with cotton pillowcases.

Still, my cove balcony cabin overall had a bit of an elevated feel compared to cabins on some Carnival vessels, and it ticked all the boxes for a cabin on a budget ship. There was ample storage for two in the floor-to-ceiling built-in closets, which notably were deep enough that my dress jackets and shirts could fit straight in on a hangar without having to be pushed to the side when it came time to close the door — something that isn't always the case even on higher-end ships.

While the nightstands next to the bed were so small and narrow that they seemed like afterthoughts, both did have built-in lamps for reading at night, and one side of the bed was nicely equipped with two USB ports. (Memo to Carnival: In a perfect world, you'd want these on both sides of the bed!)

carnival venezia ship tour

Two more USB ports are located across the room at the built-in desk area, which also has two U.S.-style 120V plugs, a European-style 230V plug and a completely superfluous and destined-never-to-be-used "type I" 220V plug. I suspect the latter is a throwback to when the ship was scheduled to sail in China. I had to Google it to figure out what the heck it was.

As is typical for Carnival ships, the cabin bathroom is functional, if not particularly stylish or upscale in feel. You won't find marble-topped sinks or elegantly tiled showers with sleek Hansgrohe fixtures at this price point. However, the fiberglass-molded shower space has (just) enough room so you don't hit the wall when soaping, and there is ample storage space for toiletries on three open shelves located on each side of the vanity. (The vanity, it should be noted, has faux Venetian wood cabinetry and a golden mirror, in keeping with the ship's Italian styling.)

My biggest quibble with the bathroom, besides it being eminently bland, is its overall color scheme. It has brown textured fiberglass floors and light yellow walls that I suspect will become dated over time. It already looks a bit dowdy.

carnival venezia ship tour

On a more positive note, Carnival Venezia is one of the rare Carnival ships that doesn't have air vents carved into cabin doors — something that often makes cabins on Carnival ships less soundproof than cabins on competing lines. This is one area where inheriting a vessel from sister line Costa was an advantage.

Other Carnival Venezia cabin tidbits:

  • There are red "Snoozin'" cards to hang on your door when you don't want to be disturbed, which strikes us as a bit of an old-school way to do a do-not -disturb notice. Many cruise lines in recent years have switched to more sophisticated electronic systems that let you push a button inside your room to turn on a do-not-disturb light outside your door.
  • Every cabin has a small hair dryer in a drawer in the desk area and a personal safe in the closet.
  • There's a flat-screen television on the wall with movies on demand that, in many cases, are free. Carnival normally only charges for some first-run movies at a current rate of $6.99 per movie.

Those who want something a bit more exclusive than a standard or cove balcony cabin can book one of the 77 so-called Terrazza Carnavale cabins at the back of the ship. These rooms come with exclusive access to a private outdoor sunning area with lounge chairs, hot tubs, cabanas and a bar called the Terrazza Carnevale.

carnival venezia ship tour

In addition, passengers staying in Terrazza Carnevale cabins get exclusive access to daily continental breakfast in the adjacent Carnevale Lounge; a specially curated brunch on select sea days, with a complimentary spritz or mimosa; and a private sailaway event with live music at the Terrazza Carnevale.

There are five types of Terrazza Carnavale cabins, all in the same general area at the back of the ship near the Terrazza Carnevale Lounge area. These include 26 aft-facing cabins across decks 6, 7, 8 and 9 that have extended curving balconies looking out over the back of the vessel and eight so-called Premium Vista balconies at the back corners of the ship that have extremely large, wrap-around balconies.

carnival venezia ship tour

In addition, this Terazza Carnevale area of the ship has 27 Cabana cabins that have extended "cabana" balcony areas with lounge chairs and hammocks for lounging. Fourteen interior cabins are also part of this exclusive Terrazza Carnevale area.

Passengers must be 12 or older to stay in a Terrazza Carnevale cabin and enter the area's private outdoor lounge.

Carnival Venezia also has 20 suites, all the same in size and amenities. Dubbed the Ocean Suites, these accommodations aren't really suites in the true sense as much as larger-than-normal balcony cabins. Most measure 275 square feet, not including 65-square-foot balconies, and have a single bedroom with a sofa and table across from the bed, plus a larger-than-normal bathroom.

carnival venezia ship tour

Focused mostly on budget-minded travelers, Carnival has never been known for the wide array of large and pricey suites found on some competing big-ship lines.

Carnival Venezia restaurants and bars

As is typical for Carnival ships, Carnival Venezia is packed with dining options — some included in the fare, some at an extra charge. It's got oodles of bars, too.

The vessel has two main dining rooms and a casual buffet eatery where meals are included in the fare. In addition, you'll find several included-in-the-price quick bite options and five extra-charge eateries serving everything from steaks to sushi.

In general, Carnival cuisine isn't high-end and — given the line's focus on vacations at an affordable price point — it's not meant to be. But Carnival is a line that long has underpromised and over-delivered when it comes to its food offerings, and you may be surprised by what you find.

Restaurants

While I only was on Carnival Venezia for five nights, I was able to hit just about every food outlet on board — something that isn't easy given how many there are. On a typical seven-night cruise, you'll have enough options to never get bored.

It's a good idea to make reservations for the ship's five specialty restaurants as soon as you can, as they tend to fill up quickly.

The biggest eateries on the ship, and the spots where you'll eat at least a few, if not most, of your dinners, are its two main restaurants, the Canal Grande Restaurant and Marco Polo Restaurant.

carnival venezia ship tour

At the back of the vessel and spanning two decks, the Canal Grande Restaurant is the main restaurant for passengers who sign up for Your Time dining — the type of dining where you can show up whenever you want. The smaller Marco Polo Restaurant, at the center of the ship, is reserved for passengers who choose Traditional dining — the type of dining where you sit at a designated table at a fixed time.

As is always the case with Carnival sailings, you choose one or the other type of dining in advance of your cruise, and then you are assigned the appropriate main restaurant. Note that this choice only applies to dinners in these main restaurants. If you want to go to any of the extra-charge eateries, the casual buffet (called Lido Marketplace) or a quick-serve outlet for dinner, you can go whenever you want, no matter whether you've chosen Your Time or Traditional dining. Breakfast and lunch are also open seating during listed hours.

The Canal Grande Restaurant and Marco Polo Restaurant serve the same cuisine, but it is the come-anytime Canal Grande Restaurant, where I ate, that has by far the most spectacular setting — spectacular either in a good or a bad way, depending on your take on over-the-top theming.

Designed to appear like its tables are lining a canal in Venice, the soaring, two-deck-high venue has a real Venetian gondola "floating" in a faux waterway down its center, with faux brick bridges over the canal and a faux blue sky above. To which I say: fabulous. I love it. But, also, I'm half Venetian, so I may be wildly biased.

carnival venezia ship tour

The dinner menu at the Canal Grande Restaurant typically offers six main courses from a dizzying mix of cuisines — on the night I ate there, the choices included an Asian-inspired sweet and sour shrimp dish, an Italian lasagna plate and a vegetarian Indian platter. Several "from the grill" choices, such as grilled salmon or chicken breast, are available every night.

While it was early days for the eatery when I visited, I found the food quality and delivery all over the map. A calamari fritti appetizer I ordered was so depressing in its appearance, chewy and tasteless as to be almost upsetting. However, my main course of grilled salmon came out perfectly soft and seasoned.

One of my tablemates also had the hilarious situation of ordering a burger for his son where he specified no ketchup or mustard, "just cheese," only to be served a bun with just cheese on it — and no meat. As noted, it's early days, and the crew still is learning.

carnival venezia ship tour

The Lido Marketplace is Carnival Venezia's included-in-the-fare buffet venue, and it's always buzzing. Carnival fans love their Lido buffets. The venue is at the top of the ship between the main Lido pool and the back-of-the-ship Burano pool. Its decor evokes an outdoor Italian cafe of the sort you'd find in the square of a small Italian village, with faux trees, leaf-lined columns and casual cafe chairs.

At breakfast, the Lido Marketplace offers up all the staples in big trays along the buffet line, including scrambled eggs, eggs Benedict, hard-boiled eggs, pancakes, sausage and bacon. There are made-to-order omelet stations, too. Lunchtime brings a wide variety of options, including a salad bar and a hot sandwich grill turning out grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, Reubens, meatball subs and the like.

carnival venezia ship tour

Just outside the Lido Marketplace at the back of the ship and steps away from the Burano pool is the ship's pizza-to-go outlet, Pizzeria del Capitano, serving up five pizza options: Margherita, fungi, pepperoni, quattro formaggi and prosciutto. You can order a slice or whole pie at no charge. Covered outdoor seating is available.

A second quick-serve outlet around the Burano pool, the Seafood Shack, serves lobster rolls, fish and chips, New England clam chowder and other classic seafood items for extra charges that seem out of whack with what the typical Carnival customer can afford. The lobster roll, for instance, is $18, and a single crab cake is $15 — prices that seem awfully steep.

On the flip side, an order of fish and chips is only $8, as is a bucket of fried clam strips, which seems more reasonable. Either way, I didn't see many people lining up for items here.

carnival venezia ship tour

Moving forward to the Lido pool area on the same deck, you'll find two included-in-your-fare, iconic Carnival quick-service outlets. The most jammed, at any time its open, is Guy's Burger Joint, the Guy Fieri-created burger outlet that you'll find on every Carnival ship.

On Carnival Venezia, this eatery has an unusual Italian theme, with the fat-dripping, mouth-watering burgers for which it is known coming in two new Italian-inspired, Guy Fieri-created versions in addition to the classic options. These include a "pepperoni pizza burger" topped with fried mozzarella, pepperoni, marinara, provolone and aged Parmesan and a "super melty mootz" that is slathered in melted mozzarella, diced tomato, balsamic and fried basil. (Mootz, for those of you not in the know, is a slang term sometimes used for mozzarella.)

carnival venezia ship tour

Don't worry; the classic Plain Jane, Straight Up and The Ringer burgers Fieri created for the wider fleet are also available.

Across from Guy's Burger Joint, the BlueIguana Cantina burrito outlet found in this location on other Carnival ships has been given an Italian twist, too. Renamed Tomodoro, it now serves Italian meatball subs, Sicilian chicken wraps and tortas de Milanese (imagine chicken Milanese turned into a panini) to go — in addition to made-to-order Mexican-style burritos and tacos.

carnival venezia ship tour

We like it all, but for an outlet this small, the mash-up of Mexican and Italian quick-serve items adds an extra element of choice for customers that can slow down the line. Our advice to Carnival: Go Italian or go Mexican here, but don't try to do both.

The new entrant to Carnival's food scene is Il Viaggio, serving high-end Italian cuisine. With a fixed price of $42 per person, it's one of the priciest eateries on the ship. The restaurant leans into the Italian theming of the vessel with a relatively small, curated menu of Italian specialties such as Tuscan-style sea bass with a Parmesan crust and steak pizzaiola from the Lazio region.

Taking the place of the more casual (and far less pricey) Cucina del Capitano Italian eatery found on other Carnival ships, it served dishes in a hit-or-miss fashion when I visited. To be fair, it was the venue's first night in operation. I was served a mouth-wateringly soft house-made burrata with heirloom tomatoes and pesto as an appetizer, but a grilled octopus appetizer that looked absolutely beautiful on presentation was sadly under-seasoned to the point of having almost no taste.

carnival venezia ship tour

On the positive side, Il Viaggio turned out a pappardelle with pork ragu as a main course that would have impressed even my Italian grandmother. Alas, my go-to test item for a quality Italian eatery, the cannoli dessert, came out with both shells and fillings that were uninspiring. To paraphrase the Peter Clemenza line from The Godfather , take the pappardelle, leave the cannoli.

Carnival Venezia's priciest eatery is its $48-per-person steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555 —a staple of nearly every Carnival ship. It offers all the steakhouse classics such as New York strip, filet mignon and lobster tail served in a warm and cozy space that retains much of its original Italian theming. Note the golden lion of St. Mark (the symbol of Venice) woven into the carpeting's repeating pattern and a larger lion of St. Mark statue in one corner of the eatery.

carnival venezia ship tour

Carnival Venezia trivia: While often Italy themed, all the restaurants on the ship originally were designed to serve Chinese cuisine, in keeping with its original focus on the China market. If you look closely, you'll see traditional China motifs worked into the Italian theming, as well as heavy use of the popular-in-China color red (which, by luck, also is a color often found in Italian design — it's on the Italian flag, after all).

The other two major extra-charge eateries on Carnival Venezia are the twin Asia outlets Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, just across from each other on Deck 5.

Bonsai Sushi serves its namesake sushi and sashimi, as well as yakitori (grilled meat on skewers), noodle bowls and small plates of such Japanese classics as chicken Katsu and shrimp tempura — all at a la carte prices.

Found on many Carnival ships, Bonsai Sushi has always been one of my favorite Carnival eateries due to a combination of it getting the basics right when it comes to Japanese cuisine (the sushi always is fresh and tasty) and also being relatively reasonably priced. You'll pay $2 per piece for sushi or sashimi (it's a limited menu of shrimp, salmon, yellowfin tuna and amberjack) or $6 to $8 for a sushi roll that is downright huge. Poke bowls, shrimp tempura plates and noodle bowls are also available for just $8. It's hard to run up too big a bill.

carnival venezia ship tour

Bonsai Teppanyaki is a classic teppanyaki eatery with a cover charge of $35 per person for lunch and $38 per person for dinner. For that price, you'll get starters such as pork belly yakitori and spicy tuna followed by a main course of teppanyaki-style salmon, lobster tail, shrimp, grilled tofu, black cod or filet mignon (or various combinations of these six options). Dessert is a chocolate "bento box" with green tea ice cream.

As is the shtick with teppanyaki eateries everywhere, the main courses here are all cooked in front of you on a steel-topped grill with various hijinks from the chef along the way. If you have the kids in tow, it's a crowd-pleaser. If, like me, you've moved past the age of having young kids and have suffered your fair share of family-friendly dinner shows, it's all a bit tedious.

Either way, the good news is that getting a seat for teppanyaki on Carnival Venezia is a little easier than on most Carnival ships, as there are more teppanyaki tables (four) at the ship's Bonsai Teppanyaki than at similar eateries on other Carnival ships — more fallout of the vessel being built for the China market.

carnival venezia ship tour

Meanwhile, the food options don't end with the restaurants. An enticing array of extra-charge gourmet cupcakes and doughnuts ($4), cake slices ($6) and cookies ($2.50) are available at JavaBlue Cafe, which is at the top of the ship near the Lido pool. It's also home to fantastic homemade Italian gelato (hey, more of the Italian theming) for $3 a scoop ($5 for two scoops), as well as homemade milkshakes ($6.50) and made-to-order LavAzza espresso drinks that you can get spiked if you so choose.

carnival venezia ship tour

Carnival Venezia is packed with bars, as is the way with Carnival ships. You won't walk far in any public area without hitting one.

The first one you'll see upon arrival is the St. Mark's Square-themed Atrium Bar, with its giant winged lion of St. Mark lording over it on a pedestal. Sitting at the base of the ship's central atrium, which has the Venice-themed name of Piazza San Marco, the Atrium Bar is right in the middle of everything and bustling at all hours. That's partly because it's a hub for live music — either a singer and pianist, a solo guitarist or a string trio, depending on the time of day.

You can find all your standard mixed drinks here, but its specialties are tropical classics (Bahama Mama, Tequila Sunrise) and martinis.

Fanning out from the top of the atrium on Deck 5, you'll run into a string of additional drinking establishments, each with its own theme.

Perhaps the most unusual is the stylish Amari bar, a new concept for Carnival that serves up specialty cocktails crafted with Italian Amari liqueurs and bitters. Some you would know, such as Aperol and Campari, and some you've probably never tried, such as Zucca, Averna, Cynar, Ramazzoti, Braulio, Montenegro and Nonino.

carnival venezia ship tour

The curated list includes such unusual yumminess as the Bitter Guiseppe, a rift on a Manhattan made bittersweet with Cynar, vermouth, lemon and bitters. Or try the Negroni Sbagliato, a sparkling variation on the classic Italian cocktail made with Campari, Cinzano 1757 Vermouth di Torino and prosecco sparkling wine. You also can order Amari samplers with a choice of three of the liqueurs and bitters straight up.

Amari essentially replaces the cocktail-serving Alchemy Bar found on most Carnival ships. Fans of that bar will be relieved that Amari also offers a selection of that bar's most popular cocktails.

Just be warned: With so many new-and-unusual-for-Carnival crafty creations at the Amarai bar, you might just blow your drinks budget here if you haven't bought the ship's drinks package.

Just a few steps away from the Amari bar, working your way aft, you'll hit the sleek new Frizzante Bar, located in front of the Il Viaggio Italian restaurant. This bar's specialty is bubbly cocktails, most with an Italian twist. You'll find the classic Aperol Spritz here, as well as versions made with Campari, Amaro Averna and Creme de Cassis. The menu also features Bellinis, Limoncello Mojitos, Negronis and a relatively wide range of whiskeys.

carnival venezia ship tour

As a nod to the ship's theme, the two beers on tap at Frizzante — Peroni and Birra Moretti — are brought in from Italy.

If you're traveling with one or more people avoiding alcohol, Frizzante Bar and Amari might be your two new favorite Carnival bar venues. Bartenders at both can make some of their iconic specialty drinks with non-alcoholic Lyre's Italian Spritz and Classico sparkling wine. They look and taste like the real thing but without the buzz.

Another Deck 5 favorite is the sprawling Gondola Lounge, which has its own stage and dance floor. It's the site of trivia contests during the day and live music and dancing at night, and its specialty is sangria (available by the glass or pitcher). The pricing for the sangria is a bit over the top for what is supposed to be a low-cost drink. A pitcher will set you back $36.

The Gondola Lounge is another outlet where you can get your daytime caffeine fix as it serves up LavAzza espresso drinks.

carnival venezia ship tour

The lounge, like the nearby Canal Grande Restaurant, once had a real gondola sprawled out along one wall. It was removed during the overhaul of the ship after it was transferred from Costa to Carnival (my as-yet-unanswered question: Where did that gondola go?).

carnival venezia ship tour

Two more bars on the same deck (yeah, that's five bars on a single deck!) include the cozy Piano Bar 88, which is part bar, part live piano music venue, and the Carnevale Bar and Lounge (mentioned in passing above). Keeping with the Italian theming, the latter is all about variations on the classic bellini, including an apple cider cucumber bellini, a blood orange bellini and a spicy mango bellini. The Carnevale Bar and Lounge is also the place to get spiked espresso drinks — if infusing yourself with stimulants and depressants at the same time is your thing.

Three additional bars around the top-deck pool areas (Rococo, the Pergola Bar and the Burano Bar) serve all the daiquiris and coladas you can drink, plus just about anything else alcohol-related you'd want to order while lounging by a pool. Our favorite of them all is Rococo, which Costa's designers gave an elaborate Italian palace theme with 1700s-era Rococo paintings on the walls that Carnival's designers subsequently defaced in the most hilarious of ways.

carnival venezia ship tour

On one painting of a Renaissance woman being given a flower by a suitor, the Carnival designers painted pink sunglasses onto the woman and added a caption that says, "It's all about me." Another painting of two women in 1700era outfits is overwritten with the words "no fun plans tonight ... let's just wing it" and has a blue pigeon with a hat overpainted onto it for good measure.

Carnival Venezia activities and shows

carnival venezia ship tour

As is typical for Carnival ships, Carnival Venezia is loaded with attractions that appeal to both adults and children, including multiple entertainment venues, a casino, a spa and lots of top-deck fun zones such as a water park and ropes courses.

In addition, you'll find all sorts of other diversions on board throughout the day in various lounge areas, from dance classes to bingo games and sports trivia.

For families, the top decks of the ship are where it's at for daytime fun, starting with a Carnival Waterworks water park that has more slides (three) than almost any other Carnival ship. As a Costa vessel, the water park had two slides, but Carnival jammed in a third during the ship's 2023 overhaul (while, notably, leaving the water park's yellow-and-blue Costa color scheme).

Only Carnival's bigger Mardi Gras and Celebration have as many water slides.

Carnival Waterworks is not far from the ship's main Lido pool, and there's a secondary Burano pool at the back of the vessel. As noted above, in part because it originally was built for the Chinese market, Carnival Venezia doesn't have as much open space with lounge chairs for sunning around the main Lido pool, which could be an issue for the ship when it sails in warm-water locales on itineraries with sea days. On those types of itineraries, lounging space around the main pool comes at a premium.

carnival venezia ship tour

The Lido pool is, notably, built with a glass magradome that can be opened on sunny days and closed during inclement weather. This will be a plus when the vessel is sailing in colder locations, such as its season of sailings from New York City. But the magrodome eats up valuable real estate that otherwise would allow for more open-air lounge areas.

carnival venezia ship tour

Other top-deck amusements include such Carnival classics as a ropes course where the challenge is stepping gingerly along ropes and platforms that tower 14 decks above the sea (you're safely roped in at all times, of course). It doesn't look all that scary from below, but — trust me — it's a bit terrifying when you get up there, and your legs go all wobbly trying to make it across a floating-in-the-sky pathway.

There's also a miniature golf course and a sports court that, like seemingly every other sports court at sea, has been newly rigged to allow for pickleball games.

carnival venezia ship tour

Carnival Venezia's fitness center spans the entire front of deck 12 with epic views over the bow. The line made the space bigger during dry dock because Americans apparently like to exercise while on cruises more than Chinese travelers. A spa with 12 treatment rooms is in the same area, but the ship's hair salon was moved to Deck 5 (at the top of the atrium) to make more room.

carnival venezia ship tour

In the evening, the ship's two-deck-high, Italian opera house-like Teatro Rosso and the smaller Limelight Lounge are the places for big entertainment. Teatro Rosso is the ship's main theater. Performances here might be an elaborate song-and-dance show with Carnival Venezia's resident performers or a comedy act or game show such as a Carnival version of television's "Family Feud." The Limelight Lounge morphs at night into the Punchliner Comedy Club with family-friendly shows in the early evening and R-rated versions late at night.

carnival venezia ship tour

The Limelight Lounge also is where you'll find occasional bingo games and shockingly good karaoke contests. Carnival regulars come prepared to sing!

Karaoke may also take place in the Terrazza Carnivale or Gondola lounges.

Carnival Venezia also has a large casino with — and this is unusual — a dedicated room for nonsmokers.

carnival venezia ship tour

The ship also has multiple fun zones dedicated to children. The heart of the offerings is Camp Ocean, located on Deck 11. It offers free, supervised activities daily for children ages 2 to 11. The line splits children here into three age groups — Penguins (2-5 years), Stingrays (6-8 years) and Sharks (9-11 years). Each group has its own age-appropriate activities ranging from face painting to pirate adventures.

carnival venezia ship tour

There's also a hangout room called Circle C for tweens and teens ages 12 to 14 and a separate room for the older teen crowd (15 to 17) called Club O2. Both are tucked away at the front of the ship on Deck 3. If you wander toward them, you might come across a succession of no-longer-in-use small rooms built to be private karaoke rooms when the ship was destined for China. If you look closely, you can still make out what would have been the entrance and front desk for the karaoke area, now an oddly abandoned relic of what might have been for this ship.

carnival venezia ship tour

For adults looking to get away from the kids, meanwhile, the front of the ship's top deck is devoted to an adults-only Serenity outdoor lounge area.

Carnival Venezia itineraries and pricing

Carnival Venezia will sail year-round out of New York through December 2024. After that, it'll move to Port Canaveral, Florida, for sailings to the Caribbean.

The ship's New York itineraries are unusually diverse, with 22 different routings available ranging from four to 15 nights in length. Destinations for the sailings out of New York include the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, New England and Canada.

After moving to Port Canaveral, the ship will mostly sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.

As of the publishing of this guide, fares for Carnival Venezia sailings were starting at $309 per person for the least expensive cabin on a four-night Caribbean sailing out of Port Canaveral. Seven-night Canada and New England sailings from New York start at $509 per person. Note that these fares are based on double occupancy and don't include taxes, fees and port changes, which range from around $100 to $250 per person for most sailings.

What to know before you go

carnival venezia ship tour

Required documents

If you're a U.S. citizen, you'll need a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to sail. A few other forms of identification, such as a passport card, are also acceptable.

Passports must be valid for at least six months. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

Note that these are the rules for round-trip sailings out of U.S. ports of the sort Carnival Venezia will operate from New York and Port Canaveral over the next few years. If the ship eventually moves to another destination, these rules could change.

All this said, we recommend checking Carnival's website before sailing for the latest on requirements.

Carnival adds an automatic service gratuity of $14.50 to $16.50 per person, per day to final bills, depending on the cabin category (children under the age of 2 are exempt). If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you can adjust this amount at the Guest Services desk before disembarking. Also, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills and the cover charge of the Chef's Table.

Wi-Fi service on Carnival Venezia is fast for a cruise ship. Carnival Venezia is one of a growing number of cruise vessels tapping into the new, super-fast Starlink satellite internet system developed by SpaceX, which has been revolutionizing internet speeds on ships.

However, you'll pay a hefty premium to experience the fastest Wi-Fi speeds available on Carnival Venezia. On my sailing, the fastest "premium" service on the ship, which allowed for video streaming, was priced at $30 per person for a 24-hour pass. A full-cruise pass for the 15-night voyage cost $330 per person — or $22 a day.

Carnival Venezia also offers a less expensive "social" plan that only allows access to key social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) and messaging services such as WhatsApp. On my sailing, it was only available if bought for the entire cruise and cost $225 per person — or $15 per day.

A slightly more expensive "value" plan was also available at $22 per 24-hour period or $300 per cruise. The value plan adds access to email and most websites. Passengers who pay for a plan before sailing typically receive a discount.

Carry-on drinks policy

carnival venezia ship tour

You can bring one bottle of wine or Champagne per person onto Carnival Venezia at boarding plus up to a dozen standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas.

Nonalcoholic drinks in glass or plastic bottles are not allowed. You'll be charged a $15 corkage fee if you want to bring your own wine or Champagne to an onboard restaurant or bar to drink. Drinks brought on board must be carried in your carry-on luggage.

Smoking policy

Cigarette smoking (including electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers) is only allowed outdoors in designated areas on Deck 5 forward (starboard side) and Deck 11 aft (starboard side) and in the casino. You cannot smoke in the casino unless you are seated and playing; smoking is not allowed at the casino bar or in the entire casino area when the casino is closed.

Smoking is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

Cigar and tobacco pipe smoking is only permitted at the outdoor smoking area on Deck 11 aft (starboard side).

Unlike most Carnival ships, Carnival Venezia does not have self-serve launderettes on cabin decks with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. You can pay to send out your clothes to be washed and/or pressed. As of the publishing of this guide, the cost for washing and pressing a dress shirt or blouse was $6; the cost for cleaning trousers was $6.50.

Electrical outlets

Carnival Venezia's cabins and suites offer USB ports next to beds. You'll find both U.S. 110V and European 230V outlets, as well as additional USB ports at built-in cabin desks. Americans may want to bring an adapter for charging devices in public rooms where the outlets are all European-style.

The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar.

As is typical for cruise ships, Carnival Venezia operates on a "cashless system," with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. You'll receive a Sail & Sign card that you can use to make charges. This same card also gets you into your cabin.

Drinking age

You must be 21 or older to consume alcohol on Carnival Venezia.

During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, that means looking like you're going to the beach. T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine.

During the evenings, the official dress code is pretty laid-back. Most nights are designated "cruise casual," which means just that — khakis or jeans, polo shirts, sundresses, etc. Super casual items such as cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts aren't permitted.

One or two nights a cruise, there will be a more formal "cruise elegant" night where men are expected to turn out in dress slacks and a dress shirt, preferably with a sports coat or even in a suit. The suggested attire for women on such nights is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses.

Related: The ultimate guide to packing for a cruise

Bottom line

Carnival Venezia is an affordable ship that will appeal to a wide range of vacationers including families, couples and friends groups looking for fun in a not-too-fancy, not-too-pretentious setting. It has a distinctively Italian vibe because it was originally built for Italy-based Costa Cruises, a sister brand to Carnival. But Carnival fans will find all of their favorite venues on board, thanks to updates to the vessel since it joined the Carnival fleet.

If anything, Carnival Venezia has a classier look than some Carnival ships, particularly the line's older vessels. We found its Italian theming fun in a way that will fit right into the fun-focused Carnival fleet, and its new Italy-themed venues (Il Viaggio, Amari bar) are an upgrade for Carnival in our eyes.

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Carnival Venezia

Former name: costa venezia.

Carnival Venezia cruise ship

Cruise line Carnival Cruise Line

  • New York (NYC Manhattan-Brooklyn)
  • Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)

Carnival Venezia current position

Carnival Venezia current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 23.41471 N / -66.88013 W) cruising at speed of 15.5 kn (29 km/h | 18 mph) en route to USNYC>VISTT. The AIS position was reported 1 hour ago.

Current itinerary of Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia current cruise is 11 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean . Prices start from USD 544 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 15 Apr, 2024 and ends on 26 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Carnival Venezia

  •   Itineraries
  •   Review
  •   Wiki

Carnival Venezia Itineraries

Carnival venezia review, review of carnival venezia.

The 2019-built (as Costa Venezia) cruise ship Carnival Venezia was Costa Cruises ' first liner constructed and designed specifically for China's market. Venezia and the sistership Costa Firenze (2020) were both produced by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri - Venezia at Monfalcone Shipyard (near Trieste ), Firenze - at Marghera Shipyard (near Venice ). Each vessel has GT tonnage 135,500 tons, 2116 cabins and passenger capacity 4200 (max / double-occupancy 5260 pax).

Under the "COSTA by CARNIVAL" brand, the vessel (IMO number 9801689) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311001253) and registered in Nassau . Costa Venezia was Portugal/Madeira- flagged (MMSI 255963000) and registered in Funchal .

From the same series (Vista-Class sisterships) are also the CCL-Carnival liners Vista (2016), Horizon (2018) and Panorama (2019), as well as Adora Cruises ' ships Adora Magic City (2023) and Adora TBN (2024).

Carnival Venezia became CCL's 25th ship in the fleet.

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian ). 

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

Carnival Venezia cruise ship (Costa Venezia)

In June 2022, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line and Costa Cruises announced the "COSTA by CARNIVAL" cruise program targeting CCL's North American source market. The program is based on two newbuild Costa ships - Venezia (starting in 2023 with homeporting in NYC New York USA ) and Firenze (starting in 2024 with homeporting in Long Beach/Los Angeles California USA ). Both Costa liners are CCL-managed (while operating out of the USA) and were scheduled for drydock refurbishments prior to the Carnival service.

Prior to entering service for CCL, the ship Venezia entered drydock for an extensive refurbishment and refit (March 16 thru May 28). During the drydocking (at Port Cadiz ' Navantia Shipyard) were added signature for CCL venues and experiences like Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Piano Bar 88, Seafood Shack, Bonsai Sushi, Guy's Burger Joint, Cloud 9 Spa, Serenity (adults-only sundeck), Carnival Waterworks (Aquapark).

New venues debuting on Carnival Venezia are Carnevale Lounge (exclusive for guests in Terrazza staterooms/similar to CCL's Havana staterooms), La Strada Grill (grilled Italian street food and mini-sandwiches), Tomodoro (Italian/Sicilian and traditional Mexican food for breakfast and lunch), Amari Bar (similar to CCL's Alchemy Bar), Frizzante Bar (patisserie serving bubbly drinks, Italian beers and coffee with gourmet snacks), Carnevale Bar Lounge (with large LED screens, menus with fine Italian wines and classic cocktails, live music), Gondola Lounge (with a large stage/dance floor, live entertainment), Rococo Bar (frozen drinks).

Decks and Cabins

Costa Venezia staterooms (2116 total, in 32 grades) all provide as standard amenities 2 twin beds (convertible to Queen-size double bed), wardrobe, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), seating/lounge area (with mirrored vanity/writing desk with chair), smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system), direct-dial phone, hairdryer, refrigerator (minibar), en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, mirrored single-sink vanity).

All balcony staterooms are with sofabeds. Wifi is available in all staterooms for an additional charge as well as in public areas. Suites receive free 24-hour room service, slippers, bathrobes plus drinks package and personal valet.

The boat has 14 passenger decks , of which 12 are with cabins.

Aft on decks 5-9 are positioned Terrazza staterooms (77 total, similar to CCL's Havana staterooms) as well as the Terrazza Cabanas (cabins with patios furnished with plush loungers, a hammock) and lanai access to Terrazza Carnevale (exclusive outdoor terraced deck fitted with 2 Jacuzzies, a bar, and lounging space. Terrazza staterooms' exclusive perks include morning access to Carnevale Lounge (complimentary continental breakfast), specially-curated brunch (on select sea days, with a complimentary Spritz/Mimosa cocktail), Terrazza-branded robes and towels, and a Terrazza Carnevale sail-away party (with live music).

CARNIVAL Venezia review

Shipboard dining options - food and drinks.

Il Viaggio Restaurant ("The Voyage" in Italian) is a new for CCL specialty dining venue introduced on Carnival Venezia. The reservations-only restaurant is open for dinner and offers traditional cuisine specialties (dishes and beverages) from various regions in Italy. Each item on Il Viaggio's menu represents a regional cuisine specialty, including appetizers, entrees, main dishes (oven-baked pizza, sauces, dressings, pan-fried veal chop) and desserts, as well as Italian wines and cocktails.

Marco Polo Restaurant and Canal Grande Restaurant are complimentary, waiter-served Main Dining Room restaurants for Breakfast, Brunch (seadays only), Lunch (seadays only) and Dinner. On portdays, Breakfast is served between 7:30-9:30 am (closed for lunch). Dining Room hours are subject to change due to itinerary/port of call arrival times or scheduled onboard activities. On seadays, one MDR serves "Punchliner Comedy Brunch" (breakfast and lunch /between 8:30 am - 1 pm) while the other MDR serves Breakfast (between 8-10 am) and Lunch (between 12-noon - 1:30 pm). Afternoon Tea service (between 3-4 pm /seadays only, complimentary) includes a selection of teas, mini sandwiches, sweets. Dinner (seadays/portdays) is with 2 fixed/pre-assigned seatings - Early (at 6 pm) and Late (at 8:15 pm), plus Anytime ("Your Time Dining" between 5:45-9:30 pm). Dr Seuss themed "Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast" (cover charge $5 pp, reservations recommended) is once per cruise (on a seaday /itinerary based) at 8:30 am and 9:30 am. The dining experience features Dr Seuss character visits, waiters in special uniforms, themed decoration, unique menu.

Lido Marketplace (complimentary, 826 seats) is the ship's self-service buffet restaurant for open-seating Breakfast (7:30 am - 12-noon /made-to-order omelet station), Lunch (12-noon - 2:30 pm), Dinner (6-9:30 pm /Good Eats buffet) and for Late Night Snacks (11 pm - 1 am). Good Eats buffet menu is a Main Dining Room dinner alternative offering steaks, prime rib, grilled chicken, pastas, salads, desserts, daily Chef's Special. Lido Marketplace consists of various take-away food stations and themed food bars. Among those are Carnival Deli (sandwiches, draught beer dispenser), Mongolian Wok (stir-fry, made-to-order Asian food /you choose the ingredients), The Captain's Pasta Bar (choice of 3 pastas, 4 sauces, 12 toppings), Salad Bar (35 items), Pizza Pirate (24-hour Pizzeria), Chef's Choice Bar (international cuisine /different menu each day), Hot and Cold Buffet (stir-fry, pastas, carving station), Grille (ham-cheese-veggie burgers, hot dogs, fries, chicken fritters/sandwiches, sauteed mushrooms/onions, sauerkraut, Chili con Carne, homemade tortillas-chips-salsa), Dessert Bar (incl sugar-free items). There are also (self-serve, complimentary, 24-hour) tea/coffee station and machines for soft ice cream and yogurt. Chocolate Extravaganza Buffet (complimentary) is on the last seaday (7-day and longer cruise itineraries) and offers chocolate smorgasborg, chocolate fountain, cakes (incl pear, orange, cheesecake, dry fruit, diet).

Seafood Shack (open for lunch and dinner /both with waiter service) is a casual restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating located near the Lido buffet (poolside). Seafood Shack's menu is a la carte priced (between $4-16 per item) and offers lobster (BLTs, rolls, steamed, fried), shrimp (salad, rolls, fried), crab cakes, clams, oysters. The menu also has buckets (fried clams, fried buffalo shrimps, and combos), platters (lobster/snow crab by the pound, crab cake - served with corn on the cob, garlic bread, hush puppies or fries), Fish & Chips, Soup of the Day (Lobster Bisque, Oyster Stew, Seafood Gumbo, New England Clam Chowder). The Seafood Shack restaurant is unique for offering fresh fish purchased from local markets along the cruise itineraries. Two-three times per sailing, one of the ship's chefs goes to the port's local fish market and purchases fresh fish and seafood. At Seafood Shack you can check out the cruise itinerary's current selection.

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse (open between 6-9:30 pm/menu) is a premium steakhouse-seafood restaurant at a surcharge (reservations recommended). Cover charge fee of $35 pp (adults/kids) includes 1 appetizer, 1 entree, 1 dessert and gratuity. Steakhouse's menu has starters (escargots, grilled mushroom, tuna tartare, shrimp cocktail, crab cake, lobster bisque, onion soup), salads (Caesar, spinach/mushrooms, iceberg lettuce, beefsteak tomato), sides (Baked Potatoes, Sauteed Mushrooms, Creamed Spinach, Steamed Broccoli), entrees (prime-aged beef steaks - 14oz NY strip loin, 18oz rib and 18oz ribeye, 9oz filet mignon, lamb chops, chicken, Maine lobster, fish fillet from the market /itinerary based), desserts (cheesecake, caramelized apples, chocolate sampler, fresh fruits, selections of cheeses, sherbets and ice creams). The Steakhouse also serves beverages (bar prices apply) - fresh coffee/tea, dessert wines and after-dinner drinks. The food is wheeled on a cart to your table for examination. A cooking demonstration offers an hour-long presentation from a team of chefs. The dress code is "Elegant" (jeans permitted). At the steakhouse can also be made reservations (bookings) for the "Chef's Table" (private dinner package).

Bonsai Teppanyaki (within Bonsai Sushi Restaurant) is a food bar for authentic Far East dishes and a live cooking show performance (by the chefs) at custom-built cooking stations positioned at the center of an 8-seat dining table. Due to the room's limited seating, reservations are required. Each meal at Bonsai Teppanyaki starts with a sampling of 5 appetizers (Miso Soup, Pork Belly Yakitori, Spicy Tuna on Rocks). Combo dinners are also offered. Each meal ends with the specialty desserts "Chocolate Bento Box" and "Green Tea Ice Cream". The restaurant is open for lunch (seadays only) and for dinner (every night of the voyage). Cover charge/price is per person and covers the entire meal.

Bonsai Sushi restaurant serves Japanese cuisine specialties and drinks (a la carte priced menu). The sushi bar is open for Dinner (between 5 pm - 12-midnight) and also for Lunch (12-noon - 2:30 pm /on seadays only). The menu has appetizers ($4 each /wagyu short ribs, salmon, tuna), soup/salads ($2 each /miso, mixed greens, noodle), sushi sashimi ($1,50 per piece /shrimp, tuna, salmon, amberjack), sushi rolls ($5 per roll /tuna, California-crab), sushi rolls ($7 per roll /fresh water eel, fried shrimp), bento box ($10 combo), sushi ship ($17 combo). The menu also offers Japanese drinks (Kirin beer, Nigori sake, Tyku Junmai Ginjo sake, Carafe sake /served hot), wine by the glass and desserts ($2 each /Yuzu Custard, Green Tea Cupcake). Complimentary sushi is offered in the evenings at the buffet restaurant.

Pizzeria del Capitano (complimentary, 24-hour, self-serve) is equipped with a wood-fired oven and offers fresh-baked pizzas (Margherita, Pepperoni, Napolitana, Capricciosa, Calzone), pan pizza, Caesar salad, also made-to-order pies.

Lanai BBQ (open between 12-noon - 2:30 pm /seadays only) is an outdoor bar serving the Lanai Promenade with cooked-to-order fast food. BBQ Bar's menu has grilled items (steak, pork, chicken), chicken quesadilla, sliders, BBQ tacos (choice of meat), topless burgers, Carnival Dog (hot dogs), salads, homemade chips/salsa, traditional BBQ condiments.

Vista-Class Costa cruise ship

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Themed party events held onboard include Captain's Venetian Toast (held in the Atrium and featuring cast members dressed in Venetian costumes and passengers wearing Venetian masks) and Italian Street Party (with rotating entertainment including Italian-themed performances and live music).

Teatro Rosso (Theater Lounge, lower level 1 of 2) is the ship's main show lounge for grand-style show productions featuring live performances (tribute acts - singing and dancing) combined with sound and lighting special effects. The evening shows last 30 min. The music is backed by high-definition graphics (photos and videos) projected on large-size LED screens. The evening entertainment program also offers popular family game shows (like "Love and Marriage") and guest performers (stand-up comedy acts, magicians, musicians). The ship's theater also hosts the "Playlist Productions" (live stage musical revues) and "Hasbro The Game Show" (interactive board games). The daily program includes seminars, expert lectures, multimedia presentations, workshops and classes, bingo sessions. Carnival Venezia ship offers an exclusive program with 3 production shows (at 7 pm, 8:45 pm, 10:30 pm) followed by after-show parties allowing guests to interact with the performers. Carnival Venezia's Playlist Productions' programming also includes three new shows - Broadway Beats (New York City-themed), Vintage Pop NYC's prohibition era-themed) and Epic Rock (concert).

The ship's theater lounge is designed as a multi-purpose venue, so instead of traditional stadium seating (bench-style), all chairs are individual allowing different configurations. The theater also hosts pre-scheduled daily events - port talks, Carnival shore excursions meetings, land tours-related media presentations, etc.

Hasbro Game Shows are based on the TV series "Family Game Night" (board games and EA Games). These family fun shows are giant versions of popular trademarked board games (like Connect 4, Yahtzee, Sorry! Sliders, Operation Sam Dunk, Simon Flash, Monopoly, 10-pin Bowling) in which guests can team up to win prizes (Hasbro board games).

Playlist Productions are music revues combining live performances (singing, dancing, acting) with LED staging and special effects. Among the offered live musical shows are 88 KEYS (Rock n' Roll Piano Show with singalong hits), 80s POP TO THE MAX (1980s), GETAWAY ISLAND (beach movies of the 1960s with 3D effects), HEART OF SOUL (R&B and soul), EPIC ROCK (hits from 1970s-1980s), STUDIO VIP (1970's), THE BRITS (UK singers tributes), MOTOR CITY (R&B /1960s-1970s), LATIN NIGHTS (Latin singers tributes), DIVAS (one-name female singers tributes).

Limelight Lounge (the place for the "Punchliner Comedy Club") offers live evening entertainment by vocalists, musicians, comedians, and karaoke.

Carnival Seaside Theatre is a complimentary outdoor cinema with a huge LED screen. The Cinema also has a stage (for live performances and games) and is used daily for showing funny videos, TV shows, concerts, live sporting events, and nightly for watching movies with complimentary provided popcorn.

Venezia Casino (plus Annex) is a Vegas-style gambling casino equipped with various slot machines ("Coinless Fun Slot Machines") and gaming tables (Craps, Roulette, Black Jack 21, Caribbean Stud Poker, dealer-free poker tables). The Casino also provides complimentary gambling lessons and hosts regularly gambling tournaments. Guests can pay in cash or with their S&S cards ("sign and sail" /backed by the credit card given at check-in). Travelers checks can be cashed at the Cashier's Window (casino cage). Table games are cash only. Slot machines are S&S cards only (coinless). The opening hours on seadays are - slots (9 am), select tables (10 am), all games (12-noon - 3 am), but may vary depending on itinerary port times. The Casino is closed when the ship is in port, and opens 30-60 min after the ship leaves port. On Carnival ships calling overnight on Nassau Bahamas, the Casino stays open. On Carnival ships in Half Moon Cay (the line's private island) the Casino opens at management's discretion. Smoking is allowed only on designated slot machines and gaming tables. Carnival chips are fleet-transferable and generic (logoed). MegaCash is the world's largest jackpot that can be won on a cruise ship - over USD 1 million.

Heroes Tribute is a bar lounge (age limit 21+ yo) via a partnership with Operation Homefront (a USA-based nonprofit organization that provides services and supports military families and veterans). Each souvenir glass purchase at Heroes Tribute Lounge donates US$ 1 to Operation Homefront. The venue offers comfortable seating (leather armchairs with low tables) and large TVs (for live sporting events).

Pixels Photo Gallery and Shop sells photo-video equipment and accessories, and displays and sells photos made by the ship's professional photographers.

Dreams Studio (photo sessions studio)

Art Gallery in the Atrium displays original works from renowned art dealers, available for purchasing at discount prices (allegedly cheaper than at land galleries). Gallery art auctions are complemented by sparkling wine and held daily (usually in the early afternoon) at the Atrium's Lobby.

The Fun Shops is named the ship's duty-free shopping arcade of stores (open between 8 am - 12 midnight) selling Carnival Cruise Lines logo merchandise (ship models, fun wear-apparel), Special Occasions (gifts, souvenirs, packages), name-brand boutique merchandise (luxury jewelry-watches, designer bags-hats-shoes-fashion-accessories-sunglasses, perfumes-cosmetics-beauty products), also liquor-tobaccos and conveniences. The ship's luxury boutiques sell brands like Bvlgari (jewelry, watches, fragrances, accessories, leather goods), Cartier (jewelry, leather goods, watches), i Caftani di Roby Zu (resort wear/underwear, beachwear, clothing), Marc Jacobs (bags), What Goes Around Comes Around/WGACA (leather handbags, fashion accessories), designer watches (Gucci, Longines, Bremont, Philip Stein).

Cherry on Top (open between 4 - 10:30 pm) is a Carnival signature shop selling bulk candies by the oz (mix and match, sugar-free, assortments), confections (lollipops, sweet apples, truffles, chocolate deep cheesecakes and pretzels, cupcakes, fudge, cookies /and sugar-free). Cherry on Top also sells ladies and kids apparel (bathrobes, hoodies, lounge pants, tank tops), balloons, flowers, Carnival Greeting Cards, shower/spa items. The shop also provides formalwear rentals available only for pre-cruise ordering (not on board).

Beauty Salon (facials, manicure/pedicure, hair styling-cutting-coloring, eyebrow shaping, makeup, waxing, grooming-barbering, teeth whitening, Medi-Spa)

SkyCourse is a suspended ropes course - another complimentary, outdoor high-adrenaline action attraction.

Mini Golf Course

Serenity is the ship's adults-only retreat for passengers 21+ yo. This is a forward-location outdoor area with 2 whirlpools, 2 massage huts, cabanas, Fresh Creations (chopped salad station / complimentary, made-to-order fresh salads), exclusive sundeck for relaxation, sunbathing and evening dance parties.

The adult deck is complimentary (free entry) and accessible at any time. Both whirlpools (large-size outdoor hot tubs) are cantilevered (infinity pool type, with glass walls). The salad bar, whirlpools and the waiter-served Serenity Bar are available between 8 am - 10 pm. Hours may vary depending on cruise itinerary, portdays/seadays, weather.

Serenity Deck is furnished with hammocks, premium wicker chaise lounges and clamshell chairs (plush seating, teal cushions), shaded seating areas with double loungers and plush wicker sofas, live trees for decoration. At regular bar prices, Serenity Bar's menu offers drinks and refreshments (cocktails, beer/buckets, wine, frozens, smoothies, shakes, soda).

Piazza San Marco is a 3-floor-high Atrium space (midship on decks 3-4-5) with an open-floor design and housing the Lobby (Carnival Adventures/Tour Desk and Guest Services/Reception Desk), the Atrium Bar and the stage (for street performers) on its lower level. From the Atrium's mid-level (deck 4) are directly accessed the Fun Shops and the Dreams Studio (photo studio) and Cherry-on-Top. Piazza San Marco's upper level (deck 5) provides direct access to the Fun Shops and the Beauty Salon.

Kids & Teens venues and programs

Camp Ocean is the ship's kids complex providing supervised by counselors age-appropriate activities and themed entertainment for 3 age groups - 2-5 yo (Penguins), 6-8 yo (Stingrays), 9-11 yo (Sharks). Each group has its own room and dedicated staff. Operational hours (may vary due to Carnival cruise itineraries) are - seadays (10 am - 1 pm, 2 - 5 pm, 7 - 10 pm) and portdays (port arrival time until 2 pm, and 2-10 pm).

  • Youth staff is international, professional, CPR-certified. Staffing depends on the ship's current cruise itinerary and season. All children must constantly wear their muster station wristbands (available here or at Guest Services). In cases of emergency, parents must collect their kid's lifejacket from their cabin (when picking up their own).
  • Camp Ocean provides supervised dinners for kids every evening (between 6-6:45 pm - time may vary due to itinerary) excepting the first evening. Kids-only dinners (chaperoned) take place in the Lido buffet restaurant. Among the menu choices are mac and cheese, pizza, burgers, hot dogs, fries, fish sticks, chicken nuggets, spaghetti and meatballs, vegetables, fruits, Jell-O.
  • Carnival Cruise Lines Camp Ocean youth program is complimentary and offers over 200 marine-themed activities. The programming also includes family afternoons (when parents can play with their kids) and a family day with group activities, like face painting and family scavenger hunts (parents and kids receive cameras and search for things hidden in various places throughout the ship).

Camp Ocean PENGUINS (2-5 yo) arts-crafts, Penguin Palooza (costume making, parades), music/singalongs, aerobics, sculpturing, face painting, T-shirt decorating, bingo (candy prizes), storytime (reading), Dr Seuss, Mr Potato Head, Playstation gaming, dance parties, indoor ball games, movie nights, "Owl Jams" themed parties (10 pm - 12-midnight /fees apply).

Camp Ocean STINGRAYS (6-8 yo) PlayStation-Nintendo games, arts-crafts, Pirate Game Night, Memory Game, face painting, T-shirt decorating, sport contests, music time, bingo (prizes), Superheroes, "Fun Til' One" themed parties (10 pm - 1 am /fees apply).

Camp Ocean SHARKS (9-11 yo) PlayStation-Nintendo games, music trivia, arts-crafts, T-shirt decorating, design your own cruise ship, scavenger hunts, origami, bingo (prizes), dance parties, outdoor sports competitions, Fun At Sea themed parties (10 pm - 1 am /fees apply).

Camp Ocean NIGHT OWLS (babysitting of kids 6 months to 11 yo) is available each evening between 10 pm - 1 am (no in-cabin babysitting). The service is at fee $6,75 per kid per hour (plus 15% gratuity, no discounts). Fees are paid via the S&S card (ship account /no cash) and due upon pick-up. Any kid left past 1 am is charged double and forfeits babysitting privileges for the remainder of the cruise. The service offers slumber party activities (movies, toys, board games, video games, arts-crafts) and includes room-service snacks. Babysitting of infants (babies under 2 yo) on portdays begins 15 min before first shore excursion/tour until 12 noon (or from 1 to 5 pm on port arrivals after 12 noon) and on seadays from 8 to 10 am. Kids don't have to be potty-trained (parents provide diapers/toiletries).

Carnival's Camp Ocean-themed programming on select nights offers additional parties (surcharged $13 per kid plus 15% gratuity). These are "Owl Jams" (2-11 yo, 10 pm - 12-midnight /challenges, hide and seek, music), "Fun Til One" (6-8 yo, 10 pm - 1 am /video gaming, dancing, singing) and "Fun At Sea" (9-11 yo, 10 pm - 1 am /video gaming, sports events, pizza). Snacks and beverages are included.

For Carnival Camp Ocean participants only (kids under 5 and kids with special needs/allergies) are provided complimentary beepers, cell phones and phone chargers. At fee can be rented baby strollers (single and double) - 5-day+ itineraries ($30 full cruise) and 3-4-day itineraries ($8 per day).

Carnival Venezia ship's kids complex also has Party Reef (lounge area), Creative Cove (dedicated room for kids arts-crafts-workshops), Dr Seuss Bookville (kids library) and an Outdoor Playground.

Creative Cove is a dedicated room for kids arts-crafts and workshops. The Beary Cuddly Workshop is a build-your-own-stuffed-animal activity where kids can make and take home a stuffed toy (teddy, bear, dog, lion, koala). This workshop is for-fee (prices start from $20 depending on selected outfits/accouterments). A portion of these sales goes to St Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis TN). The "Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea" is a themed activity via an exclusive partnership with the toy company. Like at its stores on land, the Carnival's cruise ship workshop allows children to create and dress their own toy bears using a variety of materials, outfits and accessories, including toy shoes/sneakers, all kinds of suits, hats, sunglasses. Each bear also has its own voice (kids record the voices themselves).

Dr Seuss Bookville (themed library) is a family reading/play room featuring iconic decor (with brightly colored furniture), all Dr Seuss books (over 40 titles in several languages) available for reading, themed board games and activities.

Circle C (children club lounge for 12-14 yo; video games, movies, parties, planned activities, all complimentary), with the new Dr Seuss Bookville library.

Club O2 (teens only club lounge for movies, video games, karaoke, themed parties, booking teen-only cruise shore excursion)

COSTA Venezia review

Ship's design features more efficient use of both indoor and open-deck spaces, with several multi-functional areas. The activity (Lido) deck features aqua park with a water slide, high-rope garden, mini-golf course. The pool deck is covered with a retractable glass roof. The Beach Club (adults only complex) is beneath the glass roof and features a swimming pool, waterslides, rock climbing wall, sports deck area. This deck also has a giant LED wall for movies and other outdoor video entertainment.

Carnival Venezia cruise ship (Costa Venezia)

The ship has dedicated club lounges for teens and kids, including for toddlers. The panoramic glass elevators also connect the outdoor areas. There is a glass-bottomed skywalk, huge wellness complex (Organic Spa and Fitness), Plaza (with numerous bars and shops), Atrium Lobby Lounge (Piazza San Marco), large-capacity Theater (main show lounge).

Another agreement (with the German shipbuilder Meyer Werft) was signed in July 2015 and included the construction of 4 new ships of the Excellence/Helios-Class. The contract was finalized in April 2016. Of these 4 vessels, 2 were for Costa Cruises ( Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana ) and the other 2 for AIDA Cruises ( AIDAnova ) and CCL-Carnival ( Jubilee ).

Managed by Costa Group, the Costa and AIDA combined fleet is Europe's largest. In 2014, one out of every two cruise ship tourists in Europe sailed on either AIDA or Costa ship. In 2015, Costa Group had 20 offices in 14 countries, around 27,000 shipyard employees and total passenger capacity of over 68,000 berths (across the combined fleet). Costa Group also is the leader of China's rapidly growing cruise market in Asia.

Besides the ship's staff and crew, Costa cruise passengers are also served by Peper robots - the latest cyborg technology implemented fleetwide in 2016. These humanoid robots greet and guide passengers upon embarkation. They also assist them throughout the cruise by providing information and tips on onboard dining, entertainment, enrichment program (workshops, pre-scheduled events), casino and shopping promotions, shore excursions and tours. Pepper robots are mobile and communicate in 3 languages (English, German, Italian). They can also interpret human emotions by analyzing voice tones and facial expressions.

Costa Venezia offers a total of 15 restaurants and 8 main bars/lounges. The food offerings consist of classic Italian dishes, fast food, traditional Asian and Chinese cuisine. Italian food includes the menu of 3-star Michelin chef Umberto Bombana in Casanova Restaurant. However, authentic Chinese cuisine is available in the main and specialty restaurants at any time.

Follows the complete list of Costa Venezia restaurants and food bars.

  • The Main Restaurant (waiter-served) and the Lido deck buffet restaurant offer Chinese and Italian food from the early hours until night.
  • The specialty Lu Hot Pot restaurant is where vacationers can cook their own choice of vegetables, seafood, and meat in a stockpot that is placed in the middle of the dining table.
  • Another option is street food, with Dim Sum offering traditional Chinese food and the Japanese Yan Teppanyaki where chefs work at the passengers' tables.
  • Casanova Restaurant is the ship's stand-out specialty restaurant. Its menu was created by Italian chef Umberto Bombana of 3-star Michelin restaurant Otto e Mezzo Bombana.
  • Frutti di Mare is a seafood restaurant serving Venetian and oriental dishes.
  • Lanai BBQ Restaurant and La Fiorentina Steak House both feature sea views.
  • Napoli Pizza delivers classic Italian pizza anytime anywhere onboard.

Introduced in 2021, "Destination Dishes" are complimentary and available at the MDR's/main dining rooms fleetwide. They are based on individual recipes designed by a "celebrity chef trio" (Bruno Barbieri/Italian, Helene Darroze/French, Angel Leon/Spanish) and interpret the traditional food of the destinations to be visiting by the ship on the following day of the voyage.

Costa Venezia was specially designed to showcase Italian food, lifestyle, and culture, which is why the ship's atrium is modeled on the St Mark's Square in Venice and there are a couple of real gondolas onboard. The Gondola Lounge is where travelers can have a virtual reality trip through the port city in a gondola and the Grand Canal Restaurant features a "canal-side" walk to admire the Bridge of Sighs - Ponte dei Sospiri. The restaurant replicates the architecture of Venetian alleys and guests are served by waiters specially dressed as 17th-century Venetians. Costa Venezia voyages also offer a Venice Carnival party night with Italian entertainment and Venetian masks.

Every night there are shows in the theatre with a focus on Italian productions like Venezia Innamorata, which is based on the life of Venetian lover Giacomo Casanova. The Lounge delle Stelle is where guests can join Costa Venezia Film Festival, being entertained with songs from popular films and watching Venice Film Festival movies.

Despite the Italian ambiance of Costa Venetia, the vessel has been designed exclusively for Chinese passengers with much of the entertainment Chinese, including the Golden Party where there are gifts and surprises to be won every ten minutes.

Typical family entertainment is at the heart of the experience, including kids' clubs, mini-golf, Rope Garden, and Water Park Laguna for onboard fun. Chinese guests can also enjoy duty-free shopping with luxury brands like BVLGARI, Cartier, and Tiffany.

The ship also features some of the most popular Asian entertainment. 11 rooms are dedicated to karaoke, and the masquerade ball is a colorful take on the famous Carnevale in Venice. Half a dozen main lounges are available for pre-dinner cocktails, plus Bella Bar for bubble teas and fruit juices.

CARNIVAL Venezia itineraries

Carnival Venezia cruises were open for booking on November 15, 2022. The ship's inaugural itinerary program is based on homeporting in NYC (New York USA)/Manhattan Cruise Terminal , starting on June 15, 2023.

Carnival Venezia's inaugural season groups 22 unique itineraries (10 different voyage durations) visiting 25 ports/destinations in 14 countries.

The program starts with a 15-day Transatlantic crossing/Carnival Journeys voyage (RepositionCruises.com) from Barcelona to NYC (May 29-June 13, 2023). From Manhattan NYC, the ship's summer schedule includes roundtrips to Southern Caribbean (12-night), Eastern Caribbean (8-10-11-night), to Bahamas (8-9-night), to Bermuda (4-5-night), and New England USA and Canada (5-6-7-night, visiting St John NB, Halifax NS, Sydney NS, Portland ME).

Carnival Venezia's Caribbean itineraries visit Puerto Rico, Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, Grand Turk, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Maarten, St Thomas USVI, Dominicana (Amber Cove). All longer voyages visit CCL's private Bahamian island Half Moon Cay , Shorter/9-day voyages from NYC to Bahamas visit PortMiami Florida , Nassau, Freeport, Half Moon Cay.

In May 2023 CCL announced that in December 2024 Venezia will move from New York to Florida and homeport in Port Canaveral/Orlando City . The new deployment starts with a 12-day East Coast USA relocation voyage/Carnival Journeys from NYC to Port Canaveral (December 6-18th, 2024).

The ex-Florida itineraries (Port Canaveral roundtrips/7 days in length) that were first opened for booking were:

  • "Exotic Eastern Caribbean" (Dec 22, 2024) visiting Grand Turk, San Juan Puerto Rico, St Thomas USVI
  • "Exotic Eastern Caribbean" (Jan 5, 2025) visiting to Amber Cove Dominicana, San Juan Puerto Rico, St Thomas USVI
  • "Exotic Western Caribbean" (departures Dec 29th, and in 2025 - Jan 26th and March 23rd) visiting Mahogany Bay/Roatan Island Honduras, Belize City, Cozumel Mexico.
  • "Western Caribbean" (departures in 2025 Feb 9th and Mar 9th) visiting Nassau Bahamas, Montego Bay Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island.
  • "Western Caribbean" (departures in 2025 Apr 6th and Apr 20th) visiting Nassau, Ocho Rios Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island.

COSTA Venezia itineraries

Costa Venezia's Maiden Voyage was scheduled for March 8, 2019.

  • The eastbound relocation voyage (RepositionCruises.com) from Europe to China (53-day " world voyage " March 8-April 29/from Trieste to Yokohama via Suez Canal ) included popular ports of call in Italy, Croatia, Greece, Israel, Suez Canal (transit), Jordan, Oman, UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China (Hong Kong), Taiwan and Japan.
  • The Maiden Voyage was offered for booking in 3 different segments - 20-day (Trieste-Dubai), 18-day (Dubai-Singapore) and 17-day (Singapore-Yokohama). The inaugural cruise deals were also available for booking by European customers.

The Costa ship Venezia was originally planned for a year-round deployment exclusively in Asia, with homeporting in China ( Shanghai ). However, in September 2021, Costa announced that in 2022-2023-2024 Venezia will be redeployed from China to Europe-Eastern Mediterranean and homeported in Istanbul Turkey (docking at Galataport) .

  • Venezia's 2022 program (May 1 thru November 20) included 3x alternating Greece and Turkey itineraries (all roundtrips from Istanbul's Galataport) combinable into a 14-day B2B/back-to-back cruise itinerary that visits 8 seaports.
  • (Itinerary 1) 2-day from Istanbul (overnight) visiting Izmir , Bodrum , Mykonos Island , Piraeus-Athens .
  • (Itinerary 2) 2-day from Istanbul (overnight) visiting Kusadasi-Ephesus , Rhodes Island , Crete Island (Heraklion) .
  • (Itinerary 3) 12-day "Holy Land" from Istanbul (overnight) visiting Bodrum, Cyprus Island (Limassol) , Israel ( Haifa-Nazareth ), Egypt ( Alexandria /overnight), Kusadasi (overnight).

The ex-Turkey program also included optional fly-cruise packages with flights to Istanbul (via partnership with Turkish Airlines) from most European countries.

COSTA by CARNIVAL cruise program is targeting CCL's North American source market. The program is based on two newbuild Costa ships - Venezia (starting in 2023 with homeporting in NYC New York USA ) and Firenze (starting in 2024 with homeporting in Long Beach/Los Angeles California USA). Both Costa liners are CCL-managed (while operating out of the USA) and were scheduled for drydock refurbishments prior to the Carnival service.

In September 2022 was canceled Costa Venezia's winter schedule (Dec 1, 2022, thru April 6, 2023/23x total departures) that included 11-day Holy Land voyages out of Istanbul.

For COSTA by CARNIVAL, Costa Venezia was scheduled to start ex-USA operations on April 7, 2023, from NYC New York. The other COSTA by CARNIVAL ship (Costa Firenze) was scheduled to start ex-USA operations in 2024 from Long Beach/LA California.

Carnival Venezia - user reviews and comments

Photos of carnival venezia.

Carnival Venezia cruise ship (Costa Venezia)

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  • Carnival Vista

Carnival Venezia Wiki

The vessel (Fincantieri Monfalcone yard/hull number 6271) has volume 135225 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 12100 tons, max draught 8,6 m. The powerplant is based on 5x MAN marine diesel engines (4-stroke, common-rail injection/2x 14V48/60CR plus 3x 8L48/60CR) with combined output 62,4 MW (83680 hp). The propulsion is diesel-electric and based on two ABB Azipod thrusters with combined output 33 MW (44250 hp). The registered shipowner is CARNIVAL CORPORATION while the registered manager is CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE (both companies are Florida USA-based).

In January 2016, the shipowner Carnival Corporation signed a MoA agreement with Fincantieri to build 4 new vessels. Contracts were finalized in April 2016. Of these, 2 units were for Costa Asia (Venezia and Firenze), 1 for Princess ( Enchanted ) and 1 for P&O Australia (TBN-2022). With this shipbuilding order, Carnival Corporation had a total of 17 new ships on order scheduled for deliveries between 2016-2020. All four units are Fincantieri-built (at the shipyards Monfalcone and Marghera) with scheduled deliveries in 2019-2020.

The vessel's keel-laying/coin ceremony was held on November 1, 2017, at the Fincantieri Monfalcone Shipyard (near Trieste Italy ).

The vessel (Monfalcone yard/hull number 6271) was launched/floated out from drydock on June 22, 2018.

Costa Venezia cruise ship construction

Costa Venezia was officially delivered by Fincantieri Monfalcone on February 28, 2019. The delivery documents were signed by Arnold Donald (Carnival Corp's President and CEO) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO).

Costa Venezia's christening ceremony was on March 1st (2019), held in Port Trieste, as previously announced by Carnival Corporation on December 9, 2018. The special event featured an air show by Frecce Tricolori (aerobatic team of the Italian Italian Air Force / Aeronautica Militare) and a midnight firework show. The ceremony was attended by Massimiliano Fedriga (Friuli Venezia Giulia Region's President), Roberto Dipiazza (Trieste's Mayor) and the godmother Gan Beiye and her family (Costa Crociere fans since 2011).

After the naming ceremony, the liner was repositioned (via Suez Canal ) to China for year-round deployment.

Costa Venezia was one of all 7 newbuilds ordered by Carnival Corporation for Costa Group (deliveries 2019-2023) and part of the company's ~EUR 6 billion investment plan. Venezia and Firenze became Costa's largest vessels homeported in China.

The liner's namesake is the Uniworld -owned riverboat SS La Venezia (2003-launched as "River Countess", 2020-reconstructed and renamed "SS La Venezia").

Following the scheduled drydocking, Carnival Venezia officially joined the CCL-Carnival Cruise Line 's fleet on March 22, 2023, when Costa's Captain Tihomir Muzic handed over the vessel to Carnival's Captain Claudio Cupisti in Port Cadiz (Spain) . The unique event was attended by executives from Costa and Carnival, including Christine Duffy (CCL's President).

Besides the ship's Master Claudio Cupisti (with CCL since 1989), Carnival Venezia's other senior officers are Cesare Boldrini (Chief Engineer/with CCL since 2011) and Karl Hallberg (Hotel Director/with CCL since 2017). In April were also appointed Milena Krivokapic (as Entertainment Director/with CCL since 2018) and Marques Matthias (as Cruise Director/with CCL since 2015).

In June 2023 CCL announced that Carnival Venezia will be christened by Godfather James Douglas Muir Leno/Jay Leno (1950-born TV host and stand-up comedian). Jay Leno is best known for being the host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" in the periods 1992-2009 and 2010-2014. For 8 years (2014-2022) he hosted CNBC's TV series "Jay Leno's Garage", and since 2021 - the comedy quiz series "You Bet Your Life". The ship's naming ceremony was held on June 14th in NYC. Jay Leno entertained the guests with a special stand-up comedy show in collaboration with Carnival World Mastercard (CCL's partnership with the London-based Barclays Bank). The special event (held at the ship's Theater/Teatro Rosso) was attended by John Heald (CCL's Brand Ambassador), Christine Duffy (CCL's President), Fr. Enrique Salvo (Rector of St Patrick's Cathedral) and Captain Claudio Cupisti.

Carnival Venezia refurbishment 2023 review

Carnival Venezia was drydock refurbished at Navantia Shipyard (Cadiz) in the period between March 16th and May 28th. The refit and refurbishment project included the renovation of all staterooms and public spaces, as well as adding CCL's signature facilities, like Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Piano Bar 88, Seafood Shack, Bonsai Sushi, Guy's Burger Joint, Cloud 9 Spa, Serenity (adults-only sundeck), Carnival Waterworks (Aquapark).

New venues (debuting on Carnival Venezia) are Carnevale Lounge (exclusive for Terrazza staterooms), La Strada Grill, Tomodoro Restaurant, Carnevale Lounge & Bar (with live music), Gondola Lounge & Nightclub (with live entertainment), Amari Bar, Rococo Bar, Frizzante Bar (patisserie).

Curiously, unlike the other CCL fleetmates, Carnival Venezia has a hull on which the traditional red stripe is in yellow, paying homage to the ship's Costa heritage, and also to match the yellow-painted funnel.

Inaugural itineraries 2023 (Carnival Venezia)

Carnival Venezia's Maiden Voyage was scheduled for May 29, 2023 (15-day Transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to NYC New York USA). The inaugural cruise was priced from US$590 per person with double occupancy.

Followed a year-round deployment with homeporting at NYC's Manhattan Cruise Terminal (first departure June 15th).

Carnival Venezia's inaugural itinerary program was based on roundtrips out of NYC to destinations in Bermuda, the Caribbean/Bahamas and Canada and New England USA.

Next tables show the inaugural voyages by destination.

inaugural Bermuda (4-day itinerary) from US$625 pp

inaugural Eastern Caribbean (8-day itinerary) from US$1090 pp

Inaugural Canada and New England (5-day itinerary) from US$495 pp

inaugural Southern Caribbean (15-day itinerary) from US$980 pp

inaugural Bahamas (9-day itinerary) from US$510 pp

Inaugural Mediterranean itineraries 2022-2023-2024 (Costa Venezia)

Next table shows the ship's first Mediterranean voyage (part of the 2022-23-24 program) following the redeployment from Asia to Europe.

This was a 14-day B2B/back-to-back itinerary leaving roundtrip from Istanbul/Galataport.

Prices started from USD 500-700 per person (double occupancy) for a 7-day itinerary and $1030-1520 for a 14-day B2B.

Inaugural itineraries 2019 (Costa Venezia)

Costa Venezia's maiden voyage was scheduled for March 3 (2019) - a 5-day Adriatic Sea itinerary leaving out of Trieste Italy .

Initially, for booking was opened (on March 2, 2018) only the Trieste-Yokohama voyage. Tickets for the Maiden Voyage were available for booking by both European and Asian customers. Prices started from USD 5000 pp (inside cabin rates based on double occupancy).

This eastbound repositioning cruise was offered for booking in 5 different itinerary segments:

  • (March 8-27) 19-day (Trieste-Dubai) - prices from USD 2000 pp
  • (March 27 - April 13) 17-day (Dubai-Singapore) - prices from USD 1700 pp
  • (April 13-29) 16-day (Singapore-Yokohama) - prices from USD 1600 pp
  • 33-day (Dubay-Yokohama) - prices from USD 3600 pp
  • 36-day (Trieste-Singapore) - prices from USD 4000 pp

Homeport operations from Shanghai were scheduled to start on May 18, 2019.

Next tables show the revised (slightly changed) repositioning cruise itinerary segments as destinations and port times.

19-day from Trieste to Dubai

17-day from Dubai to Singapore

16-day from Singapore to Tokyo

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Carnival Venezia

About Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia is a beautiful ship and at 135,225-tons, this 4,090-guest stunner, offers a myriad of activities, entertainment and more for guests of all ages. From the moment you step onboard and into her Piazza San Marco atrium, you’ll be ensconced in Fun Italian Style™. A wonderful variety of staterooms and suites, including the delightful Terrazza staterooms, are ideal for every travel need and desire. Cibo delizioso (delicious food) is on the menu in all restaurants and via room service. Elegant bars, stylish pubs and welcoming lounges are the ideal backdrop for cocktails, meeting up with friends for before or after-dinner drinks, socializing and relaxing.

Indulge in a plethora of invigorating and relaxing treatments at the Cloud 9 Spa™ and Fitness Center. Some of the services available include medi-spa, acupuncture, facial treatments, hot stone massages and seaweed detoxification wraps, to name a few. Maintain your fitness goals at the state-of-the-art gym. Take yoga, spin and aerobics classes. Head up to SportSquare and join a pick-up basketball game, play volleyball or some foosball. Do some laps in the sunshine on the jogging track. Challenge yourself on the Ropes Course or play a game of pickleball. “Adulting” is more fun at Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, while you take in stunning views from your chaise lounge with a refreshing beverage in hand. Multiple pools and Jacuzzis provide a perfect spot to get your daily dose of natural Vitamin D, enjoy a bite and people-watch accompanied by live music. Relax under the stars while watching sporting events, concerts and Dive-In movies on the huge screen at the main pool’s Carnival Seaside Theater. Onboard Carnival Venezia the choice is your to do or do not.

Fun for all ages includes a Youth Program featuring supervised, age-appropriate entertainment, activities & challenges in Camp Ocean, Circle "C" and Club 02. Get your collective feet wet in Waterworks where you can ride the Twister Waterslide and others, play on the splash-pad and fire away on PowerDrencher, an onboard waterpark. Play a round of mini-golf, enjoy decades of your favorite music performed at Playlist Productions or warm up your collective pipes for some karaoke. Enter your multi-generational group into some of the interactive games and trivia challenges.

After dark, participate in fun-fueled deck parties. The Punchliner™ Comedy Club offers side-splitting entertainment provided by comedians whose sole purpose is to foster opportunities to laugh, both at them and ourselves. Sing along to your favorite tunes accompanied by the talented musicians tickling the ivories in Piano Bar. Get your groove on to top hits spun by DJ’s in Limelight Lounge or dance to the beat of your own creation in the Silent Disco. Lady Luck awaits your challenge with table games and slot machines in the casino, bingo and more. Rococo, Amari, Frizzante and Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge are among the venues for delicious spritzers, exclusive craft-beers, wines of the world and innovative martinis. When you visit the wonderfully stocked boutiques, the only question is how much room is in your suitcase?

Decadent flavors are found in a broad choice of dining options ranging from casual to fine dining. Whether you are in the mood for delicious seafood entrées, authentic Italian dishes, premium cuts of beef, international and familiar favorites, piping hot pizza, sushi, teppanyaki or thick juicy burgers you’re certain to find just what want. The elegant main dining room is the perfect host for relaxing over a decadent meal. Grab a bite and eat al fresco at Pizzeria del Capitano and Lido Marketplace. Freshly made rolls at Bonsai Sushi. Begin a romantic evening at the Steakhouse.

Thoughtfully designed accommodations include interior staterooms, those with an ocean view, private verandahs and gorgeous suites. Terrazza staterooms enjoy exclusive perks such as specialty-curaterd brunch on sea days, exclusive sail-away event, Cloud 9 Spa™ staterooms and suites feature upgrades ELEMIS toiletries, plush spa bathrobes and slippers, priority spa reservations, unlimited use of thermal suites and more. Terrazza and suite guests have exclusive access to Terrazza Carnevale, a magnificent, terraced deck boasting private alcoves, plush sofas whirlpools and serving Italian wines as well as Carnevale Lounge where the can enjoy daily continental breakfast. In addition, all Terrazza guests must be over 12 years of age. Terrazza Cabana accommodations also feature private outdoor patios with loungers. Additional rooms and configurations include those that are accessible, and family-oriented connecting rooms. Whichever you select, you’ll find ample storage, cozy bedding, television, in-room safe and climate control to ensure you have the sweetest of dreams.

The gorgeous Carnival Venezia cruises to fascinating worldwide destinations.

Carnival Cruise Line

Ocean Suite

An Ocean Suite lets you experience private, spacious relaxation... more space for stretching out indoors, including a walk-in closet and bathroom with whirlpool tub, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors.

Sample Cabin Image for Category Code TM (Premium Vista Balcony)

Premium Vista Balcony

If you’re all about living the Terrazza life while you cruise… we like your style, and have just the room for you. There’s tons of Italian flair on the inside, but what’s outside counts too! And in this case it’s an incredible wraparound balcony for luxurious private lounging with a sea breeze. But don’t spend all your time here: you also have exclusive access to the Terrazza Carnevale area.

Sample Cabin Image for Category Code TL (Premium Balcony)

Premium Balcony

When you want the most sea breeze and the amazing views — but you also want Italian style to match — a Terrazza Premium Balcony might be just the thing. An extra-wide balcony is just one of the perks… but don’t forget exclusive access to the Terrazza Carnevale area.

Sample Cabin Image for Category Code 9B (Premium Balcony)

Aft-View Extended Balcony

A balcony made for watching the ship’s calm wake as we sail along, plus an interior with Italian style on the inside. That’s your Terrazza Aft-View Extended Balcony! Well, that and exclusive access to the Terrazza Carnevale area.

Sample Cabin Image for Category Code 8M (Aft-View Extended Balcony)

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views. Cruise with a view and be just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis.

Sample Cabin Image for Category Code 8G (Balcony)

Cove Balcony

Cove Balcony staterooms get you close to the waterline, and feature balconies that let you make the most of your location, for one amazing up-close view of the wake and sea foam as the ship cruises along.

Sample Cabin Image for Category Code 6M (Deluxe Ocean View)

Deluxe Ocean View

Deluxe Ocean View staterooms are a great choice for families who want to let the sun shine in as they sail. Rooms of this type feature great views, a full bathroom — plus a separate washroom.

Sample Cabin Image for Category Code 6L (Deluxe Ocean View)

A picture window gives you views of scenery you won’t find anywhere on land, all from the comfort of your stateroom.

Sample Cabin Image for Category Code 6A (Ocean View)

This is an affordable way to cruise without leaving out the comfort or convenience! Great for curling up after a long day of fun.

Sample Cabin Image for Category Code 4J (Interior with Picture Window (Walkway View))

Interior with Picture Window (Walkway View)

Your picture window gives you a view beyond your stateroom, to the observation deck outside, including a great sky view. (Note: view will be partially obstructed.)

Sample Cabin Image for Category Code 4I (Interior)

Interior Upper/Lower

These staterooms are great for a pair of cruisers on a budget, creatively maximizing space with a different layout — featuring one Twin bed and an upper Pullman.

View Deck Plan

Plan for Deck 15

Lido Marketplace

Seafood Shack

Seafood Shack

Seafood Shack.

Bonsai Teppanyaki

Bonsai Teppanyaki

Bonsai Teppanyaki.

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse.

Bonsai Sushi

Bonsai Sushi

Bonsai Sushi.

Grill

Cherry On Top

Canal Grande Restaurant

Canal Grande Restaurant

La Strada Grill

La Strada Grill

La Strada Grill.

Tomodoro Mexitalian Fusion

Tomodoro Mexitalian Fusion

Tomodoro Mexitalian Fusion.

JavaBlue Cafe

JavaBlue Cafe

Guy's Burger Joint

Guy's Burger Joint

Guy's Burger Joint.

Serinity

Ropes Course Mini Golf

Ropes Course Mini Golf.

Fitness Center

Fitness Center

Fitness Center.

Cloud 9 Spa

Cloud 9 Spa

Cloud 9 Spa.

Carnival Waterworks

Carnival Waterworks

Carnival Waterworks.

The Warehouse

The Warehouse

The Warehouse.

Mini Golf

Jogging Track

Jogging Track.

Carnival Seaside Theatre

Carnival Seaside Theatre

Carnival Seaside Theatre.

Camp Ocean

Camp Ocean.

Sports Court

Sports Court

Sports Court.

Lido Pool

Burano Pool & Bar

Burano Pool & Bar.

Teatro Rosso

Teatro Rosso

The Fun Shops

The Fun Shops

The Fun Shops.

Beauty Salon

Beauty Salon

Beauty Salon.

Piano Bar 88

Piano Bar 88

Piano Bar 88.

Pixels Photo Gallery

Pixels Photo Gallery

Pixels Photo Gallery.

Gondola Lounge

Gondola Lounge

Gondola Lounge.

Atrium

Venezia Casino

Heroes Tribute Bar

Heroes Tribute Bar

Art Gallery

Art Gallery

Art Gallery.

Limelight Lounge

Limelight Lounge

Circle C

Frizzante Bar

Frizzante Bar.

Amari Bar

Rococo Bar.

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cruise news

  • Cruise Advice

Carnival Venezia: Everything You Need to Know Before Cruising

Doug Parker

Doug Parker

  • June 16, 2023

Those who say all Carnival Cruise Line ships are the same will undoubtedly be surprised upon boarding Carnival Venezia . 

The Carnival Venezia is the newest and most unique addition to the Carnival Cruise fleet. The Venezia brings all the flair of Italy to New York Cruise lines. 

The 14-deck, 4,200-passenger ship, was initially made for the Italian cruise line Costa Venezia back in 2019, but several operational factors brought it to the shores of the US in 2023. It was customized to fit the Carnival look, without detracting from its Italian vibe.

In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about Carnival Venezia , from the food and entertainment options to cabin categories and deck activities. 

There’s a lot that makes this ship so different from the rest of the Carnival fleet, and you’re about to know why.

Carnival Venezia s loungers during sunset

Carnival Venezia, Carnival’s kinda new ship

Carnival Venezia NYC

Venezia was initially constructed for Costa Cruises, one of the lines under the Carnival Corporation umbrella. When deciding to transfer the ship from Costa to Carnival, Venezia underwent an extensive drydock, during which several of Carnival’s most popular venues were added.

As the name implies, Venezia was heavily themed around the Italian city of Venice, despite being built for the Chinese market. 

To explain this new hybrid, Carnival marketed Venezia as offering “ Carnival Fun, Italian Style .” (This similar approach will be used when her sister ship, Firenze , makes the Costa-to-Carnival move in late 2024.)

Carnival Venezia designs

Venezia began sailing year-round from her homeport of New York City in the spring of 2023. The ship is slated to remain there until December 2024, when she will head to Port Canaveral , Florida, for several months.

Carnival Venezia Fast Facts 

What inspired Carnival Venezia’s design

The ship’s interiors are inspired by Italian architectural design. Its three-level atrium is modeled after Venice’s main public square, Piazza San Marco.

Here, you’ll see a giant white column rising from the bar that anchors the space, a majestic, gold-winged lion perched at the top. 

Carnival Venezia atrium

Outdoor spaces, especially the Lido deck, resemble the Italian Riviera. This main pool area features a retractable roof, making it ideal for sailing out of New York City during winter.

The Serenity Deck takes the concept familiar to most Carnival cruisers and gives it a bit of a twist. You can’t miss the Spritz bar, which, in conjunction with the accompanying seating, provides the area with a pop of color. 

While the main pool on the Lido deck is stunning, guests will undoubtedly notice that it’s not particularly large and doesn’t offer much. But fret not, as another pool is just located toward the ship’s rear, along with hot tubs and two decks worth of loungers.

Carnival Venezia from above

Passengers get a true sense of the “Carnival Fun, Italian Style” theme concept on the Lido deck and around the pool. It’s worth noting that familiar venues, such as Guy’s Burger Bar, were given new looks and menu items.

There are also new-to-Carnival spaces, including the Rococo Bar, decorated with classic paintings, offering a wide variety of frozen cocktails. This occupies the space where you’d find the BlueIguana Tequila Bar on other Carnival ships. 

Interior view of Carnival Venezia Rococo Bar

The Italian theme concept can be found on board in every venue. Some touches are more subtle, while others — such as the life-sized gondola plopped into the middle of the dining room — are anything but.

Carnival Venezia’s complimentary dining options

Have I told you that you’ll never go hungry on a cruise ship? Well, that’s absolutely true of Carnival Venezia. Dining options here range from one of Guy’s famous burgers to a full-blown Italian meal that even your meatball-making grandma would love. 

Of course, the main dining room is one of the most popular options on any Carnival ship. You’ll find two restaurants, The Canal Grande and Marco Polo. Both showcase Italian sculptures and architectural designs, offering a different experience. 

The most amazing is the Canal Grande, which spans two decks on the ship’s aft end.

From the moment Carnival began touting the ship’s features, the full-sized gondola appeared to “float” on the water made of blue glass tiles, which are attention-getters.

After all, that’s not exactly what you’ll routinely encounter in a restaurant… whether on land or sea! 

Dining room in Carnival Venezia

The Marco Polo dining room may not offer eye-popping features, but it manages to pull off the type of intimacy rarely achieved by a main dining room. How? Using structures within the room to carve out smaller spaces while giving off Tuscan vibes.

Dining room in Carnival Venezia

Other complimentary dining venues include an Italian-themed version of the ever-popular Guy’s Burger Joint , featuring a pepperoni pizza burger. Also, the new-to-Carnival Tomodoro, offering up a menu of Italian and Mexican faves, such as meatballs and tacos, respectively.

While both restaurants are located near the main pool on the Lido, the aft area of deck 10 is where you can find Pizzeria del Capitano. Plus, there’s the Lido Marketplace buffet, with various stations serving everything from salads to stir-fry.

Carnival Venezia Pizzaria

Elsewhere, the La Strada Grill is a quick-serve venue with a menu featuring sandwiches, salads, and a tremendous mac-and-cheese side dish.

Carnival Venezia’s specialty dining options

Want something different and willing to pay for it? Look no further; you’ll find several specialty dining restaurants aboard Carnival Venezia , including the new-to-Carnival Il Viaggio, an upscale Italian restaurant with a menu designed to take you on a culinary journey across — where else? — Italy. 

This might best be considered Cucina del Capitano on steroids, at $42 per person, with a price to match.

Carnival Venezia Il Viaggio

As on other Carnival ships, Bonsai Sushi is the place to head for fresh rolls and other Asian-inspired treats. This is a great place to grab lunch on a sea day, although it can get crowded.

And if you want to enjoy the dinner-and-a-show concept of Bonsai Teppanyaki, it’s best to make a reservation, as there’s limited seating available, which gets filled up fast.

Carnival Venezia Bonsai Sushi

Another popular venue you must visit is Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, perfect for cruisers to celebrate a special occasion; it is almost impossible to snag a table two or three days into any sailing. With the ship’s Italian theme concept, it will be interesting to see Il Viaggio managing to become a last-night favorite.

Carnival Venezia steakhouse

Those looking for fresh seafood of the non-sushi variety can head to the aft section of deck 10 to hit the Seafood Shack. Whether you’re looking for a lobster roll or fried shrimp, this offers reasonably priced food dinner, or, on sea days, lunch.

Carnival Venezia Seafood Shack

For the ultimate Carnival foodie experience — not to mention an incredible way to impress someone on date night — try to grab a reservation for the Chef’s Table. This special, multi-course meal is truly a stunning place and includes the galley tour.

Chef table Carnival Venezia

Where to grab a drink on Carnival Venezia?

Aboard the ship, you won’t be thirsty, as Carnival Venezia has many bars.

Note, however, that there is no RedFrog Pub or BlueIguana Tequila bar. Instead, you’ll find several new-to-Carnival watering holes, which will certainly become favorites.

For example, if you’re sitting poolside on the Lido deck and jonesing for a frozen cocktail, you’ll be delighted by what’s served up at Rococo.

The decor is described as “Baroque goes pop,” with staid portraits, which give them a modern look, while the menu features frozen concoctions made with popular Italian flavors such as limoncello.

Carnival Venezia rococo bar

On Deck 5, you’ll find Amari, which will remind you of the Alchemy bar, only that the former teems with red colors.

The menu includes several of Alchemy’s most popular drinks, made with Italian bitters and liqueurs. Just like at Alchemy Bar, Amari is staffed by knowledgeable mixologists who handcraft a cocktail to your specifications.

Interior of Carnival Venezia

Nearby on Deck 5 is Frizzante, which oozes bubbliness, featuring prosecco, spritzes, bellinis, and Italian beers. You can also find Italian coffees and biscottis at Frizzante, which will undoubtedly prove a popular pre-dinner drinks spot for those planning to dine at the nearby Il Viaggio.

Carnival Venezia Frizzanti

For many guests, their first drink will likely be served by the bartenders at Piazza San Marco. Why? Because that’s the location of the atrium bar, and it is where passengers first enter upon boarding the ship.

Carnival Venezia atrium bar

Deck 4 is where you’ll find Venezia ‘s Heroes Tribute Bar, a space designed to honor members of the armed services — past and present — and their families. The several large screens directly behind the bar will make this a popular spot for sports watchers.

Carnival Venezia Heroes Bar

Piano Bar 88 can be found midship on Deck 5. As the name implies, Piano Bar 88 is the spot to hit if you want to grab drinks and sing with the piano man. While nights here typically start on the sedate side, they almost inevitably turn raucous as the night goes on!

Carnival Venezia Piano Bar

If the Gondola Lounge looks familiar, it’s the ship’s version of Ocean Plaza. Located on Deck 5 midship, there’s a large dance floor, a stage perfect for live performances every night, and much more comfy seating.

Ocean Plaza in Carnival Venezia

Perched on the very aft of Deck 5 is the Carnivale Bar and Lounge. During the morning, this space is only accessible by those staying in Terrazza-level staterooms, although it is open in the afternoon and evening.

Inspired by the elegance of masquerade balls, the place teems with classic cocktails and fine Italian wines, which are the highlights here.

Exterior of Carnivale in Carnival Venezia

Just beyond the Carnivale Bar, you’ll see the Terrazza Carnivale. As the name implies, this area is only available to Terrazza-level guests during the daytime.

But once the sun sets, the bar and surrounding areas morph into a fantastic place to enjoy the views while sipping drinks and lounging on comfy furniture.

Only steps away from the pool aft of Deck 10 is the Burano Bar, named after an island in the Venetian Lagoon of Northern Italy.

This is the bar from which your drinks will be served if you’re hanging out in the hot tub or on one of the many loungers.

Also nearby is the Serenity Deck, where you’ll see the Serenity Spritz bar.

Carnival Venezia Serenity Spritz

Carnival Venezia’s cabins and suite accommodations

Carnival Venezia cabins range from swanky suites to cozy inside staterooms. One thing you won’t find on this particular ship, however, is the family harbor staterooms featured on similarly-sized Carnival vessels. 

While Carnival does not offer a ship-within-a-ship concept like Norwegian Cruise Line’s Haven or Celebrity Cruises’ Retreat, the Venezia features Terrazza staterooms.

Like the Havana area found on other Vista-class ships, staterooms within the Terrazza have exclusive daytime access to an outdoor lounging area known as Terrazza Carnivale. You’ll find hot tubs, a bar, and killer views here. 

Carnival Venezia Terraza area

Terrazza staterooms are available in a variety of categories, including interiors (great for those looking to save a bit of money), balconies (including some with aft-facing views), and Terrazza Cabanas, which, like their Havana brethren, offer stunning terraces and a hammock perfect for hanging around in (pun intended).

Terraza's hammock balcony in Carnival Venezia

It’s worth noting, however, that the Terrazza Cabanas do not offer privacy.

Terraza walkway in Carnival Venezia

Perhaps the swankiest of these suites is the Terrazza Premium Balcony staterooms, which sit on the very back of the ship and offer large, wrap-around balconies and plenty of privacy.

Those staying in Terrazza staterooms are given wristbands that must be worn to access the Terrazza Carnivale area. Perks include a champagne toast at sail away and a free sea day brunch in the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse.

Terraza's hammock balcony in Carnival Venezia

It’s important to note that all guests booked in Terrazza-level staterooms must be at least 12 years of age at the time of sailing.

Whether in or out of the Terraza area, staterooms on Venezia are modern, with a slightly more upscale feel, which you won’t find on some of the line’s other ships.

This is particularly apparent in the bathrooms, which feature glass doors in the shower, sinks with four legs as opposed to your basic fiberglass molding, and Italian-themed gold-framed mirrors.

Balcony stateroom in Carnival Venezia

The rooms here also feature wall art from various Italian locations, which adds to the Italian ambiance. As with other areas of the ship, the staterooms feel new, which makes sense, given they haven’t been around that long.

Activities for kids of all ages

Admit it: You like hitting the waterpark on a Carnival ship as much as the kids do. Fortunately, the one on Carnival Venezia will not disappoint.

This line knows how to keep the entire family occupied, and the WaterWorks area is no exception, which offers three slides (one enclosed) and a splash pad for kids.

If there’s one thing missing aboard the ship, it’s a giant dump bucket. Additionally, there are plenty of loungers in the area.

Waterpark in Carnival Venezia

Near the waterpark is the Serenity Deck.

As on other Carnival ships, this is an adults-only retreat, making it the perfect place to curl up and read a book on one of the many comfortably padded loungers.

Carnival Venezia serenity deck

You’ll also find the Serenity Spritz bar, perfect for those wanting to augment their time with an adult beverage. You’ll find a nice grouping of tables and chairs near the bar.

While Venezia has a version of The Warehouse Arcade on board, it’s in a rather odd location. To access the space, guests must first find a small sign on Deck 11, which leads to a staircase (the arcade is actually on Deck 12).

Inside, however, the kid-friendly zone is packed with various money-eating, ticket-dispensing games.

Carnival Venezia arcade

Deck 12 is also home to the mini golf course, which extends up to Deck 14. (Remember: Carnival ships don’t have a 13th deck.) This upper deck is also where you’ll find a ropes course perfect for those ready to test their tightrope-walking skills.

Carnival Venezia ropes course

What’s on tap, entertainment-wise?

Like the other ships in the fleet, Carnival Venezia knows that to keep several thousand people entertained, you need a wide variety of options for them to explore. Of course, one of the big crowd-pleasers is the Playlist Productions on deck 4’s Teatro Rosso.

The space is also available for games such as Deal Or No Deal, Bingo, and other activities.

Carnival Venezia theater

If you prefer watching movies under the stars, you may head to Deck 10’s Lido for Dive-In Movies. After all, how often do you get a chance to watch a movie while hanging out in a pool?

Comedy shows are held in the Limelight Lounge, which doubles as the Punchliners Comedy Club. When not playing host to family-friendly and more adult-themed laugh fests, the Limelight is also a great place to do various activities, from karaoke to late-night dance parties.

Carnival Venezia limelight lounge

If you want more fun, head for the Venezia casino, midship on Deck 4, where smoking is allowed in some parts of the casino. There is also an entirely non-smoking and completely separate casino annex.

Carnival Venezia casino

If you consider shopping a form of entertainment, Venezia is very likely to tickle your fancy. Because the ship was initially designed for the Chinese market, more space is dedicated to retail shops than you’d typically find on a Carnival vessel.

Shops in Carnival Venezia

That means you’ll find everything from the first Rolex boutique at sea — just in case you want to treat yourself after hitting the casino! — to leather goods and even “pre-loved” purses and accessories in a shop called “What Goes Around Comes Around.”

Does Carnival Venezia have formal nights?

Venezia holds formal dining nights, which adds to the charm and elegance of the passengers’ experience. That could be 1-2 nights, depending on the length of the trip. 

On formal nights, passengers are advised to follow the traditional Carnival Cruise Line dress code. 

This means that men should wear tuxedos, or classic suits and ties. There’s also an optional button-down dress shirt and pants for passengers who want to join the festivities without going too deep into the formality.

Similarly, the ladies typically wear cocktail dresses, gowns, or pantsuits. What is off the list is a pair of jeans, sandals, t-shirts, swimwear, or similarly informal pieces. 

Formal nights do not apply across the board in every restaurant on the ship. Passengers who crave a more relaxed dinner can head to the Lido Marketplace buffet or any of the casual eateries available. 

The Cloud 9 Spa

Nowadays, imagining a cruise ship without a spa and a casino is hard. While Venezia has a branch of Carnival’s famous Cloud 9 Spa, it is not nearly as expansive as on other similarly-sized ships. That is partly because you won’t find the ever-popular thermal suites here.

Cloud 9 Spa in Carnival Venezia

If there’s an upside, the locker room facilities offer a free sauna, rainfall shower, and soaking tub. It’s also worth noting that the tub is not a hot tub or hydrotherapy pool that fits several guests. Instead, it is an actual soaking tub designed to be used by one person at a time.

Both the men’s and women’s changing rooms offer these amenities.

A tub in Carnival Venezia

While the spa is where you’ll find salon services on Venezia, they have been given their own space — complete with the below Instagram-worthy entrance — on Deck 5, just off the atrium.

This is the place to head if you want a blowout, haircut, manicure, or beard trimming before your big night out. Reservations can be made at the Cloud 9 Spa, the salon, or the Carnival Hub app.

Carnival Venezia salon

What are the luggage restrictions on Carnival Venezia?

Before sailing on the Carnival Venezia, it’s best to consider the luggage restrictions and pack accordingly. This would guarantee having a smooth embarkation and debarkation onboard the ship. 

Here’s what you need to know: 

  • Each passenger can bring two carry-on bags, plus one portable personal item, like a laptop bag, a backpack, a tote bag, or a handbag. 
  • Standard carry-on bags should not exceed 50 pounds. Their dimensions should be within 30″ x 24″ x 12″ as a maximum. 
  • Baggage exceeding the weight or size limitations might not be accepted, or it could be subject to extra fees. 
  • All bags are screened by security agents for prohibited items. This includes alcohol, weapons, and illegal substances. 
  • At the time of boarding, passengers aren’t allowed to bring their baggage until their rooms are ready. In the meantime, their bags are held in storage. 
  • At the time of departure, guests are advised to vacate their rooms. But they can keep their luggage in storage until they disembark from the ship. 
  • There’s a luggage valet service in all Carnival Crusie Lines that passengers can use, for a fee of course.

Is Carnival Venezia right for you?

While we’re big believers that you can have a great time on any cruise, we also know that you’ll have a better time if the ship aligns with your preferences for a vacation. Carnival Venezia offers fun-filled activities, amenities, etc., but they might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Lido pool in Carnival Venezia

During our recent time on board, we spoke to several longtime Carnival cruisers who didn’t care for the ship. When pressed why, they replied that it was simply “too different” from what they’re used to—which is understandable.

If you are looking for the same experience you can have on most other Carnival Cruise Line ships, you might wind up disappointed.

But those who like the idea of a totally different Carnival ship will likely enjoy Venezia— a cruise ship offering endless thrills and new twists.

Exterior view of Carnival Venezia during daytime in Lisbon, Portugal

Watch Carnival Venezia Review and Tour (2023)

Go Deeper: Carnival Venezia Features New Bars, Italian-themed Guy’s Burger Joint

Review of Carnival Venezia

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All about the Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia cruise ship

The Carnival Venezia was built in 2019. It's considered a medium size ship. Coming in at 1,061 ft long and 122 ft wide, it's roughly the length of 2.9 football fields, as wide as 2.3 tractor trailers, and the same height as a 14-story building. The Venezia is part of Carnival's "Fun Italian Style" Program. This ship is on loan from sister company Costa cruises. It's similar to Carnival's Vista-class ships, but it has a distinct Italian style.

Carnival Venezia Overview

  • Ship and Passengers
  • Food and Restaurants
  • Bars and Drinks
  • Pools and Hot Tubs
  • Ship Features and Activities

Cruise Costs

  • Onboard Costs

Carnival Venezia Size and Passengers

The Venezia can hold 4,072 based on double occupancy (two people per room) and more when you take into account 3rd and 4th passengers. When you compare the total tonnage of the ship to the number of passengers, the Venezia has a space ratio of 32. Depending on the ship, this number can range from 30 to 52 (with a bigger number meaning more space per person) so this ship has less space per person than average.

The Venezia is one of two Venice-class ships currently sailing with Carnival. This class of ships is very similar to the Vista-class, but they were built for Carnival's sister cruise line Costa. Because of that, they are distinctly different from the Vista, Horizon, or Panorama. They are Italian-themed and may not have everything you would usually find on a Carnival ship. Some key differences from Carnival's Vista-class ships are that they lack an onboard brewery, IMAX theater, and SkyRide. However, they add a covered pool and still have an exclusive area at the back of the ship called the Terrazza (instead of Havana). The Venezia is very similar to its sister-ships; Firenze, although each ship may have some differences.

Carnival Venezia Food and Restaurants

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse on the Carnival Venezia

Food is a big part of any cruise, and there will plenty on the Carnival Venezia. You have 15 different dining options to choose from. Of those options, 8 are complementary, or included with your cruise fare. The other 7 options have an additional fee. Some of those options are a set price and some have a la cart menu pricing. 53% of the dining options are included which means if you're watching your budget, you won't feel like you're missing out by not going to a lot of extra fee dining places.

Carnival Venezia Bars and Drinks

Atrium Bar on the Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia has 12 different bars and lounges where you can enjoy a beer or cocktail.

Alcohol is not included in the base price of this cruise ship. To see if you would save money with a drink package, try our Drink Package Calculator.

Carnival also serves the Pepsi family of products. That means Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Starry, Mug Root Beer, and Mountain Dew, although the selection can vary by ship.

Pools and Hot Tubs on Carnival Venezia

Main pool on the Carnival Venezia

Nothing beats relaxing by a pool with a nice drink in hand as you feel the fresh sea breeze pass by you. The problem is that with thousands of people on a ship, there's not always room. If you want to spend all day in a pool, a cruise might not be the right choice. You would have a much better bet choosing a resort with a huge pool complex. That being said, a quick dip in the pool can be nice on a hot day.

The Carnival Venezia has a total of 2 pools and 6 hot tubs.

Tired of loud kids and splashing? 2 of the hot tubs are adults only. 2 of the hot tubs are exclusive access, which means there's either an extra charge to access them or you need to book a certain class of cabin to have access to them.

cruise coloring book

Cruise Coloring and Activity Books for Kids Get your kids ready for their cruise or keep them entertained while on board with our custom made coloring and activity books. These are the Carnival editions with featuring places Pizza Pirate and mini-golf.

Cruise Ship Coloring Book for Kids 3-5 - Carnival Edition

Let's Get Cruising Activity Book for Kids 6-8 - Carnival Edition

Carnival Venezia Features and Activities

There are quite a few things to do on the Venezia. These are the main amenities that are available. Some are included in the cost of the cruise, while others have an additional charge.

Carnival is a mainstream cruise line. Mainstream cruise lines cater to a variety of guests, hoping to provide something for everyone. These typically cost about $100 - $350 per person per day.

Cruise pricing is dynamic and varies for each specific sailing based on factors such as departure point, ports of call, and time of year.

Carnival Venezia Onboard Costs

Another way to gauge the cost of a cruise is to consider how much you'll spend on board. Even though a lot is included in the base cruise fare, you may still spend money on things like spa treatments, specialty dining, drinks, and excursions. In addition, guests can also have to pay for things like gratuities and tips.

Typically guests can expect to spend about 25 - 40% of the cost of the cruise on onboard expenses. In other words, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, you might spend between $250 and $400 on extra expenses.

The table below will help you understand what you might spend onboard a Carnival ship.

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Carnival's new ship offers Italian-style cruising

carnival venezia ship tour

You don’t have to go to Italy to get a taste of Venice. 

Carnival Cruise Line has added a new ship to its fleet, Carnival Venezia, which puts an Italian twist on the “fun ship.” The ship departed on its first sailing from the U.S. on Thursday, a four-day round-trip cruise from its New York City homeport to Bermuda.

The ship originally debuted as part of Costa Cruises – also part of Carnival Corp. – in 2019 to serve China, but with the country’s international cruise market dormant in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic , the vessel was rehomed.

Venezia is the first vessel in a new concept, Carnival Fun Italian Style, and marks a stylistic departure for the line, with interiors inspired by its namesake city.

“We're leaning into Italy and saying this is like our adopted daughter,” Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president, told USA TODAY.

A second former Costa ship, Carnival Firenze, will also begin sailing for the line in 2024.

Where will Carnival Venezia sail?

The ship, which can accommodate nearly 5,000 guests, will spend the summer sailing four-, five-, six- and eight-day cruises to Bermuda, the Caribbean, New England and Canada. In September, Venezia will start sailing between eight and 12-day itineraries to the Bahamas, Eastern Caribbean and Southern Caribbean, with select sailings also including a stop in Miami.

What can guests expect from Carnival Venezia?

The ship strikes a balance between its Italian theme and the brand’s signature features guests know. Venezia underwent renovations in the spring, keeping venues like the ship’s gelato bar – which became part of the line’s JavaBlue Cafe – in place while adding some entirely new elements and Carnival-specific touches.

The line introduced Il Viaggio, a new specialty restaurant serving cuisine from various regions of Italy, as well as Amari – a venue similar to Alchemy Bar on other Carnival ships – which serves drinks with a range of Italian liqueurs and bitters. The ship also hosts a new Italian street party with live music and street food at the ship’s Lido pool.

Even Guy Fieri’s Carnival mainstay, Guy’s Burger Joint, returned with a twist: on Venezia, the casual eatery features special menu items like a burger with toppings including fresh mozzarella, diced tomato, balsamic and fried basil. Other familiar venues include the steakhouse Fahrenheit 555, Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki.

The ship also has close to 2,000 staterooms, a bocce ball court (a first for the line), water park, gym, spa, and more, with details throughout that remind guests they are not on just any Carnival vessel: arches and faux-greenery covered columns abound at the Lido pool, for instance, and the Venetian gondola inside the Canal Grande restaurant is hard to miss. 

“I think people see this as a more elevated, elegant ship,” Duffy said.

Looking for cheap cruises?: Here's what to know know about finding deals

How much does Carnival Venezia cost?

A nine-day round-trip cruise from New York to the Bahamas departing on Feb. 2, 2024, starts at $449 per person based on double occupancy, according to Carnival's website , though prices vary by itinerary, stateroom, and other factors. The fare includes most food, drinks like iced tea and regular coffee and more.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

carnival venezia ship tour

  • Uncategorized

Carnival Dive-In Movies May 2024

by Prof. Cruise · April 10, 2024

A Carnival cruise ship, movie tickets, a movie reel, and popcorn with text that reads: Dive-in Movies Coming to Carnival Ships in May 2024.

“Dive-In Movies” are one of the things I love most about cruising on Carnival. So if you’re booked on a Carnival cruise for May, be sure to grab a bag of popcorn (note there is a $4 charge for popcorn), some buffet desserts and a beverage, pull up a lounger, and enjoy a flick at sea! Here are the movies that will be shown on the large outdoor screens on Carnival cruises for the last week of April and May 2024. Note that not every movie will be shown on every sailing. To see when specific movies are playing on your sailing, check your daily printed Fun Times schedule or the Carnival HUB app.

Carnival Dive-In Movies for May 2024

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Barbie Fast X Grand Turismo Mean Girls Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, Part One The Beekeeper The Color Purple The Flash The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes The Marvels Trolls Band Together Wish Wonka

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

2023, Action/Adventure, Rated PG-13

Description (Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes ):

“After failing to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta wields the power of the mythic Black Trident to unleash an ancient and malevolent force. Hoping to end his reign of terror, Aquaman forges an unlikely alliance with his brother, Orm, the former king of Atlantis. Setting aside their differences, they join forces to protect their kingdom and save the world from irreversible destruction.”

2023, Comedy, Rated PG-13

Description  (Courtesy of  Rotten Tomatoes ):

“To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken.”

Description  (Courtesy of  Rotten Tomatoes ):

“Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything–and everyone–that Dom loves, forever.”

Grand Turismo

2023, Action/Drama, Rated PG-13

“Based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough, the film is the ultimate wish fulfillment tale of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional racecar driver.”

2024, Musical/Comedy, Rated PG-13

“BFrom the comedic mind of Tina Fey comes a new twist on the modern classic, MEAN GIRLS. New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called “The Plastics,” ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika). However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.”

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, Part One

“In Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team embark on their most dangerous mission yet: To track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity before it falls into the wrong hands. With control of the future and the fate of the world at stake, and dark forces from Ethan’s past closing in, a deadly race around the globe begins. Confronted by a mysterious, all-powerful enemy, Ethan is forced to consider that nothing can matter more than his mission — not even the lives of those he cares about most.”

The Beekeeper

2024, Action/Thriller, Rated R

“In The Beekeeper, one man’s brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as Beekeepers.”

The Color Purple

2023, Musical/Drama, Rated PG-13

“A story of love and resilience based on the novel and the Broadway musical, The Color Purple is a decades-spanning tale of one woman’s journey to independence. Celie faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.”

“Worlds collide in “The Flash” when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe?”

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

“Experience the story of THE HUNGER GAMES — 64 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute, and decades before Coriolanus Snow became the tyrannical President of Panem. THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.”

The Marvels

“Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan, Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together, this unlikely trio must team-up and learn to work in concert to save the universe as The Marvels.”

Trolls Band Together

2023, Family/Comedy, Rated PG

“After two films of true friendship and relentless flirting, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) are now officially, finally, a couple (#broppy)! As they grow closer, Poppy discovers that Branch has a secret past. He was once part of her favorite boyband phenomenon, BroZone, with his four brothers: Floyd (Golden Globe nominated electropop sensation Troye Sivan), John Dory (Eric André; Sing 2), Spruce (Grammy winner Daveed Diggs; Hamilton) and Clay (Grammy winner Kid Cudi; Don’t Look Up). BroZone disbanded when Branch was still a baby, as did the family, and Branch hasn’t seen his brothers since. But when Branch’s bro Floyd is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of nefarious pop-star villains–Velvet (Emmy winner Amy Schumer; Trainwreck) and Veneer (Grammy winner and Tony nominee Andrew Rannells; The Book of Mormon)–Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the other brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop-culture obscurity.”

2023, Kids & Family/Fantasy, Rated PG

“Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force–a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe–the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico–to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.”

2023, Kids & Family/Musical, Rated PG

“Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book and one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, “Wonka” tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.”

Which Carnival Ships have Dive-in Movies?

The following Carnival ships feature outdoor Dive-in movie screens:

Breeze Celebration Conquest Dream Firenze Freedom Glory Horizon Jubilee Liberty Luminosa Magic Mardi Gras Panorama Pride Radiance Spirit Splendor Sunrise Sunshine Valor Venezia Vista

Ships not on the list sometimes play movies indoors, but no guarantees. Be sure to check the HUB app or your daily Fun Times schedule once onboard.

And with that…

Class Dismissed.

Want to know which theme parties your Carnival cruise is going to have?

Carnival Theme Parties 2024

Homework (10 points):  Share to the comments which movies you’re most looking forward to seeing on your Carnival cruise!

And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog (scroll up to the top right if on a computer or keep scrolling down if on a mobile device) and follow Prof. Cruise on your favorite social media sites:

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About Prof. Cruise

carnival venezia ship tour

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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Thinking about a cruise on a Carnival Cruise Line ship? You have a lot of options.

By the summer of 2024, Carnival will have 27 vessels in service — all currently available to book. That’s more ships than any other major cruise line except Royal Caribbean , which will have 28 vessels in service by the summer of 2024.

In general, Carnival ships are large but, aside from two exceptions, they’re not giants by today’s standards. Over the past two years, Carnival has begun operating its first two truly giant ships in years — the 181,808-ton, 5,282-passenger Mardi Gras and the 183,521-ton Carnival Celebration .

Other than these two ships, Carnival’s biggest vessel is the 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia , which measures just 135,225 tons. That’s about 40% smaller than the biggest ships operated by Royal Caribbean .

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Six of the 27 vessels Carnival will operate by the summer of 2024 measure less than 100,000 tons, which makes them almost mid-size by today’s cruise ship standards.

This is a notable change for the brand from just a couple of decades ago. There was a time when Carnival operated some of the biggest cruise ships in the world. However, for many years, it has held back from following rivals such as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises in building ever-bigger ships. Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration are now the only Carnival ships on the list of the world’s 50 biggest cruise vessels.

The arrival of Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration has marked a major turning point for the line. The two vessels rank 15th and 13th, respectively, on the list of the world’s largest cruise ships — the first Carnival ships to crack the Top 20 in quite a few years. They are 35% bigger than the line’s next-biggest ship. One more ship in the series — Carnival Jubilee — will arrive in late 2023.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line  

The good news for those of you trying to get a handle on all the options within the Carnival fleet is that the line’s ships can easily be bunched into just eight groups of vessels that have similar amenities. If you know one member of the group, you know them all.

Each of these groups — known as “classes” in cruise industry lingo — is made up of ships that were constructed around the same time with the same basic design.

An introduction to Carnival Cruise Line ships

As mentioned above, Carnival’s ships can be broken down into eight distinct groups or classes. A key detail about Carnival ships is that there are a lot of similarities from class to class within the Carnival fleet.

Unlike Royal Caribbean and some other cruise lines, Carnival doesn’t always drastically change the design of its ships from class to class.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line

Instead, Carnival usually takes an incremental approach to design changes for its new classes of ships. You’ll find a lot in common between the Vista class and Dream class, for instance. These two classes aren’t all that different in feel from the earlier Splendor and Conquest classes of ships, though they are a bit bigger.

That said, Carnival is in the midst of a major change in its philosophy on ship design. Its new Excel-class vessels — which first debuted in 2021 with the arrival of Mardi Gras — are far bigger than its earlier ships. These ships also have a lot of new features and amenities (including the first-ever roller coaster on a cruise ship — and, no, we’re not making that up).

Related: The 4 new giants of the cruise world — and how to book them

For many years, Carnival steered clear of the big ship trends in the industry. Executives thought the ever-bigger vessels being deployed by such lines as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises were too big to make for an enjoyable cruise experience.

Now, Carnival is switching gears — no doubt because the giant ships unveiled by some other lines have been enormously popular with cruisers.

At Carnival, as at other lines, the biggest ships in the fleet have the most amenities, eateries, lounges, bars and deck-top attractions than the smaller ships. This can be a huge plus for travelers who like to have a lot of options when vacationing.

However, Carnival’s biggest ships also sail with more passengers, which can be a turnoff if you’re the kind of traveler who likes a more intimate experience.

In general, Carnival’s biggest and most amenity-packed ships are its newest ships. If you’re looking for a cruise experience with the most possible onboard activities and venues, you’ll want to steer toward the vessels in Carnival’s new Excel class and its relatively young Vista and Dream classes.

If cruising in a more intimate environment is your preference, you’ll want to look at some of Carnival’s older classes of ships including the Spirit and Fantasy classes.

The Carnival fleet is scheduled to grow over the next year with two more new vessels. As noted above, the line has ordered a third Excel-class ship (Carnival Jubilee) that will be ready to sail in December 2023.

In addition, the line will begin operating a ship currently in the fleet of its sister line Costa Cruises — Costa Firenze — in May 2024. It’ll be renamed Carnival Firenze and sail from Los Angeles.

Excel class

Ships in class: Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022) and Carnival Jubilee (coming December 2023).

Size: 181,808 to 183,521 tons.

If you’re in the “bigger is better” camp when it comes to cruise ships, this is the Carnival class for you.

At a bit over 180,000 tons, Carnival’s three new Excel-class vessels — one of which, Carnival Jubilee, is still under construction — are 35% bigger than the line’s next-biggest ships and offer more eateries, lounges, bars and deck-top attractions than any other ships in the Carnival fleet by far.

Designed to take Carnival’s “fun ship” shtick to a new level, the ships are so big that, as noted above, they have room for roller coasters on their top decks — a cruise industry first. They also have a far broader array of suites than earlier Carnival vessels.

Among the new dining venues on the ships are the first Emeril Lagasse restaurant at sea, as well as the first Big Chicken eatery at sea. (Big Chicken is a chain created by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, who also serves as a Carnival spokesperson.)

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Carnival cruise

In addition to featuring a roller coaster, Mardi Gras was the first ship from a North America-based line designed to operate on liquefied natural gas. The fuel is touted as being cleaner than traditional ship fuel.

One caveat to keep in mind if you’re thinking of booking an Excel-class ship: They sail with a very large number of people. If being around crowds bothers you, these may not be the ships for you. The vessels are designed to hold a whopping 5,282 passengers at double occupancy. With every pullout sofa and pull-down bunk filled, they can hold up to 6,630 passengers.

Vista/Venezia class

Ships in class: Carnival Panorama (2019), Carnival Horizon (2018), Carnival Vista (2016), Carnival Venezia (2023) and Carnival Firenze (coming in 2024).

Size: 133,596 to 135,225 tons.

With the arrival of Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, the Vista-class and Venezia-class ships (so similar that we have combined them into one entry) are no longer the biggest and most amenity-packed ships in the Carnival fleet. Still, they offer a lot of options when it comes to eateries, bars, lounges and deck-top attractions — more than you’ll find on most other Carnival vessels.

All four vessels in the Vista and Venezia classes have water parks with waterslides on their top decks, as well as miniature golf courses, ropes courses and multiple pool areas. They’re also known for their pedal-powered, suspended-in-the-air SkyRide attractions.

Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon, which officially are Vista-class ships, also have Imax theaters — the first in the cruise industry. Carnival Panorama, also a Vista-class ship, instead has the first trampoline park ever put on a cruise ship , in a partnership with Sky Zone.

There’s also a smorgasbord of restaurants, bars and lounges on all of the vessels. Among the many offerings on these ships are Carnival’s first breweries at sea (on all the vessels except Carnival Venezia, which is officially known as a Venezia-class ship and has a few notable differences).

On Carnival Panorama and Carnival Horizon, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse offers beer brewed on-site along with barbecue dishes designed by the Food Network’s Guy Fieri. On Carnival Vista, there’s a stand-alone brewery and a separate barbecue venue.

Other eateries on the ships include casual, Guy Fieri-designed Guy’s Burger Joint, Chipotle-like burrito spot BlueIguana Cantina (on Carnival Venezia, this is called Tomodoro and also serves a few Italian items), sushi outlets and steakhouses. Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama also feature Italian eatery Cucina Del Capitano, as well as JiJi Asian Kitchen, while Carnival Venezia has an Italian restaurant called Il Viaggio.

Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Venezia also have teppanyaki restaurants, and all four ships have dedicated chef’s tables located within their galleys.

Related: Everything to know about Carnival cabins and suites  

Both the Vista-class and Venezia-class ships were built on the same basic design platform and are roughly the same size with similar layouts. But Carnival Venezia originally was built for Carnival’s Italy-based sister brand, Costa Cruises. As a result, it has a much stronger Italy theme and a few design differences. Still, enough is the same that for all practical purposes, it is a Vista-class ship in all but name. Hence our combining the two classes into one listing.

Related: Our thoughts after sailing on Carnival Venezia

The Vista-class ships were, notably, the first ships in the Carnival fleet to boast exclusive, keycard-restricted cabin areas — a trend that has been growing at many mass-market lines. There are two such areas on the three Vista-class ships: Havana Cabanas and Family Harbor, the latter of which is specifically geared toward families. Carnival Venezia has a keycard-restricted area called Terrazza Carnevale.

The water park area on Carnival Horizon is particularly alluring if you’re a Dr. Seuss fan. Unique among the water parks in the Carnival fleet, it has a Dr. Seuss theme. The water park area on Carnival Venezia also is notable as it has one more water slide than the water parks on the Vista-class ships.

All of these ships hold about 4,000 passengers each, based on double occupancy.

Note that one more Costa Cruises ship that is similar to Carnival Venezia (Costa Firenze) will be joining the Carnival fleet in 2024. It’ll be renamed Carnival Firenze.

Dream class

Ships in class: Carnival Breeze (2012), Carnival Magic (2011) and Carnival Dream (2009).

Size: 130,000 tons.

Carnival’s Dream-class ships are roughly the same size as its Vista-class ships, and the two classes have a lot in common. Still, there are a few key differences.

For starters, the Dream-class ships don’t have Imax theaters or trampoline parks. Both were innovations that debuted with the Vista-class ships. They also lack exclusive, keycard-restricted cabin areas and some of the eateries found on Vista-class ships.

Still, for the most part, if you’ve been on a Vista-class ship, you’ll immediately feel at home on a Dream-class ship.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival’s VIFP Club loyalty program

Dream-class ships share some of the same amenities as Vista-class ships. For instance, Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic both feature ropes courses on their top decks while Carnival Breeze has a 4D “thrill theater.” These innovations first debuted on Dream-class ships.

Dream-class ships also offer water parks with waterslides on their top decks, miniature golf courses, sports courts for basketball and volleyball, and multiple pools.

Interior venues on Dream-class ships include Punchliner comedy clubs, piano bars, casinos and showrooms for big production shows. The dining options are similar to what you’ll find on Vista-class ships; Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, steakhouses and the Italian eatery Cucina Del Capitano are included on all three vessels.

Two of the three ships — Carnival Breeze and Carnival Dream — also have sushi eateries, while Carnival Breeze and Carnival Magic have Carnival’s Caribbean-inspired watering hole, RedFrog Pub.

The ships in this class hold 3,646 to 3,690 passengers, based on double occupancy.

Splendor class

Ships in class: Carnival Splendor (2008).

Size: 113,300 tons.

Carnival Splendor is an outlier in the Carnival fleet — a ship that makes up a class all its own. That said, it has a lot in common with the ships of Carnival’s Conquest-class ships (see below).

Originally designed and ordered for Italy-based Costa Cruises — a sister brand to Carnival — the ship is actually a sister vessel to Costa’s four Concordia-class ships. It will be familiar to anyone who knows Carnival ships because the design of Costa’s Concordia class was based upon the design of Carnival’s Conquest class, and the two classes are very similar.

The main difference between Carnival Splendor and its Conquest-class cousins is that the former has an enlarged and redesigned top deck area. The structure around the main pool of the ship is noticeably different, with a retractable, sliding glass roof that you won’t find on the Conquest-class ships, as well as a water play area for kids. The ship also has a bigger spa area.

Other than that, though, Carnival Splendor is basically a variation of the Conquest-class ships. Size-wise, it’s just a few thousand tons bigger. It holds 3,012 passengers, based on double occupancy.

Conquest class

Ships in class: Carnival Freedom (2007), Carnival Liberty (2005), Carnival Valor (2004), Carnival Glory (2003) and Carnival Conquest (2002).

Size: 110,000 tons.

At 111,000 tons, the Conquest-class ships (and Carnival Splendor, noted above) are about 20% smaller than the newer Vista-class and Dream-class ships. As a result, they have somewhat fewer amenities.

Still, you’ll find a lot of the classic Carnival “fun ship” attractions on these vessels including water play areas with waterslides, miniature golf courses and adults-only Serenity deck-top retreat areas.

You’ll also find a solid array of eateries on each of the ships including a Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina burrito outlets and steakhouses.

In addition to being smaller than Vista-class and Dream-class ships, Conquest-class ships also sail with fewer passengers. All of the Conquest-class vessels hold just shy of 3,000 passengers at double occupancy — about 1,000 fewer passengers than the Vista-class ships.

That’s a noticeable difference if you’re the kind of vacationer who doesn’t like to be around giant crowds. For some Carnival fans, the smaller size of the Conquest class and Splendor class makes these ships appealing. Others prefer the added amenities that come with the bigger ships.

Spirit class

Ships in class: Carnival Miracle (2004), Carnival Legend (2002), Carnival Pride (2002), Carnival Spirit (2001) and Carnival Luminosa (2009).

Size: 88,500 tons.

Carnival Spirit-class ships are the adventurers of the Carnival fleet.

The vessels are built for “all-weather” cruising, with pools that can be covered by retractable domes when it’s cold and stormy. These are the ships that sail in places such as Alaska, where even in the summer it can be too chilly for sunning on an open pool deck.

These are also the ships that Carnival uses for winter sailings to the Caribbean from Baltimore, which can involve a day or two of cold and stormy sailing in the Atlantic.

In some recent years, Carnival has also deployed one of its Spirit-class ships across the Pacific to Australia — the most far-flung destination that it offers on its schedule.

In addition to having a weather-proof main pool area, the Spirit-class ships are great for far-flung destinations because of their relatively small size, which allows them to access smaller ports. At just 88,500 tons, they’re among the smallest ships in the Carnival fleet — less than half the size of Carnival’s new Excel-class vessels.

The Spirit-class ships are notably lower and sleeker than most other vessels in the Carnival fleet. Passing under relatively small bridges is not a problem for them. Unlike a lot of recently built cruise vessels, they also are thin enough in the middle that they can squeeze through the old locks of the Panama Canal.

The Spirit-class vessels also boast the largest percentage of balcony cabins and oceanview cabins in the Carnival fleet, which makes them perfect for a destination such as Alaska where being able to watch the scenery from your cabin is a big plus.

They’re also relatively intimate ships, holding just 2,124 passengers at double occupancy. By modern-day cruise ship standards, that makes them “mid-size” vessels.

Still, you can expect to find many of the same fun-focused features on Spirit-class ships that you’ll find on the line’s bigger vessels, including water parks with waterslides and miniature golf courses.

Spirit-class ships also have one of the most unique features in all of the cruising industry — special date-night restaurants that are incorporated into their funnels and feature translucent glass-dome ceilings.

Note that one of the Spirit-class ships, Carnival Luminosa, was originally built for Costa Cruises, a sister line to Carnival (it originally sailed under the name Costa Luminosa). The vessel was built to the same basic specifications as the four Spirit-class vessels built for Carnival in this class, although it is a tad bigger and can hold a few more passengers. It dates to 2009.

Sunshine class

Ships in class: Carnival Radiance (2000/2021), Carnival Sunrise (1999/2019) and Carnival Sunshine (1996/2013).

Size: 102,000 tons.

The Sunshine class (once known as the Destiny class) may be the most unusual class of ships in the Carnival fleet. On paper, the ships in this class are among the oldest vessels that Carnival operates. However, you also can make an argument that they are among the newest vessels in the line.

This is because each of the ships in this series has been almost completely gutted and rebuilt from the waterline up.

The makeovers of the ships, which began in 2013, were so thorough that Carnival has given each of the vessels a new name. Carnival Sunshine is what old-time Carnival fans will remember as Carnival Destiny. Carnival Sunrise is the former Carnival Triumph. Carnival Radiance is the ship that began life as Carnival Victory.

Carnival spent $200 million alone in 2019 overhauling Carnival Sunrise. In addition to sprucing up just about every space on the ship, the money was used to add classic Carnival attractions that the ship lacked. This included a full-blown water park, which replaced a single waterslide on one of its top decks.

Carnival Sunrise also received a SportSquare area on its top deck like the ones found on newer Carnival vessels. It has a ropes course, basketball court, miniature golf course, outdoor pool and ping-pong tables. Carnival didn’t end the deck-top changes there. It also found space for another signature Carnival offering that had been lacking: an adults-only Serenity outdoor lounge area with padded loungers, daybeds, a hot tub and a full bar.

In addition, Carnival Sunrise now has half a dozen new food and beverage venues including a version of Carnival’s signature steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555; Carnival’s signature Italian eatery, Cucina Del Capitano; and a Bonsai Express sushi outlet.

Related: Our take on Carnival’s revamped Carnival Sunrise  

The overhaul of Carnival Sunshine, which took place in 2013, brought similar changes, as well as a complete renovation of the ship’s pool area that incorporated a multideck waterfall.

Carnival Radiance, for its part, just emerged from its long-scheduled overhaul, which was delayed in late 2021 by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Note that even after the makeovers, the ships still don’t have all the bells and whistles of Carnival’s truly new ships, such as Carnival Panorama. As noted above, Carnival’s newest ships are bigger than its older ships, allowing for more attractions, restaurants and lounges.

At around 102,000 tons, the Sunshine-class ships are more than 20% smaller than Carnival Panorama and more than 40% smaller than Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration.

The ships hold from 2,984 to 3,002 passengers, based on double occupancy.

Interestingly, these weren’t always considered smaller vessels. In fact, when the line first unveiled Carnival Sunshine in 1996 (back when it was called Carnival Destiny), it was the biggest cruise ship in the world. It also was the first cruise ship to surpass 100,000 tons.

Now, it doesn’t even crack the list of the 50 biggest cruise vessels.

Fantasy class

Ships in class: Carnival Paradise (1998) and Carnival Elation (1998).

Size: 70,000 tons.

Built in the 1990s, the Fantasy-class ships are Carnival’s oldest and smallest ships, and the line is in the process of phasing them out. Going into 2020, the line had eight of these vessels. It removed four of them from its fleet soon after the COVID-19 pandemic began, and this year it removed two more — Carnival Sensation and Carnival Ecstasy.

The two Fantasy-class ships that are left are mostly used in secondary ports — such as Jacksonville, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama — that might not be able to support bigger vessels.

Related: Why I’m sad to see Carnival retiree its smallest ship

While still much-beloved by Carnival fans, in part for their intimate size, these ships notably lack a large number of balcony cabins — the cabin type that everyone wants these days. Most of the cabins on these ships are ocean-view cabins that only offer a window or a porthole, or windowless inside cabins.

That said, the two remaining Fantasy-class ships have undergone renovations over the years to add more balcony cabins. Depending on the ship, there were between 98 and 150 new balconies added, including new suites.

The ships have relatively fewer amenities and venues than the newer and bigger Carnival ships. You won’t find giant water parks on these vessels as you would on newer Carnival ships. You will find multiple slides and a spray park for the kids, though. The dining options are also limited.

Still, for a lot of Carnival fans, these are fun ships.

Two vessels each hold around 2,100 passengers, based on double occupancy.

Bottom line

Carnival has quite a few different classes of ships, but the differences between many of them aren’t as big as the differences between classes at other lines.

You’ll find a lot of consistency from ship to ship in the Carnival fleet in the type of venues that you find on board. In recent years, Carnival has spent $2 billion overhauling many of its ships to create that consistency in onboard venues and amenities.

Vacationers looking for a big resort experience with a lot of options should choose one of Carnival’s newest ships, which are bigger and have more amenities. If you’re looking for more intimacy on a cruise ship, some of the older classes of ships, such as those in the Spirit class, might be just right.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

  • The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
  • 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
  • 15 ways cruisers waste money
  • 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
  • What to pack for your first cruise

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The 8 classes of Carnival Cruise Line ships, explained

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  • Carnival Freedom
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Buckle up for big adventure on the Space Coast when you book a Carnival cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida. Fun in the sun is a mission easily accomplished in Port Canaveral: before or after your cruise, take time to blast off from the Kennedy Space Center, hug the turns in a stock car at the world famous speedway, and zoom through the screaming roller coasters of Orlando's theme parks. In addition to all these man-made thrills, cruises from Port Canaveral depart from a coastline of sugary sand beaches and protected islands for native wildlife.

  • See a rocket up close at the Kennedy Space Center ™ .
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COMMENTS

  1. Carnival Venezia

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  2. Inside Carnival Venezia

    A Carnival Venezia ship tour. This ship is filled with all the classic Carnival Cruise Line fun - from pools and casinos to live music and great food, all wi...

  3. Carnival Venezia Ship Tour

    Explore the features and amenities of Carnival Venezia, the first of two rebranded "Carnival Fun, Italian Style" ships. See photos and details of the waterslides, spa, cabins, restaurants and more on this hybrid vessel.

  4. Carnival Venezia FULL Ship Tour! Carnival's NEWEST Ship!

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  9. Carnival Venezia cruise ship review: What to expect on board

    Carnival Venezia is the newest ship in the Carnival fleet, having joined the line in May 2023. But, as noted above, it's new with an asterisk. The 4,090-passenger vessel was originally launched in 2019 for a different line — Italy-based Costa Cruises — and is already 3 years old.

  10. Carnival Venezia Ship Tour

    Join us on this ship tour as we show you this unique vessel's memorable fusion of Italian flair and the classic Carnival "Fun Ship" experience. Gilded marble columns, a full-size gondola replica, and a villa-themed Lido pool will transport you to the charm and history of Venice - while you can savor traditional Italian cuisine throughout the ...

  11. Carnival Venezia Cruise Ship: Overview and Things to Do

    Once rebranded as Carnival Venezia, the ship rolled out in May 2023 and the christening celebration and naming ceremony took place on June 14, 2023, in New York City.In a first for the Carnival ...

  12. Carnival Venezia Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review

    The 2019-built (as Costa Venezia) cruise ship Carnival Venezia was Costa Cruises' first liner constructed and designed specifically for China's market. Venezia and the sistership Costa Firenze (2020) were both produced by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri - Venezia at Monfalcone Shipyard (near Trieste), Firenze - at Marghera Shipyard (near Venice). ...

  13. Carnival Venezia ship details, destinations, deck plans and more

    About Carnival Venezia. Carnival Venezia is a beautiful ship and at 135,225-tons, this 4,090-guest stunner, offers a myriad of activities, entertainment and more for guests of all ages. From the moment you step onboard and into her Piazza San Marco atrium, you'll be ensconced in Fun Italian Style™. A wonderful variety of staterooms and ...

  14. Carnival Venezia

    This ship sails from its Big Apple homeport, year-round, starting in spring 2023! It's a long way from Venice to NYC, but Carnival Venezia thinks the two could be next-door neighbors. This ship sails from its Big Apple homeport, year-round, starting in spring 2023! ... Carnival Cruise Line offers a babysitter service for all children between ...

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    Carnival Venezia is a Vista-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc.Originally intended to serve the Chinese market, she debuted as Costa Venezia for sister brand Costa Cruises in Shanghai on 18 May 2019. At 135,225 gross tonnage (GT) and with a capacity of 4,208 passengers, she became the largest ship commissioned for the Costa fleet upon ...

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    See Carnival Venezia's 2024 to 2025 schedule and popular upcoming cruise itineraries on Cruise Critic. Explore destinations to start your Carnival Venezia cruise planning. Find a Cruise

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    This ship sails now from NYC, with a special season in Port Canaveral in 2025! Carnival's signature fun meets Italian style aboard Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze cruises. Sail from New York starting spring 2023 or from Long Beach starting in 2024. Be the first to find out about ship details and exclusive deals!

  21. Carnival Venezia Ship Details

    The Carnival Venezia was built in 2019. It's considered a medium size ship. Coming in at 1,061 ft long and 122 ft wide, it's roughly the length of 2.9 football fields, as wide as 2.3 tractor trailers, and the same height as a 14-story building. The Venezia is part of Carnival's "Fun Italian Style" Program.

  22. What to know about Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, Venezia

    Carnival's new ship offers Italian-style cruising. You don't have to go to Italy to get a taste of Venice. Carnival Cruise Line has added a new ship to its fleet, Carnival Venezia, which puts an ...

  23. Carnival Venezia Full Ship Walking Tour

    Join Amanda and I as we do a walking tour of the Carnival Venezia. We cruised on this ship 15 days and are here to share the don't miss spots. If you have ...

  24. Carnival Dive-In Movies May 2024 · Prof. Cruise, Ship Tour, Cruise

    So if you're booked on a Carnival cruise for May, be sure to grab a bag of popcorn (note there is a $4 charge for popcorn), some buffet desserts and a beverage, pull up a lounger, and enjoy a flick at sea! ... Venezia Vista. Ships not on the list sometimes play movies indoors, but no guarantees. Be sure to check the HUB app or your daily Fun ...

  25. The 8 classes of Carnival Cruise Line ships, explained

    An introduction to Carnival Cruise Line ships. ... Note that one more Costa Cruises ship that is similar to Carnival Venezia (Costa Firenze) will be joining the Carnival fleet in 2024. It'll be ...

  26. Carnival Venezia Cruise Reviews

    1 - 10 of 88 Carnival Venezia Cruise Reviews. Although the Carnival Venezia is a ship with good accommodations, great crew, and an excellent kids club, it overall remains subpar with its buffet ...

  27. Cruise from Port Canaveral (Orlando) with Carnival

    Buckle up for big adventure on the Space Coast when you book a Carnival cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida. Fun in the sun is a mission easily accomplished in Port Canaveral: before or after your cruise, take time to blast off from the Kennedy Space Center, hug the turns in a stock car at the world famous speedway, and zoom through the screaming roller coasters of Orlando's theme parks.