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Carnival Venezia Review

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15 reviews
Carnival Venezia (Rendering: Carnival Cruise Line)
Guy's Burger Joint aboard Carnival Venezia (Rendering: Carnival Cruise Line)
The atrium aboard Carnival Venezia (Photo: Carnival Cruise Line)
Balcony stateroom aboard Carnival Venezia (Photo: Carnival Cruise Line)

When Carnival Venezia joins the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in spring 2023, it will be the first ship to operate under the banner "Carnival Fun Italian Style". Launched in 2019 as Costa Venezia and originally slated to cater for the Chinese market under the Costa banner, the renamed 4,072-passenger vessel has been transferred to Carnival and will sail year-round from New York in spring 2023.

Carnival will welcome a second Italian-style ship in 2024 when Carnival Firenze, the former Costa Firenze, joins the Fun Ship fleet.

Carnival Venezia Deck Plans Celebrate Italy Through Decor, Food and Drink

Reflecting its name -- Venice -- and the Italian brand for which it was originally constructed at Italy's Fincantieri shipyard, Carnival Venezia oozes the country's trademark glamor and style in dazzling public areas.

When passengers first board they will be surrounded by Italian architectural design inside the ship's three-level atrium, which is modeled after Venice's main public square, Piazza San Marco. Outdoor spaces include some first-in-fleet features, such as the Lido deck modeled after the Italian Riviera complete with a retractable Magrodome roof so the pool can still be used in cooler months.

The striking Canal Grande and Marco Polo main restaurants showcase Italian sculptures and architectural designs, including a life-size Venetian gondola in the former. Special Italian dishes will be featured, including favorites from Carnival's signature Cucina del Capitano Italian restaurant. In addition to the Italian dishes offered in the main dining rooms, an all-new Italian specialty dining concept will be unveiled when the ship launches.

Bars and lounges onboard Carnival Venezia include Amari, similar to Carnival's popular Alchemy Bars across the fleet, where crafted cocktails will include Italian liqueurs and bitters and feature an interactive cocktail experience focusing drinks such as negroni, Americano and Amalfi martini. Select Alchemy Bar cocktails will also be served.

In Frizzante the bar menu will feature Italian-themed beverages with bubbles including prosecco, spritzes and bellinis, alongside Italian beer.

The Carnevale Bar & Lounge is inspired by Venetian masquerades during the carnival season, with scenes from the event shown on LED screens, and the Gondola Lounge takes its influence from the city's famous canals.

That said, Carnival fans will find familiar signature restaurants and bars onboard Carnival Venezia, including the steakhouse Fahrenheit 555, Bonsai Sushi & Teppanyaki and the Chef's Table, along with Lido Marketplace, Seafood Shack and Pizzeria del Capitano, Piano Bar 88 and Heroes Tribute Lounge.

In addition, many of these traditional venues will offer additional Italian menu items such as gelato in the Java Blue Cafe for an added twist.

Several dining venues aboard Carnival Venezia have new menu options incorporating Italian flavors and ingredients. For example, a pepperoni pizza burger and the Big Mozz, a burger smothered in melted mozzarella cheese, will be offered at Guy's Burger Joint . Italian street food will be available at La Strada Grill, and Tomodoro, the "Mexitalian" fusion outlet will offer Italian meatballs and Sicilian chicken alongside traditional Mexican tacos and burritos.

There will also be high-energy shows and the ship will be the first in the fleet to feature the new "Color My World" production following its debut on Carnival Celebration.

Carnival Venezia is Being Tweaked for U.S. Passengers and Has New Cabin Grade

Once destined to be the biggest ship Costa Cruises deployed in China, the vessel was constructed with Asian passengers in mind. This included 11 karaoke rooms to cater for one of the most popular forms of entertainment. The ship will be tweaked for its transfer to the predominantly North American market. New spaces and updates include adding mini-bars and U.S. power outlets to cabins and opening a new bar featuring spritzes in the adult-only Serenity area on the top deck.

Carnival is also introducing new Terrazza staterooms -- measuring 200 to 265 square feet -- which are similar to the Havana cabins on other Carnival vessels. Located on decks 5 through 9, the 77 cabins in the new category are available as interiors, balconies -- many with aft-facing views -- and upscale cabanas. The latter category features private patios with loungers and a hammock and direct access to Terrazza Carnevale, an exclusive outdoor terraced deck with whirlpools and a bar. Perks for passengers in all Terrazza staterooms include private access to the Carnivale Lounge for complimentary continental breakfast, branded robes and towels, and a brunch with welcome cocktail on select sea days.

In total, Carnival Venezia has 2,116 cabins and suites across 12 decks which range from 150-square-foot interiors to suites measuring up to 356 square feet.

Want to be Onboard First? Carnival Venezia's Maiden Voyage is May 2023

Carnival Venezia will set sail for the first time under its new name on May 29, 2023, on a one-off transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to New York. The 14-night voyage will include stops at Malaga, Gibraltar, Lisbon, Ponta Delgada and Halifax.

Carnival Venezia Itineraries Will Sail From New York

Once Carnival Venezia completes its transatlantic crossing the ship will sail a variety of 3- to 10-night round-trip cruises from New York's Manhattan Terminal to Canada and New England, Bermuda, the Eastern and Western Caribbean and the Bahamas. The maiden season program will offer a choice of 10 cruise durations and 22 itineraries featuring visits to 25 ports across 14 countries.

Carnival Venezia Specs

Carnival Venezia is 135,000 gross tons and carries 4,072 passengers at full capacity with 1,424 crew. The ship is 1,061 feet long and 122 feet wide, and offers a total of 14 passenger decks.

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