Carnival’s next ship to join the fleet, Carnival Venezia, will sail year-round from New York and feature unique Italian cuisine, special staterooms, and exclusive experiences.
Listen to this articleOn December 12, 2022, Carnival Cruise Line unveiled new details about what guests can expect when they board the fleet’s newest addition: Carnival Venezia.
The ship, built in 2019 for Carnival’s sister brand Costa Cruises, is undergoing a series of changes and upgrades before she begins sailing with Carnival in late May 2023. Venezia will be the first ship to showcase Carnival’s “Fun Italian Style” concept.
In 2024, Carnival Cruise Line will welcome a second Carnival Fun Italian Style ship, when Carnival Firenze joins the fleet, scheduled to sail year-round from Long Beach, California.
Update: Carnival Firenze Inaugural Season Opens For Bookings
Carnival’s live event unveils new details about Carnival Venezia
Carnival president Christine Duffy was joined by Glenn Aprile, the company’s Director of New Build Development, for a live virtual preview of Carnival Venezia from a table at NYC’s acclaimed Italian restaurant Il Mulino.
“Carnival Fun Italian Style is a new take on our recipe for creating memorable Carnival cruises, but certainly, fun will still be at the heart of everything we do on board,” said Duffy.
“Guests will feel right at home on Carnival Venezia, with our friendly team members and many familiar venues and experiences on board, but the addition of several creative new concepts from dining and beverage to entertainment will surely offer some new favorites and further enhance the ship’s Italian theming,” she continued.
Update: Comedian Jay Leno Will Be Godfather of Carnival Venezia
To watch a recording of the live event with Christine Duffy and Glenn Aprile, click on the embedded video below:
According to the company, when guests first board Carnival Venezia they will be surrounded by Italian architectural design inside the ship’s atrium, which is modeled after the Piazza San Marco in Venice.
The ship also features an elegant theater, Teatro Rosso, which will provide the backdrop for popular Carnival entertainment as well as new programming.
Carnival Venezia‘s outdoor spaces sport Italian touches, along with some first-in-fleet features. The Lido deck, inspired by the Italian Riviera, boasts a retractable roof so guests can still enjoy the pool when the ship departs and returns to New York in colder weather.
On the top deck, Carnival Venezia will have a Serenity area with a new bar featuring spritz cocktails. This adults-only retreat will include lounging furniture, sun beds, and two whirlpools.
As the ship was originally designed for the Asian market, Carnival is also planning to make a few changes to guest staterooms, including adding mini-bars and standard American power outlets to the rooms.
Update: Carnival Venezia Will Offer Fleet’s First Luxury Boutiques
What will Carnival Venezia look like?
According to Carnival, Venezia will have an updated livery, including a fresh coat of paint with a navy swoosh and yellow stripe, and the Carnival Fun Italian Style tagline on her hull.
But don’t expect to see the iconic red Carnival “whale tale smokestack—Venezia and her sister ship Firenze are keeping their yellow cylindrical stacks with the letter C.
Interestingly, the updated artist’s rendering that Carnival released today still shows the name Costa Venezia painted on the ship’s bow.
Terrazza staterooms on Carnival Venezia
Carnival is also introducing a new concept aboard Venezia: Terrazza staterooms. Similar to the Havana staterooms on some other Carnival ships, guests staying in these cabins will have exclusive access to an outdoor terraced deck along with other perks.
Terrazza Carnevale, only accessible to guests staying in Terrazza staterooms, will feature two whirlpools, a bar, and a tranquil lounging space.
The Terrazza staterooms will be located on decks 5 through 9 aft, and will include interior cabins and balcony cabins as well as the new Terrazza Cabanas, which feature private patios with loungers, a hammock, and direct lanai access to Terrazza Carnevale.
Guests staying in any of the 77 Terrazza staterooms will enjoy exclusive perks including Terrazza-branded robes and towels, and an exclusive sailaway event in Terrazza Carnevale with live music.
Terrazza guests will also have access to the Carnevale Lounge each morning with an included continental breakfast, as well as a curated brunch on select sea days with a complimentary spritz or mimosa cocktail.
Restaurants and bars on Carnival Venezia
Seasoned Carnival cruisers will find many familiar restaurants and bars aboard 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.
Many Carnival mainstays will offer special Italian menu items on board—for example, gelato will join the coffee and snack options at Java Blue Café.
Dining venues on Carnival Venezia
Guy’s Burger Joint: Along with classic American burgers and fries, new menu items will feature an Italian twist, such as a pepperoni pizza burger and a burger smothered in melted mozzarella cheese.
La Strada Grill: Featuring grilled Italian street food and sandwiches.
Tomodoro: Mexitalian fusion, serving Italian meatballs and Sicilian chicken alongside traditional Mexican tacos and burritos, for breakfast and lunch.
Canal Grande and Marco Polo Restaurants: Main dining rooms offering three-course meals in spaces surrounded by elegant Italian sculptures and architectural designs. Special Italian dishes will be featured, including favorites from Carnival’s signature Cucina del Capitano Italian restaurant.
New Specialty Italian Restaurant: Carnival is creating an all-new specialty dining concept for Venezia, with details to be released soon.
Bars and lounges on Carnival Venezia
Amari Bar: Similar to the Alchemy Bar on other Carnival ships but with an Italian flair, Amari will offer expertly crafted cocktails featuring a variety of Italian liqueurs and bitters. Expect an elevated and interactive cocktail experience with drinks such as negroni, americano, Amalfi martini, and sbagliato, along with select Alchemy favorites.
Frizzante: Serving a variety of bubbly drinks, from prosecco to spritzes and bellinis, along with Italian beer. Authentic Italian coffees and biscotti will be offered throughout the day.
Carnevale Bar & Lounge: Sip fine Italian wines or classic cocktails in a lounge inspired by the elegance of Venetian masquerades. Carnevale Bar will feature Carnivale di Venezia scenes on LED screens, along with live music.
Gondola Lounge: Inspired by the famous Venetian canals, this space features a large stage with a dance floor as well as comfortable seating to enjoy live entertainment. Gondola Lounge opens to the outside on either side for a breezy stroll around the lanai.
Rococó: Refreshing frozen drinks, from colorful layered creations with unique Italian flavors such as limoncello and bellini to classic frozen cocktails, including margaritas, daiquiris, and piña coladas, served in this fun and cheeky bar described as “Baroque Goes Pop.”
Italian-inspired entertainment on Carnival Venezia
Carnival Venezia will be the first in the cruise line’s fleet to feature the new production show “Color My World,” following its debut aboard Carnival Celebration in November 2022. The indie rock and pop love story combines various art media to create a visually stunning experience.
Other playlist productions on the ship will include Broadway Beats, a larger-than-life journey through New York City, Vintage Pop, a modern musical with a 1920s spin, and Epic Rock, featuring songs from rock artists including Journey, Aerosmith, and Bon Jovi.
Italian-themed parties and gatherings on Venezia are also planned, including the Italian Street Party with rotating entertainment on the main stage and spaghetti- and gelato-eating competitions!
Of course, the Captain’s deck party will be Italian-style on all Venezia sailings, with the Captain’s Venetian Toast. Cast members will don Venetian costumes, and guests are encouraged to wear Venetian masks.
Tip: Masks will be available for purchase on board, but guests can certainly bring their own—like this fun (and inexpensive) couple’s pair of Venetian masks from Amazon.
Youth and family activities on Carnival Venezia
Families with kids and teens will be happy to know that Carnival Venezia will offer Camp Ocean and Club O2, the cruise line’s popular kids’ clubs. On this Italian-themed ship, kids and families will be able to experience different regions of Italy through arts and crafts, games, and themed activities, including gondola racing, Futbol challenges, and Italian hopscotch.
In addition to the usual basketball and pickleball options in SportsSquare, families can also choose activities with an Italian twist, including bocce ball and foosball.
Guests will also find other familiar top-deck favorites including a ropes course, mini golf, a jogging track, and outdoor fitness equipment. The ship’s water park features three waterslides—one open and two enclosed—with a splash park for younger kids.
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line Waterslides – Everything You Need to Know
Where will Carnival Venezia sail?
Venezia will begin with a 15-day Carnival Journeys transatlantic sailing from Barcelona to New York, stopping at Málaga, Gibraltar, Lisbon, Ponta Delgada, and Halifax NS along the way.
Tip: I posted the Fun Times daily planner from my transatlantic Carnival Journeys cruise last month—check it out to get an idea of what activities you can expect on Venezia‘s transatlantic!
Beginning on June 15, 2023, Carnival Venezia will operate a range of sailing options from New York’s Manhattan Terminal, with ten different cruise durations and 22 unique itineraries featuring visits to 25 ports across 14 countries.
Cruise options from NYC include Canada & New England, The Bahamas, eastern Caribbean, southern Caribbean, and Bermuda.
Update: Carnival Venezia Now on the Way to New York
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Resources for your next Carnival cruise
- Ultimate Guide to Room Service on Carnival Cruise Line With Menus
- How to Get Onboard Credit for Owning Carnival Stock
- Carnival Cruise Line Drink Packages: The Ultimate Guide
- Faster to the Fun: The Ultimate Guide to Carnival’s Skip-the-Line Pass
What do you think about the newest announcements for Carnival Venezia? Are you planning to sail on this new addition to Carnival’s fleet? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
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