Carnival Cruise Line has opened bookings for Carnival Firenze’s inaugural season, which kicks off in California in May 2024.;

As the second ship to showcase all-new Carnival Fun Italian Style, following the May 2023 debut of Carnival Venezia, Carnival Firenze will begin sailing year-round from Long Beach, California in May 2024 through to April 2025.

Guests will have the choice of 15 different itinerary options of three- to seven-day cruises onboard the Firenze, featuring visits to popular Baja Mexico and Mexican Riviera destinations. Some of the sailings now open for sale from Long Beach include:

Costa crew handing over the Carnival Venezia to Carnival Cruise Line crew

• 5-day Mexican Riviera Inaugural Cruise, departing May 2, 2024, visiting Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico
• 6-day Mexican Riviera Cruise, offering several departure options, visiting Ensenada and spending two days in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
• 7-day Mexican Riviera Cruise, offering several departure options, visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Noting how Carnival Firenze was named after the city of Florence, Italy, Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said of the ship: “She was designed to evoke the same charm and beauty found in Florence and she’ll also pack in plenty of Carnival fun, which will be brought to life by the friendly and dedicated team members that make cruises across our fleet memorable.

“This truly stunning ship will serve as a great new cruise vacation option from Long Beach, joining Carnival Panorama and Radiance and offering a range of sailing lengths to Baja Mexico and the Mexican Riviera.”

Welcome Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia, Carnival Cruise Line’s first ‘Fun Italian Style’ ship, has officially joined the fleet following its successful transition from sister line Costa. The ship will depart on its 15-day transatlantic Carnival Journeys sailing from Barcelona on May 29, 2023, after which it will begin year-round cruising from New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal on June 15, 2023.

A wide range of sailing options will be available, with 10 different cruise durations and 22 unique itineraries featuring visits to 25 ports across 14 countries.

Built in 2019 and accommodating up to 5,145 guests, the Carnival Venezia features Italian architectural design both inside and out. The ship’s atrium is modelled after Venice’s main public square, the Piazza San Marco, while the Lido deck draws inspiration from the Italian Riviera with a retractable room to allow guests to enjoy the pool year round.

As for dining, several new food and beverage offerings to the Carnival fleet will make their debut onboard the Venezia, including La Strada Grill featuring classic Italian street food, a Mexitalian fusion restaurant called Tomodoro, a similar-to-Alchemy-Bar Amari, as well as Frizzante, serving Italian beer, coffees and biscotti.

Carnival Venezia will also feature new Italian-inspired entertainment spaces such as the Gondola Lounge, designed with Venice’s famous canals in mind, and the Carnevale Bar & Lounge, reminiscent of Venetian masquerades during Carnevale. Also available are new activities like the Italian Street Party, the Captain’s Venetian Toast, and Italian-inspired youth programming for kids and teens.

The ship will also be home to many of the activities and experiences found onboard other Carnival ships, like Carnival Waterworks, Piano Bar 88, Heroes Tribute Lounge, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi & Teppanyaki, Guy’s Burger Joint, Cloud 9 Salon & Spa, the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, and Dr. Seuss Bookville.

For more information go to carnival.com.

Carnival Firenze atrium

Source: Travelweek