Discover the Carnival Venezia: "Fun Italian Style" Cruising
Welcome aboard the Carnival Venezia, a spectacular cruise ship that perfectly blends Carnival’s signature fun with the romantic, elegant charm of Italy. Originally built in 2019 as the Costa Venezia and completely refurbished in 2023 for Carnival Cruise Line, this Vista-class vessel introduced a brand-new concept to the fleet: Fun Italian Style.
From the moment you step into the magnificent Piazza San Marco atrium, you are transported to the heart of Venice. Whether you are sailing out of its homeport in New York City or exploring tropical destinations, the Carnival Venezia offers a unique vacation experience complete with exclusive dining, immersive entertainment, and unique stateroom categories.
Technical Specifications
Understanding the scale of the Carnival Venezia helps paint a picture of everything this massive floating resort has to offer. Here are the essential ship facts:
135,225 GT
Gross Tonnage
2019
Year Built
5,260 maximum
Passenger Capacity
1,424
Crew Size
Port Canaveral, Florida
Home Port
Onboard Experiences & Unique Venues
The Carnival Venezia features activities for families, couples, and solo travelers, marrying classic Carnival favorites with exclusive Italian-themed venues:
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Piazza San Marco Atrium: The grand centerpiece of the ship, modeled after the famous square in Venice, featuring live music, bars, and a lively atmosphere.
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Gondola Lounge: A beautifully themed lounge perfect for evening cocktails and dancing, complete with authentic Venetian gondola decor.
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Terrazza Carnevale: An exclusive outdoor terraced deck boasting private alcoves, whirlpools, plush loungers, and a bar. (Access is reserved for guests staying in Terrazza staterooms).
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Thrill & Chill: Guests can brave the twisting water slides at Carnival WaterWorks, navigate the 230-foot ropes course suspended high above the sea, or relax at the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat on Deck 15.
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Cloud 9 Spa: A massive wellness sanctuary featuring a thermal suite, thalassotherapy pool, and extensive treatment menus for ultimate relaxation.
Carnival Venezia Atrium
Dining Highlights: A Taste of Italy and Beyond
Carnival Venezia Gondola Lounge
Food is a major highlight on the Carnival Venezia, where traditional Italian cuisine meets beloved cruise classics.
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Canal Grande & Marco Polo Restaurants: The two elegant main dining rooms serve up a mix of classic Carnival dishes and authentic Italian specialties. Keep an eye out for the real Venetian gondola featured in the dining space!
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Tomodoro: A unique "Mexitalian" fusion venue combining the best of Mexican street food with traditional Italian ingredients (think Italian meatballs in a taco).
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Il Viaggio: Carnival Venezia's signature specialty restaurant, offering a curated culinary journey through Italy's diverse food regions.
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Classic Carnival Favorites: Guests will still find fleet-wide staples, including Guy’s Burger Joint, the Seafood Shack, Bonsai Sushi, and the upscale Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse.
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JavaBlue Café & Gelateria: The perfect stop for a morning cappuccino, fresh pastries, and authentic Italian gelato.
Carnival Venezia Tomodoro
Staterooms & Suites: Introducing Terrazza
The Carnival Venezia offers 2,116 cabins across 12 decks, ranging from budget-friendly interior rooms to expansive suites. Every room includes soft linens, dedicated stateroom attendants, climate control, and plenty of storage.
The Terrazza Staterooms (The Ultimate Upgrade) One of the most sought-after accommodations on the Carnival Venezia is the new Terrazza stateroom category (similar to the Havana cabins on other Carnival ships). Located on Decks 5 through 9, these rooms offer premium perks:
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Exclusive access to the Terrazza Carnevale outdoor deck.
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Private access to the Carnevale Lounge for a complimentary continental breakfast.
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A specially curated brunch on select sea days.
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Upscale Terrazza Cabanas feature private outdoor patios with hammocks and direct access to the exclusive deck area. (Note: Guests in Terrazza cabins must be 12 years of age or older).
Carnival Venezia Terrazza
Italian-Inspired Bars & Nightlife
Carnival is famous for its nightlife, and the Venezia elevates the experience with bespoke, Italian-themed watering holes alongside classic fleet favorites.
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Amari Bar: Designed as an elevated alternative to Carnival’s popular Alchemy Bar, Amari serves up expertly crafted cocktails featuring classic Italian liqueurs and bitters.
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Frizzante Bar: The ultimate spot for bubbly. Grab a refreshing Italian spritz, a glass of prosecco, or stop by during the day for a shot of authentic espresso.
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Rococó: This bar proves that cocktail making is an art form. Expect wildly creative and visually stunning drinks served in a vibrant, artistic setting.
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Gondola Lounge: Perfect for a pre-dinner drink, this lounge actually features an authentic Venetian gondola and is a central hub for live music and mingling.
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Fleet Favorites: You’ll still find Carnival staples onboard, including the patriotic Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, the sing-along-friendly Piano Bar 88, and the lively RedFrog Rum Bar out on the pool deck
Carnival Venezia Amari Bar
Award-Winning Entertainment
When the sun goes down, the Carnival Venezia comes alive. The entertainment lineup is designed to keep guests of all ages at the edge of their seats.
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Teatro Rosso: The ship's stunning main theater is draped in rich red velvet—a nod to classic Italian opera houses. Here, guests can watch exclusive Playlist Productions, including "Color My World," a vibrant show blending live music, dancing, and visual arts.
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The Punchliner Comedy Club: Get ready to laugh out loud in the Limelight Lounge, where a rotating roster of comedians performs both family-friendly and adults-only sets throughout the cruise.
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Venezia Casino: For those feeling lucky, the sprawling onboard casino offers a massive selection of slot machines, table games, and high-energy tournaments.
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Deck Parties: Experience Carnival’s famous Mega Deck Party and the unique "Festa Italiana" street party, celebrating Italian culture with music, dancing, and family-friendly competitions under the stars.
Carnival Venezia Teatro Rosso
Family Fun & Kids Clubs
The Carnival Venezia is a fantastic option for families, offering dedicated spaces where kids and teens can make friends while parents get some well-deserved rest.
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Camp Ocean (Ages 2-11): A supervised, marine-themed camp packed with age-appropriate games, crafts, and activities.
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Circle "C" (Ages 12-14) & Club O2 (Ages 15-17): Dedicated teen hangouts featuring video games, movie nights, dance parties, and exclusive shore excursions.
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Dr. Seuss Bookville: A whimsical, brightly colored reading and play space where the magic of Dr. Seuss comes to life. Don't miss the Seuss-a-palooza Parade and the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast!
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SportSquare: Located on the top deck, this massive outdoor recreation area features mini-golf, basketball, foosball, and the heart-pounding SkyCourse ropes challenge.
Carnival Venezia Camp Ocean
Expert Insider Tips for the Carnival Venezia
Want to cruise like a pro? Because the Carnival Venezia is a unique ship—originally built for the European market and later retrofitted for Carnival—it has a few quirks and hidden gems you won't find anywhere else in the fleet. Here are our top insider tips to maximize your "Fun Italian Style" vacation:
1. Bring a European Power Adapter
Because the Carnival Venezia was originally the Costa Venezia, the staterooms feature a mix of North American (110V) and European (220V) power outlets. While Carnival added US and USB ports during the drydock retrofit, bringing a European travel adapter instantly doubles your available outlets for charging phones, cameras, and tablets!
2. Skip the Buffet: Eat Breakfast at Tomodoro
The Lido Marketplace (the main buffet) can get incredibly busy on embarkation day and morning sea days. For a much quieter, relaxed morning meal, head to Tomodoro on Deck 10. They serve fantastic breakfast burritos and tacos for free, and the lines are almost non-existent compared to the main buffet.
3. The "Deck 5" Navigation Trick
Like other Vista-class ships, the Carnival Venezia has a galley (kitchen) situated in the middle of Deck 3 and Deck 4, which means you cannot walk all the way from the front of the ship to the back on those decks. If you hit a dead end, simply go up to Deck 5, walk across the ship, and then head back down to your destination.
4. Find the Secret Photo Op: The Real Gondola
You will find plenty of Italian decor around the ship, but the absolute best photo opportunity is inside the Canal Grande Restaurant (Deck 3, Aft). Right in the middle of the dining room sits an actual, full-sized Venetian gondola. Ask the host if you can snap a quick photo near it before the dinner rush begins.
5. Book "Il Viaggio" Before You Board
Carnival Venezia’s signature Italian specialty restaurant, Il Viaggio, is currently the only one of its kind in the entire Carnival fleet. Because it is exclusive to this ship, reservations fill up incredibly fast. Do not wait until you are onboard—book your table via your cruise planner weeks before you set sail.
6. Utilize the Carnival HUB App for Virtual Queues
Nobody likes waiting in line. Download the Carnival HUB app before you leave home. Once onboard, you can use it to "check in" for Your Time Dining, the famous Sea Day Brunch, and even to reserve your spot for various onboard activities. The app will notify your phone the moment your table is ready.
7. Find the Quietest Outdoor Seating
If you don't have access to the exclusive Terrazza Carnevale area and want to escape the energetic Lido pool deck, head down to Deck 5 (The Lanai). This wraparound outdoor promenade features comfortable seating, shaded areas, and an outdoor barbecue spot (Guy's Pig & Anchor). It is the perfect place to read a book while listening to the wake of the ship.
