Carnival Firenze Review

Is this Carnival Venezia Part 2, or is it a little bit more than that?

"Firenze" means Florence, which in turn means “flower” or “to blossom.” That’s your Italian lesson for the day.

Carnival Firenze is the younger sister of Carnival Venezia, and part of Carnival doubling down on their idea of an Italian-style ship for the North American market.

Firenze is one of the most beautiful ships in the fleet, with Italian architecture throughout and an atrium that’s arguably the most stunning of any Carnival ship. It’s a great option for those who want to sail with Carnival, but with a slight twist on the usual formula. Firenze doesn’t scream “party all night” like Jubilee or Mardi Gras. Instead, it has a more elevated, luxurious feel.

Much like Venezia, Carnival Firenze is almost like a spinoff of Carnival. It’s like Rogue One is to the main Star Wars films, or Furiosa is to Mad Max. The key differences between Firenze and Venezia are pricing and itineraries. While Venezia sails from the East Coast and focuses on the Caribbean, Firenze sails from Long Beach (Los Angeles) and exclusively visits Mexico.

What we like about Carnival Firenze

Carnival Firenze docked.webp — Carnival Cruise Line©

Good news, friends, Carnival Firenze is bringing back the classic quick and affordable cruise experience. A 4-night cruise to Mexico starts at just $290, which is a pretty great deal, especially considering this is a brand-new ship launching in 2025, sailing to such a unique destination. The price is a major advantage, especially when you compare it to Carnival Venezia (starting at $500) or the even pricier Jubilee and Mardi Gras.

Beyond that, many of the same pros found on Carnival Venezia apply here too. Firenze is also a beautiful ship, and one of the most stunning in the entire Carnival fleet. The Italian architecture is everywhere, especially in the atrium, where a golden lion statue greets guests. Some of the restaurants look incredible, featuring replicas of Michelangelo’s David and you can even participate in a masquerade ball. If you’re looking for a more elevated, luxurious Carnival experience that won’t break the bank, this is the ship for you.

Specialty dining is also a highlight on Carnival Firenze, while the main dining rooms are just okay and can feel a bit too crowded. The steakhouse is excellent, as are Il Viaggio (the Italian restaurant) and Bonsai Sushi. And since cruises on Firenze aren’t that expensive, it’s totally doable to try one or two of the specialty restaurants and pick your favorite.

What we don’t like about Carnival Firenze

Carnival Firenze Atrium.webp — Carnival Cruise Line©

The same issue that affects Carnival Venezia shows up here too: Carnival Firenze feels too small for the number of passengers, and it doesn’t really scream “Carnival.” This ship originally belonged to Costa Cruises before switching over to Carnival in 2024, and you can definitely tell it was designed with a different demographic in mind. The top deck is small, some areas feel a bit claustrophobic, and this leads to long lines at some of the complimentary restaurants.

Carnival Firenze is also a very different type of ship, one that might leave some guests with a question mark. It doesn’t feature a huge waterpark or wild entertainment options like the Bolt roller coaster. Instead, it leans into a more classic cruise experience. Much like Carnival Venezia, it’s clear that this ship was originally designed for a different market. In this case, we are talking about the Chinese market. The pool area is small, and instead, Carnival Firenze puts the focus on large casinos and retail spaces. Whether that works for you or not… well, that’s up to you.