Carnival Venezia made her inaugural arrival at homeport Port Canaveral/Orlando (Florida USA) on Wednesday, December 18th, marking a new chapter in the former Costa vessel's deployment.
Venezia's itineraries from the Orlando area visit destinations in the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Mexico. With this addition, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line becomes the first and only operator to station 5 ships at Port Canaveral.
Carnival Venezia, themed after Venice City (Italy), recently completed a 12-day Carnival Journeys cruise from New York (RepositionCruises.com), where it has been based since its debut in summer 2023.
The ship will now spend the winter season in Florida, bringing the new "Carnival Fun Italian Style" incorporating Italian-inspired dining and beverage concepts alongside CCL's classic attractions.
The winter schedule begins with a special 4-day Bahamas voyage, followed by 15x 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages, as well as two 14-day Carnival Journeys.
Christine Duffy (CCL's President) commented that the Venice-themed ship enhances the line’s offerings with a unique Italian twist on its signature Carnival experience, combined with the same high standard of service guests have come to expect. She added that guests who sailed on Carnival Venezia from New York praised its distinctive features and new experiences, expressing confidence in its appeal at Port Canaveral.
At her new homeport, Venezia joins CCL's ships Mardi Gras, Vista, Glory, and Freedom, offering a range of itineraries. These include 3- and 4-day Bahamas, 5-to-8-day Caribbean, and several longer Carnival Journeys sailings.
Venezia's culinary highlights include the specialty restaurant "Il Viaggio," featuring dishes inspired by various Italian regions, and the Frizzante bar, which focuses on sparkling wine and spritz cocktails. These additions complement the ship's popular venues, such as Guy’s Burger Joint, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, and Bonsai Sushi & Teppanyaki.
Carnival Venezia is scheduled to remain at Port Canaveral through the spring before repositioning to New York City on May 11th, 2025, via an 11-day cruise. Carnival’s itinerary schedule for the vessel extends through spring 2027, with plans for the ship to continue alternating seasonally between New York and Port Canaveral.