Editor’s notice: TPG’s Ashley Kosciolek accepted a free journey to sail on Carnival Firenze for the ship’s naming ceremony and inaugural cruise. The views expressed under are solely hers and weren’t topic to evaluation by the cruise line.
When Carnival Cruise Line first introduced it was adopting ships from sister cruise line Costa Cruises for a product it now calls “Enjoyable Italian Fashion,” I puzzled, given Carnival’s normal vibe, if it was potential for the ships to really feel even somewhat bit genuine. Would they be enjoyable or refined? Luxurious or cheesy? Carnival Firenze is all of these issues — and that is precisely how Carnival passengers prefer it.
While you step on board, you are welcomed into what seems like an Italian theme park. It is an alternate universe’s model of Italy, the place you are more likely to hear “That is Amore” in some type day by day, participate in a road pageant that encompasses a gelato-eating contest and watch as waiters in ruffle-sleeved costumes carry out within the eating room to Justin Bieber songs whereas an enormous fig leaf-clad model of Michelangelo’s David towers over the entire scene, awash in coloured strobe lights.
It is chaotic and loads to soak up, however by some means it really works. Passengers can have their photographs taken with a Vespa-style scooter and seize Italian-themed burgers and meatball sandwiches at new iterations of a few of Carnival’s hottest eateries. An enormous duplicate of Donatello’s Marzocco towers above the Piazza del Duomo atrium that serves as the placement of Carnival Firenze’s huge welcome social gathering. In the course of the occasion, officers and crew scatter across the atrium’s three-deck balcony and wave indicators that say “Ciao” and “Benvenuti.” The high-energy social gathering begins a crusing off on the correct foot.
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Juxtapose the over-the-top Italian components with elegant design selections — akin to a pool deck that options charming bar facades designed to evoke Italian structure, well-designed cabins and repair that is off-the-charts pleasant — and you have Carnival Firenze.
Need to study extra about what to anticipate throughout a crusing on this new-to-Carnival ship? Here is my evaluation of Carnival Firenze with all the things it is advisable know.
Carnival Firenze overview
Carnival Firenze debuted as Costa Firenze, the second ship in Costa Cruises’ Venezia Class (much like Carnival’s Vista Class), in 2021. The 4,126-passenger, 135,156-ton ship was initially designed for the Chinese language cruise market, that means it homes extra on line casino and retail house than the common North American cruise ship. Plus, its swimming pools are smaller than most, with tons of shaded areas round them — a pleasant contact for anybody who does not wish to bake within the solar.
In early 2024, the ship transferred to the Carnival fleet and underwent a two-month refurbishment to tweak among the public areas and add Carnival’s trademark blue wave paint scheme on the hull. Notably, the ship is protecting its yellow Costa smokestack, which is emblazoned with an enormous letter “C,” and will not be outfitted with Carnival’s signature purple, white and blue whale tail funnel.
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On board, a lot of your fellow passengers shall be West Coasters who usually drive to the departure port in Lengthy Seaside, California. You may additionally discover Carnival stalwarts who do not thoughts making the journey from farther afield to sail on the brand new ship.
Sadly, the vessel usually appeared crowded, with 4,200 passengers on my crusing — about 1,000 folks fewer than most capability. I can not think about how it could have felt if my crusing have been full.
As is the case on different Carnival vessels, the meals gives glorious worth for cash, with the variety of included choices far exceeding the variety of specialty eating places that cost further. Cuisines run the gamut from Italian and Asian to seafood and steak, and regardless of some longer-than-average wait instances within the eating room, the service is pleasant and customarily environment friendly.
Cabins are furnished in impartial colours and specified by ways in which make sense, with snug convertible beds; closets that function a number of layouts with drawers, hanging bars and collapsible shelving; bogs with loads of space for storing; and a plethora {of electrical} retailers for charging.
Carnival Firenze is stuffed with actions, together with trivia, films and video games. The spa, salon and health heart supply methods to care to your thoughts and physique, and top-deck waterslides and a ropes course present alternatives for adventuresome vacationers to seek out their adrenaline repair.
The Italian vibe carries by means of all the things you do on board. It should both make you smile or roll your eyes. Regardless, it is a whole lot of enjoyable.
What I like about Carnival Firenze
The design components
I wasn’t certain what to anticipate on Carnival Firenze, however what I discovered instantly upon boarding was a grand three-deck atrium, Piazza del Duomo, that is each excessive and exquisite. Within the heart is a bar, from the center of which rises a pretend marble pillar with a reproduction of Donatello’s Marzocco golden lion statue on the highest. Your eyes can not help however observe it up towards the ceiling, which is painted to appear to be a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
As you progress between decks, you will spy Italian-style artwork within the stairwells and elevator banks. Partitions within the cabin hallways are printed with snippets from photographs of well-known Italian statues; photographs of Florentine landmarks just like the Duomo function headboards in non-suite cabins.
However essentially the most spectacular factor of the ship’s design is the Lido Pool space, which is about as much as resemble a courtyard with the pool within the heart and a number of other Italian constructing facades overlooking it. These facades, that are outfitted with wrought-iron balconies, home all the things from bars and board recreation areas to a deli, Man’s Burger Joint (with an Italian twist) and a mixture Mexican-Italian burrito and taco bar, in addition to the ship’s JavaBlue Cafe. It is the primary time I’ve ever visited a cruise pool space and never felt like I used to be on a ship.
The art work
Throughout my first night time on Carnival Firenze, as I used to be strolling from my cabin right down to dinner, I ended in my tracks and burst out laughing. The aft stairwells on the ship are bedecked with floor-to-ceiling prints that appear innocuous at first, however as you look extra carefully, you may pick some exceptionally odd characters. On this specific case, it was two younger girls who clearly examined the bounds of their drink package deal.
All through the remainder of my crusing, I made certain to check every print fastidiously, turning up a creepy crone who wants dental work and a few pasties, a girl pulling a centaur’s hair, one other girl choking on vegetation and a tragic canine standing on high of the desk in a chaotic model of “The Final Supper” as Jesus nonchalantly seems on.
Equally amusing artwork was positioned on a number of partitions within the ship’s two principal eating rooms. At Rococo, the bar that serves the Lido Pool, you will discover the partitions plastered with late Baroque-style artwork that includes topics which were embellished with trendy twists like sun shades and pithy textual content. Ladies in frilly attire are overlaid with exclamations like “Do not rush me,” “Canines earlier than dudes” and “Swag.”
The power
I wasn’t a fan of among the cheesiness on board (see under), nevertheless it’s clear that each passengers and crew have been excited to be there. From the second we have been welcomed aboard with a raucous atrium social gathering, the crew was smiling and pleasant, and my fellow cruisers have been all the time able to strike up a dialog.
Each waiter requested how my day was, and my room steward greeted me by title every time he noticed me within the corridor. The crew at JavaBlue went out of their means to verify my espresso order was proper every morning, and the real cheerfulness did not go unnoticed.
What I do not love about Carnival Firenze
The format
Movement generally is a drawback on Carnival Firenze, with galley placement chopping off entry from one finish of Deck 3 to the opposite. Passengers traversing the decrease decks usually must stroll up a deck, over and again right down to get the place they are going.
The Lido Market buffet can be an issue at peak eating instances. The primary walkways by means of the venue really feel slim, making it troublesome for two-way site visitors to move by means of the house, particularly for folks utilizing wheelchairs, scooters or walkers.
In some spots, the format was merely complicated. For instance, the Tuscan Lounge has two entrances — a main one that enables site visitors to naturally move from one venue to the following and a hidden secondary one which most individuals solely discover accidentally, often after taking a fallacious flip.
The fig leaf
Though I am a fan of a lot of the artwork on Carnival Firenze, one piece specifically disappoints me. Within the Michelangelo Restaurant, one of many two principal eating rooms on board, an enormous copy of Michelangelo’s David stands on the touchdown of the grand staircase that connects the restaurant’s two decks.
Beforehand housed on Carnival Delight, the statue was relocated to Carnival Firenze. It nonetheless dons a fastidiously customary fig leaf that was made and connected to cowl its groin space after a bunch of pearl-clutching Karens complained about having to see — gasp! — a bit of artwork that is been round for greater than 5 centuries.
Festa Italiana
Festa Italiana is an enormous, loud, tacky Italian-themed road festival-type celebration that is held one night time throughout every Carnival Firenze voyage. The Lido Pool space is strung with purple, white and inexperienced flags, and the occasion, which lasts greater than two hours, kicks off with a proficient violin trio.
Following that, the cruise director strikes into what the road calls a “conventional” opening ceremony, involving members of the Playlist Productions solid in cartoonish-looking variations of Italian costume parading across the deck. They carry out a number of instances all through the night time, alternating with actions like gelato-eating contests, Italian classes (the place the viewers learns a few phrases that they scream backwards and forwards at each other) and competitions the place members must maneuver, blindfolded, round terra cotta pots.
The night time ends with a DJ, who performs music (suppose: attention-grabbing mashups like “Funiculi Funicula” and Girl Gaga’s “Rain on Me”) whereas servers stroll round with trays of Italian sausage sandwiches and bites of salami and cheese pastry.
Components of it are enjoyable, however general, it seems like an amalgamation of stereotypes as a substitute of an ode to one of many world’s most lovely international locations.
Carnival Firenze cabins and suites
Carnival Firenze cabins vary from insides with no pure mild and outsides with a window to balcony lodging and suites, together with these in La Terrazza, a particular zone that provides personal cabana, bar and solar deck entry.
One odd cabin sort to notice is the ship’s inside cabins with home windows and portholes. Usually, they’d be thought of exterior cabins, however as a result of the views are partially obstructed, the road sells them as insides. E book one in every of these cabins, and you’ll snag a room with pure mild for much less cash.
The ship affords no solo cabins, nevertheless it does have 44 accessible lodging sprinkled all through all primary classes. The rooms are a mixture of totally accessible (entry to each side of the mattress), totally accessible single-side method (entry to 1 aspect of the mattress) and ambulatory accessible (for individuals who can stroll with assistive gadgets like walkers or canes).
Absolutely accessible rooms are stair-free, flat-threshold cabins, which provide wider (32-inch) doorways, turning house and bogs outfitted with seize bars and bathe seats.
Even essentially the most primary of cabins affords a queen mattress that converts to 2 twins and two nightstands with cupboard storage and studying lamps. Some additionally sleep as much as 4 folks with both a settee mattress or a mixture of a settee mattress and a pull-down bunk.
Every room affords a conceit with a mirror, a desk, a stool or chair, a telephone, a minifridge, a hair dryer and loads of retailers. Rooms additionally include ample closet house that features shelving, drawers and bars for hanging garments of assorted lengths. Inside every closet is a code-operated protected for which you’ll program a four-digit pin. (On the primary couple of days of my voyage, I had bother with my in-room protected. After a fast telephone name to my room steward, somebody arrived at my cabin inside minutes to repair it.)
Loos on the primary stage are bathe solely, they usually’re fabricated from cheap-looking white plastic. Every bathe has a fiberglass door as a substitute of a curtain and a single dispenser for all-in-one bathe gel and shampoo. They’re additionally outfitted with a rest room, a sink, fluffy white towels and loads of shelving for storing private grooming gadgets.
As cabins enhance in class, additionally they enhance in measurement and facilities.
Suites include further perks, akin to precedence check-in, boarding and disembarkation; most popular dinner instances in the primary eating room; pillow-top mattresses; two massive bottles of water and bathrobes; upgraded rest room toiletries; and additional sq. footage, a few of which is devoted to bigger balconies and even walk-in closets.
Some bogs on the suite stage embrace bathtubs along with bathe services. Moreover, passengers booked in Ocean suites and La Terrazza cabins (Carnival Firenze’s model of Havana Cabana cabins) have entry to the unique Terrazza Moda solar deck with loungers, scorching tubs and a bar, in addition to personal waiter-served breakfast every morning within the adjoining, indoor Moda Bar and Lounge.
Once I sailed on Carnival Firenze, I sailed alone and stayed in a balcony cabin outfitted with a double sleeper couch and a balcony with two steel and mesh chairs and a small drinks desk. Its measurement was greater than sufficient for me and one other particular person, however it could have been tight quarters crusing with the room’s most occupancy of 4 passengers.
I used to be significantly impressed by how snug the mattress was and the variety of retailers out there for charging gadgets. (The one minor concern is that just one aspect of the mattress has USB ports for telephone charging at night time.) One considerate contact was the motion-activated nightlight that activates when it senses motion in a darkish room. It is a lifesaver if you end up needing to stroll to the lavatory in the midst of the night time.
I additionally loved the decor, which is much less excessive than on among the older, extra colourful ships in Carnival’s fleet however much less bland than a few of its latest ships. It is a completely satisfied medium of impartial whites, mild browns and beiges with soothing blue hues and floor-to-ceiling prints of a few of Italy’s famed landmarks.
Dislikes for me included a bathe door that leaked, soaking the ground every time I turned on the water, plus “Snoozin'” door hangers that usually obtained caught in my door once I closed it. For the latter, I’d’ve most popular a “Don’t disturb” button like many different new ships have.
Carnival Firenze’s cabins require you to place one thing within the slot close to the door in an effort to activate the lights. (I used my room steward’s enterprise card.)
Talking of room stewards, mine was incredible, and he got here as soon as a day to wash my room between the hours of 8 a.m. and eight p.m. He all the time did a beautiful job, and he was fast to assist once I had clothes to ship out for urgent.
Carnival Firenze eating places and bars
Carnival Firenze meals
The meals on Carnival Firenze is essentially tasty, with numerous choices, together with no-fee dishes and fancy selections that value further.
Consistent with the ship’s Italian theming, Carnival has added a twist to different vessels’ favourite eateries, akin to Man’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina, which seems as Mexican-Italian hybrid Tomodoro. The usual Carnival deli outpost has additionally been given an Italian spin.
Moreover, Cucina del Capitano, the added-fee Italian restaurant on a number of different Carnival ships, has been changed on Carnival Firenze with Il Viaggio, a fully phenomenal tackle trendy, upscale Italian meals.
General, the meals choices on the ship are a fantastic mix of outdated favorites — just like the Lido Market buffet, Pizzeria del Capitano, the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki — and these new takes on present eating places.
Plus, the ship has so many locations to sit down exterior for an alfresco chunk. Take a look at Deck 5, close to Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, for instance. You’ll be able to get pleasure from a meal with sea views as well.
Observe: Hours for many eating places fluctuate based mostly on whether or not it is a sea day or a port day. Verify the day by day schedule or Carnival’s Hub app for particulars.
Free meals
Carnival Firenze has two principal eating rooms: Medici Restaurant (Deck 3, mid) and Michelangelo Restaurant (decks 3 and 4, aft).
Michelangelo Restaurant is devoted to passengers who choose Your Time Eating, which helps you to eat anytime between 5 and 9 p.m. (The devoted YTD restaurant can fluctuate by crusing, relying on how many individuals select that possibility.) Medici Restaurant is used for set seating, with two eating instances: one at 5:30 p.m. and one at 7:45 p.m.
Each serve the identical menu for dinner, however solely the bigger Michelangelo Restaurant is open for Sea Day Brunch on sea days and breakfast (however not lunch) on port days. It additionally serves afternoon tea on sea days. In the meantime, the Medici Restaurant serves a pasta bar for lunch on choose sea days.
I had YTD, and I dined 3 times within the Michelangelo Restaurant. The primary time was for brunch, the place I had a vegetable omelet with a aspect of chef Emeril Lagasse’s signature beignets. The second time was for a dinner of a easy however beautiful Caprese salad and an Indian vegetarian sampler, which included spiced paneer dumplings, chana madra, peas pulao and rice. (Indian dishes are a little-known Carnival specialty.) The ultimate time was disembarkation morning, once I loved delectable vanilla French toast with maple butter and caramelized bananas.
The service was pleasant however gradual; I needed to wait longer than anticipated between programs at dinner. Each breakfast and brunch have been served at an ideal tempo, although, with gadgets showing rapidly and looking out and tasting recent.
Lido Market is the ship’s complimentary Deck 10 midship buffet that’s open day by day for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks like cookies and different finger meals. For breakfast, you may count on cereal, an omelet station, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, chilly cuts and cheeses. Lunch affords a salad bar, varied scorching entrees and sides, plus a number of desserts. Dinner is comparable, with salads, a carving station and scorching gadgets that may embrace issues like Cornish recreation hen, rice, roasted potatoes, inexperienced beans, egg rolls, fried shrimp and Asian noodles.
Though the buffet is ok for a meal on the go, I largely averted it attributable to crowds. It is a disgrace, too, as a result of it is one of many prettiest buffets I’ve ever seen, adorned with fake vegetation lining the walkways and tables arrange indoors with umbrellas and lanterns hanging over them, mimicking the texture of an outside bistro.
I did pop in now and again to get pleasure from a cone of sentimental serve ice cream from the 2 Swirls areas, that are small alcoves with machines that additionally serve frozen yogurt. At one level, each units of Swirls machines have been damaged, and it was a comical scene as a number of officers and engineers stood round them wanting confused.
Elsewhere on Deck 10, close to the Lido Pool, you will discover two complimentary venues, Tomodoro and Man’s Burger Joint, each with an Italian spin. Tomodoro serves because the Mexican-Italian stand-in for Carnival’s common BlueIguana Cantina. Each walk-up counters are open for lunch and dinner.
I attempted each of the Italian burger choices from Man’s — one with mozzarella, balsamic, tomatoes, basil and Donkey Sauce and one other with pepperoni, marinara sauce, Donkey Sauce, mozzarella, provolone and Parmesan cheeses. Each have been simply OK, and I used to be unhappy to see that my favourite burger, the Pig Patty, was absent from the menu on this ship.
At Tomodoro, the menu lists tacos and burritos, in addition to Italian meatball heroes, Sicilian hen wraps and tortas de Milanese. The burritos have been incredible, as all the time, however my scorching tackle the adjustments made to each BlueIguana Cantina and Man’s Burger Joint is that if it ain’t broke, do not repair it.
I used to be pleasantly shocked by Il Mercato, Carnival’s tackle an Italian deli that’s open from lunchtime till late. Normally, the deli is situated inside Lido Market, nevertheless it was moved to a quieter and fewer crowded space on Deck 11, simply above the Lido Pool, to make room within the buffet for an added-fee hen wing stand.
Il Mercato seems like a little bit of an afterthought, given its portable-looking sales space space, however the alfresco ambiance and the meals are nice. The menu consists of meatball sandwiches, scorching canines and Italian sausage sandwiches. Eight choices for each cold and warm sandwiches embrace grilled ham and cheese, a Reuben, cheese steak, tomato and mozzarella with arugula on focaccia, hen salad, and turkey and Swiss. I attempted the cheese steak with peppers and onions; regardless of its relatively unhappy look, it was scrumptious and will rival absolutely anything present in Philadelphia.
Carnival has additionally achieved one thing attention-grabbing with Seafood Shack on this ship. As an alternative of solely serving seafood, this Deck 10 venue begins because the Breakfast Shack within the morning after which turns into the Hen Shack for lunch. Each are complimentary and serve up quite a lot of hen sandwiches with fries, pasta salads and different sides. (Carnival Firenze does not have Shaq’s Massive Hen like among the different vessels within the fleet, so this was a pleasant technique to make the most of the house and supply the same eating expertise to passengers.)
Though I wasn’t staying in a collection, I used to be capable of attempt the personal breakfast for La Terrazza and Ocean Suite passengers provided day by day in Deck 5’s Moda Bar and Lounge. If you happen to’re staying in a kind of cabins and have entry, belief me once I say you will not wish to miss the quiche or avocado toast.
Different free meals choices embrace La Strada Grill (Deck 5 midship), Contemporary Creations salad bar (Deck 15 ahead on the adults-only Serenity solar deck) and room service (free continental breakfast). I did not attempt any of those as a result of La Strada is simply open from midday to 2:30 p.m. on sea days, Contemporary Creations was means too crowded once I stopped by and I did not eat in my room for breakfast.
Of those three choices, essentially the most compelling menu is La Strada’s. It lists a Sicilian hen hero, roast beef on a roll, Italian sausage, smoked pulled pork and macaroni and cheese, with a selection of salads and sides.
Further-cost meals
On lots of its ships, Carnival already has an Italian restaurant, Cucina del Capitano, which affords a homey atmosphere and family-favorite recipes from the Italian captains throughout the road’s fleet. Oddly, the restaurant seems on neither Carnival Firenze nor sister ship Carnival Venezia (one other vessel that provides the “Enjoyable Italian Fashion” expertise).
As an alternative, it has been changed by one in every of my new favorites: Il Viaggio, an upscale Italian eatery with a $42 per-person cowl cost, almost double what most ships with Cucina del Capitano cost passengers to dine. Il Viaggio’s decor is elegant however understated, and it opens for dinner solely. It does not drip with purple, white and inexperienced or stereotypical Italian adornments, providing a refreshing escape from different areas of the vessel the place the theming is intense.
The menu, which is billed as “a culinary voyage by means of Italy’s numerous areas — one plate at a time,” contains among the greatest meals I’ve ever had on a ship. I completely loved the house-made burrata; the pollo parmigiana pizza, which has a crust fabricated from hen; the gnocchi with goat cheese and truffle oil; and the mile-high gelato pie.
For anybody on the lookout for an honest steak dinner that will not break the financial institution, Fahrenheit 555 on Deck 5 is it. Not solely is it one of the crucial constantly very good oceangoing steakhouses from ship to ship, however its cowl cost of $49 per particular person is nominal in comparison with what you’d pay at a steakhouse ashore.
I ate an unimaginable filet mignon with onion rings, broccoli and chimichurri sauce, and it was completely well worth the value.
Apparently, the steakhouse was added after the ship left China. It is in what was a scorching pot restaurant, so the vibe is decidedly Asian, that includes black counters and tables with deep purple carpeting and chairs. Black latticework in a part of the house provides to the atmosphere.
Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, positioned close to each other midship on Deck 5, are each open for lunch (on sea days solely) and dinner.
I had a light-weight dinner of sushi throughout one night time of my voyage, and it set me again simply $11 ($3 for an order of edamame and $8 for a California roll).
On a special night time, I opted for the teppanyaki expertise, which concerned a chef cracking jokes, singing songs and making flaming onion volcanoes and snakes out of rice as he cooked. Fortunately, we did not must attempt to catch flying meals in our mouths. For the $42 flat-fee cowl cost, every passenger receives white shrimp, pork stomach yakitori, spicy tuna and a selection of both miso soup or kabuki salad to start out.
From there, you select from entrees like lobster tail, shrimp, spiced grilled hen, grilled tofu, black cod and filet mignon or a mixture of them. I selected the filet and was happy with my choice. The meat and accompanying rice and greens have been exceptionally flavorful.
Bonsai Teppanyaki can be open for lunch with the same menu for $38 per particular person.
JavaBlue Cafe on Deck 10, simply off of the Lido Pool courtyard, is one in every of my favourite locations on any Carnival ship. Within the heat Mexican climate, I wasn’t all the time a fan of its alfresco location on Carnival Firenze — most JavaBlue areas are indoors — however I used to be capable of seize my day by day pick-me-up simply the best way I prefer it.
Though coffees at JavaBlue include an additional cost, the value is nominal in comparison with Starbucks. Plus, should you ask for a punch card, you will earn your self a free espresso after you purchase six, which is not exhausting to do on a weeklong crusing.
JavaBlue additionally sells cupcakes, cookies, doughnuts and different pastries for a price.
Room service is obtainable for a per-item price (apart from continental breakfast, which is free every morning). Door hangers are now not provided, so you will must order through your cabin telephone or the Hub app. The menu on the app for Carnival Firenze appeared smaller than it does on different ships, itemizing gadgets like pizza and sandwiches. On a very busy sea day once I did not wish to wait in line at Pizzeria del Capitano, I ordered a pie to my cabin. For $6, it arrived scorching, recent and quick, and it tasted great.
The locations I did not attempt have been All Issues Wings and Seafood Shack. Carnival Firenze has a brand new walk-up counter within the Lido Market buffet that sells wings, with costs starting from six items for $5 to 24 items for $18. You’ll be able to select from a number of flavors like barbecue, Parmesan garlic, chipotle honey, scorching barbecue and buffalo, which enhance in warmth respectively. All orders include bleu cheese dressing and celery sticks.
Seafood Shack, discovered on Deck 10 aft, opens at 3:30 p.m. and stays open late on the similar walk-up counter the place Breakfast Shack and Hen Shack are situated earlier within the day. It sells for-fee seafood bites, akin to lobster rolls and crabcakes, for a la carte costs.
A small empanada counter is hidden away at the back of the Tuscan Lounge. I by no means noticed it open, however a number of passengers instructed me it solely operated at night time, promoting added-fee choices that embrace shrimp sofrito, chipotle hen with cheese, beef picadillo, and spinach and mushroom with cheese. Candy empanadas are additionally out there, together with chocolate, banana and coconut; dulce de leche cheesecake; guava and cream cheese; and Nutella and hazelnut varieties.
Carnival Firenze bars
In contrast to the model of the Heroes Tribute Bar that is tucked away in a nook on Carnival’s Excel Class ships, the model on Carnival Firenze is far brighter and extra centrally situated on the primary promenade space alongside Deck 5 mid. Designed to honor service women and men who sail, it has a relaxed vibe and a sports activities bar atmosphere. The seating on the bar counter is the proper spot to look at the large video games on a number of TVs.
I used to be an everyday on the Tuscan Lounge, additionally centrally situated on Deck 5 aft, primarily as a result of it is the place the ship’s day by day trivia video games happen. The house encompasses a lounge space with tables, a dance ground and a projection display. Throughout the walkway that runs by means of the house is a bar arrange with stools and close by tables with black and white striped umbrellas.
Frizzante is one in every of my absolute favourite bars. There, you will discover varied spritz-style drinks. I loved a Frizzante Spritz (made with dry vermouth, moscato wine, triple sec and membership soda) on my second night time on board and stored heading again to the bar to attempt extra cocktails. It is a terrific place to seize a pre-dinner drink when you have a reservation at neighboring Il Viaggio.
I admit that I misjudged the Amari Bar at first. Discovered smack in the midst of Deck 5’s principal thoroughfare, it serves cocktails made with, because the title suggests, amari — natural Italian liqueurs.
For days, I did not see it crowded, however maybe I used to be merely passing by on the fallacious instances. By day 4 or 5 of my seven-night crusing, it was packed. I used to be additionally initially upset to study that Amari changed the Alchemy Bar on Carnival Firenze, however I discovered later you can nonetheless order among the hottest Alchemy drinks, akin to The Treatment and the Cucumber Dawn, there.
I used to be lucky to sit down in on a mixology class on the Amari Bar and was fascinated to study among the finer factors of blending drinks with a watch — or a tastebud — towards balancing the flavors of every ingredient. For $30 per particular person, the top bartender, Drazen, will impart a few of that data as you stomach as much as the bar to attempt samples of what he concocts.
Rococo is a enjoyable, partially enclosed pool bar space by the courtyard across the Lido Pool on Deck 10. Along with the enjoyable artwork talked about beforehand, it additionally has palate-pleasing beverage alternatives, together with fruity libations with an Italian bent like bellinis, in addition to pistachio and limoncello cocktails.
Different onboard bars embrace the centrally situated one on Deck 3 within the Piazza del Duomo. The Moda Bar and Lounge on Deck 5 evokes a high-fashion temper with an entryway that seems like a mannequin’s catwalk as fashionable seating areas flank the perimeters; it is usually the house base for karaoke. In the meantime, the shockingly purple, white and black Piano Bar 88, additionally on Deck 5, performs host to reside piano music day by day.
Heading up a number of decks, the Versilia Pool Bar serves fruity, beachy drinks close to the aft Versilia Pool on Deck 10. Lastly, the Pergola Bar, discovered adjoining to Il Mercato and overlooking the other aspect of the Lido Pool, seems like an entire afterthought. It is so sterile and nondescript it is virtually not value mentioning, however I am placing it in right here as a result of the seating space round it’s beautiful, that includes faux topiary-style pillars and plenty of seating that makes for a fantastic place to learn.
Carnival Firenze leisure
Carnival Firenze actions
Carnival Firenze affords a lot of day by day actions on every voyage.
Passengers would possibly select to go to the on line casino (or the smoke-free on line casino, each on Deck 5), get pleasure from an alcohol tasting, take part in a sports activities match, mingle at a deck social gathering, play miniature golf, take a dance class or attend a spa, jewellery or buying seminar.
The Cloud 9 Salon, present in a special space of the ship on Deck 5 mid, affords manicures, pedicures and hairstyling, haircuts and shade. Be warned that you’re going to pay big markups for companies on board versus on land.
Trying to discover a group of like-minded vacationers in your crusing? Take a look at meetups for solo vacationers, singles, folks in restoration, veterans and members of the LGBTQ+ group listed within the day by day program.
If you happen to’re focused on spending time outside working in your tan, you are able to do so at one in every of two onboard swimming pools: the Lido Pool on Deck 10 midship and the Versilia Pool on Deck 10 aft. Each are ridiculously small for the variety of folks on board however have extra shade than most cruise ship swimming pools.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for loungers within the solar and do not thoughts being a bit farther from the swimming pools themselves, head up two decks to 12, the place loungers are so plentiful they block a part of the jogging monitor. (4 laps equal 1 mile.)
Oddly, the Lido Pool has no scorching tubs. If you wish to soak, you will must go to the Versilia Pool, which has two of them. The adults-only (21 and older) Solarium space on Deck 15 ahead additionally has two scorching tubs, and the La Terrazza unique out of doors space additionally has two. Neither Serenity nor La Terrazza has a pool.
Pool lifts accommodating as much as 300 kilos can be found for passengers with restricted mobility. Lifeguards are on responsibility, and youngsters’s life vests can be found close to the Lido Pool.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for some healthful enjoyable, head to Deck 11 mid, the place a conveyable cupboard serves as each the guide and board recreation library. The open-air house affords loads of tables the place you may arrange that chess or Scrabble board. In close by alcoves, you will additionally discover pingpong and foosball tables. Or, merely seize a snack or drink from the Pergola Bar or Il Mercato and soak up a film on the poolside display.
If you happen to’re a water child who loves thrills, head to WaterWorks, which affords waterslides and a splash space for youths on Deck 12 (the slide entrance is on Deck 15). Youngsters and adults who aren’t afraid of heights will even benefit from the top-deck ropes course on Deck 15 mid. Simply beneath it’s the ship’s miniature golf course.
Extra actions for kids happen on Deck 11 in Camp Ocean, Carnival’s youngsters membership. The children membership splits youngsters into 4 teams: Turtles (as much as 2 years outdated), Penguins (2 to five), Stingrays (6 to eight) and Sharks (9 to 11). The camp facility connects to an enclosed out of doors playground space that is used on days when the climate is good.
Enjoyable pursuits on the day by day schedule would possibly embrace arts and crafts, themed events, science experiments, video games and story time, relying on the age group. Group babysitting is out there as a part of Camp Ocean’s Evening Owls program, which runs till 1 a.m. at a price of $9 per baby, per hour. (Daytime Camp Ocean actions are free.)
The ship additionally has Carnival’s Dr. Seuss tie-in, that includes Bookville — a studying room inside Camp Ocean that hosts story time — and the Factor 1 and Factor 2 Birthday Brunch, which is obtainable not less than as soon as per voyage for an additional price.
Tweens and youths have their very own devoted hangout areas, too: Circle C and Membership O2, each discovered on Deck 3 ahead. Actions there are much less structured, and members can come and go as they please. An onboard arcade affords video video games for a price.
Carnival Firenze exhibits
The leisure on Carnival Firenze is squarely OK. I hoped for one thing new, however as a substitute, I discovered exhibits like “Coloration My World” and “Expensive Future Husband,” each of that are already on different vessels within the fleet. Cruise ship requirements, such because the “Love and Marriage Present” and grownup scavenger hunt “The Quest,” are enjoyable the primary time you expertise them, however I hoped for one thing new for Carnival’s loyal and repeat company. The titles on Firenze’s proverbial marquee felt drained to me, regardless of the talents of the immensely proficient leisure workers.
“Expensive Future Husband” is not less than comparatively new. It debuted on Carnival Jubilee in late 2023 and is rolling out to extra vessels. It is based mostly on a pair who decides to have their marriage ceremony on a cruise ship, they usually carry alongside a number of of their associates. They sing and dance to pop songs as they board, costume for the festivities and undergo the ceremony. Afterward, a “reception” with the solid is held in an onboard lounge. (On my crusing, it was within the Tuscan Lounge.)
An out-of-this-world violin trio carried out one night time within the theater, however in any other case, exhibits have been restricted to a whole lot of comedy, often held within the perpetually freezing Limelight Lounge. All the pieces, together with the partitions, is decked out in crushed blue velvet, and also you’re greeted by a creepy clown statue that also offers me nightmares.
On a constructive notice, I discovered loads of terrific reside music all through the ship every night time. Carnival has additionally stepped up its recreation recently within the magic division. On my final two Carnival sailings, a roving magician wandered from desk to desk throughout dinner to impress us with methods that had me questioning actuality.
Carnival Firenze itineraries and pricing
Carnival Firenze is providing three- to seven-night voyages from Lengthy Seaside, close to Los Angeles, alongside the Mexican Riviera. Itineraries embrace such ports as Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
On the time of publication, the least costly value for a crusing was $214 per particular person ($54 per particular person, per night time) for a four-night cruise departing in November 2025.
Observe: Costs are topic to vary with out discover and don’t embrace crew gratuities, taxes or port charges.
What to know earlier than you sail on Carnival Firenze
Required paperwork
If you happen to’re a citizen of the U.S. on a cruise that begins and ends in the identical U.S. port, you will want a present passport, a driver’s license or different government-issued picture identification together with a beginning certificates to sail. Another types of identification, akin to a passport card, are additionally acceptable. Nonetheless, different cruises, together with ones that start within the U.S. and finish in a special U.S. port, require a passport or passport card.
Passports should be legitimate for not less than six months from the day your crusing ends. For cruises from worldwide ports, you will want a passport. Observe: It is essential that the title in your reserving is precisely as printed in your passport or different proof of nationality. We recommend visiting Carnival’s web site earlier than crusing to view the newest necessities.
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Gratuities
Carnival Firenze passengers will mechanically have $16 per particular person, per day added to their onboard accounts as service fees. Cruisers staying in suites can pay $18 per particular person, per day. (Youngsters youthful than 2 are exempt from gratuities.) An 18% gratuity can be added to bar and cafe purchases, spa companies and the Chef’s Desk.
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Wi-Fi
Carnival Wi-Fi is usually quick and dependable. Nonetheless, do not be shocked if you end up repeatedly and mechanically disconnected, which is annoying.
Packages have elevated considerably in value lately, and every plan is just for one gadget. (You’ll be able to log off of 1 and into one other with the identical account, however you may’t join a couple of on the similar time until you purchase further plans.)
Three package deal tiers can be found:
- Social: Entry to most social media, airline web sites and apps for $18 per day ($126 for a weeklong cruise)
- Worth: Similar as Social, plus entry to monetary and information web sites and apps for $23 per day ($161 for every week)
- Premium: All the pieces from the Social and Worth packages, plus Skype entry and video calling for $25 per day ($175 for every week)
Passengers can even select 24 hours of Premium entry for $35.
Carnival claims that its packages do not permit FaceTime, iMessage or streaming from common apps like Netflix and Hulu. Nonetheless, TPG writers have had success utilizing all of these companies with the Premium package deal.
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Carry-on drinks coverage
Passengers can keep on one bottle of wine or Champagne per particular person (21 years and older), which can incur a $15 corkage price for consumption in public areas. Every particular person can even carry as much as 12 customary cans or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks like juice or soda. Alcohol-free drinks in plastic and glass bottles aren’t allowed.
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Smoking coverage
Smoking (together with e-cigarettes and vapes) is allowed however solely in designated out of doors areas on Deck 11 on the starboard aspect. Smoking can be allowed in the primary on line casino, nevertheless it’s for cigarettes solely. (For passengers who do not mild up, a separate nonsmoking on line casino is out there however is far smaller.) All sorts of smoking are forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. A $500 wonderful shall be assessed for cruisers who break the foundations of the smoking coverage.
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Laundry
Carnival Firenze doesn’t have self-service laundry rooms or urgent rooms. As an alternative, passengers can ship out their clothes for laundry, urgent and dry cleansing for a per-item price.
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Electrical retailers
Carnival Firenze has a mixture of 110-volt North American retailers, 220-volt European retailers and 220-volt Chinese language/Australian retailers in its cabins, in addition to loads of USB ports. In my balcony room, I had two North American retailers, one European outlet, one Chinese language/Australian outlet and two USB ports on the vainness, plus two further USB ports below one of many bedside studying lamps. If you happen to carry a few common adapters, you will have greater than sufficient spots to cost all of your electronics.
Foreign money
The foreign money on Carnival Firenze is the greenback. The ship additionally operates with out money. Passengers hyperlink bank cards to their onboard accounts or put up a set amount of money to cost in opposition to, utilizing their keycards as a way of constructing purchases. Nonetheless, you would possibly wish to have some payments useful to tip your bartender, room steward, shore tour information, baggage porters or room service supply of us.
Consuming age
You should be not less than 21 years outdated to drink alcohol on Carnival Firenze.
Gown code
Carnival Firenze doesn’t have a particular daytime costume code, and folks costume casually. Mexico is essentially a warm-weather vacation spot, so wanting like you are going to the seaside is completely acceptable. Pack T-shirts, shorts and bathing fits (with a cover-up to go inside on sea days or again on board on port days).
In the course of the evenings, the official costume code is simply loosely enforced. Most nights are “cruise informal,” which usually entails khakis or denims, polo shirts, sundresses and the like. Extremely informal gadgets like cutoff denims, males’s sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and fitness center shorts are supposedly not permitted, however I noticed loads of them within the eating rooms throughout dinnertime on Carnival Firenze.
A weeklong cruise will usually schedule two formal nights — generally known as “elegant nights.” If you happen to’re certain for the eating rooms or specialty eating places, males ought to flip up in costume slacks and a costume shirt; Carnival recommends a sports activities coat, and a swimsuit wouldn’t be misplaced. The steered apparel for ladies on such nights is cocktail attire, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses. If you wish to keep away from dressing up, hunt down the informal eateries, together with the Lido Market, or order room service to your cabin.
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Backside line
Regardless of some overly stereotypical moments that made the ship really feel like a floating caricature of Italy, I had a tremendous time on board this new-to-Carnival ship.
The meals was glorious, the decor was beautiful and the crew labored exhausting to verify passengers had the most effective holidays potential.
Is Carnival Firenze gaudy and, at instances, possibly even somewhat cringey? Sure, however I discovered myself taking limoncello pictures and stuffing my face with pizza alongside everybody else. Embrace “Enjoyable Italian Fashion” for what it’s, and also you’re certain to have a good time on board.
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