Setting Sail: Discovering the Marvels of the New Carnival Firenze

JulieVentures Ship Ratings

What is Great

Free food options and variety

Any time dinning (an option on many Carnival cruise ships)

Smoke free casino option

Specialty dinning restaurants

The ability to close the roof on the Lido deck.

What is Good

Needs Improvement

We recently had the opportunity to sail on the brand-new Carnival Cruise Ship, the Firenze. This blog focuses solely on the ship itself, as destinations change. The Firenze, themed around the beauty and culture of Florence, Italy, offered an exquisite blend of Italian elegance and modern amenities. From its diverse dining options and luxurious staterooms to its state-of-the-art entertainment venues and relaxing wellness facilities, the Firenze provided a captivating and memorable onboard experience that truly stood out.

Embarkation

The Carnival Cruise port in Long Beach, California, offers a vibrant gateway to exciting cruise adventures along the Pacific Coast and beyond. Located near downtown Long Beach, it boasts convenient access to local attractions like the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, and Shoreline Village. The port itself features modern facilities for embarkation and disembarkation, with amenities such as shops, restaurants, and parking facilities for travelers. Its scenic location along the picturesque Long Beach waterfront adds to the allure, making it a popular departure point for travelers seeking memorable cruise experiences. It took us about 45 minutes to go through the entire check-in process to getting on the ship.

Ship Layout

The Carnival Firenze is a Vista-class cruise ship themed around the beauty and culture of Florence, Italy. If you read my blog about the Carnival Panorama, then know that this is a sister ship and has a very similar layout. One thing that stands out is the smokestack of the ship does not have the well known whale tail image. Instead you will see that the stack is painted yellow with a blue C on it. Carnival owns another cruise line known as Costa, and this ship was originally built for the Costa brand of cruise line. The ship started sailing in 2022, but was sent to drydock in January 2024 to be converted to a Carnival ship geared towards North America customers. The Firenze started cruising out of Long Beach in April 2024.

The promenade on the Carnival Firenze is a vibrant and central hub of activity, designed to offer a variety of experiences for guests. The Promenade is located closer to the front of the ship and contains dining options, bars and lounges, entertainment venues, shops and boutiques, and relaxation areas. The Atrium bar is the centerpiece of the promenade. The bar starts on the 3rd level with a large pillar that spans 3 floors with a golden lion on top. Personally, I found the Atrium bar on the Panorama a little nicer due to the digital pillar (see my blog on the Panorama for pictures).

The Carnival Firenze boasts two pool areas that cater to different preferences and enhance the onboard experience. The main pool area on deck 10 is a bustling hub of activity, perfect for families and those looking to enjoy some fun in the sun. It features a large pool, surrounding sun loungers, and a vibrant atmosphere, complemented by nearby bars and eateries offering refreshing drinks and snacks. Since this ship was originally built for Europe, the main pool deck actually has a roof that can open and close. Another option is the Versilia pool area at the rear of deck 10. This secluded spot offers additional dining and bar options, along with a small pool with 2 hot tubs.

Overall it has the standard ship layout with 3 lower floors dedicated to clubs, bars, dining, and shopping, and 2 upper level decks with the pools, sports activities, bars, dining, and the spa.

Rooms

We decided to stay in one of the Terrazza rooms. These are akin to the Havana cabins found on other Carnival ships, offering a unique and sought-after accommodation option and requires all guests to be 12+. These rooms are typically located in a special section of the ship, often on lower decks near the aft (rear) with direct access to an exclusive Havana/Terrazza area. Here are the benefits of having one of these rooms:

Private Terrace: Each Terrazza room features a private terrace with lounge chairs and sometimes even a small dining area. This outdoor space is perfect for enjoying panoramic views of the ocean or port destinations in privacy. However, these do not extend to the edge of the ship as there is a walkway between the end of the terrace and the ship.

Exclusive Access: Guests staying in Terrazza rooms often enjoy exclusive access to the Terrazza area, which includes 2 private hot tubs, and the Moda bar. This secluded enclave offers a tranquil retreat away from the hustle and bustle of other public areas on the ship. I can’t emphasize enough how much we enjoyed this area of the ship. It was a very chill environment and no one under 12 was allowed.

The Terrazza rooms on the Carnival Firenze offer a unique experience as they are well-appointed, featuring modern decor and amenities typical of Carnival's comfortable accommodations. However, during our stay, we encountered an issue with the room's wall that caused a constant popping noise, which affected our ability to fully enjoy the room and sleep. Fortunately, the ship's responsive staff promptly addressed our concern and relocated us to a standard balcony room the following day.

The standard balcony rooms on the Carnival Firenze proved to be a delightful alternative. These rooms offer a traditional balcony setup with ample space to lounge outdoors and take in the ocean vistas. The interior of the room itself was cozy and well-maintained, providing a comfortable retreat after a day of exploring the ship's amenities and ports of call.

Overall, our preference leans toward the standard balcony rooms over the Terrazza rooms. While the extended balcony in the Terrazza room was appealing, the comfort and tranquility of the standard balcony room ultimately won us over, offering a more serene experience without the distraction of any room-related issues. The good news is they still allowed us access to the private Terrazza area, even though we changed rooms.

Food

We've always been big fans of the dining options on Carnival ships, especially the variety of free, no-charge choices available. The buffet, while standard and not particularly fancy, consistently provided a convenient dining option without trouble finding seating. One standout feature was the special hotdog section at the buffet, where you could also purchase tasty wings for around $5.

Our son is a huge fan of Shaq’s Big Chicken, so he was disappointed to learn it wasn't on this ship. However, we were pleasantly surprised to discover the Chicken Shack, which offers a similar experience with breakfast and lunch included, featuring delicious chicken dishes. Come dinnertime, it transforms into the Seafood Shack with seafood options available for an additional charge.

Another favorite was Guys Italian Burgers, an extension of Guys Burger Joint offering unique burger selections not found elsewhere. Il Mercato, a new addition, delighted us with its meatballs, hotdogs, and sandwiches, while the equivalent of Blue Iguana satisfied our taco and burrito cravings. On sea days, La Strada grill was another free option, although we were disappointed with its attempt to blend BBQ with Italian flavors. One thing we appreciate about Carnival is the flexibility of anytime dining, which allowed us to dine in the beautiful Michelangelo Dining Room rather than the main dining room (Medici Dining Room). The atmosphere was lovely, and the food was consistently enjoyable, making for a memorable dining experience onboard the Carnival Firenze.

The Carnival Firenze offers several specialty dining options that enhance the culinary experience with unique and upscale venues. These include Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, known for its prime steaks and gourmet dishes; Bonsai Teppanyaki, where chefs provide a theatrical cooking display; Bonsai Sushi, offering a variety of sushi and sashimi; Il Viaggio, an Italian restaurant with regional dishes and fine wines; and Seafood Shack, which serves New England-style seafood. Additionally, there are niche options like Empanada & Pie and All Things Wings, catering to specific cravings with their respective specialties​. While it does cost extra, I highly recommend Fahrenheit 555 and Il Viaggio. The quality, and quantity of the food at these 2 restaurants was top notch.

Bars

One of the highlights of our trip on the Carnival Firenze was the amazing variety of bars, each with its own unique specialty menu. It's fantastic how every bar offers something different, catering to diverse tastes and preferences. Whether you're in the mood for craft cocktails, exotic drinks, or classic favorites, there's a place for you.

Carnival Firenze features a variety of bars and lounges that cater to different tastes and moods. The Alchemy Bar is known for its handcrafted cocktails, offering a unique mixology experience. RedFrog Rum Bar provides a laid-back Caribbean vibe with a selection of beers and rums. The Amari Bar focuses on traditional Italian herbal liqueurs, serving both aperitifs and digestifs, alongside creative cocktails. For fans of frozen drinks, the Rococó Bar offers a range of classic and innovative frozen cocktails, highlighted by its artistic ambiance. Other notable bars include the Heroes Tribute Bar, dedicated to honoring military personnel, and the Serenity Bar, located in the adults-only Serenity Retreat​.

We particularly enjoyed spending time at the Moda Bar and Lounge, which often felt like an exclusive retreat as it was frequently reserved for Terrazza guests. This setting provided a more intimate and serene atmosphere, perfect for unwinding with a drink. The bartenders even made us some special, not on the menu, cocktails based on our drinking preferences.

Entertainment and Extracurricular Activities

Carnival Firenze offers a vibrant array of entertainment options tailored to delight every guest. Highlighting the lineup are spectacular live performances such as "Colors of the World," an immersive show that takes audiences on a journey through global cultures with dazzling costumes and dynamic choreography, and "My Future Husband," a delightful musical comedy about love and destiny. These shows are featured in the Teatro Ross. This is the theater located on decks 4 and 5. While our family tends to rank the shows on Carnival slightly lower than those on Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise, the diverse entertainment options on Carnival Firenze still provide plenty of enjoyment for everyone.

If you are a fan of comedy, the Firenze has comedians perform in the Limelight Lounge. We never made it to watch the comedians as you have to arrive very early to get a seat.

The Tuscan Lounge on Carnival Firenze is a standout venue known for its lively atmosphere and exceptional live music. The lounge features a talented band, complete with a vibrant horn section, that delivers energetic performances primarily focused on pop music. While the setlist includes a few country songs, hearing country music sung by performers from outside the US can feel a bit unusual. Despite this, the band's dynamic presence and skilled musicianship make the Tuscan Lounge a favorite spot for guests looking to enjoy high-quality entertainment in a relaxed and inviting setting.

The Promenade on Carnival Firenze is a fantastic area to relax and enjoy a variety of live performances throughout the day. This lively space features a range of entertainers, from solo singers with guitars to groups playing string instruments, offering a diverse musical experience. It's the perfect spot to unwind, sip on a drink, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere as talented performers provide a constantly changing soundtrack. Whether you're seeking a mellow afternoon or a lively evening, the Promenade's eclectic mix of music makes it a great place to chill and enjoy the cruise.

The Carnival Firenze also boasts a charming piano bar, which is typically one of our favorite activities on a cruise. The intimate setting and lively interaction with the piano player usually create an unforgettable experience. However, on this particular voyage, our schedule was so packed with activities that we, unfortunately, never made it to the piano bar. Many fellow passengers mentioned that the piano player was exceptionally talented, making us regret not finding the time to enjoy one of our usual cruise highlights.

We were not overly thrilled with the pool options available on Carnival Firenze, though this was not a surprise as it is a sister ship to the Panorama, which we sailed on last year. One notable difference is that the Lido pool on Carnival Firenze features a roof that can open or close, a handy feature given the slightly chilly weather on this cruise, as the roof remained closed for most of the journey. There's also a second, smaller pool on Deck 10 at the rear of the ship called the Versailles Pool. Both pools are fairly small, and each pool area includes a couple of hot tubs. However, we prefer to use the private hot tubs available for Terrazza guests, which offer a more exclusive and relaxing experience.

Carnival Firenze features the Carnival WaterWorks area, a fantastic splash pad for kids that includes a couple of very large water slides. This area is a hit with families, offering a fun and safe environment for children to enjoy. While the water slides are enjoyable and add to the ship's attractions, they don't quite match the scale and excitement of the water slides on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships. Nonetheless, the Carnival WaterWorks area is a great addition to the ship, providing plenty of entertainment for younger guests.

Carnival Firenze boasts a typical sports deck, featuring a variety of activities to keep guests active and entertained. The deck includes a putt-putt course, a versatile basketball court used for other sports as well, and an exhilarating ropes course that extends out over the water, offering a thrilling experience. Additionally, there's a short walking trail on the same deck; however, it's quite small and often too crowded to be used effectively for true exercise. Despite this, the sports deck provides a range of options for fun and physical activity during the cruise.

One of our favorite activities on a cruise is the casino. The first thing you'll notice is how new and sleek all the machines are. Everything is state-of-the-art, from the latest slot machines to the modern electronic table games. It’s clear they spared no expense in bringing the best gaming experience onboard.

One unique feature is the smoke-free casino. It’s a bit on the smaller side, but it’s refreshing to enjoy the games without the usual haze of smoke hanging in the air. It's a great spot for those who prefer a cleaner environment while they play.

However, luck was definitely not on our side this trip. The machines felt incredibly tight, and it seemed like winning was next to impossible. Despite the allure of the shiny new machines, our wallets felt the pinch. But hey, that's the nature of gambling, right? Sometimes you're up, and sometimes you're down. Despite the lack of wins, the experience was still top-notch and definitely worth checking out.

One notable drawback of Carnival Firenze is the absence of one of our favorite cruise activities: the thermal spa. Most cruise ship spas offer thermal spa facilities, which typically include saunas, steam rooms, and special showers, providing a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Unfortunately, this ship does not feature a thermal spa, which was a disappointment for us, as we enjoy these amenities on other cruises. Despite this, the ship offers a variety of other entertainment and relaxation options, though we missed the unique benefits of a thermal spa during our voyage.

Summary

The Firenze offers diverse dining options, luxurious staterooms, and state-of-the-art entertainment venues, ensuring a captivating onboard experience. While similar to its sister ship, the Panorama, the Firenze stands out with unique features like its yellow-and-blue smokestack and a versatile main pool area with a retractable roof. The ship lacks a thermal spa, a disappointment for spa enthusiasts, but compensates with lively entertainment options including impressive shows and vibrant lounges. Overall, the Carnival Firenze delivers a memorable cruise experience focused on relaxation, entertainment, and Italian-inspired charm. If you are interested in booking a cruise down the Mexican Riviera on the Firenze, or would like additional information, please let me know.