What To Know Before Sailing on the Carnival Firenze
Whether you’re new to Carnival Cruise Line or a seasoned cruiser, the Carnival Firenze ship stands out from other Carnival ships with its unique Italian stylings. Originally part of Costa Cruises, Carnival’s sister brand, the Firenze is now a blend of Italian flair and Carnival. Here's everything you need to know for a smooth and enjoyable sailing.
Carnival Firenze Full Tour
If you’re a regular to my YouTube channel, you know I do a full ship tour on every cruise I take. I spent 64 nights at sea in 2024 bringing high-quality cruise content to you sea-lovers. Below is my Carnival Firenze full ship tour, as well as some thoughts on the ship itself.
Key Facts on the Carnival Firenze
The ship is similar to Carnival’s Vista-class ships, such as the Carnival Vista, Carnival Panorama, and Carnival Horizon. She has a sister ship, the Carnival Venezia, which recently joined the Carnival fleet from Costa. The ship had its maiden voyage with Costa in 2021 and its maiden voyage with Carnival on February 2nd, 2024.
She’s a medium-sized ship, weighing 135,156 gross tonnes, measuring 1061 feet in length, and spanning 18 decks!
As of this time of writing, she’s homeported in Long Beach, California, sailing on the Mexican Riviera.
Booking Tips for the Carnival Firenze
The Carnival Firenze utilized tenders when ported in Catalina Island, California.
I always recommend booking cruises in one of two situations: early or last-minute. Prices tend to be lower the farther out you book, though if sailing on off-peak times, you can score a deal last minute.
The Carnival Firenze sails three- to six-night sailings from Long Beach, meaning you could visit as far south as Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, as well as other ports like Ensenada, Mexico and Catalina Island, California. My sailing was a quick four-night voyage to Catalina Island and Ensenada.
As a reminder, Jackson Jetsetting is a full-service travel agency, and is ready to assist you in planning your cruise! Reach out for a free quote.
Pre-Cruise Planning
Once you’ve booked your cruise, download the Carnival HUB app. It’s your go-to tool for planning excursions, purchasing internet packages, and staying updated on all the ship's activities once you step on board. Pro tip: look for bundling deals that combine internet and shore excursions for 10% savings. I’d also recommend pre-paying gratuities to lock in the current rate and avoid price increases.
I always recommend flying in the day before your cruise to minimize any travel mishaps. However, since I’m reasonably close to California, I elected to fly in the day of my cruise on the first flight out of Phoenix.
Long Beach, where the Carnival terminal is located, has a touristy, but charming downtown area with plenty of hotel options. There are lots of options to further extend your trip in California, like a pre- or post-cruise stay near Disneyland or Universal Studios Hollywood.
14 days before your cruise, you can pick a port arrival time through Carnival’s website. I recommend securing an early boarding time to start your vacation as soon as possible. The reason why the cruise lines schedule times now is to streamline the check-in process by staggering crowds. While Long Beach’s terminal has plenty of history (it’s the old Spruce Goose hangar!), it’s not the fastest when it comes to boarding, in my experience. Expect about 45 minutes to get through security, check your documents, and board.
Carnival Firenze Embarkation Day Essentials
When embarkation day finally arrives, pack a carry-on with essentials like a swimsuit, medications, and anything you’ll need until your room is ready (1:30 p.m.). If you have heavier luggage, porters are available to deliver it directly to your stateroom at the port. You can print out luggage tags at home, or they have them at the port. Just know that these porters expect a tip for their service!
Be sure to print out your boarding pass, as Carnival still exists in the dark ages and does not allow you to digitally scan. If you forget, there’s someone at the port that can print out your barcode on a receipt-like piece of paper. You’ll use your paper boarding pass until you receive your room keys on board when your stateroom is ready.
Once onboard, connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi—even without a paid internet package, the Carnival HUB app is free. You can then see your entire cruise’s activities, and can select ones that interest you. You can make dining reservations, purchase shore excursions, and even see your casino points. Once on board, the app is one of my favorites of all the cruise brands.
Feeling hungry? On embarkation day, most people flock to the Marketplace Buffet, but it will be very crowded and hard to find a seat. For a quieter option, try La Strada, or wait in line for Guy’s Burger Joint, which features a special Italian-themed menu unique to the Firenze.
Dining Options on Carnival Firenze
Speaking of dining, food is one of the biggest highlights onboard, with plenty of complimentary and specialty dining options. Carnival brought some of their classic venues to the Firenze from their other ships, while adding new Italian-inspired twists.
Here’s a breakdown of the best dining choices:
Guy’s Burger Joint: Complimentary, featuring its classic burgers alongside an Italian menu.
Bonsai Teppanyaki: Specialty dining, and a crowd-pleaser for groups, so book early.
Bonsai Sushi: Specialty dining, and a la carte, so it’s great for a quick snack or lighter meal.
Chicken Shack: Serves breakfast and lunch options, similar to Shaq’s Big Chicken on other Carnival ships. This turns into the Seafood Shack which is an extra charge during certain hours.
Steakhouse 555: Specialty dining, the classic steakhouse on board with a similar menu to other Carnival ships.
Il Viaggio: Specialty dining, for those who crave a rich Italian feast.
Lido Marketplace: Complimentary, the classic buffet on board
La Strada: Complimentary, a hidden gem serving Italian sandwiches
Tomodoro: Complimentary, dubbed a Mexican-Italian fusion restaurant, though it was very similar to Blue Iguana Cantina from other Carnival ships in my experience.
Of course, you also have complimentary dining in one of the ship’s two dining rooms, Medici and Michaelangelo, which are often open for breakfast and lunch as well.
You can see all of what I ate in my Carnival Firenze Review video:
Entertainment and Activities
Carnival Firenze keeps the Carnival Fun Ship tradition alive with tons of activities scheduled throughout the day and evenings during your voyage. Even though the production shows were unavailable during my trip, live music and performers kept the energy high throughout the ship. A trio of violinists in the atrium stood out, offering stunning renditions of holiday classics during my Christmas cruise.
Classic cruise activities like bingo, Deal or No Deal, and the Love and Marriage Game Show are some of my favorites, though bingo prizes were smaller than expected. Deal or No Deal had a fun tech upgrade, letting cruisers play via their phones. This does come at an extra charge, similar to bingo, though it’s free to watch.
For active fun, check out the ship's mini-golf course, multiple water slides, pools, and obstacle course. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the basketball court and occasional pickleball games.
And, for those looking to relax, the Cloud 9 Spa offers a full slate of treatment packages, as well as complimentary access to the ship’s fitness center.
Stateroom Considerations
I stayed on an aft-facing balcony on Deck 2. While the stateroom was spacious and offered amazing views, it felt a bit isolated from the rest of the ship. Walking to and from the stateroom took some time, which might be challenging for those with mobility issues. Elevators on the ship were designed as destination elevators but were incredibly slow during my trip, so keep that in mind. I’d perhaps recommend a stateroom on a high floor on the Firenze for this reason, as you’d be closer to most activities.
One upgrade to consider would be the Terrazza staterooms, which offer their own private deck with hot tubs. You won’t have as private of a balcony, but you will have easy access to the sundeck, which could be popular for some.
Tips for Shore Excursions
Carnival Firenze’s Mexican Riviera itineraries include popular ports like Ensenada, Catalina Island, and Cabo San Lucas. Each destination offers unique experiences to choose from.
Ensenada, Mexico: Known for incredible ceviche and seafood, it’s perfect for food lovers. The region’s wineries are also worth exploring, though tequila tastings are another fun option, which is what I enjoyed on my voyage. I’ve also visited La Bufadora, which is a famous blowhole, about 40 minutes from the port.
Catalina Island: A charming destination that feels like stepping into a slice of Americana. Rent a golf cart to explore the hillsides and downtown area.
Cabo San Lucas: Don’t miss the famous arch and enjoy Medano beach for a fun party atmosphere.
Each port has something to offer, so take some time to research excursions to make the most of your stops. For more tips and tricks, check out my video below:
Final Thoughts
Carnival Firenze is an exciting mix of Carnival fun and Italian sophistication. With its unique dining options, engaging activities, and iconic itineraries, it offers a slightly different experience, even for seasoned cruisers. Whether you’re into foodie adventures, thrilling excursions, or relaxing with friends and family, this ship delivers.
