Carnival Confirms Dates for Fleetwide Rollout of New Dining Menus

Carnival Confirms Dates for Fleetwide Rollout of New Dining Menus

Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald confirmed the rollout schedule for the company’s new dining room menu.

After first debuting in June, the enhanced dish selection will be introduced to the remainder of the fleet on a gradual basis, with dates as follows:

• Carnival Radiance: August 18, 2023
• Mardi Gras: August 19, 2023
• Carnival Breeze: September 2, 2023
• Carnival Panorama: September 2, 2023
• Carnival Celebration: September 9, 2023
• Carnival Valor: September 18, 2023
• Carnival Miracle: September 28, 2023
• Carnival Glory: October 1, 2023
• Carnival Liberty: October 2, 2023
• Carnival Sunshine: October 19, 2023
• Carnival Elation: October 21, 2023
• Carnival Magic: October 22, 2023
• Carnival Paradise: November 9, 2023
• Carnival Freedom: November 11, 2023
• Carnival Spirit: November 25, 2023
• Carnival Legend: December 3, 2023

 

Two additional ships, the Carnival Luminosa and the Carnival Splendor, will receive the new dining menu at the start of 2024, Heald said.

The Carnival Pride and the Carnival Venezia are also scheduled to get the new menus, he added, but the rollout dates are still to be confirmed.

Debuting later this year, the new Carnival Jubilee will receive the new offerings soon after entering service in December.

Carnival’s new dining room menu debuted in June onboard the Carnival Dream. With new entrees, appetizers and desserts, the updated offering was later rolled out to other vessels in the fleet, including the Carnival Conquest, the Carnival Horizon, the Carnival Sunrise and the Carnival Vista.

According to the company, the enhanced menu brings more variety, with nearly 60 new entrée presentations on rotation fleetwide.

New main dining room menus will also include offerings from popular speciality dining restaurants, in addition to larger portion offerings for certain entrees, the company added.

New Carnival Venezia Ready to Debut in Europe

New Carnival Venezia Ready to Debut in Europe

The new Carnival Venezia is ready for its big debut in Europe.

After being prepared at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz, the 2019-built vessel is on its way to Southern Spain, where it will embark on its first commercial voyage on May 29.

A transatlantic crossing, the cruise precedes Venezia’s U.S. debut, which is scheduled for mid-June. Sailing from Barcelona to New York City, the 15-night repositioning voyage features visits to five ports in Spain, the UK, Portugal and Canada.

Upon arriving in New York on June 13, the Venezia is set to kick off a year-round program of cruises out of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

Extending through late 2024, the schedule includes four- to 15-night cruises to Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Canada and New England.

For the 2024-25 winter, the Carnival Venezia is set to debut in Florida offering a series of cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas departing from Port Canaveral.

The first ship in the company’s new “Carnival Fun Italian Style” brand, the Venezia is debuting a brand-new concept.

Initially built for Costa Cruises, the Vista-Class vessel was designed with public areas and facilities inspired by the Italian city of Venice.

Combining the ship’s existing features with Carnival’s signature product, the new concept offers Italian-themed activities and experiences, such as a different version of Guy’s Burger Joint – which will serve its classic burgers and new, especially-created options inspired by Italy.

During its recent drydock in Spain, the Venezia also received other signature features of Carnival Cruise Line, including the Carnival Waterworks aqua park, the Piano Bar 88 and the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse.

In 2024, a second ship is set to join the “Carnival Fun Italian Style Concept,” as the Florence-inspired Costa Firenze enters the fleet for a West Coast program.

Carnival Venezia Heading to Port Canaveral in 2024

Carnival Venezia Heading to Port Canaveral in 2024

Carnival Cruise Line announced the Venezia will move from New York to Port Canaveral in late 2024, according to a press release.

“The sailings we’re opening today will allow us to share this new signature fun with more guests and bring another truly dynamic offering to one of our most popular homeports,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Carnival Venezia’s seasonal operation in Port Canaveral will bring our deployment there to five vessels and give our valued Carnival guests another great option when sailing from Central Florida.”

The cruise line will reposition the Carnival Venezia from New York with a 12-day Southern Caribbean Carnival Journeys voyage which departs on December 6, 2024, with calls in St. Thomas, Aruba, Curacao and Grand Turk before arriving in Port Canaveral on December 18, 2024. 

The ship will depart from Port Canaveral on the same day embarking on a four-day Bahamas cruise with visits to Nassau and Freeport. The Carnival Venezia will then sail 15 seven-day cruises and two 14-day Carnival Journeys voyages. The ship will return to New York in the spring of 2025.

Sailings aboard the Carnival Venezia from Port Canaveral currently on sale include:

• Seven-day Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruise departing on December 22, 2024, with calls in Grand Turk; San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas;
• Seven-Day Exotic Eastern Caribbean voyage departing on January 5, 2025, with visits to Amber Cove; San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas;
• Seven-Day Exotic Western Caribbean cruise departing on December 29, 2024, January 26, 2025, and March 23, 2025, visiting Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan; Belize and Cozumel, Mexico;
• Seven-Day Western Caribbean itinerary departing on February 9, 2025, and March 9, 2025, with stops at Nassau, Bahamas; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands;
• Seven-Day Western Caribbean journey departing on April 6, 2025, and April 20, 2025, with calls in Nassau, Bahamas; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. 

 

The two 14-day Caribbean cruises depart on January 12, 2025, and February 23, 2025. 

The Carnival Venezia will set sail on its 15-day Carnival Journeys transatlantic sailing on May 29, 2023, from Barcelona.

The ship’s first cruise from New York to Bermuda is scheduled for June 15, 2023. 

 

Carnival Corporation 2023 Preview

Carnival Corporation 2023 Preview

Carnival Corporation is set for an eventful year in 2023 with a new product and new builds entering service.

Cruise Industry News looks into the most anticipated events taking place across the company’s nine brands over the next 12 months.

Carnival Fun Italian Style
Carnival Fun Italian Style is debuting in 2023, with the introduction of the Carnival Venezia in May.

Originally built for Costa Cruises, the vessel is set to offer a unique product, combining Carnival’s experience with special touches from the European country.

Following the Venezia, which will sail year-round from New York, the Carnival Firenze is also set to join the concept in 2024 and launch service from California.

Two Newbuilds
Two new builds are entering service for core Carnival Corporation brands in 2023.

Originally ordered for AIDA Cruises, the new Carnival Jubilee is currently being built in Germany by the Meyer Werft shipyard. Joining the Mardi Gras and the Carnival Celebration, the XL-Class ship will debut during the fourth quarter, offering Western Caribbean cruises out of Galveston.

A sister to the Seabourn Venture, the Seabourn Pursuit is set to become Carnival Corp’s second expedition ship. Under construction in Italy, the vessel is scheduled to enter service in October, ahead of a winter season in Antarctica.

In addition is a yet-to-be-named new build for Adora Cruises, Carnival’s joint venture in China.

More Efficient Fleet
While new ships enter service, Carnival continues to withdraw smaller and less efficient ships from its fleet.

In 2023, at least three vessels are set to be retired by the brands, including the AIDAaura, which will bid farewell to AIDA Cruises in September.

Two more ships from Costa Cruises are also expected to be withdrawn. The exits are part of an effort to right-size the brand in light of the continued closure of cruise operations in China – where Costa had significant capacity before the pandemic.

More Passengers Onboard
Carnival Corporation is expecting more passengers onboard its ships in 2023, with an aimed average occupancy rate of 90 per cent across its nine cruise brands in the first quarter.

The number is up from 54 per cent occupancy in the first quarter of 2022 when cruise operations were still being restarted across the globe.

Return to Asia and World Cruises
Following a three-year gap, several Carnival brands are returning to Asia in early 2023.

While Seabourn is set to offer a series of Southeast Asia itineraries during the entire winter season, Princess and Holland America are returning to Japan in the spring.

Several brands – including P&O, Cunard, Costa, Princess and Holland America – also resumed their world cruise itineraries in January, offering long global voyages that visit several international destinations and countries.

China Joint-Venture Debut
After years in the making, Carnival’s joint venture with CSSC is set to launch service in China in 2023.

Named Adora Cruises, the new brand will serve the local market, offering itineraries from several Chinese homeports.

In addition to two ships acquired from Costa, the joint venture is set to operate a pair of new builds, which are currently being constructed at a shipyard in Shanghai and are scheduled for 2023 and 2025 deliveries.

 

 

Venezia Completes Final Cruise for Costa Ahead of Joining Carnival’s Fleet

Venezia Completes Final Cruise for Costa Ahead of Joining Carnival’s Fleet

Set to debut for Carnival Cruise Line in 2023, the Costa Venezia is wrapping up its last sailing for Costa Cruises today.

Marking the end of a program in the Eastern Mediterranean, the 2019-built vessel returned to Istanbul to disembark passengers of its final cruise in the region.

After departing from the same port on Nov. 20, the 11-night voyage sailed to Turkey, Egypt and Israel, visiting Izmir, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Alexandria and Haifa.

The Vista-class cruise ship will now enter an operational pause before being officially added to the Carnival fleet.

During the period, it will be adapted to showcase what the U.S.-based company calls “Carnival Fun Italian Style.”

According to the brand, the new concept combines Carnival’s signature experience with the Italian theming of the ship.

Initially built for the Chinese market, the Venezia features public areas, facilities and décor inspired by the Italian city of Venice.

For instance, the ship’s main theatre was inspired by the Venetian La Fenice theatre, while the main atrium recalls the famous Piazza di San Marco.

Other themed areas include the main restaurants, which were dedicated to the typical architecture of Venetian alleys and feature original, life-sized gondolas made by local artisans.

While being prepared to launch service for its new operators, the ship will also receive some of Carnival’s signature activities and experiences, such as Carnival Waterworks, Piano Bar 88 and the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse.

Other additions include Bonsai Sushi, Seafood Shack, Cloud 9 Salon & Spa and the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.

The Venezia also receives a new livery that mixes Costa and Carnival colours, highlighted by the Italian brand’s yellow funnel.

Renamed Carnival Venezia, the 135,500-ton ship is set to launch a year-round program of cruises departing from New York City in June.

A second ship is being added to the “Carnival Fun Italian Style” lineup in 2024, with the debut of the Carnival Firenze.

Carnival Opens Sales for New Venezia, Year-Round Cruising from NYC

Carnival Opens Sales for New Venezia, Year-Round Cruising from NYC

Carnival Cruise Line today opened reservations for the inaugural season of its next new ship, the Carnival Venezia, which will begin sailing year-round from New York City starting June 15, 2023, and will showcase "Carnival Fun Italian Style," the company said.

The ship will offer guests a wide range of sailing options, with 10 different cruise durations and 22 unique itineraries featuring visits to 25 ports across 14 countries.

"Our summer season in New York has been extremely popular, so increasing our offerings with a larger, newer ship that sails year-round provides the opportunity for more guests in the tri-state area and beyond to enjoy the convenience of sailing right from Manhattan," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "Carnival Venezia will give guests our signature fun, combined with Italian theming, to beautiful destinations from The Bahamas and the Caribbean to Bermuda and Canada."

Following a 15-day trans-Atlantic Carnival Journeys cruise from Barcelona that departs on May 29, 2023, the Carnival Venezia will sail a variety of cruises from New York's Manhattan Cruise Terminal, and for the summer will alternate between sailing four-, five- six- and eight-day sailings to the Caribbean, Bermuda and ports in Canada and New England, including Halifax and Saint John.

Beginning Sept. 29, 2023, the ship will alternate between operating eight- to 12-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean, Southern Caribbean and The Bahamas, visiting destinations like St. Thomas, San Juan and Aruba, along with four of Carnival's private destinations: Half Moon Cay, Princess Cays, Amber Cove and Grand Turk. In addition, Carnival Venezia's nine-day cruises will feature Miami as a port of call.

Sample Cruises: 

• Nine-Day sailing to Miami and the Bahamas (10/14/2023) – Miami, Nassau, Half Moon Cay and Freeport, Bahamas
• 10-day Eastern Caribbean sailing (1/23/2024) – Princess Cays, Bahamas; Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic and San Juan, Puerto Rico
• 12-day Southern Caribbean Carnival Journeys sailing (2/11/2024) – Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Maarten
• 15-day Caribbean Carnival Journeys sailing (9/29/2023) – Grand Turk, Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten and St. Thomas

Built-in 2019 and set to undergo enhancements before entering service, Carnival Venezia will be home to many of the activities and experiences guests enjoy aboard other Carnival ships, including Carnival Waterworks, Piano Bar 88, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi, Seafood Shack, Cloud 9 Salon & Spa and the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.

In 2024, Carnival Cruise Line will welcome a second Carnival Fun Italian Style ship, when the Carnival Firenze joins the fleet, scheduled to sail year-round from Long Beach, Calif.

 

 

Carnival Cruise Line is set to embark on its "largest-ever" period of growth in its 50-year history.

Carnival Cruise Line is set to embark on its "largest-ever" period of growth in its 50-year history.

Following the launch of Carnival Luminosa earlier this year, the brand will add five more ships to its fleet over the next two years, the next being the delivery of two Excel-class vessels, Carnival Celebration to Miami and Carnival Jubilee to Texas.

As part of the expansion plan, Carnival will also introduce a new concept – "Carnival Fun Italian Style" – with two additional ships from sister brand Costa Cruises, starting with Carnival Venezia next spring, sailing year-round from New York, and Carnival Firenze in 2024 out of from Long Beach.

 

"Carnival Luminosa is a testament to our ongoing commitment to Australia, and the start of a period of growth unlike any other in Carnival’s 50-year history," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

 

"Having a Brisbane-based ship has been a goal of ours for quite some time, so we are so happy that they are the first market globally to experience the big, bright, fun that this ship has to offer and so excited to give our guests more Carnival ships and itinerary options to sail over the next two years."

Luminosa – which arrived at its homeport of Brisbane on Monday (31 October) – will sail on its first cruise on 6 November and operate 28 sailings through 13 April 2023, visiting 60 ports across Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific.

 

The sailings will support Carnival Australia’s anticipated $165 million contribution to the Queensland economy this year.