Cruising on the Carnival Firenze? We took a 4-night cruise on this Italian-style Fun Ship, and in this Carnival Firenze review, we’re sharing what the experience was like.
We weren’t expecting an authentic Italian cruise, but we were curious—and honestly, came in with low expectations and open minds. Carnival Firenze isn’t exactly our usual cruising style, but with a few perks and the right mindset, we found more to enjoy than we expected.
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While this is our review, we encourage you to share your questions and experiences in the comments!
About Carnival Firenze
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A quick look at some facts about the Carnival Firenze:
- Originally entered service in 2021 as Costa Firenze for Costa Cruises for the Asian Market.
- Carnival Firenze is part of Carnival’s “Fun Italian Style” series.
- Became part of the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in 2024.
- It carries around 4,100 guests at double occupancy, but when fully booked—including third and fourth passengers in cabins—it can hold over 5,200 passengers.
- Sister ship to Carnival Venezia.
- Named after Florence, Italy, and features Italian-themed decor throughout.
- Sails year-round out of Long Beach, California, mostly on 3- to 5-night itineraries.
- Firenze doesn’t have Carnival’s classic whale tail funnel. It still carries the yellow and blue “C” on top, a nod to its past as Costa Firenze.
4-Night Carnival Firenze Baja Mexico Itinerary
Day 1 – Long Beach, CA
Day 2 – Catalina Island, CA
Day 3 – Enseñada, Mexico
Day 4 – Sea Day
Day 5 – Back to Long Beach, CA
Carnival Firenze sails year-round from Long Beach, California, mostly on short itineraries to Baja Mexico and the Mexican Riviera. These typically range from 3 to 5 nights, with stops in ports like Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas.
Cruising on the Carnival Firenze Review
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My first Carnival cruise was over 10 years ago, leaving from Long Beach on a Mexican Riviera itinerary. That experience was less than ideal, and honestly, it turned me off from cruising with Carnival ever again.
But over the years, we’ve gained some wisdom and learned a few things when it comes to cruising. One of those lessons? A single bad cruise shouldn’t keep you from giving a cruise line—or a different ship—another shot.
So when Carnival Firenze joined the fleet, hubby and I were curious. It had everything to do with our love for Italy. We didn’t book this expecting an authentic Italian experience or anything close, but I was interested to see how the Italian theme would play out onboard. Plus, it was an easy weekend getaway cruise close to home.
The ship itself is a vibe. The moment we stepped on board, it reminded us of the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas—Italian-themed spaces everywhere you turned. Then we got to our Ocean Suite. Between the ornate wallpaper and theatrical old-world decor, it felt like something straight out of an Italian palace—and surprisingly, it worked for us. Did we love it? Yeah, we actually did. For the most part, we enjoyed our four nights on Carnival Firenze.
Will Carnival turn into our go-to cruise line? No. But every now and then, it works.
Embarkation at Long Beach Cruise Terminal at the Queen Mary
- Carnival Cruise Terminal | 231 Windsor Way, Long Beach, CA
- Google Map It
We live in Los Angeles, so cruising out of Long Beach is an easy drive for us. Parking at the Long Beach Cruise Terminal is $23 a day. We’d seen a few complaints online about the lot filling up when the port is busy, so we decided to play it safe and take an Uber XL instead.
Upon drop-off, a porter greeted us and quickly took our luggage. By 10:30 a.m., we were already walking toward the cruise terminal. I braced myself for chaotic lines at security and check-in—based on the reports I’d seen in cruise groups—but that wasn’t the case at all.
Since we booked an Ocean Suite, we had priority boarding, including the security line. That helped move things along, but the regular lines weren’t bad either. Still, I can see why some Carnival cruisers add on “Faster to the Fun” right from the start. It lets you skip the longer lines without booking a suite or being a Platinum member.
One of my top embarkation tips is to check in online as soon as possible. It helps secure an earlier boarding group and speeds up the process for both you and the staff once you get to the terminal.
We were then directed to the Captain’s Lounge—a surprise to me—to relax and wait to be called. It’s a separate waiting area for suite guests and loyal Carnival members. The space was comfortable. No snacks or drinks, but there were two bathrooms, and it was conveniently close to the embarkation entrance.
We waited about 15 minutes before we walked onto the ship.
Our first view: Piazza del Duomo. And wow—that’s an entrance.
PinPiazza del Duomo on Carnival Firenze
Carnival Firenze Ocean Suite Cabin
We booked Ocean Suite Cabin #7359 almost a year in advance and scored a great deal. It’s on the starboard side, mid-ship, and conveniently close to the elevators—though we still found ourselves lost on this ship more often than not.
The suite was spacious, which we always appreciate. We live in a small home, so having room to stretch out feels like a treat. Over time, we’ve started spending more time in our cabin—balcony lounging, afternoon naps, and just having a quiet place to recharge (especially for this introvert).
The cabin had a king bed (two twins pushed together), a large comfy sofa, and a small walk-in closet with a full-length mirror. There were plenty of shelves but not much hanging space. The bathroom featured double sinks and a large jacuzzi tub/shower combo with Elemis products. The shower doors, though, were frustrating—they didn’t glide properly and took some effort to use.
The balcony was wide with comfortable seating, and I really liked the traditional door and picture window setup—so much better than the modern sliding doors. The cabin also had several U.S. outlets and three USB-A ports (though only one bedside). No USB-C.
The decor followed the ship’s Italian old-palace theme—and honestly, it grew on us.
The downside? The noise. The walls are thin—you could hear everything from the hallway, and even the cabins next door. One night, we clearly heard a neighbor’s TV. Thankfully, our neighbors were quiet—no shouting matches or anything like that—but light sleepers might want to pack earplugs.
Key Points About the Cabin
- Location: Cabin #7359 is on Deck 7, starboard side, mid-ship, and close to the elevators.
- Space: Spacious layout with plenty of room to relax—ideal for guests who like to spend time in their cabin.
- Beds & Seating: Two twin beds convert to a king; includes a large sofa (convertible, but unused during our stay).
- Closet & Storage: Small walk-in closet with shelves and a full mirror, but limited hanging space.
- Bathroom: Double sinks and a large jacuzzi tub/shower combo. Elemis soap and shampoo provided (bring conditioner). Shower doors were awkward and didn’t glide smoothly. There is a clothesline above the tub.
- Balcony: Wide with comfy seating and picture windows with a separate door—no sliding doors.
- Outlets: A few U.S. electrical outlets, three USB-A ports (only one bedside), no USB-C ports.
- Once-a-Day Cleaning: No Turn-down service. They will ask you for the best time to clean, and that’s when they will come.
- Suite Perks: Includes priority boarding and disembarkation, priority tender access, and entry to the exclusive Terrazza Moda sun deck.
While we were happy with our suite, I wouldn’t mind trying out one of the Terrazza cabins in the future. They seem like a fun alternative with a few perks of their own—and I’m curious how they compare.
Read more: Small Cruise Cabin Hacks That Work
Carnival Firenze Dining and Restaurants
I was looking forward to trying the food on Carnival—especially all the fast-casual options the cruise line is known for, like Guy’s Burger Joint. It’s part of what sets Carnival apart in the cruise community. On these Italian-style ships, though, things are a little different. Some venues go by different names, menus are slightly tweaked, and a few of Carnival’s usual go-to spots aren’t on board. You’ll also find some upsell options like wings and empanadas. That said, there’s still plenty of food included in your fare throughout the day—you’ll just notice fewer options if you’re looking for a late-night bite.
Steakhouse 555 ($)
If there was one place I truly loved, it was our dinner at Steakhouse 555. Everything we ate here was excellent—and while you’d hope for that when paying extra for a specialty restaurant, that’s not always the case. The food and quality here far surpassed what we’ve had at Cagney’s on NCL. If you’re celebrating something special, this is the place to do it.
The night we dined, they started us off with a tiny amuse-bouche: a mini burger. It was adorable—and delicious. I ordered the ahi tuna tartare to start, and it turned out to be one of my favorite dishes of the cruise. For my main, I had the lamb chops, grilled perfectly. Hubby ordered the spice-rubbed prime rib, rare, and kept going on about how flavorful the rub was.
I also ordered a sidecar cocktail, which was made just right—balanced, strong, and really good.
We wrapped up the meal with the chocolate sphere—excellent presentation and a must if you love chocolate—and the apple tarte tatin, which had a little too much booze for my taste.
I was eyeing the surf and turf going out to other tables, and have to say, it looked like a feast. The lobster tail wasn’t tiny—it looked plump, juicy, and worthy of the plate next to the filet. And then the smoked oysters? That came out with an entire tableside presentation. It was a whole show.
Il Viaggio ($)
Il Viaggio is an Italian specialty restaurant found only on Carnival Firenze and Carnival Venezia. Other ships in the fleet have a different Italian restaurant with a completely different menu. At Il Viaggio, the focus is on Northern Italian cuisine.
Normally, I wouldn’t bother with Italian food on a cruise—we’re picky when it comes to that. But after reading so many good things, we gave it a shot. And I’ve gotta say, it was pretty good. Not like eating at one of our favorite spots in Italy, but we enjoyed most of it. Just don’t order the Chilean sea bass.
They start you with a focaccia that was fluffy, garlicky, and cheesy—basically, everything you want it to be. I ordered the meatballs as an appetizer, and they were good. Hubby ordered the panzarotti as his starter, and that was pretty good too. For my main, I went with the Chilean sea bass, which ended up being way too fishy—and it’s not supposed to be. I should’ve gone with pasta instead. I ended up finishing my husband’s Pasta alla Genovese, which was actually very good.
For dessert, we tried the Torta della Nonna, which reminded us more of an Italian cheesecake than the traditional version—but we still liked it. The tiramisu was passable. Not enough cream and too thick of a layer. Honestly, I should’ve just ordered the mile-high gelato pie. Regrets.
Michelangelo Restaurant (MDR)
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The Michelangelo Restaurant is the anytime Main Dining Room on Carnival Firenze. We ate here on two nights, and overall, it was just okay. The pace felt rushed—order, eat, and you’re out. I guess the days of lingering over dinner, getting to know your waiter, and enjoying a slower meal are long gone at Carnival? I know the staff is doing their best, but the whole experience felt a little too fast. And the thing is, this dining room is beautifully designed—elegant and dramatic—so you’d expect the meal to match the atmosphere, not feel so quick and transactional.
The food was hit or miss and straightforward. The menu does feature Italian-inspired dishes marked with a little gondola icon, but you kind of need to know what’s worth ordering. One night, I ordered the fried calamari, but I couldn’t even eat it—they were that rubbery. On the same night, I had the prime rib, which made up for the terrible appetizer, and of course, the famous Carnival melting chocolate cake… but it came out like soup.
Thankfully, the next time we dined there, things went better. I had the braised brisket, which was incredibly tender, and gave the melting chocolate cake another try—this time, it was perfect. My husband ordered two servings of the spumoni ice cream that night and loved it. That says a lot coming from him.
And, did you know Carnival does a show every night in the MDR? The waiters get up and dance—it’s a whole thing. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that on a cruise, and it adds to the fun vibe Carnival is known for.
Lido Marketplace
While it had a sort of charming outdoor but indoor theme, it was one of my least favorite dining areas. Even with all the windows, it felt dark and a bit claustrophobic. The buffet was also unappetizing, and most of the food looked unappetizing. I visited the salad bar, fruit, and dessert stations the most. We tried the soft serve from Swirls, but it wasn’t good. But come on, we know Carnival isn’t known for its buffet food.
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Pizza from El Capitano
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Guy’s Burger
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Steak and Cheese from Il Mercato
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Burrito from Tomodoro
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Tomodoro Breakfast Burrito
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Chicken Shack Fries and Tenders
Pizzeria del Capitano
The pizza is not too bad for cruise ship pizza. We had the pepperoni one night and enjoyed it.
Guy’s Burgers
I was really looking forward to Guy’s Burgers. I love Guy’s Burger Joint at Burbank Airport, so I was expecting something similar—or even better—at sea. I went right at prime lunchtime, hoping that meant I’d get a patty fresh off the grill since they were so busy. Nope. The burger I got had been pre-grilled and was just sitting there waiting for the rush.
Il Mercato
This is Deli on the Carnival Firenze serving a variety of sandwiches and wraps. Most of them are prepared, ready to be served or heated to be served with some chips. I had the steak and cheese on the first day of our cruise and was pretty impressed by it. I would have eaten here again had I had more time.
Chicken Shack
The Chicken Shack is basically a dupe of Shaq’s Big Chicken found on other Carnival ships. I’ve heard it’s not quite the same, but I’ll have to make that comparison another time. We grabbed chicken tenders and fries one afternoon, and I had no complaints. The fries were actually my favorite part. We meant to go back for another round, but never got the chance.
This spot also became the Breakfast Shack in the mornings, serving breakfast sandwiches and other quick bites. So you can skip the buffet if you like.
Tomodoro
This spot is listed as an Italian-Mexican fusion, but honestly, it leans more Mexican and South American than anything Italian. Here, they’re serving arepas, tacos, and burritos.
On our sea day, I waited in line for a breakfast burrito, and I’m so glad I did. Wow—what a great burrito. You can customize your burrito, taco, or arepa with the help of the staff behind the counter, and then head over to a self-serve station for sauces and spices to finish it off. I was impressed that even with a steady line of people, that station was clean and fully stocked.
Only open for breakfast and lunch.
JavaBlue CAFé ($)
This is where you’ll find specialty coffees, espresso drinks, and milkshakes. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know how much coffee means to us—and yes, we’re the type who will happily pay extra for a good espresso drink on a cruise. The crew at Java Blue were fantastic and helped start our mornings off right every day. Just expect a line in the mornings—it was always busy. By nighttime, though, it was usually pretty quiet.
They also serve a few free pastries at breakfast (the same ones you’ll find at the buffet), but they charge for some specialty items, such as donuts and chocolate-covered strawberries. I had my eye on the maple bacon donut the whole trip—and one day, I treated myself to a chocolate-covered strawberry.
JavaBlue Tip: If you’re buying specialty coffees à la carte, make sure to ask for the coffee punch card—they’ll stamp it for every drink you order, and your 7th one is free. I let hubby order for both of us, and they stamped both drinks on the same card without any issues. Totally worth it if you’re stopping by more than a few times!
Activities and Entertainment on Carnival Firenze
On port days, we spent most of our time off the ship and returned onboard in time for dinner, and maybe a show or live performance. We didn’t dive too deep into the daily activities happening around the ship. Still, there was always something going on—Carnival definitely lives up to its reputation for keeping things busy. On our sea day, we spent most of our time in the Terrazza sun deck area, soaking up the good weather and just relaxing.
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Aft Pool
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Indoor Lido Deck
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Rope Course
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Waterslides and Kids Splash area
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Venetian Toast
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Casino
Color My World: This show is beloved in the Carnival Community, and I can see why; there is so much potential. I wanted to love it, but the lead male singer was terrible and ruining it for me. But the lead female singer had a fantastic voice, and my husband and I agree that she reminded us of Lady Gaga. There is so much to love about this show, as it’s a love story you can follow, accompanied by amazing music that we mostly all know and love (as long as it’s not butchered). It’s also colorful, and there are a lot of technical effects that I wasn’t expecting.
Pool Areas: There’s an indoor pool with a retractable cover and an outdoor pool at the aft of the ship. Neither is particularly large, and the lounge space around them is limited. The placement of the indoor pool seems so oddly planned.
Rope Course and Waterslides: I didn’t try the ropes course or the waterslides myself, but the kids seemed to be having a great time on both throughout the cruise. The ropes course was open during our sea day, likely because the captain had us going super slow—or at a full stop—which made it safe enough to operate. What I did notice is that the stairway to access the waterslides is right next to the Serenity Deck, the adults-only sun deck. So while Serenity itself is reserved for adults, the foot traffic from kids heading up to the slides makes that area feel a little less secluded than you’d expect.
Live Performers at Moda Bar: This was easily my favorite nighttime spot on the ship. Every night, the live music at Moda Bar was spot-on—talented performers playing everything from classic rock to salsa. It was just a great place to sit, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere.
The Venetian Toasts: I was excited about this—I even packed a Venetian mask that I had purchased for a wedding in New Orleans. The Venetian Toast is meant to be a themed moment during Elegant Night, with music, lights, and a brief appearance by the captain. It’s supposed to feel festive and camera-ready, but on our sailing, it felt kind of flat. It was short, low-energy, and not much of a big deal. If you catch it, great. If you don’t? You’re not missing anything.
Casino: Firenze has a pretty large casino, but we barely spent time there—we just can’t handle the cigarette smoke. There is a non-smoking casino onboard, but it’s small and offers little variety.
Limelight Lounge: We went one night to see the Comedy Adult Show, and it was hilarious. Go early, though, to line up because there was a line down the corridor 30 minutes before the doors open.
Service on Carnival Firenze
Crew Interactions Around the Ship
The service on Carnival Firenze impressed me. Everyone was happy, helpful, and full of energy. I found myself watching the crew and wondering how they do this every day with smiles on their faces and that level of enthusiasm. Even just walking around the ship, crew members greeted us in passing—it felt genuine, not forced.
Cabin Attendant
Our stewardess was friendly and on it. She introduced herself on day one, and I saw her doing the same with other cabins nearby. That stood out to me—because sometimes you don’t even know who your steward is until you go looking for them. We always make it a point to say hello early on, and this time, we didn’t have to. She was already on top of it.
Room Cleaning Frequency
Service was once a day. No turndown service, but we did get a towel animal each day, which always brings a smile.
Bar Wait Times
The bartenders were great—friendly and fast. We don’t drink much (Hubby is sober), but when I did order a drink, it was made well every time. What we really appreciated, though, was that there were multiple bars onboard where Hubby could grab an espresso—we didn’t always have to hike up to Java Blue. By the way, if you stop by Moda Bar, try the Shakerato. It was a favorite.
Comparison to Other Lines
Service-wise, Carnival Firenze held its own. While it’s not quite as polished as what we’ve experienced on Celebrity, the crew’s energy, friendliness, and attentiveness stood out.
Debarkation on Carnival Firenze: A Bit of a Mess
Debarkation was chaos. The lines were insane—I hadn’t seen them wrap around like that since Utopia of the Seas, and that ship is twice the size. Looking back, I wish we had taken full advantage of the priority disembarkation that came with our suite. Maybe we could’ve walked right off.
Instead, we decided to take our time and walk off with our luggage since we weren’t in a rush to get home. We had to be out of our cabin by 8:30 a.m., so we took our bags and made our way down, only to find lines still wrapped around Decks 3 and 4 by 9 a.m. We ended up finding a spot in the theater to sit and wait for things to calm down. Eventually, the line started moving, but we didn’t meet our driver outside until 9:45 a.m.
Just be prepared for a wait—or get up early and be one of the first off the ship if you want a smoother exit.
Read more: Tips for Disembarking the Ship on the Last Day
Other Observations While Sailing the Carnival Firenze
PinTerraza Moda Sundeck
- Party cruise? Weekend sailings are often considered party cruises. The ship had a livelier vibe, but if that’s not your thing, there are quiet areas to escape to. As someone who doesn’t really “party,” we still found plenty that was more our speed.
- Terrazza Moda: This private sun deck with two hot tubs is reserved during the day for Terrazza cabin and suite guests. After 8 p.m., it opens up to all passengers.
- Ship layout: The layout feels a bit chopped up and can be confusing at times, but that also creates lots of hidden corners and different areas to explore, or just relax. You don’t always have to be in the middle of the pool scene. Sort of had flashbacks of sailing on VV Scarlet Lady.
- Tender at ports: If your itinerary includes a tender port, make sure you have priority tendering or book a cruise line excursion. Otherwise, it could take a long time to get off the ship.
- The Elevators: Be prepared to take the stairs (honestly, it’s a great way to burn off some calories). The elevators on this ship are small and inconsistent. They use the kind of system where you select your floor before getting in, and it assigns you an elevator—but it rarely worked smoothly. In theory, it’s a smart system (we’ve seen it work well on Utopia of the Seas), but on Firenze, not so much.
- Diverse crowd: You’ll find a mix of passengers on board—from families to couples, and people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Piazza del Duomo: This is the ship’s central atrium and bar area. I expected it to be a constant party scene, but it was actually pretty tame. There were moments of live music and trivia, but I enjoyed sitting at the bar and ordering an espresso martini more than anything else.
- Expect Lines: Unless you’re up super early or catch things at off-hours, you’ll likely find lines for popular food spots and shows. Patience (or timing) is key.
Is Carnival Firenze Right for You?
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Carnival Firenze was fun in its own way—but if I’m being honest, it’s not really our usual cruising style. That said, we didn’t hate it. In fact, we enjoyed parts of it, and I think a lot of that had to do with how we planned this cruise.
We made sure to book something that came with a few perks—our suite. Having priority tendering meant we didn’t have to deal with long lines to get off the ship in Catalina Island. I’ve heard it can be a mess, especially on the shorter 3-night itineraries that stop in Cabo. We also spent a lot of time in Terrazza Moda and on our balcony, which gave us space to relax and recharge when things got too busy elsewhere on the ship.
Who Is This Ship For? Carnival Firenze is a great option if you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway, especially if you’re local to Los Angeles or somewhere along the Pacific Coast. It’s convenient, it has some fun ports we love as locals and the experience is fun.
But just know what you’re signing up for. Carnival is all about fun—but fun means different things to different people. If your idea of a good time includes games by the pool, nonstop activities, and a louder, more casual vibe, you’ll probably have a great time. If you prefer something quieter, slower-paced, and a bit more polished, it might not be the best fit—and that’s okay.
It’s all about cruising the way you like to cruise. And for us, we would sail on Firenze again, with similar perks. Having those minor upgrades made all the difference in how much we enjoyed the experience. We’d even consider sailing her sister ship, Venezia, or maybe one of Carnival’s other newer ships.
BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
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