Carnival Venezia vs Carnival Festivale

Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia, launched in 2019 and refurbished in 2023, embodies 'Carnival Fun, Italian Style' with its vibrant and ornate Venetian decor. From the moment you step into the Piazza San Marco atrium, the ship exudes an old-world charm blended with modern cruise excitement across its 15 decks. The atmosphere is family-friendly and lively, reflecting a thoughtful redesign for US passengers. It's a journey steeped in Italian aesthetics, offering a distinct sense of place that sets it apart from other Carnival vessels, providing a unique backdrop for your vacation memories.

Carnival Festivale

Carnival Festivale, a forthcoming Excel-class mega-ship launching in 2027, promises a high-energy, modern, and innovative atmosphere centered around family harmony. Across its 19 decks, the ship is designed with music-inspired, immersive zones, including the multimedia Studio 724 experience. As an LNG-powered vessel, Festivale also carries a commitment to sustainability. Its vibe is geared towards a dynamic, fun-focused vacation, pushing the boundaries of what a Carnival cruise can offer with new features and an emphasis on cutting-edge design for a fresh cruising experience.

Carnival Venezia

With a passenger capacity of 4,090 and a crew count of 1,424, Carnival Venezia maintains a lively yet manageable atmosphere, boasting a passenger-to-crew ratio of approximately 2.87. The ship's vibrant, Italian-themed ambiance draws a diverse, family-friendly crowd that enjoys both the energetic main areas and the more tranquil retreats like the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat. Guests will find a social environment, with various bars and lounges fostering connections, while the themed decor creates a cohesive and engaging onboard experience for all.

Carnival Festivale

Carnival Festivale is designed to accommodate a larger crowd, with a passenger capacity of 5,270 and a crew count of 926, resulting in a passenger-to-crew ratio of approximately 5.69. This ratio suggests a more bustling and high-energy atmosphere, characteristic of a mega-ship focused on extensive family activities. The ambiance will be innovative and fun-focused, with zones like Sunsation Point catering to active guests. It's built for those who thrive in a lively environment, with plenty of communal spaces and activities to keep everyone engaged.

Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia offers a strong culinary emphasis on Italian flavors, blended with Carnival favorites. Guests can enjoy three-course meals in the main dining rooms, Marco Polo and Canal Grande, the latter featuring an actual gondola. Unique options include La Strada Grill for Italian street food, Tomodoro for Mexitalian tacos, and Guy's Burger Joint with a pizza burger. For an elevated experience, Il Viaggio presents upscale Italian regional cuisine, while Bonsai Teppanyaki boasts the fleet's largest venue. Casual bites are found at Lido Marketplace and Pizzeria del Capitano.

Carnival Festivale

Carnival Festivale expands on popular Carnival dining concepts while introducing new ones. Guests can expect a robust Main Dining Room experience, alongside casual favorites like Guy's Burger Joint and Big Chicken. The ship features Street Eats, offering international delights such as bao buns, pot stickers, and loaded fries, and the Seafood Shack for fresh catches. For specialty dining, Bonsai Teppanyaki and Bonsai Sushi return, complemented by Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, which also offers craft beers, and the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse. A new, unnamed venue will replace ChiBang, promising further culinary innovation.

Carnival Venezia

Venezia’s entertainment is infused with its Italian theme, from Playlist Productions shows at Teatro Rosso to the Venetian-inspired Gondola Lounge. The Piazza San Marco atrium serves as a lively hub for music and events. For laughs, The Punchliner Comedy Club is available, while Piano Bar 88 offers singalongs. Nightlife also features specialized bars like Amari (the Italian Alchemy Bar) and Frizzante, serving bubbly Italian drinks. Daytime fun includes WaterWorks, a ropes course, mini golf, and SportSquare, ensuring activities for all ages and preferences.

Carnival Festivale

Carnival Festivale is set to deliver an immersive entertainment experience across its six zones, including new music-inspired venues on decks 6, 7, and 8 like The Spark and The Mix. The ship will host Family Feud Live for interactive game show fun and feature the largest casino in Carnival's fleet, including a $1 Million Dollar Slot Progressive Jackpot. Nightlife includes the expanded Alchemy Bar with live music, Center Stage & Playlist Productions, and The Punchliner Comedy Club. The Carnival Waterworks Ultra, with its six slides, will even offer evening illuminations and a DJ for late-night family fun.

Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia offers 2,116 cabins and suites across 12 decks, ranging from 150-square-foot Interior cabins to spacious Ocean Suites up to 356 square feet, featuring whirlpool tubs. A standout is the new Terrazza category, offering 200-265 square foot staterooms, including balcony and cabana options with private patios and exclusive access to the Terrazza Carnevale deck. Family staterooms are also available with half-sized tubs for younger children. All cabins include mini-bars and U.S. power outlets, though some Deck 1 cabins have obstructed views and Deck 2 balconies are close to the waterline.

Carnival Festivale

Carnival Festivale emphasizes family accommodations with an impressive 1,000 interconnecting cabins, which is 70% more than other Excel-class ships. The ship offers a wide array of options, including various Suites with VIP perks, and Carnival Excel Suites that come with concierge service and access to Loft 19. Havana staterooms and suites provide exclusive access to the Havana Bar & Pool, with Cabana suites featuring luxurious rain showers. Cloud 9 Spa staterooms offer spa amenities, priority reservations, and complimentary fitness classes, catering to guests seeking wellness-focused stays.

Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia's onboard style is defined by its 'Fun Italian Style' theme, with Venetian-inspired details woven throughout, from the Piazza San Marco atrium to the specialized bars and restaurants. Service is attentive, with dedicated stateroom attendants for all guests. For those in suites, benefits include priority check-in, boarding, and debarkation, along with complimentary laundry service and enhanced bath products. The exclusive Terrazza Carnevale area for Terrazza stateroom guests (12+) offers a more personalized, serene experience with dedicated lounging and events, enhancing the overall Italian-themed journey.

Carnival Festivale

Carnival Festivale, as an Excel-class vessel, is designed with a modern and innovative style that prioritizes guest experience and family harmony. The service is expected to align with Carnival's high standards, with enhanced offerings for guests in Suites, including VIP status for priority embarkation and debarkation. Carnival Excel Suites further elevate the experience with concierge service and exclusive access to Loft 19. The ship's six distinct zones and immersive music venues contribute to a dynamic and engaging onboard style, promising a personalized and memorable vacation for every guest.

Carnival Venezia

Carnival Venezia currently sails from its New York City homeport, offering a convenient departure point for East Coast cruisers. Starting in winter/spring 2025, it will also operate from Port Canaveral. These itineraries typically cover diverse Caribbean and Bahamian destinations, blending the ship's Italian charm with popular tropical routes. The flexibility of two key homeports allows guests to choose sailings that best fit their travel preferences, whether seeking a vibrant city departure or a sun-drenched Florida getaway, all while enjoying the unique 'Fun Italian Style' experience.

Carnival Festivale

Carnival Festivale will primarily homeport from Port Canaveral, offering a variety of Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. A significant highlight for Festivale's routes will be visits to Carnival's new private destination, Celebration Key. This focus on Caribbean sailings from a central Florida hub makes it an ideal choice for travelers seeking classic tropical voyages combined with the excitement of a brand-new Excel-class ship. Its LNG-powered operation also means it offers a more environmentally conscious way to explore these popular, beautiful destinations.