Review: Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Firenze

If your first impression of Carnival Firenze is that it’s a ship experiencing an identity crisis, you would not be alone. That was mine, as well.

After all, Firenze — the latest ship to be christened by Carnival Cruise Line — was actually built in 2020 as an Italian-themed ship for sister brand Costa Cruises (where the ship was called “Costa Firenze”) and originally intended for the Chinese market.

But now, it has been converted for the American market, and is heading out from Long Beach, Calif., to Mexican ports. Firenze’s itineraries range from quick weekend getaways to extended weeklong itineraries (like the inaugural sailing I was on, which stopped at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta in the Mexican Riviera).

Carnival Firenze Vs. Sister Ship Carnival Panorama

As a Vista-class vessel, Firenze most closely resembles sister ship Carnival Panorama — also sailing from Long Beach, Calif. — and externally, the two are nearly identical. 

However, unlike Panorama sporting Carnival’s signature “whale tail” funnel, the 4,126-guest Firenze has kept its yellow Costa “C” smokestack, and its swooping bow paint scheme displays the overall shape of a Carnival ship, but with a yellow inner stripe to match. The livery further extends to the line’s logo, which is painted at the waterline near the stern and augmented with “Fun Italian Style.”

All of that is to say: Firenze might appear to be a difficult sell, but it’s far more Carnival than looks would have you believe.

However, travel advisors should note that compared to Panorama, there are many things that Firenze does not have onboard. For example, cruisers won’t find a Sky Zone trampoline park, nor a SkyRider suspended bike track, and there are no JiJi Asian Kitchen and Cucina del Capitano specialty restaurants. There’s also no Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, nor an interactive Carnival Kitchen (instead, the casino spills into a separate non-smoking section). And, lastly, there is no Family Harbor Lounge or Family Harbor category cabins.

Additionally, Terrazza staterooms and suites swap in on Firenze for Carnival’s Havana ship-within-a-ship concept, and Terrazza guests have exclusive access to the Terrazza Moda deck at the stern. This deck has its own bar, shaded loungers and two whirlpools (but no standard pool). Inversely, the central Lido Pool has one pool, but no whirlpools, while the aft Versilia Pool area perched on an upper deck has both a pool and pair of whirlpools.

RELATED: Carnival Cruise Line Unveils Booking Tool Upgrades 

Abbreviated onboard Firenze is the Cloud 9 Spa, as it does not have a dedicated thermal suite, and its salon is positioned elsewhere among the ship’s Fun Shops. However, there is a full-scale Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, plus an arcade, sports court, jogging track and mini-golf and ropes courses. There are facilities for kids, tweens and teens as well.

As for other private accommodations, my Balcony Stateroom had the same layout as those on Panorama, but with distinct dark wood-tone cabinet paneling in the space, and imagery of Italy on the headboard. And entry-level bathrooms are also dressed up with a pedestal sink and a marble counter and shelves. Glass-enclosed showers are maneuverable with arms tucked in, but USB charging ports at one — but not both — nightstands leave something to be desired for a modern ship.

Onboard Design: Carnival Does “Fun Italian Style”

What Firenze adds to Carnival’s lineup is unique, though: “Carnival Fun Italian Style.”

Rather than the line’s latest beach resort aesthetic, Firenze sports a very Italian look inside — specifically, channeling its namesake: the city of Florence, Italy. While not quite to the extreme of Joe Farcus’ gaudy interior designs of earlier Carnival ships, this one does fly a more eclectic flag. Dramatic statuary returns, from the atrium’s giant golden lion atop a pillar, to a jester at the Limelight Lounge, to a massive replica of David (transplanted from Carnival Pride) in the Michelangelo Restaurant.

Onboard Dining Options

There may not be a smokehouse onboard, but in its place is Il Viaggio, a specialty Italian restaurant that is similar to Carnival’s usual “cucina,” albeit for a higher surcharge. I was particularly fond of the savory sausage- and pesto-stuffed Panzarotti appetizer, followed by garlicky and lemony Jumbo Shrimp Scampi. For something unusual yet delicious, clients should try the Pollo Parmigiana Pizza, which is formed by a unique bread-free, chicken meat crust.

Celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s influence remains onboard, with the poolside Guy’s Burger Joint, and even that leans Italian with its Pepperoni Pizza Burger and Super Melty Mootz (the latter I enjoyed as a culinary fusion topped with mozzarella, tomato, balsamic and fried basil). 

RELATED: Cruise Review: Carnival Panorama

Although inaccurately described as a fusion of Mexican and Italian cuisine on the opposite side, Tomodoro is, for all intents and purposes, another great BlueIguana Cantina. It features custom burritos and tacos — and just tacks on the likes of an Italian Meatball Hero and a Sicilian Chicken Wrap.

Further expanding on those selections and Carnival’s deli offerings is Il Mercato overlooking the pool for extra meatballs, Italian sausage and other sandwiches, as well as La Strada Grill along the lower-level lanai for even more comfort food. In fact, the executive chef on Firenze is Italian, (a change from the line’s usual Indian culinary leadership), and the main dining room features Italian dishes, accordingly.

Still rounding out Carnival’s usual cornucopia of foods is a complete Lido Marketplace buffet, Fresh Creations salad bar at the adults-only Serenity deck, Pizzeria del Capitano, Seafood Shack, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi and Teppanyaki, JavaBlue Cafe and plenty of bonus watering holes. The Heroes Tribute Bar and Amari Bar (Alchemy Bar favorites) are complemented by the Rococo Bar (Carnival’s RedFrog Rum Bar, but turned Italian) and new Frizzante Bar, which features all kinds of spritz and espresso martinis made from Lavazza premium Italian coffee. During my sailing, I personally enjoyed an educational spritz-making demonstration at Amari and took several recipes home.

Entertainment and Nightlife

The spritz-making demo was just one instance of many “Carnival Fun Italian Style” activities. Festa Italiana also decks out the Lido Pool — architecturally made to look like an Italian courtyard, but still featuring an oversize Carnival Seaside Theatre screen for film screenings.

Meanwhile, the ships interactive events invite guests to participate in a terracotta trek challenge with pottery balanced on heads, as well as a gelato-eating contest. (By the way, the coffee shop is located poolside on Firenze, and up-charge gelatos — including my favorite orange flavor — are on the expansive menu, which extends to milk shakes, floats and premium pastries.) The festival additionally offers the chance for passengers to take photos with the production cast dressed in vibrant traditional outfits and grab additional lite bites as the deck party ramps up to a nightclub atmosphere, all to the tune of Italian American pop hits.

Not to be outdone at Teatro Rosso, the line’s in-house Playlist Productions performances stick to crowd-pleasing revues like the chromatic-themed numbers of “Color My World” and marital-related sequences of “Dear Future Husband.” And fear not, purists: The Punchliner Comedy Club sets remain hilariously in full force at the Limelight Lounge, and trivia and other interactive games are still hosted at the Tuscan Lounge — although, sadly, my team lost out on the “Friends” TV show quiz. Maybe next time!

In short, Firenze is every bit a Carnival ship as the next fun ship, but with an added character of Italian playfulness.