Very successful first voyage of the Venezia

Carnival Venezia Cruise Review to Transatlantic

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 33

Overall rating:

4.6 out of 5
Verified Review
Carnival Venezia

15 Night Transatlantic: Carnival Journeys (Barcelona To New York)

Sail date: May 29, 2023

Ship: Carnival Venezia

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 1372

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

For a maiden voyage, our experience on the Carnival Venezia was very positive. The cruise director, MarQ, is excellent, and all staff members were very conscientious about pleasing the passengers in every way. I personally would have preferred more of the Costa flavor, but Carnival is obviously trying to entertain an American clientele now, and they do a fine job.

Embarkation

2 out of 5
Long lines should have been better organized, with special lines for passengers aged 70 and older.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5
Dining rooms are modernized and simplified, so we missed having the white tablecloth experience (guess they plan on saving on laundry). Dinner food was very good; buffet food was so-so.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5
Two small pools are not enough for 3,800 people. Spa features are limited, as well.

Entertainment

4 out of 5
Playlist Production numbers are wonderful, showcasing excellent talent. Comedians, jugglers, magicians -- not too impressed. Except for Caroline Picard.

Children's Programs

No children along

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Very attentive service. Some are new at the job (new ship) but all are very conscientious.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
Very clean and new, fresh and modern. Should be very serviceable for years of cruises.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Very comfortable and roomy. Surprised to have a bathtub in a second bathroom!

Ship tip

It is American and does not typify the "real" Italy, as Costa ships normally do so well.

Ports of call

Barcelona, Spain

5 out of 5
Lots to do and see in Barcelona. Cruises should schedule two days there.

Malaga, Spain

5 out of 5
Lovely Spanish city with many features to enjoy -- the market, the castle, the Roman ruins, the Picasso museum, the cathedral .....

Gibraltar (U.K.)

5 out of 5
Great opportunity to see this unique city and explore the Rock. One day visit is just fine.

Lisbon, Portugal

5 out of 5
Love Lisbon. Much to see and do there as well, though this time we only walked uphill from the port to the castle. Very convenient and unique excursion if you don't want to do a lot of city sightseeing.

Ponta Delgada, Azores

4 out of 5
Poor availability of taxis to go to a specific place, such as the pineapple plantation. Some folks had a two-hour wait. Excursions were sold out.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

5 out of 5
Pleasantly surprised at the attractive waterfront boardwalk, so convenient to the port. No need to explore beyond.

New York, New York

5 out of 5
Always a joy to walk the streets of NYC. Impressed that you can walk right out from the port into the heart of Manhattan and easily walk to Times Square or the bus terminal.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
Could not be faster or easier. Amazing.

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