Floating Olive Garden

Carnival Venezia Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 17

Overall rating:

2.3 out of 5
Verified Review
Carnival Venezia

8 Night Eastern Caribbean (New York Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 24, 2024

Ship: Carnival Venezia

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 11251

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 3 months ago

Review summary

After cruising over 25 times this has been the worst ship for food, service and overall class. There is a complete lack of intimacy and there are now so many upcharges that one feels like they cannot have the full experience. There is absolutely nothing about this ship that is “Italian-style”. In fact, as an Italian, I am even insulted that they would try to market this in such a fashion. Simple things like tablecloths in the dining room and robes in the cabin are gone. Instead they have been replaced with menu upcharges and drug-sniffing dogs. Ultimately, if you are looking for a cruise experience of long ago, stay far away from this ship.

Embarkation

1 out of 5
Disorganized, lengthy, aggravating

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5
Overall, the food was mediocre but the “Italian” food is equivalent to the Olive Garden.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
Nothing extraordinary especially for kids

Entertainment

5 out of 5
Stage shows were fantastic.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5
Very few go above and beyond to get to know their guests. Prepaid gratuities has ruined this experience because they are guaranteed a tip.

Ship Quality

2 out of 5
Venezia is basic. Slapping some photos of Italian landscapes on the walls doesn’t make it special. In terns of cleanliness, half of my party of 14 ended up with Covid!!!

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5
Our room was filthy upon arrival to the point that the supervisor had to do a deep cleaning before we could settle in.

Ship tip

The Carnival Venezia is as Italian as the Olive Garden. There is nothing special about this ship. Service and quality are mediocre at best and the lack of class and elegance one expects on a cruise is completely lacking. Let’s not forget to mention the drug-sniffing canines that live onboard the duration of the cruise!

Ports of call

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic

4 out of 5
Lovely, friendly people, beautiful beaches

Grand Turk Island

3 out of 5
Beach is right off the port but extremely rocky

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island) Did not visit port

Was not able to disembark as I contracted covid and the ship forced me to quarantine for 24 hrs.

Disembarkation

1 out of 5
Disorganized
Was this review helpful? 17

14 Comments

bonefixer     7 days ago

Thanks for sharing, we loved the Venezia!

willwork4cruz     3 months ago

Well if someone hates drug sniffing dogs, they probably won’t like much of anything. FYI, this ship was designed by the Italian cruise line Costa for the Italian market. Apparently this is what the Italians in Italy like.

okhappy493     3 months ago

We are booked on her in 2026 and as always it will be another awesome cruise 🛳

javawoody     3 months ago

Interesting

Bruce51     3 months ago

Thanks for sharing but i have heard nothing but good things about everything you complained about. Tablecloths were gone for years now and you can ask for robes.

HarryMess     3 months ago

You need to fly over to Italy and take a cruise from there. I think you’re going to be disappointed with anything less.

AuntPinkie     3 months ago

Appreciate your feedback. Carnival did away with table cloths (we were sad about it) to cut back on laundry costs. Drug dogs (unfortunately) have become necessary. Sorry this cruise didn’t meet your expectations. Hope you find what you are looking for.

rbmacoy     3 months ago

Perfect! I love Olive Garden.

Gwbigdog     3 months ago

Oops sorry thanks

scm123     3 months ago

My trip on that boat was excellent. Every part.

BarbSeymour     3 months ago

Everyone's expectations are different. Others enjoy .

cruising2004     3 months ago

Sorry you were disappointed with your cruise.

punkinpie     3 months ago

Wow..sorry. cruising in nov.hope things improve..I see mixed reviews .some enjoyed.

HeavySeas     3 months ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise experience

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