Carnival Firenze
Vista class · refurbished 2024 · Mexican Riviera & West Coast, US East Coast & Eastern Canada
Originally built for Costa Cruises as Costa Firenze, the ship was transferred to Carnival in 2024 as an Italian-themed ship. Its Renaissance Florence-inspired interiors and Italian-focused dining are distinctive. Since entering service, it has offered three- to four-night short cruises to the Bahamas, California, and Mexico. On January 4, 2027, it is scheduled to depart Long Beach on a long repositioning voyage to Miami; it will then operate Miami Caribbean cruises in winter, followed from May by New York departures from Manhattan to Bermuda and Canada. As a reasonably priced West Coast option, its value proposition is expected to reach its final stage in 2026.
Current position (external site)View on VesselFinder (IMO 9801691)External site. Position information has not been checked by Cruise Atlas.
For travelers from Japan
A guide to public baths, Japanese food and language support, payment in yen, smoking, dress codes and power outlets, based on available official and other sources. Details may vary by itinerary and season. Check the official website for current information.
Similar facilities, such as a thermal suite
No Japanese language support
Payment in yen not accepted
English text in preparation.
Official: confirmed by the cruise line or another official source / Secondary source: confirmed by other sources / Estimated: inferred by Cruise Atlas / Not stated: no information found in official sources
At a glance
What is included and what costs extra
- Meals (main restaurants)Included
- AlcoholExtra charge
- GratuitiesExtra charge
- Wi‑FiExtra charge
- Specialty diningExtra charge
- Shore excursionsExtra charge
Main dining, buffet meals, and many included snacks are covered. Alcohol, Wi-Fi, automatic gratuities, and paid specialty restaurants (such as Il Viaggio) require separate payment or a package purchase (such as Cheers!).
- Extra chargeDrinks (one beer)$8
- Extra chargeSoft drinks and water$3.50
- Extra chargeDrink packageCheers! beverage package: $69.95/day when purchased in advance to $74.95/day when purchased after boarding. Available only to guests aged 21 or older; alcohol is limited to 15 drinks per 24 hours.
- Extra chargeWi‑FiSocial $20.40 (pre-purchase)/$22.00 (onboard); Value $23.80 (pre-purchase)/$26.00 (onboard); Premium $25.50 (pre-purchase)/$28.00 (onboard).
- Extra chargeGratuities (automatic service charge)$17.00 per day ($19.00 per day for suites; raised by $1 on April 2, 2026)
- Extra chargeSpa (60 minutes)$179+; 50-minute menu as a guide
- Extra chargeLaundrySail & Sign card-operated self-service laundry is available on each deck (washing and drying cost $3.25 each; detergent and fabric softener cost $1.50). Attended laundry and pressing services are also available for an additional charge.
- Shore excursionsShore excursions from Long Beach are optional and cost extra, including Baja California itineraries to Ensenada and Catalina Island and Mexican Riviera itineraries to destinations such as Cabo San Lucas. Prices vary by tour and port.
Prices are shown in the onboard currency; no currency conversion is applied.
Boarding, atmosphere, and links
- Japan departures: No
- Home ports: Long Beach (Los Angeles area, California, USA)
- Departure ports: Long Beach (Los Angeles)
- All ages
- A large family ship created by refitting former Costa Firenze in Carnival style as Fun Italian Style. A Florence-themed atrium and Italian dining create European flair, while Carnival-style facilities such as WaterWorks and kids' clubs remain. Short Mexican cruises from Long Beach are the focus, offering an easy Italian-inspired experience.
- Mainly operates 3- to 6-night cruises to Baja California and the Mexican Riviera from the Los Angeles area, departing Long Beach. The main clientele is families living on the West Coast and casual repeaters, and the ship is popular with those who enjoy the Italian theme.
A ship built in Italy as the former Costa Firenze. It is not an LNG-fueled ship and appears to be specified with conventional fuel combined with exhaust-gas treatment, but detailed environmental measures could not be confirmed.
Ship character
- • Three- to four-night short cruises
- • Los Angeles departures through 2026
- • Travelers who enjoy Italian atmosphere
- • Travelers seeking the newest Excel-class facilities
- • Travelers needing Japanese-language support
- • Travelers seeking West Coast departures from 2027
Cruise stories and videos on external sites
5 linksThese are articles and videos by other publishers, not Cruise Atlas. Their content is their own and has not been reviewed by us. Links open in a new tab.
- Personal blogEnglishCarnival Firenze Review from Our Mexican Riviera Cruise - Here To Cheers
heretocheers.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishWhat a 3-Day Cruise on the Carnival Firenze Feels Like
lidohoppers.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- YouTubeEnglishCarnival Firenze Complete Ship Tour (with on-screen navigation)
youtube.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- YouTubeEnglishFull Ship Tour | Carnival Firenze
youtube.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishAffiliate links disclosedCruising on the Carnival Firenze Review: What It’s Like Sailing the Italian-Style Fun Ship | Tasty Itinerary
tastyitinerary.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
Sources
- Officialcarnival.com
- Secondary sourcetravelweekly.com
- Secondary sourcecruisehive.com
- Secondary sourcecarnival-news.com
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org
- Officialcarnival.com (2)
- Officialcarnival.com (3)
- Officialcarnival.com (4)
- Officialcarnival.com (5)
- Officialcarnival.com (6)
- Officialcarnival.com (7)
- Secondary sourcethecarnivalcruiseblog.com
- Secondary sourcefreestyletravelers.com
- Officialcarnival.com (8)
Source: Wikipedia “Carnival Firenze” (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Cabins by category
| Cabins | Size | Occupancy and beds | Features | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Interior Stateroom The lowest-priced category onboard. Originally built as Costa Firenze, it was transferred to Carnival and refurbished in 2024, so its cabin layout differs in some details from Vista-class sister ships. Exact sizes and room counts cannot be confirmed. Mainly mid- to low-level decks | — | 2-4 people Twin beds (can be joined into a queen-size bed). Some cabins accommodate up to 4 people with an added upper bed. | Connecting | Check the official page (cabin overview) |
Ocean View Stateroom These rooms have no balcony but feature windows. Standard and family types accommodating multiple guests are available. Because the ship originated as Costa Firenze, exact sizes cannot be confirmed. Low- to mid-level decks | — | 2-4 people Twin beds (can be joined into a queen). Family types accommodate more guests with additional beds. | WindowConnecting | Check the official page (cabin overview) |
Balcony Stateroom A standard category with private balconies. Because the ship originated as Costa Firenze, the Vista-class standard Havana Balcony is not offered. Exact sizes cannot be confirmed. Mid- to upper-level decks | — | 2-4 people Twin beds (can be joined into a queen) + sofa bed. | BalconyConnecting | Check the official page (cabin overview) |
Suite An upper suite category with a balcony. Perks such as priority boarding and disembarkation and welcome amenities are included. Because the ship originated as Costa Firenze, the category names and sizes may differ from those of the Vista-class sister ships. Exact sizes cannot be confirmed. Mid- to upper-level decks | — | 2-5 people King bed (convertible to twins) + sofa bed. | BalconyConcierge | Check the official page (cabin overview) |
Terrazza Stateroom A category carried over from the Terrazza cabins of the Costa Firenze era. It is located in an Italian-themed exclusive area at the rear of the hull, a position equivalent to Havana on Vista-class ships. The cabin codes continue to be used after the conversion to Carnival. Exact sizes, perks, and number of cabins cannot be confirmed. Decks in the Terrazza (Italian-themed) exclusive area | — | 2-4 people Twin or king bed option. | Balcony | Check the official page (cabin overview) |
Approximate figures from official and reliable sources. Cabins vary by ship, category, and sailing.Links generally lead to official pages; some have not been verified.
Families, adults-only areas, and practical information
- • Camp Ocean — A free kids program for ages 2 to 11, with children grouped by age, offering crafts, games, movies, and dancing. Night Owls is a paid, time-based late-night option.
- • Serenity Adult-Only Retreat — A quiet retreat on Deck 15 exclusively for guests aged 21 and over, with cushioned loungers, a whirlpool hot tub, and a dedicated bar. The Versilia area, inspired by an Italian coastal resort, also has a hot tub.
- • Casino — A casino with slot machines and table games. Entry is free, but playing costs extra, and access is limited to guests aged 21 and over.
- Onboard currency
- USD
- Gratuities
- Automatic gratuities are added to your onboard Sail & Sign account for each night of the cruise. The amount can be adjusted, including reduced, at the Guest Services desk.
- Payment
- Cashless onboard
- Voltage
- Both 110V (North American standard) and 220V (European style) are available at cabin outlets.
- Formal nights
- 1 "Cruise Elegant" night is scheduled on cruises of 5 nights or fewer, and 2 on cruises of 6 nights or more. Most are held on sea days (such as day 2 or the last sea day).
- Medical facilities
- Every ship has a permanent medical center, with 1 to 2 doctors and 3 to 5 nurses on board depending on ship size, available 24 hours. It follows CLIA/ACEP standards. Consultations, medication and tests are private-pay (non-insured) services charged separately, and insurance generally cannot be used at the counter; you pay first and then claim.
- Bringing items onboard
- Guests aged 21 and over may bring one unopened 750 ml bottle of wine/champagne per person in carry-on luggage, on embarkation day only (fortified wines over 15% alcohol are not allowed). A corkage fee of $15 per bottle is charged if you drink it in public areas such as the main dining room or bars, but there is no charge for drinking it in your cabin.
- Mobile and connectivity
- Through the maritime roaming partners of major carriers, you can make calls, send SMS and use data on the high seas with your own phone and phone number (displayed as "Cellular at Sea" and the like). Many flat-rate plans are excluded and billed by usage, so checking in advance is essential. To keep costs down, it is common to switch to Wi-Fi calling via a Wi-Fi package.
- Japanese support
- Staff —Menus —Announcements —
Dining
One of the fare-included main dining rooms, offering flexible times through Your Time Dining. The interior is inspired by Renaissance master Michelangelo, and it serves multi-course meals, breakfast, and brunch.
Hours: Port-day breakfast 7:00-9:00; Sea Day brunch 8:30-12:00; dinner 17:00-until around 21:00 (flexible dining).
The other fare-included main dining room, offering fixed seating (traditional dining) at set times and tables. The space is inspired by Florence's renowned Medici family and shares its rotating menu with Michelangelo.
Hours: Dinner (fixed seating 17:00-until around 21:45). Sea Day tea time available from 15:00 to 16:00.
A large complimentary buffet with Italian and international stations. It is the most frequently used dining venue.
Hours: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (approximately 6:30-21:30).
A complimentary deli known for hot and cold sandwiches and meatballs with sauce. It also serves Italian-style sandwiches, sausages, and salads.
Hours: Lunch and dinner
A complimentary Fun Italian Style stand serving tacos, burritos, and Italian-Mexican fusion dishes.
Hours: Breakfast and lunch
A complimentary Italian street-food stand serving sandwiches, BBQ, salads, and sides.
Hours: Primarily lunch.
A complimentary burger stand overseen by celebrity chef Guy Fieri. Grilled burgers and fries are staples, with Italian-style options also available.
Hours: Lunch and dinner (Sea Day).
A complimentary lunch pasta stand where you can customize your meal by choosing the sauce, toppings, and pasta type.
Hours: Lunch.
A complimentary stand serving handmade thin-crust pizza. Open almost all day.
Hours: Open almost all day (nearly 24 hours).
A self-service soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt stand available 24 hours.
Hours: 24 hours
24-hour room service. The early-morning light breakfast menu is complimentary, but other hours incur item-by-item charges and an automatic gratuity.
Hours: 24 hours
An upscale Italian specialty restaurant embodying Fun Italian Style. It offers flavors from across Italy, not just Southern Italian tomato-based dishes, and its signature Mile High Gelato Pie is popular. A $42 cover charge applies per person.
- Antipasti from across Italy (antipasto)
- Mile-High Gelato Pie (dessert)
A steakhouse centered on premium beef dishes. Set menus include an appetizer, main course, and dessert.
- Shrimp cocktail (appetizer)
- Filet mignon (main)
- Chocolate sphere (dessert)
A Japanese restaurant serving sushi, sashimi, noodles, and more a la carte. There is no cover charge; each ordered item is charged separately.
- California roll$9
- Sashimi (1 piece)$2.50
- Ramen or udon noodle bowl$8
A teppanyaki-style performance where chefs grill food in front of you. Reservations are required, with a fixed price per person. The exact price has not been confirmed.
- Course with teppanyaki chef performance
A seafood stand serving fried shrimp, lobster rolls, and more a la carte. There is no cover charge; items are charged separately.
- Lobster roll
- Fried shrimp
A cafe serving specialty coffee and pastries. Without a beverage package, items are charged separately.
- Specialty coffee
- Pastries
Facilities and activities
A free water park with the twisting Twister slide, Speedway Splash, and PowerDrencher, plus a splash park for young children.
A central atrium inspired by Florence's Duomo (the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore). It is the centerpiece of Fun Italian Style and a lively gathering space for passengers.
A grand main theater inherited from the Costa era, offering free shows and live entertainment by Playlist Productions.
An outdoor theater beside the main pool on the Lido Deck, with a large screen for free movies and sports broadcasts. No indoor IMAX theater is installed.
A quiet retreat on Deck 15 exclusively for guests aged 21 and over, with cushioned loungers, a whirlpool hot tub, and a dedicated bar. The Versilia area, inspired by an Italian coastal resort, also has a hot tub.
A free kids program for ages 2 to 11, with children grouped by age, offering crafts, games, movies, and dancing. Night Owls is a paid, time-based late-night option.
A casino with slot machines and table games. Entry is free, but playing costs extra, and access is limited to guests aged 21 and over.
A paid spa offering thermal suites, massages, and facials. Treatments cost extra.
A free sports area with mini golf, a ropes course (Sky Course), dodgeball, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and foosball. SkyRide is installed only on some Vista-class ships, and its installation on Firenze has not been confirmed.