Carnival Venezia News

Carnival Venezia Named By TV Host and Comedian Jay Leno.

June 14, 2023 - CARNIVAL VENEZIA NAMED - MAIDEN NYC DEPARTURE

Carnival Cruise Line’s new Carnival Venezia was named by Jay Leno on Wednesday in New York on June 14, 2023.

A welcome event was hosted to celebrate the ship’s arrival in New York with the festivities continuing Thursday morning in the Manhattan Cruise Terminal while the first guests boarded to sail.

President of Carnival Cruise Line Christine Duffy greeted guests with a special event to welcome them onboard the Carnival Venezia. She was joined by Captain Claudio Cupisti and some of the ship’s first guests in cutting a ceremonial ribbon.

The Carnival Venezia received a blessing by Father Enrique Salvo of St. Patrick’s Cathedral while comedian and television host Jay Leno, the ship’s godfather, performed a special comedy show exclusively for Carnival’s guests on Wednesday evening.

“By highlighting his own Italian heritage, Jay is helping us celebrate the Italian theming guests will experience when they cruise on this beautiful ship,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We’ve heard great reviews from guests who sailed on the ship’s transatlantic crossing, and now I am so happy to welcome our first guests joining us from New York to enjoy what’s in store for them.”

On June 15, 2023, The Carnival Venezia sailed on her maiden voyage from New York on a four-day cruise to Bermuda.

Carnival Venezia's Godfather Named - TV Host and Comedian Jay Leno.

June 2, 2023 - CARNIVAL VENEZIA'S GODFATHER NAMED

Canival Cruises' Names It's First Godfather - Carnival Cruise Line today announced that acclaimed late night talk show host and comedian Jay Leno will serve as its first ever godfather to one of its ships, Carnival Venezia™, at a celebratory event on June 14, 2023 when the ship is blessed and enters service from New York City. The ship is the first to incorporate “Carnival Fun Italian Style” that adds Carnival’s signature fun to the beautiful Italian theming of the vessel. In addition to serving as the Godfather, Leno will perform a special comedy show exclusively for Carnival’s event guests, in partnership with Carnival® World Mastercard®.

“Carnival Venezia originally entered service for our Italian sister brand Costa Cruises and was christened in 2019, so she already has a godmother. With Carnival Venezia joining the fleet and sailing from New York, we wanted to ensure a proper welcome for the ship and decided having a godfather would be both fun and appropriate,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. “And when we thought of someone who would make a FUN godfather with Italian heritage, we knew Jay Leno would be the perfect godfather! And he’s already a member of the Carnival family – he entertained guests a few years ago as part of our Carnival LIVE entertainment Series.”

“I am truly honored to be named the godfather of Carnival Venezia. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse,” said Leno. “Carnival’s focus on FUN combined with the Italian theming of this ship is something that is truly unique. I’m also excited to have my very own cruise ship, although I think I’ll need a bigger garage!”

A native of New Rochelle, NY, Leno is the grandson of immigrants from Flumeri, Campania, Italy. He began his entertainment career in stand-up comedy, which led to the nearly two-decades-long role he is best known for as host of The Tonight Show, from which he retired in 2014. During most of his tenure, Leno’s The Tonight Show was the top-ranked talk show on late night, and he earned the reputation as being “the hardest working man in show business.”

Leno currently produces and is host of the CNBC primetime series Jay Leno’s Garage that is now in its seventh season and explores the world of cars, never forgetting that it’s the people behind the wheel who provide the real stories. The series debuted in October 2015 and delivered CNBC’s most-watched first season in network history. He remains in demand as a stand-up performer, corporate speaker and the host of the game show reboot, You Bet Your Life.

Carnival Venezia celebrates Venice, Italy, and has many spaces on board that are reminiscent of her namesake. When guests enter the ship, they arrive in the Venice-inspired atrium Piazza San Marco, the onboard flavor and flair continues at restaurants like the elegant Marco Polo and Canal Grande Restaurants, along with the new Italian specialty restaurant, “Il Viaggio.” Carnival Playlist Productions shows entertain guests at the Teatro Rosso theater that is reminiscent of Italian opera houses.

Carnival Venezia's Crew Welcomes You - New York Here We Come.

May 30, 2023 - CARNIVAL VENEZIA NOW ON HER TRANSATLANTIC VOYAGE TO NEW YORK

Carnival Cruise Line has welcomed its first guests to experience “Carnival Fun Italian Style” aboard the cruise line’s latest addition to the fleet, Carnival Venezia, as the ship began sailing in Europe on its way to New York City. The ship departed Barcelona, Spain on a two-week transatlantic Carnival Journeys sailing on May 29 and will arrive to its new homeport at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on June 13.

Carnival President Christine Duffy greeted the first guests embarking from Barcelona’s cruise terminal onto the ship Monday. Duffy is joining the guests and Carnival’s friendly crew for the first part of the sailing.

“Following an extensive enhancement, Carnival Venezia really looks and feels like part of the Carnival family – with Italian theming and unique flair that I know our guests will appreciate,” said Duffy. “I’m looking forward to experiencing some of the ‘Carnival Fun Italian Style’ elements with our first guests and I can’t wait to welcome the ship for her debut in New York.”

Carnival Venezia is the first ship to debut “Carnival Fun Italian Style.” Distinct entertainment programming, such as a special Captain’s Venetian Toast and an Italian street party on Lido were created to enhance guests’ experience with the ship’s immersive Italian theming. Carnival Venezia also introduces several new dining and beverage offerings, including the specialty restaurant, “Il Viaggio,” which promises a culinary voyage of the best regional dishes and drinks from several regions of Italy.

Along with the new concepts, the ship also features several Carnival mainstays that guests know and love, including Guy Fieri’s Guy’s Burger Joint, the steakhouse Fahrenheit 555, Bonsai Sushi & Teppanyaki and the Chef’s Table, along with Piano Bar 88 and Heroes Tribute Lounge. Much of the ship’s original interior design serves as an architectural homage to the city of Venice, Italy, which inspired the new concepts and programming.

The ship’s first cruise from New York, a four-day cruise to Bermuda, is set for June 15, 2023. From its New York homeport, the ship will operate 10 different cruise durations and 22 unique itineraries featuring visits to 25 ports across 14 countries. In the winter of 2024, Carnival Venezia will reposition from New York with a 12-Day Southern Caribbean Carnival Journeys Cruise arrive to Port Canaveral on Dec. 18, 2024 to begin a season deployment in Florida. After a series of departures from Port Canaveral, visiting popular destinations across the Caribbean and the Bahamas, the ship will return to New York in the spring of 2025.

Carnival Venezia Painted In Costa By Carnival Colors.

April 28, 2023 - CARNIVAL VENEZIA RECEIVES MODIFIED CARNIVAL LIVERY

With the debut of Carnival Cruise Line’s “Fun Italian Style” offering only weeks away, Carnival Venezia is showing off her new hull livery, but with a nod to the ship’s Costa Cruises roots, the red stripe on the hull has been painted yellow and will correspond with the yellow on the ship’s funnel.

The unique take on the Carnival livery is just the beginning of what the ship holds in store for its guests, who will experience fun influenced by the ship's Italian design with the same warm hospitality Carnival is known for fleetwide.

Once Carnival Venezia’s enhancement project is completed in Spain, the ship will embark guests on a 15-day Carnival Journeys transatlantic sailing May 29, 2023 from Barcelona and arrive to her new home at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in New York City. The ship’s first cruise from New York – a four-day cruise to Bermuda – is set for June 15, 2023.

The ship accommodates more than 5,000 guests and will offer 10 different cruise durations and 22 unique itineraries featuring visits to 25 ports across 14 countries.

Carnival Venezia'a Hotel Director Karl Hallberg, Captain Claudio Cupisti and Chief Engineer Cesare Boldrini

April 14, 2023 - CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE INTRODUCES CARNIVAL VENEZIA’S LEADERSHIP TEAM

Carnival Cruise Line today announced the appointment of the senior officers and lead entertainment team members for the newest addition to the cruise line’s fleet, Carnival Venezia.

Captain Claudio Cupisti, Chief Engineer Cesare Boldrini and Hotel Director Karl Hallberg are the ship’s senior officers. Entertainment Director Milena Krivokapic and Cruise Director Marques “MarQ” Matthias will ensure all of the Carnival fun is delivered on board the fleet’s 25th ship.

“As we continue to grow our operations, it’s key for us to build strong teams who can ensure the success of our new ships and their crew members. We’re fortunate to have some of the most experienced mariners in the cruise industry coming together to make Carnival Venezia feel right at home, for our guests, as part of the Carnival fleet,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Meet Carnival Venezia’s Leaders

Senior Officers

• Captain Claudio Cupisti: Originally from Viareggio, Italy, Cupisti began working for Carnival in 1989 and brings 34 years of Carnival experience to the helm of Carnival Venezia. Capt. Cupisti has worked on 20 Carnival ships over the years, including Carnival Breeze, Carnival Elation, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Valor and many more.
• Chief Engineer Cesare Boldrini: Starting with Carnival as an engine cadet in 1995, Boldrini quickly moved his way up through several promotions and has led several engineering teams as a chief engineer since 2011. He is originally from La Spezia, Italy. Boldrini has worked on several ships over the years, including Carnival Elation, Carnival Dream, Carnival Legend and Carnival Vista.
• Hotel Director Karl Hallberg: Hailing from Sweden, Hallberg has served as the hotel director on 10 Carnival ships since he first started with the cruise line six years ago. Some of the ships where Hallberg has served as hotel director include Carnival Valor, Carnival Magic, Carnival Elation, Carnival Sunrise and Carnival Liberty.

Entertainment Leaders

• Entertainment Director Milena Krivokapic: Her love for cruising began at a young age as Krivokapic watched ships docking in her hometown in Montenegro in the Mediterranean. In 2015, she began her career with Carnival in the photo department as a photo host and installed digital galleries across the fleet before embarking with Carnival Entertainment as a content manager in 2018. Krivokapic has been a part of the Carnival Vista team and most recently lead the Entertainment team on board Carnival Horizon.
• Cruise Director Marques “MarQ” Matthias: After taking his first cruise in 2015, Matthias fell in love with Carnival Cruise Line and joined the Fun Squad later that year and was part of the inaugural team on Carnival Vista. In 2016, he stepped into the cruise director role and has been leading the fun on several ships across the fleet ever since. Matthias has also worked on Carnival Dream, Carnival Liberty and Carnival Breeze.

Carnival Venezia will be the first ship to showcase Carnival Fun Italian Style, which combines the ship’s Italian theming with Carnival’s signature fun. Built in 2019, Carnival Venezia accommodates more than 5,000 guests and is set to begin year-round cruising from New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal on June 15, 2023 after its Transatlantic crossing during a 15-day Carnival Journeys cruise that begins in Barcelona, Spain on May 29, 2023.

March 29, 2023 - CARNIVAL PRESIDENT CHRISTINE DUFFY AND CHIEF CULINARY OFFICER EMERIL LAGASSE TO WELCOME GUESTS ON CARNIVAL VENEZIA’S FIRST SAILING

As it prepares for the debut of “Fun Italian Style,” Carnival Cruise Line announced today that its President Christine Duffy and Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse will welcome guests aboard Carnival Venezia’s first sailing departing Barcelona on May 29, 2023, and they will sail for the first part of the cruise.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet and interact with them while experiencing all that Carnival’s new “Fun Italian Style” cruising has to offer. Programming highlights include a Sail Away Party and Captain’s Venetian Toast with Christine and Emeril, guest appearances on The Wave Morning Show, a special Fireside Chat, along with their participation in other events and entertainment.

And of course, it wouldn’t be an Emeril sailing without a special cooking demonstration! Guests will have the opportunity to learn from the pro himself on the sailing’s first sea day. Spaces for the private cooking demonstration can be purchased once on board and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Proceeds will serve as a fundraiser for Carnival’s charitable partner St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“We are eagerly awaiting the debut of Carnival Venezia and so we wanted to welcome the ship with ‘BAM’ by having Emeril join me on board as we interact with guests and show off this beautiful ship,” said Duffy. “Together for the first part of Carnival Venezia’s first sailing, we’ll experience Carnival’s signature fun with a new Italian flair, exclusive onboard events and beautiful European destinations – I can’t wait!”

The 15-day Transatlantic Carnival Journeys cruise from Barcelona will stop in Malaga, Spain; Gibraltar; Lisbon, Portugal; Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal; and Halifax, NS, Canada on the way to New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

Carnival Venezia will sail year-round from New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal beginning June 15 and offer guests a wide range of sailing options, with 10 different cruise durations and 22 unique itineraries featuring visits to 25 ports across 14 countries.

When guests first board Carnival Venezia, they will be immediately surrounded by Italian architectural design both inside and out. The ship’s beautiful atrium is modeled after Venice’s main public square, the Piazza San Marco, whereas the Lido deck draws inspiration from the Italian Riviera with a retractable roof to allow guests to still enjoy the pool year-round.

The ship will introduce many new food and beverage offerings to the Carnival fleet where guests can indulge in the flavors of Italy, including La Strada Grill with classic Italian street food, a Mexitalian fusion restaurant Tomodoro, a similar-to-Alchemy-Bar Amari, and Frizzante, serving a variety of bubbly drinks, from prosecco to spritzes and bellinis, along with Italian beer, authentic Italian coffees and biscotti.

Carnival Venezia will also feature new Italian-inspired entertainment spaces, such as the Gondola Lounge, designed with the famous Venetian canals in mind, and the Carnevale Bar & Lounge, celebrating the elegance of Venetian masquerades during Carnevale, as well as new activities like the Italian Street Party where Little Italy meets Lido, the Captain’s Venetian Toast, and Italian-inspired youth programming for kids and teens.

The ship will be home to many of the activities and experiences guests enjoy aboard other Carnival ships as well, including Carnival Waterworks, Piano Bar 88, Heroes Tribute Lounge, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi & Teppanyaki, Guy’s Burger Joint, Cloud 9 Salon & Spa, the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, and Dr. Seuss Bookville.

March 28, 2023 - CARNIVAL VENEZIA OFFICIALLY REGISTERED WITH THE BAHAMAS

Carnival Venezia was officially registered today with the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA). During a ceremony in Cadiz, Spain, Carnival Venezia’s senior leadership team and the classification society completed all necessary registration processes and raised the Bahamian flag to designate the new ship registry.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate another maritime milestone as Carnival Venezia joins the seven other ships we have registered in The Bahamas,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The BMA is among the most respected administrations in international shipping, and we value their level of cooperation and professionalism aimed to achieve the highest safety standards.”

Carnival Venezia is currently undergoing a dry dock in Cadiz and will depart on her 15-day transatlantic Carnival Journeys sailing from Barcelona on May 29, 2023. The ship is set to begin year-round cruising from New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal on June 15, 2023. A wide range of sailing options are available, with 10 different cruise durations and 22 unique itineraries featuring visits to 25 ports across 14 countries.

Carnival Venezia will be the first ship to feature “Fun Italian Style” combining the Italian theming of the ship with Carnival’s signature fun. Built in 2019, Carnival Venezia accommodates up to 5,145 guests and 1,393 Carnival crew members.