Carnival Italian Style

[nycruise1]

We were switched over from Magic when it was moved down to Norfolk and Venezia was brought over to NYC.  Some concern on this new concept and if it would have the Carnival feel.  Back from the first 8 day Caribbean voyage and there was no issue.  Everything was usual Carnival, and having been on Horizon and Vista we felt right at home.  We kept calling the Gondola lounge Ocean Plaza and immediately knew where everything was, right down to the restrooms.

 

Only a handful of negatives:  No way to get from decks 10 to 12 unless you went inside or went to the aft, not many loungers around the main pool and no hot tubs there, Lido not set up well with long lines

 

Pros: easily the classiest Carnival ship, very upscale feel, Asian buffet at Seafood Shack most sea days, Marq high energy cruise director, glass door in the cabin shower kept the water from leaking on to the bathroom floor

 

We had taken a leap of faith and already booked a February journeys before trying Venezia.  Now that we are backed how do we feel?  Keeping February and booked May as well.  Cant beat these long cruises out of NYC.  Hopefully they will bring them back for 2025 too.

[princess76021]

Thank you for your assessment! Appreciate it!!

Hugs from Texas

[melsmom303]

oh im not happy i had to book my magic cruise out of norfolk, but it is what it is. i just cant get the feeling that i want to go on the venezia.but excited for the magic.

[Crusin Karen]

I don’t usually do this but since this is a new ship for most, I’ll voice some opinions/observations. My husband/cruise companion passed 2 years ago so I’m cruising solo now so it’s a different perspective. And these are JUST my opinions and experiences. 
the ship is indeed beautiful. Very regal and elegant. The lido main pool is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Almost like a Roman forum bath! Not many lounge chairs-mostly tables. I spent my whole time at the aft pool. There is a bar and Java there (main pool) and the first thing i

thought was where is jam man goung to sit while drinking his beer lol. There are many private nooks and crannies. Asian buffet on sea days at the seafood shack was very popular. As was the seafood shack! I never ventured past deck 11. Crew were wonderful. Ship was very warm. I’m usually chilly but I was sweating in every venue. Casino very smoky. Lines for comedy we’re crazy long. I did not go to any shows so can’t remark about them. Food was…..hit or miss. I’ve cruised almost exclusively on CCL and I have my “favorites” and it just wasn’t “as good as I had before.” YTD was horrible. I’d check in on app and it would say 20-30 minute wait for at least an hour then it would say 10-20 minute wait. I was requesting a table for one and there were lots of 2 person tables so i

assume that’s why I Was pushed back(?) but it was very aggravating. Twice I almost went to guest services to complain but calmed myself down! I have 2 more cruises booked on her and you can be sure I’ll address this on day one! Smart elevators were fine. You get used to them quickly. They’re very warm inside lol. It was a nice cruise. As I said it’s very elegant which I’m not used to lol. I’m looking forward to my future cruises on her but if it was a choice between say magic and Venezia I’d probably pick magic. Just because it’s kind of more my vibe lol. Oh and no

hot chocolate at the coffee stations and they never had “regular” breakfast sausage which I love, instead -Italian type sausage (naturslly

lol) 

[Jamman54]

47 minutes ago, Crusin Karen said:

I don’t usually do this but since this is a new ship for most, I’ll voice some opinions/observations. My husband/cruise companion passed 2 years ago so I’m cruising solo now so it’s a different perspective. And these are JUST my opinions and experiences. 
the ship is indeed beautiful. Very regal and elegant. The lido main pool is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Almost like a Roman forum bath! Not many lounge chairs-mostly tables. I spent my whole time at the aft pool. There is a bar and Java there (main pool) and the first thing i

thought was where is jam man goung to sit while drinking his beer lol. There are many private nooks and crannies. Asian buffet on sea days at the seafood shack was very popular. As was the seafood shack! I never ventured past deck 11. Crew were wonderful. Ship was very warm. I’m usually chilly but I was sweating in every venue. Casino very smoky. Lines for comedy we’re crazy long. I did not go to any shows so can’t remark about them. Food was…..hit or miss. I’ve cruised almost exclusively on CCL and I have my “favorites” and it just wasn’t “as good as I had before.” YTD was horrible. I’d check in on app and it would say 20-30 minute wait for at least an hour then it would say 10-20 minute wait. I was requesting a table for one and there were lots of 2 person tables so i

assume that’s why I Was pushed back(?) but it was very aggravating. Twice I almost went to guest services to complain but calmed myself down! I have 2 more cruises booked on her and you can be sure I’ll address this on day one! Smart elevators were fine. You get used to them quickly. They’re very warm inside lol. It was a nice cruise. As I said it’s very elegant which I’m not used to lol. I’m looking forward to my future cruises on her but if it was a choice between say magic and Venezia I’d probably pick magic. Just because it’s kind of more my vibe lol. Oh and no

hot chocolate at the coffee stations and they never had “regular” breakfast sausage which I love, instead -Italian type sausage (naturslly

lol) 

No worries Karen,  I can drink standing up! 😁

[Crusin Karen]

Just now, Jamman54 said:

No worries Karen,  I can drink standing up! 😁

Lol!!! Truly and honestly that was my first thought. Where is Jamman goung to sit. The bar is in a 3 sided room open on the one side to the pool but it’s definitely  separate. It’s a beautiful ship just very different! 

[Crusin Karen]

Bar tenders at aft pool were great. I wish I remembered their names. I always sat at the same table (chairs are very comfortable with cushions) near the bar all day and every morning they greeted me when I came out. I always ordered either a pirate punch or Bahama mama. Last day I ordered sex on the beach. Wasn’t a fan-I kind of crinkled my nose. He noticed and said you want one of your usuals instead? I said yes he dumped the SOTB drink and made me a PP no extra charge. 👍👏

[Crusin Karen]

Bar I’m talking about at main pool is Rococo bar. Just FYI

[Jamman54]

Just now, Crusin Karen said:

Bar I’m talking about at main pool is Rococo bar. Just FYI

Did you have any drinks at the Carnevale Bar?

[Crusin Karen]

2 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

Did you have any drinks at the Carnevale Bar?

No! Just had a few every day at the pool then “made my own” 🫣 then at night would go to atrium bar for a few night caps. 

[Haljo1935]

Not so thrilled to hear the ship was warm. We tend to be warm-to-comfortable wearing s/s t-shirts & sandals on most ships, so that's a bit concerning. 

Maybe they'll get the HVAC figured out before we board in Sept. 🙄🤔🫠

[nycruise1]

5 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Not so thrilled to hear the ship was warm. We tend to be warm-to-comfortable wearing s/s t-shirts & sandals on most ships, so that's a bit concerning. 

Maybe they'll get the HVAC figured out before we board in Sept. 🙄🤔🫠

Room was totally fine, did not even need to use the lowest cool setting to keep it comfortable.  Worst spots were the hallways on the passenger decks.  They often felt totally unairconditioned.  I wore a suit elegant nights and was fine in the dining room, even with a suit jacket over a longsleeved dress shirt.

 

11 hours ago, Crusin Karen said:

I have 2 more cruises booked on her and you can be sure I’ll address this on day one!

We have the May 17th booked.  Got a great deal with the most recent sale.  Which week are you?  Also the February journeys.

 

Lines to the comedy shows were very long, back to the casino.  But we always made it in and even had good seats.  Perhaps they have more seating than on most ships?

[Cherries Jubilee]

I’m hoping they just haven’t gotten into a rhythm yet. I’m booked in October and February.

 

It’s always nice to hear that none of the issues ruined the whole trip.

[nycruise1]

9 hours ago, Cherries Jubilee said:

I’m hoping they just haven’t gotten into a rhythm yet. I’m booked in October and February.

 

It’s always nice to hear that none of the issues ruined the whole trip.

Far from it.  Very enjoyable cruise for us.  Are you on the 12 days journey in February?  There is a roll call,

[Crusin Karen]

16 hours ago, nycruise1 said:

Room was totally fine, did not even need to use the lowest cool setting to keep it comfortable.  Worst spots were the hallways on the passenger decks.  They often felt totally unairconditioned.  I wore a suit elegant nights and was fine in the dining room, even with a suit jacket over a longsleeved dress shirt.

 

We have the May 17th booked.  Got a great deal with the most recent sale.  Which week are you?  Also the February journeys.

 

Lines to the comedy shows were very long, back to the casino.  But we always made it in and even had good seats.  Perhaps they have more seating than on most ships?

I’m on the 11 day right before yours. Spent a bit of time in casino every night and it was very warm. And the elevators! Wow! Cabin was very warm. Turned up AC then it was too cold! Of course! Didn’t put a dent in the cruise just mentioned it as I’m usually chilly on ships and if anyone else is just wanted to send a warning. Only thing that really made me mad was the false waiting time alerts for YTD. And another warning: I had an old tube of travel size toothpaste I figured I’d pack and use up. Must have expired-I couldn’t get it out of the tube. Went to store on ship-$8.50 for a tube of toothpaste!!! Cheaper than a visit to the dentist, but 🥹 lol 

[Crusin Karen]

10 hours ago, Cherries Jubilee said:

I’m hoping they just haven’t gotten into a rhythm yet. I’m booked in October and February.

 

It’s always nice to hear that none of the issues ruined the whole trip.

No. And crew were great. Very friendly, helpful and hard working. 

[shof515]

Just now, Lovecruises6969 said:

Please, everyone make sure you were calling carnival and let him know that this is not normal, the carnival magic does not have this issue!!!

last year the carnival magic did had similar issues with flights onboard when sailing out of ny: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/dance-floor-brawl-on-nyc-bound-cruise-ship-sparks-emergency-response/3752985/

[Saint Greg]

On 7/2/2023 at 5:34 PM, Crusin Karen said:

 

thought was where is jam man goung to sit while drinking his beer lol.

 

My guess is the rococo bar.

 

 

[Jamman54]

30 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

 

My guess is the rococo bar.

 

 

Or visiting Zora at the Carnevale Bar. 😁

[Saint Greg]

13 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

Or visiting Zora at the Carnevale Bar. 😁

Could be there or frizzante or Amari. I noticed they switched them around shortly after I left the ship. 
 

Edited July 7, 2023 by Saint Greg

[Jamman54]

43 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Could be there or frizzante or Amari. I noticed they switched them around shortly after I left the ship. 
 

I'll find her. I expect she'll be at Amari. 😎