Carnival Venezia Questions

[rsail203]

I haven't cruised on Carnival in many years. I'm thinking about booking the Venezia for next year. I've read many reviews that were very mixed. Can anyone give me more info, pro or con?

 

Also, what are the costs for soda and wifi packages.

 

Are there any MDR menus posted on line?

[Sjdcella]

We have cruised her once and going again in April. Both times the ship was sold out so I expect it to be crowded on the Lido again. The Lido deck is small. Both pools are on the Lido deck (one mid, one aft.). Both are small, if that is a deal breaker for you. Our sailing in the fall they were packed so if you don't mind a standing room pool.... Hot tubs; two on Lido aft, 2 in Serenity, one in Terrrazzo( Havana) area. Again these were packed for most days and times. The ship is laid out similar to the Vista class ships and they use the smart elevator system. This can be frustrating as folks just don't take the time to learn how to use them properly. 

 

Because the Lido is smaller, and you have the quick service food stations plus the buffet, it can be very hard to get around during prime eating times. We spent a lot of time by Plaza San Marco, Hero's bar and Fizzante, these areas were not as crowded. The comedy shows were packed and the lines were all the way back to the casino to get in. The shows in the theater were good but get in early to get a good seat, there are support beams that block a lot of the seats.

 

MDR: We ate in the dining room most nights. We had your time dining, we were bumped from our early seating time upon boarding. ( lots of Diamond & Platnum on our sailing). They worked with us in the Canal restaurant and booked us a set table and time every night. Which was great.

 

The crew was great as usual, and the Captain and XO were friendly. We sailed w/ MarQ  as the CD, he was great! I would definitely sail with him again.

 

Sail away was breathtaking. If you have never sailed out of NY harbor, I would highly recommend it to anyone. We like the Vista size ships, not that I didn't like the Excel class they have great food options, but my husband is disabled and the bigger ships are hard for him to get around.

 

If you park at the Port, get ready to pay $$. We are lucky as we have family close by and can drive in and drop us. If you can,  take a train into the city and Uber/Taxi that will save you $$ if you are not big packers and don't mind navigating with your luggage. I would also get a later boarding time if you sail out M-Thurs. That early check-in you will be dealing w/ rush hour traffic. Pick 11:30am or later, or better yet a Sat/Sun Embark.

 

Overall, we enjoyed sailing her, and we booked again when we got home. The price of flying vs the relative convenience of going out of NYC is worth it to us. All ships have +/- it's what is important to you. We did not experience any issues with the passengers like some other posters here. You are always going to find rude people, I don't let the ruin my vacation.

 

There are some Venezia reviews, check those out for menus and additional info around the activities on board. Their menu is not the new fleet menu, their menus  have Italian specials on them, different from the fleet. I will say the food was decent, and so much better than our Horizon sailing.

 

For bottomless bubbles, info is here:

 

https://help.goccl.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3836/related/1

 

We do not use WiFi onboard so I cannot speak to that. We have an International plan for cell service w/ unlimited data and just use it/hot spot in the ports.

 

https://help.goccl.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1152/kw/Wifi

 

 

[Mike45LC]

I just got off the Venezia this week.  Generally, I was favorably impressed by the Venezia.  

 

It was very crowded.  Long lines for people to get into evening shows for all shows: production shows, game shows, comedy shows.  Lido deck buffet and Guy's Burgers and the Mexican food place [Tomasomo or something] were all crowded.  Prime time buffet seating was at a premium.

 

Lots of kids.  But I didn't see any problems with unsupervised children.  

 

I did not see any drunken brawls.  But this was a ten day cruise, not a short party cruise.