How is the Venezia different from Carnival’s other ships?

The Carnival Venezia feels a lot like Carnival’s Vista class ships. The floor plan is very similar. It is easy to compare the ship’s similar venues and spaces. But how is the inaugural “Fun Italian Style” ship of the Venezia different from Carnival’s other ships?

There are some unique, Italian menu items

There is an Italian themed burger at Guy’s, featuring a fried mozzerella square. (I prefer the classic.)

Italian burger from Guy’s on Carnival Venezia

The main dining room menu includes Italian dishes every night and flags them with an Italian flag so you know what you are getting is unique. Some of the items it flags as Italian are actually standard on Carnival’s dinner menus – ceasar salad, lasagna, fried mozzerlla, minestrone soup.

But others are really different. I’m still not sure what Aranchini is but you should get it as an appetizer if you see it on your menu.

The Italian flair on the food is fun. Plus it’s something you can easily ignore if you’re not feeling it.

The decor of the ship on the Venezia is very different to Carnival’s other ships

Some of Carnival’s older ships have an interesting decor. Some are quirky, some are tacky. The most recent Carnival ships are much tamer, but the decor on the Carnival Venezia is definitely different than any of Carnival’s other ships. It feels Italian. And it has nice details like lamp posts around the ship that make you feel like you are on in Italian ship.

Italian flair in the lights on the promenade deck Carnival Venezia

They moved the Java Blue Coffee to Lido

Which is great. The idea behind the move is that there is a coffee shop on every Italian street corner, so to make Lido feel more like an Italian square it needed a coffee shop. It’s fun. It makes it much easier to grab a coffee to have with or after your meal. Plus it offers some more shaded seating on the Lido square.

Lido has balconies

If Lido was an Italian square, then it would not be complete with balconies overlooking the square. These balconies have comfy seating and are mostly in the shade making them a great place to watch the fun below.

However, the balconies take up some of the room that is traditionally used to host parties. There are no longer stacks of decks where you can gather the whole ship for parties.

While there are still plenty of lounge chairs they are more spread out

You may have to go looking for lounge chairs. They are no longer mostly congregated by the main pool. There is a whole deck of them on 11, but there are also quite a few on 5. And way less by the main pool.

So how different is the Carnival Venezia compared to Carnival’s other ships?

In aesthetics, it is different. It looks more updated. It gives off a different vibe. But the great crew, the fun quick service lunch options, the good food are all still the same. It may be an Italian style ship, but it’s still a fun ship.

You won’t think you are on some other cruise line. The things you know and expect from a Carnival cruise ship are still present on the Carnival Venezia.