Costa Firenze handed over for more 'Carnival Fun Italian Style'

Renamed Carnival Firenze, it is the 27th ship in Carnival's fleet.

Carnival Capt. Crescenzo Palomba, left, takes over the ship from Costa Capt. Ezio di Nunzio

The former Costa Cruises vessel will undergo two months of work before its introduction as the second 'Carnival Fun Italian Style' ship, joining Carnival Venezia.

Year-round cruises from Long Beach

Carnival Firenze is scheduled to begin year-round service from Long Beach, California, on April 25. It will operate three- and four-day cruises to Ensenada and Catalina Island and five-, six- and seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises with calls at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta.

The 2021-built ship’s atrium is modeled after Florence’s Piazza del Duomo, while the Lido Deck draws inspiration from the Italian Riviera.

New food and beverage outlets

Following its Navantia conversion, Carnival Firenze will feature many food and beverage venues currently available on Carnival Venezia, including La Strada Grill, with classic Italian street food, a Mexitalian fusion restaurant, Tomodoro, and Il Viaggio, a specialty Italian restaurant.

Bars Amari and Frizzante will serve a variety of Italian specialties, with Amari offering craft cocktails, authentic Italian coffee and biscotti and Frizzante delivering bubbly libations.

The ship will also gain activities and experiences from other Fun Ships, including the Heroes Tribute Lounge, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Java Blue Café, Serenity Adult-Only Retreat and Carnival WaterWorks.