This review is from a first time carnival cruiser and first time cruiser overall, 30yo. 1-getting there, our call time was 11:30am traffic was awful despite leaving 2hrs ahead of time.. I arrived at the port @11am and it took a WHOLE hour to get from the freeway exit to the drop off location.. had no cars been there it would've taken 1min max. 2-porters, super easy to find them they are everywhere at the drop off location, just give them your luggage and tip them.. I tipped $5 for 2 carry on size bags. This is super helpful as our rooms aren't ready until 1:30pm, you do not have to check your luggage but if you don't you will be carrying it with you the entire time until your room is ready. 3-checking in- Since we missed our call window we had to go in the general line. Another 45min-1hr wait time, and if you bring sodas/wine you do have to carry this with you the whole time so that's frustrating but again all choices. 4-getting on the cruise ship was super easy and once on staff is very friendly with directions and answering questions. 5-since cabins aren't ready until 1:30pm from the time you get on the cruise until then you can explore the ship and start doing activities right away.. we saw people in the pools, in jacuzzis and doing all the activities already as well as enjoying the food! 6-once your room is ready at 1:30 you can go in and your luggage/key cards are right outside your room.. super easy! 7-food!! Just about all the food is included.. the have food from 6am-2am.. so try everything I have no complaints for food.. the main dining room meals are also the same meals at the buffet.. and in the MDR you can order unlimited apps and desserts and 2 entrees.. I would recommend bringing your our hot sauce and ranch because those options aren't available or many. 8-activities, I was able to do just about them all, from dances, sports, pools, night clubs, obstacle courses and the jacuzzi.. which they do get PACKED.. and there's only so many on board and there's just tooo many people.. that sucks.. the only time I was able to enjoy them was 10pm-11pm.. and even then it's still packed but I was able to join in. 9-I did a 4day cruise our dress up days were 80s, white hot and elegant. But do plan to bring night club outfits.. people really showed out I felt underdressed at times.. the 80s was more for the older crowd but still fun times.. 10-excursions, I got off at both ports, Catalina and Ensanada and I had a great time at both.. our charter busses that pick us up from the cruise ship in Mexico offered us semi same excursions at 50-75% the price as carnival, so I'm glad we booked with them.. my price to go see the blowhole was $25 and with carnival it was I believe $78... sooooo do with that information as you will.. :) 11-debarkation- our time to disembark was 9:50-10:30 they kicked us off the boat at 9:10-15 lol.. they definitely want everyone off the quicker the better.. i understand they need to prep for the next cruise but wow.. oh! You can give your luggage to them the night before to have it waiting for you at the port, and there was no tipping that time around, and having a passport is impórtate here because the passport line was maybe a 5min wait, while the birth certificate line was I guess maybe 1hr-1.5hrs.. that line was looooong.. Overall!! I can't wait to go back! I had a time!! I do wish the schedule was more openly known, which is didn't know of until after I found out how.. but user error.. do join Facebook groups! read more

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The Firenze is Italian themed that tweaks the Carnival brand. My sailing was 6 nights with 2 stops in Cabo San Lucas, and 1 in Ensenada sailed February 23 to March 1, 2026, at the time of Cartel attacks in Mexico. Opted for MDR Early Dinning and had 2 pleasant table mates, changed from anytime dinning as to not wait to be seated. I focused on proteins not also being served in the Buffet. My sailing had 2 formal nights with Filet Mignon served on the 1st, and both Lobster and Prime Rib Served on the 2nd. For Breakfast / Brunch my choice was the MDR and always arrived at opening, they did run out of fresh bananas though on day 4. Overall service in the MDR was attentive, and the food presentation, and quality good. Deserts were almost always spot on and far better than that available via the buffet. The ship also had numerous additional included dinning options, Burgers, Sandwiches, Salads with Italian tweaks plus good pizza, and soft serve ice cream. Lines for Pizza were not uncommon as the staff seemed relaxed at keeping up with demand. The ship was very well maintained, and on my sailing the bars / lounges easy to access with soda served in cans. Theater seating available if arrived 15 minutes early. Production shows contemporary with a cast of talented singers and dancers. On my sailing there were 2 teams of comedians easy to see in the theater or the late evening show in the lounge. Plus a Casino that was ample in size with a gaming room that prohibited smoking. For those wanting sun, and outdoor spas, deck 15, and 10 aft were good alternatives to the pool at 10 mid. Overall a good sailing. read more

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Just got back from a cruise on this ship! Fantastic!! The decor is beautiful, food was great, everyone on board that we came in contact with was amazing. For a family of 7 who has kids from ages 10-25, there was something for everyone. Although the boat was huge and at capacity, it never felt like it. Here's a breakdown of places we tried on the boat with ratings: Michelangelo's - every night for dinner. 9/10 Guy's Burger joint - 9/10 Pizza Stand - 8/10 Chicken Shack - 8/10 Breakfast Shack - 7/10 Bagels at Sea - 7/10 Java Blue Cafe - 9/10 the only reason why I didn't say 10 is because coffee took forever. Otherwise, the coffee is amazing! Tomodoro - 7/10 Lido Buffet - 5/10 Swirls - 10/10 Our cruise Director Zack - AMAZING!! read more

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This review is for Firenze. We decided to arrive using Tax. Make sure you print your boarding pass and luggage tag at home, you'll save time when you arrive. You go to a typical ID and passport check. Then when you get inside, your cruise cards are waiting for you in the box at your room door.For staying, there are multiple room options available. Small rooms with no window. Small rooms with window but no balcony. Small rooms with balcony. Then big suits. I suggest you get a room with balcony because it is better. Normal small rooms have two twin beds or one queen bed, one small couch, one cabin with tub and sink, another cabin with sink and toilet and shower, TV, hair dryer, a safe and a small fridge. TV had some in-network channels. Air conditioner worked very well. Room had several wardrobes to put your cloths. Make sure you bring an empty water bottle so you can fill it for free from the Lido level buffet. You can store your luggage under the bed if luggage is not too big. Hot water in shower was very hot. Suggestion: I wish the have more outlets closer to the beds. Make sure your phone is on airplane mode after ship leaves the port so you don't get charged for connecting to ships phone tower. Make sure cruise Company's phone app is downloaded in your phone and signed in because it will be very helpful, you can see all the shows, you can make dinner reservations, etc. There is a two minute meeting to show your emergency area and then you need to watch two minute video on your phone app or on your TV. If you don't wanna eat at the buffet at all times, make sure to make your dinner reservations at Michalengeno or Medici in advance. Buffet has very good choices, and also water, coffee, tea and fruit juices are included. There is also a smash burger store, which was superb. There is a Mexican food place as well as a salad place and sandwich place that you can try. If you like soft drinks like Coke or sprite, you can bring an unopened container dozen box into ship. Also a bottle of wine if you drink it. If you wanna join to some excursions, make sure you make a smart decision because if you change your mind, they will not refund your money, which happened to my friend. Gym is open to all passengers. There is also a sauna with ocean view, which was superb.. Your personal cruise-card is very important, if you don't wanna carry your wallet everywhere, you can buy a plastic container and hang it around your neck. Make sure you hold on to your cruise-card until the cruise finished and you are out of the passport control because they may check. Also, plan accordingly be aware that first day and last day, elevators were not available because porters were carrying your luggage. While leaving the ship, if you forgot to print your luggage tag, you can go to guest services and ask them to print one for you, or you can reserve your luggage tag through the Phone app. Internet is available for a fee, otherwise you can use the free version which is good so your phone app gets updates. If you prefer, sit-down dining in Medici or Michalengeno you can have 2 entries, multiple appetizers, multiple desserts but make sure you check the menu because there were some items that will not be free and it will cost you. If you need anything else like tea, coffee, or yogurt, you can ask them to bring it to you. Also, room service is free, as well. Deck 12 has a nice walking trail that you can enjoy walking especially early morning. Deck 15 has adult space with no kids, otherwise kids are everywhere in this ship and they are constantly screaming, be ready. There are many dancing events or movie nights.. There is also casino inside the ship which smelled so bad. Comedy shows were decent enough. There was also an art show. Ship was very clean, crew was constantly cleaning so I had no problem in cleanliness. Staff was extremely friendly. Especially our hallway attendee, and the staff at the restaurant were very kind and nice people. There is a nine hole mini golf that you can enjoy. On the day of leaving the ship, if you can wake up early, you can have a breakfast. Make sure you make a reservation early in the morning. By the way, if you want them to pick up your luggage before you leave the ship, you need to make it ready before 10:30 PM the night before. One of the things I did not like was that they don't have a proper system for people to use like fussball table or ping-pong table or other amenities, because I've seen many people are arguing, especially around the ping-pong table. People were constantly arguing that they were in line or they came there first. A whiteboard on the wall where people can write down their names to get in line by the ping Pong table could have easily resolved these arguments. One of the dinner nights on the ship is prom night so I've seen people dressing up very nicely.. Make sure you pack a sandal or slippers. Cruise gives you two pool towels, and more towels are available by the pool side. read more

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I just returned from a cruise on this ship. While I had a lovely time, it was somewhat of a disappointment compared to my last cruise on Carnival Panorama. The lido deck was smaller on Firenze making it way more crowded and hard to see anything at the sail away party. I basically avoided the lido deck (except for occasionally walking through it to get to somewhere else) for the rest of my cruise. Also the Terraza deck was a disappointment compared to the Havana deck on Panorama. Havana deck on Panorama has a pool and two large jacuzzis overlooking the water. It was such a relaxing place to spend time. Terraza deck on Firenze did not have a pool, had 1/4 as many pool lounge chairs, and while there was a view from the jacuzzis, it wasn't as spectacular as the view from Panorama. Additionally the two Jacuzzis were smaller then on Panorama so they were crowded most of the time. I did love the Terraza guest breakfast in Moda lounge though. I don't recall whether Panorama included breakfast at The Havana deck lounge, but having access to a less crowded place to eat breakfast was a really nice perk, especially on Port days. I was also very surprised that the Panorama had a pasta bar included daily for lunch but the Italian ship, Firenze, did not. Someone make that make sense to me please. LOL Would I travel on carnival Firenze again? Probably, but if I had a choice I would choose the Panorama. read more

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8/5/2025 - Noticeably, Carnival main dining room dinner quality has been increased dramatically - see the appetizers and main dishes we had last night at Medici restaurant (free of charge). As a matter of fact, the quality and appearance on those same items in the pictures are better that the #5 rated cruise ship among its 27- cruisesship fleet we had completed two months ago. Don't miss the IL MERCATO where RICOTTA & ROASTED PEPPER can be considered a Michelin stars appetizer. read more

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Just came back from a NYE 5 day cruise!!! Ship was amazing all staff was really nice and went out of their way to make you feel at home. Food was delicious and this ship has many choices of food. All the activities are well organized. read more

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I saw that the Firenze has 3.8 stars at the time of writing this and thought, "Not on my watch!" While the rooms and hospitality are certainly acceptable for a short cruise. The food is nothing all that special. Kind of meh all around. Guys Burger Joint has a good Pizza Burger but it definitely makes you feel a little gross after. Not a fresh piece of fruit or vegetable to be seen. The "Fancy" dinner menu feels off too. The Appetizers are usually better tasting. read more

Had a wonderful time on this cruise with my family!! The food at the Lido Buffet is eh, but I don't expect amazing food. But the pizza and the burger is so good, especially the Philly cheese steak on deck 11! Ugh, such a great time!! Thank you for the memories! We had a great cleaning man named Jay, top notch and a great room with the ocean view. All staff was pretty good and very informative throughout the cruise. read more

Very nice ship. The buffet was good and entertainment very cool. The staff was awesome and always friendly. I would take another cruise!

The best cruise experience I've ever had! We had such an amazing time that I booked another cruise the very day we got home. I would highly recommend Carnival Cruise Line to anyone looking for a fun, memorable getaway. read more

Traveled on Carnival Firenze August 12-17th. I'll start with the good. Marciano, our steward was EXCELLENT. Raz, entertainer at the Piano Bar: EXCELLENT. Catalina at the Amari Lounge: AMAZING. The bad? Every night it sounded like construction from our room on the 2nd deck. My friend, who booked the trip called guest services to figure out why. No answer. Said they would come to the room to hear what we were hearing. Never did. Instead, they left a letter at the door. They offered another room. The new room? Chipped tile in the bathroom. No thank you. Then, they tried to move us to a downgraded room. Definitely, no thank you. On port day, they left another letter saying they were trying to reach her. Did they? No. She went to guest services and offered to take money off the booking. She asked to speak to a manager. Again, no luck and then they took the offer away! Our steward explained that we were underneath the galley and the noise we were hearing was probably staff preparing food which is understandable. Why couldn't guest services offer an explanation? We weren't looking for anything free. It was just disturbing not being able to sleep on a 5-day cruise. Now we know. Parts of deck two are underneath the galley. It's been about 6 years since my last Carnival cruise and this one, by far, was not so pleasant. I'm sure others have had a better experience and I hope for a better experience the next time around if I book Carnival. read more

This Italian-themed cruise ship was beautiful, but much smaller than most of their ships. The food wasn't as good. First cruise without a night when lobster was served. Many of our group experienced losses in the casino. It was just okay compared to my other cruises. read more

Wow what a terrible cruise this was. Extremely disappointed in carnival . It's like you think the bar can't get lower than it does. Food on my 4 day cruise was awful , the only consistent thing on their boat was the ice cream . I never been to a cruise where there is more add ons per restaurant than actual food. Everything up charge up charge up charge . Casino staff holy moly the worst out of all the boats I've been on. I wouldn't cruise with them again if it was free. This is coming from a plat member if that has any meaning read more

This is a very nice ship. Plenty of things to do. The casino had fairly loose slots which made it fun to play. The crew was always in a good mood and that helped. People on the cruise were exceptionally nice. The cruise terminal is right next to the Queen Mary ship hotel that is a historic and nice place to stay. The food was typical cafeteria food at the buffet. Not many desserts. Milkshakes were good at the coffee bar. Wine was good. Well organized and maintained. All in all, a great experience. Highly recommend. read more

Our stateroom attendant Kusnadi was fabulous. He took very good care of us. The ship was out of bed toppers, so he did his best to help soften our matters. We slept a little better. Kusnadi Thank you, Mark & Constance Smith read more

Warning carnival does not honor their marijuana policies. The neighbor next door to me in my balcony cabin smoked marijuana morning afternoon and night. I could not go out on my balcony. I complained several times a day. and the security was afraid of the gentleman. They did absolutely nothing. They had several complaints on the floor that we were on. All they did was send a letter That did absolutely nothing. Also, the staff on this cruise was very exhausted. They were not very friendly. I even spoke with the second in command and he promised he would take care of the marijuana issue and nothing ever happened. It was the worst cruise I have ever been on. And I've sailed with carnival, many times Also, when I had dinner at the teppen grill, the bus boy. As soon as we walked in, we were the first ones to arrive. He started singing ymca by the village People insinuating that we were gay. It was a horrible experience. The food was not good also. We will definitely not be sailing on carnival For a while read more