CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has officially taken ownership of Firenze (IMO 9801691) from its sister company Costa Cruises, in a handover ceremony that occurred on Friday, February 2nd, held in Port Cadiz, Spain.
Over the next 2 months, Carnival will undertake refurbishments to transform the ship into the Carnival Firenze, incorporating distinct Carnival features while paying homage to Florence, Italy.
Following in the footsteps of Venezia, which underwent a similar "Carnival Fun, Italian Style" transformation last year and is now based in New York, the Firenze will offer a blend of Italian-inspired design elements and Carnival's signature amenities.
Notable features of the Firenze include an atrium modeled after the iconic Piazza del Duomo and a lido deck drawing inspiration from the picturesque Italian Riviera. The ship will also feature popular dining venues carried over from the Venezia, such as La Strada Grill offering classic Italian street food, Tomodor serving Mexitalian fusion cuisine, and the upscale dining experience at Il Viaggio.
Commencing April 25, the Carnival Firenze will embark on year-round voyages from Long Beach, California, offering a variety of itineraries including 3- and 4-day cruises to Mexico and Catalina Island, as well as 5-, 6-, and 7-day cruises to the Mexican Riviera.
With the addition of the Firenze, Carnival's fleet now comprises 27 ships, further expanding the company's offerings in the cruise market.