Carnival Cruise Line marked the arrival of the Carnival Venezia to Port Canaveral with a visit from Santa Claus, the company announced in a press release.
Repositioning from New York City, the vessel made its inaugural visit to the port today, ahead of a winter season sailing from Florida.
The seasonal operation of the Carnival Venezia includes itineraries to various destinations throughout the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico.
The ship’s arrival in Port Canaveral also makes Carnival the first and only cruise line to operate five ships from the port in the Orlando area, the company said.
“Our Venice-themed ship adds another truly dynamic offering, with a fresh Italian twist on our signature Carnival fun plus the same friendly service our guests love and further enriches the variety of convenient options available to our loyal guests cruising from Orlando,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
“Our guests who sailed with Carnival Venezia from New York love the ship and its new experiences, and we know that she will add even more value to the Carnival offering in her new winter home at Port Canaveral,” she added.
“Our new fiscal year is taking off in grand style with the arrival of Carnival Venezia, which represents the 16th cruise ship to home port at Port Canaveral – the most in our history,” said Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray. “We’ve have had a long and successful partnership with Carnival Cruise Line for nearly 35 years. We’re very proud of our collective growth and thrilled to play a role in their continuing success with Carnival Venezia added to our incredible lineup of homeported ships.”
The Carnival Venezia arrives in Port Canaveral from a 12-day Carnival Journeys cruise that started in New York, where it had been sailing from since its debut in the summer of 2023.
According to Carnival, the ship is themed after its namesake city, Venice, Italy, and provides guests a selection of new “Carnival Fun Italian Style” experiences and unique dining and beverage concepts.
Cruises from Port Canaveral kick off today with a four-day Bahamas getaway and continue with a schedule of 15 week-long Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings as well as two special 14-day Carnival Journeys voyages.
At Port Canaveral, the Carnival Venezia joins the Mardi Gras, the Carnival Vista, the Carnival Glory and the Carnival Freedom.
The ships offer diverse itineraries, from three- and four-day Bahamas getaways to cruises to the Caribbean ranging from five to eight days, as well as several longer Carnival Journeys cruises.
The Carnival Venezia will sail from Port Canaveral into the spring and return to New York City with an 11-day repositioning cruise that departs May 11, 2025.
Carnival’s sailing schedule is open through spring 2027, and the Carnival Venezia will continue to sail seasonally from New York City and Port Canaveral.
