Carnival Firenze

Carnival Firenze is a large cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line and formerly known as Costa Firenze. Built by Fincantieri at its Marghera shipyard in Italy, the vessel was conceived as one of two ships intended to expand Costa Cruises' presence in the Chinese and wider Asian cruise market. Its design was developed around an Italian cultural theme, with interiors drawing heavily on Florence and the surrounding Tuscan region. The ship takes its original name from Firenze, the Italian name for Florence. The ship was ordered within Carnival Corporation's broader 2015 shipbuilding agreement with Fincantieri. Contracts for two ships of approximately 135,500 gross tons were finalized in 2016. Costa commissioned YSA Design to create a Florentine-inspired interior, incorporating references to landmarks such as Florence Cathedral, Piazza del Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and Palazzo Pitti. Decorative elements include marble, velvet, gilding, and spaces influenced by Tuscan landscapes and Italian fashion. The resulting vessel was intended to combine large-scale contemporary cruising with a strongly recognizable Italian identity. Construction progressed from steel cutting in 2018 to float-out in November 2019. Delivery was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ship's originally planned Asian deployment was repeatedly revised. Costa initially outlined a Mediterranean introduction followed by a long repositioning voyage to Hong Kong, then considered Singapore and other Asian arrangements. Because of pandemic-related disruption, the vessel did not enter service in China or elsewhere in Asia. Instead, after further postponements, Costa Firenze began passenger operations on 4 July 2021 with an all-Italian itinerary from Savona. It later expanded into Spain and France, and subsequently operated seasonal programs in the Persian Gulf, Mediterranean, Brazil, and Northern Europe. Costa Firenze's Costa Cruises career lasted from 2021 until early 2024. Its itineraries reflected the changing conditions of the cruise industry after the pandemic, including European, Middle Eastern, and South American deployments. The ship's transfer was announced as part of a wider Carnival Corporation fleet and capacity strategy. Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze were selected for integration into Carnival Cruise Line, allowing Carnival to add capacity in the American market while giving the ships a new commercial identity based on Italian styling. During a 42-day refit at Navantia in Cádiz in early 2024, the vessel was renovated and rebranded. It officially joined the Carnival fleet on 2 February 2024 and was renamed Carnival Firenze. Carnival placed it in the Venice-class sub-fleet, alongside the former Costa Venezia, and marketed the concept as Carnival Fun Italian Style. The ship retained Italian-inspired design cues while receiving Carnival branding, food and beverage offerings, and other features associated with the Carnival fleet. After leaving the shipyard in March, it repositioned to Long Beach, California. It began Carnival service on 25 April 2024, earlier than initially scheduled, and operates year-round cruises to the Mexican Riviera.

Carnival Firenze was constructed as Costa Firenze, a ship ordered for Costa Cruises during Carnival Corporation's expansion of its fleet in Asia. In March 2015, Carnival Corporation entered a strategic shipbuilding agreement with Fincantieri covering five cruise ships scheduled for delivery between 2019 and 2022. A December 2015 memorandum then specified four vessels, including two unnamed ships intended for Costa Asia. The associated contracts were completed in April 2016. The two ships were designed as sisters of a new Costa class, each measuring roughly 135,500 gross tons and intended to accommodate approximately 4,200 passengers. Construction began with steel cutting in 2018 at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard. Costa announced the name Costa Firenze on 6 May 2019, emphasizing the vessel's connection with Florence and its historical and artistic heritage. The ship floated out on 6 November 2019. Delivery, initially planned for September 2020, was postponed until December because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Costa Firenze's original commercial plan changed several times. Costa first proposed a Mediterranean introduction beginning in October 2020, followed by a lengthy repositioning cruise to Hong Kong. The company later canceled that plan in favor of a Singapore deployment and a planned Asian debut. Pandemic conditions and the collapse or suspension of cruise operations in China prevented the ship from being deployed to Asia. Costa considered alternative European schedules and issued several revised maiden-voyage plans, but those plans were also canceled or postponed. The ship finally entered service on 4 July 2021 with a domestic Italian voyage from Savona, calling at Civitavecchia, Palermo, Naples, Messina, and Cagliari. From September, its itinerary network included Spain and France. During the winter of 2021–22, it operated weekly Persian Gulf cruises from Dubai. It returned to the Mediterranean in April 2022 and continued there through the end of the summer season. The following winter brought its first South American season, with cruises from Brazil continuing until April 2023. Costa Firenze then operated in Northern Europe during the summer of 2023, followed by a final Costa winter program covering Mediterranean, Atlantic European, and Macaronesian ports. The ship's transfer to Carnival Cruise Line was announced in June 2022. Carnival Corporation presented the move as part of a capacity and fleet-recovery strategy following the pandemic. Carnival had retired or sold older ships, while Costa faced difficult conditions in some of its traditional markets, particularly Europe and China. Costa Firenze and its sister ship Costa Venezia were therefore selected for a new model in which Costa ships would be adapted for Carnival's American market. The concept was initially described as Costa by Carnival and Carnival Fun Italian Style. In December 2022, Carnival stated that the ships would form a Venice-class sub-fleet within its broader Vista-class family. The vessels would combine Carnival's established entertainment and service features with Italian design, cuisine, and hospitality touches. Costa Firenze entered a 42-day conversion and refurbishment at Navantia in Cádiz in January 2024. It was formally transferred to Carnival and renamed Carnival Firenze on 2 February. The ship left the yard on 22 March and crossed to Long Beach, California. Carnival Firenze was christened on 24 April by actor Jonathan Bennett and began commercial operations on 25 April, earlier than its previously planned 2 May start date. It now operates year-round Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach.

• 2024

  The ship becomes Carnival Firenze

  [1]Carnival Firenzeen.wikipedia.org

  After refurbishment in Cádiz, the vessel was renamed and entered the Carnival Cruise Line fleet.

• 2022

  Transfer to Carnival Cruise Line is announced

  [1]Carnival Firenzeen.wikipedia.org

  Carnival Corporation announced that Costa Firenze would move to Carnival for an Italian-themed American-market concept.

• 2021

  Costa Firenze enters service

  [1]Carnival Firenzeen.wikipedia.org

  The ship's inaugural passenger voyage departed Savona on 4 July on an all-Italian itinerary.

• 2020

  Delivery is postponed during the pandemic

  [1]Carnival Firenzeen.wikipedia.org

  The planned September delivery was delayed until December amid COVID-19-related disruption.

• 2019

  The ship is named Costa Firenze

  [1]Carnival Firenzeen.wikipedia.org

  Costa Cruises announced the name and described a Florence-inspired interior concept.

• 2019

  Costa Firenze floats out

  [1]Carnival Firenzeen.wikipedia.org

  The vessel left its building dock at Marghera on 6 November.

• 2018

  Construction begins

  [1]Carnival Firenzeen.wikipedia.org

  Steel cutting for the ship took place at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard.

• 2016

  Costa Asia newbuild contracts are finalized

  [1]Carnival Firenzeen.wikipedia.org

  Contracts for two approximately 135,500-gross-ton ships were completed, establishing the sister-ship design that included Costa Firenze.

• 2015

  Carnival Corporation and Fincantieri establish a strategic shipbuilding agreement

  [1]Carnival Firenzeen.wikipedia.org

  The agreement created the framework for several new Carnival Corporation ships, including vessels later associated with Costa's planned Asian expansion.

A large contemporary cruise ship combining Carnival Cruise Line's mainstream entertainment and vacation model with Italian-inspired architecture, décor, food, and hospitality.

• Vista-class cruise ship · 2024

  Carnival Firenze

  Carnival Firenze is a 135,156-gross-ton cruise ship measuring 323.63 metres in length. It has 2,136 passenger cabins and 701 crew cabins, with a maximum passenger-and-crew capacity of 6,538. The vessel uses a diesel-electric propulsion system with MAN engines and generators, offering a service speed of approximately 18 knots and a maximum speed of about 22.6 knots. Its public areas combine Carnival entertainment and hospitality features with Italian architectural and culinary references.

• Former Costa Cruises identity · 2021

  Costa Firenze

  Costa Firenze was the ship's original identity from its construction through its Costa Cruises career. It was designed for Costa's planned Asian expansion but ultimately operated in European, Persian Gulf, and South American markets after the pandemic disrupted the intended China deployment. Its interior concept drew on Florence's landmarks, Tuscan scenery, Italian fashion, marble, velvet, and gilded decoration.

• 2022Carnival Fun Italian Style

  United States · Mexico

  Carnival Corporation introduced an Italian-themed operating concept for Costa Firenze and Costa Venezia after their transfer to Carnival Cruise Line. The concept was intended to combine Carnival's mainstream cruise proposition with Italian styling, food, and hospitality.

  Outcome. The concept led to the ships being integrated into Carnival's Venice-class sub-fleet, with Carnival Firenze operating from Long Beach on Mexican Riviera itineraries.

  Source

• 2024

  Carnival Firenze receives a refit and rebrandingGeneration change

  Background

  The former Costa Firenze required conversion before joining Carnival's American fleet.

  Action taken

  The ship underwent a 42-day refurbishment at Navantia in Cádiz, adopted Carnival livery and onboard features, and entered the Venice-class sub-fleet.

  Aftermath

  Carnival Firenze began operations from Long Beach on 25 April 2024, serving the Mexican Riviera year-round.

  Source

• 2022

  Carnival Corporation transfers Costa Firenze to Carnival Cruise LineM&A

  Background

  Carnival Corporation was rebuilding capacity after the pandemic and had sold or retired older ships, while Costa faced difficult operating conditions in core markets.

  Action taken

  The corporation announced that Costa Firenze would be transferred, refurbished, given Carnival branding, and operated as part of a new Italian-themed Carnival concept.

  Aftermath

  The ship was renamed Carnival Firenze in February 2024 and began year-round Mexican Riviera service from Long Beach.

  Source

• 2020

  Costa abandons the planned Asian introductionStrategy

  Background

  Costa Firenze had been commissioned with the Chinese and wider Asian market in mind, but COVID-19 severely disrupted cruise operations and travel demand in China.

  Action taken

  Costa repeatedly revised the ship's inaugural schedule, ultimately placing it into European and later other regional deployments instead of launching it in Asia.

  Aftermath

  The ship eventually entered service in Italy in July 2021 and later operated in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, Brazil, and Northern Europe.

  Source

1. 1Carnival Firenzeen.wikipedia.org