As it prepares for the debut of “Fun Italian Style,” Carnival Cruise Line announced that its President Christine Duffy and Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse will welcome guests aboard Carnival Venezia’s first sailing departing Barcelona on May 29, 2023, and they will sail for the first part of the cruise.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet and interact with them while experiencing all that Carnival’s new “Fun Italian Style” cruising has to offer. Programming highlights include a Sail Away Party and Captain’s Venetian Toast with Christine and Emeril, guest appearances on The Wave Morning Show, a special Fireside Chat, along with their participation in other events and entertainment.

And of course, it wouldn’t be an Emeril sailing without a special cooking demonstration! Guests will have the opportunity to learn from the pro himself on the sailing’s first sea day. Spaces for the private cooking demonstration can be purchased once on board and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Proceeds will serve as a fundraiser for Carnival’s charitable partner St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“We are eagerly awaiting the debut of Carnival Venezia and so we wanted to welcome the ship with ‘BAM’ by having Emeril join me on board as we interact with guests and show off this beautiful ship,” said Duffy. “Together for the first part of Carnival Venezia’s first sailing, we’ll experience Carnival’s signature fun with a new Italian flair, exclusive onboard events and beautiful European destinations – I can’t wait!”

The 15-day Transatlantic Carnival Journeys cruise from Barcelona will stop in Malaga, Spain; Gibraltar; Lisbon, Portugal; Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal; and Halifax, NS, Canada on the way to New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

Carnival Venezia will sail year-round from New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal beginning June 15 and offer guests a wide range of sailing options, with 10 different cruise durations and 22 unique itineraries featuring visits to 25 ports across 14 countries.

When guests first board Carnival Venezia, they will be immediately surrounded by Italian architectural design both inside and out. The ship’s beautiful atrium is modeled after Venice’s main public square, the Piazza San Marco, whereas the Lido deck draws inspiration from the Italian Riviera with a retractable roof to allow guests to still enjoy the pool year-round.

The ship will introduce many new food and beverage offerings to the Carnival fleet where guests can indulge in the flavors of Italy, including La Strada Grill with classic Italian street food, a Mexitalian fusion restaurant Tomodoro, a similar-to-Alchemy-Bar Amari, and Frizzante, serving a variety of bubbly drinks, from prosecco to spritzes and bellinis, along with Italian beer, authentic Italian coffees and biscotti.

Carnival Venezia will also feature new Italian-inspired entertainment spaces, such as the Gondola Lounge, designed with the famous Venetian canals in mind, and the Carnevale Bar & Lounge, celebrating the elegance of Venetian masquerades during Carnevale, as well as new activities like the Italian Street Party where Little Italy meets Lido, the Captain’s Venetian Toast, and Italian-inspired youth programming for kids and teens.

The ship will be home to many of the activities and experiences guests enjoy aboard other Carnival ships as well, including Carnival Waterworks, Piano Bar 88, Heroes Tribute Lounge, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi & Teppanyaki, Guy’s Burger Joint, Cloud 9 Salon & Spa, the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, and Dr. Seuss Bookville.