Even Santa snuck in a Carnival Cruise Line vacation before the big holiday to help deliver Carnival Venezia to Port Canaveral  as the ship made its inaugural arrival at the port. Carnival Venezia is set to start a seasonal series of cruises, enhancing cruise options to various destinations throughout The Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico for guests departing from the Orlando area, and its new deployment makes Carnival the first and only cruise line to operate five ships from Port Canaveral.

Arriving from a 12-day Carnival Journeys cruise that began in New York, where it has been sailing from since its summer 2023 debut, Carnival Venezia will spend the winter months in sunny Florida like many Northeasterners. The unique 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 special 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.

“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.”

At Port Canaveral, Carnival Venezia joins Mardi Gras, Carnival Vista, Carnival Glory and Carnival Freedom. Together, the ships offer diverse itineraries, from three- and four-day Bahamas getaways to cruises that visit popular destinations across the Caribbean ranging from five-to-eight days as well as several longer Carnival Journeys cruises.

In addition to signature Carnival venues guests know and love, including Guy’s Burger Joint, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi & Teppanyaki, Carnival Venezia features new Fun Italian Style dining and beverage options such as the specialty restaurant “Il Viaggio,” with thoughtfully curated dishes that showcase distinct regions of Italy, as well as the unique sparkling wine and spritz bar Frizzante. 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 Carnival Venezia will continue to sail seasonally from New York City and Port Canaveral. To learn more about Carnival Venezia and see sailings currently available, click here.