CARNIVAL VENEZIA TOUR & LUNCH
November 8, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm EST
On Saturday, November 8, 2025, PONY Branch members and friends traveled to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal for a guided tour and lunch onboard the CARNIVAL VENEZIA as guests of Carnival Cruise Line. (This was the second time Carnival has hosted the PONY Branch onboard the VENEZIA as additional members had an opportunity to visit the ship in September 2024.) Originally built in 2019 as COSTA VENEZIA to serve the Chinese market for Costa Cruises, the 135,225 GT, 4,208 passenger, Venice-class ship was transferred to Carnival in 2023 after a refit in Spain. Now branded by Carnival as “Fun Italian Style,” she still retains Venetian-themed décor and Costa funnel colors.
The first stop on our tour was the impressive Piazza San Marco atrium which features a replica of the Column San Marco topped with a golden Lion of Venice statue. We were then escorted to the bridge where we were warmly welcomed by the ship’s master, Captain Claudio Cupisiti. After a friendly question and answer session and group photo with the captain, we proceeded to the ship’s main theater, the Teatro Rosso, for an opportunity to view the theater’s elegant décor from the stage. Our next stop was the unique main dining room, the Canal Grande Restaurant, which features an actual Venetian gondola dramatically lit from below under a replica Rialto Bridge. This was followed by lunch at several informal dining venues and the Lido Marketplace buffet where a seating area overlooking the adjacent Lido Pool had been reserved for our group. After the leisurely lunch, those attending had ample time to explore the ship’s public spaces before disembarking prior to her departure on a 12-night repositioning cruise to Port Canaveral, Florida, via the southern Caribbean.
The World Ship Society – PONY Branch would like to extend our sincere thanks to Carnival Cruise Line, Captain Claudio Cupisti, Peter from Guest Services, Marco from Shoreside Services and our group’s Carnival photographer for welcoming us onboard the CARNIVAL VENEZIA.
(Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line)