Cruising is a regular thing for our family. We like the ocean views from a private balcony and only having to unpack once to see multiple places. I have been on more than 40 cruises myself, and before this one our family had sailed together on the Norwegian Bliss three times and on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas twice, and each one does food, entertainment, and comfort a little differently — enough that we’ve gotten opinionated about what separates a good cruise from a forgettable one.
So when we booked the Carnival Firenze, a ship sailing round-trip from Long Beach to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, we were mostly curious. Carnival brands itself as “The Fun Ship,” nonstop activity, casual, budget-friendly. We wanted to know if that would actually work for our family, or if we would miss the more polished, food-focused cruises we are used to.
This detailed Carnival Firenze cruise review is an unfiltered look at our five-night journey. We’ll cover everything from the chaos of embarkation and the realities of the ship’s layout to the highs and lows of the dining program, the hit-or-miss activities, and one standout shore excursion. By the end, we were left with a powerful reminder that sometimes, you truly get what you pay for.
Embarkation on the Carnival Firenze: An Efficient, If Impersonal, Start
Our voyage began on a sunny Saturday at the Long Beach Cruise Terminal. As locals, the convenience of a no-fly cruise is a major perk. Our first pleasant surprise was the parking. Carnival’s dedicated covered parking structure is located directly beside the terminal, a secure and convenient option that felt far safer than the vast, open lots we’ve navigated at other ports.
Stepping inside the terminal, it was crowded — a packed hall of what felt like thousands of fellow passengers. Carnival has the boarding process down to a science, though: lines snaked through roped-off sections but moved with surprising efficiency, and with our priority boarding pass, our wait time was minimal.
However, the holding area was a stark, utilitarian space devoid of comfort or amenities. A few simple touches—some background music, a water station, or more comfortable seating—would have made the wait more bearable. Instead, it felt like a crowded waiting room. Still, within an hour of arriving, we were walking up the gangway, stepping aboard the Carnival Firenze, and ready to sail south toward the promise of warmer shores.
First Impressions of the Carnival Firenze: An Italian Theme Overwhelmed by Crowds
The Carnival Firenze, part of the cruise line’s “Carnival Fun Italian Style” concept, is inspired by the art and architecture of Florence, Italy. The central atrium features elegant motifs, the theater boasts Venetian masks, and warm Mediterranean colors adorn the public spaces. Yet despite these decorative flourishes, the ship’s dominant atmosphere was overwhelmingly casual and perpetually crowded, rather than refined or transportive.
Compared to the layouts of the Norwegian Bliss or Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, the Firenze often felt claustrophobic. Hallways seemed narrower, stairways were frequently congested, and the main pool decks were far too small to comfortably accommodate the sheer volume of passengers. On our two sea days, securing an empty lounge chair became a competitive sport, with many seats claimed by towels before breakfast even began.
It’s not unique to the Firenze, but the lower space-to-guest ratio was hard to ignore. There was rarely a moment when the ship didn’t feel crowded. While the ship was consistently clean and functional, it was impossible to escape the feeling of being in a crowd.
Dining Aboard Carnival Firenze: A Rollercoaster of Quality
Food is the heart of our travel experience. It’s often the defining element of a cruise, and unfortunately, Carnival’s dining program proved to be deeply uneven.
The Main Dining Room: Service Without Spark
We were assigned to the Medici Restaurant, one of the two main dining rooms (MDRs). The service was polite and our waitstaff was friendly, but the overall experience felt rushed and impersonal. The menu, rotating each night, was a collection of American classics—steak, roasted chicken, grilled fish—but very few dishes managed to stand out. The presentations were simple, the ingredients were of average quality, and the creativity was noticeably lacking.
Over the years, we’ve observed a tangible decline in many cruise line MDR menus. Gone are the days of ambitious dishes or a true sense of occasion. The atmosphere has shifted to match the food: loud, informal, and devoid of the elegance that once made cruise dining feel special. By contrast, Royal Caribbean’s Main Dining Room and Norwegian’s specialty restaurants consistently deliver more finesse in plating and a higher standard of service. On the Firenze, the food and the atmosphere were perfectly matched—neither tried to be something it wasn’t. It was simply, and disappointingly, average.
A Bright Spot: The Dr. Seuss Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast
The one dining highlight was the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, a Dr. Seuss character breakfast that is part of Carnival’s “Seuss at Sea” program. It was $10 per person and sells out, so book it as soon as you board.
Before we sat down, Charlotte spotted Sam-I-Am in the hallway and ran over for a full arms-out hug. Arrive a few minutes early for that reason: the characters are often outside before the room fills, and it is a calmer moment for a photo. Inside, the Cat in the Hat went table to table, Thing 1 did a silly dance at ours, and Thing 2 turned it into a dance-off. It felt more like a little show than a scripted meet-and-greet. Carnival photographers circulated too, and we bought two of the prints.
The green eggs are real scrambled eggs with spinach and herb purée, and they are good, not just a gimmick. The menu also has Horton’s Who-Pudding Pancakes, Truffula Tree Pancake Stacks, Fox in Socks Waffles, Sam-I-Am’s Fruit Parfait, and Moose Juice, a bright purple fruit punch the girls treated like liquid gold. Plain eggs, yogurt, and cereal are there for kids who do not want to commit to the theme. At $10 a person, it was worth it, and it was one of the few things all week that fully delivered on what it promised.
Casual Eateries & Endless Lines: A Test of Patience
Beyond the main dining room, the Firenze offers several popular casual dining spots, all included in the cruise fare.
- Guy’s Burger Joint: Consistently the best food we had on board. The burgers were juicy, flavorful, and cooked to order with a fantastic toppings bar.
- BlueIguana Cantina: Served decent breakfast burritos in the morning and respectable tacos and burritos for lunch.
- Pizzeria del Capitano: The 24/7 pizza station was a major disappointment. The crust was often doughy and the sauce bland.
The single biggest issue with all these venues was the lines. Whether it was for a burger, a slice of pizza, or a scoop of ice cream, we frequently found ourselves in queues lasting 20–30 minutes. Waiting half an hour for a quick bite turned the convenience of casual dining into a daily frustration.
Our Balcony Cabin
A true bright spot in our experience was our accommodation. We booked two connecting balcony cabins, which provided the perfect setup for our family of four. The layout gave us privacy while allowing our daughters to feel connected. The rooms themselves were comfortable, impeccably clean, and surprisingly quiet, shielding us from the noise of the busy hallways.
Our stateroom attendant was phenomenal—attentive, friendly, and always one step ahead of our needs. Each morning, we would sit on our adjoining balconies, coffee in hand, and watch the sunrise over the vast Pacific. In those serene, peaceful moments, the ship finally felt like the relaxing cruise vacation we had envisioned.
Kids Club (Camp Ocean): Overcrowded and Underwhelming
Our daughters, who have loved kids’ clubs on other cruise lines, were eager to try Camp Ocean, Carnival’s program for children. Unfortunately, their excitement quickly faded. The space was chaotic and severely overfilled, with far too many children for the number of staff on duty. Activities seemed disorganized, and the overall environment felt more like a hectic daycare than an engaging camp.
After their first visit, they asked not to return. A well-run, engaging youth program makes a real difference in parent satisfaction on a family cruise, and Camp Ocean fell well short of our expectations.
Entertainment & Activities: Fun, But Forgettable
Carnival proudly promotes its entertainment as “fun for all,” but we found the reality to be average and repetitive. The Playlist Productions stage shows in the main theater featured talented singers and dancers, but the productions themselves lacked the polish, storytelling, and “wow” factor of shows on lines like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. The theater’s layout was also problematic, with poor sight-lines from many seats unless you arrived very early.
Elsewhere on the ship, activities included the usual trivia contests, poolside games, and nightly comedy shows at the Punchliner Comedy Club. The comedians were hit-or-miss. One of the biggest assets, however, was the passengers themselves. The energy on board was consistently positive and upbeat. People were friendly, good-natured, and there to have a good time, which kept morale high even when the official programming was underwhelming.
Shore Excursion Highlight: Camel Riding Adventure in Cabo
The undisputed highlight of our entire trip was our shore excursion in Cabo San Lucas. We booked a camel-riding adventure along a secluded beach, which also included an authentic Mexican lunch and a tequila tasting for the adults. The hour-long, scenic drive to the ranch was an experience in itself, offering glimpses into the rugged Baja landscape.
The guides were fantastic—knowledgeable, humorous, and passionate about the region’s culture and ecosystem. Riding camels along the shoreline with the turquoise waves crashing nearby was an unforgettable, almost surreal, family memory. This excursion mixed adventure, culture, and natural beauty in a way that made it the highlight of the trip.
We covered that excursion in more detail in a separate post.
Our stop in Ensenada was brief. We opted to stay on board the ship and not debark in this port. We took advantage of the water slides and pool decks being empty. The emptiness of the ship was so nice. We enjoyed it much more than we would have walking around Ensenada.
Service and Cleanliness: Where the Firenze Shines
If there’s one area where the Carnival Firenze truly excelled, it was cleanliness. Despite the constant crowds and heavy foot traffic, the ship was spotless. Our stateroom attendant maintained our cabins impeccably, and public areas were constantly being cleaned and refreshed. The service from the crew was another high point. While not always as polished or formal as on premium lines, the staff were universally warm, genuine, and hardworking. Their kindness and positive attitude made a real difference.
A Shift in Cruise Culture: From Luxury to Mass-Market Fun
This voyage crystallized a trend we’ve been observing for years: the cruise industry’s dramatic shift from an emblem of luxury toward a more accessible, mass-market form of travel. In earlier decades, cruising symbolized a certain elegance—formal dinners, ballroom orchestras, and impeccable, personalized service. As fleets expand, ships grow larger, and fares become more competitive, cruise lines now prioritize volume and accessibility over exclusivity.
Cruise industry researcher Dr. Ross Klein has written extensively about this shift in his book Cruise Ship Blues, which traces the industry’s move away from a smaller, more exclusive product toward today’s larger, mass-market ships. The Carnival Firenze fits that pattern well. It is energetic, family-friendly, and offers incredible value, but it is also noisy, rushed, and crowded. For travelers who remember cruising as a more glamorous, restorative escape, today’s “Fun Ship” era can feel like a trade-off.
Who Is the Carnival Firenze Cruise For?
This cruise is a fantastic choice for a specific type of traveler. You will likely love the Carnival Firenze if:
- You are a first-time cruiser. It’s a great, low-cost introduction to life at sea.
- You are on a tight budget. Carnival offers one of the best values in the travel industry.
- You love a high-energy, party-like atmosphere. The ship is loud, lively, and there is always something going on.
- You are traveling with a large, multi-generational group looking for simple, straightforward fun.
However, you might want to consider another cruise line if:
- You are a foodie who sees dining as a central part of the vacation.
- You are seeking a quiet, relaxing, or romantic getaway.
- You dislike crowds and waiting in lines.
- You value polished service and a more refined, upscale ambiance.
Final Verdict: The Fun Ship Just Isn’t for Us
By the journey’s end, our verdict was clear: the Carnival Firenze isn’t our family’s style. While we appreciated the ship’s cleanliness, the friendly crew, and the lively passenger base, the overall experience felt too chaotic and crowded to be truly restorative. Carnival absolutely succeeds at its mission: offering a budget-friendly, high-energy vacation that is packed with activity. But for travelers like us, who prioritize ambiance, culinary excellence, and moments of tranquility, it ultimately disappoints.
You get what you pay for. For a more balanced experience, we’ll likely go back to lines like Celebrity or Princess, which land closer to what we actually want out of a cruise.
Cruise travelers tend to fall into two camps: value seekers and “experience seekers.” Carnival serves the first group beautifully. This trip helped us realize we firmly belong to the second.
We don’t regret sailing on the Firenze — it clarified what actually matters to our family on a cruise: comfort, calm, and better food than a rotating buffet of American classics. The Carnival Firenze was fine. Fine just isn’t quite what we’re looking for the next time we book.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Carnival Firenze
1. What is the dress code on the Carnival Firenze? The dress code is very casual. During the day, shorts, t-shirts, and swimwear are common. In the evenings, most guests wear “cruise casual” (slacks, polo shirts, sundresses) in the main dining room. There are one or two “Cruise Elegant” nights where guests can dress up, but many still opt for more casual attire.
2. Are gratuities included in the cruise fare? No, automatic gratuities are added to your onboard account daily. The amount is per person, per day, and covers your stateroom attendant and dining room staff. You can prepay them before your cruise or pay them at the end.
3. What is the “Carnival Fun Italian Style” theme? This concept means the ship has an Italian-themed decor inspired by Florence. It also features some unique Italian-themed food and beverage options, but the overall experience is still very much in line with the classic American-style Carnival cruise.
4. Does the ship have Wi-Fi? Yes, Carnival offers several paid Wi-Fi packages at different price points, from a basic social media plan to a premium plan that supports streaming. We found the connectivity to be adequate but not always fast.
5. Is the Carnival Firenze good for families with young children? It can be. The ship offers many family-friendly activities like the Dr. Seuss breakfast, waterslides, and mini-golf.
Related Reading
The Ultimate Coastal Escape Found at Terranea
A Unique Camel & Mexican Outback Adventure in Cabo San Lucas
Must-Have Travel Items: Stunning Tips and Secrets for Stress-Free Trips
A Heartwarming Sojourn: The Ritz-Carlton Turtle Bay Is Magic
That’s our honest take on the Carnival Firenze: real highlights, real letdowns, and hopefully enough detail here to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your family.
