Carnival Venezia was officially named by Jay Leno at her naming ceremony on Wednesday and has set sail on her inaugural voyage from New York City.
The cruise line hosted a spectacular welcome event to celebrate the ship arriving in New York and the celebration continued on Thursday when the first guests arrived at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal to board the ship.
Father Enrique Salvo of St. Patrick’s Cathedral said a special blessing over Carnival Venezia while Jay Leno, the ship’s godfather, performed an exclusive comedy show for Carnival’s guests Wednesday night.
“By highlighting his own Italian heritage, Jay is helping us celebrate the Italian theming guests will experience when they cruise on this beautiful ship,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Thursday morning Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, was on hand to greet guests and welcome them onboard the Carnival Venezia. Duffy, Captain Claudio Cupisti and some of the first guests joined together to cut the ceremonial ribbon.
“We’ve heard great reviews from guests who sailed on the ship’s transatlantic crossing, and now I am so happy to welcome our first guests joining us from New York to enjoy what’s in store for them,” Duffy added.
Carnival Venezia set sail yesterday, June 15, 2023 on her inaugural voyage from New York City. She will arrive in King’s Wharf, Bermuda tomorrow, June 17, 2023 before returning for an 8-night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean which departs on June 19, 2023.
Throughout the summer, Carnival Venezia will sail four- to eight-night voyages to the Caribbean, Bermuda, and ports in Canada and New England. Beginning September 2023, Carnival Venezia will sail eight- to 12-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, and The Bahamas from Port Canaveral.
Ports of call will include Saint Thomas, San Juan, Aruba, and four of Carnival’s private destinations: Half Moon Cay, Princess Cays, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk.
Carnival Venezia is the first of three cruise ships joining the Carnival Cruise Line fleet over the next year. Be on the lookout for Carnival Jubilee to debut from Galveston, Texas just in December. Then more “Carnival Fun Italian Style” can be expected when Carnival Firenze makes her debut from Long Beach, California in May 2024.