Greeetings Dave and Brandy. I would like to recognize the honesty and integrity of your approach to ship tour videos. A few months back, I decided for the first time to post a comment on a number of video reviews of the Venezia. My objective was to highlight what many would consider a strong negative aspect of the cruise experience onboard. . Of the 15 reviews I posted to, yours was the only one that did not immediately delete my comments. It is not difficult to think of a reason why this might happen. As well, one might conclude that many reviews, which are supposedly for the benefit of the viewer, are more akin to a commercial for the cruise line. I loved the one where the couple went out of their way to tell the viewer that there was no smell of smoke anywhere on the ship. Amid the unfortunate sea of dishonesty and misinformation that is an unavoidable tide of the internet, I salute the fresh ocean breeze of Dave and Brandy. When I need some info about a ship, yours will be my first port.
Good video! I tried watching two others before finding this one and couldn't make it through them for more than 2 minutes. My sister booked this for u for 2025, so we have a long wait, but I'm excited to try Carnival. I've only sailed on NCL so far.
You guys did an absolute wonderful video of the Venezia and at 5:45 am too! (Along the way I saw a clock) Smooth and easy to follow with no jerky camera movements. It's a beautiful ship and I will be sailing on her in late Feb. 2024. How did you like the NYC port (embark/debark)? Safe travels!
Yeah.. I was up early 😆 That's the easiest way I can do these ship tours without a lot of interference (lucky me..). But thank you so much for the kind words! Manhattan is our closest port, so it is convenient since it's no airfare. Getting to the port itself can be hectic since it's NYC, but embarkation/debarking is usually pretty smooth. But I will say this, our embarkation day wasn't as smooth this time. It wasn't Carnival's fault at all, but the port didn't have any organization with wheelchair assistance (both my parents needed this) and we will explain this on that vlog. But it was a total 180 for debarking. It was so smooth and easy for them (and for us!). But that was the only hiccup. But we hope you have a great cruise!
Love the video! Ship looks amazing! It reminds me alot of the Vista class. Almost the same layout. (I've only been on Vista Class, Panorama and Horizon.
Thank you for the kind words! But I am a little confused about the free drink question. I didn't have or show about a free drink (that would be awesome though! 😊). Thanks for watching!
Yes, on sea days they do pasta bela in the Marco Polo dinning room. It's a little different than other ships though. There are like 6 pre made choices to pick, not as customizable as others. Thanks for watching 😊
Now that's a tough question 🤔 I loved how bright and the unique decor was on Venezia, but yet I loved how the flow and the decor of the ships of the Excel class. I can't decide 😫 😆
We were on the sailing after you then! We were September 8th-16th 😊 This was the sailing that was affected by Hurricane Lee, so instead of San Juan, St. Thomas & Grand Turk we had Princess Cays, Nassau & Freeport. Even though our itinerary changed, we had the best weather!
@@DaveBrandysExcursionsTravel we only two everyone so pissed off we were suppose to Amber Cove DR and Grand Turk and Carnival Private Island due to hurricane we did not go to Amber Cove DR everyone thought they should picked another port they did not only 2 they could better the extra sea day they did that so we can spend more money that why they probably did that I loved Grand Turk it was lacked something I could not finger on it and I could not stand there Private island I been 3 times the only reason I got off because of friend first time it hard electric scooter to go to port if she did not I would stayed on the ship very boring island. They need to do Island over the food not great I would have when back I made her happy this first time on Cruise so i l looked like so thrill to be there inside I cannot wait to get back food not great on island I rather eat on ship I did it all for friend by self I will look for Carnival without there Private island.
It’s still a bit weird the concept of Costa ships merging with Carnival name and calling it cruising Italian style - it just doesn’t match up together 😢
Stay away from this ship unless you long for the smell of ashtrays and cigarettes. It has been many years since cigarette smoking has been an issue on any mainstream cruise line sailing ports out of or around the United States, but this Carnival ship has reversed that trend in spectacular fashion. Surprise turned to anger as we realized that even our own balcony was not a safe haven. For the most part, in recent decades , the smell of smoke was present in Casinos and small, selected outside areas with smoking on balconies strictly prohibited. On the Venezia, this is not the case. There is a large portion of the interior from Deck 3 to Deck 5 that is pretty much polluted to a point that anybody that does not care for the smell of ashtrays, cigarettes and stale smoke will find it objectionable at the very least and intolerable at worst. The source is the Casino that dominates the center of deck 4 from side to side with the usual heavy smoke conditions. OK, that is how it has been for years and anyone cruising on a regular basis is aware of this condition and deals with it. What is not acceptable is how much of the surrounding areas reek of tobacco, even when the casino is closed. From the deck below, in parts of the Marco Polo Restaurant , to deck 5 above, where the steakhouse, sushi and tapanayi restaurants are found, along with some of the shops and sadly, The Amari Bar, which had great cocktails but we soon wrote off, the smell is very much reminiscent of a 1980's New York City bar around 1 AM. I declined the pleasure of paying for a specialty restaurant filled with second hand smoke. At first I could not figure out how the smell could be so strong and thought that it was the deck 5 glass atrium structure directly over the casino that was the avenue for the smoke to travel, but eventually it became clear that along with the atrium the elevator banks were drawing the smoke from deck 4 and distributing it above and below. Even the staff agreed that the smell was strong and traveling via the elevators. Needless to say the forward elevator banks were really bad at times and we pretty much used the stairs. Perhaps because this ship was originally built for the Asian market, where smoking is much less restricted than on U.S. Itineraries, the actual structure of the ship has not been optimized to contain the smell. I have to guess something is quite different about the 'build' of this ship compared to Princess ships and their the Churchell's Smoking Lounges, where the smell fades within a few feet of the doors. I have been cruising for decades and nothing even close to this situation has been encountered in many years. But, how about stepping out for some fresh air you say ? Outside is pretty bad as well. On the outside 'promenade' that circles deck 5 a very large portion of the port side has been given over to smoking. This area is configured and outfitted like a spa area with chairs, tables, loungers and covered to create a tobacco oasis. I had forgotten that people will actually smoke cigarette after cigarette all day and night. The smoke from this area often made it all the way up to my 8th floor balcony. I would imagine the 6th and 7th decks were even worse. And cigars, enough said. On the other hand you could walk the 'jogging track' on deck 12 to get away from the smoke. That is, until you get to the aft area on the port side, which passes over another dedicated outside smoking lounge on deck 11. Same all day chain smokers. And cigars. Usually when you write a negative review or comment it is with the intention to tell others to avoid a product or service or perhaps to turn away enough customers to make a company address an issue. In this case I am sure my words will attract many customers as obviously lots of people love to sit around and inhale tobacco smoke for long periods of time as a way to relax. In addition, since I came home and contacted Carnival it is clear that they are aware of and just fine with the situation. I received the equivalent of the corporate bird from the non-existent Carnival customer service. My goal here is simply to warn off anybody that does not wish to spend their money on a ship that is obviously courting the tobacco crowd to the detriment of those that do not smoke.
And in all honesty, I do agree with you on this. I thought ours was bad since it was an Ultra Casino cruise. The ship is absolutely beautiful, but the ventilation needs to be tweaked for sure. We appreciate you taking the time to write all of this to let others know basically what to expect in the areas.
You said that this ship was designed for the Asian market were smoking is ore accepted, you would think the builder would have put a more sophisticated and powerful ventilation system for cigarette smoke because with a very short time the smoke smell would take over and contaminate everything around it if it’s not cleaned especially if there is carpet the smell will never go away unless you remove the carpets often- it’s sad situation for other passengers- smoking areas should be respected period - or just advertise that the ship is a smoking heaven for smokers and see how many people will book that ship for cruising 😮
This ship is beautiful...thank you...I will be traveling on it May 2025
Awesome! We are actually doing the repositioning cruise from Port Canaveral to NY in May of 2025. Thanks for watching!
Can’t wait to meet you on Saturday.
Absolutely!! See you on board! 🛳️
Can’t wait to see everyone on Saturday.
See you around the ship! 🛳️
Thanks for your very informative stream !
Thank you so much!
Greeetings Dave and Brandy. I would like to recognize the honesty and integrity of your approach to ship tour videos. A few months back, I decided for the first time to post a comment on a number of video reviews of the Venezia. My objective was to highlight what many would consider a strong negative aspect of the cruise experience onboard. . Of the 15 reviews I posted to, yours was the only one that did not immediately delete my comments. It is not difficult to think of a reason why this might happen. As well, one might conclude that many reviews, which are supposedly for the benefit of the viewer, are more akin to a commercial for the cruise line. I loved the one where the couple went out of their way to tell the viewer that there was no smell of smoke anywhere on the ship. Amid the unfortunate sea of dishonesty and misinformation that is an unavoidable tide of the internet, I salute the fresh ocean breeze of Dave and Brandy. When I need some info about a ship, yours will be my first port.
Great Video..Going on the Venezia May 27th for 10 days...looking forward to the Italian style ..little bit of a change from a normal Carnival ship
It truly is. The Italian style is a nice change, but there is still that same old Carnival fun! Hope you have a great cruise and thanks for watching!
I agree. Best tour video of Venezia that I've seen. Well done.
Thank you so much! 💓
I watch lots and lots of these videos and this one is great. Thank you for sharing
Thank you so much for watching! 😄
Thank you for sharing. We go on her in September 2024 Absolutely beautiful ship!
Awesome! We are back on her in September as well, but ours is a Canadian cruise. Thanks for watching!
Ours is the Canada/New England Sept. 7@@DaveBrandysExcursionsTravel
@paulaworkman2578 well I guess we will see you around the ship 😃 That's ours as well ☺️
The disabled rooms are so great on that ship 6314 was my room
Beautiful ship. Hopefully we can sail on her soon.
I know a good agent that can make that happen 😆
Execllent video, thank you. It helped me decide whether or not to book this ship! Thanks so much!
Good video! I tried watching two others before finding this one and couldn't make it through them for more than 2 minutes. My sister booked this for u for 2025, so we have a long wait, but I'm excited to try Carnival. I've only sailed on NCL so far.
Awesome! I am glad you enjoyed the ship tour! She is a beautiful ship and hope you have a great cruise on her. 2025 will be here before you know it 🛳
Keep sailing with NCL, it’s a better choice, here you are getting two concepts Italian cruising look with American style 😮
Loved your ship tour! Really well done! I even took notes so I know where everything is! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Anne! ❤️
Awsome ship tour, best one I’ve seen so far.
Thank you so much! 💓
❤❤❤ loved your tour! ❤❤❤
Thank you!!
Yeah, we were on her a week before you we loved her! Hope to go on her again soon❤️🦩
Awesome! We do have plans to sail her again the same week next year to Canada 🇨🇦 (we love the Canadian sailings as well). Thanks for watching!
Great tour - what a beautiful ship!
Thank you so much! 😊
I really like the ship layout. Looks super nice
It really was :) Thanks for watching!
great tour, we will sail on her in Feb
Awesome! Hope you have a great cruise!
I got my pic right in front in that ship I had anytime dining
You guys did an absolute wonderful video of the Venezia and at 5:45 am too! (Along the way I saw a clock) Smooth and easy to follow with no jerky camera movements. It's a beautiful ship and I will be sailing on her in late Feb. 2024. How did you like the NYC port (embark/debark)? Safe travels!
Yeah.. I was up early 😆 That's the easiest way I can do these ship tours without a lot of interference (lucky me..). But thank you so much for the kind words! Manhattan is our closest port, so it is convenient since it's no airfare. Getting to the port itself can be hectic since it's NYC, but embarkation/debarking is usually pretty smooth. But I will say this, our embarkation day wasn't as smooth this time. It wasn't Carnival's fault at all, but the port didn't have any organization with wheelchair assistance (both my parents needed this) and we will explain this on that vlog. But it was a total 180 for debarking. It was so smooth and easy for them (and for us!). But that was the only hiccup. But we hope you have a great cruise!
@@DaveBrandysExcursionsTravel NYC is my home port too. Live in NJ very close to the George Washington Bridge - so a quick ride.
Looks nice!!
It was absolutely gorgeous! She is coming to Port Canaveral winter of 2024 😏
@@DaveBrandysExcursionsTravel very cool
Love the video! Ship looks amazing! It reminds me alot of the Vista class. Almost the same layout. (I've only been on Vista Class, Panorama and Horizon.
Love the lounge area! Lastly, love the decor. ❤❤♥️🛳
Technically, it is a Vista class so you are correct (just in Costa clothing)!😊 We are with you, just absolutely love the decor. Thanks for watching!
Very in-depth tour thank you. Love the music you use, so relaxing. Can I ask what free drink you had in the buffet area please?
Thank you for the kind words! But I am a little confused about the free drink question. I didn't have or show about a free drink (that would be awesome though! 😊). Thanks for watching!
Sailing on this ship in October.🐸
Nice! Hope you all have a great cruise! 🛳
10/28?
With blocking off the restaurant like that, was it a little quieter?
I don't know about quieter, but it seemed more intimate. We actually liked this main dining room better than the one with the gondola in it.
Makes me even more excited for my cruise in just a few days. Question though, do they have the pasta bar for lunch since they dont have a Cucina?
Yes, on sea days they do pasta bela in the Marco Polo dinning room. It's a little different than other ships though. There are like 6 pre made choices to pick, not as customizable as others.
Thanks for watching 😊
Excellent tour, very detailed! Did you like the theme better than the Celebration/Mardi Gras?
Now that's a tough question 🤔 I loved how bright and the unique decor was on Venezia, but yet I loved how the flow and the decor of the ships of the Excel class. I can't decide 😫 😆
What month did you go on I was there Augs 31 to Sept 8 8 days 5hat shopping area cost me a mint still paying for it from Sept
We were on the sailing after you then! We were September 8th-16th 😊 This was the sailing that was affected by Hurricane Lee, so instead of San Juan, St. Thomas & Grand Turk we had Princess Cays, Nassau & Freeport. Even though our itinerary changed, we had the best weather!
@@DaveBrandysExcursionsTravel we only two everyone so pissed off we were suppose to Amber Cove DR and Grand Turk and Carnival Private Island due to hurricane we did not go to Amber Cove DR everyone thought they should picked another port they did not only 2 they could better the extra sea day they did that so we can spend more money that why they probably did that I loved Grand Turk it was lacked something I could not finger on it and I could not stand there Private island I been 3 times the only reason I got off because of friend first time it hard electric scooter to go to port if she did not I would stayed on the ship very boring island. They need to do Island over the food not great I would have when back I made her happy this first time on Cruise so i l looked like so thrill to be there inside I cannot wait to get back food not great on island I rather eat on ship I did it all for friend by self I will look for Carnival without there Private island.
It’s still a bit weird the concept of Costa ships merging with Carnival name and calling it cruising Italian style - it just doesn’t match up together 😢
Stay away from this ship unless you long for the smell of ashtrays and cigarettes.
It has been many years since cigarette smoking has been an issue on any mainstream cruise line sailing ports out of or around the United States, but this Carnival ship has reversed that trend in spectacular fashion. Surprise turned to anger as we realized that even our own balcony was not a safe haven. For the most part, in recent decades , the smell of smoke was present in Casinos and small, selected outside areas with smoking on balconies strictly prohibited. On the Venezia, this is not the case. There is a large portion of the interior from Deck 3 to Deck 5 that is pretty much polluted to a point that anybody that does not care for the smell of ashtrays, cigarettes and stale smoke will find it objectionable at the very least and intolerable at worst. The source is the Casino that dominates the center of deck 4 from side to side with the usual heavy smoke conditions. OK, that is how it has been for years and anyone cruising on a regular basis is aware of this condition and deals with it. What is not acceptable is how much of the surrounding areas reek of tobacco, even when the casino is closed. From the deck below, in parts of the Marco Polo Restaurant , to deck 5 above, where the steakhouse, sushi and tapanayi restaurants are found, along with some of the shops and sadly, The Amari Bar, which had great cocktails but we soon wrote off, the smell is very much reminiscent of a 1980's New York City bar around 1 AM. I declined the pleasure of paying for a specialty restaurant filled with second hand smoke. At first I could not figure out how the smell could be so strong and thought that it was the deck 5 glass atrium structure directly over the casino that was the avenue for the smoke to travel, but eventually it became clear that along with the atrium the elevator banks were drawing the smoke from deck 4 and distributing it above and below. Even the staff agreed that the smell was strong and traveling via the elevators. Needless to say the forward elevator banks were really bad at times and we pretty much used the stairs.
Perhaps because this ship was originally built for the Asian market, where smoking is much less restricted than on U.S. Itineraries, the actual structure of the ship has not been optimized to contain the smell. I have to guess something is quite different about the 'build' of this ship compared to Princess ships and their the Churchell's Smoking Lounges, where the smell fades within a few feet of the doors.
I have been cruising for decades and nothing even close to this situation has been encountered in many years.
But, how about stepping out for some fresh air you say ? Outside is pretty bad as well. On the outside 'promenade' that circles deck 5 a very large portion of the port side has been given over to smoking. This area is configured and outfitted like a spa area with chairs, tables, loungers and covered to create a tobacco oasis. I had forgotten that people will actually smoke cigarette after cigarette all day and night. The smoke from this area often made it all the way up to my 8th floor balcony. I would imagine the 6th and 7th decks were even worse. And cigars, enough said. On the other hand you could walk the 'jogging track' on deck 12 to get away from the smoke. That is, until you get to the aft area on the port side, which passes over another dedicated outside smoking lounge on deck 11. Same all day chain smokers. And cigars.
Usually when you write a negative review or comment it is with the intention to tell others to avoid a product or service or perhaps to turn away enough customers to make a company address an issue. In this case I am sure my words will attract many customers as obviously lots of people love to sit around and inhale tobacco smoke for long periods of time as a way to relax. In addition, since I came home and contacted Carnival it is clear that they are aware of and just fine with the situation. I received the equivalent of the corporate bird from the non-existent Carnival customer service.
My goal here is simply to warn off anybody that does not wish to spend their money on a ship that is obviously courting the tobacco crowd to the detriment of those that do not smoke.
And in all honesty, I do agree with you on this. I thought ours was bad since it was an Ultra Casino cruise. The ship is absolutely beautiful, but the ventilation needs to be tweaked for sure. We appreciate you taking the time to write all of this to let others know basically what to expect in the areas.
I appreciate your reply@@DaveBrandysExcursionsTravel . As well I do agree that the ship is beautiful.
You said that this ship was designed for the Asian market were smoking is ore accepted, you would think the builder would have put a more sophisticated and powerful ventilation system for cigarette smoke because with a very short time the smoke smell would take over and contaminate everything around it if it’s not cleaned especially if there is carpet the smell will never go away unless you remove the carpets often- it’s sad situation for other passengers- smoking areas should be respected period - or just advertise that the ship is a smoking heaven for smokers and see how many people will book that ship for cruising 😮