Carnival Cruise Line is bringing two ships from Europe-based Costa Cruises to the United States, one of which will join the company’s growing fleet of Long Beach-based ships.
The Italian-inspired Costa Firenze is expected to begin sailings from Long Beach in 2024, preceded by Costa Venezie, which will move to New York City in 2023.
News of the additional ship was confirmed locally Wednesday during a presentation at the Rotary Club of Long Beach by Carnival executive Chris Chiames.
In an earlier statement, Carnival President Christine Duffy said, “Carnival will operate the ships, which will marry the excellent service, food and entertainment that Carnival guests enjoy with Costa’s signature Italian design.”
Costa Firenze is a sister ship to Carnival Panorama, a Vista-class ship already based in Long Beach. Panorama arrived in Long Beach to much fanfare in December 2019, as the first new Carnival cruise ship to base on the West Coast in 20 years.
Carnival has had a base in Long Beach since 2003, with the city now one of the nation’s busiest cruise ship terminals based on passenger traffic, bringing significant spending to the city through more tourists and passenger fees.
Firenze was officially completed in December 2020, but did not set sail on its maiden voyage until July 2021 due to cruise industry shutdowns during the pandemic.
