Carnival Venezia slips out of Port Canaveral on Sunday, January 24, 2027, for seven nights and sails back in on Sunday, January 31. She is a Costa-built, Italian-styled ship that joined Carnival in 2023, so expect a gondola and faux frescoes instead of the usual Carnival look (yes, a gondola, indoors, we’re as shocked as you are). Schedule listings show an Eastern Caribbean run with Carnival’s Celebration Key first, then San Juan and St. Thomas, but that route is not yet confirmed by Carnival, so verify it before you book flights.
Start Here
- Oct 30, 2026 (one week from today): the limited-time FunPacks sale ends. It covers sailings through Dec 31, 2027, so it includes yours. Tick tock.
- Dec 1, 2026: CHEERS! and Wi-Fi move from flat daily rates to dynamic pricing, and no new prices are out yet. Carnival is keeping us in suspense.
- About Jan 10, 2027: online check-in opens, about 14 days out. Priority guests (Diamond, Platinum, suites) reportedly get it 48 hours earlier, about Jan 8.
- Midnight Eastern, Jan 23, 2027: the deadline to finish online check-in and pick your terminal arrival appointment.
- This week: confirm the ports and times for Jan 24 on carnival.com or in the Cruise Planner before you commit to non-refundable flights or hotels.
The Sailing at a Glance
| Detail | What we know |
|---|---|
| Ship | Carnival Venezia, Vista Class, 135,225 GT |
| Departs | Sun, Jan 24, 2027, Port Canaveral, FL |
| Returns | Sun, Jan 31, 2027 (reported 8:00 AM) |
| Length | 7 nights |
| Passengers / decks | 4,072 passengers, 16 decks |
| With Carnival since | 2023 (refurbished 2023) |
| Region | Caribbean / Bahamas |
| Reported route | Celebration Key, San Juan, St. Thomas, plus 3 sea days (unconfirmed) |
| Reported departure time | 3:30 PM (unconfirmed) |
| Likely terminal | Cruise Terminal 3 (unconfirmed for this date) |
| Latest CDC inspection | 95 out of 100, inspected June 18, 2026 |
What to Do Now and the Deadlines That Bite
The flat CHEERS! and Wi-Fi rates are scheduled to disappear on Dec 1, about five and a half weeks from today, and the FunPacks sale has just one week left. After that, the only deadline with real teeth is a midnight check-in the night before you sail. Procrastinators, this is your intervention.
| Date | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2026 | FunPacks sale ends | Decide whether a bundle beats buying drinks and Wi-Fi separately |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Dynamic pricing starts for CHEERS! and Wi-Fi | Price your options before this date; one report says buying earlier locks today’s rate, which is unconfirmed |
| About Jan 8, 2027 | Priority check-in opens (reported) | Diamond, Platinum and suite guests: check in |
| About Jan 10, 2027 | Online check-in opens (14 days out) | Upload passport details and a photo, and choose your arrival appointment |
| Jan 23, 2027, midnight Eastern | Check-in deadline | Finish it. Carnival’s rule is no later than midnight Eastern before your sailing date |
| Jan 24, 2027 | Sail day | Arrive at your appointment time, not earlier |
Bookings made within 24 hours of sailing need a secondary screening. The Jan 8 and Jan 10 dates are counted back from the sailing date, so don’t take our calendar math on faith: confirm the 14-day window in your Carnival account.
Embarkation Logistics
Your boarding pass sets your arrival time, and showing up early may get you turned away at the door. It’s the one moment in cruising where enthusiasm gets punished. During check-in you pick a terminal arrival appointment for your whole stateroom. If your slot is full, take the next one and make peace with it.
Carnival’s notice for a Sept 14, 2026 Venezia sailing in New York said guests who arrive earlier than their assigned time may not be permitted to enter the terminal. That was a New York notice, but it shows the rule is enforced. The pass also prints your final boarding time and muster station, so read it like it owes you money.
Terminal and parking
- Terminal: Venezia was shown docked at Cruise Terminal 3 (220 Christopher Columbus Dr., Cape Canaveral, FL 32920, Exit 54B). The port says assignments can change, so check your boarding pass and Carnival’s emails.
- Parking: $20.00 per day plus tax, covering both arrival day and departure day. Jan 24 to Jan 31 is 8 calendar days, so about $160 plus tax.
- Paying: on arrival only, with no reservations. Cash is not accepted; Amex, Visa, MasterCard and Discover are.
- Hours: parking opens at 10 AM on embarkation day, and rates can change without notice.
- Old rate: the rate was $17 until Oct 1, 2025, so any article quoting $17 is out of date.
- Drop-off: available in front of the terminal or in the parking facility.
- Refunds: call 321-783-7831, Monday to Friday, and choose Cruise Parking.
Getting there from Orlando (MCO)
- The port puts MCO about 45 minutes west, via S.R. 528 East to Exit 54A or 54B.
- A shared Go Port shuttle is about $29.99 per person one way.
- Rideshare is roughly $70 to $90 and a taxi roughly $100 to $120. Those are blog estimates, not official rates.
- Check Carnival’s own transfer pricing in the Cruise Planner if you want a cruise-line shuttle.
- Fly in a day early. Winter weather disrupts flights, and a missed Sunday ship does not wait for your connection. It has places to be.
For a night-before hotel, the Radisson Resort at the Port offers a Park & Cruise package with parking and a round-trip port shuttle for up to four people. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cocoa Beach has a Go Port “Snooze Park Cruise” package, with shuttles around 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM. January 2027 rates aren’t confirmed for either, so price them yourself before you fall in love.
The Ship and How to Work It
Venezia is a Costa-built ship with Italian decor and a layout unlike Carnival’s own designs, so learn the map before you board or enjoy wandering in circles. Reviewers love the styling, including a full-size gondola in a dining room, and grumble about crowding. They single out the Deck 5 Promenade as the exception. The Points Guy notes there are no self-serve launderettes and limited open lounge space around the Lido pool, so pack accordingly and don’t plan on sunbathing elbow-free.
Her CDC Vessel Sanitation Program score is 95 out of 100, from the June 18, 2026 inspection. For the ship’s profile see our Carnival Venezia page.
Eating for free
- Main dining: Marco Polo is set-time Traditional dining, and Canal Grande is Your Time dining. Both are included.
- Casual: Lido Marketplace buffet, Guy’s Burger Joint, Tomodoro (Mexican-Italian), La Strada Grill (limited hours) and Swirls ice cream.
- Pizza: Pizzeria del Capitano is free and listed as open 11:15 AM to 4 AM. Yes, that is basically a pizza curfew violation.
Paying for it
Reserve specialty dining early in the Hub app or Cruise Planner, and read the payment and cancellation terms at checkout, because current terms aren’t confirmed. The Chef’s Table seats about 12 to 16 and sells out fast, but check whether Venezia offers it on your sailing. No firm booking cutoff is confirmed, so the safe move is to book early. The 20% service charge may apply on top of the prices below.
| Venue | Reported price | Caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Il Viaggio (Italian) | $42 adults, $10 kids | The 2023 launch price; check the current one |
| Fahrenheit 555 (steakhouse) | $48 per person | One 2025 report says $52 |
| Bonsai Teppanyaki | $39 lunch, $49 dinner | Latest report; older ones differ, one includes gratuity |
The Hub app
- Use it for online check-in, dining reservations, and buying Wi-Fi, spa, excursions and gifts.
- Onboard it has a show and spa planner, restaurant check-in, QR menus, poolside food delivery and muster station lookup.
- It works on ship Wi-Fi without an internet purchase and needs iOS 17 or later, or Android 11 or later.
- Chat costs a small extra fee, and guests 15 and under need parental consent.
Kids, adults-only and fun
- Camp Ocean (Deck 11): free and supervised for ages 2 to 11, split into Penguins (2–5), Stingrays (6–8) and Sharks (9–11). Circle “C” (12–14) and Club O2 (15–17) are on Deck 3. These age bands come from a review, so confirm them with Carnival, along with hours and any fees.
- Adults-only: Serenity retreat, and Cloud 9 Spa (treatments cost extra). Terrazza Carnevale is a private deck for Terrazza staterooms, which are for ages 12 and up.
- Water and sport: the Lido pool sits under a glass magradome, and Burano pool is at the back. WaterWorks slides and SportSquare (ropes course, jogging track, mini golf) are on board.
- Nights: Teatro Rosso for main shows, the Punchliner Comedy Club in Limelight Lounge, dancing in Gondola Lounge, and a casino with a non-smoking room.
The Ports
The reported routing is one shiny new private island, one Old San Juan evening and one big St. Thomas day, with three sea days to recover from all of it. It is not confirmed by Carnival, and ports do change: in April 2026 Carnival swapped Grand Turk for Amber Cove on two Venezia sailings. The sailings on Jan 3 and Jan 31 reportedly run a different, Western Caribbean route, so don’t mix them up. More routes are on our Venezia itineraries page.
| Day | Date | Port | Reported times |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun, Jan 24 | Port Canaveral | Departs 3:30 PM |
| 2 | Mon, Jan 25 | Celebration Key, Bahamas | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM |
| 3 | Tue, Jan 26 | Sea day (inferred) | — |
| 4 | Wed, Jan 27 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 1:00 PM–9:00 PM |
| 5 | Thu, Jan 28 | St. Thomas, USVI | 7:00 AM–4:00 PM |
| 6 | Fri, Jan 29 | Sea day (inferred) | — |
| 7 | Sat, Jan 30 | Sea day (inferred) | — |
| 8 | Sun, Jan 31 | Port Canaveral | Arrives 8:00 AM |
Those are arrival and departure times, not all-aboard times. The official all-aboard time for each port isn’t confirmed, so go by Carnival’s schedule once it’s published for your sailing, and don’t test the ship’s patience.
Celebration Key
Your drink package does not work on the island, so budget separately. CHEERS! and Bottomless Bubbles are not accepted there, which is a rude surprise if you’ve pre-paid. Bar drinks are à la carte, while water and lemonade are included.
- The ship ties up at a covered pier with no tendering. It is reportedly about a 5-minute walk to Paradise Plaza, with open-air trams along the dock.
- 2025 coverage says each guest gets one free “Island Eats” meal at casual outlets and food trucks, or 25% off one entrée at the full-service restaurants (excluding Pearl Cove Beach Club). Some guests have called the free meal small. Verify those terms before relying on them.
- Extras are paid add-ons. Pearl Cove Beach Club was reported from $99.99 per person in 2025, and 2026 prices aren’t confirmed.
- The State Department’s Bahamas advisory is Level 2, “exercise increased caution,” updated July 28, 2026 per secondary coverage. Crime concerns centre on Nassau and Freeport, and Celebration Key is a gated cruise destination. Check travel.state.gov.
San Juan
The 1:00 to 9:00 PM window suits Old San Juan on foot: wander, eat dinner, repeat. It’s an evening call, so think golden-hour strolls rather than sunrise ambition. Cruise Piers 1, 3 and 4 sit on the Old San Juan waterfront. A pier assignment for Jan 24 isn’t known.
- Most restaurants and attractions are an estimated 10 to 15 minutes away, and El Morro about 25. Streets are cobbled, hilly and crowded when several ships are in, so leave the heels at home.
- A free trolley runs from the port to the old town and forts, boarding across from the information booth between Piers 3 and 4. Taxis wait at the dock.
- The Pan American terminal is a separate terminal, about a 10-minute ride, so check which one your ship uses.
- Check fort hours before you plan around one. Puerto Rico is a US territory, so you pay in dollars.
St. Thomas
The 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM stay is long enough for a proper beach day, but which dock you get is unknown. Check the port authority’s berth schedule or Carnival’s sailing page for Havensight versus Crown Bay before you plan your day.
- From Havensight, one guide puts downtown Charlotte Amalie at about a 20-minute waterfront walk. The Crown Bay walk isn’t confirmed.
- Open-air safari taxis use posted zone pricing, roughly $5 to $12 to most places per one guide, and one traveller blog reports about $8 per person to Magens Bay. Confirm posted rates at the dock.
- The Magens Bay entry fee is unconfirmed. Tour listings say $7, an older report says $5, and the Magens Bay Authority (340-777-6300) can confirm.
- Carnival’s 2026 excursion prices aren’t confirmed, so compare in the Cruise Planner before deciding between a ship tour and a taxi. Taxis are cheap, which tips the scale toward going independent.
Conditions and Packing for Late January
Hurricane season is not your problem. Cold fronts are. The Atlantic season ends Nov 30, about eight weeks before you sail. The winter risk is wind and rough seas, especially leaving and returning to Port Canaveral across the Gulf Stream, where Mother Nature likes to remind you who’s in charge.
| Place | Winter conditions |
|---|---|
| Port Canaveral (Dec–Feb) | Highs 68–75°F, lows 55–62°F |
| Bahamas, January | Start of the dry season with little rain, per Cruise Critic; January temperatures not confirmed, so check a forecast close to sailing |
| San Juan, January | Average high 83°F, low 72°F, sea about 77°F; drier season, but showers are likely |
| St. Thomas, Celebration Key | January figures not confirmed; expect Caribbean warmth |
Bahamas sea temperatures are roughly low-to-mid 70s°F, which is approximate. In December 2025, high winds delayed Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas returning to Port Canaveral, with northwest winds of 20 to 25 knots and seas occasionally to 11 feet. How often January fronts disrupt sailings isn’t established, so treat embarkation and return days as the likeliest bumpy ones.
- Pack: warm-weather clothes, swimwear and sun protection for the ports.
- Add: a light jacket for embarkation, return day and evenings on deck.
- Also: a rain layer and seasickness remedies, just in case.
Money
The daily gratuity is added to your account by default, and drinks, specialty dining and similar extras carry a 20% service charge on top, so the sticker prices undersell the bill. The figures below are the flat rates live today, before Dec 1 dynamic pricing. For who gets what, see our tipping guide.
| Item | Per person, per day | 7 nights |
|---|---|---|
| Gratuity, standard cabin | $17 | $119 |
| Gratuity, suite | $19 | $133 |
| CHEERS!, bought pre-cruise ($69.95 + 20%) | $83.94 | $587.58 |
| CHEERS!, bought onboard ($74.95 + 20%) | $89.94 | $629.58 |
| Bottomless Bubbles, adult ($11.99 + 20%) | $14.39 | $100.72 |
| Wi-Fi Premium, pre-cruise | $25.50 | $178.50 |
The 7-night totals multiply the daily rate by 7 nights; the Bottomless Bubbles total is calculated before rounding the daily figure. Check the charging basis on your own booking. A standard cabin of two adults pays $238 in gratuities (2 × $119). CHEERS! is required for every adult in the cabin, so two adults buying pre-cruise pay $1,175.16 for the week. Gratuities can be adjusted during the cruise but not after disembarkation, and prepaying earns no discount now.
Packages and Wi-Fi
- CHEERS!: it caps alcoholic drinks at 15 per day, and non-alcoholic drinks are unlimited. The price no longer drops on 6+ night sailings.
- Bottomless Bubbles: children are $6.95 per day plus the service charge.
- Wi-Fi pre-cruise: Social $20.40, Value $23.80 and Premium $25.50 per person per day. Pre-booking saves about 15%, and a Multi-Device plan exists, pre-purchase only. The Hub app is free over ship Wi-Fi, so you may not need a plan for messaging and schedules.
- Break-even: per-drink menu prices aren’t confirmed, so there’s no honest answer on whether CHEERS! pays off. Count your own drinks.
FunPacks (sale ends Oct 30)
| Bundle | Per person, per day |
|---|---|
| Kidstarter (ages 3–17) | $25 |
| Zero Proof | $50 |
| Social (21+) | $60 |
| Epic (21+) | $99 |
Whether bundles are charged per night or per calendar day isn’t confirmed, and this sailing spans 8 calendar days, so check the total at checkout before you do any 7-night math. Reports also disagree on bundle contents and on whether service charges are included. Read the full inclusions before buying.
Bringing your own
Adults 21 and over may bring one sealed 750 mL bottle of wine or champagne each, in carry-on, on embarkation day only. Fortified wines over 15% ABV (port, sherry, vermouth) are out. Corkage is $15 per bottle in a dining room or bar and free in your cabin, which is a modest saving, not a replacement for a package. Beer and liquor are banned and confiscated; see our alcohol policy guide. For soda and bottled water, reports conflict, so check Carnival’s current policy.
Documents and Rules
This sailing starts and ends in Florida, so US citizens can generally board with a birth certificate and government photo ID, but carry a passport anyway. CBP says closed-loop cruises allow a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy) plus a government-issued photo ID, and warns you may still need a passport for countries you visit. Carnival confirmed in 2023 that Caribbean closed-loop sailings work this way. Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are US territories, but check Carnival’s current travel documents page.
Carnival’s FAQ says guests without proper documents won’t be allowed to board, and fares are not refunded. Ouch. A passport is also the easiest fix if you miss the ship and have to fly home from a foreign port.
- US children under 16: a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. The age is under 19 when travelling with a school, religious or youth group.
- Green card holders: a valid Permanent Resident Card.
- Canadians: a passport, Enhanced Driver’s License or Trusted Traveler card.
- Other nationalities: carry a passport and check visa needs for each port. The birth-certificate shortcut is for US citizens only.
- Minors with one parent: Carnival’s rule on consent letters isn’t confirmed, so ask the line.
- Medication: prescriptions are allowed, and a pill organizer is fine. Cannabis and CBD are prohibited.
- Banned items: commonly listed as explosives, fireworks, flammables, ammunition, knives, scissors, open razors and extension cords or surge protectors. Check Carnival’s list for drones and irons.
FAQ: Carnival Venezia, January 24, 2027
Do I need a passport for a Carnival cruise from Port Canaveral?
For a closed-loop sailing, US citizens can generally use a birth certificate and government photo ID, per CBP and Carnival’s 2023 confirmation. Carrying a passport is still smart, because it helps if you miss the ship. Non-US citizens should bring a passport and check visa needs. Confirm on Carnival’s travel documents page.
What time should I arrive at Port Canaveral for my Carnival cruise?
Arrive at the appointment on your boarding pass, not earlier. Carnival has warned that guests arriving before their assigned time may not be allowed into the terminal. You choose the slot during online check-in, which closes at midnight Eastern the night before sailing. Parking opens at 10 AM.
How much does parking at Port Canaveral cost for a 7-night cruise?
The rate is $20.00 per day plus tax, and it covers both arrival and departure days. For Jan 24 to Jan 31 that is 8 calendar days, so about $160 plus tax. Payment is on arrival by card (Amex, Visa, MasterCard or Discover), not cash, and there are no reservations.
Can I bring wine on Carnival Venezia?
Yes, if you are 21 or over: one sealed 750 mL bottle of wine or champagne per person, in carry-on, on embarkation day. Fortified wines over 15% ABV are not allowed. Corkage is $15 per bottle in venues and free in your cabin. Beer and liquor are banned and confiscated.
How much is the daily gratuity on Carnival now?
Since April 2, 2026 it is $17 per person per day in standard cabins and $19 in suites. Over 7 nights that is $119 or $133 per person. A two-adult standard cabin pays $238. It is added by default, and you can adjust it during the cruise but not after disembarkation.
Is Carnival’s CHEERS! drink package worth it?
That depends on how much you drink. Pre-cruise it is $69.95 per day plus a 20% service charge, or $83.94 per day and $587.58 for 7 nights. It must be bought for every adult in the cabin. Dynamic pricing starts Dec 1, 2026, so check current prices.
Where does Carnival Venezia go on January 24, 2027?
Schedule listings show Celebration Key, San Juan and St. Thomas, with what look like three sea days, returning to Port Canaveral on Jan 31. That is not yet confirmed by Carnival, and itineraries can change. Check carnival.com or the Cruise Planner for your sailing’s final ports.
The Bottom Line
Do the money homework before Dec 1, then keep one eye on a midnight deadline on Jan 23. The FunPacks sale ends Oct 30, and CHEERS! and Wi-Fi pricing changes Dec 1. Confirm the ports before you book anything non-refundable, because the route is reported but not yet confirmed by Carnival. If you remember three things, make them these: your arrival appointment, your documents and your 8-day parking bill of about $160 plus tax. Everything else is just a gondola and a dream.
Ships in This Story
- Utopia of the Seas Royal Caribbean · Latest CDC score 97
- Carnival Venezia Carnival · Latest CDC score 95
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