carnival cruise food pictures

Carnival Food Review – EVERYTHING I Ate During my Cruise: (Photos and Menus)

If you are taking a Carnival cruise you might be wondering what the food will be like. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included at no extra cost on a Carnival cruise.

I’ve just disembarked Carnival Magic and in this post we will look at everything I ate in the main dining room, buffet, Guys Burger Joint and other restaurants. Menus are also provided.

Buffet – Included

The buffet on the Carnival Magic was open from early in the morning until late at night, it is split into two separate sections.

Breakfast was served 7am – 12pm. Lunch 12pm – 2.30pm and dinner 6pm-9.30pm.

“Meals are served buffet-style, with an array of pastas, steaks, prime rib, grilled chicken, specialty salads and desserts along with a daily Chef’s Special.”  Carnival Cruise Line

Below are some examples of my buffet meals. All of the food in the buffet is free and unlimited.

There was always a large selection of cakes available and cookies too.

I found that the quality of the food in the buffet was good but I did find that the options were often the same on multiple days.

We usually ate breakfast in the buffet and although I am not a big buffet fan, there were lots of choices. I mostly had bread and fruit.

We didn’t ever see any drinks waiters in the buffet so I’m not sure if this service is offered within the buffet. If it was, they never approached us.

Within The Buffet Was a Deli

At the larger end of the buffet, there was a deli that served sandwiches and wraps throughout the day. This would often be open even if the main buffet was closed.

The deli was open 11 am – 11 pm .

There were a couple of vegetarian options but no markings on the menu to say which were vegetarian.

Carnival do have a separate team that deals with allergies and intolerances but it was a shame that this information was missing from a lot of the menus.

I often had to ask the waiters if a dish was vegetarian which could have easily been avoided had the information been on the menu.

My favourite thing to have at the deli was the mozzarella and tomato sandwich.

There were often lines for the deli and I did feel bad for the crew trying to make the sandwiches as fast as they could! The crew were always incredibly friendly and polite.

The deli also offered fries and chocolate chip cookies.

My main concern with the buffet was the lack of hand washing and hand sanitisation.

On most cruise lines you’ll have to wash your hands before you enter the buffet but this wasn’t the case on my Carnival cruise, there were no sinks by the doors and no crew member ever told me to sanitise my hands.

As guests all share the tongs I would usually get my food, sit down and then sanitise my hands before picking up food.

Main Dining Room – Included

Guests can either choose fixed dining, where you have the same table at the same time each night or flexible dining. We opted for flexible dining and it worked very well.

There was only one large main restaurant offering flexible dining but sometimes we would be sat on the upper level, and sometimes lower.

I preferred sitting on the upper level as it felt as though the tables for 2 had more space. Downstairs the tables for 2 were often so close together that it felt like you were sharing a table.

This is pretty common on cruise ships!

I was very impressed with the quality of the food in the main dining room. I hadn’t expected amazing things from Carnivals food but we were always very happy with our meals.

The service was great and we never had to wait long for anything.

Below on the left is the always-available vegetarian Indian dish which I had a couple of times. On the right is the Carnival chocolate cake which was very tasty. It was gooey in the middle and always warm.

Below is the menu as it appeared on my phone. We weren’t given physical menus during our cruise and instead scanned the QR code on our phones.

If you don’t have a phone Carnival do have some physical copies of the menu but I never saw any guests using these during our cruise.

There was no allergen or dietary information on the menus which sometimes did make it difficult to know which dishes were vegetarian. You’d think it would be obvious, but it isn’t always.

On some cruise lines you’ll find that there are specials in addition to whats on the menu, we didn’t find that on our Carnival cruise.

The fried mozzarella seen below was my favourite starter.

I was very happy to see a Tofu steak on the menu one evening, this was the only time I ever saw any and there weren’t usually any sources of protein other than cheese in my vegetarian dishes.

The staff were always happy to change dishes slightly or to put together something off-menu if there’s something you’d prefer.

Caesar salad was always available as a starter as you’ll find on most cruise lines.

It is possible to order a starter as a main or a main as a starter if you’d prefer.

There aren’t any limits on how many courses you can order, so if there are multiple things that take your fancy, order them all!

Many people order a couple of starters and a couple of mains. The waiters are very used to it.

Other Included Food – Guy’s Burger Joint

In addition to the food in the buffet and the main dining room, there was freshly made pizza and burgers served on the pool deck.

The poolside grill is called Guys Burger Joint and it was created by Guy Fieri.

For the first 5 days of the cruise I believed that there were no vegetarian options at Guys Burgers because there was no vegetarian burger on the menu.

I had resigned myself to a life of eating fries but when I did ask, they actually had veggie burgers!

They added one to the grill and freshly cooked it for me. I added onion rings and cheese and lots of other toppings (seen below right).

It was AMAZING I just wish I knew about it earlier in the cruise!

My partner Jono who eats meat said that the Guy’s Burgers he had were good, no better than the poolside grill on other cruise lines, but good.

Other Included Food – Blue Iguana

Also on the pool deck, there is a Burrito and Taco restaurant called the Blue Iguana.

Here you can create your own burritos and they are freshly made while you wait.

I had a rice and beans burrito and it was amazing. It may have been my favourite thing that I ate during the cruise. It was full of flavour and a great lunch.

Below are the topping that you can add to your burrito.

Soft tacos are also available.

Other Included Food – Pizzeria Del Capitano

At the back of the ship there is a pizzeria where you can get freshly made pizza either by the slice or the pie.

The pizzeria was open 9am – 4am.

We would often go to the Pizzeria at night to pick up a pizza and a drink from the bar that was nearby, both were near our cabin so we would take these back to our room.

You are always allowed to take food from the buffet or any of the pool side restaurants to your cabin. Carnival don’t let you take food from the main dining room to your room, but everywhere else is fine.

Ocean Plaza Café (Extra Cost)

I spent very little extra during this cruise but the little bit of money that I did spend I spent on doughnuts at the Ocean Plaza Cafe.

The cafe was incredibly popular, especially on sea days.

Each of the doughnuts below cost $3, plus taxes.

Carnival are an American cruise line so taxes aren’t included in the prices that you see.

Both doughnuts weer good, but incredibly sweet. I shared them and even half was more than enough.

Would I Recommend Carnivals Food?

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food on my Carnival cruise, particularly in the main dining room.

I did find the vegetarian options lacking compared to other cruise lines, but all the vegetarian food I had was good.

I particularly enjoyed the deli within the buffet, my burger from Guy’s Burgers and the cookies that were available most of the time in the buffet.

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Carnival Cruise Menu and Food Pictures

We’re a few weeks away from cruising again. So here I am perusing through our old cruise photos and realized I haven’t even shared a lot of them yet. Especially what everyone is looking for – Carnival Cruise Menu.

The Carnival Cruise Menu and Food you’ll be seeing are from our cruise last year back in April, I’ll also be sharing the ones from our February 2016 cruise in the days to come. They were from the dining area where you have your sit down dinner every night. The menu changes every night and I want those who have never cruise before to have a glance at what to expect, or how much calories you might consume, LOL.

WHAT CAN YOU EAT ON A CRUISE? HERE ARE MORE ARTICLES ON CRUISE DINING OPTIONS:

• You can order Freshly Made Tacos & Burritos on Carnival Cruise
• Chef Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint onboard Carnival Cruise is a Must Try
• Have an Afternoon Tea in the Middle of the Sea
• The Better Cruise Breakfast Buffet is on board Princess Cruises
• Do not leave Carnival Cruise without trying their Sea Day Brunch
• Princess Cruise Menu & Food Pictures

A big note to everyone, Carnival Cruise now charges for lobster during the formal night unless it’s a longer cruise, a plate costs $20.

The best seat in the house is by the windows. As long as it hasn’t gotten dark when you have your dinner of course. You can choose early dining, late dining or anytime dining when you register for your cruise with Carnival. We go for anytime dining as that is even more earlier than early dining. If you don’t want to do a sit down dinner though, just head to the buffet at the Lido deck where your breakfast and lunch is also served.

CARNIVAL IMAGINATION 1ST NIGHT: CARNIVAL CRUISE MENU & FOOD

Here’s the Carnival Cruise Dinner Menu for the 1st Night with Carnival Imagination 5 Day Cruise from Los Angeles Port:

Carnival Cruise Menu

A variety of bread is always served on Carnival Cruise Sit Down Dinner. My fave bread basket though is served during Carnival Cruise Sea Day Brunch , check out that experience HERE . We make sure not to miss that every time we cruise. Sea Day is when the cruise ship doesn’t dock on ay of the ports and just stay in the middle of the sea.

Carnival Cruise Appetizer: Seared Ahi Tuna

Carnival Cruise Food: Flat Iron Steak

Carnival Cruise Dessert: I forgot what this one was called. Some pudding that I shouldn’t order again.

CARNIVAL IMAGINATION 2ND NIGHT: CARNIVAL CRUISE MENU & FOOD

Here’s the Carnival Cruise Dinner Menu for the 2nd Night with Carnival Imagination 5 Day Cruise from Los Angeles Port. This is the Cruise Formal Night Menu. This would be the our last cruise where lobster was still included in the sit down dinner. They started charging $20 for it on our following cruise.

The table decor also differed on the second night. First night was somehow old Hollywood, second night is nautical in design.

CARNIVAL CRUISE APPETIZERS

Carnival Cruise Appetizer: Escargot

Carnival Cruise Appetizer: Carpaccio

Carnival Cruise Dinner: Spaghetti Carbonara

Carnival Cruise Dinner: Lobster

Carnival Cruise Dinner Menu: Slow Cooked Prime Rib

Carnival Cruise Dessert Menu: Melting Chocolate Cake & their Creme Brûlée is a staple to every cruise. You can also order a cheese plate or ice cream on top of your dessert as long as there’s still room in there. Just remember, there’s food all day, don’t over stuff yourself.

Carnival Cruise: Coffee Cream Cake

Carnival Cruise Dessert: Our fave, Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake and Creme Brûlée.

Carnival Cruise Dessert: Malted Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

CARNIVAL IMAGINATION 4TH NIGHT: CARNIVAL CRUISE MENU & FOOD

Here’s the Carnival Cruise Dinner Menu for the 4th Night with Carnival Imagination 5 Day Cruise from Los Angeles Port. Due to obvious overeating, we skipped the 3rd night and just went for some food from the Lido Deck. For those who has never cruised before. Your options includes the dinner buffet, a deli where they serve really good sandwiches like their pastrami sandwich, salads, pizza. You name it.

Carnival Cruise Appetizer: Salmon Cake

Carnival Cruise Food: Jerked Pork Loin

Carnival Cruise Food: Penne Mariscos

Carnival Cruise Dessert Menu

Carnival Cruise Dessert: Banana White Chocolate Bread Pudding

We are not leaving the cruise on the final night without the hubby ordering his last Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake. Hope I didn’t make you guys too hungry.

Another Cruise Tip: You can check out the Carnival Cruise Menu outside the Dining room (posted on the wall) before dinner starts so you can check if you like anything on the menu or would rather just eat something else at the buffet.

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4 thoughts on “Carnival Cruise Menu and Food Pictures”

Your blogs on cruises make me want to go on a cruise!

Their food looks so yummy.

This looks so delicious!

the food looks great. I love cruise restaurants

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR - KAT

For over a decade, Kathleen has been chronicling her family's travel adventures to assist travelers in planning their vacations while staying on budget through firsthand experience and insider tips. She also shares recipes and free printables. For inquiries, reach out to [email protected].

• Cruise Line Restaurant, Room Service, and Bar Menus / Food and Drink

Guide To Complimentary Dining Venues On Carnival: Menus, Food Pics, And More!

by Prof. Cruise · Published May 9, 2022 · Updated May 12, 2022

The “f-word” means one of two things in my (some would argue weird and little) brain: food or free. Combine the two and locate them on a cruise ship and you’ve got my personal vision of heaven. And the free (or “included” if you want to get technical about it) dining venues on Carnival are one of the things that keep me coming back to the line time and time again despite some of my snootier cruise friends tipping up their noses at me and making rude jokes like, “did you remember to pack your cutoff shorts and midriff for formal night?”

While another f-word might come to mind, ignore them and read on for all the delicious complimentary dining venues and experiences you will enjoy on your Carnival cruise. Be sure to take lots of photos and send them to all the Carnival critics in your life (or send them to me so I can drool as I look forward to my next Carnival cruise booked for July on the Carnival Spirit to Alaska).

Let’s start with the complimentary dining experience that will shock Carnival critics most: afternoon tea (be sure to raise your pinky for the picture to give them the full effect)!

Afternoon Tea on Carnival

Afternoon tea usually takes place at 3pm on sea days in one of the main dining rooms and consists of a selection of teas, finger sandwiches, and delicious desserts. It’s a great place to meet and chat with your fellow cruisers while you enjoy a little afternoon pick-me-up and snack. Be sure to watch a few episodes of “The Crown” before your cruise though, so you’ll know what you’re doing.

Which Carnival ships is Afternoon Tea available on?

While Afternoon Tea is available on every Carnival ship , it’s not offered on every itinerary. Be sure to check your schedule on the app to see if and when it’s offered on your particular cruise.

Big Chicken on Carnival

Sorry if going directly from delicate tea sandwiches sans crust to greasy fried chicken requiring prolific finger licking and stain remover gave you whiplash, but it just goes to show that there’s something for everyone on Carnival.

Big Chicken, Shaq’s chicken restaurant at sea is open for breakfast (until 3pm), lunch, and dinner and among other things, offers chicken biscuits, sandwiches, and strips.

Which Carnival ships is Big Chicken available on?

Big Chicken is currently available on the Radiance and Mardi Gras and will be available on the Celebration and Jubilee .

Carnival’s Big Chicken Menu

Blue Iguana Cantina on Carnival

This fast casual Mexican counter located on the Lido deck near the buffet is open for breakfast and lunch (it usually closes by 5pm) and offers two of my absolute favorite food items on Carnival: breakfast burritos and arepas.

Which Carnival ships is Blue Iguana Cantina available on?

Blue Iguana Cantina is currently available on all Carnival ships except the Splendor and will be available on the Celebration and Jubilee .

Blue Iguana Cantina Breakfast Menu on Carnival

Blue Iguana Cantina Lunch Menu on Carnival

Buffet Cake

While I’ll discuss the Lido Marketplace (buffet) later, the cakes available at “The Sweet Spot,” the dessert section on Carnival buffets is so good it deserves its own section. Those who have cruised on Carnival for many years will remember the days before buffet cakes when the desserts on Carnival were all composed of the same three ingredients: sugar, gelatin, and food coloring. Then they were “molded” to look like real desserts. But as soon as you bit into that “cheesecake” you realized it was actually jello. “Apple pie?” Nope, jello! Creme Brulee? Surprise, jello! “Tiramisu?” Brown jello with a bit of coffee syrup thrown in for good measure!

But the people spoke (I once filled out a post-cruise Carnival survey by saying: “As the world record holder for most desserts eaten on a cruise, I only ate 40 total buffet desserts on the Pride. That’s how bad they were!”) and Carnival finally listened and replaced questionable molded jello with cakes as beautiful as they are delicious. The German chocolate is available every day, but the other flavors rotate. I recommend trying a slice of each daily! Note that the cakes are only available for lunch, so if there’s a flavor you particularly love, take an extra few slices back to your cabin to store in your fridge for a late-night snack!

Which Carnival ships is Buffet Cake available on?

Buffet cake is currently available on all Carnival ships and will be available on the Celebration and Jubilee .

Sample Buffet Cake (The Sweet Spot) Menu on Carnival

The Captain’s Pasta Bar on Carnival

Looking for a less chaotic alternative to the buffet? Do you enjoy a full-service lunch? Try The Captain’s Pasta Bar where you can enjoy custom, made-to-order pasta or the featured specialty item! Check your ship’s Fun Times or the app for the location, as it will vary depending on ship. On the Panorama it was located in the speciality Italian restaurant. I almost felt like I was scamming Carnival, eating for “free” in a specialty restaurant.

Which Carnival ships is The Captain’s Pasta Bar available on?

The Captain’s Pasta Bar is currently available on the Breeze , Horizon , Magic , Panorama , Sunshine , and Vista .

The Captain’s Pasta Bar’s Lunch Menu on Carnival

The Carnival Deli

The deli will be located on the Lido deck near the buffet and is open for lunch and dinner. In addition to the regular menu, there’s a rotating daily special. You can also ask for a custom sandwich or wrap and, as long as the ingredients are available, they will make it for you. Veggie burgers are also offered at the deli (although they don’t appear on the menu) and many people (including myself) prefer the fries from the deli over those at Guy’s Burgers. They are crispy, golden perfection.

Which Carnival ships is The Carnival Deli available on?

The Carnival Deli is currently available on the Breeze, Conquest, Dream, Ecstasy, Elation, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Legend, Liberty, Magic, Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, and Vista.

Carnival Deli Pro Tip: Dip your fries in the truffle aioli (shown on the photo on the bottom right below). It’s available along with several other sauces on the counter where you order. So good!

Deli Menu on Carnival Cruise

CHIBANG! on Carnival

This Chinese/Mexican fusion restaurant open for lunch and dinner debuted on the Mardi Gras and, while it may eventually have an additional charge, it remains complimentary as of today.

Which Carnival ships is CHIBANG! available on?

CHIBANG! is currently only available on the Mardi Gras , but will also be on the Celebration and the Jubilee . Stay tuned to see if it will be complimentary on those ships.

CHIBANG! Menu on Carnival

Cucina del Capitano on Carnival’s Mardi Gras

While Cucina del Capitano is normally an Italian specialty restaurant on Carnival with an extra charge of $18 for dinner ($6 for kids), on the Mardi Gras , it’s complimentary!

Cucina del Capitano Menu on Carnival Mardi Gras

Fresh Creations on Carnival

I mean, if you’re one of those weird people who eats salad on a cruise, at least you can get a good salad on Carnival. Fresh Creations is Carnival’s salad restaurant at sea and is generally open for lunch daily. You can order one of five salads on the menu or a custom salad with your choice of dozens of fresh ingredients. I’m always calculating how much an equivalent meal would cost me in my downtown Seattle neighborhood, and a giant custom salad like this would run around $15. The cost at Fresh Creations? Free!

Which Carnival ships is Fresh Creations available on?

Fresh Creations is currently available on Horizon , Mardi Gras , Panorama , and Vista and is coming to the Celebration and Jubilee .

Fresh Creations Menu on Carnival

Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival

I recently had unfortunate experience of actually meeting Guy Fieri on the Carnival Panorama (he was onboard filming). Why was meeting a famous chef, restaurateur, author, and Emmy award winning television star unfortunate? Because when he asked me which of his burgers was my favorite, I had to confess to being a vegetarian. Doh!

But judging by the ever present line and years of positive reviews from my family and friends, Guy’s serves some of the best burgers at sea, which one can customize at the topping’s bar with caramelized onions, grilled mushrooms, chopped bacon, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and a variety of condiments. One can also use the toppings bar for numerous cruise food hacks. Get creative and have fun by combining items from various food venues on the Lido deck. Share to the comments any combinations you’ve tried and liked. A virtual ship on a stick will be awarded to the most creative!

Which Carnival ships is Guy’s Burger Joint available on?

Guy’s Burger Joint is currently available on all Carnival ships and will be available on the Celebration and Jubilee .

Guy’s Burger Menu on Carnival

Guy’s Pig and Anchor on Carnival

It’s a good thing Guy didn’t also ask me about his BBQ restaurant on the Panorama, or I might have had to show him this pitiful photo of my plate of vegetarian sides:

But my meat eating, BBQ loving cruise friends will definitely want to try Guy’s Pig and Anchor walk up counter for some of the best BBQ at sea! While there’s an associated sit-down specialty restaurant called Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse and Brewhouse open for an extra charge at dinner, the nearby lunchtime counter is totally free!

Which Carnival ships is Guy’s Pig and Anchor available on?

Guy’s Pig and Anchor is currently available on the Breeze, Dream, Horizon, Magic, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Radiance, Sunrise, and Vista and coming soon to Celebration and Jubilee .

Guy’s Pig and Anchor Menu on Carnival

Lido Marketplace (Buffet) on Carnival

While the quality and selection at the Lido Marketplace buffet, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Carnival cruises, isn’t as good as on most other lines, as a quantity vs quality kind of gal, even a mediocre buffet is still pretty great in my estimation. And worst case, just grab something foolproof like a slice of bread with butter or some mashed potatoes for “lunch” to justify your six slices of buffet cake!

Which Carnival ships is the Lido Marketplace buffet available on?

The Lido Marketplace buffet is currently available on all Carnival ships and coming soon to the Celebration and the Jubilee .

Carnival Buffet Menus

Here are a few sample dinner menus from the buffet on Carnival to give you and idea of what’s offered.

Main Dining Room on Carnival

If you’re new to cruising, main dining rooms are complimentary, full-service restaurants. On Carnival, they’re open for breakfast on port days, brunch on sea days (I’ll cover the Seaday Brunch later), and dinner every night. While it’s possible to cruise without ever eating in an MDR (you can also eat your meals at the buffet, specialty restaurants that cost extra, or other complimentary restaurants), most people eat the majority of their dinners and sometimes breakfast or brunch in the main dining rooms.

For dinner in the MDR’s, Carnival still offers the choice of either anytime dining (which works much like a regular restaurant on land – you make a reservation on the app each day for whatever time you’d like to eat and show up at the dining room at that time) or a set dining time (either early or late) where you will eat at the same time, at the same table, and with the same wait staff each night.

Which Carnival ships have Main Dining Rooms available?

Every Carnival ship will have at least one main dining room and the menus are currently fleet-wide. The breakfast menu will be the same every morning, while the dinner menu will be different each night. The current dinner menus you’ll see on your sailing and the order in which you’ll see them depends on the length of your cruise and itinerary.

Carnival Breakfast Menu

Generally the order of the dinner menus will look like this for 8 night, 7 night, and 4 night sailings:

Carnival 8 Night Dinner Menus

Carnival 7 Night Dinner Menus

Carnival 4 Night Dinner Menus

And here are the 5 night main dining room menus debuting on profcruise.com for the first time:

Carnival 5 Night Dinner Menus

Mongolian Wok on Carnival

My favorite restaurant as a poor graduate student living in Michigan was BD’s Mongolian BBQ both because it was delicious, but also because I ate so much it kept me going for a solid week for the price of one meal! Then, when I moved to Pittsburgh, I used to drive all the way to Cleveland to eat there. But I continued to write and lobby and pray that one would come to Pittsburgh. And guess what? Not only did a BD’s Mongolian BBQ come to Pittsburgh, it came to my neighborhood, within walking distance of my house! I noted recently that it’s since gone, likely because I moved to Seattle drying up most of their business (sorry about that).

But, while we don’t have a location in Seattle, but I’ve given up my lobbying efforts in favor of Carnival cruises. Why? Because many Carnival ships have a complimentary restaurant called Mongolian Wok. And what’s better than Mongolian BBQ on land? Mongolian BBQ at sea!

Which Carnival ships is the Mongolian Wok available on?

The Mongolian Wok is currently available on the Breeze , Dream , Freedom , Liberty , Magic , Panorama , Splendor , and Valor .

Mongolian Wok Menu on Carnival

Pizzeria del Capitano and Pizza Pirate on Carnival

Your Carnival ship will have one of two pizza counters usually located on the Lido deck, open 24 hours a day, and different in name only: Pizzeria del Capitano or Pizza Pirate. Pies feature thin, crispy crusts and you can order a half or a whole pie from the menu or you can mix and match available ingredients to customize your order (when the line isn’t long – otherwise customizing will hold up the line). You can also hit the buffet, Guy’s Burgers, or Blue Iguana Cantina for additional ingredients to throw on top of your cooked pizza. #cruisehack

Which Carnival ships is Pizzeria del Capitano available on?

Pizzeria del Capitano is currently available on the Dream, Horizon, Magic, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Radiance, Sunrise, Sunshine, Vista , Spirit , and Splendor .

Carnival’s Pizzeria del Capitano Menu

Which Carnival ships is Pizza Pirate available on?

Pizza Pirate is currently available on Breeze , Conquest , Ecstasy , Elation , Freedom , Glory , Legend , Liberty , Miracle , Paradise , Pride , Splendor , Valor .

Carnival’s Pizza Pirate Menu

Room Service on Carnival

While many cruise lines now charge a delivery fee, Carnival still offers a number of complimentary room service items (just be sure to tip – I usually tip $1 per item) with no fee.

Which Carnival ships is room service available on?

Room service is available on all Carnival ships.

For breakfast, you’ll order by hanging this card on your door the night before:

Carnival Room Service Breakfast Card

Carnival Room Service Menu

And here are the daytime and late night menus (you’ll order these items via the phone in your cabin). Note that only those items listed as “on the house” or “no charge” are complimentary.

Seaday Brunch on Carnival

I’ve been on dozens of cruises on every non-luxury line, but the Seaday Brunch on Carnival remains one of my favorite complimentary dining experiences and I never miss it, sometimes even going twice in the same day (once for breakfast food and again for lunch food). It’s usually offered on every sea day. My favorite items are the parfait, skillet cake, and banana cream pie. The steak and eggs are also very popular among non-vegetarians. But go every day it’s offered so you can try everything!

Which Carnival ships is the Seaday Brunch available on?

The Seaday Brunch is currently available on all Carnival ships and coming soon to the Celebration and Jubilee .

Carnival’s Seaday Brunch Menu

Street Eats on Carnival

If you’re a fan of food trucks, street vendors, or food carts on land, you’ll love Street Eats at sea! Three open-air stations, Steam Dream , Mad Sizzle , and Time Fries offer some of the most popular street food in the world such as dumplings, kebabs, and loaded fries.

Which Carnival ships is Street Eats available on?

Street Eats is currently available on the Mardi Gras and is coming soon to the Celebration and Jubilee .

Carnival’s Street Eats Menu

Here are some sample dishes available at Street Eats on the Carnival Mardi Gras. Featured items will be different each day.

Swirls on Carnival

Open 24 hours (verified by my 9-year-old son on the Panorama as he achieved his goal of 24 cones in a single day – okay that was actually me), Swirls is your spot for soft serve and frozen yogurt.

Pro Tip: If your kid (or mom) is missing, there’s a 100% chance you’ll find them at Swirls.

Which Carnival ships is Swirls available on?

Swirls is currently available on all Carnival ships and coming soon to the Celebration and Jubilee .

Pro Tip: If your kid (or mom) is missing, there’s a 100% chance you’ll find them at Swirls. And with that…

Class Dismissed.

Don’t forget to share this guide with your cruising companions and social media groups! And be sure to PIN so you can refer back to it later!

Homework (10 points): Check out my  10 Pro Tips For A Fast And Smooth Embarkation Day  on Carnival. You can also find all the  Carnival dining and bar menus  with prices  HERE .

And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog (scroll up to the top right if on a computer or keep scrolling down if on a mobile device) and follow Prof. Cruise on your favorite social social media sites:

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8 Responses

• Pingbacks 3

Will the chef’s table menu be changing soon?

No word on that yet. I’ll let you know if I hear anything!

I love your blog and Carnival Menu planner. So excited to find it we are leaving May 20th 2022 and really helps us plan. Thank you.

Thanks for your kind comment. Have an amazing cruise!!!

When was the dinner menu updated? And when is the tower available?

[…] Guide To Complimentary Dining Venues On Carnival […]

[…] Where can I find the menus for Mongolian BBQ and the Captain’s Pasta Bar? You can find the menus within my Guide To Complimentary Dining Venues On Carnival. […]

• Next story NEW Carnival Menus, Updated May 2022!
• Previous story Princess Bar and Drink Menus 2022

About Prof. Cruise

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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First Look at New Carnival Cruise Line Menus: What’s Different, What’s Missing

Doug Parker

• June 30, 2023

Cruise Cruise Line menus undergo an extensive makeover every few years. The changes make some guests wary, while others are happy to see the new choices in the main dining room.

The new Carnival Cruise Line menus have been introduced with assistance from chief culinary officer/celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.

Read on to find out what’s changed, which items come with an added charge , and why the menu being rolled out might not be the final version.

New Carnival Cruise Line Menus

The new Carnival Cruise Line menus were introduced in June of 2023 aboard the Carnival Dream , with the line saying they will have a fleetwide rollout over several months. So what do the new menus look like? Here are some of the new main dining room offerings.

How Often Do Carnival’s Menus Change?

While Norwegian Cruise Line has recently experimented with a set menu — meaning the same selections would be offered every night of a sailing — Carnival continues to offer a different menu each night of the cruise.

This means that a cruiser could quickly eat in the complimentary dining room every night of their sailing without ever ordering the same thing twice.

Because overhauling menus is such a significant undertaking, it makes sense that Carnival would want to introduce the menus on a few ships to receive feedback and consider making changes before finalizing them and rolling them out across the entire fleet.

What Kind of Food Is Served In Carnival’s Main Dining Room?

Because nearly every passenger will enjoy at least a few meals in the main dining room — and those guests have diverse tastes — it’s important that menus feature something for everyone.

That holds when looking at starters, entrees, or desserts. While you won’t find anything involving molecular gastronomy, you’ll find steak, fish, salads, soups, and vegetarian offerings… pretty much what you expect on any cruise line.

In revealing details about the menus, Carnival President Christine Duffy said “nearly 60 new entree presentations” were featured over a week.

Of course, the keyword there is “presentations.”

In other words, you aren’t finding 60 entirely new entrees on the revised menus, but rather some which are entirely new, and others that were previously offered by have been tweaked in one way or another.

So what makes these new Carnival Cruise Line menus different? A few things.

So let’s break things down by section.

Starters (appetizers)

One of the first things we noticed is that you’ll find a smaller portion of one of the main entrees offered as an appetizer each day.

For example, on one of the dinner menus, the Pappardelle with Braised Lamb is listed as an appetizer and also, further down, as an entree.

You’ll find favorites like a shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, and roasted tomato soup elsewhere. Again, these will vary each night.

Most entree items on Carnival Cruise Line menus can be ordered as an appetizer, for an entree, or an entree for the appetizer. You just have to ask the wait staff.

Bonsai Sushi Ship

This is the first of two sections offering for-fee dishes you would typically find in specialty restaurants. The Bonsai Sushi Ship For Two includes a California Roll, Bang Ban Bonsai Roll, and six pieces of assorted sushi.

The cost is $26, with an 18 percent service charge automatically added.

Emeril’s Selects is now on Carnival Cruise Line menus

If there’s one section that we’re most excited about, it might be this one. Each night, an appetizer and entree specifically created by Lagasse can be found here.

One evening, the appetizer was Beef Carpaccio, with the entree being Herb Crusted Salmon. On another evening, the Emeril Selects choices were a Cerviche Crudo appetizer and a Jambalaya Pasta for the entree.

Although Lagasse does have stand-alone, for-fee venues on several of the newer ships (Carnival Celebration, Mardi Gras, the upcoming Jubilee), the Emeril Selects offered in the main dining room are complimentary.

Main entrees

As expected, this is where you’ll see a variety of dishes covering the gauntlet on the Carnival Cruise Line menus, from Seafood Newburg to Beef Wellington.

But this is also where you’ll find the “Featured Indian Vegetarian” option, which changes each evening, and other vegetarian options, such as Baked Vegetable Au Gratin.

Several of the entrees are downright intriguing. For example, the Roasted Artichoke, Potato, and Cheesecake. That’s right, cheesecake. Vegetarians can enjoy a Herb Crusted Stuffed Portobello Mushroom.

Featured Salad

The menu will feature a specific entree salad each evening, something cruisers have requested for years.

As with the entrees, the selection here changes nightly. But it is important to note that in this case, “salad” does not equate to “vegetarian.”

For example, one menu’s Featured Salad is the Ultimate Cobb Salad (which includes chicken and bacon). Another featured salad is the Smoked Salmon with Farro and Goat Cheese.

Everyday Selections

This section only offers two entrees, and they do not rotate. One is the Grilled Chicken breast, while the other is the Broiled Striploin Steak.

This is the perfect section for those who’ve maybe been eating a little wildly all day (or all week!) and want something very basic. Or, for the picky eater who wants one of these things every night. (No judgment!)

Steakhouse Selections on Carnival Cruise Line menus

This is the second of two sections on the new menus featuring for-fee items normally found in specialty restaurants.

Here, four entrees do not rotate and are available each night. Surf & Turf, Broiled Filet Mignon, New York Strip Loin Steak, and Grilled Lamb Chops are those items.

These are available for $23 per entree, with an 18 percent service charge automatically added.

Dessert on Carnival Cruise Line Menus

Yes, the Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake is available every night. This is, after all, one of the most popular items to ever hit a cruise ship menu.

The menu also features nightly fresh fruit and a selection of ice cream and sorbets. Other items on the menu rotate, including treats like Panna Cotta and Hazelnut Mousse. One change that not everyone loves — and some have campaigned to have changed — is that the Cheese Plate is only offered one night as a dessert.

Carnival is also working out new vegetarian menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that are expected to be rolled out sometime in 2023. These new menus are still in the development stages.

Carnival Kids Menu

Given that Carnival Cruise Line proudly proclaims it carries more families each year than any other operator, you can bet that they know how to satisfy hungry (and potentially picky) young eaters when meal time rolls around.

When it comes to entrees on the kid menu at Carnival , there are plenty of choices that kids will love, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and pizza.

Translation: Exactly the kind of foods kids love! But of course, children can always order off the regular menu… and we’ve known more than a few adults to order off the menu meant for kids!

Of course, Carnival Cruise Line is happy to accommodate your child’s specific dietary needs or preferences. Just let your waiter know, and they will work with the kitchen to create a delicious meal that meets your child’s needs.

What Else You Need to Know About Carnival Cruise Line Menus

To reduce waste, the new menus now state that there will be a five-dollar charge for the “third entree or more.” In other words, they’re complimentary if you want to order two entrees. If a third dish catches your eye and you want to try it, you can do so, but for five dollars.

Carnival is enforcing this, as I ordered three lobsters on my last cruise and was charged a $5 fee for the third entree.

However, this same charge does not apply to appetizers or desserts. When asked on Facebook, Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, told his followers that selections in both categories were “unlimited.”

As always, guests can order beer, wine or cocktails from their server in the main dining room, and the Cheers! drink package is accepted here as in all other venues on board the ship.

Of course, if these new menus don’t look appetizing, you can always go to Guy’s Burger Joint before 6:00 p.m., the buffet, or one of the other dining venues available on the ship. And if you still aren’t happy with the offerings at the Lido Marketplace buffet, there is always room service.

Download the New Carnival Cruise Menus [PDF]

Night 1 Sample Menu

Night 2 Sample Menu

Night 3 Sample Menu

Night 4 Sample Menu

Night 5 Sample Menu

Night 6 Sample Menu

Night 7 Sample Menu

Sample Kids Menu

Dig Deeper : The Ultimate Guide to Carnival’s Main Dining Room

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• All Dining Options

Lido Marketplace

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Featuring an amazing variety of casual dining spots, each just a few flip-flopped steps from the last, Lido Marketplace always has a special something ready to satisfy your latest craving spectacularly. Here we do it with dozens of what-to-eat options... great choices like BBQ, a deli counter, salad bar, an Asian station and a pasta bar... plus one spot where the chef serves up a different surprise daily! At Lido Marketplace, there’s tons of indoor and outdoor seating made for gathering around, so you can enjoy your personal faves in your favorite company for lunch or dinner, or even breakfast! Lido’s also where you can find soft serve, frozen yogurt and fresh pizza... which so far seems to be enough to satisfy everybody.

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Hawaii: Hawaii Cruise

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Take a Hawaii cruise and explore exotic locations spread across four islands — the Hawaiian island chain is home to names you know, like Maui, Kona and Honolulu. These spots feature postcard-worthy waterfalls, volcanoes and some of the world's most stunning, sunning beaches. You'll find these spread across an island chain so otherworldly that you may forget you're in the states! Best of all, that postcard you're sure to send home will require only domestic postage.

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Sailing Itinerary

Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please verify ports and times directly with the cruise line.

Port of Call Port of Call (Arrival, Departure)

Long Beach is a coastal city and port in Southern California. Moored in its Queensway Bay, RMS Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner and museum ship. The waterfront Aquarium of the Pacific features touch tanks and a shark lagoon. Modern and contemporary works are on display at the Museum of Latin American Art. Rancho Los Cerritos is a 19th-century adobe home and museum set in expansive gardens.

Anyone lucky enough to be going to Honolulu doesn't have to give a reason for going. They can just say, "We're going to Honolulu," and imagination will take care of the rest. Moreover, Honolulu can probably live up to and even surpass whatever we imagine. World-famous beaches and tropical weather set the scene for an amazing mix of Pacific cultures in this Hawaiian capital. There is a reason why Hawaii is consistently rated as one of the nation's top travel destinations; in fact, there are several of them. Waikiki Beach is the center of activity for Hawaii's biggest industry: tourism. This is one of the world's greatest resort playgrounds, featuring some of the most beautiful beaches and hotels in the world. Visitors from all over the world flock here to enjoy the sun, the sand and the incredible nightlife. Besides the beaches, visitors to Honolulu can take tours of the countryside surrounding the downtown area. These tours are amazing, bringing visitors to some of the most beautiful rainforests and volcanoes in the world. Animal and plant life are abundant, and the scenery is unsurpassed. A five-minute car ride from Honolulu brings visitors into some of Nature's most beautiful and awe-inspiring sights. Several museums, including the Bishop Museum, combine exhibits on Hawaiian natural history with lessons about history and culture of its many diverse peoples. The Waikiki Aquarium is the third oldest public aquarium in the United States, and it features many of Hawaii's most interesting sea animals. The Honolulu Zoo also features some of the unique mammals, birds, and reptiles that inhabit the forests just outside of the city. The history of Hawaii is very rich, as the islands have always attracted many different people. Visitors can tour the Iolani Palace, the residence of the last of the Hawaiian monarchs. They can also visit Honolulu's Chinatown, which is more authentic than many of its mainland counterparts. They can also visit the Arizona Memorial, commemorating the destruction of the battleship Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that brought America into World War II. Honolulu exhibits the best of Hawaii in every way. From its famous beaches to its incredible natural preserves, this town has attracted millions of people from around the world. Many of those visitors stayed, helping to make Hawaii one of the most cosmopolitan and diverse places to visit in the United States. Anyone lucky enough to be going to Hawaii knows that he won't be disappointed.

Kahului is located in Maui County on the west side of the island of Maui between Wailuku and Lower Paia along Highway 32 near the West Maui Forest Reserve and the Pacific Ocean.Kahului is heart of Maui, and the only deep water port for the island. This is where the major cruise and container ships come in, the main airport, Kahului Airport is located here also. Kahului has great variety in shopping and services, but lacks the variety of fine restaurants that Lahaina has, although some of the local dining favorites reside here. There are few hotels and resorts in Kahului, there is however, a new golf course. There are four major shopping malls with the largest being the Kaahumanu Mall.Most of 'industrial' Maui is located in Kahului. It is here where one of the main power plants is located, most of Maui's service oriented businesses, and the greatest variety in shopping. Everything from small local stores, catering to residents, to large discount stores such as K-Mart and Costco. Kahului has grown a lot in the past few years, unfortunately the infrastructure has not. As a result traffic is congested most of the working day. The traffic can be especially heavy while exiting the Kahului Airport area. Rush hour traffic is especially bad, both in the afternoons and evenings, traffic from Paia and Upcountry bottleneck at the intersection of Dairy Road and Hana Highway. Allow a little extra time for travelling through this area of Maui.

Nawiliwili is located on the southeastern coast of the island of Kauai between Lihue and Nawiliwili Bay along Highway 51 near Ninini Point and the Huleia Stream.Kaua'i is divided into five major districts, or moku 'aina. Nawiliwili Bay is located in the moku 'aina of Puna on the southeastern coast. One meaning of puna is spring, and Puna has an abundance of springs and streams caused by its location on the windward side of the island. Around 1000 A.D., settlers from the Marquesas arrived, led by Punanuikaia'aina. He succeeded in creating a chiefdom independent of Kona in Puna.

The Polynesians arrived in the Hilo area about 1100 A.C. They eventually inhabited the shores of Hilo Bay, farmed their crops, fished and traded their goods along the Wailuku River.  In the late 1700’s, the days of King Kamehameha’s rule, Hilo was the center of political activity and social growth. It was the prime place for the King to build his army of ships designed for conquering the Hawaiian Islands. By 1791 native Hawaiians had traveled as far as the United States and China. The King befriended many of the foreigners who traveled to the islands. With such considerable traveling, the Hawaiian way of life soon became influenced by products ranging from iron to livestock to non-native seeds.    Hilo became a stopping place for explorers, whaling ships, traders and those curious about active volcanoes. By the 1900’s, Hilo had grown into a commercial center. The sugar industry was booming, a number of wharves had been constructed, the breakwater was begun and a new railroad connected Hilo with other parts of the island. Then in 1946 – and again in 1960 – two destructive tsunamis swept Hilo’s Bayfront causing the relocation of Hilo’s government and commercial life. When the town was rebuilt, a large park and roadway were situated between the buildings and the shoreline to absorb future tidal waves.   Besides being a rare surviving example of an Hawaiian plantation town, cultural diversity is one of Hilo’s special charms. The local term, “mixed plate”, describes well the impact made by Polynesians, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Koreans, other Pacific Islanders and Europeans on Hilo’s mixed-race culture of today. All these ethnic groups blend in the faces of the people who give Hilo its charm. Its diverse shopping opportunities, its small scale and its friendliness makes Hilo the perfect town in which to linger just a little longer.

Hey, there's more to this town than it just being the finish line for the annual Newport-Ensenada Race! The City of Ensenada has completed a total renovation of Primera, the main street downtown. Enjoy a stroll down the cobblestone sidewalk complete with outdoor cafes, interesting shops, strolling musicians and street vendors. The malecon (harbor boardwalk) renovation was completed last year and provides a beautifully landscaped walk along the harbor front to the Ventana Del Mar Plaza with its huge Mexican flag. From there, you can look across the rio at the new small craft harbor nestled in the middle of the new cruise ship docks. It will be interesting to watch the progress on this new endeavor. The story is that in order to expand the cargo port on the north side of the harbor, the developers had to relocate the passenger ships' dock and provide some type of recreational asset for the city. It looks to be a good solution. Ensenada is also a swell place to take possession of your new boat (more on that later), get a new bottom job for your old boat or set as your destination for an extended coastal cruise, a fun weekend road trip or the start of some long distance cruising! The people of Ensenada are trying hard to improve their city, both for turistas, a big part of their income and for themselves and their families. We have seen improvements which are good, and yet some loss of the "Mexico-ness" in some of the tourist areas. We have met a lot of the residents and business people and want to thank them for their hospitality. As visitors, it is our obligation to live up to the Bienvenidos and the Mi Casa es Su Casa that have been extended to us.

Onboard the Carnival Radiance

Carnival Radiance

Costco member reviews.

• Year Built: 2000
• Year Refurbished: 2020

Double Occupancy Capacity: 2984

While the sun has set on the legendary Carnival Victory, she’s been transformed into something that shines even brighter: Carnival Radiance. Everything the sunlight touches on Carnival Radiance has been doused with an extra dose of fun. There's the biggest Serenity area ever, featuring three decks, plenty of recliners and even a waterfall. Carnival WaterWorks, packs favorites and awesome new slides — like the slick Speedway Splash — into the signature waterpark. There's also SportSquare, where you can let your inner champion run free (around the jogging track), miniature golf, or engage in a little one-on-one, from ping pong to foosball to giant chess. Dining options include Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, Cucina del Capitano, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi. All the latest Carnival bars are here: RedFrog Pub, Piano Bar 88, and the new multi-purpose Liquid Lounge. It’s an expansive theater that’s home to captivating daytime and nighttime entertainment, including the line’s high-tech Playlist Productions revues and audience participation favorite Hasbro, The Game Show.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Onboard Activities

Activities & services (included in cruise).

• Disco/Nightclub
• Theater/Show Lounge
• Outdoor Movies
• Fitness Center
• Educational Programs
• Miniature Golf
• Pool - Children's
• Pool - Outdoor
• Sports Facilities
• Water Park Arena
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• Organized Age Specific Activities
• Teen Center or Disco
• Teen Programs
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Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)

• Game Arcade
• Beauty Salon
• Fitness Classes
• Spa Services/Massage
• Sauna/Steam Room
• Bars/Lounges
• Babysitting
• Conference Center
• Dry Cleaning/ Laundry Service
• Infirmary/Medical Center
• Self-Service Laundromat
• Wedding/Vow Renewal

Main Dining Room

Main Dining

Main Dining Room:  Carnival's Main Dining Room brings you a full three-course menu in an experience that’s satisfying, but never stuffy. Drop in nightly and enjoy a rotating menu of delectable favorites like steak, roasted duck, scallops, prime rib, and, of course, sinfully delicious desserts.

Specialty Dining

Bonsai Sushi:  Dine amidst expertly pruned bonsai trees while enjoying sit-down service and an affordable menu of delectable catches, plus soups, sides, sakes, and desserts. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Cucina del Capitano:  Italian-American dishes inspired by the recipes from our Italian captains’ and officers’ childhoods are served up family-style in a comfy, eclectic environment decorated like an Italian country home. Vintage images of our captains and ships adorn the walls, and there’s even a Captain’s table where you just might see the man himself dine. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast:  Sit down to a truly fantastical feast at the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat and Friends™. Bright colors and patterns decorate your table, which features fun and unique menus. Feast! Feast! Feast! Lose yourself exploring a delicious menu where you'll find "Green Eggs and Ham," brightly colored fruit, gravity-defying pancake stacks, funky french toast, "Moose Juice" 'n' "Goose Juice"… and much more. (Classic breakfast offerings are available as well.) Breakfast is also the perfect time to meet and greet the stars of Dr. Seuss - characters will be around for special photo opportunities and fun interactions, making this a meal to remember. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

JavaBlue Café:  From the simply caffeinated to the simply sublime, nothing satisfies your coffee craving like JavaBlue Café, featuring fun twists on the hot and cold drinks you enjoy, plus a mouth-watering assortment of baked treats. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

RedFrog Pub:  Get into an island state of mind before you even set foot on one. RedFrog Pub is Carnival's laid-back, no-worries, oh-so-lively, Key West-inspired pub. Sample Caribbean fare, dominate at the foosball table, enjoy live music and try the signature private-label brew, ThirstyFrog Red. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Seafood Shack:  A good seafood dish is quite the catch. However you like yours served - whether it’s on a roll, in a salad or atop a platter - Seafood Shack’s the place to cast your net. Imagine a New England-style seaside spot where you can take it all in, enjoying a great meal complete with a side of ocean view. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Steakhouse:  The menu features premium cuts of beef cooked to your specifications, as well as a fantastic selection of seafood, entrées, gourmet appetizers and an extensive wine list. Like any destination restaurant, reservations for Steakhouse are highly recommended. Your meal includes an appetizer, salad, entrée, side and dessert. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Steakhouse Selections:  Whoever said you can’t always get what you want certainly never said it on a Carnival cruise. Odds are that something from our steakhouse sounds good - filet mignon, New York Strip, lobster, or surf and turf. Now you can get these signature steakhouse dishes anytime you’re enjoying dinner in the main dining room. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

The Chef’s Table:  Treat your taste buds to unique culinary event hosted by one of Carnival's master chefs. Your VIP experience begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres for a select group of 14, followed by a galley tour. The evening’s highlight is a full-service dinner of amazing appetizers, entrees and desserts not found on the regular menus. Seating is limited, so reserve early at the ship’s Guest Services desk. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

24-Hour Room Service:  There’s a menu of salads, sandwiches and sweet stuff - completely free - during the day, plus hot food options available for a small fee. Late-night menu options (after 10 p.m.) are also available for a small fee.

Casual Dining

Big Chicken:  Carnivals Chief Fun Officer, Shaq O’Neal, brings his poultry know-how and good taste to the seas with Big Chicken. Step up to the counter for lunch or dinner and walk away with your choice of chicken sandwiches, crispy chicken strips or juicy fried chicken baskets… plus side dishes, like potato salad and jalapeño slaw. Early-morning buzzer-beaters are invited to enjoy a breakfast featuring classics like a three-cheese omelet, chicken biscuits, and biscuit and egg. And so’s everybody else - breakfast is served all day!

BlueIguana Cantina:  The BlueIguana Cantina features freshly made tacos and burritos. Throw homemade tortillas and salsa into the mix, and you have a casual dining experience that will have you coming back for more.

Guy's Burger Joint:  Carnival has teamed up with celebrity chef Guy Fieri to bring all the authentic appeal of a roadside burger shack to Guy's Burger Joint, the cool poolside spot for hot burgers and hand-cut fries. Try a fresh-off-the-grill burger Guy's way, or take it off-road to the toppings bar and truly make it your own.

Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que:  Enjoy a wide variety of BBQ favorites smoked right on board over hickory and cherry wood using Guy’s signature recipes, rubs and spices. Throw in sides like Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad and Collard Greens and you’ve got a rockin’ sea day on deck.

Lido Marketplace:  Featuring an amazing variety of casual dining spots, each just a few flip-flopped steps from the last, Lido Marketplace always has a special something ready to satisfy your latest craving spectacularly. Here Carnival does it with dozens of what-to-eat options... great choices like BBQ, a deli counter, salad bar, an Asian station and a pasta bar... plus one spot where the chef serves up a different surprise daily! At Lido Marketplace, there's tons of indoor and outdoor seating made for gathering around, so you can enjoy your personal faves in your favorite company for lunch or dinner, or even breakfast! Lido's also where you can find soft serve, frozen yogurt and fresh pizza 24-hours a day.

Pizzeria del Capitano:  Featuring piping hot slices right out of the oven, with your choice of toppings, Pizzeria del Capitano is the good kind of cheesy - the best reason to stop in for a taste of hand-tossed specialties made with fresh mozzarella. This place rolls out pizzas and Caesar salad 24 hours a day.

Seaday Brunch:  At Seaday Brunch, you can sleep in and still enjoy breakfast favorites, while early risers get a head start on lunch. You’ll enjoy huevos rancheros, special French toast, loaded mac-n-cheese and more ways to cook eggs than you may have thought possible.

Swirls:  Swirls ice cream entices with sweet frozen treats around the clock! Choose from chocolate, vanilla or strawberry. Open on Lido deck 24/7, frozen yogurt and soft-serve ice cream is a great way to beat the heat all day, or the perfect nightcap after a long evening of fun.

The Carnival Deli:  Craving a little taste from the old neighborhood? Enjoy old-time favorites like a hot pastrami on rye, a grilled Reuben or roasted turkey breast on a country roll. Sandwiches and wraps are always hand-carved and served fresh with coleslaw or relish and a kosher dill pickle.

Disclaimer regarding ship dining

• > Inside Stateroom
• > Ocean View Stateroom
• > Balcony Stateroom
• > Suite Stateroom

An Interior stateroom is a comfortable retreat, featuring a full private bathroom. Some rooms also feature pull-down beds – ideal for families.

Interior Upper/Lower (Category: 1A)

• Dedicated stateroom attendant
• Soft, cozy linens
• In-room safe for valuables
• Plenty of closet and drawer space
• Stateroom climate control
• Bathrobes upon request

Interior (Category: 4A)

Interior (Category: 4B)

Interior (category: 4c), interior (category: 4d), interior (category: 4e), interior (category: 4f), interior (category: 4g), interior (category: 4h), interior with picture window (obstructed views) (category: 4j).

Spa Interior (Category: 4S)

• Unique welcome ritual
• Priority spa reservations
• Unlimited use of Thermal Suites
• Complimentary scrub kit to use in our Thermal Suites
• Two complimentary fitness classes (per guest)
• Complimentary body composition analysis
• Exclusive discounts on treatments during port days
• Cloud 9 Spa bathrobes and slippers
• Upgraded Elemis in-stateroom toiletries

Guarantee - Inside (Category: IS)

Category: IS This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

These rooms with a view let you sail along to beautiful destinations while gazing at the sort of vistas you simply won't find anywhere on land.

Ocean View (Category: 6A)

Ocean View (Category: 6B)

Ocean view (category: 6c), ocean view (category: 6d), scenic ocean view (category: 6j), scenic grand ocean view (category: 6k), guarantee - oceanview (category: ov).

Category: OV This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

Porthole (Category: PT)

Relax and admire the passing scenery from your stateroom’s private balcony.

Balcony (Category: 8A)

Balcony (Category: 8B)

Balcony (category: 8c), balcony (category: 8d), balcony (category: 8e), aft-view extended balcony (category: 8m).

Aft-View Extended Balcony (Category: 8N)

Spa balcony (category: 8p), spa balcony (category: 8s), premium balcony (category: 9b).

• Modified for guests with wheelchairs

Premium Vista Balcony (Category: 9C)

Guarantee - Balcony (Category: BL)

Category: BL This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

A spacious room, that includes priority check-in during embarkation.

Extended Balcony Grand Suite (Category: ES)

• Priority check-in and boarding
• Priority dinner reservations for select specialty restaurants
• Priority main dining room time assignment (Early, Late, or Your Time Dining)
• Priority debarkation at homeport, and ports of call requiring a water shuttle or with arrival times later than 9:30 AM
• Two large bottles of water
• Pillow-top mattresses

Ocean Suite (Category: OS)

Grand Suite (Category: GS)

Captain’s suite (category: cs), guarantee - suite (category: st).

Category: ST This category can be booked for a special rate, guaranteed to you. Please note that the category is not associated at the time of booking with a specific stateroom, deck, bedding configuration or other particular settings. The assignment of an actual cabin will be performed during your check-in. The cabin can be anywhere on the ship.

• Ship Name: Carnival Radiance
• Year Entered Present Fleet: 2000
• Ship Class: Sunshine Class
• Maximum Capacity: 3,873
• Number of Passenger Decks: 13
• Number of Crew: 1,108
• Officers' Nationality: Italian
• Ocean-View without Balcony: 310
• Ocean-View with Balcony: 503
• Total Inside Staterooms: 612
• Tonnage (GRT): 101,509
• Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 2,984
• Country of Registry: Panama
• Total Staterooms: 1,492
• Suites with Balcony: 52
• Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: International

Available Dates & Prices

Departure date, inside stateroom, ocean view stateroom, balcony stateroom, suite stateroom, departure date - 02/07/2026, terms & conditions.

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

Ship's registry: Panama

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

Ship Rating

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

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Carnival Firenze cruise ship review: A guide to Carnival's second 'Italian Style' vessel

Editor's note: TPG's Ashley Kosciolek accepted a free trip to sail on Carnival Firenze for the ship's naming ceremony and inaugural cruise. The views expressed below are entirely hers and were not subject to review by the cruise line.

When Carnival Cruise Line first announced it was adopting ships from sister cruise line Costa Cruises for a product it now calls " Fun Italian Style ," I wondered, given Carnival's usual vibe, if it was possible for the ships to feel even a little bit authentic. Would they be fun or refined? Luxurious or tacky? Carnival Firenze is all of those things — and that's exactly how Carnival passengers like it.

When you step on board, you're welcomed into what feels like an Italian theme park. It's an alternate universe's version of Italy, where you're likely to hear "That's Amore" in some form daily, take part in a street festival that features a gelato-eating contest and watch as waiters in ruffle-sleeved costumes perform in the dining room to Justin Bieber songs while a giant fig leaf-clad version of Michelangelo's David holds court over the whole scene, awash in colored strobe lights.

It's chaotic and a lot to take in, but somehow it works. Passengers can have their photos taken with a Vespa-style scooter and grab Italian-themed burgers and meatball sandwiches at new iterations of some of Carnival's most popular eateries. A giant replica of Donatello's Marzocco towers above the Piazza del Duomo atrium that serves as the location of Carnival Firenze's massive welcome party. During the event, officers and crew scatter around the atrium's three-deck balcony and wave signs that say "Ciao" and "Benvenuti." The high-energy party starts a sailing off on the right foot.

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Juxtapose the over-the-top Italian elements with elegant design choices — such as a pool deck that features charming bar facades designed to evoke Italian architecture, well-designed cabins and service that's off-the-charts friendly — and you've got Carnival Firenze.

Want to learn more about what to expect during a sailing on this new-to-Carnival ship? Here's my review of Carnival Firenze with everything you need to know.

Carnival Firenze overview

Carnival Firenze debuted as Costa Firenze, the second ship in Costa Cruises' Venezia Class (similar to Carnival's Vista Class) , in 2021. The 4,126-passenger, 135,156-ton ship was originally designed for the Chinese cruise market, meaning it houses more casino and retail space than the average North American cruise ship. Plus, its pools are smaller than most, with tons of shaded areas around them — a nice touch for anyone who doesn't want to bake in the sun.

In early 2024, the ship transferred to the Carnival fleet and underwent a two-month refurbishment to tweak some of the public spaces and add Carnival's trademark blue wave paint scheme on the hull. Notably, the ship is keeping its yellow Costa smokestack, which is emblazoned with a giant letter "C," and won't be outfitted with Carnival's signature red, white and blue whale tail funnel.

On board, a large number of your fellow passengers will be West Coasters who often drive to the departure port in Long Beach, California. You'll also find Carnival stalwarts who don't mind making the trip from farther afield to sail on the new ship.

Unfortunately, the vessel often seemed crowded, with 4,200 passengers on my sailing — about 1,000 people fewer than maximum capacity. I can't imagine how it would have felt if my sailing were full.

As is the case on other Carnival vessels, the food provides excellent value for money, with the number of included options far exceeding the number of specialty restaurants that charge extra. Cuisines run the gamut from Italian and Asian to seafood and steak, and despite some longer-than-average wait times in the dining room, the service is friendly and generally efficient.

Cabins are furnished in neutral colors and laid out in ways that make sense, with comfortable convertible beds; closets that feature several layouts with drawers, hanging bars and collapsible shelving; bathrooms with plenty of storage space; and a plethora of electrical outlets for charging.

Carnival Firenze is full of activities, including trivia, movies and games. The spa, salon and fitness center offer ways to care for your mind and body, and top-deck waterslides and a ropes course provide opportunities for adventuresome travelers to find their adrenaline fix.

The Italian vibe carries through everything you do on board. It will either make you smile or roll your eyes. Regardless, it's a lot of fun.

What I love about Carnival Firenze

The design elements.

I wasn't sure what to expect on Carnival Firenze, but what I found immediately upon boarding was a grand three-deck atrium, Piazza del Duomo, that's both over the top and beautiful. In the center is a bar, from the middle of which rises a faux marble pillar with a replica of Donatello's Marzocco golden lion statue on the top. Your eyes can't help but follow it up toward the ceiling, which is painted to look like a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

As you move between decks, you'll spy Italian-style art in the stairwells and elevator banks. Walls in the cabin hallways are printed with snippets from photos of famous Italian statues; photos of Florentine landmarks like the Duomo serve as headboards in non-suite cabins.

But the most impressive element of the ship's design is the Lido Pool area, which is set up to resemble a courtyard with the pool in the center and several Italian building facades overlooking it. Those facades, which are equipped with wrought-iron balconies, house everything from bars and board game areas to a deli, Guy's Burger Joint (with an Italian twist) and a combination Mexican-Italian burrito and taco bar, as well as the ship's JavaBlue Cafe . It's the first time I've ever visited a cruise pool area and not felt like I was on a ship.

The artwork

During my first night on Carnival Firenze, as I was walking from my cabin down to dinner, I stopped in my tracks and burst out laughing. The aft stairwells on the ship are bedecked with floor-to-ceiling prints that seem innocuous at first, but as you look more closely, you can pick out some exceptionally odd characters. In this particular case, it was two young women who clearly tested the limits of their drink package.

Throughout the rest of my sailing, I made sure to study each print carefully, turning up a creepy crone who needs dental work and some pasties, a woman pulling a centaur's hair, another woman choking on plants and a sad dog standing on top of the table in a chaotic version of "The Last Supper" as Jesus nonchalantly looks on.

Similarly amusing art was positioned on several walls in the ship's two main dining rooms. At Rococo, the bar that serves the Lido Pool, you'll find the walls plastered with late Baroque-style art featuring subjects that have been embellished with modern twists like sunglasses and pithy text. Women in frilly dresses are overlaid with exclamations like "Don't rush me," "Dogs before dudes" and "Swag."

I wasn't a fan of some of the cheesiness on board (see below), but it's clear that both passengers and crew were excited to be there. From the second we were welcomed aboard with a raucous atrium party, the crew was smiling and friendly, and my fellow cruisers were always ready to strike up a conversation.

Every waiter asked how my day was, and my room steward greeted me by name whenever he saw me in the hall. The crew at JavaBlue went out of their way to make sure my coffee order was right each morning, and the genuine cheerfulness didn't go unnoticed.

What I don't love about Carnival Firenze

Flow can be a problem on Carnival Firenze, with galley placement cutting off access from one end of Deck 3 to the other. Passengers traversing the lower decks often have to walk up a deck, over and back down to get where they're going.

The Lido Marketplace buffet is also a problem at peak dining times. The main walkways through the venue feel narrow, making it difficult for two-way traffic to flow through the space, especially for people using wheelchairs, scooters or walkers.

In some spots, the layout was simply confusing. For example, the Tuscan Lounge has two entrances — a primary one that allows traffic to naturally flow from one venue to the next and a hidden secondary one that most people only find by accident, usually after taking a wrong turn.

The fig leaf

Although I'm a fan of much of the art on Carnival Firenze, one piece in particular disappoints me. In the Michelangelo Restaurant, one of the two main dining rooms on board, a giant copy of Michelangelo's David stands on the landing of the grand staircase that connects the restaurant's two decks.

Previously housed on Carnival Pride, the statue was relocated to Carnival Firenze. It still dons a carefully fashioned fig leaf that was made and attached to cover its groin area after a bunch of pearl-clutching Karens complained about having to see — gasp! — a piece of art that's been around for more than five centuries.

Festa Italiana

Festa Italiana is a big, loud, cheesy Italian-themed street festival-type celebration that's held one night during each Carnival Firenze voyage. The Lido Pool area is strung with red, white and green flags, and the event, which lasts more than two hours, kicks off with a talented violin trio.

Following that, the cruise director moves into what the line calls a "traditional" opening ceremony, involving members of the Playlist Productions cast in cartoonish-looking versions of Italian dress parading around the deck. They perform several times throughout the night, alternating with activities like gelato-eating contests, Italian lessons (where the audience learns a couple of phrases that they scream back and forth at one another) and competitions where participants have to maneuver, blindfolded, around terra cotta pots.

The night ends with a DJ, who plays music (think: interesting mashups like "Funiculi Funicula" and Lady Gaga's "Rain on Me") while servers walk around with trays of Italian sausage sandwiches and bites of salami and cheese pastry.

Parts of it are fun, but overall, it feels like an amalgamation of stereotypes instead of an ode to one of the world's most beautiful countries.

Carnival Firenze cabins and suites

Carnival Firenze cabins range from insides with no natural light and outsides with a window to balcony accommodations and suites, including those in La Terrazza, a special zone that offers private cabana, bar and sun deck access.

One odd cabin type to note is the ship's inside cabins with windows and portholes. Normally, they'd be considered outside cabins, but because the views are partially obstructed, the line sells them as insides. Book one of these cabins, and you can snag a room with natural light for less money.

The ship offers no solo cabins, but it does have 44 accessible accommodations sprinkled throughout all basic categories. The rooms are a mix of fully accessible (access to both sides of the bed), fully accessible single-side approach (access to one side of the bed) and ambulatory accessible (for people who can walk with assistive devices like walkers or canes).

Fully accessible rooms are stair-free, flat-threshold cabins, which offer wider (32-inch) doorways, turning space and bathrooms equipped with grab bars and shower seats.

Even the most basic of cabins offers a queen bed that converts to two twins and two nightstands with cabinet storage and reading lamps. Some also sleep up to four people with either a sofa bed or a mix of a sofa bed and a pull-down bunk.

Each room offers a vanity with a mirror, a desk, a stool or chair, a phone, a minifridge, a hair dryer and plenty of outlets. Rooms also come with ample closet space that includes shelving, drawers and bars for hanging clothes of various lengths. Inside each closet is a code-operated safe for which you can program a four-digit pin. (On the first couple of days of my voyage, I had trouble with my in-room safe. After a quick phone call to my room steward, someone arrived at my cabin within minutes to fix it.)

Bathrooms at the basic level are shower only, and they're made of cheap-looking white plastic. Each shower has a fiberglass door instead of a curtain and a single dispenser for all-in-one shower gel and shampoo. They're also equipped with a toilet, a sink, fluffy white towels and plenty of shelving for storing personal grooming items.

As cabins increase in category, they also increase in size and amenities.

Suites come with additional perks, such as priority check-in, boarding and disembarkation; preferred dinner times in the main dining room; pillow-top mattresses; two large bottles of water and bathrobes; upgraded bathroom toiletries; and extra square footage, some of which is dedicated to larger balconies and even walk-in closets.

Some bathrooms at the suite level include bathtubs in addition to shower facilities. Additionally, passengers booked in Ocean suites and La Terrazza cabins (Carnival Firenze's version of Havana Cabana cabins) have access to the exclusive Terrazza Moda sun deck with loungers, hot tubs and a bar, as well as private waiter-served breakfast each morning in the adjoining, indoor Moda Bar and Lounge.

When I sailed on Carnival Firenze, I sailed alone and stayed in a balcony cabin outfitted with a double sleeper sofa and a balcony with two metal and mesh chairs and a small drinks table. Its size was more than enough for me and another person, but it would have been tight quarters sailing with the room's maximum occupancy of four passengers.

I was particularly impressed by how comfortable the bed was and the number of outlets available for charging devices. (The only minor issue is that only one side of the bed has USB ports for phone charging at night.) One thoughtful touch was the motion-activated nightlight that turns on when it senses movement in a dark room. It's a lifesaver if you find yourself needing to walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

I also enjoyed the decor, which is less over the top than on some of the older, more colorful ships in Carnival's fleet but less bland than some of its newest ships. It's a happy medium of neutral whites, light browns and beiges with soothing blue hues and floor-to-ceiling prints of some of Italy's famed landmarks.

Dislikes for me included a shower door that leaked, soaking the floor each time I turned on the water, plus "Snoozin'" door hangers that often got caught in my door when I closed it. For the latter, I would've preferred a "Do not disturb" button like many other new ships have.

Carnival Firenze's cabins require you to put something in the slot near the door in order to turn on the lights. (I used my room steward's business card.)

Speaking of room stewards, mine was fantastic, and he came once a day to clean my room between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. He always did a wonderful job, and he was quick to help when I had clothing to send out for pressing.

Carnival Firenze restaurants and bars

Carnival firenze food.

The food on Carnival Firenze is largely tasty, with lots of options, including no-fee dishes and fancy choices that cost extra.

In keeping with the ship's Italian theming, Carnival has added a twist to other vessels' favorite eateries, such as Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina, which appears as Mexican-Italian hybrid Tomodoro. The standard Carnival deli outpost has also been given an Italian spin.

Additionally, Cucina del Capitano, the added-fee Italian restaurant on several other Carnival ships, has been replaced on Carnival Firenze with Il Viaggio, an absolutely phenomenal take on modern, upscale Italian food.

Overall, the food offerings on the ship are a great blend of old favorites — like the Lido Marketplace buffet, Pizzeria del Capitano, the Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki — and these new takes on existing restaurants.

Plus, the ship has so many places to sit outside for an alfresco bite. Check out Deck 5, near Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, for example. You can enjoy a meal with sea views to boot.

Note: Hours for most restaurants vary based on whether it's a sea day or a port day. Check the daily schedule or Carnival's Hub app for details.

Carnival Firenze has two main dining rooms: Medici Restaurant (Deck 3, mid) and Michelangelo Restaurant (decks 3 and 4, aft).

Michelangelo Restaurant is dedicated to passengers who select Your Time Dining, which lets you eat anytime between 5 and 9 p.m. (The dedicated YTD restaurant can vary by sailing, depending on how many people choose that option.) Medici Restaurant is used for set seating, with two dining times: one at 5:30 p.m. and one at 7:45 p.m.

Both serve the same menu for dinner, but only the larger Michelangelo Restaurant is open for Sea Day Brunch on sea days and breakfast (but not lunch) on port days. It also serves afternoon tea on sea days. Meanwhile, the Medici Restaurant serves a pasta bar for lunch on select sea days.

I had YTD, and I dined three times in the Michelangelo Restaurant. The first time was for brunch, where I had a vegetable omelet with a side of chef Emeril Lagasse's signature beignets. The second time was for a dinner of a simple but lovely Caprese salad and an Indian vegetarian sampler, which included spiced paneer dumplings, chana madra, peas pulao and rice. (Indian dishes are a little-known Carnival specialty.) The final time was disembarkation morning, when I enjoyed delectable vanilla French toast with maple butter and caramelized bananas.

The service was friendly but slow; I had to wait longer than expected between courses at dinner. Both breakfast and brunch were served at a perfect pace, though, with items appearing quickly and looking and tasting fresh.

Lido Marketplace is the ship's complimentary Deck 10 midship buffet that is open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks like cookies and other finger foods. For breakfast, you can expect cereal, an omelet station, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, cold cuts and cheeses. Lunch offers a salad bar, various hot entrees and sides, plus a selection of desserts. Dinner is similar, with salads, a carving station and hot items that might include things like Cornish game hen, rice, roasted potatoes, green beans, egg rolls, fried shrimp and Asian noodles.

Although the buffet is fine for a meal on the go, I largely avoided it due to crowds. It's a shame, too, because it's one of the prettiest buffets I've ever seen, adorned with faux vegetation lining the walkways and tables set up indoors with umbrellas and lanterns hanging over them, mimicking the feel of an outdoor bistro.

I did pop in once in a while to enjoy a cone of soft serve ice cream from the two Swirls locations, which are small alcoves with machines that also serve frozen yogurt. At one point, both sets of Swirls machines were broken, and it was a comical scene as several officers and engineers stood around them looking confused.

Elsewhere on Deck 10, near the Lido Pool, you'll find two complimentary venues, Tomodoro and Guy's Burger Joint, both with an Italian spin. Tomodoro serves as the Mexican-Italian stand-in for Carnival's popular BlueIguana Cantina. Both walk-up counters are open for lunch and dinner.

I tried both of the Italian burger options from Guy's — one with mozzarella, balsamic, tomatoes, basil and Donkey Sauce and another with pepperoni, marinara sauce, Donkey Sauce, mozzarella, provolone and Parmesan cheeses. Both were just OK, and I was sad to see that my favorite burger, the Pig Patty, was absent from the menu on this ship.

At Tomodoro, the menu lists tacos and burritos, as well as Italian meatball heroes, Sicilian chicken wraps and tortas de Milanese. The burritos were fantastic, as always, but my hot take on the changes made to both BlueIguana Cantina and Guy's Burger Joint is if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Venture aft and you'll run into Pizzeria del Capitano , which is open 19 hours a day and makes some of the best pies at sea . (Seriously.) I often waited 20 minutes on sea days, but it was well worth it. (If you don't want to stand in line, you can order pizza to be delivered to your cabin via room service for a $6 fee.) You can choose from Margherita, pepperoni, four cheese, mushroom and prosciutto. You can also order a couple of extra-fee specialty pies, such as teriyaki chicken and Korean steak barbecue.

I was pleasantly surprised by Il Mercato, Carnival's take on an Italian deli that is open from lunchtime until late. Usually, the deli is located inside Lido Marketplace, but it was moved to a quieter and less crowded area on Deck 11, just above the Lido Pool, to make room in the buffet for an added-fee chicken wing stand.

Il Mercato looks like a bit of an afterthought, given its portable-looking booth area, but the alfresco atmosphere and the food are great. The menu consists of meatball sandwiches, hot dogs and Italian sausage sandwiches. Eight options for both hot and cold sandwiches include grilled ham and cheese, a Reuben, cheese steak, tomato and mozzarella with arugula on focaccia, chicken salad, and turkey and Swiss. I tried the cheese steak with peppers and onions; despite its rather sad appearance, it was delicious and could rival just about anything found in Philadelphia.

Carnival has also done something interesting with Seafood Shack on this ship. Instead of only serving seafood, this Deck 10 venue starts as the Breakfast Shack in the morning and then turns into the Chicken Shack for lunch. Both are complimentary and serve up a variety of chicken sandwiches with fries, pasta salads and other sides. (Carnival Firenze doesn't have Shaq's Big Chicken like some of the other vessels in the fleet, so this was a nice way to utilize the space and offer a similar dining experience to passengers.)

Although I wasn't staying in a suite, I was able to try the private breakfast for La Terrazza and Ocean Suite passengers offered daily in Deck 5's Moda Bar and Lounge. If you're staying in one of those cabins and have access, trust me when I say you won't want to miss the quiche or avocado toast.

Other free food options include La Strada Grill (Deck 5 midship), Fresh Creations salad bar (Deck 15 forward on the adults-only Serenity sun deck) and room service (free continental breakfast). I didn't try any of these because La Strada is only open from noon to 2:30 p.m. on sea days, Fresh Creations was way too crowded when I stopped by and I didn't eat in my room for breakfast.

Of these three options, the most compelling menu is La Strada's. It lists a Sicilian chicken hero, roast beef on a roll, Italian sausage, smoked pulled pork and macaroni and cheese, with a choice of salads and sides.

Extra-cost food

On many of its ships, Carnival already has an Italian restaurant, Cucina del Capitano , which offers a homey ambience and family-favorite recipes from the Italian captains across the line's fleet. Oddly, the restaurant appears on neither Carnival Firenze nor sister ship Carnival Venezia (another vessel that offers the "Fun Italian Style" experience).

Instead, it has been replaced by one of my new favorites: Il Viaggio, an upscale Italian eatery with a $42 per-person cover charge, nearly double what most ships with Cucina del Capitano charge passengers to dine. Il Viaggio's decor is elegant but understated, and it opens for dinner only. It doesn't drip with red, white and green or stereotypical Italian adornments, offering a refreshing escape from other areas of the vessel where the theming is intense.

The menu, which is billed as "a culinary voyage through Italy's diverse regions — one plate at a time," includes some of the best food I've ever had on a ship. I thoroughly enjoyed the house-made burrata; the pollo parmigiana pizza, which has a crust made of chicken; the gnocchi with goat cheese and truffle oil; and the mile-high gelato pie.

For anyone looking for a decent steak dinner that won't break the bank, Fahrenheit 555 on Deck 5 is it. Not only is it one of the most consistently superb oceangoing steakhouses from ship to ship, but its cover charge of $49 per person is nominal compared to what you'd pay at a steakhouse ashore.

I ate an incredible filet mignon with onion rings, broccoli and chimichurri sauce, and it was absolutely worth the price.

Interestingly, the steakhouse was added after the ship left China. It's in what used to be a hot pot restaurant, so the vibe is decidedly Asian, featuring black counters and tables with deep red carpeting and chairs. Black latticework in part of the space adds to the ambience.

Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, positioned near one another midship on Deck 5, are both open for lunch (on sea days only) and dinner.

I had a light dinner of sushi during one night of my voyage, and it set me back just $11 ($3 for an order of edamame and $8 for a California roll).

On a different night, I opted for the teppanyaki experience, which involved a chef cracking jokes, singing songs and making flaming onion volcanoes and snakes out of rice as he cooked. Thankfully, we didn't have to try to catch flying food in our mouths. For the $42 flat-fee cover charge, each passenger receives white shrimp, pork belly yakitori, spicy tuna and a choice of either miso soup or kabuki salad to start.

From there, you choose from entrees like lobster tail, shrimp, spiced grilled chicken, grilled tofu, black cod and filet mignon or a combination of them. I chose the filet and was pleased with my decision. The meat and accompanying rice and vegetables were exceptionally flavorful.

Bonsai Teppanyaki is also open for lunch with a similar menu for $38 per person.

JavaBlue Cafe on Deck 10, just off of the Lido Pool courtyard, is one of my favorite places on any Carnival ship. In the warm Mexican weather, I wasn't always a fan of its alfresco location on Carnival Firenze — most JavaBlue locations are indoors — but I was able to grab my daily pick-me-up just the way I like it.

Although coffees at JavaBlue come with an extra charge, the price is nominal compared to Starbucks. Plus, if you ask for a punch card, you'll earn yourself a free coffee after you buy six, which isn't hard to do on a weeklong sailing.

JavaBlue also sells cupcakes, cookies, doughnuts and other pastries for a fee.

Room service is offered for a per-item fee (except for continental breakfast, which is free each morning). Door hangers are no longer offered, so you'll have to order via your cabin phone or the Hub app. The menu on the app for Carnival Firenze seemed smaller than it does on other ships, listing items like pizza and sandwiches. On a particularly busy sea day when I didn't want to wait in line at Pizzeria del Capitano, I ordered a pie to my cabin. For $6, it arrived hot, fresh and fast, and it tasted wonderful.

The places I didn't try were All Things Wings and Seafood Shack. Carnival Firenze has a new walk-up counter in the Lido Marketplace buffet that sells wings, with prices ranging from six pieces for $5 to 24 pieces for $18. You can choose from several flavors like barbecue, Parmesan garlic, chipotle honey, hot barbecue and buffalo, which increase in heat respectively. All orders come with bleu cheese dressing and celery sticks.

Seafood Shack, found on Deck 10 aft, opens at 3:30 p.m. and stays open late at the same walk-up counter where Breakfast Shack and Chicken Shack are located earlier in the day. It sells for-fee seafood bites, such as lobster rolls and crabcakes, for a la carte prices.

A small empanada counter is hidden away in the back of the Tuscan Lounge. I never saw it open, but several passengers told me it only operated at night, selling added-fee options that include shrimp sofrito, chipotle chicken with cheese, beef picadillo, and spinach and mushroom with cheese. Sweet empanadas are also available, including chocolate, banana and coconut; dulce de leche cheesecake; guava and cream cheese; and Nutella and hazelnut varieties.

Carnival Firenze bars

Unlike the version of the Heroes Tribute Bar that's tucked away in a corner on Carnival's Excel Class ships, the version on Carnival Firenze is much brighter and more centrally located on the main promenade area along Deck 5 mid. Designed to honor service men and women who sail, it has a relaxed vibe and a sports bar ambience. The seating at the bar counter is the perfect spot to watch the big games on multiple TVs.

I was a regular at the Tuscan Lounge, also centrally located on Deck 5 aft, mainly because it's where the ship's daily trivia games take place. The space features a lounge area with tables, a dance floor and a projection screen. Across the walkway that runs through the space is a bar set up with stools and nearby tables with black and white striped umbrellas.

Frizzante is one of my absolute favorite bars. There, you'll find various spritz-style drinks. I enjoyed a Frizzante Spritz (made with dry vermouth, moscato wine, triple sec and club soda) on my second night on board and kept heading back to the bar to try more cocktails. It's a terrific place to grab a pre-dinner drink if you have a reservation at neighboring Il Viaggio.

I admit that I misjudged the Amari Bar at first. Found smack in the middle of Deck 5's main thoroughfare, it serves cocktails made with, as the name suggests, amari — herbal Italian liqueurs.

For days, I didn't see it crowded, but perhaps I was merely passing by at the wrong times. By day four or five of my seven-night sailing, it was packed. I was also initially upset to learn that Amari replaced the Alchemy Bar on Carnival Firenze, but I found out later that you can still order some of the most popular Alchemy drinks, such as The Remedy and the Cucumber Sunrise, there.

I was fortunate to sit in on a mixology class at the Amari Bar and was fascinated to learn some of the finer points of mixing drinks with an eye — or a tastebud — toward balancing the flavors of each ingredient. For $30 per person, the head bartender, Drazen, will impart some of that knowledge as you belly up to the bar to try samples of what he concocts.

Rococo is a fun, partially enclosed pool bar area by the courtyard around the Lido Pool on Deck 10. In addition to the fun art mentioned previously, it also has palate-pleasing beverage selections, including fruity libations with an Italian bent like bellinis, as well as pistachio and limoncello cocktails.

Other onboard bars include the centrally located one on Deck 3 in the Piazza del Duomo. The Moda Bar and Lounge on Deck 5 evokes a high-fashion mood with an entryway that feels like a model's catwalk as stylish seating areas flank the sides; it's often the home base for karaoke. Meanwhile, the shockingly red, white and black Piano Bar 88, also on Deck 5, plays host to live piano music daily.

Heading up a few decks, the Versilia Pool Bar serves fruity, beachy drinks near the aft Versilia Pool on Deck 10. Finally, the Pergola Bar, found adjacent to Il Mercato and overlooking the opposite side of the Lido Pool, feels like a complete afterthought. It's so sterile and nondescript it's almost not worth mentioning, but I'm putting it in here because the seating area around it is lovely, featuring fake topiary-style pillars and lots of seating that makes for a great place to read.

Carnival Firenze entertainment

Carnival firenze activities.

Carnival Firenze offers a large number of daily activities on each voyage.

Passengers might choose to head to the casino (or the smoke-free casino, both on Deck 5), enjoy an alcohol tasting, participate in a sports tournament, mingle at a deck party, play miniature golf, take a dance class or attend a spa, jewelry or shopping seminar.

The Cloud 9 Spa on Deck 12 forward is equipped to perform a menu of services, including massages and facials. The connected fitness center is on the small side but features for-fee personal training and organized fitness classes, as well as equipment that's free for passengers to use. Carnival Firenze does not have a thermal suite.

The Cloud 9 Salon, found in a different area of the ship on Deck 5 mid, offers manicures, pedicures and hairstyling, haircuts and color. Be warned that you'll pay huge markups for services on board versus on land.

Looking to find a group of like-minded travelers on your sailing? Check out meetups for solo travelers, singles, people in recovery, veterans and members of the LGBTQ+ community listed in the daily program.

If you're interested in spending time outdoors working on your tan, you can do so at one of two onboard pools: the Lido Pool on Deck 10 midship and the Versilia Pool on Deck 10 aft. Both are ridiculously small for the number of people on board but have more shade than most cruise ship pools.

If you're looking for loungers in the sun and don't mind being a bit farther from the pools themselves, head up two decks to 12, where loungers are so plentiful they block part of the jogging track. (Four laps equal 1 mile.)

Oddly, the Lido Pool has no hot tubs. If you want to soak, you'll have to go to the Versilia Pool, which has two of them. The adults-only (21 and older) Solarium area on Deck 15 forward also has two hot tubs, and the La Terrazza exclusive outdoor area also has two. Neither Serenity nor La Terrazza has a pool.

Pool lifts accommodating up to 300 pounds are available for passengers with limited mobility. Lifeguards are on duty, and children's life vests are available near the Lido Pool.

If you're looking for some wholesome fun, head to Deck 11 mid, where a portable cabinet serves as both the book and board game library. The open-air space offers plenty of tables where you can set up that chess or Scrabble board. In nearby alcoves, you'll also find pingpong and foosball tables. Or, simply grab a snack or drink from the Pergola Bar or Il Mercato and take in a movie on the poolside screen.

If you're a water baby who loves thrills, head to WaterWorks, which offers waterslides and a splash area for kids on Deck 12 (the slide entrance is on Deck 15). Kids and adults who aren't afraid of heights will also enjoy the top-deck ropes course on Deck 15 mid. Just beneath it is the ship's miniature golf course.

Additional activities for youngsters take place on Deck 11 in Camp Ocean, Carnival's kids club . The kids club splits children into four groups: Turtles (up to 2 years old), Penguins (2 to 5), Stingrays (6 to 8) and Sharks (9 to 11). The camp facility connects to an enclosed outdoor playground area that's used on days when the weather is nice.

Fun pursuits on the daily schedule might include arts and crafts, themed parties, science experiments, games and story time, depending on the age group. Group babysitting is available as part of Camp Ocean's Night Owls program, which runs until 1 a.m. at a cost of $9 per child, per hour. (Daytime Camp Ocean activities are free.)

The ship also has Carnival's Dr. Seuss tie-in, featuring Bookville — a reading room inside Camp Ocean that hosts story time — and the Thing 1 and Thing 2 Birthday Brunch, which is offered at least once per voyage for an extra fee.

Tweens and teens have their own dedicated hangout spaces, too: Circle C and Club O2, both found on Deck 3 forward. Activities there are less structured, and participants can come and go as they please. An onboard arcade offers video games for a fee.

Carnival Firenze shows

The entertainment on Carnival Firenze is squarely OK. I was hoping for something new, but instead, I found shows like "Color My World" and "Dear Future Husband," both of which are already on other vessels in the fleet. Cruise ship standards, such as the "Love and Marriage Show" and adult scavenger hunt "The Quest," are fun the first time you experience them, but I was hoping for something new for Carnival's loyal and repeat guests. The titles on Firenze's proverbial marquee felt tired to me, despite the abilities of the immensely talented entertainment staff.

"Dear Future Husband" is at least relatively new. It debuted on Carnival Jubilee in late 2023 and is rolling out to more vessels. It's based on a couple who decides to have their wedding on a cruise ship, and they bring along several of their friends. They sing and dance to pop songs as they board, dress for the festivities and go through the ceremony. Afterward, a "reception" with the cast is held in an onboard lounge. (On my sailing, it was in the Tuscan Lounge.)

An out-of-this-world violin trio performed one night in the theater, but otherwise, shows were limited to a lot of comedy, usually held in the perpetually freezing Limelight Lounge. Everything, including the walls, is decked out in crushed blue velvet, and you're greeted by a creepy clown statue that still gives me nightmares.

On a positive note, I found plenty of terrific live music throughout the ship each night. Carnival has also stepped up its game lately in the magic department. On my last two Carnival sailings, a roving magician wandered from table to table during dinner to impress us with tricks that had me questioning reality.

Carnival Firenze itineraries and pricing

Carnival Firenze is offering three- to seven-night voyages from Long Beach, near Los Angeles, along the Mexican Riviera. Itineraries include such ports as Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

At the time of publication, the least expensive price for a sailing was $214 per person ($54 per person, per night) for a four-night cruise departing in November 2025.

Note: Prices are subject to change without notice and do not include crew gratuities, taxes or port fees.

What to know before you sail on Carnival Firenze

Required documents.

If you're a citizen of the U.S. on a cruise that starts and ends in the same U.S. port, you'll need a current passport, a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification along with a birth certificate to sail. Some other forms of identification, such as a passport card, are also acceptable. However, other cruises, including ones that begin in the U.S. and end in a different U.S. port, require a passport or passport card.

Passports must be valid for at least six months from the day your sailing ends. For cruises from international ports, you'll need a passport. Note: It's crucial that the name on your booking is exactly as printed on your passport or other proof of nationality. We suggest visiting Carnival's website before sailing to view the latest requirements.

Related: Which documents do you need for a cruise? From passports to printouts, here's what to take

Carnival Firenze passengers will automatically have $16 per person, per day added to their onboard accounts as service charges. Cruisers staying in suites will pay $18 per person, per day. (Children younger than 2 are exempt from gratuities.) An 18% gratuity is also added to bar and cafe purchases, spa services and the Chef's Table.

Related: Tipping on a cruise: What to know about cruise ship gratuities

Carnival Wi-Fi is generally fast and reliable. However, don't be surprised if you find yourself repeatedly and automatically disconnected, which is annoying.

Packages have increased significantly in price in recent years, and each plan is only for one device. (You can log out of one and into another with the same account, but you can't connect more than one at the same time unless you buy additional plans.)

Three package tiers are available:

• Social : Access to most social media, airline websites and apps for $18 per day ($126 for a weeklong cruise)
• Value : Same as Social, plus access to financial and news websites and apps for $23 per day ($161 for a week)
• Premium : Everything from the Social and Value packages, plus Skype access and video calling for $25 per day ($175 for a week)

Passengers can also choose 24 hours of Premium access for $35.

Carnival claims that its packages don't allow FaceTime, iMessage or streaming from popular apps like Netflix and Hulu. However, TPG writers have had success using all of those services with the Premium package.

Related: Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board

Carry-on drinks policy

Passengers can carry on one bottle of wine or Champagne per person (21 years and older), which will incur a $15 corkage fee for consumption in public areas. Each person can also bring up to 12 standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages like juice or soda. Alcohol-free drinks in plastic and glass bottles aren't allowed.

Related: Can I bring alcohol on a cruise ship? A line-by-line guide

Smoking policy

Smoking (including e-cigarettes and vapes) is allowed but only in designated outdoor areas on Deck 11 on the starboard side. Smoking is also allowed in the main casino, but it's for cigarettes only. (For passengers who don't light up, a separate nonsmoking casino is available but is much smaller.) All types of smoking are forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. A $500 fine will be assessed for cruisers who break the rules of the smoking policy.

Related: Is smoking allowed on cruise ships? A line-by-line guide

Carnival Firenze does not have self-service laundry rooms or pressing rooms. Instead, passengers can send out their clothing for washing, pressing and dry cleaning for a per-item fee.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services

Electrical outlets

Carnival Firenze has a mix of 110-volt North American outlets, 220-volt European outlets and 220-volt Chinese/Australian outlets in its cabins, as well as plenty of USB ports. In my balcony room, I had two North American outlets, one European outlet, one Chinese/Australian outlet and two USB ports at the vanity, plus two additional USB ports under one of the bedside reading lamps. If you bring a couple of universal adapters, you'll have more than enough spots to charge all your electronics.

The currency on Carnival Firenze is the dollar. The ship also operates without cash. Passengers link credit cards to their onboard accounts or put up a set amount of cash to charge against, using their keycards as a means of making purchases. However, you might want to have some bills handy to tip your bartender, room steward, shore excursion guide, luggage porters or room service delivery folks.

Drinking age

You must be at least 21 years old to drink alcohol on Carnival Firenze.

Carnival Firenze does not have a specific daytime dress code, and people dress casually. Mexico is largely a warm-weather destination, so looking like you're going to the beach is perfectly acceptable. Pack T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside on sea days or back on board on port days).

During the evenings, the official dress code is only loosely enforced. Most nights are "cruise casual," which generally involves khakis or jeans, polo shirts, sundresses and the like. Ultra casual items like cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts are supposedly not permitted, but I saw plenty of them in the dining rooms during dinnertime on Carnival Firenze.

A weeklong cruise will generally schedule two formal nights — known as "elegant nights." If you're bound for the dining rooms or specialty restaurants, men should turn up in dress slacks and a dress shirt; Carnival recommends a sports coat, and a suit would not be out of place. The suggested attire for women on such nights is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses. If you want to avoid dressing up, seek out the casual eateries, including the Lido Marketplace, or order room service to your cabin.

Related: What to wear on a cruise: Cruise attire and cruise line dress codes

Bottom line

Despite some overly stereotypical moments that made the ship feel like a floating caricature of Italy, I had an amazing time on board this new-to-Carnival ship.

The food was excellent, the decor was gorgeous and the crew worked hard to make sure passengers had the best vacations possible.

Is Carnival Firenze gaudy and, at times, maybe even a little cringey? Yes, but I found myself taking limoncello shots and stuffing my face with pizza alongside everyone else. Embrace "Fun Italian Style" for what it is, and you're sure to have a great time on board.

Planning a Carnival cruise? Start with these stories:

• The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries
• 43 Carnival Cruise Line tips, tricks and hacks to enhance your vacation at sea
• Best Carnival cruise ships: Here's which ship you should sail, based on your travel style
• Carnival cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise, Fun Ship style
• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly