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Specialty Restaurants - Dining Reservation Information

Online reservations can be made up to 48 hours prior to your sail date. Reservations can also be made on board at the specialty restaurant or by calling from your stateroom. Walk-ins are welcome as well and will be seated, space permitting. 

If you find the need to cancel or change your reservation, we appreciate you making the change online prior to your cruise. For the Chef's Table, Bonsai Teppanyaki and Thing 1 & Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast, there will be a charge of the full price of your dining reservation for cancellations made within 48 hours of your scheduled dinner reservation or no-show.  

The Steakhouse | Ji Ji Asian Kitchen | Cucina del Capitano | Bonsai Teppanyaki  |  Rudi's Seagrill | Il Viaggio The Chef's Table  | Thing 1 & Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast

The Steakhouse

With an elegant, but fun-filled, relaxed and somewhat casual atmosphere and a menu that includes steakhouse favorites, the Steakhouse is guaranteed to be a favorite dining spot. Guests can take in the atmosphere and enjoy the amazing culinary creations of our chefs. The Steakhouse is open daily, 5:30pm-9:30pm.

• There is a fee of $49  USD per adult and $15  USD per child, 11 and under (when ordering from the Kids' menu, available upon request). The fee includes a starter, entrée and dessert and the wait staffs’ gratuity; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. 
• The dress code follows the dress code specified for that evening on board; if the evening is specified as Cruise Casual, shorts are not permitted.
• The Steakhouse dinner menu ; a menu for kids (11 and under) is available upon request. 
• You should allow 2-1/2 hours for your dining experience.
• Our Event Planning Department can assist eleven (11) or more guests, with a common group booking number, to make advance Steakhouse reservations. We recommend that requests be made at least 30 days prior to departure. Please contact Event Planning at  [email protected] and provide the group number, preferred date, time and party size.
• The Steakhouse is on the following ships: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Luminosa * , Carnival Magic, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor * , Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Valor, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras. 
• *  The price listed above is not applicable to ships sailing from Australia. 

Ji Ji Asian Kitchen®

A dining spot inspired by a millennia-old society, Ji Ji Asian Kitchen serves up enticing dishes in an atmospheric space that brings not just good food, but good fortune — and perhaps a surprise or two — to the table. You’ll enjoy your meal among Asian prayer rolls and Mongolian-inspired fabrics that infuse northern-country style into this unique culinary experience – an open kitchen will allow guests to view highly skilled chefs artfully preparing a tantalizing menu. 

• For dinner, there is a fee of $24  USD  per adult and $11  USD  per child 11 and under (when ordering from the Kids' menu, available upon request). The fee includes a starter, entrée and dessert and the wait staffs’ gratuity; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. 
• The dress code is Cruise Casual.
• Ji Ji Asian Kitchen menu .
• Ji Ji Asian Kitchen is on the following ships: Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Vista.

Cucina del Capitano®

Cucina del Capitano, ‘The Captain’s Kitchen’, is a homage to Carnival’s rich Italian lineage. A delicious dinner-time option with made-to-order Italian favorites in comfortable, relaxed surroundings. Many of the dishes and recipes were hand-selected by Carnival’s captains. 

• On Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee and Mardi Gras, Pre-Cruise reservations are not available. All guests are welcome to enjoy one complimentary dinner during their voyage; a nominal charge of $8  USD  per guest, will be assessed for additional visits. Any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water is additional. For guests on Early or Late Dining, you are welcome to dine at Cucina del Capitano after 7:45pm.
• Cucina del Capitano dinner menu ; a menu for kids (11 and under) is available upon request.
• Cucina del Capitano is on the following ships: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Magic, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras. 

Bonsai Teppanyaki™

One part meal, one part performance — and all parts unforgettable! The Bonsai Teppanyaki experience begins with a curated selection of delectable dishes. It is then followed by a choice of appetizers that spans many flavors. Your chef will then expertly prepare a main course that is enjoyable with each and every bite. The main course features selections such as filet mignon, grilled tofu, spiced grilled chicken or a seriously impressive array of fish, shrimp and lobster. 

• For dinner, there is a fee of $49.56  USD per guest, including children ($44.84  USD per guest, including children, for lunch). The fee includes a starter, entrée and dessert. An 18% service charge is included; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. 
• Bonsai Teppanyaki lunch and dinner menu .
• There will be a charge of the full price of your dining reservation for cancellations made within 48 hours of your scheduled Bonsai Teppanyaki reservation or no-show.
• Bonsai Teppanyaki is on the following ships: Carnival Celebration, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Venezia and Mardi Gras. 
• There is a fee of $49  USD per adult and $15  USD per child 11 and under (when ordering from the Kids' menu, available upon request). The fee includes a starter, entrée and dessert and the wait staffs’ gratuity; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. 
• Rudi's Seagrill dinner menu  
• Rudi's Seagrill is on the following ships: Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee and Mardi Gras. 
• There is a fee of $42  USD per adult and $14  USD per child 11 and under (when ordering from the Kids' menu, available upon request). The fee includes a starter, entrée, dessert and the wait staffs' gratuity. Additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. 
• Il Viaggio dinner menu  
• Il Viaggio is on the following ship: Carnival Firenze and Carnival Venezia 
• The reservation fee is $106.20  USD  per person   on the following ships: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Luminosa ( on Alaska cruises ), Carnival Miracle, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Valor.
• The reservation fee is $140.42  USD  per person on the following ships: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Dream, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Legend, Carnival Magic, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras. On these ships, the Chef's Table offers an enhanced experience! 
• The dinner(s) as well as the dinner date(s) are subject to the number of guests wishing to participate in this experience.
• On the following ships, pre-cruise reservations are offered on two evenings of the cruise: Carnival Celebration, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras.  
• The dress code follows the dress code specified for that evening on board; if the evening is specified as Cruise Casual, shorts are not permitted. Since guests are taken on a personalized tour of the galley, open-toed, heels and shoes with slippery soles are discouraged.
• Children must be at least 12 years of age. 
• There will be a charge of the full price of your dining reservation for cancellations made within 48 hours of your scheduled Chef's Table reservation or no-show.
• Please note: Pre-cruise reservations for 2025 cruise departures will be available online at the end of September 2024. 
• There is a fee of  $15  USD  per adult and $10  USD   per child, 11 and under (children under 2 are complimentary). The fee includes breakfast and the wait staffs’ gratuity; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water.  
• Thing 1 and Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast  Menu  
• The special breakfast will take place typically on a sea day morning, in the main dining room at 8:30am and 9:30am; scheduling is based on itinerary, so once on board, guests will be notified of the day and time the event will occur. 
• There will be a charge of the full price of your dining reservation for cancellations made within 48 hours of your scheduled breakfast or no-show.
• * The price listed above excludes those ships sailing from Australia. 
• This breakfast is featured on all ships. 

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• 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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Tags: Carnival free food venues Carnival Menus Complimentary food on Carnival

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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!
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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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Carnival’s Alchemy Bar Full Menu With Prices

Never heard of the Alchemy Bar aboard Carnival’s ships? It’s a cocktail bar hosted by “mixologists.” The bar offers up tasty concoctions that seem more at place in a trendy 1920s New York bar than on a cruise ship. It’s not meant to be a party atmosphere filled with beachy drinks but a classy place to experiment with different flavors in a warm, comfortable setting.

Meanwhile, you won’t find your typical Bud Light or margarita on the menu. Instead, get your tastebuds ready for drinks like a mojito martini or a peach cosmopolitan. Alchemy Bar is most definitely a place that you should expect to sit and relax for a bit — not just grab a drink to take to the pool.

To help get you ready for your next cruise, we’ve got the entire Alchemy Bar menu and prices below.

Left side of menu

Selected mood enhancers from our mixologist. As if cruising didn’t make you happy enough. | $10.95

Passion Potions

Martini Seduction Grey Goose L’Orange Vodka, red passion fruit nectar, freshly squeezed lime juice, and a hint of orange. Try not to swoon.

French Kiss You may fall in love with this. Absolut Vanilia Vodka, Chambord, Domaine Chandon Sparkling Wine and a touch of fresh lime.

The Deal Closer Absolut Vanilia Vodka, Disaronno Amaretto, Irish Cream and chocolate liqueur, The best advice this side of Dr. Whoever.

Energizing Elixirs

Revved Up Mojito Martini Rev it up with Bombay Sapphire Gin, Dry Vermouth, simple syrup, freshly squeezed lime juice and mint leaves.

The Perfect Storm Ready for an invigorating boost? Bacardi Oakheart Spiced Rum, Bacardi Rum, strawberry puree, a hint of rosemary sprig and fresh lime.

Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini Prepared with Belvedere Vodka, chipotle pineapple syrup, pineapple juice, simple syrup and mint leaves.

Fountain of Youth

Forty is the New Twenty A martini tastefully prepared for the young… and the young at heart. Pama Pomegranate Liqueur, Grey Goose Vodka, cranberry juice and citrus.

Cucumber Sunrise Belvedere Vodka, watermelon nectar, muddled cucumber, fresh squeezed lime juice and a splash of orange juice. Light and delicious.

The Youthful & Bold Beritini Buck the currents of time with Grey Goose Cherry Noir Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, strawberries, fresh lime juice and a splash of soda complete this martini to enliven the throes of youth.

The Antioxidant Rejuvenate with Belvedere Grapefruit Vodka, Aperol, tangerine, fresh lime juice and a dash of orange juice.

Right side of menu 

$10.95 | Welcome to the pharmacy. Or at least the cocktail menu version of one.

Relief For What Ails

The Remedy Pain? What pain? Feel good with Brugal Anejo Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum, orange juice, pineapple and fresh lime juice.

Fiery Tropical Passion Martini Feed your fever with this feisty dose of Patron Silver Tequila, Patron Citronge, spicy mango puree and fresh citrus.

The Quick Fix Pernod Absinthe, Bacardi Rum, Grey Goose Vodka, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Midori, citrus and a dash of Sprite. You’ll feel better in no time.

Cocktail Therapy

Caribbean Manhattan Take a breather. Templeton Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, spiced brown sugar syrup and bitters.

Alchemist’s Sidecar A century’s old favorite martini. Hennessy Black Cognac, Patron Citronge, fresh lime juice and simple syrup.

Island Old Fashioned A Caribbean twist of the original cocktail. Spiced infused Bacardi 8 Rum, sugar, water and bitters.

The Medicine Cabinet

Moscow Mule Earning decades of admiration for good reason. Grey Goose Vodka, fresh lime juice and ginger beer.

Curative Peach Cosmopolitan Absolut Citron Vodka, Peach Schnapps, cranberry juice, and fresh citrus. Feeling peachy? You’re about to.

Restorative Basil Drop Sure to stimulate, soothe and restore your senses. Belvedere Vodka, fresh basil, simple syrup and fresh citrus.

Want a zero proof elixir? Let our master mixologist handcraft one just for you | $5.95

Drink responsibly. Our mixologists will take care of the rest.

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Carnival Radiance vs Norwegian Pride of America

The Carnival Radiance was built in 2020. The Radiance was previously known as the Victory from 2000-2020, but was renamed after it went through huge renovations. It's 15 years newer than the Pride of America , which was built in 2005 and renovated in 2016.

Comparison Overview

Number of passengers, food and restaurants, bars and drinks, pools and hot tubs, ship features and activities, cruise costs, onboard costs.

The Radiance is considered a medium size ship. Coming in at 893 feet long and 125 feet wide, it's roughly the length of 2.5 football fields, as wide as 2.4 tractor-trailers and the same height as a 13-story building. Compared to the Norwegian Pride of America, the Radiance is 26% larger in terms of overall tons.

Carnival Radiance holds 37% more passengers than the Pride of America based on double occupancy (two people per room). When you look at the "Space Ratio," or the total tonnage of a ship compared to the number of passengers, the Radiance has less space per person compared to the Pride of America.

Food is a big part of any cruise, and the ship you choose can make a huge difference in your food experience.

The Radiance has 20 different dining options like The Chef's Table , Big Chicken , and Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse . Of those options, 14 are complementary, or included with your cruise fare. The other 6 options have an additional fee.

The Pride of America has the same number of dining venues. Some of its popular venues are Cagney's Steakhouse , Sushi Bar , and Teppanyaki . 9 of these restaurants are complementary and the other 10 have an additional fee.

The Carnival Radiance has about the same number of dining options as the Norwegian Pride of America.

If you're looking to avoid extra money while on board, the Radiance might be a better choice then the Pride of America. More of the dining options are included in the base cruise fare, potentially saving you money.

The Carnival Radiance has 2 more bars than the Norwegian Pride of America. The Radiance has 11 bars like BlueIguana Tequila Bar, Casino Bar and Siren Bar. On Radiance, you can grab a drink at 9 different bars such as Aloha Lanai Bar, John Adams Coffee Bar and Pink's Champagne Bar.

In terms of drinks and cocktails, you have a variety of choices. The Radiance serves the Pepsi family of products. That means Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Starry, Mug Root Beer, and Mountain Dew, although the selection can vary by ship. The Pride of America serves Coca Cola branded products. That includes drinks like Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Barqs Root Beer, although the selection can vary by ship.

You can check out recent the bar menus for the Radiance and the Pride of America below.

Nothing beats relaxing by a pool with a nice drink in hand as you feel the fresh sea breeze pass by you. The problem is that with thousands of people on a ship, there's not always room. If you want to spend all day for 7 days in a pool, a cruise isn't for you. You would have a much better bet choosing a resort with a huge pool complex. That being said, a quick dip in the pool can be nice on a hot day.

The Carnival Radiance has a total of 2 pools and 3 hot tubs. Tired of loud kids and splashing? 1 of the pools and 1 of the hot tubs are adults only.

The Norwegian Pride of America has the same number of pools as the Radiance and more hot tubs.

Both ships have lots of activities to keep you busy throughout your cruise. Below you'll see a list of some of the major features on these ships. On the Radiance, 71% of the activities below are included in the cruise fare. On the Pride of America, only 57% of the activities are included, meaning you might spend more money while on board.

Carnival and Norwegian are both considered "Mainstream" cruise lines. Mainstream cruise lines cater to a variety of guests, hoping to provide something for everyone. These typically cost about $100 - $350 per person per day.

Cruise pricing is dynamic and varies for each specific sailing based on factors such as departure point, ports of call, and time of year. Typically newer ships cost more, so a cruise on Carnival Radiance will likely be more expensive than on Norwegian Pride of America.

Another way to gauge the cost of a cruise is to consider how much you'll spend on board. Even though a lot is included in the base cruise fare, you may still spend money on things like spa treatments, specialty dining, drinks, and excursions. In addition, guests can also have to pay for things like gratuities and tips.

Typically guests can expect to spend about 25 - 40% of the cost of the cruise on onboard expenses. In other words, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, you might spend between $250 and $400 on extra expenses.

The table below will help you compare onboard prices to see if you might spend more on a specific ship.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a Free at Sea fare. Through this program, guests receive free open bar, a discount on excursions, some free internet, and some meals at their specialty restaurants. If you book using this promotion, you'll be responsible for the gratuities on the dining and drink package. If you won't be using these options, booking a "sail away" rate that doesn't include the Free at Sea benefits is considerably cheaper. Also, most of these benefits are the base packages; you can spend more to upgrade to better alcoholic drinks or faster/more wifi.

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About Cruise Spotlight Founded in 2020, Cruise Spotlight's goal is to help people understand every aspect of cruising. Plenty of sites focus on the perfect Instagram pictures and marketing fluff. We focus on what really matters: onboard expenses, tips for cruise ships, detailed cruise reviews, and more. Our goal is to provide helpful, unbiased information to new and established cruisers. Over the years, we've helped millions of people get the most from their cruise vacation. Learn more about Cruise Spotlight.

Carnival Freedom cruise ship review: Old-school glam meets celebratory good times

Editor's Note

If you appreciate a side of old-school glam with your pool time and parties, a sailing on Carnival Cruise Line 's Carnival Freedom might be your ideal cruise vacation.

At first glance, the ship's gilded-age-meets-Vegas decor can be overwhelming. Snakeskin-lined dining room banquettes, speakeasy-style red lighting in the atrium and carpets sporting giant roses and huge swirls create a dizzying effect that you immediately love or hate.

If you don't love the look, don't let first impressions fool you. Carnival Freedom's interiors are bold but unpretentious, which aligns well with a Carnival cruise experience.

The ship's atmosphere is thick with celebration, from organized onboard parties to cruisers gathering to mark special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries and family reunions. Crew members go above and beyond to provide an amazing time, the meals are delicious and you'll find a slew of activities to suit everyone in your group. It won't take long to see past the visual mishmash into what makes Carnival Freedom so special.

Like all Carnival ships, Carnival Freedom attracts travelers looking for an affordable, fun and lively cruise vacation. The ship's demographics span from families with young kids and multigenerational family groups to squads of friends and couples. No matter where you sail, one thing is consistent on every Carnival ship, including Carnival Freedom: Passengers are fully engaged and having a blast.

Want to learn more about what to expect during a sailing on one of Carnival's older vessels? Here's my review of Carnival Freedom, with everything you need to know.

Overview of Carnival Freedom

The 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom is 12 decks high and carries 3,754 passengers at double occupancy in 1,487 cabins.

Launched in 2007, Freedom underwent an extensive "Fun Ship 2.0" makeover in 2019 to bring it in line with newer Carnival ships. Improvements included the addition of the line's WaterWorks water park with a splash zone and the 203-foot AquaTunnel and 212-foot Twister slides. More shops, a designated group fitness studio in the ship's gym and a Bonsai Sushi Express venue were also added along with other ship enhancements.

During a short drydock in late 2023, a Heroes Tribute Bar was added, and a new funnel tail replaced the one damaged during a fire in 2022. Sadly, in March 2024, the funnel was damaged again due to another Carnival Freedom fire likely caused by lightning. The funnel is still missing its iconic whale tail.

Carnival Freedom currently sails four- and five-day itineraries to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Florida. Budget-minded travelers can score a short cruise vacation without breaking the bank. This particular four-night Bahamas sailing starts from $364 per person.

What I loved about Carnival Freedom

The food is consistently good

I've sailed with numerous mainstream cruise lines over the past 28 years as a travel editor, including eight Carnival sailings. Among them all, my meals on Carnival ships consistently rank at the top of my list of favorite dining experiences. The line offers an impressive variety of free-fare dining options like Guy's Burger Joint by Guy Fieri, BlueIguana Cantina for Mexican food and Pizza Pirate.

Every meal I had on Carnival Freedom was wonderful — from the ship's onboard buffet and included-in-your-fare venues to added-fee meals at Sun King Steakhouse and the Seafood Shack. I was sad to find the selection of specialty restaurants on Carnival Freedom was slim; Jiji Asian Kitchen and Cucina del Capitano are a couple of my favorite Carnival venues, but they weren't offered on this ship.

Unfettered access to some great spa features

While the Carnival Spa on Freedom is somewhat small and not quite as robust as Carnival's Cloud 9 Spas on other vessels, passengers have free use of a sauna, a steam room and huge showers in the locker room.

You don't need to book a time or check in — just show up and enjoy a free mini-spa experience. Separate men's and women's saunas and steam rooms are located across from each gender's locker room. (If you reach the door to the fitness center, you've gone too far.)

This free DIY cruise spa hack is the way to go. You won't get the heated chaise lounges, aromatic steam grottos and thalassotherapy pool you get with a thermal suite pass at a Cloud 9 Spa, but you also won't pay $40 per person, per day, for the extra pampering.

It's an easy way to level up your cruise experience. Also, if you don't like knocking your elbows against the shower wall and fighting the flimsy shower curtain in your own cabin, head to the locker rooms in the spa area for a spacious shower with a lockable shower door.

Towel animal takeover

Carnival leans into towel animal culture, and I love it. Towel animals are a long-standing cruise ship tradition: Room stewards fold hand and bath towels into animal shapes and leave them in your cabin during housekeeping service.

Some favorite animal shapes include a stingray, romantic swans, a monkey and an elephant. Often, your cabin steward will add some of your personal items to the display for a little flair (like a hat or sunglasses).

On Carnival Freedom (and on all Carnival ships), the towel animal fun extended beyond our cabin. The morning of one of our port calls, we discovered much of the pool decks were taken over by towel animals and other characters. Fluffy friends lined the edge of the pool and sat on many of the loungers. A couple of towel "crew members" even took a rest on the Lido Deck. It was fun to walk around the decks and see the variety of characters. The spectacle was a draw for lots of other passengers, too, especially the kids.

If you also fall in love with the adorable towel critters, you can learn to make your own towel animals at home during the Towel-Folding Fun activity held in the Victoriana Theater. Look for the activity on your daily schedule.

What I didn't love about Carnival Freedom

Lack of in-cabin electrical outlets.

I chided myself as soon as I entered my cabin and saw the sad, single outlet at the desk — because I knew better. I learned from my recent sailing on another older ship, Carnival Sunshine , that I should always bring a power strip when I sail because one outlet is not enough. (Shopper beware: You cannot bring a power strip with a surge protector, as they're banned on ships .)

The desk area only included one U.S.-style 110V plug and one European-style 220V plug, and the nightstands on each side of the bed did not include them at all. Also, our chargers did not want to stay connected to the outlets and kept falling out and disconnecting the charge. We solved the problem by slipping the TV remote control under the charger to keep it in place. It wasn't ideal, but it worked.

Photography sets were obtrusive

I understand cruise-ship photography is a necessary money-maker for cruise lines, and passengers will often shell out the extra cash for these visual mementos of their cruise vacation. However, the set-up of the photo backdrops, equipment and props oftentimes created a traffic jam along the Promenade thoroughfare from the Alchemy Bar to the casino on Deck 5.

Throughout the day and into the evening, a handful of photography stations took up about half of the width of the walkway, leaving little room for passengers trying to get from point A to point B. It didn't help that the popular JavaBlue Cafe was situated along that corridor. Passengers didn't seem to understand the concept of lining up along the side and not across the main walkway, adding to the congestion.

I do appreciate that Carnival seems to have moved away from roving photographers disrupting your evening meal, as is still the case with other cruise lines. We enjoyed a peaceful main dining experience on both nights of our Carnival Freedom sailing.

Carnival Freedom cabins and suites

Carnival Freedom offers a variety of cabins and suites to suit any price point, from windowless inside cabins to ocean-facing balcony rooms and suites. I stayed in a balcony cabin located near the back of the ship.

Overall, my cabin was fine, even though it sported Carnival's older decor and furnishings. The standard cabins on board do not continue the bold design choices throughout the ship. Instead, my minimalist room had beige walls and navy patterned carpeting.

I noticed a few nicks in the furniture and cabinets, and the finish had worn off a couple of drawer knobs. A permanent indention in the love seat cushion reflected its consistent use over the years, and the two storage drawers at the seat's base were tricky to open. (The drawers were a good size, though, and I appreciated the extra storage.)

Additionally, the lamp on the back of the love seat was broken — the shade was off the frame, and it was missing the lamp cap to hold the shade in place.

These minor niggles didn't bother me too much. More importantly, my room was cozy and clean, thanks to Wayan, our amiable and efficient room steward. Carnival reduced cabin cleaning service to just once a day from twice a day in 2022. However, Wayan was always close by for anything we needed.

My room, like all standard cabins on board, had a queen-size bed (that could be separated into two twins, if preferred). It was super comfortable, and I slept incredibly well every night. The bed was flanked by two one-drawer, one-shelf nightstands with a lamp on each. Beside the bed, the sitting area had a love seat, which you could pull out into a sofa bed. A small coffee table provided a good spot for a room service tray or my coffee cup.

Opposite the seating areas was a large wall unit with multiple drawers, cabinets and shelves. We had ample storage for all our belongings, including our extra electronics, cameras, cords and accessories.

The middle of the unit included a large desk and vanity with a lighted mirror and a small TV. The desk featured four drawers (one containing a small hair dryer for in-cabin use), a cabinet with a small safe and a minifridge. To lock or unlock the safe, you had to swipe a credit card or driver's license, which meant I had to keep one card outside the safe.

Three side-by-side closets were situated to the right of the desk, and one held extra bedding for the sofa bed. A motion-sensor light at the base of the closet made going to the bathroom in the middle of the night less of a tripping hazard.

Our small balcony held two chairs and a little table. It was nice, though we didn't spend much time there, as we spent the majority of our time exploring the ship.

The bathroom was basic but satisfactory. Three glass shelves on both sides of the mirror gave us plenty of toiletry storage, and an indentation on the vanity held a bar of soap. The shower was equipped with wall dispensers of shampoo and shower gel, as well as a retractable clothesline for drying swimwear. Plenty of towel racks held bath towels, hand towels and washcloths. Two hooks on the back of the door could hold wet bathing suits or towels you wish to reuse.

Most of Carnival Freedom's accommodations fall into one of three categories: windowless inside cabins, ocean-view cabins with a window that doesn't open and balcony cabins. The ship also offers around 194 connecting cabins for big families or groups who want to stay close during their cruise.

If you want extra space and more perks, book a suite on Carnival Freedom. You have 42 options across four categories — Junior Suites, Grand Suites, Captain's Suites and Ocean Suites — ranging from 275 square feet to 548 square feet. They come with full-size bathtubs and include other features like separate living spaces, bathrobes, walk-in closets, bathrooms with double sinks and private balconies (depending on which suite you choose).

Suite guests can enjoy varied perks, such as priority check-in and boarding and priority disembarkation on the final morning of their trip.

Carnival Freedom has 29 accessible cabins for guests using wheelchairs or with limited mobility. These cabins include features such as an accessible route from the door to the bed and clear floor space, as well as grab bars and shower seats in the bathrooms.

Related: The best cruise lines for wheelchair users and passengers with limited mobility

Carnival Freedom restaurants and bars

As mentioned above, Carnival consistently provides value to its customers through its quality food offerings. Complimentary dining abounds on Carnival Freedom, with a variety of cuisines. It's entirely possible to eat only food that's included in your cruise fare and not feel like you're missing out.

Restaurants

Carnival Freedom offers a solid selection of restaurants ranging from the included-in-your-fare Lido Marketplace buffet to the $90-per-person Chef's Table dining experience. I'm consistently impressed with the quality of food I've had on Carnival cruises, and this sailing was no exception. I did my best to sample as much as possible within my short four-night cruise.

Carnival Freedom has two sit-down main dining rooms: Posh Restaurant (on decks 3 and 4 at the back of the ship) and Chic Restaurant (on decks 3 and 4 midship). Posh is where those with fixed-time dining time will eat their meals, while Chic hosts passengers who've chosen Your Time Dining. Fixed-time seating options are 5:30 p.m. (early dining) or 7:45 p.m. (late dining).

We selected Your Time Dining, so we could dine any time between 5:15 and 9 p.m. When we were ready to eat, we checked in through Carnival's mobile app and received an alert when our table was ready. From check-in to being seated, we never waited more than 10 minutes on both evenings.

The menu featured a variety of international dishes like Asian chopped salad with chicken, enchiladas and frog legs Provencal. Carnival Freedom doesn't have a stand-alone Emeril's Bistro, the line's New Orleans-style restaurant spearheaded by famed chef Emeril Lagasse (currently on Carnival Celebration, Jubilee and Mardi Gras ). However, you can get a taste of Emeril's Bistro thanks to a couple of Emeril Selects items offered each night, including a fried tomatoes appetizer and coffee-glazed roast duck.

For an extra $30, you can also order a Bonsai Sushi ship and receive a large wooden boat topped with enough sushi to feed two people.

Both our main dining experiences were fantastic. One night, we kicked off dinner with bowls of Parched Pig Ale cheddar soup and minestrone. The cheddar soup was delicious. But then, I tasted the minestrone. Remember that scene in "Ratatouille" when the food critic takes a bite of the dish and is instantly transported back to his childhood? That's what it was like. I didn't have a nonna serving me a hot bowl of minestrone to cure my scraped knee, but that soup hit my soul.

We also noshed on expertly prepared herb-crusted salmon, pan-seared barramundi, prime rib and jerk spiced pork chops.

Whatever you order, make room for Carnival's signature warm chocolate melting cake . This chocolaty, gooey lava cake-type of dessert is a must-order. It's so good that the galley churns out around 1,400 of them a day per cruise.

Hot take: Our cruise director shared a popular Carnival passenger hack of ordering your chocolate lava cake with a side of peanut butter to mix in. Of course, I had to try it in the name of research. It was quite good, though I remain a lava cake purist and prefer it the original way.

In addition to top-notch meals, you can expect to be entertained. At some point during your meal, dining staff will trade in their trays for microphones and serenade the passengers. It's a Carnival cruise tradition. While the entertainers aren't professionals, you might be surprised by the hidden talents of your wait staff. We enjoyed an impressive version of "Sweet Caroline," and our maitre d' even took the lead the last evening with a heartfelt rendition of "Leaving on a Jet Plane."

A word of advice — do not miss a Sea Day Brunch on a Carnival cruise. This included-in-your-fare meal is served in the main dining room on sea days only (hence, the name). It's served from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Enjoy brunch dishes like eggs Benedict, huevos rancheros, made-to-order omelets, chicken and waffles, French toast and hamburgers. For an additional cost, order a fresh pressed juice ($5) or one of the specialty dishes like lobster Benedict ($19) or Emeril's Bistro 1396 shrimp and grits ($6). The main dining room is also open from 7:30 to 9 a.m. for breakfast on port days. It was not open for lunch during our cruise.

Guy's Burger Joint doesn't hold the same appeal for me as it does my husband, as I don't eat beef and the veggie patty here isn't great. However, without fail, it's his first meal on every Carnival sailing, and it always hits the spot for him. You'll find it on Deck 9 by the pool.

Guy's Burger Joint offers a set menu of burgers, as well as build-your-own options and fries. My husband ordered his burger "Straight Up" style — American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles —and he rated it favorably.

BlueIguana is my go-to embarkation day meal. This walk-up venue is situated opposite Guy's Burger. Passengers can order burritos, tacos and burrito bowls with a choice of protein (chicken, beef, shrimp) and various toppings. I opted for a grilled shrimp burrito bowl, with cilantro rice, fajita-style peppers, cheese, guacamole and pico de gallo. It hit the spot. If you can't wait until lunch to get your burrito fix, BlueIguana is open for breakfast, too.

The Lido Buffet (also called Freedom Restaurant) on Deck 9 is the ship's popular buffet restaurant, offering a good selection of dishes from early morning through late night. Breakfast offerings included scrambled or boiled eggs, beans, potatoes, varied pastries, fresh fruit and hot or cold cereal. For lunch, you'll find made-to-order deli sandwiches, international dishes, hot sides and a salad station.

Passengers often lined up at Mongolian Wok for freshly made Asian stir-fry dishes and Pizza Pirate , with a good selection of pies. Specialty pizzas like teriyaki chicken and Korean barbecue pizzas are offered daily for $6. (On other Carnival ships, the pizza joint might be Pizzeria del Capitano, Miami Slice or Coastal Slice, but the menus and recipes are all similar.)

While Freedom lacks a Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse outpost, you can still get your 'cue on at Ol' Fashioned BBQ, offering pork, beef and chicken barbecue and sides like mac-n-cheese, homemade cole slaw and molasses baked beans. Ol' Fashioned BBQ is found at the back of the buffet restaurant one floor up (on Deck 10). Look for the Statue of Liberty on the back wall and follow the steps on either side.

Additionally, soft-serve ice cream is available from 11 a.m. to midnight at self-serve Swirls on Lido Deck 9.

One of my "treat yourself" cruise rituals is taking advantage of room service one morning during every sailing. I can savor a cup of coffee at a leisurely pace while I nibble through fresh fruit and flaky croissants and pastries. On Carnival Freedom, continental breakfast delivery from 6 to 10 a.m. is included in your fare.

The ship's all-day menu features a la carte dishes like salads, sandwiches, chicken tenders and wings and a handful of desserts. Prices range from $3 (for a giant cookie) to $9 (Caesar salad topped with pan-seared salmon).

Carnival Freedom lacks the variety of specialty dining options you'll find on other ships (such as Cucina del Capitano , JiJi Asian Kitchen and a sit-down Bonsai Sushi restaurant). Your choices on this ship are limited to Sun King Steakhouse, the Chef's Table and two casual walk-up venues, Bonsai Sushi Express and Seafood Shack.

We dined at Sun King Steakhouse on our first night. I loved the restaurant's decor. It gave an almost regal vibe with glittering chandeliers, ornate gold trim, rich woods, deep red carpet and blue ceilings with a fleur de lis pattern. I particularly loved the oversize three-candled sconces mounted on red velvet within a gilded frame. Even before I tasted my first bite, the elevated atmosphere made me feel like I was in for a truly special dining experience.

Both the food and service at Sun King Steakhouse were outstanding. Our servers were attentive and friendly without being intrusive. My Caesar salad was delicious. The dressing had a hint of anchovy flavor, which is something I look for as the hallmark of an authentic Caesar salad. My lobster tail was broiled to perfection, accompanied by steamed broccoli and Yukon gold mashed potatoes. My husband ordered the beef carpaccio, filet mignon and a young lettuce salad. I snagged a taste of his salad, and the shipmade ranch dressing was quite possibly the best I've ever had.

We concluded our meal with the decadent chocolate sphere dessert, with an entertaining presentation. The cocoa cream custard was deconstructed before our eyes when our server poured warm chocolate sauce over a hollow chocolate globe to reveal the custard.

Sun King Steakhouse costs $49 per person for adults. Kids ages 11 and younger eat for $15 per person.

We hit the Seafood Shack for dinner one night and ordered the fish and chips ($8). The fish was flaky, and the breading was light and crispy. I regret not ordering the crab legs, though. I saw several people enjoying them, and hard to argue with the $22 price tag for a pound of crab legs.

Other added-fee dining options I did not try include a Bonsai Sushi Express outpost (near the back of the Lido Buffet), serving a limited menu of sushi, sashimi and rolls like California or tempura rolls. Prices range from $1.50 (per piece of sushi or sashimi) to $7.50 (per roll).

The Chef's Table tasting experience takes place in a small dining room to the right as you enter the Chic Restaurant. It's an intimate multicourse meal hosted by the executive chef. Diners also enjoy a predinner galley tour and tasting. The cost is $90 per person.

Carnival Freedom is home to nine bars and lounges, from sunny poolside watering holes to cozy lounges. Drinks are priced individually unless you have a Cheers drink package that includes alcohol.

The Alchemy Bar is my favorite Carnival cruise ship bar. On Deck 5, this creative cocktail bar is designed to resemble an apothecary, offering botanical-forward "elixirs" and "remedies" like the Cucumber Sunrise, the Purple Sunset and Hearts of Fire.

Alchemy Bar mixologists are worth their weight in margarita salt, too. Want to go off-menu but not sure what you want? Tell the bartender which spirits and flavors you like, and they'll make you something special. When I asked about the vat of strawberry-infused vodka at the back of the bar, our bartender whipped me up a cocktail with it, adding a couple of my favorite cocktail elements, lavender and gin. It did not disappoint.

Across from the Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Pub was a chill spot to enjoy various rum drinks, beer and other beverages. On embarkation day, it was fairly empty, making it an ideal place to escape the Lido Deck frenzy. However, during the rest of the sailing, it came to life with live bands each night.

I'm a music nerd who's also a sucker for audience participation, and Scott's Piano Bar checked both boxes for me. Our singer/pianist was talented and hilarious, performing in a packed lounge every night. Zero-proof cocktails are also available here. I tried The Entertainer, and it was refreshing — I didn't miss the alcohol. (Alcohol-free cocktails weren't always listed separately on Freedom's bar menus. However, your bartender will always make you a zero-proof option if you ask.)

Other spots on Carnival Freedom to chill out with an adult beverage include Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, Centuries Bar (in the Babylon Casino), the Habana Bar and the Atrium Bar. On the Lido Deck, both the RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar also saw a lot of action during our four-night sailing. Additionally, a convenient pour-your-own-beer station is in the Lido buffet area. Use your Sail & Sign card to purchase a glass of the line's Parched Pig IPA.

If free standard coffee from the buffet isn't your jam, get your caffeine fix at JavaBlue Cafe. You'll find it on Deck 5 between RedFrog Pub and the casino. Choose among boozy coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, tea, blended frappes and milkshakes. Prices range from $1.95 (for brewed coffee) to $6.50 (for spiked options). If the line is too long at JavaBlue (which was often the case during our cruise), you can order the same coffee drinks at the casino bar (just a few steps away).

Carnival Freedom activities

Fun in the sun is a priority on Caribbean cruises, and Carnival Freedom's upper decks are the spot for that. Each sunny day lured loads of passengers to the Lido Deck pool and two hot tubs. It was a buzzy area but never seemed uncomfortably crowded with passengers. There was ample seating around the pool, above the two hot tubs, and beside the waterslide area. Loungers filled up pretty early in the morning, but I didn't notice many chair hogs holding a spot with a beach towel until they returned an hour later. You could find a bit of shade on either side of the main pool, but most people seemed to prefer the sunshine.

Passengers can splash and slide until their heart's content at the ship's WaterWorks water park, with two waterslides and a kiddie splash zone. The ship's poolside Dive-in Movies were popular during our sailing, too. Passengers often filled loungers to watch "Mean Girls," "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," "Wish" and other films.

Other outdoor activities can be found at the SportSquare area on Deck 11, which features basketball and pickleball courts, minigolf, ping-pong and foosball.

On decks 11 and 12, the ship's adults-only Serenity Deck area provided a quiet spot where passengers 21-plus could enjoy a plunge pool, hot tub, bar, loungers and cabanas. The pool was a popular spot during our sailing, but even with a fair amount of people there, it was a pretty chill atmosphere. Loungers were always available.

Active cruisers who need a break from the sun will find almost limitless indoor activities to occupy time on board Carnival Freedom. Free events like towel animal folding demonstrations, spa pampering parties and karaoke drew consistent crowds. Additionally, the Atrium constantly buzzed with trivia competitions and "guess the song" games.

I jumped into a Creativity at Sea craft session held in the Atrium. We received blank note cards with envelopes, Carnival-themed sticker sheets and stick-on gems. The activity came in clutch for me. I forgot to pack a thank you note for our cabin steward, so I made one for him. I included an additional gratuity and gave it to him on our last day.

For-fee activities like Build-A-Bear Workshop and $5,000 Jackpot Bingo are available. You can also test Lady Luck at the Babylon Casino (Deck 5), with table games like roulette, craps, poker and blackjack, as well as a good selection of slot machines. While I'm not a casino girl, I didn't mind walking through and checking it out. Unlike previous ship casinos, Carnival Freedom's casino wasn't overly smoke-filled. I couldn't determine if it was because fewer people were smoking or the ventilation was just especially effective. Either way, it was a nice change.

Additionally, the Behind the Fun Tour offers cruisers a guided tour of the kitchen galley, the ship's bridge, the backstage of Victoriana Theater, and crew areas like the mess hall and laundry. The cost is $130 per person. You can book it at the Shore Excursions desk. We got to experience a portion of the tour with a galley tasting and bridge tour, and both were fun. I'd be tempted to shell out the $130 for a full tour.

The '80s Rock-n-Glow Party is one of my favorite activities on board any Carnival cruise (and based on attendance, it's a favorite for many cruisers). This lively top-deck celebration features the best '80s tunes, costumed crew members (and passengers), glow sticks and lots of dancing. If you want to go all in, plan to pack your best neon duds and join the fun.

It's easy to make new friends at one of the ship's mixers, offered at various times throughout the cruise. Scheduled get-togethers for singles, LGBTQ+ cruisers, 18- to 20-year-olds and 40-plus passengers were well attended.

Karaoke took place in the Habana Bar (Deck 4) and drew a packed crowd each time. Other places to spend time on board include an arcade called The Warehouse (Deck 5), offering video games for a fee.

While shopping options aren't extensive on Carnival Freedom, you'll find a handful of places to spend your money. Among them are the Fun Shops for Carnival-branded souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, liquor and fragrances, and Cherry On Top, offering a solid range of sweet treats. The ship's art gallery is on Deck 3, but special art auctions were held in the '70s Nightclub (Deck 5),

Families can take advantage of included-in-your-fare childcare in Carnival's Camp Ocean program on Deck 12. Here, the youngest cruisers can participate in supervised activities, divided into age-based groups: Penguins (2 to 5 years), Stingrays (6 to 8 years) and Sharks (9 to 11 years). Engaging activities range from free Zumbini classes (for Penguins) to lively scavenger hunts (Sharks). The ship also features Bookville, a reading room and play space that hosts story hours and Seuss-themed crafts.

Added-fee drop-off programming is available for the youngest cruisers (Turtles, up to 1 year). It costs $7.50 per child, per hour, plus an 18% service charge. Parents can also make use of the onboard Night Owls childcare for children 6 months to 11 years. It's available each evening from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. and costs $8.85 per hour, per child, including an 18% service charge.

On Deck 4, tweens and teens have their own hangouts and designated activities. Circle C is for the 12-14 set, with events like group games, dance parties and outdoor movies. The Circle C space has a futuristic feel, with metal walls and a minimalist design.

Club O2 is for cruisers ages 15 to 17 and offers a chance for older teens to chill out together, play sports and games, and make new friends during group activities. The ship's modern atmosphere extends to Club 02 with its bold red tiled floor, sleek red chairs and metal accents.

Families sailing with younger kids shouldn't miss the Seuss-A-Palooza Parade and Story Time. On Carnival Freedom it kicked off at the International Lounge (Deck 5) with a lively parade led by the cruise director (Lizzie), Cat in the Hat, Sam I Am, Thing 1 and Thing 2. Parade-goers chanted and marched through the ship's main thoroughfare, eventually making their way to Victoriana Theater for the storytime. (Note that the parade route takes you down two staircases by the Atrium. If you have strollers, plan to pick them up or take an alternate route to the theater.)

Add to your Seuss experience at sea with the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast ($15 per adult and $10 per child aged 14 and under), held in one of the main dining rooms. You get to chow down on "green eggs and ham," pancakes, French toast, "Moose Juice" and other whimsical dishes inspired by Seuss' books. The characters hang out for meet-and-greets and photo ops.

Spa Carnival on Deck 11 is the place to go for vacation pampering. Here, passengers will find ample therapies and treatments — from stone and deep tissue massages to acupuncture and other traditional Chinese techniques. Additionally, the spa offers hair and nail services, facials and medispa treatments. On embarkation day, I booked a 75-minute deep tissue Swedish massage for one of the port days and received an extra 25 minutes for booking the first day.

I've enjoyed a good number of massages throughout the years, and this treatment landed firmly in my top five. As with all cruise ship spa treatments, you'll endure a post-massage sales pitch on products you need to buy to continue your health regimen. A firm but polite "no thank you" usually does the trick.

The cost for a 75-minute deep tissue massage is $229. It's $299 for 100 minutes unless you score the free extra minutes on embarkation day.

The fitness center had a variety of just about any exercise equipment you need to keep your workout routine while you cruise. It's free to use, but you can pay extra for instructor-led classes like Pilates, yoga or indoor cycling. If you're the outdoorsy fitness type, the jogging track is on the top deck (nine laps equals about one mile).

Accessibility considerations on board include accessible elevators at each elevator bank and a chair lift at the main pool. Carnival Freedom is also a certified "sensory inclusive" ship, with trained crew to assist passengers who have sensory and cognitive needs. Guests can obtain sensory bags from the guest services desk or at one of the youth program venues. Each bag contains items to help calm, relax and manage sensory overload — noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, a lanyard that helps the staff easily identify a guest and other items.

Carnival Freedom shows

The Victoriana Theater (decks 3, 4 and 5) was home to stage productions, comedy performances and game shows during our sailing. I'm a real show nerd and attending Carnival's Playlist Productions shows is always one of my top priorities when I cruise with the line. I'm consistently impressed with the level of talent the cast members possess, and Freedom's '80s Pop to the Max show was no exception.

The show featured a variety of popular tunes from the 1980s, with colorful lights and digital elements like a giant Max Headroom-type character filling the screen behind the performers. It was a fun, high-energy show, and the talented performers did an amazing job.

Married couples are the focus of the ship's "Love and Marriage" show, which is also held in Victoriana Theater. The contestants are three couples in various stages of wedded bliss. During our show, one couple had gotten married the day before, while another couple was celebrating 49 years together. The cruise director asked them a series of questions, and the goal of each couple was to match answers.

A note of warning: The couples' answers are impromptu and not always PG, so leave the kids in Club Ocean unless you want to have the "birds and bees" conversation during your cruise vacation.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how gorgeous the Victoriana Theater is. It had such a historic theater vibe, with deep red and gold decor, a grand chandelier and late-Renaissance style artwork. Small tables that lined the theater seating were painted with artwork that matched the art on the walls. It was lovely.

We took in a Punchliner Comedy show in the International Lounge on Deck 5 (additional comedy shows took place in the ship's main Victoriana Theater). The featured comedienne was an absolute hoot, and almost every seat in the lounge was filled. A couple of shows were offered each night — a 7:30 or 8:30 p.m. (PG) set for families and a 10 or 10:30 p.m. (R, 18-plus) show for adults.

Carnival Freedom also hosted a good amount of live music throughout various venues on the ship, including RedFrog Pub, the Atrium and the casino.

Carnival Freedom itineraries and pricing

Carnival Freedom sails four- and five-night voyages from Port Canaveral, Florida (near Orlando), to the Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean. Itineraries include such ports as Nassau and Bimini in the Bahamas; and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. The ship also visits exclusive destinations, including Princess Cays, sister line Princess Cruises' 40-acre private beach area on Eleuthera in the Bahamas, and Celebration Key, Carnival's 65-acre private destination on the south side of Grand Bahama (opening in July 2025).

At the time of publication, the least expensive price for a sailing was $369 per person for a four-night Bahamas cruise departing in either January or February 2025.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

If you're a U.S. citizen on a cruise that begins and ends in a U.S. port, you must have a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to sail. A passport card is also acceptable.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the last day of your cruise.

Important note: The name on your reservation must be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. We recommend you check Carnival's website before you sail for the most recent updates on requirements.

Carnival adds an automatic service gratuity of $14.50 to $16.50 per person, per day to final bills, depending on the cabin category. Children under the age of 2 are exempt.

If you are not satisfied with the service you received, you can adjust the amount at the Guest Services desk before disembarking. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills and the cover charge of the Chef's Table.

Related: 7 people you should always tip on a cruise

The Wi-Fi on Carnival Freedom worked well. I had no issues connecting from my laptop, FaceTiming my family or accessing social media. Pricing changes over time, but the fastest "premium" service on Carnival Freedom was recently priced at $21.25 per person, per day.

Other packages available for a Freedom sailing include the less expensive "social" plan that only allows access to key social networking sites (Facebook, X, Instagram, etc.) and messaging services such as WhatsApp for $15.30 a day. A slightly more expensive "value" plan, at $19.55 per day, adds access to email and most websites. If you pay for a plan prior to sailing, you'll receive a discount.

Related: Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi? A line-by-line guide to internet access at sea

Carry-on drinks policy

You can bring one bottle of wine or Champagne (per person) onto the ship at boarding and up to a dozen standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks such as sodas.

Nonalcoholic drinks in glass or plastic bottles are not permitted. If you want to bring the wine or Champagne to an onboard restaurant or bar to drink, you'll incur a $15 corkage fee. Drinks brought on board must be carried in your carry-on luggage.

Smoking policy

On Carnival Freedom, smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas and in the casino. Smoking is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

While cigarette smoking is allowed in the casino, according to Carnival's website, you must be seated and playing to smoke in the casino. Smoking is not permitted there when the casino is closed. Smoking is allowed in designated areas on Deck 3 (forward) and Deck 10 (starboard side, midship). Cigars and pipes are only permitted on Deck 10 (starboard side, midship).

Self-service launderettes are on three decks aboard Carnival Freedom: Deck 1 (across from cabin 1359), Deck 6 (across from cabin 6387) and Deck 8 (across from cabin 8351). Each launderette has washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. There's a $3.25-per-load charge to use a washer or dryer. The launderettes also have vending machines stocked with small boxes of detergent and fabric softener at $1.50 per box. If you just need a quick press, smaller ironing rooms are on Deck 2 (across from 2367), Deck 7 (across from 7339) and Deck 9 (across from 9270).

You can also opt for extra-charge valet laundry and dry-cleaning service, which your cabin steward will handle for you. Expect to pay per piece, with prices running from $2 (for an undergarment or pair of socks) to $15 (for a two-piece suit).

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

Electrical outlets

As I already mentioned, Carnival Freedom cabins have one standard North American-style 110-volt outlet and one European-style 220-volt outlet. Bring a power strip if you need more than that.

The currency used on Carnival Freedom is the U.S. dollar. However, the ship operates on a "cashless system," so any onboard purchases you make will automatically post to your onboard account. You'll receive a Sail & Sign card that you can use to make charges. (This same card also functions as your ship I.D. and a keycard to get you into your cabin.) You'll need to provide a credit card (or put cash down) to cover your final charges.

Drinking age

Passengers must be 21 to drink alcohol on Carnival Freedom.

There is no specific dress code during the day on Freedom, so people dress casually. Beach attire is the norm for sea days, and if you plan to spend your day on the top deck, plan to dress in T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside).

Although there's an official dress code for the evenings, it's pretty laid-back. Most nights are designated "cruise casual," which includes khakis or jeans, polo shirts and sundresses. Super casual clothing like cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts aren't permitted.

On a four-night Bahamas itinerary on Carnival Freedom, you'll have one "cruise elegant" night where the suggested attire for men is dress slacks and a dress shirt; sports coats and suits are optional. The suggested attire for women on such nights is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses. If you don't want to dress up, you can choose a more casual dinner venue, but dress code enforcement in Carnival dining rooms tends to be lax.

Bottom line

The food was excellent, the activities and shows were fun, and the crew worked hard to ensure everyone on board was having the best time possible. The decor might have been over-the-top and moody, but it somehow still offered a budget-style opulence that was fun and interesting.

For those seeking a warm-weather cruise getaway that doesn't bust your budget on a fun and lively ship, Carnival Freedom should be on your list.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

• Food & Drink
• How to Plan
• Shore Excursions
• Onboard Activities
• What to Expect

Best Bars and Lounges Onboard Carnival Radiance

By Carnival Cruise Line

Step aboard Carnival Radiance™ , and you’ll instantly feel relaxed and ready to head where the balmy breezes blow and crystal-clear waters beckon. This crowd-pleasing cruise ship is built for fun, with plenty of food, drink and entertainment for guests of all ages. Get ready to make some fantastic memories on Carnival Radiance, as you sail to Mexico , Puerto Rico, or any number of delightful Caribbean islands in between.

For adults over 21 looking to kick back with their favorite cocktails, there are plenty of options onboard. As your cruise from Galveston sets sail, take the time to visit some of the best bars available on the high seas.

RedFrog Pub

RedFrog Pub is destined to be your new favorite bar. It’s designed to feel just like your neighborhood pub — if your neighborhood were privy to the sunsets of Key West, that is.

Kick back in these tropical digs and sample snacks from the Caribbean-inspired menu, or grab a beer and hit the foosball table, if you’re feeling competitive. Be sure to try RedFrog’s flagship brew: Thirsty Frog Red™. True to its namesake, this is a refreshing red ale that perfectly balances hops and malt.

RedFrog Rum Bar

No cruise to the Caribbean is complete without sipping some rum, and we’ve got the perfect place to get started. RedFrog Rum Bar is the poolside version of RedFrog Pub, where you never have to decide between diving into the pool or into your next drink.

With 10 featured rums and plenty of pitchers of beer, margaritas and spiked lemonade available, it can be hard to choose a favorite. For a delicious cocktail, try the signature Red’s Rum Treasure , a delectable blend of rum, pineapple, guava and nutmeg.

Alchemy Bar

As you cruise from Galveston, you deserve to be pampered, and Alchemy Bar is the ideal place. Our professional team of mixologists will concoct the perfect cocktail for your vacation vibes. To get you in the spirit, try the Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini .

Not sure that’s the drink for you? Alchemy Bar offers martinis in tasting sizes , so you can sample several before you settle on a favorite.

BlueIguana Tequila Bar

So you’re on a cruise to Grand Cayman and you’re craving some Mexican flavors. Now what? Head to BlueIguana Tequila Bar , where you can choose from a dozen signature tequilas and all your favorite Mexican brews. Poolside margaritas are a classic choice, or you can try one of BlueIguana’s amazing tequila cocktails.

Whatever you do, don’t head home without trying Blue’s Corona Extra Michelada . This spicy beer cocktail comes in a glass with a salted rim and is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted.

Are you the type of person who can’t help singing along to your favorite tunes? Then welcome to Piano Bar , the interactive entertainment spot where the live music plays well into the night. Just request your favorites and be prepared to make new friends as you all raise your voices — and your glasses. There are plenty of beers and cocktails to choose from, or you can treat yourself to a perfectly layered shooter. Be sure to try The Duet , a sweet combination of coffee tequila and Irish Cream. Yum!

Drinking Packages and Activities

If being handed a perfect drink ever gets old, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy yourself with adult beverages aboard Carnival Radiance. If you’re something of a drink guru yourself, enter the Mixologist Competition .

You’ll have access to an incredibly wide array of rum, tequila and more, as you stir up your favorite original drink. This is your chance to get creative and earn some bragging rights. If your cocktail is the winner, it will be available for everyone to try at the ship’s bars during your cruise.

Are you a wine lover at heart? Ask your dining room server about the Cruise the Vineyards package, which allows you to enjoy an array of wine from all over the world at a discount.

Also, for anyone who wants to enjoy the freedom of ordering a drink without worrying about the bill, the Cheers! drinking package is a must. This pre-paid bar package lets you enjoy nearly anything on the bar menu at a great flat rate, so skip the math and have some fun!

Getting the Most Out of Your Carnival Vacation

There’s nothing like cruising to a gorgeous destination to let the weight of the world slide off your shoulders. So go ahead and indulge in that icy beer or delicious cocktail. Step into any of the excellent Carnival Radiance bars, and you’ll be well on your way to paradise.

Related articles

What to expect.

https://www.carnival.com/cruise-ships.aspx

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

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If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

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