carnival cruise restaurant hours

• Today's Deals
• Sign Up & Save!

• Top Cruise Destinations
• Alaska Cruises
• Bahamas Cruises
• Bermuda Cruises
• Caribbean Cruises
• Europe Cruises
• Mexico Cruises
• 1.800.764.7419

Never Miss a Cruise Deal

• Thank you for signing up! 
• Click here to learn more about our specials.

Have Fun. Be Safe

• Health Protocols and Requirements for Sailing

Travel Documentation and Online Check-in

• Travel Documents
• Online Check-In

Getting There

• Cruise Terminal Information and Parking
• Airport and Pier Transportation
• Air Information

Before You Board

• Embarkation Day Check-In

Youth and Family

• Youth Programs (Under 2 and 2-11 years old)
• Teen Programs (12-17 years old)
• Carnival's Seuss at Sea
• Age Policies

Things to Know

Onboard experiences.

• Shore - Excursions
• Spa and Fitness
• Outdoor Fun
• Entertainment and Activities
• For Your Convenience
• Onboard Guidelines and Policies
• Past Guest Recognition Programs

Onboard Celebrations

• The Fun Shops
• Special Occasions
• Wedding Cruises and Vow Renewals

Dining and Beverages

• Dining and Snacking Options
• Dining Rooms
• CHEERS! Beverage Program
• Liquor and Beverage Policy

Onboard Communication

• WI FI Service and Carnivals HUB App
• Staying Connected

Money and Gratuities

• Gratuities (Tips)
• Sail & Sign Onboard Account
• Forms of Payment
• Cruise Cash/Bar/Photo
• Financial Access

Shipboard Health and Safety

• Passenger Bill of Rights
• Guest Screening Policy
• Safety and Security
• Safety Briefing - Muster Station Drill
• General Health Information
• Privacy Notice
• What to Pack
• Cruise Ticket Contract
• Carnival Vacation Protection
• Guests with Disabilities
• Choosing Your Cruise
• Tech Support
• Early Saver Promotion
• Minors / Infants / Pregnancy
• Making changes to your booking
• Carnival EasyPay
• Financing Powered by Uplift
• US Department of State Travel Tips
• And more things to know....

Debarkation - After Your Cruise

• Preparing to Go Home
• Post Cruise Inquiries

Casual Dining in the Lido Restaurant

Like your meals low-key? You are in luck because there are a lot of options for casual. Try the Lido Restaurant. Grab some delicious food and sit anywhere you like … fancy an ocean view? Then there is the Pizzeria. It is open practically all day and night so it’s perfect for those late, late night cravings. Note: Hours may vary among ships due to itineraries, sea days and port days. Breakfast Buffet 7:30am – noon Lunch Buffet and Specialty Stations 12:00pm – 2:30pm Pizzeria 9:00am - 4:00am Carnival Deli 11:00am – 11:00pm Dinner 6:00pm – 9:30pm Good Eats: Late Night Snack Late night (hours may vary each cruise due to different factors)

Swirls, Self-Serve Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt 11:00am - midnight

Was this answer helpful?

Answers others found helpful.

• What Does the Price of my Cruise Include?
• For Your Eating Pleasure...
• Staying On Board on Port Days
• 24 Hour Room Service
• Specialty Restaurants - Dining Reservation Information

PLAN A CRUISE

• Search Cruises
• Travel Agent Finder
• Weddings & Occasions

• Carnival Mastercard
• Away We Go Blog

Group Travel

• Group Shore Excursions

Already Booked

• Manage My Cruises
• Shore Excursions
• In-Room Gifts & Shopping
• Spa & Salon Services
• Internet Plans
• Beverage Packages

• Airport Transportation

Customer Service

• Have Fun. Be Safe.
• Early Saver Price Protection Form
• Lowest Price Guarantee
• Post-Cruise Inquiries
• Legal Notices for EU & UK Guests
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

About Carnival

• Passenger Bill Of Rights

• Legal Notices  
• Privacy & Cookies  
• Site Map  

• © Carnival Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Ultimate Menu Guide to Carnival’s Main Dining Room

Doug Parker

• March 12, 2019

The main dining rooms on Carnival Cruise Line’s ships are a staple for guests. They add to the overall cruise experience, as cruisers generally value food and service.

Carnival’s dining rooms consist of varied menus and experienced and attentive staff. Having dinner in the main dining room (otherwise known as MDR to the seasoned cruiser) is a three-course affair.

Should you choose not to eat in the main dining room, you’ll also have plenty of other options, free or for fee, around the ship, as various dining venues are available. In other words, you will not be hungry during your sea vacation.

This menu guide to Carnival’s Main Dining Room will provide insightful information about where to dine, what dishes to eat, and an overview of the cruise line’s main dining rooms!

Where it’s Located

Carnival offers both Set-Time Dining and Time Dining, which gives guests more flexibility, making it an excellent option for those who don’t necessarily want to be on a set schedule.

READ MORE: 31 Carnival Main Dining Room Tips

Most Carnival ships have two dining rooms, but although the Spirit-class ships ( Carnival Pride , Carnival Spirit , Carnival Legend , and Carnival Miracle ) have only one dining room, they still offer traditional Set-Time and Your Time Dining options.

Carnival’s signature “Sea Day Brunch” is also served in one of the main dining rooms. Because of its popularity, it’s typically served in the larger dining room, which is located in the aft (back).

What to Expect in the Main Dining Room

Now and then, Carnival tinkers with the menus. O ne thing’s for sure, though: any change, no matter how small, will surely be appreciated by guests.

Given that Carnival ensures that people have a great experience, they take the feedback they receive on changes very seriously.

Currently, the Carnival fleet offers two separate menus: the American Table menu and the American Feast menu.

• American Table : This is your typical main dining room menu with a selection of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. This is the rotating menu you’ll find each cruise night, except on formal nights.

• American Feast : This is the menu offered in the main dining room on formal nights, and it’s not all that different from the American Table menu. This menu will be provided once or twice per cruise, depending on the length of your sailing. Formal nights are also the only evenings in which tablecloths are used in the main dining rooms.

Menu Download

• Download a sample American Table menu here
• Download a sample American Feast menu here

The experience usually takes 90 or so minutes. If you are crunched for time, you should consider eating dinner at the Lido deck buffet or another venue offering a more casual experience.

Dining Times

Carnival offers two different dining programs, and you’ll generally select one when you book your cruise. Traditional Dining, which allows you to eat at the same table with the same people at the same time each night, is generally served at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Your Time dining lets you decide what time you’d like to eat. But be aware that because Your Time dining is in demand, you must request this option as soon as possible.

If it is unavailable on your sailing, recheck it once you’re on board to see if there are openings.

In 2020, Carnival moved on its HUB app to allow guests to check in for Your Time dining and receive an alert when the table is ready. This avoids the long lines at the entrance of the dining room.

• Pros and Cons of Traditional Dining vs. Your Time Dining

What should I wear?

Carnival breaks dinner up into two evenings: cruise casual and cruise elegant.

Carnival’s website says the main dining room does not permit cut-off jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, tee shirts, gym or basketball shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops, or bathing suit attire.

For men, they may wear khakis, collared shirts, and dress slacks suits in the main dining room. Tuxedos, a sports coat, and a tie are not required. However, cruise elegance is a great photo opportunity, and you can dress as fancy as you’d like.

Carnival also lists jeans forbidden for elegant evenings, but in our experience, they tend to look the other way as long as the jeans are excellent. You can read their dining room dress code policy here .

Summer dresses, blouses, casual dresses, pantsuits, and capris are all acceptable for casual cruise nights.

Carnival Main Dining Room Menu Explained

The menu in the main dining room is pretty straightforward, but it can be overwhelming, given all the options available.

Since we know a lot of people want to know at least the basics of what will be available, we thought it might be helpful to take a look at both the American Table and American Feast offerings and break down the menus.

Keep in mind that selections change periodically, so what you’ll find below is more an example of what you’ll discover than a written-in-stone guide.

If you’re the type of person who loves kicking things off with an appetizer (or three), Carnival’s menus have you covered. Generally speaking, you’ll find about 10 different options in Carnival, with the always-popular shrimp cocktail available every night.

Some of the other tasty treats they offer to start your meal include:

• Fried Calamari
• Chilled Vietnamese Roll
• Strawberry Bisque
• Smoked Chicken Quesadillas with salsa
• Smoked Poblano and Corn Soup
• A variety of salads

Dishes to Try

While this is one of our favorite menu sections, it’s not for everyone. However, what you’ll find here are items that, as the name suggests, aren’t exactly everyday fare.

Found just beneath the appetizers, you never know precisely what you’ll discover. But for folks who are open to trying something new, this is a tasty option.

Some items you will find on this menu are:

• Blood Sausage
• Escargot (snails)
• Alligator Tail
• BBQ Pulled Wild Boar
• Philadephia Pepper Pot (with Honeycomb Tripe)
• Braised Frog Legs

READ MORE: Carnival Cruise Food Reviews

Nightly Entree Menu

When it comes to entrees, you’ll find plenty of options from both land and sea. The portion sizes are generous, but don’t be shy if you want to order two entrees.

As with every menu section, you can order as much as you like. If there’s one department in which the menus might be lacking, it’s the vegetarian options.

Some of the entrees you’ll find on the menu include:

• Veal Parmesan
• Pan-Seared Tilapia
• Rosemary Lamb Shank
• Southern Fried Chicken
• Salmon Cakes
• Crisp Portobello Mushrooms
• A Featured Indian Vegetarian dish (lentils, basmati rice, papadam, and raita)

If you want prime rib and lobster, you’ll find them on the American Feast menu. So yes, you’ll have to dress up if you wish to have your lobster!

From the Grill Menu

If none of the regularly listed entrees appeal to you on any given night, give this section a look. It offers some great selections and a bit of variety with the two main items — the beef and fish selections — usually changing daily.

Like the other menu sections we’ve discussed, these are complimentary. People sometimes confuse these for the upcharge items, which we’ll discuss a little bit later on.

Here are some menu items you’ll find on the From The Grill menu:

• Salmon Filet: Citrus and pepper rubbed salmon served with broccoli, carrots, and red potatoes
• Flat Iron Steak: Cooked with herbs and peppers, served with broccoli and baked potato
• Chicken Breast: Roasted with garlic and herbs, served with peas and carrots with red potatoes
• Pork Chop: Cooked with caramelized onions and served with stewed apples and mashed potatoes

The beef dish comes with a selection of BBQ Sauce, Béarnaise, Peppercorn, or Wild Mushroom sauce.

Side Dishes

Every night, you’ll find six sides offered at the bottom of the main dining room menu. These are served in addition to whatever sides you have with your meal.

They’re individual-sized, not family-style. So, if you’re the kind of person who likes a whole lot of creamed spinach with your beef, make it a double order.

The selections can vary nightly, but they typically include items such as these:

• Baked Potato
• Broccoli, Carrots, and Onions
• Mac n’ Cheese with Bacon
• French Fries
• Ratatouille
• Creamed Spinach

Port of Call Menu

The port menus are unique to every destination. This can be found in the regular menu, which gives you information about the port of call. Some days, this section will feature a specific port, depending on your itinerary and sea days.

Sample Port of Call Menus 

• Download a sample St. Maarten Port of Call Menu 
• Download a sample Eastern Caribbean Port of Call Menu

Here’s an example of what you might find on the port of call menu.

Port: St. Maarten

The whole island is known for its excellent cuisine, partly due to its French influences. Creole, French, and West Indian cooking are particularly renowned. Many other nationalities have influenced the fare of St. Maarten because of its heavily diverse roots.

• Featured Drink:  Island Martini. A refreshing mix of Bacardi Limon, Pineapple, and Orange Juices, and a touch of Grenadine. $9.50
• Featured Appetizer:  Caribbean Bouillabaisse. Local Fish and Seafood in a Saffron Broth with Tomato, Fennel, and Sauce Rouille.
• Featured Entree:  Coq au vin. Chicken Marinated and Cooked in Red Burgundy Wine with Mushrooms, Silver Onions, and Bacon, Finished with some aged Brandy.

Steakhouse Selection

The Steakhouse Selection is available for a $20 upcharge and offers guests a chance to get a cut of beef served in the steakhouse while in the main dining room. The steakhouse selections are available across all of their cruise ships.

Featured items here generally include:

• Broiled Maine Lobster Tail served with drawn butter
• Surf & Turf, Maine Lobster Tail with Grilled Filet Mignon
• Filet Mignon, 9 oz premium aged beef
• New York Strip Loin Steak, 14-oz

Dessert Menu

The main dining room’s dessert menu consists of three selections rotating every night. One of the selections offered each night is usually a low-cal, no-sugar treat. There are also coffees and teas available to complement your dessert.

Sample dessert menu

• Download a sample dessert menu

Some examples of desserts you might find on the menu are:

• Boston Cream Cake
• Orange and Almond Baked Cake
• Chocolate and Cheese Brownie
• Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake
• Fresh Tropical Fruit Plate
• Cheese Plate
• Selection of Ice Creams

Not too long ago, Carnival brought Baked Alaska back to their ships. It’s typically served on the final night of the cruise. And if a banana split is more your speed, ask to see a kid’s menu.

For an added cost, you’ll find a selection of dessert drinks listed at the bottom of the menu, along with cappuccinos, lattes, espressos, and the “Art of Tea” selection.

• Norwegian Gem Set to Launch Cruises from Jacksonville in 2025
• Tender Issues Cause NCL Cruise Ships to Skip Venice
• The First Cruise Line in History Will Homeport in Washington, D.C.
• Carnival Expects Revenue Hit by Scraping Red Sea Transits on 12 Ships

Recent Posts

• Holland America Revamps Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse Menu
• Court Tells Carnival To Pay Cruise Passenger $12M in Damages for Assault 
• Waiter Assaulted in Dispute Over Cruise Line Drink Package
• After Months of Delays, Odyssey Starts Sea Trials Ahead of 3-Year World Cruise

Bringing you 15 years of cruise industry experience. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips.   

Quick links

Cruise Radio, LLC © Copyright 2009-2024 | Website Designed By   Insider Perks, Inc

Cruise Spotlight

Helping you find cruise ships you'll love

All about Carnival's Main Dining Room

Traditional cruise dining at it's best. Carnival typically has a choice of early dining or late dining at set tables, or your time dining.

What is the cost to eat at Main Dining Room?

Main Dining Room is included in the cruise fare so there is no additional cost to eat at this venue. Remember, beverages are not usually included and will be extra.

What type of restaurant is Main Dining Room?

Main Dining Room is a "Sit Down" restaurant. This means you have waiter who will take your order and bring you your food. It usually takes a bit longer than quick serve / to-go establishments, but has a nicer atmosphere.

When is Main Dining Room open?

They're usually open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Specific times and schedules may vary, so always check in your cruise schedule or app to see the exact times.

Main Dining Room Dinner Menu

From Carnival Celebration February 2023

Main Dining Room Seaday Brunch Menu

Ships that have Main Dining Room

• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Vista
• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Pride
• Carnival Spirit
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Splendor
• Carnival Freedom
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Valor
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Conquest
• Carnival Radiance
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Fascination
• Carnival Elation
• Carnival Mardi Gras
• Carnival Celebration
• Carnival Jubilee
• Carnival Luminosa
• Carnival Venezia
• Carnival Firenze

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.

• Port Overview
• Transportation to the Port
• Uber & Lyft to the Port
• Dropping Off at the Port
• Cruise Parking
• Cruise Hotels
• Hotels with Parking Deals
• Uber & Lyft to the Ports
• Things to Do
• Cozumel Taxi Rates
• Free Things to Do
• Restaurants Near the Cruise Port
• Hotels & Resorts With Day Passes
• Closest Beaches to the Cruise Port
• Tips For Visiting
• Shore Excursions
• Cruise Parking Discounts
• Hotels with Shuttles
• Which Airport Should I Use?
• Transportation to the Ports
• Dropping Off at the Ports
• Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami
• Inexpensive Hotels
• Hotels near the Port
• Hotels With Shuttles
• Budget Hotels
• Carnival Tips
• Drink Packages
• Specialty Restaurants
• Faster to the Fun
• More Articles
• CocoCay Tips
• Norwegian Tips
• Great Stirrup Cay
• Harvest Caye
• How to Get the Best Cruise Deal
• Best Time to Book a Cruise
• Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• Cruises Under $300
• Cruises Under $500
• Spring Break Cruise Deals
• Summer Cruise Deals
• Alaskan Cruise Deals
• 107 Cruise Secrets & Tips
• Tips for First-Time Cruisers
• What to Pack for a Cruise
• What to Pack (Alaska)
• Packing Checklist
• Cruising with Kids
• Passports & Birth Certificates
• Bringing Alcohol
• Cruising with a Disability
• Duty-Free Shopping
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Things to Do on a Cruise Ship
• What Not to Do on a Ship
• News & Articles

Complete Guide to Carnival Specialty Restaurants (Costs, Food, and More)

If you’re heading on a Carnival cruise, you likely know that you should bring your appetite. From the moment you step on board until you leave on debarkation day, there is food available all over the ship.

In other words, you will never go hungry.

But you might be overwhelmed by the amount of choices you have on the ship. In fact, Carnival Horizon — one of the line’s Vista-class of ships — has more than a dozen places to eat something on the ship. Carnival’s Mardi Gras has even more.

Many of those are free restaurants, like Guy’s Burger Joint , the buffet, and the main dining room. But Carnival has a number of specialty restaurants on each ship as well.

These specialty restaurants are for an additional charge, but are highly popular. They offer a place to sit and dine, often in a calmer and quieter atmosphere than the main dining room.

As well, specialty restaurants have different flavors and types of food. Whether you want Asian, BBQ, seafood, Italian, or a hearty steak you don’t have to hope the dining room or buffet is serving it. Simply pick the restaurant you want to eat there instead.

Specialty Restaurants on Carnival Ships

Note: Not every specialty restaurant listed here will be on every Carnival ship. Newer and recently remodeled ships will be more likely to have all the venues below…

Guy’s Pig & Anchor BBQ One of the most popular specialty restaurants on Carnival ships has to be Guy’s Pig & Anchor BBQ. A relaxed BBQ joint, it also brews its own beer. For lunch you can eat for free, but in the evenings they charge for meals. You can get most of your smoked meat favorites, including brisket, chicken, pulled pork and even ribs. Unlike some other paid restaurants, this one charges by the item. It’s about $8 for an entrée, $4 for an appetizer. A full rack of baby back ribs will set you back $12.

• Menu: BBQ; ribs, chicken, pork, sausage, salmon
• Cost: A la carte (~$8-12 for an entrée)

Cucina del Capitano Think of a classic Italian restaurant (complete with the red and white tablecloth) and you have a good idea of what to expect at Cucina del Capitano. The atmosphere is usually a little darker and more intimate, making it ideal for “date night.” During the day you can actually eat pasta here for no charge. In the evening it turns into a specialty Italian restaurant and serves a full menu. If it’s an Italian classic, you’ll find it on the menu. That includes everything from meatballs to spaghetti to chicken parm, along with some more unique dishes porcini rubbed beef short ribs.

• Menu: Italian; pastas, calamari, pork chops, veal, salads
• Cost: $15 per adult

Ji Ji Asian Kitchen Looking for your Asian food fix while at sea? This restaurant is it. It’s a classic high-end pan-Asian restaurant with the atmosphere you’d expect in an Asian theme, along with an open kitchen. On the menu you can get your favorites like slow-braised pork belly, pot stickers, Kung-Pao chicken, and sweet & sour shrimp. There are also a number of dishes with unique twists like Singapore chili shrimp. While most dishes have meat, vegetarians will also find a number of items to eat here.

• Menu: Pan-Asian; pot stickers, Asian chicken/shrimp dishes, spring rolls, noodles, etc.

Steakhouse Going by different names on different ships, places like Nouveau, Nick & Nora’s, and The Pinnacle all have one thing in common — they are the steakhouse on the ship. And if you’re wanting a meal that you’ll remember on your cruise (and the possibility that you will be too full to eat for the rest of the trip), then you’ll want to make a visit. It’s perhaps the most decadent menu across any restaurant. You’ll get hearty appetizers like shrimp cocktails or pork belly, followed by steak (including filet mignon), lobster, or lamb. Don’t forget the cheesecake for dessert.

• Menu: Steak; steaks, lobster, salads, crab cakes, potatoes, fish, lamb
• Cost: $38 per adult

• Menu: Seafood; shrimp, lobster, clam strips, fish
• Cost: A la carte

Bonsai Sushi A casual and relaxed sushi restaurant, Bonsai is a fun place to grab a bite of your favorite rolls. California rolls, spicy tuna, tempura rolls ($5-7 per roll), even bento boxes ($10) or noodle bowls ($7). They are all here. We also like that the location on at least some Carnival ships offers great people watching from your table. Sitting just off a main pathway on the ship, you can enjoy your sushi and watch the people go by. Want to sit outside? The restaurant on the Horizon offers some outdoor seating.

• Menu: Sushi
• Price: A la carte

Bonsai Teppanyaki While it’s not on many ships (just Carnival Horizon, Panorama, and Mardi Gras include it), Bonsai Teppanyaki makes a memorable meal. It’s hibachi-style where the chef performs a show for an entire table while also cooking a delicious meal. The fare is Asian-themed, including your choice of meat (or tofu) cooked up with fried rice and stir-fry.

• Menu: Asian; salmon, lobster, shrimp, chicken, steak, tofu, fried rice, vegetables
• Cost: $32 per person

The Chef’s Table If you consider yourself a foodie, then The Chef’s Table might be the ultimate experience for you. It’s the most exclusive dining on the ship — only about a dozen people can eat at a time. That’s because you get a personalized meal with one of the ship’s master chefs. Before you even eat there is a champagne reception and tour of the ship’s galley. From there, you’ll be cooked up a meal that varies based on what the chef and seasons dictate. For that reason there is no set menu… but you can be sure it will be tasty.

• Menu: Varies
• Cost: $75-95, depending on the ship

Emeril’s Bistro 1396 Making its debut on Carnival Mardi Gras, Emeril’s Bistro 1396 is celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse’s first restaurant on a cruise ship. It features tons of Cajun and creole favorites. That includes po-boys, gumbo, jambalaya, fried oysters, and more. Essentially, you can think of it as a trip to New Orleans onboard the ship. (The restaurant is located in the ship’s “French Quarter” section, after all.)

• Menu: New Orleans cuisine

Rudi’s Seagrill Another specialty restaurant making its debut on Carnival’s Mardi Gras, Rudi’s Seagrill is the work of Chef Rudi Sodamin. As you’d guess, it focuses on seafood in a fine-dining atmosphere that’s still approachable and not too stuffy. It’s open only for dinner and costs a decent amount, but offers a memorable place to have a meal. After all, many dishes are presented as a “face” that’s looking back at you. (Yes, really.)

• Menu: Seafood

Are Carnival’s Specialty Restaurants Worth It?

One of the biggest questions people ask is if the specialty restaurants are worth the extra cost. After all, if you’re already paying a lot of money to take a cruise — and many food items are already included — why bother paying extra for different meals?

If you are a frugal cruiser looking to save money, then you’ll likely think that the specialty options aren’t worth the extra money — especially if taking a shorter cruise. On a 3-5 day cruise, there are plenty of free options to eat, including pizza, tacos, burgers, the buffet, and the main dining room. These can keep you satisfied without spending extra.

If you like to let loose on your vacation or are taking a longer trip, then it’s our opinion that dining a couple of times at a specialty restaurant is well worth the money.

For one, they offer different flavors than you’ll find at other restaurants on the ship. When you’re tired of eating a lunch buffet, having the option to have some BBQ or Italian is great. Second, the quality and freshness of the food is the best on the ship. Finally, if you enjoy dining in a quieter atmosphere with fewer people, then specialty restaurants offer that sort of intimacy. They are never as crowded as you’ll find in the free locations.

What’s Included in My Meal?

If you order at an a la carte restaurant, you know exactly what you’ll get — whatever items you order and pay for. Other restaurants that have one set price and an open menu. In this case, you will get an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert. If dining with another person, it’s a great opportunity to share items and try different things since you will each get your own starter, meal and dessert.

Drinks are not included. You have to pay for those just like if you were to visit the bar. Those with beverage packages can have them included for no extra free. If you don’t have a beverage package, then you’ll pay bar prices.

Do I Pay Gratuities at Specialty Restaurants?

As with all food and beverage services, you’ll pay gratuity for dining at specialty restaurants. The only question is if it is included in the headline price. Some restaurants such as the steakhouse include the tip amount in the price. Others, such as Bonsai Teppanyaki or a la carte restaurants you will be paying an additional 18% on top of the bill. Given that it’s customary to tip between 15-20% in a traditional restaurant, this figure isn’t out of line.

But you should know that while you are already being charged gratuity for dining at free restaurants (the charges automatically included at the of the cruise), you have to pay extra charges for dining at the specialty dining venues. It’s only a question of if it is already included or not.

What’s the Dress Code at Carnival’s Restaurants?

While it might seem that you need to get all fancied up to go to a specialty restaurant, that’s not always the case. Higher-end venues like the steakhouse or Chef’s Table follow the ship’s dress code for the evening. So if it’s formal night, you’ll want to dress up a bit.

Other restaurants, including Bonsai Sushi and Guy’s Pig & Anchor have “cruise casual” dress codes. That means you can dress down, but no swimsuits or tank tops are allows.

Should I Make Reservations?

If the specialty restaurant you want to eat at accepts reservations, then you should absolutely sign up as soon as you can. This gives you the most options for dining times. Note that some restaurants — such as Bonsai Sushi — don’t take reservations. You simply show up and get seated. If you don’t have a reservation at a restaurant, you can try to eat anyway. The staff will seat you if they have space.

Specialty restaurants on Carnival seem to be hit or miss — not in terms of food, but in terms of popularity. Anecdotally, we’ve noticed that some seem to stay busy while others, have smaller crowds. You can use this to your advantage to find a place to eat without a wait. It also helps to go during off hours.

Have more questions about dining on Carnival? Let us know in the comments below.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Should you buy carnival’s ‘faster to the fun’ deal here’s when it’s worth it, what to do on a cruise 70 fun things to do on the ship, carnival’s celebration key price list (cabanas, daybeds, and more), no, your carnival drink package won’t work on celebration key, carnival reveals adults-only beach club at celebration key (with a hefty price tag), carnival orders three new ships… that will be among the biggest in the world.

Hi, Specialty dining restaurant names on the newest Carnival ship Celebration? Cost? How many days roughly does reservations for specialty dining open up before a cruise. Reservations for main dining?

You can find specific ship info for Celebration here:

https://www.carnival.com/cruise-food/?shipCode=CB&icid=icp_explr_shp_celebration_022322_lp_hyp_dining

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The 8 Closest Beaches to the Cozumel Cruise Port

Worth it everything to know about hideaway beach on royal caribbean’s cococay, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Carnival cruise pizza: Pizza Pirate, Pizzeria del Capitano and more

If someone asked me to pick an ideal food, I'd almost certainly go with pizza. It's tasty, portable and easy to prepare, and just about everyone likes it. That's why it's unsurprising that it's one of the most popular foods on cruise ships.

Carnival Cruise Line is known for having some of the best pizza at sea . In fact, it's so good I find myself enjoying a slice or two almost daily when I sail. Here's a guide to where you can find it, what's on the menu and how much a pie will cost you.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

What are the names of the pizza places on Carnival ships?

Carnival offers nearly round-the-clock pizza on every one of its vessels, so you're never far from cheesy goodness when you're on board.

Almost all ships — 25 of the 27 in the fleet — have either Pizza Pirate or Pizzeria del Capitano. The other two vessels, which are part of the line's new Excel Class , have something similar but with a different name: Miami Slice on Carnival Celebration and Coastal Slice on Carnival Jubilee .

The one thing they all have in common is that you can order either by the pie or by the slice, and you won't pay an extra cent. The pizzerias are also all set up as walk-up counters. Be warned: The pizzas are so good there's likely to be a line more often than not.

Carnival cruise pizza menus

Each of Carnival's pizza outposts features a selection of five pizza types, three of which are core options that appear on all menus across the fleet and two of which can change from ship to ship.

Note: Menus were accurate at the time of publication but are subject to change without notice.

Pizza Pirate menu

On the Pizza Pirate menu, Carnival offers five different types of pies:

• Margherita: Tomato sauce, basil and fresh mozzarella
• Pepperoni: Tomato sauce, pepperoni and fresh mozzarella
• Quattro Formaggi: Gorgonzola, provolone, Parmesan and fresh mozzarella cheeses with roasted garlic
• Funghi: Tomato sauce, mushrooms and fresh mozzarella
• Prosciutto: Roasted garlic, rucola, prosciutto and fresh mozzarella

Pizzeria del Capitano menu

The menu at Pizzeria del Capitano includes the same five options as the one at Pizza Pirate:

Miami Slice menu

Miami Slice's menu offers the three staple types, plus two that you can only find on Carnival Celebration:

• La Habana: Ham and chorizo with gouda, mozzarella and manchego cheeses
• Picadillo: Ground beef and sazon with gouda and mozzarella cheeses

Coastal Slice menu

Coastal Slice features the three core varieties, as well as two different selections that you can only find on Carnival Jubilee:

• Margherita: Tomato sauce, basil and mozzarella
• Pepperoni: Tomato sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella
• Quattro Formaggi: Gorgonzola, provolone, Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses with roasted garlic
• Barbecue chicken: Barbecue chicken with alfredo sauce, red onion, scallions, and mozzarella and gouda cheeses
• Tex Mex: Bacon, corn, bell peppers and jalapenos with mozzarella and cheddar cheeses

Carnival cruise pizza prices

Pizzeria del Capitano, Coastal Slice, Miami Slice and Pizza Pirate prices are all the same — free for all passengers.

Which Carnival ships have pizza?

All ships in the Carnival fleet have dedicated pizza joints on board. The breakdown is as follows:

Pizza Pirate: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Pride and Carnival Valor

Pizzeria del Capitano: Carnival Dream, Carnival Firenze, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Magic, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Venezia, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras

Miami Slice: Carnival Celebration

Coastal Slice: Carnival Jubilee

Planning a Carnival cruise? Start with these stories:

• The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries
• Here's which Carnival ship you should try, based on your travel style
• All the classes of Carnival cruise ships, explained
• A guide to Carnival Cruise Line's VIFP loyalty program
• All about Carnival Cruise Line cabins and suites
• All you need to know about Carnival Cruise Line food
• Carnival cruise ships by age
• Carnival cruise ships by size
• Carnival Cruise Line's Cheers drink package
• Carnival cruise tips and tricks