Carnival Menu with Prices, Calories and Popular Items
Planning your vacation and looking for the latest carnival menu details? Carnival Cruise Line provides a dynamic food program across its fleet, blending casual poolside staples with formal multi-course dinners. Whether you want a smashed cheeseburger from Guy's Burger Joint, a morning taco from BlueIguana Cantina, or a cut of prime beef in the Main Dining Room, knowing which meals are included and what costs extra is key to planning your dining budget.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the full Carnival dining lineup, including current specialty restaurant surcharges, official calorie disclosure status, popular menu selections, value-saving meal strategies, allergen safeguards, and onboard mobile ordering workflows. While core dining rooms and casual buffets are covered by your cruise fare ($0.00), premium steakhouses, à la carte sushi spots, and after-hours stateroom deliveries charge added fees. Keep in mind that available venues, cover charges, and rotational dishes vary based on ship class, sailing length, and homeport.
Menu Snapshot: Quick Answer
Most onboard casual and dining room food on a Carnival cruise is included in your cruise fare at no additional charge. Specialty venues like Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse charge a flat cover fee (~$49 per adult), while casual spots like Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina are complimentary.
Official Source Verification
Official Source Verification
Menus, prices, calories, and availability can vary by location, delivery platform, and time. LatestMenus checks official restaurant sources where available and marks uncertain information clearly.
Latest Carnival Menu Prices
Food on Carnival vessels is divided into Complimentary Venues (covered by your base cruise fare) and Specialty Dining Venues (billed to your onboard Sail & Sign account via fixed cover charges or à la carte pricing, typically subject to an 18% gratuity).
Complimentary Casual Dining (Included in Cruise Fare)
| Menu Item | Category | Price | Calories | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain Jane Burger | Guy's Burger Joint | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Customizer | 80/20 beef patty, Super Melty Cheese (SMC), brioche bun; topping bar access. |
| Straight Up Burger | Guy's Burger Joint | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Quick Lunch | Beef patty, SMC, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, donkey sauce. |
| The Ringer Burger | Guy's Burger Joint | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Hearty Appetite | Beef patty, SMC, Guy's bourbon BBQ sauce, crispy onion ring. |
| Chillius Maximus Burger | Guy's Burger Joint | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Savory Cravings | Beef patty, SMC, beef chili, crispy onion ring, donkey sauce. |
| Hand-Cut Seasoned Fries | Guy's Burger Joint | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Side Dish | Served hot with signature seasoning alongside every burger order. |
| Made-to-Order Burrito | BlueIguana Cantina | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Filling Lunch | Choice of chicken, beef, or shrimp with cilantro rice, beans, and fresh crema. |
| Street Tacos (Trio) | BlueIguana Cantina | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Lighter Fare | Warm tortillas stuffed with pork carnitas, chicken, or grilled fish. |
| Breakfast Burrito | BlueIguana Cantina | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Port Day Breakfast | Scrambled eggs, chicken sausage or bacon, hash browns, shredded cheese. |
| Huevos Rancheros | BlueIguana Cantina | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Traditional Breakfast | Corn tortillas, refried beans, fried eggs, salsa roja, and cheese. |
| M.D.E. Chicken Sandwich | Big Chicken | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Crispy Chicken Fans | Crispy fried chicken breast, signature Shaq sauce, pickles (Excel-class & select ships). |
| Uncle Jerome Sandwich | Big Chicken | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Spicy Food Fans | Crispy fried chicken, Nashville hot sauce, mayonnaise, pickles. |
| Swirls Soft-Serve Ice Cream | Lido Deck Stations | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Anytime Dessert | Self-serve chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry swirl cones open 24 hours. |
Main Dining Room (MDR) Classics & Upcharges
| Menu Item | Category | Price | Calories | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warm Melting Chocolate Cake | MDR Everyday Dessert | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Dessert Lovers | Served warm with a molten center alongside vanilla ice cream every night. |
| Broiled Striploin Steak | MDR Everyday Classic | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Steak Dinner | Served with baked potato, steamed vegetables, and peppercorn sauce. |
| Nightly Rotational Entrees (1 & 2) | MDR Dinner Rotation | Included ($0.00) | Not published | Variety | Includes prime rib, braised short ribs, duck, salmon, and pasta selections. |
| 3rd Entree Selection | MDR Policy Surcharge | $5.00 | Not published | Sampling More Food | Applied to each individual entree ordered beyond two per diner at dinner. |
| USDA Prime NY Strip Steak | MDR Steakhouse Selection | $25.00 | Not published | MDR Upgrade | Premium steakhouse-grade cut prepared and served in the main dining room. |
| Grilled Filet Mignon | MDR Steakhouse Selection | $25.00 | Not published | Tender Steak | Center-cut steakhouse filet served without leaving the complimentary dining room. |
| Broiled Whole Maine Lobster | MDR Steakhouse Selection | $30.00 | Not published | Seafood Lovers | Whole lobster upgrade prepared with drawn butter. |
Specialty Restaurants (Cover Charge & À La Carte)
| Menu Item | Category | Price | Calories | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse | Specialty Dining | $49.00 / adult ($15 child) | Not published | Celebrations | Includes starter, salad, entree with sides, and dessert; plus 18% gratuity. |
| Rudi's Seagrill | Specialty Dining | $49.00 / adult ($15 child) | Not published | Gourmet Seafood | Curated by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin on Excel-class ships. |
| Bonsai Teppanyaki | Specialty Dining | $38.00 – $45.00 / person | Not published | Interactive Dinner | Multi-course hibachi grill experience with live chef performance. |
| Cucina del Capitano | Specialty Dining | $24.00 / adult ($11 child) | Not published | Italian Comfort Food | Family-style Italian dinner. Lunch service is complimentary on sea days. |
| JiJi Asian Kitchen | Specialty Dining | $24.00 / adult ($11 child) | Not published | Pan-Asian Flavors | Custom dinner courses; lunch noodle/stir-fry bar operates free of charge. |
| Bonsai Sushi Selections | À La Carte Dining | $2.00 – $14.00 / item | Not published | Casual Light Bites | Individual sushi rolls, sashimi cuts, bento boxes, and noodle bowls. |
| Seafood Shack | À La Carte Dining | $4.00 – $18.00 / item | Not published | New England Bites | Serves lobster rolls, fried clam strips, and clam chowder in bread bowls. |
| In-Cabin Hot Room Service | 24/7 Delivery | $3.00 – $9.00 / item | Not published | Late-Night Eating | Warm sandwiches, pizzas, and wings; continental breakfast remains free. |
Popular Menu Items
These signature dishes are ordered thousands of times per sailing across the fleet:
| Popular Item | Why People Order It | Price Note | Calorie Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival Warm Melting Chocolate Cake | Rich, molten chocolate center paired with melting vanilla bean ice cream. | Included ($0.00) in MDR | Not published |
| The Straight Up Burger | Signature seasoned beef patty layered with Guy Fieri's Donkey Sauce and melted cheese. | Included ($0.00) at Guy's | Not published |
| 12-Hour French Toast | Thick brioche soaked overnight in sweet custard, topped with roasted peaches. | Included ($0.00) at SeaDay Brunch | Not published |
| Huevos Rancheros | Authentic Mexican breakfast served quickly poolside with fresh salsa bar options. | Included ($0.00) at BlueIguana | Not published |
| M.D.E. Chicken Sandwich | Crispy fried chicken breast seasoned with Shaq sauce on a soft brioche bun. | Included ($0.00) at Big Chicken | Not published |
- Carnival Warm Melting Chocolate Cake (Main Dining Room): The defining cruise dessert. It arrives hot with a runny center. Order with an extra scoop of ice cream to balance the warm chocolate.
- The Straight Up Burger (Guy's Burger Joint): A juicy smash burger seasoned with Guy's signature blend, melted cheese, and Donkey Sauce on a buttered brioche bun.
- 12-Hour French Toast (SeaDay Brunch): Custard-soaked brioche with a crisp caramelized crust, paired with warm fruit compote and whipped butter.
- Breakfast Burritos (BlueIguana Cantina): Made-to-order morning wraps packed with scrambled eggs, crispy potatoes, and bacon or chicken sausage, finished at the salsa bar.
- M.D.E. Chicken Sandwich (Big Chicken): Shaquille O'Neal's signature fried chicken sandwich with tart pickles and tangy sauce, offered on Excel-class ships and select retrofitted vessels.
Editor Picks: Best Things to Order
Editor Picks: Best Things to Order
These are LatestMenus editorial recommendations based on available menu research, value, popularity, customization potential, and practical ordering usefulness. They are not official restaurant rankings.
Straight Up Burger with Seasoned Fries
Combining freshly grilled 80/20 beef with seasoned Donkey Sauce and an extensive DIY toppings bar, this is the most reliable, high-quality casual lunch on the ship.
Cucina del Capitano Sea Day Lunch
While the dinner experience costs $24 per person, the lunchtime pasta station allows you to customize bowls of pasta with premium meats and sauces at zero extra cost.
Lido Deck Pizza & Soft-Serve Swirls
Fresh-baked personal pizzas made around the clock paired with 24/7 self-serve frozen yogurt ensure hungry kids and teens stay fed without reservation stress.
Custom Taco Bowl (BlueIguana Cantina)
Skip the flour tortilla and load up a bowl with seasoned grilled chicken or fish, black beans, shredded lettuce, and fresh pico de gallo from the salsa bar.
Warm Melting Chocolate Cake
A Carnival tradition that finishes nearly every dinner. The rich molten center pairs naturally with cool vanilla ice cream.
Plain Jane Burger (Topping Bar Build)
Ordering the plain cheeseburger gives you a clean canvas to pile on sautéed mushrooms, grilled onions, bacon bits, pickles, and hot sauces from the condiments station.
Cheapest Items and Best Value Picks
Taking full advantage of Carnival's dining model comes down to maximizing complimentary venues and avoiding unnecessary surcharges:
| Value Pick | Why It Can Be Good Value | Watch Out For | Best Ordering Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complimentary Casual Venues | Guy's Burgers, BlueIguana, and Big Chicken charge $0.00 with unlimited visits. | Peak operating hours (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM) cause longer lines. | Dine before 11:45 AM or after 2:00 PM for shorter wait times. |
| Main Dining Room 2-Entree Limit | Order two distinct entrees per person for dinner at no extra charge. | A $5 surcharge applies automatically to the 3rd entree ordered. | Order multiple complimentary appetizers and desserts instead of a 3rd entree. |
| Specialty Restaurant Free Lunches | Cucina del Capitano and JiJi Asian Kitchen serve free custom lunches on sea days. | Dinner at these exact same venues carries a $24 per-person cover charge. | Visit at lunchtime to experience the venue without paying dinner surcharges. |
| SeaDay Brunch Steak & Eggs | Includes skirt steak, eggs cooked to order, and hash browns at zero extra cost. | Heavy mid-morning crowds between 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM. | Treat SeaDay Brunch as a combined breakfast-lunch around 11:15 AM. |
| Continental Cabin Breakfast | Pastries, fresh fruit, juices, and coffee delivered to your room for free. | Warm cooked breakfast items (eggs, bacon) require an à la carte charge. | Hang the order card on your stateroom door before 3:00 AM. |
Calories and Nutrition Notes
Carnival Cruise Line operates vessels in international waters and is not bound by federal onshore restaurant menu-labeling mandates. Consequently, official calorie and macronutrient counts are not published on shipboard menus, the Carnival website, or the HUB App.
| Menu Area | Nutrition Note | Best For | Source Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guy's Burger Joint | High in sodium, saturated fat, and calories; order without bun or cheese to reduce load. | Hearty Comfort Meals | Low (Not published) |
| BlueIguana Cantina | Easy to customize into lower-carb, higher-fiber meals with beans, fish, and pico. | Custom Balanced Bites | Low (Not published) |
| Main Dining Room | Features nightly broiled poultry and fish; sauces and dressings can be served on the side. | Portion Control | Low (Not published) |
| Lido Marketplace Buffet | Extensive fresh salad bar, raw vegetables, fresh sliced fruit, and broth-based soups. | Nutrient-Dense Options | Low (Not published) |
To keep your meals balanced while cruising:
- Request sauces and gravies on the side in the Main Dining Room to manage sodium and butter intake.
- Skip the heavy brioche bun at Guy's Burger Joint; wrap your burger patty in fresh lettuce from the condiments bar.
- Pick lean proteins like broiled salmon, grilled chicken breast, or poached shrimp cocktails in the dining room over deep-fried appetizers.
Allergen and Dietary Notes
Carnival manages food allergies fleetwide through a digital program called Menu Mate. Touchscreen workstations across food stations and galleys allow dining teams to verify recipes against confirmed guest allergy profiles.
| Dietary Need | What to Check | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free (GF) | Request GF buns at Guy's, GF pizza crust, and GF pasta in dining rooms. | Gluten-free Melting Chocolate Cake can be made with advance notice to your server. |
| Vegetarian / Vegan | MDR dinner menus contain designated vegetarian (V) and vegan courses nightly. | Dedicated vegan entrees rotate daily, from vegetable curries to stuffed squash. |
| Dairy / Egg Allergies | Notify the dining team so your stateroom folio is linked to Menu Mate tracking. | Staff will preview the following evening's dinner menu to prepare meals safely. |
| Peanut / Nut Allergies | Avoid open Lido buffet dessert counters where tongs may contact multiple baked goods. | Galleys handle tree nuts and peanuts; cross-contact risks cannot be eliminated. |
Allergen Disclaimer: While Carnival kitchen crews follow rigorous food handling standards, all dishes are made in shared commercial galleys. Travelers with severe or life-threatening airborne allergies must speak with the dining room Maître D' upon embarkation.
Special Menu Sections
Breakfast Menu
Breakfast is served across multiple venues each morning. The Lido Marketplace Buffet offers scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and made-to-order omelets. BlueIguana Cantina serves breakfast burritos and huevos rancheros. On sea days, the Main Dining Room switches to the SeaDay Brunch.
| Item or Section | What It Includes | Price/Calorie Note | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lido Buffet Breakfast | Omelet stations, scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, breakfast pastries. | Included ($0.00); calories not published | Quick morning fuel |
| SeaDay Brunch | Steak and eggs, 12-hour French toast, eggs benedict, mac and cheese. | Included ($0.00); calories not published | Leisurely mornings at sea |
Kids Menu
The Main Dining Room provides a dedicated children's menu featuring chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, mini burgers, hot dogs, and personal cheese pizzas, finished with banana splits. At specialty venues like Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Cucina del Capitano, kids aged 11 and under dine from a discounted children's menu ($11 to $15).
Drinks and Desserts
Self-serve iced tea, tap lemonade, standard drip coffee, hot tea, and ice water are complimentary at all Lido deck drink stations. For espresso, specialty shakes, sodas, and cocktails, charges are billed to your folio. Travelers comparing drink packages across cruise lines can explore the Royal Caribbean drink menu prices guide and review beverage selections with the Royal Caribbean drink menu PDF. For casual dockside comfort fare, take a look at the Dockside Diner menu.
Secret Menu & Customization Ideas
- Guy's Burger "Double-Double": Ask the grill cook for a custom double patty with double cheese and crispy bacon.
- The Guy's Bowled Burger: Request your burger without the bun served over a basket of seasoned fries, then top it with melted cheese and grilled onions from the condiments station.
- MDR Custom Affogato: Order a dish of vanilla ice cream from your dining room server alongside a hot shot of espresso from the bar, then pour the espresso over the ice cream for an unlisted dessert.
Best For: Who This Menu Guide Helps
- First-time cruisers looking to separate free food from upcharge venues before boarding.
- Families with children who need reliable casual meal hours, kids menus, and self-serve ice cream.
- Budget-focused travelers aiming to avoid extra cover charges and room service fees.
- Guests with food allergies who need to know how the onboard Menu Mate allergen platform functions.
- Food enthusiasts planning special dinners at upscale steakhouses and hibachi grills.
Ordering Tips From LatestMenus
Ordering Tips From LatestMenus
Make your shipboard dining run smoothly with these tested ordering recommendations.
- Use the Carnival HUB App to view daily menus. Daily menus for every dining venue are posted each morning on the app, which is accessible without purchasing onboard Wi-Fi.
- Check in virtually for Your Time Dining. Request your dining room table through the HUB App when you are ready to eat, and explore the ship until your phone buzzes.
- Keep an eye on the 2-entree complimentary limit. Your first two Main Dining Room entrees are free; a third entree incurs a $5 charge. Appetizers and desserts remain unlimited and free.
- Take advantage of free specialty lunches. Cucina del Capitano and JiJi Asian Kitchen charge dinner covers, but their lunch pasta and noodle bars are complimentary on sea days.
- Book specialty steakhouses before embarkation. Fahrenheit 555 and Bonsai Teppanyaki fill up quickly; reserve seats through the online cruise manager before departure.
- Take advantage of free continental room service. Hang the breakfast door card outside your stateroom before 3:00 AM for complimentary fruit, pastries, and coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is food completely free on a Carnival cruise?
Most food on Carnival is included in your cruise fare. This covers the Main Dining Room (breakfast, dinner, SeaDay Brunch), Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Big Chicken, Lido Marketplace Buffet, 24/7 pizza stations, and soft-serve ice cream. Specialty venues like the steakhouse, sushi counter, and à la carte seafood carry extra fees.
What are the prices for Carnival specialty dining in 2026?
Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Rudi's Seagrill cost approximately $49 per adult and $15 per child under 12. Cucina del Capitano and JiJi Asian Kitchen cost $24 per adult and $11 per child for dinner. Bonsai Teppanyaki ranges from $38 to $45 per guest, and Bonsai Sushi items are priced à la carte from $2 to $14.
Does Guy's Burger Joint cost extra on Carnival?
No, Guy's Burger Joint is completely complimentary on all Carnival ships where it is installed. You can order burgers and seasoned fries at no added charge during lunch and afternoon hours.
Does Carnival publish official calories on their menus?
No, Carnival Cruise Line does not publish official calorie counts or nutrition facts on onboard menus or online. Cruise ships operating in international waters are exempt from onshore restaurant calorie-posting regulations.
How does Carnival handle food allergies?
Carnival uses an onboard digital food allergy platform called Menu Mate. Shipboard staff use dedicated tablets to match passenger allergies against verified ingredient databases. Menus also feature clear labels for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free items.
Can you order more than one entree in the Main Dining Room?
Yes. Guests may order up to two complimentary entrees per person at dinner. A $5 surcharge applies to each entree ordered beyond two for that diner. Appetizers, soups, salads, and desserts are unlimited and free.
How much does room service cost on Carnival?
Continental breakfast (pastries, fruit, bread, juices, and coffee) ordered using the morning door hanger card is free. Hot sandwiches, pizzas, wings, and late-night orders carry an à la carte charge between $3.00 and $9.00 per item.
Are drinks included with meals on Carnival?
Basic beverages-including tap water, non-bottled lemonade, unsweetened iced tea, standard drip coffee, and hot tea-are included at no extra charge. Soda, bottled water, espresso drinks, beer, wine, and cocktails require an individual charge or the CHEERS! daily beverage package.
What is the secret menu burger at Guy's Burger Joint?
Guests can request an unlisted "Double-Double" (two seasoned beef patties with double cheese and bacon) or order a "Bun-less Bowled Burger" served over seasoned fries with toppings from the condiment station.
What is served at Carnival SeaDay Brunch?
SeaDay Brunch is hosted in the Main Dining Room on sea days at no extra cost. Popular dishes include skirt steak and eggs, 12-hour peach French toast, eggs benedict, skillet scrambles, and buttermilk pancakes.
Conclusion
The Carnival dining experience combines complimentary casual venues like Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina with formal multi-course dinners in the Main Dining Room and upscale specialty spots. To get the best dining value, stick to included casual spots for quick meals, take advantage of complimentary sea-day lunches at specialty Italian and Asian venues, and monitor the two-entree dining room policy. For current opening times, daily rotational menus, and reservation availability on your sailing, check the Carnival HUB App as soon as you connect to your ship's onboard Wi-Fi network.
Menus, prices, calories, and availability can change by location, time, delivery platform, and restaurant updates. Always confirm the latest information with the official restaurant website, app, or your local restaurant before ordering. Information verified for 2026 where available.
