When it comes to dining on the Carnival Celebration cruise ship, you’re in for a treat! Carnival offers a wide variety of dining options to satisfy every palate, from casual eateries to specialty restaurants.
In this article, we’ll explore the restaurants available on board, highlighting both the restaurants included in your cruise fare and those that come with an extra charge.
What restaurants are included on Carnival Celebration?
In my opinion, Carnival has some of the best casual restaurants included in the cruise fare. You could eat only at the free restaurants on Carnival Celebration and not feel like you are missing out. But, if you are looking for something different, you will find that too.
Guy’s Pig & Anchor Outdoor Bar-B-Que
For barbecue lovers, Guy’s Pig & Anchor is a must-visit. It is located outside the Pig & Anchor Brewhouse on deck 8. This food venue is only open on sea days and only from 12:00 noon – 2:00pm. Give the pulled pork a try.
Deco Deli
If you’re in the mood for a light bite, head over to Deco Deli. This deli serves up hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and other deli classics, perfect for a quick and tasty meal or snack.
This is located on deck 8 next to Miami Slice pizza, and is open daily from noon until 10:00pm.
Miami Slice Pizza
Miami Slice pizza. Whether you’re grabbing a quick snack or satisfying your late-night cravings, their delicious thin crust pizza by the slice hits the spot.
Another deck 8 restaurant option. You can snack right up until 4 am here.
Street Eats
Take your taste buds on a world tour at Street Eats. This casual eatery offers a variety of international street food favorites, from dumplings to Vietnamese banh mi. The offerings change daily.
This lunch venue’s hours change daily. Be sure to check the FunTimes daily activities schedule or the Carnival Hub app. You can find Carnival Street Eats on deck 16 by the pool.
Guy’s Burger Joint
Guy’s Burger Joint, created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, serves up mouthwatering burgers with all the fixings. The burgers are so good that they’ve become legendary among Carnival cruisers, including me.
You can’t cruise on Carnival without trying a Guy’s burger, you won’t be disappointed. It is my favorite lunch spot.
Shaq’s Big Chicken
Experience the flavors curated by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal at Shaq’s Big Chicken. From crispy chicken sandwiches to potato salad, this spot delivers comfort food with a twist.
You can even have breakfast here. It does close at 5:00pm though, so if you are thinking of Big Chicken for dinner, get there before 5pm.
You will find Big Chicken at the back of deck 16. Be on the look out for Shaq’s handprints. This is one of 13 cool things to see on Carnival Celebration.
BlueIguana Cantina
For fresh and flavorful Mexican cuisine, head to Blue Iguana Cantina. Whether you’re in the mood for tacos or burritos you’ll find it here. Be sure to stop at the salsa bar.
BlueIguana is a popular breakfast and lunch free food option on Carnival Celebration. This is located on deck 16 poolside. The breakfast burrito is delicious.
Fresh Creations salad bar
Fresh Creations focuses on healthy and customizable salad options. This is located on the Serenity deck and therefore is only for adults aged 21+.
This is one you have to plan for if you want to eat lunch here. It is open very limited hours, 12:00pm – 2:30pm on sea days. It can be easy to forget about.
Cucina del Capitano
Cucina del Capitano is a beautiful Italian restaurant that serves up classic pasta dishes, chicken parmigiana, and more. It’s an excellent choice for a romantic dinner or a family gathering.
This is a specialty restaurant that on most Carnival ships is an additional cost, however, on Carnival Celebration (and Mardi Gras and Carnival Jubilee) your first meal is free. Each additional meals are $8.00 per person, which is a great deal.
Be sure to make your reservation early (on the app) as it is a popular restaurant and most people want to try it for free.
Chibang!
Chibang! is a delightful specialty restaurant aboard the Carnival Celebration cruise ship. Here they serve up a fun mix of Chinese and Mexican cuisine. You can see the menu here.
This is another Carnival Celebration specialty restaurant that is free your first visit, then $8 per person each additional visit. You will definitely want to take advantage of your Chibang! complimentary meal. Make a reservation early so you don’t miss out.
Main Dining Room
The Main Dining Room on Carnival Celebration is the heart of the ship’s culinary experience. Here, you’ll enjoy an extensive menu of delicious dishes for breakfast, dinner, and sea day brunches. The elegant ambiance and attentive service make dining here a memorable experience.
The dinner menu varies nightly. You can check it out on the app ahead of time. We like to do this to see what is offered before deciding on where to eat that night.
Carnival Celebration tip – there is also a free small breakfast buffet at the Pig & Anchor on deck 8. It has most of the same offerings as the main buffet, just on a smaller scale. For other Carnival Celebration tips, check this article out.
Lido Marketplace Buffet
The Carnival Celebration has a great buffet restaurant. The several smaller stations means less lines which is always a bonus on a cruise ship. This is your go to spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts and snacks.
In addition to the regular items you expect to see at a buffet, you will also find a cook to order omelet station, a gelato station, and Sea Dogs serving up gourmet hot dogs.
The Marketplace restaurant also has a great salad bar.
You may now be wondering what drinks are free on a Carnival cruise. This article answers that.
Carnival Celebration Restaurants with an additional cost
As mentioned, Carnival Celebration also has some specialty restaurants (with an additional charge) for even greater variety and options
.
Bonsai Teppanyaki
Experience the excitement of teppanyaki-style dining at Bonsai Teppanyaki. Talented chefs prepare your meal right in front of you, showcasing their culinary skills while you enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine.
Bonsai Teppanyaki is open for both lunch on sea days and dinner daily. Reservations are highly recommended as this is a popular specialty restaurant on Carnival Celebration. The price currently (Jan. 2024) is $38USD for lunch and dinner $42 for dinner. See the menu here.
Bonsai Sushi
Sushi lovers rejoice! Bonsai Sushi offers a fantastic selection of sushi and sashimi. It’s the perfect spot for a quick sushi fix.
Bonsai Sushi is also open for lunch on sea day and dinner daily. Pricing is a la carte and very reasonable.
Emeril’s Bistro 1397
Emeril’s Bistro, created by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, is a culinary gem. Indulge in New Orleans-inspired cuisine with bold flavors and innovative dishes.
You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner here. Emeril’s is located on deck 6 by the Latitudes Bar in the Gateway zone of the Celebration. It’s a beautiful area of the ship.
The menu is a la carte pricing and can be found here. Breakfast is $6 and they also have $6 small plates.
Rudi’s Seagrill
Rudi’s Seagrill is the place to go for seafood lovers. Enjoy a seafood-inspired menu featuring dishes like crab stuffed lobster tail, crab cakes, and roasted halibut.
You can see the full menu here. The current price is $49 per person. Kids 11 and under can order of the kids menu for $15.
This Carnival Celebration specialty restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating.
Chef’s Table
For an elevated dining experience, consider booking a seat at the Chef’s Table. Here, you’ll enjoy a multi-course gourmet meal paired with fine wines, all while interacting with the ship’s talented chefs.
This is an exclusive small group (12-16 people) experience. This is more than a dinner, it is an experience. It starts with a champagne toast and hors d’oeuvres. Then a galley tour, and finally a delicious dinner with items you won’t find on the regular menus.
If this is of interest to you, be sure to reserve this early as it fills up fast. You can make your reservation online before your cruise. Log into Carnival’s site, then click specialty restaurants. The cost for this one varies but is often in the $150 per person range.
Pig & Anchor Smokehouse/Brewhouse
Savor mouthwatering smoked meats and craft beers in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to indulge in ribs, brisket, and pulled pork.
This is another restaurant by Guy Fieri. While you can get several of the Smokehouse favorites at lunch (outside) for free as mentioned above, their dinner items have an additional cost. The menu can be found here.
Seafood Shack
This casual poolside grab and go spot offers fresh and delicious seafood options, from buckets of shrimp or clams to lobster rolls to fish & chips.
The Seafood Shack is open for lunch and dinner. It is a small menu that you can see here.
As you can see Carnival Celebration has some great restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a casual meal included in your cruise fare or a special dining experience at a specialty restaurant, Carnival has something to satisfy every appetite.
If you are planning a cruise on Carnival Celebration, you will find these posts helpful.