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Carnival Panorama Dining and Bar Menus

Updated! We’ve added more Panorama menus and included bar menus:

Hi Cruisers!

This article has become a total labor of love for us. We collected and scanned as many menus as we could get our little cruiser hands on, and added them to this post. We’ve got main dining room menus, poolside eatery menus, and tons of bar menus – all ready for you to download before your Carnival Panorama cruise. The first part of this article will be more of a “food diary” with descriptions of where and what we ate. The specific menus will be available via a link at the end of each dining venue section.

Later in the article we will shift to brief descriptions of each venue, including a photo and link to menu download. Guy’s burgers and other poolside food stops can be found toward the middle of the article, and bar menus around the bottom.

Carnival Cruise Line brought their culinary a-game when designing Carnival Panorama. From staples like Seaday Brunch & Guy’s Burgers, to Bonsai Sushi & the quintessential Carnival Steakhouse experience, it’s tough to fit all of the dining options on Carnival Panorama into a 7 night cruise.

You could spend all 7 nights in the main dining room and have a solid dining experience and plenty of choice. But, the upcharge options on this ship are high quality and worth every penny, in our opinion. The value, for what you receive can’t compare to land-based restaurants, and the portions are above average.

Here’s a night-by-night look at what we ate on Carnival Panorama, along with the menu’s from the Main Dining Room for all 7 nights of the cruise. *Important note: we didn’t dine in the MDR each night so we’re sharing specialty dining photos, and experiences as well. However, the MDR menus for each day can be found below for your convenience.

Carnival Panorama Menus

Main Dining Room Downloads

Download menu – Night One MDR Download menu – Night Two MDR Download menu – Night Three MDR Download menu – Night Four MDR Download menu – Night Five MDR Download menu – Night Six MDR Download menu – Night Seven MDR Download menu – Bonus – Seaday Brunch

Night One – Fahrenheit 555

Carnival Cruise Line steakhouses never disappoint, and this night one experience at Fahrenheit 555 was no exception. For starters, we tried the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Classic Ceasar Salad, & Baby Leaf Spinach Salad. On our sailing, a free bottle of wine with dinner was being offered.

For entrees, we went with our usual Filet Mignon & Surf & Turf choices, with a few sides. For dessert, our server recommended the chocolate sphere & cheesecake.

Let’s not forget my cocktail choice for the evening, the Seven Seas – a lovely blue hued martini with plenty of citrusy flavor.

Fun fact, Fahrenheit 555 is the temperature the restaurant sears their steaks to lock in flavor.

Download the Fahrenheit 555 Menu .

Night Two – Main Dining Room (Formal Night FEAST)

Since we’d spent our first night on Carnival Panorama in the steakhouse, this was our first time meeting our dining room staff & experiencing the MDR. Tonight was the Formal Night Feast, which also means lobster was served, along with other favorites like Prime Rib (we didn’t try it).

For starters, we had: mushroom bisque, caesar salad, baby spinach salad, fried oysters.

For mains: grilled salmon, grilled chicken breast, pan fried bass, lobster tail.

For Dessert: coffee cream cake, vanilla creme brulee.

Night Three – Cucina del Capitano

Mama MIA! Bring your appetite! At just $15 for adults, and $5 for kids, you’re gonna leave Cucina FULL. This italian upcharge restaurant offers a three course meal.

Weeks after my Carnival Panorama cruise, I’m still thinking about that our dinner at Cucina and just how hard it was to choose what to order!

Nonna’s Meatball or Calamari? Arancini or Antipasti? UGH! Impossible! Our server was kind, and allowed us to order an extra starter to share, so we went with the Arancini (rice balls with marinara), Nonna’s meatball & the Insalata di Rucola for starters. Top that off with the fresh baked rolls they serve, and you could easily be full after before the entrees arrived!

Our mains – Pappardelle with shrimp, Pollo Parmigiana, and for Junior spaghetti with meatballs. Tip: the Chicken Parm is not served with pasta, so order a side of spaghetti if you’re used to eating it that way.

For dessert, we went with the Biscotti & Crostata. Absolutely YUM!

Download the Cucina del Capitano Menu .

Download the Cucina del Capitano (Pasta Bella) Lunch Menu .

Night Four – Main Dining Room

My eyes were bigger than my stomach tonight in the MDR. I’ll explain. I thought I’d try the Indian Vegetarian main, but wasn’t sure it would be enough, so I also ordered the salmon cake. To my surprise, the Indian Vegetarian entree came on two enormous plates, filled with savory mains in addition to basmati rice, papadam and raita. I HIGHLY recommend the Indian vegetarian entree if you like Indian flavors – it will satisfy!

Our starters: fried mozzarella sticks, braised ox tongue, shrimp cocktail, mango cream, heart of iceberg lettuce.

Our mains: salmon cake, grilled beef tenderloin, Indian Vegetarian.

Our desserts: warm chocolate melting cake, bitter n’ blanc.

Night Five – Bonsai Sushi

We had plans to to go Jiji Asian kitchen on night 5, but after looking at the menu at Bonsai, we opted to shift gears and try this open seating restaurant instead. While none of us eat raw fish, the Japanese food selections looked amazing, and the prices even better, so we rolled in, secured a nice table and grabbed a pencil to fill in our a-la-carte menus.

Download the JiJi Asian Kitchen menu .

Download the Jiji Lunch (Mongolian Wok) menu .

Upon taking our order, our server politely told us we’d chosen too much food (oops!) so we removed a tempura roll, and settled in for what would end up being one of our most memorable meals of the cruise.

We started with green salads, then shared a California Roll, Tempura Roll, Shrimp Tempura, Chicken Katsu, Teriyaki Steak, and a chicken ramen bowl. For dessert, the tempura green tea ice cream.

Download the Bonsai Sushi Menu .

If you’ve ever watched some of our vlogs you may know that we often times will highlight a “drink-of-the-day”. They have a terrific drink selection at Bonsai Sushi, and I chose my drink of the day from there on the night. It was the ever-so-tasty Saketini.

Download the Bonsai Sushi Drink Menu

Night Six – Main Dining Room (Second Formal Night FEAST)

For our second formal night, another “feast” was on tap. This time, no lobster was served on the complimentary menu, so I opted for the Garlic Grilled Shrimp.

Our starters: stuffed mushrooms, clam chowder, crab cake, four season salad

Our entrees: grilled garlic shrimp, teriyaki salmon, filet mignon

Our desserts: fruit platter, grand marnier souffle.

Night Seven – Bonsai Teppanyaki

Having dined at Teppanyaki restaurants quite a bit on previous cruises, we were planning to skip this meal experience on our cruise and head back to Bonsai Sushi. We’d booked and paid for this experience in our cruise planner in advance, but found out that cancellations charges would apply if we cancelled on the ship (seems odd). So, we kept the reservation, hoping to fend off the last night blues. The goodbye song the staff sings in the MDR on the final night chokes me up every time, so sadly, we now avoid the MDR on the last night when cruising with Carnival.

Aside from some intoxicated tablemates, our dining experience at Bonsai was excellent. As with any teppanyaki experience, it’s LOUD, so be prepared for singing, utensil clanking, and plenty of fun.

Starters: in addition to soup and salad, Bonsai serves spicy tuna on the rocks & pork belly. NICE touch! In addition, everyone gets grilled shrimp – something you won’t always find in land based teppanyaki restaurants.

Mains: Everyone gets fried rice, and an assortment of proteins. We didn’t get good photos of our seafood & meat this time.

Desserts: The chocolate bento box was the star of the evening. EVERY dessert item had it’s own flavor and personality, and we lingered extra long over this course!

Download the Bonsai Teppanyaki Menu .

But wait, what about Guy’s Burgers?

Guy’s burger joint.

Don’t worry – we haven’t forgot about Guy’s Burgers and Guy’s Pig & Anchor. Guy’s Burgers has been pleasing burger lovers on Carnival since around 2011, and has become a favorite food stop on many Carnival Cruise ships. Usually located on the pool deck, Guy’s Burgers serves ’em up hot and tasty. The simple 5-burger menu is your starting point for burger perfection.

The CruiseTipsTV family each has their own favorite. I like the Straight Up, Mr. CTTV likes the Ringer, and Junior likes the Plain Jane. The beauty of this simple menu is realized at the toppings bar. From the menu, you start with the burger basics, but the customizations available at the toppings and sauce bar are almost endless.

Download the Guy’s Burger Joint Menu .

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse

Guy Fieri wasn’t content with awesome burgers on Carnival ships, so Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse was born. Pig & Anchor serves up BBQ inspired dishes like Championship Pork Butt, Smoked Round of Beef, Smoked Andouille Sausage and Guy’s famous Blue Ribbon Chicken. Pig & Anchor is also your one stop shop for comfort food sides like Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad and Collard Greens. For dinner, Pig & Anchor is an upcharge spot, but on certain days of your cruise (usually embarkation and sea days), you can enjoy lunch at NO charge, served outside. Don’t miss the free lunch!

Not just for Foodies

It doesn’t stop with the food at Guy’s Pig & Anchor. Carnival Panorama has its very own brewery located inside Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse. We’re talkin’ craft beers here folks! There’s the ParchedPig Smoked Porter, the ParchedPig Farmhouse Ale, the ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale, and finally the ParchedPig West Coast IPA. I stopped by and got the sampler, and I really enjoyed it. Check out that vlog here . You can download the Guy’s Pig & Anchor bar menu in the Carnival Panorama Bar Menus section below.

Who say’s there’s no free lunch?

Remember that secret we mentioned earlier?

If you’re curious about the Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, but you’re not sure your ready to commit, you might be interested in a little secret. On embarkation day and sea days Carnival Panorama Guy’s Pig & Anchor offers up a free lunch menu. This is a great way to check out the dishes, and see if you like it. However, the upcharge menu at dinner offers additional items, so our advice is to TRY BOTH!

All this and live music too?

Live bands play hometown America-style tunes when the Smokehouse restaurant is open. It’s a regular slice of Americana! Enjoy the decor, sip craft beers, and listen to live music. That’s tough to beat.

Download the Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse menu .

Carnival Panorama Bar Menus

Alchemy bar.

The Alchemy Bar may just be my absolute favorite cruise bar. It certainly is my favorite bar on Carnival, and judging by the crowd it draws night and day, I’d say I’m not alone. Yes Alchemy Bar is a Carnival favorite, and it is one of the hottest gathering spots on Deck 5. Watch for drink specials and special events like martini tastings in your Carnival Hub app.

This is the place to go if you want to try something new and unique. Alchemy’s “Mixologists” are experts at what they do, and they always helpful with suggestions. It’s a super fun place to hang out, and although Carnival’s official stance is that no magic spells are used in the creation of Alchemy Bar’s cocktails, I have to wonder, because some of the drinks are truly magical tasting.

Download the Alchemy Bar menu .

If you’re looking for Cuban coffee, Cuban cocktails, music and dancing well into the night, look no further than the Havana Bar. The Havana Bar is all about atmosphere. The vintage themed bar will definitely give you the feeling of being transported to antebellum Cuba. The richly colored furniture, wall art, and authentic music give the Havana Bar a vibe like no other on Carnival Panorama.

Download the Havana Bar menu .

Blue Iguana Tequila Bar

Carnival Panorama has two terrific options when it comes to poolside libations. The Blue Iguana Tequila Bar is a pretty hopping place especially when the weather is warm. It’s hard to resist their slushy tequila drinks, and ice-cold Mexican cervezas. The menu offers up tons of Mexican favorites, including several brands of tequila and a slew of Mexican brews. Blue Iguana’s frozen concoctions, cocktails and margaritas by the glass keep the pool crowd coming back for more. If you’re looking for a way to stay cool, and quench your poolside thirst south-of-the-border style, then this is the bar for you.

Download the Blue Iguana Tequila Bar menu .

RedFrog Rum Bar

If Caribbean chill is more your thing, then Carnival Panorama’s RedFrog Rum Bar is your best option for poolside refreshment. The RedFrog Rum bar is super convenient. I found myself stopping by there more than a few times on our cruise. The bartenders were always friendly, and went out of their way to help me with my drink decisions. They have a great selection of “frog-approved” Caribbean rum-based concoctions available by the glass or pitcher, plus plenty of Carnival’s signature private-label draft beer, ThirstyFrog® Red. This is your place to go if you are looking for a poolside party with a Caribbean vibe.

Download the RedFrog Rum Bar menu .

JavaBlue Café

We weren’t really sure where to put JavaBlue. It serves a dual purpose on Carnival Panorama. You’ve got the Coffee Shop portion, and you’ve got the Shake Spot portion. The Shake Spot is kind of a “Smoothie Bar”, so although it may be a stretch we’ve decided to include it here with the other bar menus. JavaBlue serves up some wicked good coffee and snacks. The snacks are truly beautiful! Even if you don’t decide to give into temptation, you should take a peek at the tantalizing treats available behind the glass.

The Shake Spot has everything you think it might, and some things you might not expect. Check out the menu, and you’ll find a whole list of spiked milkshakes! Yes, your read that right. Things like the rum-laced chocolate shake make this a solid entry into Carnival Panorama’s list of terrific bars.

Download the JavaBlue Café menu .

Heroes Tribute Bar

The Heroes Tribute Bar is a new concept on Carnival Panorama. It offers sports bar vibes and a terrific drink menu. One think we really appreciate is that a portion of the proceeds helps to support Carnival Partner, Operation Homefront. Be sure to stop by to check out the memorabilia, and order one of the signature cocktails, like the green beret, shore leave or blue angel. This is a great spot for sports lovers too. They’ve got a wall of big screens, and updates on all types of sports.

Download the Heroes Tribute Bar menu .

Punchliner Comedy Club (at the Limelight Lounge)

Carnival Panorama’s Limelight Lounge is dual purpose. By day it is typically home to seminars, and private events, but at night things heat up with comedy, karaoke and even dancing to hits spun by the nightclub’s DJ. Limelight’s alter ego, the Punchliner Comedy Club hosts both adult and family friendly comedy. Good on Carnival for offering parents options. Oh, and they have their own bar menu too.

Download the Punchliner menu .

Piano Bar88

Piano Bar88 is a music lovers haven. In addition to the obvious live piano music, this intimate environment hosts singalongs. Get here early as the place fills up during the evenings.

Download the Piano Bar88 menu .

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Cucina del Capitano Full Dinner Menu on Carnival Panorama With Wine List

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: August 31, 2021  - Last updated: July 21, 2023

Looking for the dinner menu for the Italian specialty restaurant Cucina del Capitano on the Carnival Panorama ? Here’s the full dinner menu, including the wine list (with prices) as well as the dessert menu.

I’m just back from the very first Carnival Panorama sailing since the cruise shutdown, and I enjoyed a wonderful Italian dinner at Cucina.

Cucina del Capitano is a for-a-fee specialty restaurant on the Panorama . Dinner is a pretty reasonable $15 upcharge per person, including appetizers, soup, salad, a variety of main courses, and dessert.

Tip: To save a little money on your specialty dinner costs, consider buying a dining package. You can buy a $38 package of three dinners at the two onboard restaurants that are normally $15 (Cucina del Capitano and JiJi’s Asian Kitchen) to save a total of $7 per person.

Portions are much bigger than in the Main Dining venues, so I’d recommend not over-ordering like we did! Just one starter, the main course, and one dessert each will leave you very full.

Unless you’ve worked up a huge appetite, consider sharing the side dishes with your party. I’d say one side dish per two people is plenty for the average person—so consult with your companions to choose a selection of sides to share.

Of course, if you’re super-hungry you can always order extra. Unlike at land-based restaurants, you can order as much food as you care to eat without an extra charge. The crew doesn’t want you leaving their restaurant without a full belly!

Learn more: What New Cruisers Don’t Know About Cruise Food & Drinks

Full dinner menu for Cucina del Capitano on Carnival Panorama (Summer 2021):

Cucina del Capitano offers a small wine list as well as beer and spirits, with a focus on selections imported from Italy that you won’t find elsewhere on the ship! You can also order specialty after-dinner coffees with grappa, Sambucca, or Amaretto.

Of course, Cucina doesn’t include alcohol in the restaurant cover charge. But if you have the Cheers! package, individual glasses of wine, beer, spirits, and specialty coffees are included.

Learn more: Carnival Cruise Line Drink Packages: The Ultimate Guide

More resources for your Carnival Panorama cruise:

• Carnival Panorama BlueIguana Tequila Bar Menu With Drink Prices
• Carnival Panorama Red Frog Rum Bar Menu With Drink Prices
• Carnival Panorama Havana Bar Menu With Drink Prices
• Faster to the Fun: The Ultimate Guide to Carnival’s Skip-the-Line Pass
• How to Get Onboard Credit for Owning Carnival Stock

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Carnival cruise food: The ultimate guide to restaurants and dining on board

On a Carnival cruise, food is always one of the highlights. From Guy Fieri burgers to fancy steaks at Fahrenheit 555, you'll find endless options to satisfy your hunger in a highly enjoyable fashion. In fact, there's often more to eat and explore than you could possibly have time for in a single sailing.

If you're planning your next cruise and want to know which Carnival restaurants to expect on board, you've come to the right place. While certain dining venues remain a standard across all ships — like the much-loved Lido Deck buffet — the options keep expanding with every new ship launch. Plus, older ships are constantly being refurbished and updated with new restaurants. That's why we put together this comprehensive list of Carnival cruise restaurants and where you can find them.

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

Consider this your ultimate guide to Carnival cruise food, with details about every restaurant in the fleet, as well as answers to the most commonly asked questions about dining on a Carnival cruise ship.

Carnival restaurants available fleetwide

Coffee bar or javablue cafe.

A la carte pricing; snacks

Black coffee and tea are free at the buffet and in the main dining room, but you'll want to come here for specialty coffee drinks like espresso or cold brew. You can also purchase milkshakes and baked goods when you need an extra pick-me-up (or grab free Danish pastries and croissants in the morning).

Dining room

Included; breakfast and dinner

The main dining room serves a sit-down breakfast and the nightly three-course dinner that's included in your cruise fare. Even better, Carnival's chief culinary officer, Emeril Lagasse, is now behind many of the dining room's new menu items. On Carnival, the main dining room comes with less pretense than on many other cruise lines. In fact, it's not uncommon for your servers to break out in song and dance by the end of the night.

Don't miss other special dining experiences like the complimentary Seaday Brunch menu or the family-friendly Dr. Seuss-themed breakfast for an additional fee ($10 to $15 per adult; $8 to $10 per child), which includes meet-and-greets with characters.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Lido Marketplace

Included; breakfast, lunch and dinner

Carnival's buffet on the Lido Deck has all the staple stations to keep you fed from morning until night. Try the deli counter, barbecue spot, pasta bar or Asian noodle station. Don't miss the always-essential salad bar or pizza station. Finish up with soft serve ice cream, frozen yogurt or an enormous cake slice and other goodies from the dessert station.

Included; snacks

No cruise experience is complete without on-demand soft serve. Open on the Lido Deck until midnight, the Swirls station serves up frozen yogurt and soft serve ice cream in the classic flavors of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, or you can enjoy your own combo swirl. The best part is it's self-serve, so no one can judge you for how often you come back for another cone.

The Chef's Table

Fixed price; dinner

This exclusive multicourse dining experience hosted by the ship's master executive chef takes place in untraditional spaces like the galley or library to give you a behind-the-scenes VIP feel. (Some newer ships even have a dedicated Chef's Table dining room with a window into the galley.) You'll be part of a group of only 14 to 16 guests, and the evening kicks off with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a tour of the galley. The dinner menu itself changes based on what's in season or local to the port, but it always includes wine pairings and, of course, dessert.

24-hour room service

A la carte; all-day dining

When hunger calls at odd hours of the night or you're craving a meal from the comfort of your balcony, you can access 24-hour room service on your Carnival cruise ship. Just pick up your cabin's phone and place your order. While room service is generally only available for a cost, Carnival does offer free continental breakfast delivery to your room from 6 to 10 a.m.

Pizza delivery

Fixed price; all-day dining

You can order pizza on the Carnival Hub app to wherever you are on the ship, any time of day, for a delivery fee of $5 per pie. Pro tip: Take a picture of yourself showing where you're located on board to help the pizza delivery staff find you.

Pizzeria del Capitano or Pizza Pirate

Included; lunch and dinner

The all-day pizza station is going to be your go-to option when you get back from a day at port and the lunch buffet is already closed or when you're hungry after a late night of partying. Choose from five prepared pizza options, ranging from classics like margherita and pepperoni to other delicious Italian favorites like funghi and prosciutto. Order a slice or get a whole pie delivered through the Carnival Hub app.

Related: Which line has the best cruise pizza? I tasted slices from 7 brands

Popular Carnival dining options

Blueiguana cantina.

Included; breakfast and lunch

This casual poolside spot serves up Mexican favorites like tacos and burritos with fillings including chipotle chicken, roast pork and battered fish. Order your tacos or burrito to your liking, then head to the salsa bar to add all your favorite toppings. In the morning, you can order breakfast burritos or huevos rancheros as an alternative to the typical Lido buffet breakfast.

Available on : Carnival Breeze, Celebration , Conquest, Dream, Elation, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Legend, Liberty, Magic, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor and Vista

Related: 7 secret Carnival cruise breakfast spots that let you skip the buffet crowds

Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Sushi Express

A la carte pricing; lunch and dinner

Carnival's sit-down sushi restaurant, Bonsai Sushi, serves sushi rolls and sashimi alongside soups, sakes and sweets. Select ships feature Bonsai Sushi Express, where you can order rolls to go.

Available on : Carnival Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Elation, Freedom, Horizon, Jubilee, Luminosa, Legend, Mardi Gras , Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Sunrise, Sunshine , Venezia and Vista

Cucina Del Capitano

Cucina Del Capitano honors the cruise line's connection to Italy (many of Carnival's captains and chief engineers have either Italian heritage or maritime training in Italy, known for its long tradition of excellence in shipbuilding). This rustic restaurant serves made-to-order pasta and other Italian comfort food favorites like risotto and chicken Parmesan.

On Carnival Jubilee , Cucina Del Capitano is free for the whole sailing. On Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, your first meal is included, with additional visits at a cost of $8 per person. The other ships with this venue currently charge a fixed price of $24 per adult.

On any of the ships, come to Cucina for a complimentary Captain's Pasta Bar at lunchtime. Just choose your pasta, sauce, meat and other mix-ins — buon appetito!

Available on : Carnival Breeze, Celebration, Horizon, Jubilee, Magic, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Radiance, Sunrise, Sunshine and Vista

Guy's Burger Joint

Included; lunch

Carnival's poolside burger joint was dreamt up by Food Network star Guy Fieri to feel like the kind of roadside burger shack you'd see on one of his episodes of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." Don't underestimate these simple smashburgers — they pack a ton of flavor.

Available on : Carnival Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Elation, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Legend, Liberty, Magic, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Paradise, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, Venezia and Vista

Related: Which line has the best cruise burger? Here are TPG's top picks

Guy's Pig & Anchor

Included for lunch; a la carte pricing for dinner

Satisfy your barbecue cravings at sea at Guy's Pig & Anchor, which serves up a complimentary lunch of smoked meats like pork butt and andouille sausage, comfort food sides such as collard greens and macaroni and cheese, and a line of signature barbecue sauces. Select ships have a full-service Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse & Brewhouse that's also open for dinner with an a la carte menu, plus a brewery with an exclusive line of craft beers and live musical entertainment.

Available on : Carnival Breeze, Celebration, Dream, Horizon, Jubilee, Magic, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Radiance, Sunrise and Vista

RedFrog Pub

This Key West, Florida-inspired pub is the spot for a round of trivia or foosball, brews and tunes. You can also enjoy Caribbean bites like conch fritters and coconut shrimp with your laid-back island vibes. On Carnival Vista, sailors get a full RedFrog Pub & Brewery, which became North America's first brewery at sea when it opened.

Available on : Carnival Breeze, Freedom, Legend, Magic, Miracle, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor and Vista

Seafood Shack

At this New England-style seafood shack, you can order everything from buckets of fried seafood to steamed shellfish by the pound. Don't forget about everyone's favorites, clam chowder and lobster rolls.

Available on : Carnival Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Liberty, Magic, Mardi Gras, Panorama, Radiance, Splendor, Sunrise, Valor, Venezia and Vista

The Steakhouse

When you feel like celebrating, Carnival's upscale steakhouse serves USDA Prime steak cuts alongside all of the classic steakhouse favorites, from starters like lobster bisque and shrimp cocktail to a selection of steak sauces and rich, comforting side dishes.

Available on : Carnival Breeze, Celebration, Conquest, Dream, Freedom, Glory, Horizon, Jubilee, Legend, Liberty, Luminosa, Magic, Mardi Gras, Miracle, Panorama, Pride, Radiance, Spirit, Splendor, Sunrise, Sunshine, Valor, Venezia and Vista

Related: Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse on Carnival Cruise Line (with menu)

Carnival dining options exclusive to a few ships

Big chicken.

The crispy chicken sandwich is a food fad that isn't going away anytime soon, and Carnival's chief fun officer Shaquille O'Neal is the face behind this new chicken spot on the latest Carnival ships. Here, you can find everything chicken — chicken sandwiches, crispy chicken strips and fried chicken baskets (even chicken biscuits at breakfast!) — plus essential sides like potato salad and jalapeno slaw.

Available on : Carnival Celebration, Jubilee, Mardi Gras and Radiance

Bonsai Teppanyaki

Fixed price; lunch and dinner

This Japanese hibachi-style restaurant is part meal and part performance, as your chef prepares your lunch or dinner at the griddle-top table in front of you. The meal begins with a selection of starters and continues with a grilled meat or seafood entree of your choice (think: teriyaki salmon, lobster tail with yuzu cream or filet mignon with truffle salt) paired with fried rice, stir-fried vegetables and a sweet bento box for dessert.

Available on : Carnival Celebration, Horizon, Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Panorama and Venezia

A modern Chinese-Mexican fusion concept, Chibang! is a specialty restaurant without the specialty prices. That's right, dining at Chibang! is free all sailing long for guests on Carnival Jubilee; on Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, your first meal at Chibang is included and additional visits are only $8 per person. At lunchtime, you can order your own noodle bowl or burrito bowl (which makes it a great spot if your group has separate cravings), or at dinner, mix and match between cuisines and choose shareable plates for the table or order classic Mexican and Chinese mains.

Available on : Carnival Celebration, Jubilee and Mardi Gras

Emeril's Bistro

A la carte pricing; breakfast, lunch and dinner

At any of the three Emeril's Bistro restaurants at sea, you can get a taste of the world-famous New Orleans chef's take on Creole cuisine. We're talking Crescent City classics like fried oysters, barbecue shrimp, po'boys, muffuletta sandwiches and jambalaya. At breakfast, you'll even find shrimp and grits or bananas Foster crepes. Emeril's Bistro 1937 on Carnival Celebration also spotlights rotating international dishes daily in addition to these Nawlins favorites.

Related: 7 reasons you should treat yourself to a cruise ship specialty restaurant

Italian for "the voyage," this specialty restaurant on the Italian-themed Carnival Venezia ship takes guests on a trip with a menu of signature regional dishes from across Italy.

Available on : Carnival Venezia

JiJi Asian Kitchen

Explore both the exotic and the familiar at this modern Asian restaurant serving regional specialties while you're surrounded by Mongolian-inspired fabrics and Asian prayer rolls. May you enjoy good food and great fortune when you're here!

Available on : Carnival Horizon, Panorama, Sunshine and Vista

This lunch spot feels like a food cart from the Far East. It serves a rotating menu of bowls that span the gamut of Asian cuisines, from Korean bulgogi to Japanese ramen to Vietnamese pho.

Available on : Carnival Sunrise

Masala Tiger

You can't miss the aromas wafting from this Indian food station, where dishes like tandoori chicken and beef kebabs are cooked at over 1,000 degrees in a traditional clay oven.

Available on : Carnival Splendor

Rudi's Seagrill

Developed by Rudi Sodamin, the master chef for sister cruise line Holland America, this eatery celebrates the delicacies of the sea with elegant dishes like succulent shellfish starters, crab-stuffed lobster tail imperial and cioppino (a fisherman's stew).

Street Eats

An homage to casual food trucks and stalls, Street Eats is like a miniature open-air food market with three different stations serving street food favorites. Find bao buns and pot stickers at Steam Dream, kebabs and satay at Mad Sizzle and epic loaded fries at Time Fries.

Carnival cruise food: Frequently asked questions

How do seating times work in the main dining room?

Before sailing, you must choose your preferred dining format for the main dining room — either set dining times with assigned seating or a flexible option called Your Time Dining with open seating. If you prefer a preset dining time and a guaranteed table with the same server every night, you can choose early dining at 5:30 p.m. or late dining at 7:45 p.m.

With Your Time Dining, you can go to the main dining room anytime between 5:15 p.m. and 9 p.m. to be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. Just alert the dining room that you're coming on the Carnival Hub app so your table will be ready sooner. You can request a specific waiter, but more likely, you'll sit at a different table with a new waiter each evening. You might have to wait for a table at peak dinner times, but Carnival says the average wait time is usually less than 20 minutes, depending on your party size.

Either way, there's no need to make a reservation for the main dining room.

Do you need reservations for specialty dining restaurants?

Reservations are highly recommended for specialty restaurants, as these locations can book up in advance. You can make reservations online up to 48 hours before your cruise by visiting the "Manage My Booking/Cruise Manager" section of Carnival.com, at which time you'll also pay the cover charge for the restaurant.

Once you get on board, look for staff set up at booths to help you make specialty dining reservations. You can also call or visit the restaurant yourself to make a reservation, but seating times might be limited. Walk-ins are allowed but will get seated based on availability. If you don't make a reservation, be prepared for a wait or the possibility of being turned away if the restaurant is booked.

Can you enjoy unlimited food on your Carnival cruise?

It depends on where you eat! There are no limits on most of the included food options, and you can pretty much find free food on your cruise from the crack of dawn to late into the night. You can always eat as much as you want at the buffet in Lido Marketplace and other included food stations across the ship during their operating hours. In the main dining room, however, guests are limited to two free entrees (which, let's be honest, is still plenty!) before having to pay for additional entrees.

Is there a fee for room service?

Room service isn't free on Carnival anymore, except during breakfast. Instead, menu items are available to order a la carte. Complimentary continental breakfast can be delivered to your room between the hours of 6 and 10 a.m. For more details, check out our complete cruise ship room service guide .

Are kids menus available?

Most dining venues offer kids menus with plenty of safe options for picky eaters (think: chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and spaghetti and meatballs). If you're dining at one of the specialty restaurants with a cover charge, there's a reduced fee for kids under 11.

Does Carnival still offer a Lobster Night?

Lobster is available for dinner nightly in the main dining room for a surcharge, but on cruise sailings of six nights or longer, Carnival offers one night per sailing (typically one of the formal nights) where a lobster tail is included as a complimentary entree option on the three-course menu. But don't expect to scarf down all the lobster you can eat. In line with Carnival's two-entree limit in the main dining room, guests now have to pay for any additional lobster past the first two entrees.

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I've sailed on the Carnival Panorama 3 times with more trips planned this year. I keep going back for the cheap prices, fun activities, and great food.

• I've cruised on the Carnival Panorama three times, which sails year-round to Mexico.
• On my most recent cruise, I spent $437 for my own interior cabin during a seven-night sailing.
• I keep coming back for the fun waterslides and wide variety of dining and activity options.

I'm a big fan of cruises and have sailed on Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, and Carnival. But I keep coming back to the budget-friendly Carnival Panorama for its cruise along the Mexican Riviera.

I love to cruise , especially from my home base on the west coast to Mexico. I've boarded Norwegian, Princess, and Holland America ships, but my favorite vessel remains the Carnival Panorama.

The Carnival Panorama sails the same itinerary year-round from the port of Long Beach in California to Mexico including stops in Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlán.

And while I've sailed a similar itinerary on Holland and Princess, I find that the Carnival Panorama offers a similar experience for far cheaper and doesn't skimp on activities, dining, and exciting places to visit.

I recently sailed on Panorama with a friend, though I've also cruised solo and with my spouse. Here's why I love this budget-friendly vacation and keep coming back.

I always find the Panorama crew and officers to be warm, friendly, and excited for each sailing.

As a frequent cruiser , I really missed sailing when COVID-19 halted most forms of travel.

My first Panorama cruise since the shutdown took place in September 2021 and I got a little teary-eyed when the ship's officers and captain lined the atrium steps to welcome guests back on board.

It was so good to be back on a ship, and I've now sailed 11 more times since then, with a handful of sailings booked in the coming months — including on the Panorama.

I particularly enjoy Carnival's "welcome aboard" deck parties, which are a beloved tradition on embarkation day and I feel the excitement of cruising from the moment I step onboard the Panorama.

In my experience, the Carnival Panorama is consistently affordable, and I think selecting an inside cabin is the best way to save money.

I have booked a variety of cabin sizes on the Carnival Panorama, but I find an entry-level inside stateroom offers enough space and amenities, and choosing one is the best way to trim my overall budget.

On my most recent week-long sailing, I vacationed with a friend and we each booked our own separate inside cabins for $304 plus taxes and fees, for a total of just $437, not including alcoholic beverages. That's $62 per night.

While inside rooms start at just 185 square feet — compared to ocean view cabins that start at 230 square feet — I thought it was comfortable. Even when I've shared an inside room on past sailings, the size never bothered me since I spend most of my cruising time outside on the decks and only use my cabin to sleep.

Most cruise lines charge a single supplement for solo travelers but Carnival doesn't.

Unlike other cruise lines, there was no single supplement to sail solo in my stateroom. This not only saved me money but precious square footage as my single cabin came with just one bed, as opposed to the usual two. This meant I had more room to spread out and I never felt cramped.

I didn't have ocean views, but I appreciated the fact that I had no outside light shining through to interrupt my afternoon nap.

In addition to the bed, my room came with a large closet, a desk with storage beneath it, a TV, and a bathroom. 

Unlike other cruises I've experienced, my Carnival Panorama bathroom always comes stocked with plenty of towels.

Like other cruise ships I've experienced, my cabin bathroom was petite, but included a shower stall, a sink with mirrors above, a storage shelf beneath, and so many towels I was never wanting for more. 

The water slides are one of my favorite things about Panorama, and what I think sets it apart from other ships.

Carnival has so many onboard activities for all ages, but my all-time favorite thing to do on a sunny sea day is slip down the water slides. Panorama has two main slides, both of which I find to be thrilling. There is also a kiddie slide and a splash pad for little ones.

Since there are only two slides for all ages, I've seen it get busy and have had to wait in line, however I enjoy it so much, I never mind.

I'm a beach bum at heart so after a few rides down the slides, I always head to the pool deck.

Panorama has two main pools on the Lido deck. 

Beach Pool is centrally located and surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas, including seating within the pool. I enjoy this pool early morning and late evening, when it's a bit quieter without the DJ and impromptu dance parties.

The Tides Pool is at the back of the Lido deck and I find it tends to have a quieter vibe compared to the deck party atmosphere midship. I usually go to this pool for a mid-afternoon dip. 

It can be tough to secure a deck chair beside the pool on sea days, but I've never seen a line form to enter the pool or thought it felt overcrowded once inside.

After the pool, I visit SkyRide, a suspended cycling ride that circles the upper decks of Panorama. It's free and a great way to take in panoramic ocean views.

My spouse and I also love SkyRide, but I made sure to make time for it when I sailed more recently with my friend, too.

The sit-down cycle follows a suspended track above the upper deck where guests pedal their way along the track at their own pace. I have yet to see a big line form for this free attraction that is offered all day on port days and sea days alike.

One of my other favorite included activities is the ropes course.

I'm also a fan of the ropes course on the top deck, another free activity that technically offers great ocean views, but I'm usually more focused on the view of my feet and making sure I don't wobble.

I think it's a fun but challenging course, and while I found it intimidating at first, once I gained my confidence, the ropes earned a spot on my must-do list whenever I'm on the Panorama.  

One of the main reasons I keep coming back to Panorama is the great selection of dining included with the base cruise fare.

Panorama has a wide variety of complimentary dining for all tastes. 

The all-day buffet in Lido Marketplace rotates between roasted turkey to grilled fish and everything in between. The buffet operates morning through late night, so I tend to eat breakfast and dinner here daily.

Vista Restaurant offers fine dining without an upcharge.

While I usually opt to eat at quick-serve venues like the buffet because I like to graze, a few times during the week I'll have dinner at the main dining room, Vista Restaurant.

They serve a fine dining menu with even more variety to choose from and I think the kitchen does a particularly nice job with the glazed baked salmon. 

Once a week, guests can also enjoy lobster tails for no extra cost. On other cruise lines, lobster is usually a significant upcharge, ranging anywhere from $10-30. 

My favorite lunch on Panorama is Guy Fieri's restaurant, Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse. It costs extra for dinner, but is included for lunch on sea days — a secret most cruisers don't know.

As one of celebrity chef Guy Fieri's eateries, cruise guests know to go here for pulled pork, beef brisket, sausage, cold salads, and a variety of Fieri's signature sauces. My favorite is the brown sugar and bourbon sauce for sweet-meets-tangy perfection. 

In the evening, this barbeque joint has an a la carte upcharge, ranging from $10 for finger foods to $30 for apps and an entree, but seasoned cruisers like myself know this specialty restaurant offers a free lunch spread on sea days. Anyone can take advantage of this and no reservations are required. 

I always look forward to espresso drinks from Java Blue Café, which also has a nice selection of pastries and sweets.

I'm not much of a dessert person, but every time I sail on Carnival's Panorama, I stop by Java Blue Café for my favorite espresso drinks.

Even without a sweet tooth, I still find myself stopping to stare at the pastry selection, which have an a la carte upcharge, but are modestly-priced for the huge portions, in my opinion.

Expect to pay between $1-$3 for treats. Favorites I've tried include the carrot cake and a dulce de leche cupcake. 

I'm always amazed by the fact that Carnival has its own brewery at sea.

I'm always delighted to find a brewery in the middle of the ocean. Carnival has breweries onboard its ships, either in Fieri's smokehouse or at the RedFrog Pub & Brewery.

On the Panorama, I have made it a point to try some of their always-available offerings, like amber ales and IPAs. My personal favorite so far has been the limited-edition golden ale made in celebration of Carnival's 50 years at sea.

Beer is included in the Cheers! beverage package, or a la carte starting at $6.50 for a 10-oz glass.

There's so much entertainment and nightlife onboard the Panorama, I'm never bored.

Throughout the day, guests will find trivia tournaments, bingo, dance-off competitions, and various live music performances, all included for no extra charge.

My favorite way to spend the evening is in the Liquid Lounge, where three times each week a different stage production includes popular music and a dance team. Dancers and singers perform hits from Stevie Wonder, Adele, Simon & Garfunkel, and other Top 40 selections.

Another favorite nightlife venue of mine is the Panorama Atrium with its rotating roster of musicians. This cocktail space might have a solo musician one hour, a blues guitarist the next, or my personal favorite, the rock violinists who combine pop and classical music. 

I particularly love Havana Bar, a cozy club for karaoke or dancing.

On the back of the Promenade deck is Havana Bar, a sleek venue where karaoke competitions take place, but I like to visit when the Latin band performs. The dance floor quickly fills for a night of heart-racing beats. 

There's no charge to enjoy the band or to sing karaoke, so I pop by randomly when I'm walking in that area of the ship.

But sometimes I just want to chill at the adults-only section of the ship.

Panorama has so many great activities night and day, which is why I keep coming back to this cruise ship. But sometimes I want a break from the buzz, and that's when I head to the Serenity deck. This is a quiet place just for adults to escape the crowds and party vibe. Serenity Adult-Only Retreat has tons of lounge chairs, daybeds, cabanas, and secluded hot tubs all free for use night and day. I think it's a great spot to work on my tan or to chill out and watch the sunset. This area is tucked away from the pool deck on its own little upper deck at the front of the ship, so I find it's always free of busy crowds and music, and it's easy to find a space to lounge.

I appreciate all the little things the crew does to delight guests, such as surprising guests one morning of the cruise with towel animals lining the pool deck.

I think one of the best surprises during a week onboard Panorama is waking up to find towel animals taking over the pool deck.

Similar to the towel animals room stewards provide in the cabins, crew members set them up throughout the pool deck area on all the chairs to greet the morning crowds. 

I always get a kick out of seeing the dozens (hundreds?) of animals set on their sun loungers, and it's also fun to watch as families with kids see the towel animal party for the first time.

I think Panorama is about having as much fun or quiet time as you like, both onboard the ship and while in port.

One of the best things about Panorama is how packed the itinerary is for those looking for activities day and night — but knowing it's not necessary to do all the things.

I enjoy pool deck parties and waterslides and joining a trivia challenge, but I also really appreciate taking time out to simply enjoy an ocean view for a few quiet hours on my own. 

I also like that the ports of Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlán don't require pricey excursion tickets since there's so much to do within walking distance. While it's possible to spend $30 and up to go snorkeling or take a tour, I haven't found the need for this.

Instead, I walk to the cultural centers, enjoy the beach for free, and simply take in the sights.

Ultimately, the variety and value offered by Carnival's Panorama keeps me coming back for more. I can't wait for my next sailing.

Sailing on the Panorama is ideal for me year-round, with sunshine always on offer in the Mexican Riviera. 

Between the varied itinerary offerings and ship amenities, time and again I have found that Panorama has something for everyone. It's a special cruise and one I know I'll be back to soon.

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Carnival Firenze cruise ship arrives at new home in Long Beach

The Long Beach Cruise Terminal has a new resident — a 1000-foot-long, 5,200-guest cruise ship by the name of Firenze .

The Carnival cruise ship arrived Tuesday after traveling from Europe to Long Beach , which will be its permanent home base as it sails year-round, offering multi-day cruises to the Mexican Riviera.

The Firenze is an Italian-inspired ship that is named after the city of Florence. It was originally part of a fleet of cruise ships belonging to Costa Cruises, a popular cruise line in Italy, and a subsidiary of Carnival.

It was built and delivered to Costa Cruises in December 2020, but in June 2022 , it was announced Firenze would be coming stateside as part of the company’s “ Costa by Carnival ” initiative, alongside its sister ship, Carnival Venezia, which calls New York City home.

Both cruise ships feature Italian-themed restaurants, bars and entertainment, and unique Italian-inspired design and architecture.

It’s the third Carnival cruise ship to sail from Long Beach to Baja Mexico and the Mexican Riviera, joining the Carnival Panorama and Radiance ships. Firenze is the largest of the three and has the highest maximum passenger capacity of more than 6,500 combined guests and crew.

The ship is over 323 meters long with 135,300 gross tonnage, a measurement of a ship’s total internal volume, and has more than 2,100 passenger cabins, according to its  specification page .

Firenze’s maiden voyage —from Long Beach, at least — will take place on Thursday, with an “Italian-inspired” inaugural event and naming celebration being held the day before at the Carnival Cruise Terminal.

Carnival Cruise Line executives will be on hand, as well as actor Jonathan Bennett, known for several holiday romance films and his portrayal of Aaron Samuels in the classic teen-comedy “Mean Girls.”

Bennett is a longtime Carnival cruiser and even honeymooned on one of its ships, Carnival officials said. He sailed the first voyage of Venezia last May and has been given the unofficial title of Firenze’s “godfather.”

Firenze will offer several different itinerary options, with cruises ranging from three-day quick tips to seven-day excursions.

Cruises can be reserved by phone or online at  carnival.com .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.

Travel | Travel: Carnival Firenze, now sailing out of…

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Subscriber only, travel | travel: carnival firenze, now sailing out of long beach, offers ‘fun, italian style’.

Leave it to California’s market-leading cruise line to make the list of commonalities between Italy and Mexico even longer — 1,061 feet longer, to be exact. Stretching nearly three football fields, the lengthiest and latest ship currently homeported in California has added a Carnival atmosphere to the many things these two countries share. Just back from her inaugural cruise to the Mexican Riviera, the 4,960-passenger Carnival Firenze brings “Fun, Italian Style” to the Pacific, and in a word, this multicultural mixture of oregano and tajin is fantastico and fantástico. See, even that well-deserved adjective is similar in Italian and Spanish.

Offering three- to seven-day sailings from Long Beach to Mexico — with a stopover on Catalina Island on shorter runs — Carnival Firenze, the whopping fifth ship added to the fleet in the past 18 months, is an exciting disrupter in the highly competitive Southern California cruise market. Inside and out, Firenze is different from your standard “Fun Ship.” Where’s the signature whale tail funnel? Does the “C” on the stack stand for “Carnival?” Where’s the red, white and blue livery (cruise ship lingo for the specific design and paint scheme)?

As sure as the “C” does not stand for “Carnival,” when Firenze pulled away from Carnival’s busy berth next to the Queen Mary on April 25, sailing at 86% capacity, a new style of cruising to Mexico was ushered in.

“Fun, Italian Style.” That’s what Carnival Cruise Line ( www.carnival.com ) calls the marriage of fun, a company signature, and the Italian ambiance sister brand, Costa Cruises, is known for. This combination of corporate and ethnic cultures is the result of Carnival’s need for more guest capacity coinciding with Costa’s unfortunate timing of COVID-19 impacting the early going of two ships originally designed for the Chinese market. Costa Venezia, completed in February 2019, sailed for the Genoa-based cruise line out of Shanghai until the pandemic caused an industry pause. In December 2020, Costa Firenze was a ship without a country, pretty much, getting her sea legs not in Asia as planned, but in Europe and the Middle East.

It certainly was rough seas for these twin ships even in favorable weather conditions. To the rescue came Carnival, which adopted, refitted, rebranded and redeployed the Vista-class vessels, and showed the industry — and would-be vacationers — that when Costa hands you lemons, you make limoncellos.

Not that the Venetian-veneered Venezia, the OG steward of “Fun, Italian Style,” and Florence-festooned Firenze were poorly built when Carnival brought them over to the fun side of the parent company; quite the opposite, and take it from someone who’s even seen Firenze’s state-of-the-art advanced wastewater treatment system. It’s just that these ships had an undeserved sour start and now have a sweet life sending sunseekers off on adventure. Venezia is scheduled to sail to the Caribbean and Bermuda from New York City or Port Canaveral (Orlando area) for the next couple of years; Firenze will make runs south of the border from Long Beach through at least May 2026.

Back to those limoncellos. On Firenze’s just-concluded, seven-day inaugural cruise, the 20 guest and service bars reportedly served about 2,700 glasses of the Italian-rooted refresher. Early-adopting adult cruisers may have been motivated by the immersive Italian architecture that begins when the gangway ends — at the entrance of a three-deck, love-at-first-sight atrium modeled after Florence’s magnificent main public square. When the gorgeous Piazza del Duomo hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore.

More love, Italian style is found on the Lido deck that draws inspiration from the Italian Riviera. Ice carving, early-morning stretches and various Carnivalized fun are held at one of the prettiest pool decks on any ship. The place transforms into a street party atmosphere on every cruise for Festa Italiana, which, after it’s fine-tuned, will be a blast. Watching the action from a balcony above may not put you in the center of an audience-participation game or dance party, but the people-watching is excellent and you’re on the same deck as the yummy meatballs and sausages served at Il Mercato.

One level down is Guy’s Burger Joint, which on the two Italian-accented Fun Ships has a killer Pepperoni Pizza Burger that comes with fried mozzarella, pepperoni marinara, melted provolone, aged parmesan and a jacked-up secret mayo topping that its inventor, celebrity chef Guy Fieri, calls Donkey Sauce. It’s a winner, as are the frozen concoctions that help some hang on at Rococo on the other side of the pool. The slushy, $13 pistachio, bellini and margarita cocktails pair especially well with the ship’s theme and spicy itinerary. Steps away is Tomodoro, described by Carnival as a “Mexitalian fusion restaurant.” It’s basically Carnival’s popular BlueIguana Cantina only better, as the ingredients for the assembly line burritos and tacos seemed to be of higher quality than usual. And bravissimo to the bambinos on the menu: an Italian meatball hero and Sicilian chicken wrap.

Three of Firenze’s four sit-down specialty restaurants are familiar to past Carnival guests; the teppanyaki, sushi and steakhouse venues performed especially well for an inaugural cruise, genuinely friendly and well-trained staff included. The one new concept, Il Viaggio, offers a twist to fine Italian dining in that the menu showcases distinct culinary regions of Italy “one plate at a time.” The $42 per adult upcharge gets an antipasti plate (try the flavorful meatballs, skip the soggy and oily fritto misto); zuppa or insalate (the barley soup with smoked ham is sublime); a secondi (the beef striploin or pappardelle with pork ragu are solid entrée choices), and a meal-capping dolce (leave the tart, take the cannoli).

The Carnival WaterWorks park on Firenze is wetter and wilder than what was on the ship in her former Costa days. The multi-level slides are such good, clean fun. During the brand transformation, Carnival added two hot tubs to the premium digs for Terrazza guests, matching what is offered in the exclusive (read: pricier) Havana neighborhood on most other Vista-class ships. Recreation without chlorine includes a ropes course, jogging track, cornhole, mini-golf course, basketball court and a well-equipped fitness center that adjoins a full-service spa.

The onboard entertainment and activities are diverse with offerings for all ages and some for specific ages — from kid-centric Dr. Seuss programming to adults-only late-night comedy shows and the riotous, R-rated Carnival Quest scavenger hunt. Staged inside the large Theatro Rosso are song-and-dance shows featuring music from — shocker — the past 10 years (there’s just so many salutes to Motown, ‘60s and power ballads one can take), but “Color My World” is one production that gets dragged down by slow numbers that, at least on the inaugural cruise, seemed to fall flat with passengers who by 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. already had a full day of sun, outdoor fun, eating, drinking, game playing, eating, exploring, eating, eating and eating.

Carnival’s new Fun Ship on the dock joins two others with year-round cruises to Mexico from Long Beach. The cruise line projects that the 200-plus sailings scheduled at the port next year will draw more than 750,000 total passengers to Firenze, the 5,146-passenger Panorama and 3,873-capacity Radiance. That’s over 100,000 more compared to 2019, years before Firenze and Venezia were even a twinkle in Carnival’s eye.

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Schedules, terminals, wiki, news, live port maps,  key west , florida.

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 Kefalonia Island , Argostoli-Fiskardo, Greece

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Ketchikan is a port city on Revillagigedo Island (part of Alexander Archipelago, Southeast Alaska) with population around 8,000. The cruise port is near Canada's southern border. All cruise ships...

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 Isle of Gigha , Scotland

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Zadar is an Adriatic Sea cruise port in Croatia. By population (around 75,000) the city is ranked the country's 5th largest - after Zagreb (capital), Split, Rijeka, and Osijek. Other major Croatian...

 Rhodes Island , Greece

Rhodes Island is part of Greece's Dodecanese island chain located in southeastern Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean), off Turkey's Anatolian coast. The island is the Dodecanese's largest by land area...

 Cozumel , Quintana Roo Mexico, Riviera Maya

San Miguel de Cozumel is a major cruise port and city on Cozumel Island. Cozumel is part of Mexico's Quintana Roo state, located on Yucatan Peninsula's northeastern part. This is the most visited...