carnival cruise brewery tour

Cruise Spotlight

Helping you find cruise ships you'll love

Taking a Brewery Tour on a Carnival Ship

Last Updated on August 6, 2022

Microbrewing and craft beer have seen an explosion of interest over the last few years. Interest has bubbled over from just a niche audience to a much more mainstream appeal. Carnival noticed that its guests weren’t happy with just standard beer offerings and in 2016, introduced the first brewery at sea aboard the Carnival Vista in the RedFrog Pub & Brewery. It was the first time custom brews were made at sea, and in the following years, breweries were added to the Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama as part of Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse.

Carnival offers you the complete craft beer experience by providing brewery tours during the cruise. It’s almost a “hidden” tour; you barely see it mentioned except for one line, “ParchedPig Brewery Tour” in the FunTimes, but if you’re a beer enthusiast, it’s totally worth it. 

What is the brewery tour?

The Parched Pig Brewery Tour is a 2-hour session where the ship’s brewmaster will walk you through the process of making beer, explain how the program started, give you a tour of the facility, and let you taste 5 beers. At the end of the session, you receive a parched pig souvenir glass and a voucher for a free beer later that week. 

How much does the Carnival brewery tour cost?

The tour is only $30 per person, and, in my opinion, it’s totally worth it. It’s a steal considering that you get to sample all 4 draft beers, plus the seasonal brew. If you want to try all the beers, this is the way to go. The 16 oz pours are typically $6.75 each, so this is cheaper, AND you get an extra beer later on and souvenir glass. 

How to go on the Carnival brewery tour

Usually, if you’re looking to do an activity on the ship, you book it online or through the Carnival Hub app in advance. The brewery tour is different; you have to wait until you’re on board and sign-up manually. To sign up, you just talk to the bartender at the Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse and sign your name and room number on a sheet.

The brewery tour was high on our list of activities and one of the reasons we were excited about the Carnival Horizon, so we high-tailed it to Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse on Deck 5 as soon as we boarded the ship. The bartenders were all busy, so we walked through the restaurant and went outside for the free BBQ lunch on the Lanai. Once we filled up on some delicious BBQ ( see the menu here ), we went inside and talked to the bartender about the tour. At that point, they didn’t have the sign-up sheet yet, so we went back after dinner that evening.

When we went back, they had a sign-up sheet ready, and the tour was on the next day at 2:30 pm. They said if there’s enough demand, they add additional times on the other sea days, so you shouldn’t have a problem booking a tour. 

The brewery tour experience 

We started by going to Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse a little before 2:30 pm. Unlike excursions, you don’t get any tickets to your cabin, so you have to remember when it is. There wasn’t much direction, but we saw a few people in the back of the restaurant, so we walked there. About 7 tables of 4 were arranged with a reserved sign and flight glasses, so we knew we were in the right place. 

The brewmaster showed up a little after 2:30 and kicked off the tour. He used to be employed by Brew Hub, the company in Lakeland, Florida, that first developed the beers with Carnival. He took over the position as brewmaster on the Horizon when the original brewmaster moved to the new Carnival Panorama to set it up. The brewmaster was not “corporate” at all; he was a laid-back guy who just focused on making some great beers for the guests. 

The brewmaster kicked off the tour by having us sit down at the tables. A majority of the 2-hours is actually spent sitting at the tables and sampling the beer; the production facilities themselves are relatively small, so they don’t take long to go through. As he talked through his points, he poured some pitchers of beer and passed them around. Every two tables, or about 8 people, split a pitcher, so there was A LOT of beer to go around. 

The brewmaster started by explaining how beer is made. If you’ve been on a brewery tour before, it’s something you’re probably well aware of, but he tells it in an interesting way. Then he explained how beer is made on the Horizon specifically, from scheduling to brewing. 

After we tasted all the beers, we looked at the facilities. First, we saw the beautiful copper kettle out front, where they boil the mash. Then, we went into the cooler to see the beers in the fermenting vessels. It’s a relatively small room and barely fit the whole group. We finished the tour by getting our free glasses and certificate for a free beer. 

Key takeaways from the brewery tour

• The brewery onboard concept started when Carnival tried to overhaul their whole drink program to get away generic drinks. If you notice, on Carnival, each bar now a separate menu with unique beverages and offerings. It started with the higher popular Alchemy Bar and has continued since then.
• Brewing on board is not that different from brewing on land. The biggest difference is all the certifications and paperwork he needs when disposing of the waste. 
• This Brewery only uses malt, hops, water, and yeast. They don’t add other flavorings like fruit or additives. 
• The Brewery only makes a portion of the beer on the ship. For other venues, the cans or draft are bottled by the Brew Hub brewery in Florida. 
• Each ship has a dedicated brewmaster who keeps up production during the cruise and makes their own seasonal offering. 

How were the Parched Pig beers?

The general consensus was that Carniva’s Parched Pig beers were pretty good. They are definitely more complex than the canned domestic beers on board but not as innovative or unique as some other craft breweries. They did produce a solid beer, though that ranks relatively high on Untapped , an app for beer lovers.  

Parched Pig Toasted Amber Ale

Untapped Rating:  3.52

Description:  “Balanced and smooth, this versatile beer has a rich, toasty malt character with biscuit and caramel notes.”

My take:  It’s a beautiful amber color and was very smooth. The light caramel notes were definitely there. 

Parched Pig Farmhouse Ale

Untapped Rating:  3.55

Description:  “Refreshing and fruity with mild spice character. This complex beer with a dry finish is perfect for a hot summer day.”

My take:  Probably one of the best beers of the bunch for drinking on deck in the Caribbean. It’s light and dry, with a bit of fruitiness to it. 

Parched Pig West Coast IPA

Untapped Rating:  3.61

Description:  “High hop content makes this beer bitter and bright, with citrus and pine flavors and aroma notes.”

My take:  If you like hops or IPAs, this one is for you. It’s quite bitter, and you definitely get the citrus and pine coming through without it tasting like a bottle of Pine-Sol. 

Parched Pig Smoked Porter

Untapped Rating:  3.71 

Description:  “A full-flavor robust beer. Brewer with roasted grain and malts smoked in our wood smokers on board.”

My take:  I’m not a porter fan at all, but this beer was my favorite. I was shocked how much I enjoyed it; in fact, I used my free coupon to get a full pour of it later on in the cruise. The smokiness really added depth, and it perfectly complemented the BBQ they served in Pig and Anchor Smokehouse. 

Other Beers:

Depending on your sailing, there might be some other beers available. The Carnival Panorama has the Parched Pig Blond Lager, which has a 3.69 rating on Untapped. We’ve also tried the seasonal Christmas Dunkleweizen, a favorable, spicy blend that was probably great for the holidays (our cruise was in March, and they were just finishing off the last batch). They’ve also done a Pumpkin Ale for fall that people rave about. 

What Carnival ships have the brewery tour?

This tour is available on the Carnival Horizon , Carnival Panorama , and Carnival Mardi Gras . It will also be available on the Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee when they launch.

There is a similar tour available on the Carnival Vista , but it’s at their Red Frog Pub & Brewery, where they brew the ThristyFrog beers, not Parched Pig. 

What beers do the other Carnival ships have?

If you’re not on a Carnival ship that has a brewery, don’t worry, you can still try quite a few of the custom Carnival beers. The Parched Pig West Coast IPA , Parched Pig Toasted Amber Ale , and Thirsty Frog Caribbean Wheat are available in cans and draft across the whole fleet. They also have a special Carnival Birthday Beer to celebrate their 50th anniversary and a new Beach Lager .

These beers are brewed by Brew Hub in Lakeland, FL, and then loaded on board. Want to stock up? You can pre-order these for your cabin at $24 for a 4-pack ( see listing here ).

What’s the difference between Parched Pig and ThirstyFrog?

Parched Pig is the name of the beers developed for Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse and are the ones brewed on the Horizon, Panorama, and Mardi Gras. The ThirstyFrog brand was the first beers developed to be brewed onboard the Carnival Vista. They have 4 standard beers available. 

• ThirstyFrog Red:  Light, clean, frothy, and a little bold, this craft beer offers balanced character and whispers of toasted malt.
• ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat:  With hints of spice and orange, this brew is as sunny as the weather on a tropical cruise. With its crisp, refreshing flavor, you’ll want more than one on a hot day. 
• ThirstyFrog Java Stout:  Calling all coffee lovers: this stout beer features flavors of roasted java and dark chocolate for a bold, rich finish.
• ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin’ IPA:  Between ports, nothing quenches the thirst of craft beer lovers like this extra-hoppy IPA. Hints of tropical fruit offer a delicious fragrance and flavor.

CruiseSpotlight is an Amazon Associate. We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods.

Related posts:

• How Much I Saved Booking a Cruise Through Costco Travel
• Carnival’s Ships Are Going To Start Looking a Lot Different

Randy Young

Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 19 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there. He's known for providing detailed and analytical coverage of cruising to help cruisers get a comprehensive picture of a ship's offerings.

You May Also Like

A Look at Carnival’s Potential Main Dining Room Menu Change

Carnival Pride 7-Day Winter Cruise: Day 6 (Freeport, Bahamas)

Carnival Celebration – Cruise Blog – Day 1 – Miami

• Cruise Advice

Review: Carnival Cruise Brewery Tour

• September 5, 2018

You can get beer on just about any cruise ship, but Carnival was the first U.S.-based line to take the brilliant step of putting a craft brewery smack-dab in the middle of a cruise ship.

The beers brewed on board are not available anywhere else on the planet, but of course, that only matters if what’s being served up is a quality product.

To find out just how Carnival’s brewery stacked up, I registered for the tour to get the behind-the-scenes scoop and taste each of the varieties brewed on board. 

CAUTION:  You definitely want to register, as there are only slots for 16 people on any given tour. PRO TIP:  If, when registering, they only offer you one time/date, it’s likely that other tours either are or will be scheduled. They like to try and fill the tours in chronological order. Ask to be slated for one of the later tours, and while it’s not guaranteed, it’s likely that enough others will register for that tour to ensure it won’t be canceled.

A Brief History of Carnival’s Craft Beers

Carnival originally began brewing beer on Vista back in 2016, rebranding the popular RedFrog Pub into the RedFrog Pub & Brewery. When that proved successful, they took things to the next level on Horizon , where they replaced the RedFrog Pub with the Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse.

Thanks to their ongoing partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri, the new venue would offer a wide variety of food (with an emphasis on barbecue) as well as four Parched Pig brews.

About the Tour

Ever done a brewery tour where you spend an hour exploring the facility, learning about the process and then, finally, get to sample the beer?

Well, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that Carnival knows that while passengers are interested in the process, we’re really all about the beer. So right off the bat, things get rolling with a sample of one of the beers we’re about to learn about.

After receiving a sheet explaining the various beers we’d be sampling, the first brew – the Toasted Amber – was placed on the table in a pitcher from which we could help ourselves.

While we sipped the beer, Carnival’s brewmaster, Colin, talked to us about the process of brewing beer in general and what he does specifically, complete with a helpful accompanying chalkboard infographic. (And really, who doesn’t love a good infographic?)

For the record, the Toasted Amber is slightly malty and a great introduction to craft beers for those who might not be familiar with them.

READ MORE: Meet Colin Presby, Who Has The Coolest Job At Sea 

We learned about the four main ingredients in beer: malt (usually barley or wheat), hops, yeast, and water.

While Colin explained the differences between German and American beers (mostly involving the stricter ingredient guidelines in Germany, as opposed to American beers which can essentially go crazy when it comes to what’s added), we continued sipping our beers, proving my long-standing theory that it’s always more fun to learn when beer is involved.

There was also an interactive component as Colin passed around hops pellets for us to smell. (Much like your teacher had to tell that one kid in class not to eat the paste, Colin warned us that while the hops pellets smelled great, we wouldn’t want to taste them, as their primary purpose is to add bitterness to beers.)

Next, Colin presented us with pitchers of the Farmhouse Ale. This is a great refreshing beer for hot weather – appropriate for the ship’s Caribbean destinations – which uses a Belgian yeast, setting it apart from the other beers brewed on board.

We learned about the specifics of this ale, more about the brewing process and were able to ask Colin any questions we might have. (It’s worth noting that not only is he good at what he does – as the beers you’ll sample prove – but he clearly loves what he does and is enthusiastic about sharing it with others.)

Colin handed out pieces of dried malted barley (which, unlike the hops, we were free to taste if we wanted). These had a slightly sweet, caramel-like flavor. 

Next up came the third sample: the West Coast IPA, brewed with Centennial, Amarillo, and Simcoe hops. At this point, we all got up and went into what Colin referred to as “the cellar.”

It’s not actually downstairs, but gets its name from the days when beer was brewed in basements for temperature regulation, before things like electric heat and central air conditioning.

The cellar contains the fermentation and serving tanks. The fermentation tanks are where the yeast does its magic by turning sugar into alcohol and CO2. The serving tanks hold the finished beer and are connected directly to the taps at the bar.

We could actually hear the sound of it being pumped whenever one of the bartenders served a patron. Beer really doesn’t get any fresher than that! 

READ MORE: Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Review 

After we were done with our tour of the cellar, we returned to our tables for our 4th sample: the Smoked Porter. This one was crafted to have a hint of smokey flavor from the smoked malt that is added, making it a perfect complement to the Pig & Anchor Smokehouse’s menu selections.

We took our porters with us over to the brew kettle and mash tub, which sit outside the restaurant for all to see and marvel at as they walk past on the promenade.

Standard kettles are made of stainless steel, but for Carnival, Colin specifically chose unique ones made of glass so that you can see what’s going on inside. He also said that he tries to brew beer in the evening, so that passengers get a chance to watch the brewing process as they walk by.

We learned about the process the beer goes through as it goes from one kettle to the next. First, the malt is mixed with hot water to convert the starch from the grains into sugar. Then the liquid is drained from the grains, hops are added, and the mixture is brought to a boil.

Finally, the mixture is cooled and transferred to the cellar, where the yeast is added for fermentation.

We returned to our tables and learned that we were going to get a bonus sample: the seasonal beer currently on tap.

In honor of Horizon’s temporary stay in New York City, the seasonal on tap at the time was an apple beer (which we were told would basically be scoffed at in Germany), with cinnamon and other spices called “Big Apple Pie”… which was supposed to taste like apple pie, but I would say tasted more like cold mulled cider. I liked it a lot, but I can see where “beer purists” would definitely take issue with it.

Colin wrapped up the tour by handing out some swag. We each got a Thirsty Frog Red pint glass (which, should you want to buy a few more so you have a complete set, are available for purchase at the Red Frog Rum bar) and a certificate of completion “ideal for your man cave.”

We were also presented with the slips for us to sign for our payment of the tour ($24.95 each). With the certificate, we would be able to get one complimentary pint of Parched Pig beer of our choosing from the Pig & Anchor bar.

I was traveling with my husband and we didn’t really need two certificates, so I requested that both our names be on one. We did want two free beers, though, so Colin got clever with the Name field on our second one.

To get your free beer, you take the certificates to the bartender who initials the back to indicate you’ve collected your pint. With having just sampled a fair amount of beer, we opted to come back later that night to redeem our pints. 

Final Thoughts

This was one of the best brewery tours I’ve ever experienced. Colin really encourages questions, so every tour is unique to what its tour group is interested in learning about the process.

This tour is ideal for home brewers, people with a passion for beer, or those simply looking for a fun and different way to spend a little time while also enjoying some tasty brews.

Recent Posts

Sun princess christened in barcelona by hannah waddingham, princess cruises [photos], construction starts for royal caribbean’s private beach club in nassau, princess introduces new sanctuary collection on sun princess and star princess, norwegian’s next cruise ship floated out at shipyard, share this post, related posts.

MSC and Mercy Ships To Build State-of-the-Art Hospital Vessel

New Consumer Law Mandates Clear Pricing for Cruise Lines

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

The First Brewery Tour on a Cruise – Red Frog Pub and Brewery

• In the City / North America

Having lived in amazing beer towns like San Diego and Portland , we’ve done our fair share of brewery tours. Now when we visit new breweries, we skip right to tastings and flights unless there is something unique about their brewing process. During our week long trip on the Carnival Vista , we had a chance to see how a brewery is run on a cruise ship!

Red Frog Pub is a staple in the Carnival Cruise Ships and they serve great beer, but the one on Carnival Vista is special because it’s the very first brewery on a North American cruise ship. Brewmaster Colin Presby is heading up this new venture and it was fascinating to hear about how brewing on a ship differs from brewing on land. They have to deal with getting supplies when they’re at port, manage the sway of the ship, and do all of this in their custom built brewery.

Passengers aboard the Vista can sign up for this unique brewery tour where Colin walks you through the whole process. He talks about the general beer making process, then goes into how some of it is unique to the ship. Afterward, you get to taste what they are currently brewing.

It’s $12.95 for the tour, which includes the tasting. Spots are limited and can fill up, so sign up early!

While we were on the ship, they were brewing three different beers. The ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin’ IPA, ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat, and my favorite, the FriskyFrog Java Stout. You can only get these beers on the Carnival Vista in the RedFrog Pub, which made them really special. Some of the folks in our group picked up a pint to bring to dinner.

If beer isn’t your thing, Carnival Vista has twenty-five (TWENTY-FIVE!) bars all with different themes. Over the course of the week, we went to as many as we could, but we still have plenty left to explore for next time!

Have you been on a carnival cruise? What’s your most unique brewery experience?

ESTHER + JACOB

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 50 travel blogs in the world. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They move to a new city every year and currently live in Portland, Oregon.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Brewing Cruise.com – Cruise Ship Brewery Experience

Brewery tours and the best craft brews at sea!

Carnival Ships with Breweries

The following Carnival ships have breweries available that can be toured during your cruise. All six ships have the CHEERS! beverage program available which includes beer from the brewery as well as cocktails, wine and other beverages. We book itineraries on all six ships and can assist you with planning your brewing cruise.

Carnival Vista

Sails to: Bahamas, Caribbean Departs from: Galveston, TX, Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL Cruise length: 2-5 days, 6-9 days

Carnival Vista has a Redfrog Pub & Brewery onboard for the best cocktails and craft beers available at sea! Brewery tours are available on this ship.

Click here for more information on the Carnival Vista

Carnival Madri Gras

Sails to: Caribbean Departs from: Port Canaveral (Orlando), FL Cruise length: 6-9 days

Carnival Mardi Gras has a Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse onboard for the best gourmet barbecue and craft beers available at sea! Brewery tours are available on this ship.

Click here for more information on the Carnival Mardi Gras

Carnival Panorama

Sails to: Transpacific, Mexico Departs from: Singapore, Los Angeles, CA Cruise length: 2-5 days, 6-9 days, 10+ days

Carnival Panorama has a Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse onboard for the best gourmet barbecue and craft beers available at sea! Brewery tours are available on this ship.

Click here for more information on the Carnival Panorama

Carnival Horizon

Sails to: Caribbean Departs from: Miami, FL Cruise length: 6-9 days

Carnival Horizon has a Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse onboard for the best gourmet barbecue and craft beers available at sea! Brewery tours are available on this ship.

Click here for more information on Carnival Horizon

Carnival Celebration

Carnival Celebration has a Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse onboard for the best gourmet barbecue and craft beers available at sea! Brewery tours are available on this ship.

Click here for more information on Carnival Celebration

Carnival Jubilee

Sails to: Caribbean Departs from: Galveston, TX Cruise length: 6-9 days

Carnival Jubilee has a Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse onboard for the best gourmet barbecue and craft beers available at sea! Brewery tours are available on this ship.

Click here for more information on Carnival Jubilee

Book your brewery cruise today!

Carnival Celebration’s Brewery Finishes First Batch of Beer

• October 7, 2022

The brewery on the new Carnival Celebration has just finished its first batch of beer, Carnival Cruise Line announced in a press release.

When the LNG-powered vessel starts sailing next month, guests will be able to “cheers” to her fall arrival with an all-new Oktoberfest-inspired seasonal beer, brewed right on board, the company added.

Just finished by the ship’s Brew Master Michael Deichstetter, the first batch is made of a type of beer known as a Festbier – which is popular during Oktoberfest.

Carnival’s brewery team describes the beer as a modern take on a traditional German lager, light-bodied and golden in color, with notes of melon and strawberry and a clean finish.

Deichstetter, who has been brewing beer for more than 15 years, saif his team is planning more special brews to serve on board Carnival Celebration.

The team will also brew Carnival’s other exclusive and popular beer offerings already available fleetwide, including the ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat, the new ParchedPig Beach Lager, the Carnival Birthday Beer and others.

The Celebration is now Carnival’s fifth ship to have its own brewery onboard.

First introduced by the Carnival Vista in 2016 , the feature is also available on the Carnival Horizon, the Carnival Panorama and the Mardi Gras.

Currently on final stages of construction, the new Carnival Celebration is set to debut later this year.

A sister to the 2021-built Mardi Gras, the XL-Class vessel will offer seven and eight-day cruises from its Miami homeport starting on Nov. 21. Itineraries include popular destinations in both Western and Eastern Caribbean.

Cruise Industry News Email Alerts

• Breaking News

Get the latest breaking  cruise news .  Sign up.

54 Ships | 122,002 Berths | $36 Billion | View

Highlights:

• Mkt. Overview
• Record Year
• Refit Schedule
• PDF Download
• Order Today

• 2033 Industry Outlook 
• All Operators
• Easy to Use
• Pre-Order Offer
• Advertising
• Cruise News
• Magazine Articles
• Quarterly Magazine
• Annual Report
• Email Newsletter
• Executive Guide
• Digital Reports

Privacy Overview

Brewery, Tasting & Port Lucaya

Sightseeing Bus Tour: Embark on a sightseeing tour of the city of Freeport and learn about its development and history. Port Lucaya Shopping:  Spend one hour at the famous Port Lucaya Marketplace where you will get the opportunity to visit straw artisans and a variety of quaint shops. Bahamian Brewery: Visit a Bahamian brewery and sample the island’s lagers, stouts and ales. You will have approximately one hour to tour the production and bottling facility. You may also browse the gift shop with products from this authentic Bahamian brewery before returning to your ship. What’s Included:

• Entrance fee to the brewery.
• Beer tasting.

Requirements & Restrictions: Minimum drinking age – 18 years. For safety reasons, guests with walking difficulties may not participate on this excursion. Guests must safely navigate staircases and board the bus unassisted. What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes and cash or credit/debit card for additional purchases. Good to Know: Guests will spend approximately 1 hour at the Port Lucaya Marketplace and 1 hour at The Bahamian Brewery.

Protect Your Trip »

Royal caribbean vs. carnival: quick comparison chart.

Decide which line is best based on costs, food, onboard entertainment and other key factors.

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line have quite a bit in common.

Trying to choose between Royal Caribbean and Carnival for your next cruise? Check out the comparison chart below, then read on for more details.

Winner: Royal Caribbean

When it comes to fleet size as well as the features available on cruise ships, Royal Caribbean has an edge over Carnival Cruise Line. That's because Royal Caribbean already has 28 ships in operation, including its incredible Oasis Class, Quantum Class and Quantum Ultra Class ships. Oasis Class vessels like Allure of the Seas , Symphony of the Seas , Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are some of the largest in the world – and Royal Caribbean Group is constantly rolling out new, even bigger cruise ships with better amenities and new features. For example, the new Icon of the Seas (scheduled to debut in 2024) plans to have the largest water park at sea, the largest swimming pool at sea, and a range of over-the-top cabins and suites for families of all sizes.

Meanwhile, Carnival currently operates 25 different vessels with a few more on the way. Newer ships like Carnival Celebration and Carnival Venezia aren't as large and grand as Royal Caribbean ships, nor are the brand-new vessels the company is planning for late 2023 and 2024. For example, the new Carnival Jubilee that is set to begin sailing later in 2023 will have 15 passenger decks and capacity for up to 6,631 guests, compared to 18 guest decks and 7,600 passengers on Icon of the Seas.

Read: The Largest Cruise Ships in the World

SBW-Photo | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Comparing cabins across cruise lines as a whole isn't an easy feat, mostly because companies tend to offer larger suites and cabins with a better layout on their newer ships . You'll therefore likely have a nicer cabin on one of Carnival's newest vessels compared to an older ship from Royal Caribbean, and of course the opposite is also true. Cabin sizes and layouts also vary widely across the vessels of both brands, and that's true even for basic interior, ocean view and balcony cabins.

That said, Royal Caribbean still comes out ahead in this category, since the line boasts more square footage in some of the most basic cabins as well as more over-the-top luxury accommodations, especially for families.

As an example, most inside cabins on Allure of the Seas feature 172 square feet of space, whereas Carnival Celebration's inside cabins are slightly smaller at 158 square feet. Meanwhile, the largest suites on Celebration are the Carnival Excel Presidential Suite, with 1,120 square feet of space including the balcony, and the Carnival Excel Aft Suite, which has 861 square feet of interior and balcony space. Compare those options to the Sky Loft Suites on Allure of the Seas, which feature 1,132 square feet across the room and balcony, and the spacious two-bedroom AquaTheater Suites with 1,595 square feet including the balcony.

Book a cruise on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Winner: Tie

Food options vary widely across vessels within any cruise brand, and this is especially true with Royal Caribbean and Carnival. For example, older ships from both cruise lines offer fewer specialty dining options overall along with the main dining rooms and buffet options cruisers come to expect, whereas newer ships from both lines feature a lot more unique and innovative options.

When you view the cruise dining options from both lines, you'll quickly find that both Carnival and Royal Caribbean pull out all the stops when it comes to food. For example, Carnival ships include a range of eateries from large and expansive buffets to main dining rooms to unique offerings like Big Chicken, Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina. Meanwhile, specialty dining on Carnival vessels features options like teppanyaki, Emeril's Bistros at Sea and Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse.

Royal Caribbean ships feature convenient buffets and main dining room experiences, as well as included options like pizza kitchens, noodle bars and casual fast food. Specialty dining on Royal Caribbean ranges from the brand's Chef's Table experience to Johnny Rockets' burgers and shakes to innovative fine dining at Wonderland.

Drink packages

Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer drink packages that cruisers can purchase as part of their vacation to get a more all-inclusive feel . Then again, the value of these packages depends on how much you drink over the course of your trip. Also note that the cost of drink packages across all cruise lines can vary depending on the ship, itinerary, travel dates, length of trip and more.

Royal Caribbean comes out slightly ahead in this category because the line offers three tiers of drink packages for guests with different needs. Choose from the Classic Soda Package; the Refreshment Package, which includes soda along with coffees, juices and even milkshakes at Johnny Rockets; and the Deluxe Beverage Package, which adds in beer, cocktails and wine by the glass. Meanwhile, Carnival offers just two different drink packages: the Bottomless Bubbles package, which covers soft drinks and juice, and the Cheers! drink package, which adds in spirits and cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, specialty coffee, energy drinks and more.

Read: Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line

Onboard activities

Analyzing onboard activities across cruise lines isn't always easy – you really have to break down this category by ship for a true comparison. When you do that with Carnival and Royal Caribbean, you'll find that both lines offer fun activities for all ages, from onboard water parks to hosted games, casinos and more.

That said, Royal Caribbean does take things up a notch in this category, especially on the line's newer ships. Some Royal Caribbean vessels offer escape rooms, surf simulators, zip lines, game shows and over-the-top water parks with incredible slides for thrill-seekers. For example, Freedom of the Seas boasts huge onboard waterslides, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, mini-golf and more. Don't forget about Icon of the Seas with its massive water park and pool offerings in the works. Meanwhile, standout activities on Carnival ships include Family Feud Live, onboard water parks and the thrilling SkyRide.

Compare Royal Caribbean cruises on GoToSea .

Live entertainment

The quality of cruise ship entertainment varies widely based on the quality of the talent booked for individual ships. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer their share of live music and entertainment, including performances by bands and singers, karaoke, and piano bars. Meanwhile, both lines also boast their own theaters on every vessel, which often feature Broadway-style shows, singing and dancing, comedy acts, and more.

Royal Caribbean comes out ahead in this category since its vessels feature award-winning musicals like "Hairspray," "Mamma Mia!" and "Cats." The open-air AquaTheater on Oasis Class ships also wows guests with incredible diving feats, stunts and aerial acrobatics. Some Royal Caribbean ships even have onboard ice skating performances and ice games.

Explore cruise deals on  GoToSea .

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Kids programming

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Winner: Carnival

Both cruise lines have kids clubs that cater to younger guests of all ages, with each one offering supervised care so parents can drop the kids off for some alone time or a quiet dinner on the ship. However, Carnival stands out slightly in this category due to the six different clubs offered across the fleet for children and teens between 6 months and 17 years old. Carnival also offers supervised Night Owls services for kids 11 and younger, which lets parents get out and have some late-night fun for an extra charge.

Royal Caribbean offers four kids clubs for children ages six months to 12, along with a separate club for tweens and teens . Supervised child care is available for free during the day, and you can opt for paid care after hours as well.

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Adults-only offerings

Both cruise lines offer their share of adults-only spaces and things to do, from onboard casinos to luxurious spas to bars that offer cocktails and live entertainment at all hours of the day and night. Carnival and Royal Caribbean also offer adults-only areas on some of their ships.

On Carnival, for example, cruisers will find the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat for sailors 21 and older with extra space and comfortable chairs for relaxation, along with its own bar nearby. On many Royal Caribbean vessels, on the other hand, the onboard Solarium for ages 16-plus has its own pool and extra space to find peace and quiet.

Carnival's Serenity relaxation area is included for guests. While Royal Caribbean's Solarium is typically also included, on certain sailings there is restricted access by fare class.

Read: The Top Adults-Only Cruises

Shore excursions

Getty Images

Shore excursions offered by cruise lines are largely operated by third-party companies and are often the same across brands. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean boast a broad selection of excursions in destinations around the world, from snorkeling and scuba tours in the Caribbean to city tours, horseback riding, cooking classes and more.

Both cruise lines offer private and custom tours you can book through your ship as well.

Compare cruises on GoToSea .

Private island experiences

Royal Caribbean and Carnival each have their own private island in the Bahamas , which is included in most itineraries to this part of the world. These private islands provide a fun beach escape for families to enjoy, whether you want to relax in the sun or take part in some of the available activities.

Royal Caribbean's private island, called Perfect Day at CocoCay, is the more impressive option due to everything it includes: a heart-thumping water park, its own wave pool, a zip line, a hot air balloon experience and overwater bungalows you can book for the day, among other offerings. Meanwhile, Carnival's Half Moon Cay has a unique beached pirate ship to explore – but fewer amenities overall.

Note that both private islands have plenty of beach space for guests to spread out and relax, as well as restaurants and bars. You can also book excursions on both private islands, which include activities like snorkeling and water sports.

Read: The Top Cruise Line Private Islands

Comparing costs across cruise lines can be tricky since fares and available sales vary throughout the year, as well as based on the vessel booked, the cruise itinerary, the number and age of travelers, and more. To get an idea of who wins on price, we looked for two similar cruises on comparable ships from Carnival and Royal Caribbean, then priced out an option for a family of four with two children ages 8 and 10. For the purpose of this comparison, we used seven-night eastern Caribbean cruises on Carnival Celebration and Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, both of which began sailing in 2022.

The Carnival Celebration itinerary from Miami stops in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands . By comparison, the Wonder of the Seas sailing leaves from Port Canaveral, Florida, with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten ; San Juan; and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

The chart below shows the total cost (including taxes and fees) for a family of four in January 2024 in both an ocean view and a typical balcony cabin across both cruise lines. Note that, for the purpose of this comparison, we selected the least expensive room option in each category.

Read: How Much Does a Cruise Cost?

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer who has covered cruises and other family travel for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 30 times across most of the major cruise lines and has ventured on itineraries around the world. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate this cruise line comparison.

You might also be interested in:

• Cruise Packing List: Essentials for Your Cruise
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans
• The Top Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers
• How to Find Last-Minute Cruise Deals
• The Top Kids Sail Free Cruises

Tags: Travel , Cruises

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

Flight canceled or delayed what to do.

Amanda Norcross April 26, 2024

The Best Beach Hats

Megan Johnson and Sharael Kolberg April 26, 2024

The Best Florence Tours

John Rodwan April 25, 2024

The 9 Best Louisiana Swamp Tours of 2024

John Rodwan April 24, 2024

How Much Does a Cruise Cost?

Gwen Pratesi April 24, 2024

The Best Whale Watching in Cape Cod

Lyn Mettler April 24, 2024

Best Whale Watching Tours in Maine

Marisa Méndez April 23, 2024

The Best Wineries in Napa Valley

April 23, 2024

The Best East Coast Beaches

April 19, 2024

The Best Luggage Brands

Rachael Hood April 17, 2024

Luxurious American cruise line provides a comfortable way to learn about U.S. history | Sandy Fenton

• Published: Apr. 27, 2024, 7:00 a.m.

You might not be familiar with the name, but American Cruise Lines has been taking guests to the country's most popular rivers and coastal waters for over 50 years. American Cruise LInes

• Sandy Fenton | Special to PennLive

You don’t need to travel overseas to enjoy a river cruise vacation.

You might not be familiar with the name, but American Cruise Lines has been taking guests to America’s most popular rivers and coastal waters for over 50 years.

My husband and I recently returned home from a weeklong “Historic South & Golden Isles” sailing aboard the new, upscale and modern “American Eagle,” a 100-passenger coastal catamaran ship that departs from Amelia Island (Fernandina), Fla., and ends in Charleston, S.C.

Our itinerary also included port-of-calls in Brunswick, Ga., Savannah, Ga. (overnight), and Hilton Head and Beaufort, S.C., (overnight) as we cruised the Intracoastal Waterway taking in all the amazing Lowcountry scenery along the way.

Having loved our many European river cruises, I didn’t know what to expect cruising throughout the United States. Well, we’re sold. “American Eagle” exceeded our expectations.

American Cruise Lines is positioning itself as the number one choice for domestic and foreign adult travelers wanting a premium experience while learning more about American history and culture from a river, harbor and coastal water perspective.

American Cruise Lines is the only 100% all-American-owned and operated cruise company in the U.S. All ships are built in Salisbury, Md., and crewed by Americans. The company sails both rivers and coastal itineraries around the country, only visiting U.S. ports. Their guests (Eagle Society Members) keep coming back over and over again (75-80% were past passengers on our itinerary).

American Cruise Lines is all about small ships and all-inclusive cruising (90-180 passengers). They have 17 ships, with American “Liberty” and American “Legend” debuting this year, plus two more coming in 2025. In addition, ACL just purchased four paddle-boat ships from the recently defunct American Queen Voyages.

Popular itineraries and ports of call in 35 states spotlight the Columbia and Snake rivers, the entire East Coast from Maine to Florida, Alaska, the Mississippi River and its tributaries, New England islands and harbors, the Pacific Northwest and the Chesapeake Bay - with onboard resident historians and experts hosting port discussions and briefings on all sailings.

On our “American Eagle” sailing most guests were 60+, retired, well-traveled, active and eager to discover new ports and explore the historic river towns along the way. These “Eagle Society” members have already “done that, been there” when it comes to travel, especially cruising. Many have circumnavigated the world by land, river and sea.

Nowadays, they still have the time, money and energy/good health to travel, but prefer to stay in the United States, closer to home, and do not need (or want) over-the-top, opulent surroundings with personal butlers and sommeliers, nor do they want mega-size vessels holding 6,000+ guests. “Eagle Society” cruisers want good food & drinks, good service, and comfortable and modern accommodations combined with a relaxed, uncomplicated, friendly onboard experience.

The most popular event is the late afternoon open bar “Signature Cocktail Hour” with officers and fellow guests enjoying their favorite beverages and hors d’oeuvres featuring local specialties, and chatting about their day’s adventures (with live background music) before heading into the open seating dinner from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Fresh food is brought aboard daily, and all meals & snacks are included in your cruise. Master chefs prepare traditional American menus with a regional flair featuring local ingredients. The menus are short and sweet without any confusion when ordering. Breakfast in the dining room offers the most menu choices including a feature of the day.

In Brunswick, Georgia, the feature was beef tenderloin with eggs, lobster scampi & breakfast potatoes (I know, I know), plus made-to-order omelets, French toast, oatmeal, specialty quiches and the usual sides – bacon, sausage, grits. (A casual breakfast/lunch is offered every day in the outdoor café).

Our lunch choices included fried green tomato BLT, Napoleon lemon dill crab salad, or Brunswick stew. Dinner has two appetizers (corn chowder soup or iceberg wedge salad) and 3 entrees: Southern BBQ pork chop, crab-crusted salmon or pan-seared sea bass. Wine and beer and soft drinks are complimentary during lunch and dinner, and homemade desserts are a big deal with this crowd.

Following dinner, many guests head back to the main lounge for live entertainment, featuring local musical guests, comedians, magicians and storytellers – and yes, the open bar is available to all.

To be clear, American Cruise Lines is not for everyone. It is not for families with young children. It is not for honeymooners wanting a tropical island beach vacation during the day and a heart-pounding late-night disco dance party. There is no onboard pool, casino, shopping, fancy spa, Broadway shows, 24/7 room service, activities or entertainment. It is the total opposite of Disney or Vegas or Carnival Cruises.

It is also not an inexpensive cruise line. ACL is a small, intimate experience for adults wanting to see and explore the United States in an upscale and comfortable environment – without long lines and crowds. (Some New England and Columbia & Snake River summer itineraries are popular with multi-generational groups – without young children.)

Here are a few of my favorite ACL “American Eagle” experiences during our “Historic South & Golden Isles” sailing :

• Easy and seamless walking on and off the ship at every port of call. In Savannah we were docked in front of the River Walk, smack in the heart of this historic and beautiful city.
• The new, modern and luxurious onboard décor. Very light and airy throughout the ship. Spacious public areas and staterooms/suites, including a surprisingly large sun deck with comfy lounge chairs and a track for scenic walking.
• Shore excursions, especially the “Alligator Wildlife Exploration” in the Sea Pines Resort Forest in Hilton Head and the “Pat Conroy’s Writing Exploration” and “Beaufort Movie Walking Tour” (”The Big Chill,” “Prince of Tides,” “Forest Gump,” “The Great Santini”) in beautiful Beaufort, South Carolina.
• Eating breakfast or lunch outdoors on the Sky Lounge verandah overlooking the back of the ship and all the Lowcountry scenery on both sides.
• All-inclusive cruising – no nickel and diming. Fares include all onboard farm-to-table meals and snacks, wifi, evening cocktails, entertainment, enrichment programs, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, tips and gratuities, and so much more.

Before you book an American Cruise Line vacation, be sure to ask your travel advisor what style of ship you will be on. There are distinct differences (interior & exterior) between the riverboats, paddle-wheelers and coastal cruise ships. Many of the itineraries include a pre-cruise hotel stay with transfers and some extend complimentary airfare and special promotions.

For more information, go to www.americancruiselines.com .

“Let’s Visit PA with Sandy Fenton” is syndicated on iHeartRadio and heard locally every Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon on WHP580 .

• Airlines must refund flyers with cash for delayed, canceled flights: DOT
• Pennsylvanians need to save for nearly 1 year for a vacation, report finds
• See the world, but know what’s going on where you’re going | Travel Views

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

• Vacation Rentals
• Restaurants
• Things to do
• Elektrostal Tourism
• Elektrostal Hotels
• Elektrostal Bed and Breakfast
• Flights to Elektrostal
• Elektrostal Restaurants
• Things to Do in Elektrostal
• Elektrostal Travel Forum
• Elektrostal Photos
• Elektrostal Map
• All Elektrostal Hotels
• Elektrostal Hotel Deals
• Elektrostal Hostels
• Elektrostal Business Hotels
• Elektrostal Family Hotels
• Elektrostal Spa Resorts
• 3-stars Hotels in Elektrostal
• Elektrostal Hotels with Banquet hall
• Elektrostal Hotels with Game room
• Hotels near Electrostal History and Art Museum
• Hotels near Park of Culture and Leisure
• Hotels near Statue of Lenin
• Hotels near Museum and Exhibition Center
• Hotels near Museum of Labor Glory
• Hotels near (ZIA) Zhukovsky International Airport
• Hotels near (VKO) Vnukovo Airport
• Hotels near (DME) Domodedovo Airport
• Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
• Xafira Deluxe Resort & Spa
• Excalibur Hotel & Casino
• Giraffe Manor
• Jules Undersea Lodge
• Aruba Ocean Villas
• Royalton Riviera Cancun
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
• Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
• Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa
• Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana
• Luxor Hotel & Casino
• Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
• Ocean Casino Resort
• Popular All-Inclusive Resorts
• Popular Beach Resorts
• Popular Family Resorts
• Popular All-Inclusive Hotels
• Popular Hotels With Waterparks
• Popular Honeymoon Resorts
• Popular Luxury Resorts
• Popular All-Inclusive Family Resorts
• Popular Golf Resorts
• Popular Spa Resorts
• Popular Cheap Resorts
• All Elektrostal Restaurants
• Restaurants near Restaurant Globus
• Cafés in Elektrostal
• Chinese Restaurants in Elektrostal
• European Restaurants for Families in Elektrostal
• European Restaurants for Large Groups in Elektrostal
• European Restaurants for Lunch in Elektrostal
• Fast Food Restaurants in Elektrostal
• French Restaurants in Elektrostal
• Italian Restaurants in Elektrostal
• Japanese Restaurants in Elektrostal
• Pizza in Elektrostal
• Russian Restaurants in Elektrostal
• Seafood Restaurants in Elektrostal
• Vegetarian Restaurants in Elektrostal
• GreenLeaders
• Elektrostal
• Things to Do
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center
• Europe    
• Russia    
• Central Russia    
• Moscow Oblast    
• Elektrostal    
• Elektrostal Restaurants    

Restaurant Globus

Ratings and reviews, location and contact, restaurant globus, elektrostal - restaurant reviews & photos - tripadvisor.

Finding what to do in Cozumel for a day is now easy, a wide set of options to help you plan for your Shore Excursion in Cozumel

Review: Carnival Cruise Brewery Tour

You can get beer on just about any cruise ship, but Carnival was the first U.S.-based line to take the brilliant step of putting a craft brewery smack-dab in the middle of a cruise ship. The beers brewed on board are not available anywhere else on the planet, but of course, that only matters if what’s being served up is a quality product. To find out just how Carnival’s brewery stacked up, I registered for the tour to get the behind-the-scenes scoop and taste each of the varieties brewed on board. 

Guy Fieri and brewmeister Colin Presby, doing the ribbon cutting honors of Guy’s Pig & Anchor Brewhouse.

WHEN: Most sea days. WHERE: Register at the Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse on Carnival Horizon , or the RedFrog Pub on Carnival Vista . COST:  $24.95 per person. CAUTION:  You definitely want to register, as there are only slots for 16 people on any given tour. PRO TIP:  If when registering, they only offer you one time/date, it’s likely that other tours either are or will be scheduled. They like to try and fill the tours in chronological order. Ask to be slated for one of the later tours and, while it’s not guaranteed, it’s likely that enough others will register for that tour to ensure it won’t be cancelled.

A Brief History of Carnival’s Craft Beers

Carnival Vista docked.

Carnival originally began brewing beer on Vista back in 2016, rebranding the popular RedFrog Pub into the RedFrog Pub & Brewery. When that proved successful, they took things to the next level on Horizon , where they replaced the RedFrog Pub with the Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse. Thanks to their ongoing partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri, the new venue would offer a wide variety of food (with an emphasis on barbecue) as well as four Parched Pig brews.

About the Tour

Entrance to Pig and Anchor on Deck 5.

Ever done a brewery tour where you spend an hour exploring the facility, learning about the process and then, finally, get to sample the beer? Well, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that Carnival knows that while passengers are interested in the process, we’re really all about the beer. So right off the bat, things get rolling with a sample of one of the beers we’re about to learn about.

After receiving a sheet explaining the various beers we’d be sampling, the first brew – the Toasted Amber – was placed on the table in a pitcher from which we could help ourselves. While we sipped the beer, Carnival’s brewmaster, Colin, talked to us about the process of brewing beer in general and what he does specifically, complete with a helpful accompanying chalkboard infographic. (And really, who doesn’t love a good infographic?) For the record, the Toasted Amber is slightly malty and a great introduction to craft beers for those who might not be familiar with them.

READ MORE: Meet Colin Presby, Who Has The Coolest Job At Sea 

The brewmaster leading a tour on Carnival Horizon.

We learned about the four main ingredients in beer: malt (usually barley or wheat), hops, yeast, and water. While Colin explained the differences between German and American beers (mostly involving the stricter ingredient guidelines in Germany, as opposed to American beers which can essentially go crazy when it comes to what’s added), we continued sipping our beers, proving my long-standing theory that it’s always more fun to learn when beer is involved. There was also an interactive component as Colin passed around hops pellets for us to smell. (Much like your teacher had to tell that one kid in class not to eat the paste, Colin warned us that while the hops pellets smelled great, we wouldn’t want to taste them, as their primary purpose is to add bitterness to beers.)

Flight of craft beers in Pig and Anchor.

Next, Colin presented us with pitchers of the Farmhouse Ale. This is a great refreshing beer for hot weather – appropriate for the ship’s Caribbean destinations – which uses a Belgian yeast, setting it apart from the other beers brewed on board. We learned about the specifics of this ale, more about the brewing process and were able to ask Colin any questions we might have. (It’s worth noting that not only is he good at what he does – as the beers you’ll sample prove – but he clearly loves what he does and is enthusiastic about sharing it with others.) Colin handed out pieces of dried malted barley (which, unlike the hops, we were free to taste if we wanted). These had a slightly sweet, caramel-like flavor. 

Next up came the third sample: the West Coast IPA, brewed with Centennial, Amarillo, and Simcoe hops. At this point, we all got up and went into what Colin referred to as “the cellar.” It’s not actually downstairs, but gets its name from the days when beer was brewed in basements for temperature regulation, before things like electric heat and central air conditioning.

The cellar contains the fermentation and serving tanks. The fermentation tanks are where the yeast does its magic by turning sugar into alcohol and CO2. The serving tanks hold the finished beer and are connected directly to the taps at the bar. We could actually hear the sound of it being pumped whenever one of the bartenders served a patron. Beer really doesn’t get any fresher than that! 

READ MORE: Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Review 

After we were done with our tour of the cellar, we returned to our tables for our 4th sample: the Smoked Porter.  This one was crafted to have a hint of smokey flavor from the smoked malt that is added, making it a perfect complement to the Pig & Anchor Smokehouse’s menu selections.

The beer cellar on Vista. Photo: Carnival

We took our porters with us over to the brew kettle and mash tub, which sit outside the restaurant for all to see and marvel at as they walk past on the promenade. Standard kettles are made of stainless steel, but for Carnival, Colin specifically chose unique ones made of glass so that you can see what’s going on inside. He also said that he tries to brew beer in the evening, so that passengers get a chance to watch the brewing process as they walk by.

We learned about the process the beer goes through as it goes from one kettle to the next. First, the malt is mixed with hot water to convert the starch from the grains into sugar. Then the liquid is drained from the grains, hops are added, and the mixture is brought to a boil. Finally, the mixture is cooled and transferred to the cellar, where the yeast is added for fermentation.

We returned to our tables and learned that we were going to get a bonus sample: the seasonal beer currently on tap. In honor of Horizon’s temporary stay in New York City, the seasonal on tap at the time was an apple beer (which we were told would basically be scoffed at in Germany), with cinnamon and other spices called “Big Apple Pie”… which was supposed to taste like apple pie, but I would say tasted more like cold mulled cider. I liked it a lot, but I can see where “beer purists” would definitely take issue with it.

Colin wrapped up the tour by handing out some swag. We each got a Thirsty Frog Red pint glass (which, should you want to buy a few more so you have a complete set, are available for purchase at the Red Frog Rum bar) and a certificate of completion “ideal for your man cave.”  We were also presented with the slips for us to sign for our payment of the tour ($24.95 each). With the certificate, we would be able to get one complementary pint of Parched Pig beer of our choosing from the Pig & Anchor bar.

I was traveling with my husband and we didn’t really need two certificates, so I requested that both our names be on one. We did want two free beers, though, so Colin got clever with the Name field on our second one. To get your free beer, you take the certificates to the bartender who initials the back to indicate you’ve collected your pint. With having just sampled a fair amount of beer, we opted to come back later that night to redeem our pints. 

Final Thoughts

This was one of the best brewery tours I’ve ever experienced. Colin really encourages questions, so every tour is unique to what its tour group is interested in learning about the process. This tour is ideal for home brewers, people with a passion for beer, or those simply looking for a fun and different way to spend a little time while also enjoying some tasty brews.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Kale by LyraThemes.com .

Moscow Metro Tour

• Page active

Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.