This summer has been filled with all kinds of adventures for me and my family. One of those adventures landed us on a Carnival cruise. The best part, the FOOD. Find out all the ins and outs of dining on a Carnival Cruise.
My family was given a complimentary cruise. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
As a family we spent seven days swimming, exploring other countries, and eating until our bellies told us to stop. It was the best seven days I’ve had in a long time.
I’ve already showed you around our stateroom, and shared 15 tips for first-time cruisers, so now I’m going to tell you all about dining options aboard Carnival Magic.
While you are cruising with Carnival, there is food available 24 hours a day. Dining options vary depending on the time of day, but you can rest assured that if you are hungry, there is food available.
Dining on a Carnival Cruise
Complimentary Dining Options:
- 24-hour room service – The room service menu is limited, but feature options like peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, salads, grilled cheese, and desserts. We only ordered room service twice, but each time our order arrived quickly. We thought it was a great option when we didn’t want to leave the room.
- Lido Marketplace – The dining options on the Lido deck are bountiful and feature options like cold and hot sandwiches, pizza, burgers and hotdogs, Indian food at Tandoori Bar, a tasty noodle creation at the Mongolian Grill, multiple buffet lines, and unlimited ice cream.
- Dining Rooms – There are two formal dining rooms on Magic. Both Northern Lights and Southern Lights have two dinner services each night, but you can also get a delicious sea-day brunch at Southern Lights.
Premium Dining Options (require additional fee):
- Prime Steakhouse – For an additional fee of $30, you can dine at a steakhouse in the middle of the ocean. With menu options like prime rib and surf ‘n’ turf, it’s a nice change from the offerings on the Lido Deck. Make your reservations early.
- Cucina del Capitano – If you aren’t looking for this hidden gem, you probably won’t even know it exists. Offering a family-style Italian cuisine, it’s definitely worth the climb up the stairs. Featuring menu items like spaghetti, chicken parmigiano, and risotto, it’s a must do on your Carnival cruise. For an additional fee of $15, you can enjoy all you can eat Italian cuisine.
- RedFrog Pub – The pub offers a selection of $3.33 small plates that can be shared with a group as a appetizer, or can easily be made into a meal for one person. The menu features items like coconut shrimp and conch fritters.
- Chef’s Table – The true foodie will want to visit the Chef’s Table for a tour of the galley, a visit with the head chef, and an extraordinary dinner at a private table while watching the chefs prepare your dinner. For $75 per person, it’s a nice way to celebrate a special occasion.
My favorite dining experience during our 7-day cruise, was definitely dinner in Northern Lights every night. Our wait staff was truly exceptional and went over and beyond to make our dining experience superb. They called us by name, remembered our preferences, and won our hearts. So much so that my daughter cried on the last night of cruise. My kids still talk about Aleksander and Jeffery.
During dinner in the main dining rooms, there is a menu item that is a bit…unique. You’ll find it right underneath the starters and before the main dishes. These menu items are called “Didja,” meaning did you ever try this? Because I hadn’t tried many of the Didja options, I decided to get one each night, try it and video it. You’re welcome.
The dining experience on a cruise is definitely one of the many reasons we love to cruise. From the burrito bar to the fancy entrees served in the dining room, the eatin’ is good on a Carnival cruise.
Mary Beth Elderton says
I am sooo wanting to take a cruise—even if I gain 5 lbs! 🙂
Theresa @ Faith and Family Reviews says
Looks like some good eatin’! 🙂 Glad you enjoy yourselves!
Tiffany (NatureMom) says
The food would be my fave thing about a cruise!
Jesica H says
Yeah, I’d probably eat way too much, I love trying new things. 🙂
Liz Mays says
I’m sure I wouldn’t have to go for the extra fee options because there are so many available without having to do that. I’d gain weight though!
Michelle says
I have never contemplated a family cruise but sounds like a great experience. Good to know the food on Carnival was so memorable.
LyndaS says
I have YET to go on a cruise. Since I LOVE to eat, I imagine that I would have a great time on Carival.
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
We’ve been talking bout a cruise or a while now. Hopefully one day soon!
Penelope Guzman says
This looks like you ate like royalty. These look like a great way to indulge while on a cruise.
Karen Coutu says
I think the food can make or break a vacation. So glad to hear your experience was such a positive one! 😀
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
I love all the food options on cruise ships! Your video of ‘didjas’ is great!
Valerie Remy-Milora says
Sounds like a lot of great options! Wow I’m getting hungry reading this!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Naomi says
It sounds like there are a lot of dining options! I’d love to take a cruise sometime!
Raijean says
I’m jealous, jealous, jealous! I know you guys had a blast!
Jenn says
I love Carnival food! I am madly in love with Blue Iguana Cantina and Guy’s Burgers – I always try to book a cruise that has them on board!
Lisa says
I’ve never been on a cruise but glad to know that the food is good!!
Our Family World says
I never knew there were so many options for food on a cruise, I thought it was just buffets.
Melissa says
Wow what a great way to experience food out on the open sea. It looks like you had a lot of fun and a lot of yummy food.
Kelsey Apley says
Oh how fun!! I think a cruise would be a lot of fun, and looks like some mighty tasty eating!
Brandy M. says
Can’t believe how many options your ship had! I like that you had a 24 hour place available to you. My husband and had trouble finding a place to eat late after we hung out to long on the deck one night on our cruise (different company).
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says
This looks great and makes me hungry with all the options! Looks like your belly was happy!
Kira says
Going on a cruise is on my bucket list mainly because I would love to stuff my face with the delicious menu selection on board. The thought of it alone is making me hungry.
Lara says
SO cool! A cruise is at the top of my bucket list.. and I am pretty certain I will be gaining a few pounds from all the delicious food choices. LOL
celebbabylaundry says
Looks like you had an amazing time on this cruise, I’ve never been on a cruise yet though I’ve been meaning to go.
Debra @A Frugal Friend says
Love the “Didja” concept…..now that I think of it, I first tried both escargot and caviar on a cruise! 🙂
Kelly Hutchinson says
Wow! My mouth was watering just looking at the food! I would love to go on a cruise one day.
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
Looks like a ton of amazing food. I would love to go on a cruise one day.
Colleen says
My daughter is 8 and this is her FAVORITE part of the cruise she loves the dining room.
melinda says
i actually like the room service options. I could get things there that I couldn’t find on the Lido Deck like a BLT. Could you believe the Deli didn’t have bacon, the horror.
Digna D. says
I have yet to hit a cruise. Looks like it was a lot of fun.
HilLesha says
Going on a cruise isn’t a good idea if one is on a diet, yet the food is so, so good!
Jenn says
I love all the food options on cruises, from the simple to the most creative.
Ty says
I’ve never been on a cruise before (I’m too scared lol), but I’m seriously thinking about getting over my fears so that I can take my daughter next year after she graduates.
Tammy says
Ain’t that the truth? I need to wear my ‘elastic’ pants for a good week every time we come home from a cruise, lol. So much good food available every where all hours of the day!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
Cool to see that there are so many options on a cruise. I’ve heard that cruises are worth going on for the food alone.
Marcie W. says
Each time we cruised with Carnival we always enjoyed their food selection. I especially have a weakness for their chocolate melting cake and was not brave enough to try the escargot even though my husband was.