carnival cruise italian restaurant menu

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:

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Carnival Cruise’s Cucina Del Capitano Lunch Menu 2023: Carnival Magic Pasta Bella

By: Author mandipie4u

Posted on Last updated: April 7, 2023

Categories guide4moms

Carnival Cruise’s Cucina Del Capitano is an Italian restaurant that offers guests a taste of authentic Italian cuisine. The restaurant is named after the captain’s Italian heritage and is designed to give guests the feeling of dining in a traditional Italian family-run restaurant. The specialty restaurant is free on select Carnival cruise ships, including the Carnival Celebration, the Carnival Mardi Gras, and the Carnival Jubilee. Other Carnival ships, such as the Carnival Magic, the Carnival Breeze, the Carnival Horizon, the Carnival Panorama, the Carnival Vista, and the Carnival Sunshine, offer this dining option for an extra charge. However, the lunch menu at the Cucina Del Capitano, which is called the Pasta Bella, doesn’t ask for an additional charge and is free on those ships that charge for dinner. Check out all the details of Carnival Cruise’s Cucina Del Capitano lunch menu .

If you enjoyed this Carnival Cruise’s Cucina Del Capitano lunch menu , check out these other articles: Carnival Cruise Half Moon Cay tips & tricks , Carnival Fun Times Itinerary 2023 , Carnival Cruise Steakhouse Review , Cruise Duck tags free printable .

Carnival Cruise’s Cucina Del Capitano Lunch Menu

The menu at Cucina Del Capitano offers a variety of classic Italian dishes that are made using fresh and high-quality ingredients. Guests can start their meal with delicious antipasti dishes like the Salmone Carpaccio or the Calamari Fritti. For the main course, guests can choose from a variety of pasta dishes, like the Chicken Parmigiani or the Cavatelli. The restaurant also offers a selection of meat and seafood dishes like the Beef Short Rib and the Almond-Crusted Filet of Bass. Along with their delicious dining room dinner, try the delectable dessert menu that includes Polenta Cake and Gelato.

In addition to the delicious food, guests can also enjoy a unique dining experience at Cucina Del Capitano. The restaurant features a warm and inviting atmosphere with rustic decor and an open kitchen. Guests can watch as the chefs prepare their meals and enjoy the sounds and smells of the kitchen. For Carnival cruise line ships that do not include the dinner service for free, there is a nominal fee of $18 for adults and $6 for children 11 and under. Reservations can be made in the Carnival Hub app.

Cruisers have an array of free lunch options on sea days that include Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que, Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, the Carnival Deli, the Mongolian Wok, Pizzeria Del Capitano, and even Shaq’s Big Chicken. For those who would like to try the Cucina Del Capitano but do not want to pay an additional fee, they can choose to dine at the restaurant for lunch, which is called Pasta Bella. On the Carnival Magic, it is located above the lido deck and open daily for a casual dining experience.

Once guests are seated, they are given a slip of paper that includes all the available ingredients to compose their own pasta dish. An example lunch menu is shown above. In addition to the extras that include bread and a Caesar salad, guests choose their preferred pasta, somewhat like a pasta bar, including Penne, Linguini, and Farfalle. Then select your sauce of choice: Pomodoro (Tomato Basil), White Clam Sauce, Bolognese (Meat Sauce), Alfredo, or a Butter Sauce. Lastly, guests can choose their toppings, which include Garlic Shrimp, Grilled Chicken, Italain Sausage, and an assortment of vegetables.

Overall, Cucina Del Capitano is a must-visit restaurant for anyone sailing on a Carnival cruise. With its delicious Italian cuisine and unique dining experience, if you don’t want to pay the additional cost, try their free lunch service.

Home » Cruise » Carnival Cruise Line » Carnival Celebration » Carnival Celebration Restaurants With Menus

Carnival Celebration Restaurants With Menus

We are back from a cruise on Carnival's newest ship and have put together this complete Carnival Celebration Restaurants Guide with menus.

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Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Celebration, has just set sail from Miami, and we sailed on this ship’s first cruise from the United States . Now, we are back and have put together this Carnival Celebrations Restaurants Guide with menus so you can see what is available at the different restaurants onboard this latest Excel Class ship.

Carnival Celebration Restaurants Guide With Menus

Complimentary carnival celebration restaurants.

There are several dining options on the list of Carnival Celebration restaurants that are included in your cruise fare. These include the typical main dining room (Festivale and Carnivale) as well as the cruise ship buffet (Lido Marketplace).

Carnival Cruise Line ships also offer several quick service options that are complimentary. From Mexican favorites at BlueIguana Cantina, to burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint, to chicken sandwiches at Shaq’s Big Chicken, there are plenty of tasty options that won’t cost you anything.

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Java Blue Cafe (Deck 6)

The Java Blue Cafe is your dedicated coffee shop on Carnival Celebration. Located in the new Celebration Central zone, this venue opens at 6 AM most mornings for cruisers to get their caffeine fix. Serving espresso-based beverages and milk shakes that are included in the Cheers drink package , you might find yourself visiting this cafe quite a bit.

While here, you might be tempted by some of the food offerings as well. Java Blue Cafe serves breakfast items from around 7/7:30 to 9:30 AM daily. These options include breakfast sandwiches and continental pastry items. The cafe also serves lunch items from around 3 to 8:30/9:30 PM. These items include sandwiches, chicken pies, empanadas, and more. There are also desserts available, but they will cost a nominal fee.

Java Blue Menu

Carnivale Restaurant (Deck 6)

The Carnival Celebration restaurants include two different main dining room experiences. If you are a more traditional cruiser, you can opt for Assigned Dining at either 5:30 PM (early) or 7:45 PM (late) seating times. The Deck 6 Carnivale Restaurant and the first level of the Festivale Restaurant are reserved for Assigned Dining.

Cruisers who want to try a variety of the dining options on the ship, might want to select Your Time Dining. With this option, cruisers can dine whenever they want at various locations by joining a virtual queue in the Carnival HUB app when they are ready to eat. This option is available from 5:30 to 9 PM daily.

Regardless of whether you pick Assigned Dining or Your Time Dining, the Carnivale and Festivale restaurants offer the same rotational menu. These menus do change nightly with a few always available items, like the famous chocolate melting cake.

Carnivale is the smaller of the two dining venues and is located on the portside of Deck 6.

Festivale Restaurant (Decks 6 & 7)

Festivale is the larger of Carnival Celebration’s two main dining rooms. This 2-story main dining room is located on Decks 6 and 7. Deck 6 is reserved primarily for Assigned Dining while Deck 7 is utilized for Your Time Dining.

The Festivale restaurant is also open for breakfast daily from 7 to 9 AM. On sea days, the restaurant serves a special Sea Day Brunch from 8:30 AM to 12 PM. This Sea Day Brunch is a must-try, especially the skillet cake.

Once again, the dinner menu at this restaurant rotates each evening like most cruise lines offering a wide array of starters, entrees, and desserts.

This venue also serves lobster on one of Carnival’s elegant nights. During our sailing, “lobster night” was the first elegant night; however, Carnival has indicated that this will be changing to the second elegant night in the near future.

Further, across all of the Carnival Cruise Line ships , extra entrees in the main dining room are an upcharge. Guests may continue to order a second complimentary entrée if they choose; however, a third entrée will now incur a $5 charge.

MDR Breakfast | Sea Day Brunch | MDR Dinner Menus

Chibang! (Deck 8)

Chibang was created in response to guest feedback requesting more diverse dining options. This fairly new restaurant concept features both Mexican and Chinese dishes. Currently, this restaurant is complimentary on Excel Class ships.

Chibang is open for lunch on sea days from 12 to 2 PM and dinner nightly from 5:30 to 9:30 PM. Guests wishing to dine at this venue can join the virtual queue on the Carnival HUB app and will be notified when their table is ready. In our experience, we never waited more than 10 minutes for a table. The app also indicates an estimated current wait time at each venue.

For lunch, Chibang’s menu offers noodle bowls and burrito bowls. For dinner, the menu is more expansive offering Asian items like lettuce wraps, Singapore chili shrimp, and Kung Pao chicken. Mexican menu items include loaded nachos, tacos, pollo en mole, and pescado frito.

With so many offerings, you can certainly dine at Chibang more than once during your cruise vacation.

Chibang Lunch | Dinner Menu

Cucina del Capitano (Deck 8)

A specialty restaurant on other Carnival ships, Cucina del Capitano is also complimentary on Carnival Celebration at the moment. The cruise line indicates that they don’t foresee changing this any time soon.

This Italian restaurant is open for lunch from 12 to 2 PM on sea days and for dinner from 5:30 to 9:30 PM nightly. Just like Chibang, you can join the virtual queue whenever you want to dine here. Of note, if you have assigned dining in the main dining room, you won’t be able to join the virtual queue until after 7:45 PM.

For lunch, this venue serves a small menu of appetizers, soups, and pizza, along with a create your own pasta bowl section. At dinner, cruisers can enjoy favorites like Nonna’s meatball, chicken parm, short rib, and tiramisu.

Cucina del Capitano Lunch | Dinner Menu

Miami Slice (Deck 8)

Located in the vibrant 820 Biscayne zone on Carnival Celebration, Miami Slice is your go-to spot for pizza. This eatery is open daily from 9 AM to 4 AM to fulfill your cravings any time of day.

This pizzeria features a walk-up counter where guests can order fresh out of the oven pizza slices or personal-sized pies. You can then enjoy your pizza in the nearby seating area or take it to-go to enjoy anywhere around the ship.

Don’t be surprised to find a line here, as Miami Slice is quite popular.

Miami Slice Menu

Deco Deli (Deck 8)

Adjacent to Miami Slice, you will find Deco Deli. This counter-style sandwich shop serves up a menu of traditional deli sandwiches along with some Miami and Cuban favorites.

Deco Deli is open daily from 12 to 10 PM.

Deco Deli Menu

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse (Deck 8)

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse is another one of the Carnival Celebration restaurants. The BBQ joint is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Carnival Celebration. Dinner at this venue is also complimentary for a limited time; though, you will notice a few differences in the menu.

Guy’s serves breakfast from around 6:30/7:30 to 9/10:30 AM. This small buffet area features all the breakfast staples. The venue also serves lunch from 12 to 2:30 PM on sea days in a buffet-style setting outdoors on the waterfront area.

Dinner is served in the restaurant nightly from 5:30 to 9:30 PM. The menu features all your BBQ favorites with a side of live music. You can choose from chicken, brisket, sausage, and more. St. Louis ribs and prime rib are available for an up-charge.

Further, don’t forget to grab a signature ParchedPig beer brewed right onboard the ship.

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Lunch | Dinner Menu

BlueIguana Cantina (Deck 16)

Located on the Lido deck, BlueIguana Cantina serves up Mexican favorites for both breakfast and lunch. You can customize your breakfast or lunch burrito any way you like as they are freshly prepared just for you. There is even a salsa bar located nearby.

If you’d prefer tacos or a bowl, you can get those too at the BlueIguana Cantina.

This venue is open daily from 7/8 to 10:30 AM for breakfast and 12 to 2:30/3:30 PM for lunch.

BlueIguana Breakfast | Lunch Menu

Street Eats (Deck 16)

Street Eats is also located on the pool deck offering food truck-type selections. Here, you will find Steam Dream, Mad Sizzle, and Time Fries. Each of these venues features one selection a day, and this selection changes daily.

Think items like load fries, dumplings, satays, and more.

The Street Eats hours vary with the stalls opening somewhere between 11:30 AM and 2 PM, then remaining open until 4 or 5 PM. This is largely dependent on your port of call times.

Sample Street Eat Menus

Lido Marketplace (Deck 16)

The Lido Marketplace is your typical cruise ship buffet, featuring a variety of selections for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Honestly, with so many other offerings on Carnival Celebration, we did not eat here at all during our cruise.

The Lido Marketplace is typically open for breakfast from around 6:30/7:30 to 11:30 AM. The venue then reopens for lunch from around 12 to 2:30/3:30 PM. Then, dinner is available from 6 to 9:30 PM nightly.

You’ll find a salad station, dessert station, hot entrees section, cold cuts selection, and more. In comparison to other cruise lines, the offerings are more limited in the buffet; this is likely because there is so much else to eat around the ship.

Big Chicken (Deck 16)

Perhaps one of our favorite newer additions to Carnival ships is Shaq’s Big Chicken. NBA Hall of Famer and Carnival’s Chief Fun Officer, Shaquille O’Neal, scored big with this quick service eatery located aft on the pool deck.

Big Chicken is open for breakfast from around 7/8 to 11 AM and for lunch from 11 AM to 5 PM daily. This venue serves up signature chicken sandwiches with Shaq’s special sauce, in addition to chicken tenders and fries. There’s also chicken and biscuits for breakfast.

This is a popular spot on Carnival Celebration so don’t be surprised to find a line most times during the day.

Big Chicken Menu

Guy’s Burger Joint (Deck 17)

Relocated to Deck 17 above the Lido deck, Guy’s Burger Joint serves up some of the best burgers at sea. In partnership with Guy Fieri, this poolside shack features fresh off the grill burgers and fries with a toppings bar for you to customize your meal to perfection.

Guy’s Burger Joint is open every day from around 12 to 6 PM to satisfy all your burger cravings. How many can you eat in just one week?

This is perhaps the busiest quick service eatery on Carnival Celebration, so don’t be surprised to find Disney-style switchbacks. Though, we never waited more than about 15 minutes.

Guy’s Burger Joint Menu

Fresh Creations (Deck 18)

Serenity is the adult only retreat on Carnival Cruise Line ships. This private oasis offers plenty of space with comfy lounge furniture, a pool, whirlpools, a bar, and even some healthy lunch options at the Fresh Creations salad bar.

The salad bar is open from 12 to 2:30 PM on sea days so you don’t have to give up your slice of paradise when you get hungry.

Fresh Creations Menu

Swirls (Decks 8, 16, 17)

For those looking for their soft serve fix, you can rejoice that there are three locations onboard Carnival Celebration. Choose between vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or twist.

There is one located in the Heroes Tribute Lounge on Deck 8 aft. The second is found on Deck 16 aft near the Tides Bar and Tides Pool. Finally, the third soft serve station can be found on Deck 17 midship near Guy’s Burger Joint.

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Specialty Restaurants on Carnival Celebration

With so many great offerings, you certainly do not have to pay extra for dining on Carnival Celebration (if you don’t want to). Though, this new ship also offers a few specialty restaurants that come with an up-charge.

If you plan to dine at any of these Carnival Celebration restaurants, you should make reservations pre-cruise, as popular dining times do fill up quickly.

Emeril’s Bistro 1397 (Deck 6)

Debuting on Carnival Mardi Gras, chef Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant makes a return on Carnival Celebration. This new and improved rendition, Emeril’s Bistro 1397, is located in the new Gateway zone.

Emeril’s Bistro is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner serving New Orleans themed cuisine at a la carte prices. No reservations are necessary for this restaurant.

Breakfast is served from 8 to 9:30/10:30 AM each day, and lunch on sea days from 12 to 3 PM. The venue re-opens for dinner from around 3/4 to 9/10 PM.

For breakfast, all items are $6 and include dishes like shrimp and grits and sweet potato waffles. For lunch and dinner, the menu features items like oysters, po’boys, jambalaya, and beignets. The beignets are a must-try!

Emeril’s Bistro Menu

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse (Deck 7)

Fahrenheit 555 is Carnival Cruise Line’s signature steakhouse. This American steakhouse has a warm and inviting atmosphere with an open concept kitchen, making it a great choice for an elegant night dinner.

The restaurant is open nightly for dinner from 5:30 to 9:30 PM. The cover charge at this venue is increasing to $48 per person.

The menu at Fahrenheit 555 features upscale offerings like shrimp cocktail, tuna tartare, and premium cuts of beef.

Fahrenheit 555 Menu

Bonsai Teppanyaki (Deck 8)

Bonsai Teppanyaki is another one of the Carnival Celebration restaurants. This Japanese-style hibachi restaurant offers a multi-course menu for a flat fee of $35 for lunch and $38 for dinner.

This restaurant is open for lunch on sea days from 12 to 3 PM and nightly for dinner from 5:30 to 10:15 PM.

Entrée selections range from chicken, filet, lobster tail, salmon, and shrimp. All meals also include starters and dessert.

Whenever we have dined at a teppanyaki restaurant on a cruise, the food is always as good as the culinary show! This venue is very small so make sure to secure reservations early.

Bonsai Teppanyaki Menu

Bonsai Sushi (Deck 8)

Located adjacent to Bonsai Teppanyaki is Bonsai Sushi. This sushi lovers paradise is an a la carte venue that is open for dinner daily from 5 PM to 12 AM. The venue is also open for lunch on sea days from 12 to 2:30 PM.

Bonsai Sushi offers several sushi and sashimi selections, as well as noodle bowls and Japanese small plates. So, even if you are not a fan of sushi, there are probably other menu items for you to enjoy at this venue for reasonable prices.

Bonsai Sushi Menu

Rudi’s Seagrill (Deck 8)

Celebrity Chef Rudi Sodamin brings his creations to life on Carnival Celebration at Rudi’s Seagrill. This specialty restaurant is open nightly for dinner from 5:30 to 9:30 PM for an upcharge of $48 per person.

As you might expect, the menu is heavy on seafood with mussels, scallops, shrimp, oysters, calamari, and lobster all on the menu. There’s even a crab-stuffed lobster tail. For non-seafood lovers, you have a choice of chicken, a pork chop, or a NY strip.

The intimate atmosphere of this restaurant makes it another great choice for an elegant night dinner.

Rudi’s Seagrill Menu

Seafood Shack (Deck 16)

The casual Seafood Shack is located on the Lido deck near the new Street Eats on Carnival Celebration. This counter service restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily varying times from 12 to 10 PM depending on the port of call.

The Seafood Shack offers classic New England favorites like fried clams, lobster rolls, fish & chips, clam chowder, and other fresh local catch.

All menus items at this venue are a la carte at current market prices.

Seafood Shack Menu

Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast

Enter the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss. Accompanied by the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and friends, you can feast on a colorful breakfast. The Green Eggs and Ham breakfast is offered one day of the cruise at 8:30 and 9:45 AM in the Carnivale restaurant. The up-charge is $10 for adults and $8 for kids under 14 years old.

This special event features menu items like Horton’s cereal crusted french toast, pancake stacks, steak and eggs, and of course, green eggs and ham.

Whether you are a family or just big kids at heart, this is a fun way to spend a sea day breakfast.

Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast Menu

Room Service

Room service is available 24 hours a day with select complimentary items and other items that are available for an up-charge at a la carte pricing.

For breakfast (6 to 10 AM), you can choose from fruit, cereal, continental pastry items, and yogurt for no additional cost as well as breakfast sandwiches for around $5.

During the day (10 AM to 6 AM), various items are available at a la carte prices. Selections include salads, sandwiches, wings, desserts, and more. Most items cost between $5 to $7 each. An additional 18% gratuity will be added to each order as well.

Room Service Menu | Breakfast Menu

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Review: Cucina Del Capitano & La Piazza on Carnival’s Mardi Gras

Lauren Rodgers

• November 23, 2021

I have to be honest: While I’ve been on Carnival Cruise Line ships which offer Cucina Del Capitano many times — and I’ve done the salad bar they offer as part of the free lunch — the dinner menu never inspired me enough that I was willing to pay the $15 per-person charge.

But when Carnival made this a complimentary venue on  Mardi Gras , I decided to give it a try. It also helps that the menu here is different than what you’ll find onboard their other ships.

Cucina Del Capitano occupies a huge space on Mardi Gras with tons of seating. You cannot, however, make an advance reservation on this ship.  Instead, for both lunch and dinner, you open the HUB app and hit “Request a Table.”

After confirming your party size, the app then notifies you when the restaurant is ready to seat you. Carnival has been doing this for a while when it comes to Your Time Dining in the main dining room, but now it’s being rolled out for meals in all of the complimentary restaurants.

On Mardi Gras, Cucina Del Capitano — which I’m just going to refer to as Cucina from this point on —  is located on Deck 8 in the Italian-themed La Piazza Zone.

This area also hosts Pizzeria Del Capitano, Piazza Panini, and Bar della Rosa.

MORE:  Review: Shaq’s Big Chicken on Carnival’s Mardi Gras

In keeping with the theming, you’ll also find an old-school Fiat and Vespa, both perfect for photo ops. Sadly, they won’t let you drive the vehicles down the hallway, no matter how nicely you ask or how hard you wish. 

Before heading into Cucina, let’s take a quick look at the other offerings here. Pizzeria Del Capitano is just like its counterparts on previous ships with the additions of wrought-iron railing, beer and soft-drink sales, and air conditioning.

If there’s a downside to them adding beverage sales here, it’s that the crew member doing his best to make and serve those fresh, hot pizzas has to drop everything to sell someone a soda.

That said, they do have more people working at the popular spot (especially during busy times), as well as more ovens than on other ships, so the lines does move fairly quickly. There’s also plenty of nearby seating if you want to remain in the area.

Another downside is that the way the line and partitions are set up, it makes it difficult to request a custom pizza. While this was probably done in order to keep the line moving, it makes things tough for those with dietary restrictions.

Oddly, Piazza Panini does not actually have a panini press. Yes, you read that correctly. Even though half the menu is described as being “Pressed Paninis.”  Turns out that while most of us probably grew up thinking that all paninis were prepared on a press, the word “panini” actually just means sandwich.

Despite this, I can say that the sandwiches here are very good. I particularly loved the Caprese panini, which they modified from the version found at the Carnival Deli… and in this case, it’s a change for the better!

MORE:  Mardi Gras Dining Guide: Which Restaurants Are Complimentary?

But this venue is actually not really “new” for Carnival. On past ships, you would find a counter or window in the Lido Marketplace area called “The Deli.”  For Mardi Gras, they essentially moved The Deli from Lido to La Piazza, and rebranded it to have an Italian name.

Piazza Panini does have a selection of new Italian sandwiches to go along with a lot of the old ones.

There are both cold and hot sandwiches and the crew working the toasters were making more of an effort to hand over thoroughly-heated sandwiches than I’d experienced on other ships at the Deli.

Piazza Panini is open every day from noon to 10 pm (subject to change).

RELATED:  Piazza Panini Menu on Carnival’s Mardi Gras

Although I didn’t actually wind up getting any drinks at Bar della Rosa (“Rose,” like the flower, not “Red”), the limited menu focuses largely on wine, classic Italian cocktails, and coffees, any of which would go well with a pizza or panini.

It’s worth noting that the bar has both indoor and outdoor seating.

But back to the real reason we’re here… to discuss Cucina.

I expected the same options for lunch as I’d had on other ships but was pleasantly surprised to find an expanded menu.

Like on other ships, you order lunch by marking your selections on a paper menu, sort of like those tests we took in school where you had to fill in the circles with a No. 2 pencil. 

The Pasta Bar menu, “Pasta Bella,” is exactly what I expected, which was good because I already knew exactly what I wanted: a half-portion of linguine with Alfredo sauce, mushrooms, and shrimp.

The other menu was a treasure trove of goodies, most of which we tried. The bruschetta is not typical; they used ricotta and roasted tomatoes as opposed to mozzarella and fresh tomatoes. I didn’t try it, as I’m picky about textures, but my husband loved it.

MORE:  The Ultimate Menu Guide to Carnival’s Main Dining Room

Conversely, my husband ordered the fried mozzarella expecting something a bit gourmet, and received mozzarella sticks. They were very good, but mozzarella sticks nonetheless. Ultimately, we traded and it was a win for everybody. 

We also shared the Zuppa de Verde which looked a lot like Italian Wedding Soup. The veggies were tasty and the broth was nice and light.

For his entree, my husband got his go-to favorite when it comes to lunch here: lasagna.

What makes his dish so delicious — and something you really have to read the ingredients on the menu to discover — is that they use beef tips as opposed to the more traditional ground beef.

That really elevates the taste, making it something he definitely recommends. 

MORE:  Kid-Free Options on Carnival’s Mardi Gras

Despite knowing we’d be pretty stuffed given our selections, we couldn’t resist ordering all three of the dessert options.

As it turned out, this wasn’t quite the mistake we thought it might be.  The stracciatella and blood orange gelato were light and appropriately portioned.

The Limoncello Mascarpone cake was delicious. I recommend getting all three unless you’re dining solo, in which case this might be too much. Then again, maybe not if you’re a dessert person! 

At dinnertime, Cucina has traditional waiter service. Like everywhere else on board, you’ll call up the menu on the HUB app using a QR code.

(Don’t worry, they do still have traditional menus if you forget your phone or simply don’t want to go the high-tech route for whatever reason.) 

For appetizers we got the Caprese salad, Mussels & Clams, Nonna’s Meat Balls, and Ligurian Minestrone soup.

The Caprese salad was good, but lacked the balsamic and basil flavor which typically make this a standout.  It looked nice, but there wasn’t enough pesto to make up for the lack of fresh basil. I wound up adding balsamic vinegar from the bottle that was already on the table. 

The Mussels & Clams were pretty good but not something I’d order every time I eat at Cucina. I recommend asking for extra bread when they bring it, because you’re going to want to sop up the sauce that remains at the bottom of the bowl.

Nonna’s Meat Balls were really just Nonna’s Meat Ball, as there was only one.  I’m sure you could ask for more, and if you love meatballs I advise you do because they’re quite tasty.

The minestrone soup wasn’t remarkable and actually lacked flavor. We were surprised because the Di Verde soup at lunch had been so delicious.

For our main courses we had the Veal Marsala, Grilled Shrimp, and Mardi Gras ’ Captain’s Signature dish: Farfalle Al Pistachio. The veal marsala was very good, and I recommend it even if you don’t like mushrooms. You can just pick them off and the veal will still be excellent. It was plated with a side of polenta cakes that were tasty.

The grilled shrimp were delicious, but it’s worth noting that it’s on the small size for an entree.

I’d recommend ordering two entrees or perhaps ordering extra appetizers if you think you’re going to wind up unsatisfied.

The Farfalle Al Pistachio had a simple flavor profile but was one of our favorite items of the night. The sauce was light, allowing the other components to stand out. And who can say no to bow tie pasta?

MORE:  Trip Report: Final Impressions of Carnival’s Mardi Gras

For dessert, we wanted to get everything but didn’t think it was possible to do so without being wasteful.

Ultimately, we narrowed down our choices and settled on three: the Apple Crostata, Tiramisu, and Ricotta Fritters. Our surprise favorite was the ricotta fritters.

They were simply three small dough balls with toppings but each packed tremendous flavor. I guess we had to put it back together, but it was kind of like deconstructed cannoli.

The tiramisu was good, but not anything particularly special. I did enjoy it and would order it again because it’s a type of dessert I love.

The apple crostata had good flavor but was a little heavy on the crust.  I probably won’t order it again because the other desserts are better and more interesting.  Frankly, Royal Caribbean does this dessert better, and their version of it was what we really wanted.

Given that it is now a complimentary option on Mardi Gras , I do recommend Cucina Del Capitano for both lunch and dinner.

They also serve breakfast at Cucina, but it’s really just an abridged version of what can be found in the main dining room. 

I probably wouldn’t go back if they were to start charging for Cucina on Mardi Gras, because there are a plethora of other for-fee options to choose from, most of which would rank higher on my list.

Lunch at Cucina is available on sea days only and dinner is available every night of the cruise. Although other Carnival ships offer lunch in Cucina on embarkation day, that is not the case on  Mardi Gras.

READ NEXT:  Everything You Need To Know About Carnival’s Drink Package

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I've been on 2 ultra-luxury cruise ships — endless caviar and free flights make the $685 per day worth it

• The cruise industry's  new ultra-luxury ships  could be worth the expensive fares.
• Wealthy cruisers get high-end amenities like complimentary flights, caviar, and wine.
• Luxury small-ship cruising has becoming increasingly popular. 

Say goodbye to questionable lunch buffets and tiny, windowless cabins. On ultra-luxury cruises , travelers get mountains of caviar, roundtrip business-class flights, and floating Rolex stores.

When you think of a cruise, you might picture the giant ships run by companies like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. On these family-friendly floating resorts, activities like go-kart tracks, waterparks, and virtual reality arcades are commonplace.

On smaller, more expensive cruises, these large and loud amenities are replaced with peace, quiet, and foie gras.

Cruises are generally considered an affordable vacation option, with necessities like food and a cabin included in the base fare.

However, many mass-market cruise companies are increasingly following the budget airline model : Charge a cheap fare and pile up plenty of irresistible pay-to-play amenities.

Travelers could easily accidentally blow past their budget by the end of the vacation.

But guests luxuriate on high-end cruises, many of which are all-inclusive and don't have this problem.

Sure, luxury cruises have a higher base fare. But you'll never have to reach for your wallet once on board.

That's about as stress-free as you can get with a vacation.

"I'd rather have a few empty beds and get the right guests at the right price," Michael Ungerer, CEO of MSC Group's new luxury cruise line , Explora Journeys, told Business Insider in 2023. "Most of [the amenities] are already included, so we don't have to upsell."

After going on two luxury cruise ships, I now understand why so many wealthy travelers are splurging on these vacations at sea.

In 2023, I spent one night on Explora Journeys' Explora I while it was docked in New York and three nights on Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Grandeur while it sailed roundtrip from Miami. Both were complimentary non-revenue events for travel agents and media.

Seven Seas Grandeur's least expensive 2024 cruise is a seven-night roundtrip Miami voyage in December, starting at $4,800 per person — about $685 per day. (Travelers can book their own flights and pre-cruise hotels for a discounted fare.)

Meanwhile, Explora I's most affordable itinerary is a $3,030-per-person, 10-night November sailing from Barcelona to Bridgetown, Barbados.

Expensive? Yes. But on a cruise, money buys happiness.

On both ships, the fare includes complimentary bottles of Champagne, WiFi, endless alcoholic beverages, and access to the spa.

With Regent Seven Seas, pre-cruise hotels, every on board restaurant, flights to and from the ship (business class if international), and most excursions are also included.

Ironically, a higher price means a smaller ship.

The 922-guest Explora I stands at 813 feet and 63,900 gross-tons. The 746-guest Seven Seas Grandeur is smaller at 735 feet-long and 55,000 gross-tons.

To compare, Royal Caribbean's most popular and the world's largest cruise ship, the 7,600-guest Icon of the Seas , is a casual 1,196 feet long and 248,663 gross tons.

We’ll likely never see Icon of the Seas’ waterslides and theme park amenities across Regent Seven Seas' or Explora’s fleet.

But small ships have two big benefits: exclusivity and the ability to fit in more desirable ports.

The Grandeur is scheduled to sail to destinations like Oranjestad, Aruba, and Castries, Saint Lucia, while Explora I is planned for Hawaii and Casablanca, Morocco.

Icon of the Seas is exclusively sailing in the Caribbean this year.

Luxury ships still have some traditional amenities like pools, restaurants, and bars — just with an upscale flair, of course.

Instead of arcades, Explora I and Seven Seas Grandeur have cigar lounges.

Instead of a kid's playground, the latter has a quiet library.

Even the drinking water is better: No need to travel to Erewhon to sip on crystal-infused water. Just head to Explora I's spa instead.

The devil (quiet references to quiet luxury) is in the ships’ details.

Explora I has the first Rolex store at sea. The Cartier boutique is right next door.

Up a few decks, travelers can workout at the Technogym Artis Line-supplied gym, where a treadmill costs $20,250 and an elliptical $15,500.

Meanwhile, Seven Seas Grandeur is decorated with 503 chandeliers and a $6 million art collection that includes several original Pablo Picasso pieces and a custom Fabergé egg.

As expected, the food on these luxury ships are comparable to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Both floating five-star resorts have lunch buffets of raw seafood, lobster tails, and crab legs.

For dinner on the Explora I, travelers can dine on the six restaurants' wagyu tataki, grilled octopus, and aged prime rib with potatoes and caviar.

The Seven Seas Grandeur's five restaurants all serve some form of black truffle, sturgeon caviar, or foie gras.

For a 10-night cruise, Regent Seven Seas says its new ship carries 1,200 pounds of lobster, 20 pounds of caviar, and 5,000 bottles of wine — the most pricey at $2,500.

Expensive food means expensive service: Like many high-end on-land restaurants, the hostess always offered me a black napkin when I wore dark pants.

Dinners of steak tartare, lobster, and wine were as commonplace as the scrambled eggs at the breakfast buffet.

And, they're free, according to the laws of " girl math ."

By the end of my second night on the Regent Seven Seas ship, "I'm tired of eating caviar" went from being a joke to a serious statement.

If we're stereotyping, cruise ship bars can be less-than-luxe.

But don't call Explora I's Lobby Bar, which looks like it came out of an actual hotel bar, "trashy." After all, its background music comes from the overhead Steinway piano.

Starbucks outposts are becoming increasingly popular on mass-market ships.

But wealthy cruisers don't get to wake up with green siren-decorated cups of caffeine.

Instead, Explora I and Seven Seas Grandeur have their own coffee shops serving delectable espresso-based drinks and a separate afternoon tea service.

Like the lack of mediocre coffee, travelers on these fine ships will never be stuck in a tiny windowless interior cabin.

The smallest stateroom on the 461-cabin Explora I starts at 377 square-feet and flexes high-end amenities like a Dyson hairdryer.

The 373 cabins on the Seven Seas Grandeur start a bit smaller at 307 square-feet. At least it comes with L'Occitane en Provence products.

Both options have walk-in closets, floor-to-ceiling windows, and balconies. That's unheard of in the cheapest cabin on most mega-ships.

But one of the most pleasant differences between ultra-luxury and mid-tier cruises isn't in the amenities or dining.

It's the general ambiance.

Ultra-luxury ships aren't designed for cruising families with young children . The two ships didn't have cartoonish decor, loud lounges, or an unbearable number of children that could've kicked my fight-or-flight response.

Instead, the high-end vessels' common spaces were modern, mature, and relaxing.

If it seems like everyone you know has recently booked a cruise, you’d be correct.

Popular cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival have recently seen off-the-charts bookings.

The same applies to the industry's more niche and expensive peers — especially as travelers have increasingly splurged on luxurious vacations like small-ship cruising.

In February, Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Regent's parent company, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings , said demand for its luxury brands has been "very high."

After eating caviar and black truffles for every dinner on the Grandeur, I now understand why.

• Main content

The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2024 and 2025

C ruising the Hawaiian Islands offers U.S. travelers an immersive South Pacific escape with all the comforts of home. In fact, the Aloha State is in many ways an ideal cruise destination. It has year-round sunny weather, four main islands featuring varied topographies — including sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, volcanic mountains and vibrant green valleys — and a wide array of land- and water-based activities.

The main caveat? Hawaii cruise options are somewhat limited — just a fraction of what's available in the Caribbean — and many itineraries involve multiday crossings from the West Coast. Only one cruise line offers Hawaii itineraries throughout the year; most others visit during specific months or when repositioning ships in spring and fall.

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

Looking for the Hawaiian Islands sailing that's right for you? Here's a look at the eight best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler.

Norwegian Cruise Line's 7-night Inter-island Hawaii

For travelers who want more aloha time than the typical eight-hour port call allows, Norwegian Cruise Line has a solution. Its 2,186-passenger Pride of America lets vacationers sample four Hawaiian islands over seven days, with overnights in Maui and Kauai, plus port calls on both Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii. In total, this itinerary offers nearly 100 hours of shore time.

Pride of America sails round-trip from Honolulu every Saturday year-round. As a U.S.-flagged ship, it's the only large vessel permitted to sail this way. Not only do you skip the long Pacific crossing that most cruise ships do to reach Hawaii, but passports are not required for U.S. citizens, and you can tack on pre- or post-cruise stays on Oahu.

The overnights on Maui and Kauai also mean it's possible to try several of Hawaii's signature experiences that most port calls don't allow. Passengers can catch dusk or dawn from atop Maui's massive 10,023-foot dormant volcano with sunrise and sunset excursions to the Haleakala Crater. And with the ship in port all night on Kauai, guests who want to enjoy traditional Hawaiian cuisine, music and hula performances can book the Luau Kalamaku for a fun evening out.

Pride of America, which has been cruising Hawaii since 2005, doesn't have the onboard thrills (race track, virtual-reality gaming, waterslides) of Norwegian's newer ships , but that's okay because the islands, not the ship, are your main destination. Its American-themed decor celebrates U.S. cities in a vibrant, and at times, kitschy way, but a 2021 refurbishment left its cabins and public spaces feeling refreshed.

Many of Norwegian's specialty dining venues (which incur a surcharge) are on board, including Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro (here, it's Jefferson's Bistro), Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki.

Who should go: Anyone seeking a convenient way to island-hop — and see a lot of Hawaii — by making the most of the generous shore time with a combination of independent exploration and shore excursions. Most sailings attract couples ages 50 and older, although summer and holiday sailings have plenty of families on board.

Related: Best time to cruise Hawaii

UnCruise Adventures' 7-night Hawaiian Seascapes

Cruisers seeking a less traditional, more carefree Hawaii experience can have it from November to April aboard UnCruise Adventures ' 36-passenger Safari Explorer. The seven-night Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary, which begins either on Molokai or the island of Hawaii, is an unconventional one designed for those who enjoy going off the beaten path in an intimate and more authentic setting. U.S. passports aren't required to sail.

UnCruise visits four islands — Maui and Lanai plus Molokai and Hawaii — and focuses on not only their striking landscapes and underwater beauty but also the cultural traditions, cuisine and music of the Hawaiian people. On Molokai, where there's not a single traffic light and the lifestyle is slow-paced, passengers get a chance to "talk story" with locals and enjoy a pa'ina (feast) and evening jam session. Lanai activities range from snorkel, paddleboard and kayak excursions to off-road adventures exploring the privately owned island's dramatic sea cliffs, red rock formations and vast fields once filled with Dole pineapples.

Most UnCruise sailings are during Maui's humpback whale season, so sightings while cruising off the coast of Maui are possible. You might also catch glimpses of dolphins and sea turtles. A "Captain's Choice" day is a wild card determined by the weather, marine life in the area and other factors, while the final two days are spent exploring the Big Island of Hawaii — including a hike up Hualalai volcano and a skiff ride along the rugged coast.

Constructed in 1998, Safari Explorer was designed with adventure itineraries in mind (in summer the U.S.-flagged ship repositions to Alaska). Its size allows it to navigate areas larger ships can't reach, which in Hawaii means bays and coves ideal for snorkeling or watersports.

With such a small number of passengers aboard, guests get to know each other — and Safari Explorer's friendly and knowledgeable crew — quite well. Passengers come together over meals featuring locally sourced ingredients, and as all UnCruise fares include unlimited wines, spirits and microbrews, shipmates can raise a glass without worrying who's buying a round. It all lends itself to an exclusive yet utterly relaxed week of cruising.

Who should go: The ship's laid-back onboard vibe paired with its land- and water-based activities make the Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary ideal for active travelers seeking a nature-focused itinerary — although cruise fares (which start around $5,900 per person) are among the priciest for a Hawaii cruise.

Related: Why it's easier to meet new people on a smaller cruise ship

Holland America's 17-night Circle Hawaii

Travelers who have more than two weeks to spare and who prefer to arrive in Hawaii via ship rather than an airplane can do so on Holland America 's 17-night Circle Hawaii itinerary. They'd better also love sea days because crossing the Pacific from San Diego or Vancouver to Honolulu and back requires 10 days.

That means passengers enjoy five or six days in Hawaii on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the island of Hawaii. Some itineraries stay in select ports overnight. Cruises departing from San Diego also call on Ensenada, Mexico. With either departure port, passports will be required.

The itinerary is offered in 2024 and 2025 on the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam and 1,432-passenger Zaandam.

Travelers with more time on their hands can also visit Hawaii as part of longer Pacific island cruises with Holland America. Koningsdam will sail a 35-night Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas itinerary in 2025 that combines visits to four Hawaiian islands with calls on five islands in French Polynesia and Fanning Island, Kiribati (and 20 sea days).

Related: Holland America unveils epic cruise to Hawaii and Alaska for 2025

Zaandam will also sail 51- to 56-night Tales of the South Pacific itineraries that visit multiple islands in Hawaii and French Polynesia along with ports in the Cook Islands, American Samoa and Fiji.

Holland America is popular with cruisers ages 60 and older, many of them retired, who have time to enjoy longer itineraries on ships that offer good value with a focus on culinary and musical enjoyment. Two of Koningsdam's most popular venues are its live entertainment area with three venues — B.B. King's Blues Club (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues), Billboard Onboard (for chart-topping hits played by a live pianist) and Rolling Stone Rock Room (for a live band playing classic rock), and World Stage, a theater with a 270-degree screen used for both special BBC Earth in Concert and theatrical productions.

Onboard specialty dining options (at an added cost) include Pinnacle Grill for steaks and seafood, Tamarind for Pan-Asian cuisine and Rudi's Sel de Mer for French Brasserie specialties and seafood.

Who should go: Mature travelers who prefer not to fly and who enjoy a more traditional cruise experience. They should also love sea days as much (or even more so) than port exploration.

Related: 16 mistakes cruisers make on cruise ship sea days

Princess Cruises' 15- or 16-night Hawaiian Islands

Princess Cruises is also a good option for longer sailings. The cruise line offers numerous round-trip itineraries to Hawaii from Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego in the fall and winter.

The majority of sailings are aboard the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess and Ruby Princess from San Francisco, and the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess and 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess from Los Angeles.

Ships are in port for nine to 11 hours in Hawaii (Hilo), Kauai and Maui and for 16 hours in Oahu. Itineraries include a stop in Ensenada, Mexico (so passports are required), plus nine or 10 sea days.

The ships feature many of Princess' popular dining venues, including Alfredo's Pizzeria (a sit-down venue serving personal-size pizzas), Crown Grill for steaks and Sabatini's Italian Trattoria. There's plenty of outdoor space for soaking up the sun — including an adults-only sun deck — and a dazzling Piazza for enjoying cocktails, gelato and pop-up street performers.

Fans of Princess' Movies Under the Stars poolside screenings (with free popcorn) and Discovery at SEA enrichment programming will have ample time to enjoy these perks on a Hawaii sailing.

Who should go: These sailings will appeal to couples or groups of friends who prefer to have a wide choice of sailing dates, can take the time to enjoy a leisurely Pacific crossing and appreciate Princess' focus on quality cuisine and a sun deck designed for relaxation rather than thrills.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise shore excursions

Celebrity's 9- to 12-night Hawaii Cruise

Travelers seeking modern interior decor on a ship designed with couples in mind can visit Hawaii aboard Celebrity Cruises ' 2,852-passenger Celebrity Solstice or 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge on itineraries ranging from nine to 13 nights — but only if the timing is right. That's because the line offers only two sailings per ship each year (in spring and fall) as the ships reposition between Alaska and destinations in the Pacific. The itineraries are one-way (Vancouver to Honolulu or vice versa) with passports required.

These cruises call on three ports on two islands: Honolulu (Oahu) and Hilo and Kona (Hawaii), with one or two overnights in port and 10 hours ashore on one-day visits. All include five days in a row at sea. Since the itineraries either begin or end in Honolulu, there's also a chance for some pre- or post-cruise exploration.

Sea days offer opportunities to enjoy the chic, grown-up ambience and amenities aboard these ships. Each vessel offers multiple complimentary and extra-fee specialty restaurants. Celebrity Solstice features Tuscan Grille for Italian specialties and steak and Murano for modern French cuisine, while Celebrity Edge offers the whimsical Le Petit Chef and the international Eden Restaurant.

Celebrity's signature Martini Bar and many other onboard watering holes keep the grown-up vibe going day and night. Choose cruise fares that include alcohol and Wi-Fi, or pay a lower rate and pay for your drinks as you go.

Who should go: The slightly shorter one-way sailings and the ships' contemporary ambience make these itineraries ideal for couples and groups of friends seeking a relaxing escape — especially Gen Xers in their 40s and 50s, who are Celebrity's target market.

Related: 6 national parks you can reach by cruise ship (and 2 are in Hawaii)

Carnival's 14- or 15-night Hawaii from Los Angeles

If fun is your cruise mantra, the "Fun Ship" brand Carnival Cruise Line offers a handful of round-trip sailings to Hawaii from Los Angeles (Long Beach) aboard the 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance. Like other roundtrips from the West Coast, these itineraries spend just five days in Hawaii, offering eight to 14 hours of shore time in ports on four islands: Maui, Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii. Along with enjoying eight sea days, guests will also call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Carnival Radiance first sailed under that name in 2021, but it's not a new ship. Before an epic makeover, it sailed for the cruise line as Carnival Victory. Ship features include many of Carnival's signature complimentary and extra-fee dining venues, including Guy's Burger Joint and Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, BlueIguana Cantina, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi Express.

Additional guest favorite destinations on board include the RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and WaterWorks aquapark. Expect high-voltage theater shows from Playlist Productions at night and poolside interactive contests by day.

Who should go: Socially inclined cruisers who love Carnival's emphasis on onboard fun and can appreciate a colorful ship with a lively ambience and lots of day and evening activities.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise tips for getting the most from your island-hopping trip

Royal Caribbean's 9- to 13-night Hawaii Cruises

A megaship cruise experience to Hawaii is available, too — with pricing that's quite affordable. Royal Caribbean cruises there on two vessels in one of its newer classes of ships: the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

All are one-way cruises just before or after the Alaska cruise season (so late April or early October) between Oahu and Vancouver (or vice versa). The ships call on two Hawaiian islands and spend four or five days in a row at sea. Passports are required since these itineraries begin or end in Vancouver.

Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas feature a mix of thrills for all ages. These include RipCord by iFly simulated sky diving, FlowRider simulated surfing, bumper car racing in the SeaPlex indoor activity complex and the North Star sightseeing capsule, which ascends 300 feet above the top deck for 360-degree views.

Both ships also offer 14 dining venues, including the innovative Wonderland, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and kid-favorite Dog House, as well as bar options that include Schooner Bar for by-request piano tunes, Boleros for mojitos and merengue and Bionic Bar for drinks poured by robotic bartenders. Entertainment includes live cover bands in the Music Hall and multimedia music and dance performances in Two70.

Who should go: Cruisers who love a big ship with a wide array of dining choices, all kinds of evening entertainment and plenty of exciting activities to pass the time on sea days. Quantum-class ships are great for families, but the sail dates might not work for those with school-age kids.

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Viking's 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn

For a guaranteed adults-only sailing in a relaxed, boutique-style setting, upscale cruise line Viking also offers round-trip Hawaii cruises from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 on its 930-passenger Viking Neptune.

What sets Viking apart from most of the other lines offering Hawaii cruises is that it includes a free shore excursion in every port. These include a highlights tour of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor on Oahu and a visit to a scenic waterfall and the Kilohana sugar plantation on Kauai. Additional excursions can be booked at an extra charge.

The 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn sailings visit four islands — Hawaii (Hilo), Oahu, Kauai and Maui — and like other round-trip sailings from the West Coast include 10 sea days and a call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Viking Neptune will also do 32-night Grand Hawaii and Polynesia sailings round-trip from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 that visit four islands in Hawaii and four in French Polynesia.

The ship, which debuted in 2022, features sleek Scandinavian-inspired decor, a soothing spa with a complimentary thermal area, an aft infinity pool and hot tub, a panoramic Explorer's Lounge and five onboard restaurants. Specialty restaurant Manfredi's serves an extensive menu of Italian specialties, while The Chef's Table offers rotating five-course themed menus, including Asian, French and California-inspired.

In addition to the free shore excursions, pricing includes complimentary wine or beer with lunch and dinner, specialty dining at no extra charge, crew gratuities and transfers.

Who should go: Couples who prefer the quieter ambience of a ship that doesn't allow anyone under 18 onboard, doesn't have a casino and offers presentations by regional experts that enhance immersion into local culture. Viking cruisers are generally over age 55.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.