Carnival Cruise Line Masala Tiger Menu and Prices
Masala Tiger brings Indian cuisine to Carnival Cruise Line with a menu built around tandoori specialties, curries, kebabs, traditional appetizers, and Indian desserts. Carnival describes the venue as using a traditional clay oven heated to more than 1,000 degrees, giving many of its grilled dishes their distinctive tandoori preparation.
The menu shown below is Carnival’s current Masala Tiger menu for its Excel-class ships, including Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee, and Mardi Gras. Unlike the rotating lunch selections guests may encounter at Masala Tiger, this menu features individually priced dishes ranging from samosas and Chicken 65 to tandoori lobster, butter chicken, and sharing platters.
For more Carnival information, CruisePrism readers can also explore our Carnival Dining Menus, Carnival Drink Lists, and Carnival Onboard Guides for more information about restaurants, schedules and onboard activities.
Masala Tiger Starters
The Masala Tiger menu begins with three starters:
- 3 Pieces Punjabi Samosa – $4: Pastry filled with potatoes and peas, served with mint sauce and sweet tamarind relish.
- Masala Fried Shrimp – $10: Shrimp prepared with aromatic Indian spices and served with mint chutney.
- Chicken 65 – $7: Crispy batter-fried chicken seasoned with spices from Madras.
These appetizers offer several different ways to start the meal, from the vegetarian Punjabi samosas to fried shrimp and the more intensely seasoned Chicken 65.
Masala Tiger Entrées
The entrée section includes some of the menu’s premium meat and seafood dishes. Each is served with a choice of dal fry lentils, paratha flatbread, or saffron pilaf.
The menu shown lists:
- Tandoori Lobster – $28: Lobster marinated for 12 hours in tandoori spices and grilled.
- Lamb Chops – $23: Prepared with Greek yogurt, freshly ground herbs, and spices.
- Beef Kebabs – $23: Marinated ribeye skewers with fresh herbs and warm spices.
The tandoori lobster is the most expensive individual dish visible on this Masala Tiger menu at $28.
Butter Chicken and Tandoori Wings
Butter chicken is prominently identified on the menu as a “Most Popular” selection. It features smoked tikka in creamy tomato gravy and comes with paratha flatbread.
The pricing is designed for sharing:
- Butter Chicken for 2 – $10
- Butter Chicken for 4 – $18
Another lower-priced option is the six-piece Tandoori Spiced Wings for $7. The wings are served with spicy mango slaw and mint chutney, and guests can choose either fried or grilled preparation.
For cruisers who want to sample Masala Tiger without ordering one of the larger entrées, these are among the more affordable options on the menu.
Masala Tiger Indian Sampler
The Kebabs & More section features platters intended for sharing by two people. These also include a choice of dal fry lentils, paratha flatbread, or saffron pilaf.
The Indian Sampler costs $30 and combines several items on a single platter:
- Chargrilled seabass
- Jumbo shrimp
- Chicken tikka
- Lamb chops
- Malai paneer cheese
This is the highest-priced selection shown on the menu, but it also offers the broadest variety of proteins and preparations in a single order.
Vegetarian Sampler
Vegetarian cruisers have a dedicated sharing platter available for $10.
The Vegetarian Sampler includes:
- Paneer cheese tikka
- Hara bhara spinach and peas kebab
- Vegetable pakora fritters
The sampler provides several different Indian vegetarian dishes rather than relying on a single entrée.
Desserts at Masala Tiger
Two traditional Indian-inspired sweets are shown on the menu, with desserts priced at $2.
Kesar Malai Kulfi is described as Indian saffron ice cream.
Gulab Jamun consists of rich, dense milk that is deep-fried and soaked in sugar syrup, then served with vanilla ice cream.
At just $2, either dessert is an inexpensive way to finish the meal.
Shaam Ki Chai Evening Tea
Masala Tiger also offers Shaam Ki Chai for $5.
This evening tea option includes:
- Masala chai tea
- Potato and onion pakora fritters
- Mint chutney
It is a lighter option than the main entrées and combines traditional masala chai with savory pakora.
How Much Does Masala Tiger Cost?
Based specifically on the menu pictured here, prices range from $2 for dessert to $30 for the Indian Sampler.
Some of the lower-priced options include the $4 Punjabi samosas, $5 Shaam Ki Chai, $7 Chicken 65, and $7 tandoori wings. Larger entrées such as lamb chops and beef kebabs are $23, while tandoori lobster is $28.
The Indian Sampler is $30 and is intended for two people.
Cruise dining menus and prices can change, so passengers should always check the Carnival HUB app or the current onboard menu during their sailing for the latest availability and pricing.
Which Carnival Ships Have Masala Tiger?
Carnival currently lists this version of Masala Tiger on its Excel-class ships:
- Carnival Celebration
- Carnival Jubilee
- Mardi Gras
Carnival’s Australian operation also offers Masala Tiger aboard Carnival Splendor, but its menu and dining format differ from the Excel-class menu pictured in this guide. Because the offerings are not identical, passengers sailing on Carnival Splendor should check the specific menu available aboard that ship rather than assuming these prices and dishes will apply.
Is Masala Tiger Included on a Carnival Cruise?
The answer depends on when and where you dine.
Carnival lists Masala Tiger as a dinner venue on its current U.S. website, and the menu pictured here clearly shows individual prices for its dinner selections. Masala Tiger offerings can differ by ship and meal period, including complimentary lunch service on ships where that option is offered.
For that reason, passengers should check the dining information for their specific ship and sailing rather than assuming that every Masala Tiger meal is either complimentary or an additional charge.
Masala Tiger Menu FAQ
What type of food does Masala Tiger serve?
Masala Tiger specializes in Indian cuisine, with dishes including samosas, Chicken 65, butter chicken, tandoori lobster, lamb chops, beef kebabs, paneer, pakora, kulfi, and gulab jamun.
How much is butter chicken at Masala Tiger?
On the menu pictured here, butter chicken costs $10 for two people or $18 for four people. It is served with paratha flatbread.
Does Masala Tiger have vegetarian food?
Yes. The pictured menu includes Punjabi samosas and a $10 Vegetarian Sampler containing paneer cheese tikka, hara bhara spinach and peas kebab, and vegetable pakora fritters. Other vegetarian accompaniments are also shown.
What is the most expensive item on the Masala Tiger menu?
The Indian Sampler is $30 and is designed for sharing by two people. Among the individual entrées pictured, tandoori lobster is the most expensive at $28.
Does Masala Tiger have seafood?
Yes. Seafood choices on this menu include Masala Fried Shrimp, Tandoori Lobster, and the Indian Sampler, which includes chargrilled seabass and jumbo shrimp.
Are there desserts at Masala Tiger?
Yes. Kesar Malai Kulfi and Gulab Jamun are both listed at $2 on the pictured menu.
Can you get chai at Masala Tiger?
Yes. Shaam Ki Chai costs $5 on this menu and includes masala chai tea with potato and onion pakora fritters and mint chutney.
Are Masala Tiger prices the same on every Carnival ship?
Not necessarily. Menus, prices, and the way Masala Tiger operates can vary by ship and meal period. The photos in this guide show the Excel-class Masala Tiger menu, while Carnival Splendor has a different Masala Tiger offering.
Final Thoughts on the Carnival Masala Tiger Menu
Masala Tiger provides one of Carnival Cruise Line’s more distinctive dining choices for passengers who enjoy Indian cuisine. The menu ranges from inexpensive snacks and desserts to substantial grilled entrées and sharing platters, with both meat and vegetarian choices available.
Butter chicken is highlighted as one of the restaurant’s most popular selections, while the Indian Sampler offers the widest variety for two people. For something lighter, Punjabi samosas, tandoori wings, or Shaam Ki Chai provide lower-cost alternatives.
If you are planning your dining before a Carnival cruise, this menu provides a useful idea of the dishes and prices you may encounter at Masala Tiger. As always with cruise dining, check the Carnival HUB app and onboard menus during your sailing for the current schedule, availability, and pricing.
