Carnival Cruise Line Cucina del Capitano Menu and Prices
Cucina del Capitano is Carnival Cruise Line’s Italian restaurant, built around the company’s Italian heritage and recipes inspired by Carnival captains and officers. On Carnival Celebration, the restaurant offers a large dinner menu with Italian appetizers, soups, salads, pasta, seafood, chicken, pork, beef, desserts, and an extensive Italian-focused wine selection.
The menu photographed here is from Carnival Celebration and also includes several premium dishes borrowed from Carnival’s Il Viaggio restaurant, along with Steakhouse selections available for an additional charge. Carnival currently allows guests on Carnival Celebration one complimentary dinner at Cucina del Capitano during their voyage, making it an especially appealing alternative to the Main Dining Room.
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.
The Story Behind Cucina del Capitano
Cucina del Capitano translates to “The Captain’s Kitchen,” and Carnival uses the restaurant to celebrate the cruise line’s long connection to Italy.
The Carnival Celebration menu explains that many of the ship’s officers have Italian roots and that the restaurant recreates dishes inspired by recipes Carnival’s Italian captains and officers grew up eating.
The concept emphasizes traditional ingredients including vine-ripened tomatoes, fragrant herbs, aged Parmesan cheese, handmade pasta, and extra virgin olive oil.
The restaurant also incorporates several dishes originally created for Il Viaggio, Carnival’s other Italian restaurant. These are clearly identified on the menu and carry an additional charge.
Cucina del Capitano Wine and Bellini Menu
The beverage menu begins with a Bellini for $11.25, available with a choice of peach, mango, strawberry, or elderflower served with Prosecco.
The wine list naturally leans heavily toward Italian selections.
Sparkling wines include:
- Spumante, Leonardini, Italy – $34 bottle
- Prosecco, Ca’ Marian Castel Pietra, Veneto – $11 glass or $36 bottle
White wine selections include:
- Moscato, Stemmari, Terre Siciliane – $12.50 glass / $42 bottle
- Moscato d’Asti, Batasiolo, Piedmont – $39 bottle
- Pinot Grigio, Mezzacorona, Delle Venezie – $35 bottle
- Pinot Grigio, Torresella, Veneto – $12.50 glass / $42 bottle
- Chardonnay, Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve – $13.50 glass / $46 bottle
Red wines include:
- Lambrusco, Riunite, Emilia – $11 glass / $36 bottle
- Barbera d’Asti, Batasiolo, Ca Bianca, Piedmont – $12.50 glass / $42 bottle
- Chianti Classico Riserva, D’Aquino, Tuscany – $13.50 glass / $46 bottle
- Barolo, Batasiolo, Piedmont – $78 bottle
- Amarone della Valpolicella, Allegrini, Veneto – $109 bottle
The selection ranges from relatively approachable wines by the glass to premium Italian bottles for passengers who want something more substantial with dinner.
Appetizers, Soups and Salads
The Antipasto / Zuppa / Insalate section provides a good mix of traditional Italian starters, seafood, soup, and salads.
Selections shown on the menu include:
- Arancini – spicy fried rice balls with marinara, peperonata, and mozzarella
- Nonna’s Meat Balls – San Marzano sauce, roasted chili salsa, provolone, and Parmesan
- Fritto Misto – lightly battered and deep-fried shrimp, fish, calamari, vegetables, and garlic aioli
- Classic Minestrone – tomato, vegetables, cannellini beans, macaroni, and Genovese pesto
- Caprese Salad – Roma tomato, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil
- Rucola, Cracked Farro Salad – vegetables, dried and fresh tomatoes, and young pecorino
Nonna’s Meat Balls are marked as a Favorito del Capitano, identifying them as one of the captain’s featured selections.
Premium Il Viaggio Appetizers
Two starters on this menu come from Carnival’s Il Viaggio concept and carry additional charges.
The Tartare di Salmone is $8 and combines salmon tartare with fish roe, capers, dill sauce, and rustic crusty bread.
The Salumi e Formaggi Sampler is $15 and is designed to serve two. It features an assortment of cold cuts and cheeses including soppressata, piccante, salumeria, prosciutto, Bel Paese, Gorgonzola, and Parmigiano.
These dishes are optional upgrades rather than part of the standard Cucina selections.
Pasta and Main Courses
The Secondo / Pasta section is where Cucina del Capitano offers its widest range of dinner choices.
One of the featured dishes is Rigatoni Ncasciata alla Siciliana, identified as the favorite comfort food of Carnival Celebration’s inaugural captain, Vincenzo Alcaras. The baked pasta uses his Sicilian recipe and includes Bolognese ragù, ham, eggplant, Parmesan, and mozzarella.
Other pasta choices include:
- Linguine Vongole – clams, arugula, olive oil, fresh tomatoes, and garlic
- Spaghetti Carbonara – bacon, Parmesan, and cream
- Penne Pomodoro – robust roasted tomato sauce
The standard entrée choices continue with:
- Grilled Fish – braised artichoke, fava beans, garlic sauce, and green beans
- Chicken Parmesan – pounded breaded chicken breast, mozzarella, basil, and tomato
- Short Ribs – Barolo wine braised with walnuts and salsa verde
- Pork Chop – zucchini mushroom reduction and spiced peperonata
- Eggplant Parmigiano – roasted tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil
Chicken Parmesan is another item marked as a Favorito del Capitano.
Il Viaggio Premium Entrées
Several additional-cost dishes from Il Viaggio appear directly on the Cucina del Capitano menu.
The Jumbo Shrimp Scampi is $15, prepared with garlic, peperoncino, Pinot Grigio, and lemon risotto.
The Lombata Milanese is $20 and consists of a 16-ounce bone-in veal chop that is thinly pounded, lightly breaded, pan-fried, and served with a mixed green salad.
The menu also offers Osso Bucco for $25, featuring gently braised veal shanks with Pinot Grigio, gremolata, and Parmesan polenta.
For seafood lovers, the largest premium selection is the Grigliata Mista di Pesce for $40. Designed to serve two, it includes lobster tails, scallops, sea bass, colossal shrimp, oysters, citrus butter, and garlic ciabatta.
Steakhouse Selections at Cucina del Capitano
Passengers can also order from a dedicated Steakhouse Selections section.
Each Steakhouse entrée carries a $25 surcharge.
Choices include:
- Surf & Turf – lobster tail and grilled filet mignon
- Broiled Filet Mignon – 9-ounce premium aged beef
- New York Striploin Steak – 14 ounces
- Grilled Lamb Chops – double cut with lamb au jus
- 14 oz Wagyu Cheeseburger – aged cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, frizzled onions, and seasoned fries
The Wagyu Cheeseburger also comes with Carolina BBQ sauce, garlic-truffle aioli, and chipotle hot sauce.
These options give passengers the ability to order a steakhouse-style entrée without dining at Carnival’s dedicated steakhouse.
Cucina del Capitano Side Dishes
The Contorni section offers four sides:
- Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower – crusted lemon pan sauce
- Spinach – pecorino and breadcrumbs
- Lentils – shallot herb vinaigrette
- Crispy Potatoes – olive oil, rosemary, and pecorino
The menu also states that a $5 surcharge applies when ordering a third entrée or more.
Desserts
Dessert keeps the Italian theme going with several familiar choices.
The standard dessert selections include:
- Apple Crostata – house-made buttermilk gelato, slow-stewed apple, and cinnamon
- Tiramisu – mascarpone, Kahlúa, and espresso
- Babà Napoletano – moist cake in orange rum syrup with apricot jam
Apple Crostata is marked as a Favorito del Capitano.
There is also an additional-cost Il Viaggio dessert. The Mile-High Gelato Pie is $6, combining salted caramel, mocha, toasted coconut, and Chantilly cream.
Specialty Coffee and After-Dinner Liqueurs
Cucina del Capitano offers several traditional Italian-style ways to finish dinner.
The specialty coffee selections include Espresso Corretto, with espresso “corrected” with Sandro Bottega Grappa or Sambuca, and Italian Coffee, freshly brewed coffee served with Amaretto di Saronno.
After-dinner liqueurs listed on the menu include:
- Pallini Limoncello
- Galliano
- Amaretto di Saronno
- Frangelico
- Sambuca
- Grappa
- Sandro Bottega
Regular bar prices apply to these beverages.
Is Cucina del Capitano Free on Carnival Celebration?
Carnival currently allows each guest on Carnival Celebration, Mardi Gras, and Carnival Jubilee one complimentary dinner at Cucina del Capitano during the voyage.
After the complimentary visit, Carnival currently charges $8 per guest for additional visits on those ships.
This is important because Cucina operates differently on other Carnival ships. Carnival’s standard pricing for Cucina del Capitano is currently $28.80 per adult and $13.20 per child age 11 and under when ordering from the kids menu, with the service charge included in that advertised total.
Passengers should therefore check the policy for their specific ship rather than assuming every Cucina del Capitano operates under the same pricing structure.
Premium dishes shown with individual prices remain additional-cost selections even when the regular Cucina dinner is complimentary.
Cucina del Capitano Service Charges and Ordering Rules
The photographed Carnival Celebration menu states that a 20% service charge will automatically be added to your order.
It also states that a $5 surcharge applies for a third entrée or more.
Additional-cost Il Viaggio dishes and the $25 Steakhouse selections are clearly identified on the menu, making it easier to distinguish them from the regular dinner choices.
Alcoholic drinks and other beverages normally ordered through bar service are also separate.
Which Carnival Ships Have Cucina del Capitano?
Carnival currently lists Cucina del Capitano on:
- Carnival Breeze
- Carnival Celebration
- Carnival Horizon
- Carnival Jubilee
- Carnival Magic
- Carnival Panorama
- Carnival Radiance
- Carnival Sunrise
- Carnival Sunshine
- Carnival Vista
- Mardi Gras
The restaurant operates as a dinner venue with made-to-order Italian dishes and table service.
Carnival also currently offers a complimentary made-to-order pasta bar at Cucina del Capitano during lunch, providing another opportunity to try the venue without using a dinner visit.
Cucina del Capitano FAQ
Is Cucina del Capitano free on Carnival Celebration?
Yes. Carnival currently allows guests on Carnival Celebration one complimentary Cucina del Capitano dinner during their voyage. Additional visits currently cost $8 per guest.
Is Cucina del Capitano free on every Carnival ship?
No. Pricing differs by ship. Carnival’s standard Cucina dinner pricing currently applies on ships outside the special Celebration, Jubilee, and Mardi Gras arrangement.
Are all dishes included with dinner?
No. The photographed menu includes several premium Il Viaggio dishes with individual prices as well as Steakhouse selections carrying a $25 surcharge.
What kind of food does Cucina del Capitano serve?
The menu focuses on Italian and Italian-American dishes, including arancini, meatballs, minestrone, Caprese salad, pasta, Chicken Parmesan, short ribs, pork, seafood, veal, and Italian desserts.
Does Cucina del Capitano have pasta?
Yes. The photographed menu includes Rigatoni Ncasciata alla Siciliana, Linguine Vongole, Spaghetti Carbonara, and Penne Pomodoro.
Does Cucina del Capitano have steak?
Yes. A separate Steakhouse Selections section offers Surf & Turf, filet mignon, New York striploin, lamb chops, and a Wagyu cheeseburger for a $25 surcharge per entrée.
What desserts are available?
The menu includes Apple Crostata, Tiramisu, and Babà Napoletano among the regular selections. A Mile-High Gelato Pie is available for an additional $6.
Is there a service charge?
The photographed menu states that a 20% service charge will automatically be added to orders. Carnival’s standard prepaid Cucina dinner price on applicable ships is advertised with the service charge already included.
Do I need a reservation?
Carnival recommends reservations for Cucina del Capitano where advance reservations are offered. For Carnival Celebration, Mardi Gras, and Carnival Jubilee, Carnival currently states that pre-cruise reservations are not available.
Final Thoughts
Cucina del Capitano offers one of Carnival Celebration’s most extensive dinner menus, with considerably more than just pasta. The regular selections range from arancini and Nonna’s Meat Balls to Linguine Vongole, Chicken Parmesan, short ribs, pork chops, fish, Eggplant Parmigiano, and classic Italian desserts.
The menu has also become more interesting with the addition of premium Il Viaggio dishes. Passengers willing to spend extra can add salmon tartare, a meat and cheese sampler, shrimp scampi, veal Milanese, Osso Bucco, or a large seafood platter for two. Steakhouse selections provide another group of premium upgrades.
Most importantly for Carnival Celebration passengers, the current one-complimentary-dinner policy makes Cucina del Capitano an easy restaurant to work into a cruise dining plan. Just pay attention to the individually priced upgrades, Steakhouse selections, drinks, and any applicable service charges when ordering.
