Carnival Festivale restaurants are getting a major upgrade. Carnival Cruise Line recently announced several new dining venues, bars, and culinary experiences coming to its newest ship, and a few of them immediately caught our attention.
One of our favorite parts of cruising is the food.
Sure, we love exploring new ports, watching shows, and spending time by the pool. But let’s be honest, trying new restaurants and finding our favorite onboard meals is always a big part of every cruise we take.
That’s why we were excited to see Carnival Cruise Line recently unveil several new dining concepts that will debut aboard Carnival Festivale, the line’s newest ship scheduled to begin sailing from Port Canaveral in 2027.
During a special event called “The Next Course,” Carnival’s Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse helped reveal a lineup of new restaurants, bars, and culinary experiences coming to the ship.
Some of the changes involve completely new dining concepts, while others replace venues that Carnival cruisers have come to know over the past few years.
Here’s a look at what’s coming.
Uku Lei Lei Brings Hawaiian Flavors to Carnival
If we’re being honest, this is probably the restaurant we’re most excited to try on Carnival Festivale.
According to Carnival, Uku Lei Lei is “blending the spirit & cuisine of Hawaii with bold Asian flavors” and will replace Chi-Bang, a Chinese & Mexican restaurant, onboard the new ship.
This feels like one of the boldest restaurant concepts Carnival has announced in years. Opinions on Chi-Bang have always been pretty divided; people seem to either love it or not care for it at all. We love seeing cruise lines try something completely different instead of creating another version of an existing venue.
The combination of Hawaiian flavors and Asian classics has the potential to be one of the most unique dining experiences in Carnival’s fleet.
Fetaccine Replaces Cucina del Capitano
Italian food has always been a staple on Carnival ships, but Carnival Festivale will introduce a new twist on the classic formula.
Fetaccine will combine Italian favorites with Greek specialties in a Mediterranean-inspired dining experience, replacing Cucina del Capitano. A Greek restaurant has always been something Carnival has lacked, and other lines have added.
Depending on the menu, this could be one of the sleeper hits onboard. We already know Carnival does Italian food well with Cucina. Adding Greek influences could make this venue stand out from some of the line’s existing offerings.
Emeril’s Coastal Seafood
Another major addition coming to Carnival Festivale is Emeril’s Coastal Seafood.
This new specialty restaurant, “blending Gulf Coast with New England seafood traditions,” will feature dishes created under the direction of Carnival’s Chief Culinary Officer, Emeril Lagasse. The venue will replace Rudi’s Seagrill.
Seafood fans will probably be watching this one closely.
Rudi’s has built a strong reputation across the Excel fleet, but I have yet to experience it. We’re interested to see how Emeril’s vision compares and whether this becomes Carnival’s new signature seafood specialty dining venue.
A New Exclusive: Le Bistro Musicale
Perhaps the most unique concept announced is Le Bistro Musicale.
This restaurant will feature classic French cuisine in a relaxed, Paris-inspired atmosphere, with live music throughout the experience. Carnival has also stated that the venue will be exclusive to Carnival Festivale.
Le Bistro Musicale will replace Emeril’s Bistro and appears to be unlike anything Carnival currently offers elsewhere in the fleet.
We’re especially curious to see how the live music element is integrated into the meal. If Carnival gets the atmosphere right, this could become one of the most memorable dining experiences onboard.
New Bars and Lounges Coming to Carnival Festivale
The dining changes aren’t the only additions coming to the ship.
Carnival also announced several new bar concepts that will debut on Carnival Festivale. These include:
- The Spark, a lounge featuring live performances and cocktails inspired by iconic songs.
- Mix, an interactive bar where guests can order creative cocktails or customize their own drinks.
- Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar, serving specialty coffees and cocktails throughout the day.
As people who spend plenty of time checking out different bars onboard, we’re especially interested in seeing how Mix works in practice. The ability to customize cocktails could become a fun addition for guests looking to try something different.
What These Changes Mean for Carnival Cruisers
The biggest takeaway from these announcements is that Carnival appears committed to continuing the evolution of its dining program. Other fleet-wide enhancements discussed included refreshed main dining menus, a chef’s table revamp, mobile coffee orders, and the continuation of express dining.
Rather than simply copying restaurants from the first three Excel class ships, Carnival is introducing new concepts that help Carnival Festivale stand out from the rest of the fleet.
Whether all of these changes end up being successful remains to be seen, but we appreciate that Carnival is willing to experiment with new ideas instead of playing it safe.
For us, the most anticipated addition is Uku Lei Lei. The Hawaiian and Asian-inspired menu feels completely different from anything Carnival currently offers. After that, Fetaccine and Le Bistro Musicale are probably the two venues we’re most interested in experiencing when Carnival Festivale begins sailing from Port Canaveral in 2027.
Final Thoughts
Carnival Festivale is still more than a year away from welcoming its first guests, but these restaurant announcements have already given cruisers plenty to talk about.
With new dining concepts, new bars, and several major restaurant replacements, Carnival is clearly trying to make Festivale a ship that offers something different from its sister vessels.
The ship’s inaugural sailing from Port Canaveral is currently scheduled for May 19, 2027, on a four-day Bahamas itinerary.
What do you think about the new restaurants coming to Carnival Festivale? Are you excited about these changes, or would you rather keep some of the existing venues? Let us know, we’re curious to hear which concept you’re most excited to try.