Cruising can be a great way to see the world and experience new cultures. But one of the biggest dilemmas while cruising can be deciding where to eat. With an assortment of restaurants and endless choices, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s where this ultimate guide to Carnival Deli Sandwiches for new cruisers comes in.
The Carnival Deli is a great option for those looking for a quick and satisfying meal.
They offer a variety of sandwiches, salads, and wraps, all made with fresh ingredients. The sandwiches are especially popular, and they come in a variety of flavors to suit everyone’s taste.
Whether you’re in the mood for a classic turkey club or something more adventurous, the Carnival Deli has you covered.
In addition to their delicious food, the Carnival Deli is also known for their friendly and efficient service. The staff is always happy to help you choose the perfect meal, and they’re always willing to go the extra mile to make sure you have a great dining experience.
So next time you’re cruising with Carnival, be sure to stop by the Deli. You won’t be disappointed.
Included Dining options
Before you order your first sammie from Carnival Deli, you need to know what options you have onboard, both included in your cruise fare and additional cost speciality dining.
All Carnival ships
- Main Dining Room. Available breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Lido Marketplace
- Swirls soft serve ice cream, and frozen yogurt
- Sea Day Brunch
- Pizza Pirate
- Carnival Deli
Select ships– Excel Class. (Carnival Mardi Gras, Celebration, and soon, Jubilee.)
- Big Chicken
- Street Eats
- Guy’s Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que
- Pizzeria del Capitano
- Chibang
Most Carnival ships
- Guy’s Burger Joint
- BlueIguana Cantina
- Pizza Pirate
- Mongolian Wok
Speciality Restaurants (additional cost)
- Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse & Brewhouse
- Bonsai Teppanyaki
- Cucina del Capitano
- JiJi Asian Kitchen
- Seafood Shack
- Bonsai Sushi/express
- Carnival Steakhouse
- Rudi’s Sea Grill
What kind of restaurant is Carnival Deli?
Carnival Deli is a casual, quick-serve, order-and-take-away sandwich bar serving sandwiches and wraps, with extended hours for lunch and dinner. You might be wondering, what exactly counts as a sandwich?
What is a Sandwich?
According to a New York State Department of Taxation and Finance bulletin 2019,
What is considered a sandwich?
Sandwiches include cold and hot sandwiches of every kind that are prepared and ready to be eaten, whether made on bread, on bagels, on rolls, in pitas, in wraps, or otherwise, and regardless of the filling or number of layers. A sandwich can be as simple as a buttered bagel or roll, or as elaborate as a six-foot, toasted submarine sandwich.
Is a hotdog a sandwich?
The late Associate Supreme Court Justice of the United States, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (March 15, 1933- September 18, 2020) ruled that,
A hot dog fits the definition of a sandwich.
Is a hamburger a sandwich?
Yes, a hamburger is a sandwich, but you cannot get this at Carnival Deli. You can get this at Guy’s Burger Joint. You can however get a veggie burger. Read on for description of this burger and review. Price: included. Location: on the Lido.
What about tacos and burritos? Are they sandwiches?
The internet and Gallivanting Souls are still confused on this one.
You can find wraps at Carnival Deli, but if you want a taco or burrito, you’ll need to head to BlueIguana Cantina. Price: Included. Location: Lido deck.
When is the Deli open?
What hours is the Deli open? The deli is conveniently open for lunch and dinner. Check the Carnival HUB app for up-to-date hours. The hours on our most recent cruises on Carnival Glory and Carnival Valor were 11 to 11 daily.
Good to know. On port days, the Deli is often the only place to get lunch before noon so you may encounter a long line. On sea days you might find shorter lines.
Where is the deli located?
You can usually find the Deli in or near the buffet area on the Lido deck.
On Conquest class ships (Carnival Conquest, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty) the Deli is located inside the Grand Buffet and is opposite the Bar B Que on deck 9 port side.
These sandwich counters can be found on Lido deck 16 on Excel class ships including Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee, and Carnival Mardi Gras.
On Dream class ships (Carnival Dream, Carnival Breeze, and Carnival Magic) the Deli is on deck 10.
Vista-class ships ( Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama) are found on deck 10.
Fantasy class ships the two remaining in the fleet, Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise are found near the aft area of the Lido near the dessert station.
Spirit-class ships also have a Sandwich bar on Deck 9. (Carnival Spirit, Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride, And Carnival Luminosa). You will find the Deli mid-ship next to Pizzeria del Capitano
The Deli is found opposite the Seafood Shack on deck 9, almost to the back of the ship on the port side of the ship for Sunshine Class ships. (Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise).
Carnival Splendor’s Deli can be found in the rear section of deck 9 of the Lido Buffet, opposite Marsala Tiger.
Why go to Carnival Deli
You might be wondering, why should I go to Carnival Deli when there are so many other options to eat at on my cruise?
If you are looking for comfort food this is the place to go. They have simple, classic, sandwiches that are quickly made and portable.
Kids of all ages love sandwiches. With 14 different sandwiches, you can try one or more each day of your cruise!
What to expect
How? Since the deli is usually located in or near the Lido Buffet, you might be wondering, do I assemble my sandwich from items on the buffet? Or is it more like restaurants on land where you tell the employees what you want?
You may find sliced cheeses, meats, and bread in the buffet area, but this is not the Deli. The Carnival Deli is a stand-alone sandwich counter.
For the most part, getting a sandwich from Carnival Deli is the same as ordering from any other sandwich shop such as Jersey Mike’s or Subway.
Here’s how to order:
While standing in line consult the menu, and decide what sandwich or sandwiches you want. The person behind the counter will take several orders at one time, so be ready.
You can order by number, or by sandwich name, but be sure to speak up.
If you want any changes, additions, or substitutions, now is the time to let them know.
If you have any allergies or food intolerances, share this too.
I’m really hungry, or I can’t decide. Can I order more than one sandwich?
Feel free to order more than one as long as you will eat it.
If unsure if you can finish more than one sandwich, order just one, finish it, and then, if still hungry, order another.
Don’t worry, the line moves quickly, even during the lunch rush.
Here’s an example of how to order:
Hi there! Can I please get a Veggie Burger, with no cheese, and extra tomatoes? With french fries, please.
Can children order from the Deli?
Per Carnival, children under 18 are welcome to dine at the Deli when accompanied by an adult, the same as all other dining venues on Carnival Cruise Lines.
What ships have Carnival Deli?
All of Carnival’s ships have Carnival Deli. Even the New ships from Costa like Carnival Venezia will be equipped with Deli facilities.
We can only guess that it will be placed somewhere near the Lido buffet area.
The following Carnival ships have Carnival Deli:
- Carnival Breeze
- Carnival Celebration
- Carnival Conquest
- Carnival Dream
- Carnival Ecstasy
- Carnival Elation
- Carnival Firenza
- Carnival Freedom
- Carnival Glory
- Carnival Horizon
- Carnival Jubilee (coming soon)
- Carnival Legend
- Carnival Liberty
- Carnival Luminosa
- Carnival Magic
- Carnival Mardi Gras
- Carnival Miracle
- Carnival Panorama
- Carnival Paradise
- Carnival Pride
- Carnival Radiance
- Carnival Spirit
- Carnival Splendor
- Carnival Sunrise
- Carnival Sunshine
- Carnival Valor
- Carnival Vienzia
- Carnival Vista
What’s on the Deli menu?
Can I check out the Carnival Deli Menu ahead of time? The menu for Carnival Deli is posted outside the restaurant for easy viewing even when the eatery is closed.
This menu was from our January 2023 cruise on Carnival Valor and Carnival Glory. Currently, there are eight hot sandwiches and six cold sandwiches to choose from. One sandwich wrap, and one hot dog.
Different ships may have a different menu to choose from.
I did miss the daily special sandwich being offered and the Chocolate chip cookies.
Check out our pictures of each sandwich and then find out what we thought of them below in the gallery.
Life Is like a sandwich -the more you put into it, the better it becomes. ~unknown
Deli Gallery
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Buffalo chicken sandwich
South West Chicken Wrap
Veggie Burger
Meatball sub
Turkey and Avocado on Pretzil bun
Hot Dog
Cheese Steak
Hot ham and cheese
Rueben
Cuban
mozzarella tomato, and pesto
Tuna
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Buffalo chicken sandwich
South West Chicken Wrap
Veggie Burger
Meatball sub
Turkey and Avocado on Pretzil bun
Hot Dog
Cheese Steak
Hot ham and cheese
Rueben
Cuban
mozzarella tomato, and pesto
Tuna
Our review
What did we think of Carnival Deli sandwiches?
Let me put this out there: Between the two of us, we did try every sandwich. I’m not going to rave and tell you I loved them all. Some were better than others.
I don’t consider myself to be overly picky, but there are a few things that I just don’t care to eat and pastrami is one of those. Hot dogs, just sit in my gut, so they are a no-go for me, so hubby got to eat those on his own.
Here were our guidelines for testing the sandwiches: Order each sandwich, the way it comes, with no substitutions, no alterations.
We would each taste every sandwich. We did, over twelve days sample every item on the entire menu.
The comments below about each sandwich will be combined from our two opinions.
These opinions are our own but do not mean that a sandwich is not good. Your mileage may vary on how exactly you get the dish each day.
I’ll begin with the name of the sandwich and Carnival’s official description, then our thoughts.
- Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. Fried chicken, buffalo sauce on an egg bun. If you enjoy a nice, breaded, and fried piece of chicken on a simple brioche bun, with minimal buffalo sauce, this sandwich is for you. I’m not a huge fan of spice and was concerned it might be too spicy, but the amount of buffalo sauce that was on my sandwich even left me wanting more. You could miss the sauce if you weren’t looking for it. Tip:If you are a buffalo sauce fan, be sure to ask for extra or fill a condiment cup before you leave the line.
- Veggie Burger. Veggie Burger, lettuce, tomato, pickle on a bun. This one was a surprise for me. Neither I nor Mike is vegetarian or vegan. I’ve tried a few veggie burgers and usually came away unimpressed. This one was actually pretty good, so good that I would order it again. The crunchy lettuce and juicy tomatoes complemented the burger and helped keep it moist.
- Meatball sub. Marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, parmesan cream on tomato focaccia.This is one of the sandwiches that come preassembled. There is no way to customize this sandwich by removing items. You can add additional items, but cannot change the sauce or cheese. The bread became gummy. Maybe toasting the bread longer would help. The sauce was just ok. The meatballs were nothing special. If Carnival would only use the sauce and meatballs that you find in the main dining room, this sandwich could be a home run, and I would definitely order again.
- Turkey and swiss on a pretzel bun. TURKEY & SWISS lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a pretzel bun. This or a version of this sandwich had previously been one of my favorites. This time, the pretzel bun felt overly thick and overpowered the sandwich. The turkey was nondescript lunch meat like you find in the cheap section of the grocery store, not the sliced turkey breast you would find at Thanksgiving. Everything about this sandwich lacked flavor. This Sammie really needed avocado. I’ll give this one another try.
- Hot dog- All beef hot dog, chill, sauerkraut, and onions. I took a pass on this, especially when I saw how sad it looked. Remember a time when your mom forgot to buy hot dog buns and you were forced to eat your dog on a piece of wheat bread? That’s what this sandwich looked like. Even with all the fixings of onions and chili, this dog cried foul. Hubby’s comment on this hot dog was, “nothing special.”
- Steak and Cheese Sandwich- Steak, cheese, onion, peppers, and horseradish sauce on a hoagie roll. Another of the premade sandwiches just popped into the toaster oven. This was a big fail on Carnival’s part. Steak and cheese have always been a favorite of my hub. He orders it almost every time we go to Jersey Mikes’s. Normally he enjoys the hot steak with the melty cheese. Somehow, this one just missed the mark. “just ok.”
- Grilled ham and cheese- Shaved ham, cheddar, mustard on rustic panini This classic sandwich comes on French bread. The bread toasts up nicely for a satisfying crunch and the melty cheese and the salty ham. There’s something so satisfying about the two when they come together and add the saltness of the ham. This humble sandwich was one of my favorites.
- Cuban Mixto on a Roll- roast pork, ham, pickles, yellow mustard, and swiss cheese. Several types of meats were still cold in the middle. Disappointing.
- Tomato and Mozzarella and Pesto- TOMATO & MOZZARELLA arugula, roasted pepper on focaccia. This was a good vegetarian option. The focaccia bread was soft and pillowy. Pesto and balsamic were flavorful.
- Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato- pork bacon, tomato, iceberg lettuce on toast. A good amount of bacon, but the bacon was a bit too hard. The french bread had a good crunch to it. You can hardly mess up a BLT.
- Classic Chicken Salad-roast chicken, lettuce, tomato, mayo on rye. This one was so forgettable, I can’t recall anything about it.
- Reuben sandwich- Corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese on rye. A good amount of meat on the sandwich. The sauerkraut missed the mark and was not sour at all, in fact, if I didn’t see the kraut, I would have assumed they forgot to add it. The sandwich was good overall but could be improved with more sourness. With this sandwich, he had the cole slaw. It had no flavor. Did not order the slaw after this.
- Tuna sandwich on Rye bread- Tuna, celery, mayo, tomato, iceberg lettuce on rye. This sandwich, simple and plain was pretty good. My only gripe was that the tuna could have been drained out better. This left the sandwich feeling wet. It still had good flavor, even without adding extra seasoning. This is a nice go-to sandwich. Maybe if they toasted the bread it would be better?
- Southwest Chicken Wrap- SOUTHWEST CHICKEN WRAP bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle ranch. I believe the chicken may have been grilled and the wrap was wheat. Not enough of any ingredient. The wrap felt empty and lacked flavor. Definitely could use more chipotle ranch. Ask for more filling ingredients.
- French fries– Deep fried, golden brown medium-cut potatoes. Thicker than shoe string size A handful with every sandwich plate unless you specifically said no fries. Cooked in small batches. I never had cold fries. They were appropriately salted. I enjoy the deli fries. I find them much better than the fries at Guy’s Burgers.
- Cole slaw– cabbage and carrots julienned and dressed in a plain mayonnaise dressing. If you’ve ever had good Cole slaw, you won’t care for this version. No seasoning. Not worth my calories.
Customizing ideas
Can I customize my Carnival Deli Sandwich? This depends. As long as it’s not one of the pre-assembled sandwiches, customization should be no problem. It never hurts to ask.
If you want the ultimate comfort sandwich, then ask for a grilled cheese. Pick whatever your favorite bread is. They didn’t offer sourdough, so I went with rye. Even grilled cheese can be tweaked. Ask the person preparing your sandwich to add provolone. If you are feeling crazy, ask for bacon too!
Remember that Buffalo Chicken sandwich? Ask for it sans the buffalo sauce and add cheese, pickles, lettuce, and tomato and have the best chicken sandwich. Extra pickles for me!
For the turkey sandwich, change out the swiss for provolone, and add avocado. If you’re feeling extra feisty, add some bacon.
Vegetarians are not going to like these next two. Dare I say it, on that Veggie burger, add some bacon! -And not to leave that Mozzarella sandwich unharmed, add whatever your favorite meat is.
For that tuna sandwich, grab a couple of hard-boiled eggs from the Lido and cut them up, and mix them with the tuna salad. Now, you have the perfect tuna egg salad. You’re welcome!
It’s a wrap
You have many options for lunch and dinner to fill up during your cruise. Eating on a cruise doesn’t all have to be fancy food. Sometimes, a humble sandwich is all you need. After all, what’s more, comforting grilled cheese to fill your belly? You’ve learned where to find the deli, how to order your sandwich and even how to tweek the sandwiches. All that’s left now is to get yourself on a Carnival Cruise, and decide which sandwich to order.
Have you eaten at the Carnival Deli? What’s your favorite sandwich?
Carnival Deli FAQs
- Are there Vegetarian options at Carnival Deli? There is a veggie burger as well as grilled cheese. You can also ask if they have vegan options.
- Does it cost to eat at a Carnival Deli? No. This quick-serve sandwich restaurant is included in the price of your cruise fare.
- What hours is Carnival Deli open? Carnival Deli is open 11 AM to 11 PM.
- Can I customize my deli sandwich? For the most part, you will be able to add ingredients or take ingredients away from your sandwich.
- A few of the sandwiches come assembled and ingredients cannot be changed. These include the Meatball sub and the Steak and Cheese.
- Can I order a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich? Although a PB&J Sandwich is not on the menu, it does not stop you from asking. This kid-friendly sandwich is available in the main dining room at lunch and dinner from the kids’ menu or from room service. Check for fees before ordering room service.
- Can I eat at Carnival Deli if I have food allergies? Yes, just let the staff know about your food allergies and intolerances. They will do their best to accommodate you.
- Are dairy-free cheeses available from Carnival Deli? Ask when you order. They may not have these items available immediately, but potentially if you want to come back tomorrow, they could have them waiting for you. Carnival always seems willing to accommodate its guests.
- Is Gluten Free bread available? Gluten-free bread may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have allergies might consider using Menu Mate, Carnivals’ new food allergy tool. See video on Menu Mate in Featured Videos.
Carnival Deli FAQs
- Are there Vegetarian options at Carnival Deli? There is a veggie burger as well as grilled cheese. You can also ask if they have vegan options.
- Does it cost to eat at a Carnival Deli? No. This quick-serve sandwich restaurant is included in the price of your cruise fare.
- What hours is Carnival Deli open? Carnival Deli is open 11 AM to 11 PM.
- Can I customize my deli sandwich? For the most part, you will be able to add ingredients or take ingredients away from your sandwich.
- A few of the sandwiches come assembled and ingredients cannot be changed. These include the Meatball sub and the Steak and Cheese.
- Can I order a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich? Although a PB&J Sandwich is not on the menu, it does not stop you from asking. This kid-friendly sandwich is available in the main dining room at lunch and dinner from the kids’ menu or from room service. Check for fees before ordering room service.
- Can I eat at Carnival Deli if I have food allergies? Yes, just let the staff know about your food allergies and intolerances. They will do their best to accommodate you.
- Are dairy-free cheeses available from Carnival Deli? Ask when you order. They may not have these items available immediately, but potentially if you want to come back tomorrow, they could have them waiting for you. Carnival always seems willing to accommodate its guests.
- Is Gluten Free bread available? Gluten-free bread may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have allergies might consider using Menu Mate, Carnivals’ new food allergy tool. See video on Menu Mate in Featured Videos.
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How to choose the perfect cruise for your family
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