Carnival's Steakhouse (branded as either Fahrenheit 555 or the legacy Steakhouse depending on the ship) costs $38–$48 per person for dinner, with some ships offering a lunch seating at $28–$32 per person — and that cover charge does not include alcohol or specialty beverages.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival's specialty steakhouse is one of the most legitimately worthwhile upcharges on the ship — but only if you know what you're actually paying for before you sit down. The cover charge looks reasonable on the surface, but the final bill can creep up fast once you factor in wine pairings, appetizer add-ons, and the lobster tail upgrade.
The Real Cost of Carnival's Steakhouse
Most Carnival ships feature Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse (the flagship specialty restaurant brand). Older or smaller ships may still carry the original Steakhouse name, but the pricing is nearly identical across the fleet.
Dinner cover charge: $38–$48 per person (varies by ship class and sailing year). The cover charge includes a set-course menu — appetizer, salad, entrée, sides, and dessert. Premium cuts like the Tomahawk steak are available as upgrades at an additional cost (typically $15–$25 extra depending on the cut).
Lunch seating (where available): $28–$32 per person — a genuinely good deal if your sea-day schedule allows it.
| Meal / Option | Cover Charge | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Dinner (standard) | $38–$48/person | Full set-course menu, standard cuts |
| Dinner (Tomahawk/Premium upgrade) | $53–$73/person | All of above + premium cut upcharge |
| Lunch (select sea days) | $28–$32/person | Abbreviated menu, same quality kitchen |
| Wine Pairing (add-on) | $25–$45/person | 3–4 pours matched to courses |
| Children (under 12) | ~$10–$15 | Simplified kids' menu |
Important: The cover charge is per person, not per table. A couple doing dinner with a wine pairing each should budget $130–$185 total before gratuity.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
What Drives the Final Bill Higher
The base price is just the entry fee. Here's where costs balloon:
- Premium steak upgrades — The standard menu covers cuts like the 8oz filet and NY strip. Want the 32oz Tomahawk? Add $15–$25 on top of your cover charge.
- Wine and cocktails — The steakhouse has its own curated wine list. If you have a Carnival beverage package (Cheers!), it does cover most cocktails and wines by the glass up to $20 at the steakhouse — a huge money-saver if you're already drinking on the package.
- Gratuity — An 18% automatic gratuity is added to the cover charge, not just the drinks. On a $46 dinner, that's an extra $8.28 per person before you've lifted a fork.
- Specialty desserts — Additions like the tableside flaming desserts or premium cheese plates can add $8–$15.
Cheers! Package holders, pay attention: Your beverage package works at Fahrenheit 555 for drinks, but the food cover charge is always paid separately. The package doesn't discount or waive the dinner fee.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
How to Save Money (or at Least Spend Smarter)
1. Book the lunch seating. At $28–$32 versus $38–$48 for dinner, you're getting the same kitchen, the same quality beef, and the same tableside service for nearly 30% less. Check the daily program on embarkation day — steakhouse lunch is typically offered on the first full sea day.
2. Pre-book online before you sail. Carnival frequently offers 10–15% off specialty dining when booked through the Carnival website or app before embarkation. The discount disappears once you're onboard.
3. Watch for pre-cruise dining packages. Carnival occasionally bundles 2–3 specialty restaurant visits into a dining package at $75–$100 per person total — if you're planning multiple specialty meals, this can cut the per-meal cost significantly.
4. Use your Cheers! package for drinks. If you're already on the all-inclusive beverage package ($59–$79/person/day depending on sailing), ordering wine by the glass at the steakhouse is covered up to the $20-per-drink threshold. A good Cabernet at Fahrenheit 555 sits right in that range.
5. Skip the premium cut upgrades unless steak is your thing. The standard 8oz filet is genuinely excellent on Carnival ships. The Tomahawk is a showpiece, not necessarily a flavor upgrade.
Is Fahrenheit 555 Worth It Compared to Other Carnival Specialty Dining?
Carnival's specialty dining lineup has expanded considerably. Here's how the steakhouse stacks up cost-wise:
| Restaurant | Cost per Person | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse | $38–$48 | Meat lovers, date nights, celebration dinners |
| Bonsai Sushi | $15–$30 | Lighter meal, sushi fans |
| Cucina del Capitano | $15–$18 | Italian comfort food, families |
| Ji Ji Asian Kitchen | $15–$18 | Pan-Asian flavors, good value |
| Seafood Shack | $5–$15/item | Casual, à la carte, lobster rolls |
| Guy's Pig & Anchor BBQ (Smokehouse) | $18–$22 | BBQ fans, casual sit-down |
The steakhouse is the premium-tier experience on Carnival — and the price gap over other specialty options is real. It's worth it once per sailing for a special occasion. Doing it every night is how cruise budgets collapse.
Best Ships for Carnival's Steakhouse Experience
Excel-class ships (Mardi Gras, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Celebration) have the most polished Fahrenheit 555 execution — bigger kitchen, better wine program, and more attentive service ratios. Vista-class and Horizon-class ships are solid runners-up. Older Fantasy-class ships (most of which are now retired or leaving the fleet) had smaller steakhouse footprints and more limited menus.
If a top-tier steakhouse experience matters to you, book a newer ship. The quality difference between a 2024 Excel-class Fahrenheit 555 and a 10-year-old ship's version is noticeable.
Want to see exactly how specialty dining costs stack up against Carnival's total cruise budget — and whether the Cheers! package actually saves you money? Run your numbers through CruiseMutiny before you book. It'll show you the full cost picture, not just the headline fare.