Guy’s Burger Joint, Carnival Cruise Line’s onboard burger restaurant (with menu)
When The Points Guy brought you a rundown of the cruise industry’s best burgers, it was clear that Carnival Cruise Line’s Guy’s Burger Joint was among the top contenders — and for good reason.
It offers some of the tastiest, messiest and most indulgent burgers at sea, conveniently located near the pool deck, which means you can show up to grab one in your bathing suit, sans shoes, and it’s not a problem.
If you sail with Carnival, Guy’s burgers are almost a rite of passage. Here’s all you need to know, from what’s on the menu to how much it’ll cost you and which ships have the popular burger outpost.
What is Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival cruises?
Guy’s Burger Joint is an alfresco restaurant that offers a set menu of burgers, as well as build-your-own options and fries, on Carnival ships. Although Guy’s Burger Joint began as a land-based venture, Carnival brought the first one to the seven seas in 2011, when it added a walk-up counter to Carnival Liberty as part of the line’s Fun Ship 2.0 initiative.
With Guy’s burgers, Carnival marked the beginning of a longstanding partnership with celebrity chef and TV personality Guy Fieri of Food Network fame.
More than a decade later, the pairing is still going strong. Fieri has since added barbecue restaurant Guy’s Pig and Anchor to several Carnival ships. The newest iterations even have microbreweries, where beers are made right on board.
Guy’s Burger Joint menu
When you sail with Carnival, Guy’s Burgers' menu includes five different types of burgers.
- Plain Jane: A burger that’s 80% ground chuck and 20% fat on a grilled roll, served with or without cheese
- Straight Up: An 80/20 patty with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles and Fieri’s signature donkey sauce
- Pig Patty: A burger made from crispy bacon, plus cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions and donkey sauce
- Chilius Maximus: An 80/20 patty with cheese, topped with chili, an onion ring and donkey sauce
- The Ringer: An 80/20 patty with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, an onion ring and Guy’s brown sugar barbecue sauce
You can also order an off-menu veggie burger. Or, if you’re feeling inspired, go with the Plain Jane, and use the Guy’s Burger Joint toppings bar to add things like chili, onions, lettuce, tomato and a variety of other add-ons and sauces to create your own custom burger.
To complement its Guy Fieri burgers, Carnival offers sides of mouthwatering hand-cut fries, too.
The best Guy Fieri burgers
Best all-around burger: Straight Up
This is as close as you’ll get to a classic loaded burger experience without building your own. It’s got all the elements you’re used to: a patty, cheese, lettuce and tomato, plus some extras like pickles, onions and donkey sauce. It falls somewhere between the less exciting Plain Jane and the other menu options, which have a bit more over-the-top flair.
Best for meat lovers: Chilius Maximus
The most flavorful burger in the bunch, this option has not only a beef patty but also impressively tasty chili. The addition of a spicy onion ring gives this selection a bit of a kick. For more of a barbecue experience, ask to substitute barbecue sauce for the Chilius Maximus’ usual donkey sauce.
Best for carnivores who love bacon: Pig Patty
Want a meaty meal but feeling like bacon instead of beef? Not a problem. Check out the Pig Patty, which features a patty made from bacon. Not only is it a concept you don’t see every day, but it’s also pretty tasty with the accompanying toppings.
Best for vegetarians and vegans: Veggie burger
This one’s not on the menu, but it can be made on request if you don’t eat meat. The veggie burgers are whatever Carnival uses on board; they're not inspired by Guy Fieri. Just make sure to specify whether or not you’d like cheese. The veggie burger is definitely less flavorful than the on-menu choices, so you’ll likely want to head to the toppings bar to add some sauces or other fixings.
Best for kids and picky eaters: Plain Jane
For anyone who likes to keep it simple, this is the best bet. I’m looking at you, picky eaters. With its grilled bun and simple patty, with or without cheese, it’s also something most kids are sure to enjoy, especially when it’s accompanied by fries and ketchup.
Best for a little something extra: The Ringer
If you like onion rings and barbecue sauce, this one’s for you. It’s a classic burger experience but with a kick. The spice of the onion ring and the sweetness of the barbecue sauce combine to create a wonderful flavor you won’t soon forget.
Are Guy’s burgers free on Carnival cruises?
Yes, Guy’s burgers, fries and toppings are free with your cruise fare.
Carnival cruise ships with Guy’s Burger Joint
You’ll find Guy’s Burger Joint on every ship in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet, including its newest Excel Class vessels, as well as the line’s Italian-style ships, Carnival Firenze and Carnival Venezia.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.