Carnival Cruise Line is known for its fast-casual dining options, ranging from juicy burgers at Guy's Burger Joint to complimentary Mexican fare at BlueIguana Cantina, a vibrant restaurant that's a favorite among cruisers for its laid-back atmosphere on the lido deck.
At the heart of BlueIguana Cantina is its menu that focuses on dishing up fast, flavorful meals that can be enjoyed poolside or elsewhere on the ship! From delicious tacos to hearty burritos, cruisers will find an array of options that cater to a variety of tastes. Don't forget to check out the salsa bar to further customize your meal with fresh salsa and sauces.
Regardless of what you order, everything is included in the cost of your cruise. It won't cost you anything extra to dine at BlueIguana, so you can fill your belly up with as many tacos as you wish!
Here's a guide with everything you need to know about BlueIguana Cantina, including its menu, dining experience, and tips to make the most of your experience!
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line: Ultimate Food Guide
Restaurant overview
BlueIguana Cantina first debuted on Carnival Liberty following an extensive "Fun Ship 2.0" dry dock in 2011. Since then, it's become a staple across the Carnival fleet, bringing a fast-casual and relaxed dining venue to the lido deck on numerous ships, including:
- Carnival Breeze
- Carnival Celebration
- Carnival Conquest
- Carnival Dream
- Carnival Elation
- Carnival Freedom
- Carnival Glory
- Carnival Horizon
- Carnival Jubilee
- Carnival Legend
- Carnival Liberty
- Carnival Magic
- Carnival Miracle
- Carnival Panorama
- Carnival Paradise
- Carnival Pride
- Carnival Radiance
- Carnival Spirit
- Carnival Sunrise
- Carnival Sunshine
- Carnival Valor
- Carnival Vista
- Mardi Gras
Unfortunately, BlueIguana is noticeably absent from Carnival Splendor, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Firenze, and Carnival Venezia. Instead, you'll find Tacos & Burritos on Luminosa and Tomodoro on Firenze and Venezia.
Since the latter two ships are part of Carnival's new "Costa by Carnival" initiative, Tomodoro honors the ship's Italian heritage. Rather than offering just tacos and burritos, guests will find Mexitalian fusion creations with ingredients like Italian meatballs and Sicilian chicken.
Carnival Splendor is the only ship in the fleet to feature the complimentary Masala Tiger, which dishes up aromatic Indian food on the pool deck.
Read more: Carnival Cruise Line Guide
The casual design of BlueIguana Cantina features bright colors and lively Mexican-themed decor like ceramic tiles and flower baskets that complement the menu.
Outdoor seating allows guests to enjoy fresh Mexican fare while enjoying the passing views and sea breeze. However, in my experience, I've found table seating to be limited. Typically, I'll take my food to go.
Tacos are a major highlight, as are the burritos. At the taco station, guests can choose from three protein options: chicken, fish, or pork.
Read more: Top 10 Cruise Ship Dining Mistakes
Then, you can choose from different toppings like lettuce and tomatoes before making your way to perhaps the most impressive salsa bar at sea, where you will find fresh salsas of varying heat levels. There's also cheese, crema fresca, lime wedges, and fruit.
The burrito line is similar. However, in addition to choosing your protein and other fillings, BlueIguana has two different wraps: wheat and jalapeño. Moreover, meat options include chicken, shrimp, and beef instead of fish and pork.
As someone who appreciates some heat, BlueIguana's salsa bar is second to none. In addition to standard hot sauce bottles that can be found at your local grocery store, Carnival ships have an array of fresh salsas, ranging from a roasted tomato salsa (🌶️) to pico de gallo (🌶️🌶️), salsa roja (🌶️🌶️🌶️), arbol chili (🌶️🌶️🌶️), and habanero (🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️). Perhaps the only thing that would make BlueIguana better is if they offered chips! What's a better poolside snack than some chips and salsa?
Did you know that BlueIguana Cantina is open for breakfast? That's right! Fresh Mexican fare isn't limited to warm afternoons by the pool. Instead, you can bypass the hectic buffet and order a breakfast burrito, arepas, or huevos rancheros.
Regardless of whether you're going in the morning or afternoon, the hours can be a bit limited. It's best to check the HUB app on embarkation day to see when it'll be open during your cruise. You don't want to miss the opportunity to eat at BlueIguana because you weren't aware of their operating hours!
The breakfast service tends to end earlier than the buffet and dining room. Typically, I save it for disembarkation day since I have to be up early, anyway!
Fun fact: according to Carnival, the tortilla machine can produce upwards of 700 wraps per hour!
Dining experience
BlueIguana is a fast-casual restaurant, meaning there aren't any waiters. Instead, you head to the service counter when ready to order. From there, you choose which ingredients you'd like to build your taco or burrito. The crew members will prepare your order to your liking before sending you to find seating and/or visit the salsa bar.
On a beautiful sea day, the line can get pretty long, though I've found the crew's efficiency helps it move quickly—unless they're waiting on more tortillas!
If you're a vegetarian, BlueIguana is still accessible! Those with dietary restrictions and preferences can enjoy poolside bean tacos and breakfast burritos filled with hash browns and pico de gallo.
Read more: 11 foods you must eat on a Carnival cruise
Since there's no table service, guests are responsible for getting their own beverages. Nearby, you'll find a water and coffee station. However, those seeking a margarita to accompany their Mexican fare should venture to the BlueIguana Tequila Bar (Note that while Carnival Splendour doesn't have a BlueIguana Cantina, the ship does have a Tequila Bar!).
The BlueIguana Tequila Bar is where you'll find an extensive menu featuring several brands of tequila and even some Mexican brews! Whether you're in the mood for a standard frozen concoction, margarita pitcher, or even a unique Mexican beer cocktail, there's the perfect libation to pair with your tasty food from the Cantina!
The Tequila Bar is open longer than BlueIguana Cantina, making it ideal for a poolside beverage or pre-dinner cocktail! During sail away, the line can get pretty long, so I prefer to grab a drink from a bar elsewhere on the ship and bring it to the lido deck. There's plenty of time for a tequila-based beverage from the BlueIguana Tequila Bar later! And yes, Carnival's CHEERS! Package does work there!
Read more: Can I share my Carnival beverage package with someone? What you need to know
After you've eaten, you can leave your plates on the table to be collected by a crew member. Typically, though, I glance around to see if I can locate one of the crew's dirty dish stations. Clearing the table ensures that another guest can quickly sit down and enjoy their meal. It's also just more courteous, in my opinion.
Tips for making the most out of your visit
First, if you don't like waiting in lines while on vacation, avoid BlueIguana Cantina during peak lunch hours. Rather than go at 1:30pm, I'll try to arrive as soon as it opens. This way, I minimize the time spent standing around, so I enjoy my meal and return to the fun on the ship. Though dining is an integral part of the cruise experience, I prefer quick-service meals in the afternoon. If I wanted a sit-down experience, I'd go to the Main Dining Room!
Next, take advantage of BlueIguana Cantina's breakfast. Carnival's Lido Marketplace doesn't have the best breakfast, in my opinion. I'm keen on the fast-casual options, like BlueIguana and Big Chicken, and on a sea day, you'll definitely catch me at the infamous SeaDay Brunch! The crispy hashbrowns at BlueIguana Cantina are delicious, and I love the Mexican scrambled eggs! Together, they make a rather tasty filling for a breakfast burrito!
Finally, don't skip the salsa bar. It’s one of the best parts of the BlueIguana Cantina experience! With a variety of hot sauces and salsas, it's a great way to customize your meal. Plus, you can mix and match different salsas to find your perfect flavor.
Read more: 10 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet
BlueIguana Cantina or El Loco Fresh?
Personally, I don't think you can compare BlueIguana to Royal Caribbean's El Loco Fresh. While I enjoy how El Loco Fresh has a wider variety of options—from quesadillas to nachos and fajitas—the quality of BlueIguana Cantina's ingredients is far superior.
El Loco Fresh's salsa bar is also quite sad. The guacamole tastes processed and pre-made, and it's evident that none of the salsas are freshly prepared. The hot sauce selection is impressive, but I'd prefer a few warmer salsas for my chips!
Moreover, BlueIguana is found on more ships in Carnival's fleet, making it more of a brand staple. Comparatively, El Loco Fresh is only available on 8—9 once Allure of the Seas undergoes a major refurbishment in early 2025.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
