Carnival wants guests to be happier at Celebration Key.
The cruise line received a lot of backlash when it announced that cruisers were only entitled to one complimentary meal.
Initially, guests could use their Island Eats voucher for 25% off a meal at one of the destination's full-service restaurants.
However, Carnival has since updated its policy in response to guest feedback.
Effective Wednesday, September 24, 2025, all visitors to Celebration Key can use their Island Eats voucher for 40% a single entrée at one of the sit-down restaurants, including:
- Gill’s Grill: Caribbean seafood, burgers, and chicken
- Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews: barbecued meats and craft beer
- Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen: Bahamian and American favorites
Carnival Cruise Line confirmed the change in an email shared with Cruise.Blog.
"The offer changed from 25% off one entrée at full-service restaurants to 40% off—a great enhancement for guests," the spokesperson said.
Read more: 4 things I loved and 3 I hated at Carnival's Celebration Key
No buffets at Carnival's Celebration Key
Instead of an all-you-can-eat buffet, Celebration Key has different food stalls and trucks that dish up different cuisines.
Only one meal is included for all guests. The Island Eats program provides a meal credit for an entrée, a side, and a chocolate chip cookie at select venues.
After the Island Eats credit has been redeemed, all additional meals and snacks cost extra. So, for example, if you get mozzarella sticks for a late-morning snack, you will have to pay for lunch.
If you'd like a more relaxed alternative to the island’s walk-up food stalls, full-service restaurants are also available — for an extra charge.
These sit-down spots offer full table service, cocktails, and special menus built around Bahamian flavors and familiar favorites.
Everything is à la carte, so you only pay for what you order (unlike the ship's specialty restaurants that have a set cover charge).
Read more: Carnival Celebration Key Menus
Prices vary from $9 for jalapeño poppers to $34.99 for a sampler platter with BBQ chicken wings, a half-rack of baby back ribs, pulled pork sliders, coleslaw, blue cheese dressing, and French fries.
However, with the discount increase, guests now get 40% off the first entrée. As such, the baby back ribs, which normally cost $25.99, would come in around $15.60 — if you use your Island Eats credit.
Note that the Island Eats credit can't be redeemed for a discount at the Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant.
Not Carnival's only recent dining change
Back onboard, guests might be lucky enough to try Carnival's Family Express options in the buffet.
The new Lido Marketplace selections are great for selective eaters, with options like mac & cheese, chicken tenders, hot dogs, plain spaghetti pasta, and French fries.
However, there are also daily specials that are meant to appeal to adults — think salmon croquettes, turkey escalopes, savory pork ribs, and chicken mirabella.
Everything from the Family Express menus is located in one designated place, making it easier to grab everything in a single trip.
As such, the new menus are perfect for Carnival cruises that want a convenient, quick lunch option — and no, it doesn't cost anything extra!
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
