Carnival Cruise Line is welcoming 2026 with a special New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner served in the main dining rooms across the fleet. This celebratory holiday menu is complimentary for all guests and features elevated courses—ranging from seafood and steak to pasta and vegetarian options—created specifically for New Year’s Eve sailings.

The menu replaces the standard nightly offerings and gives cruisers a more festive dining experience to enjoy before the countdown parties and evening entertainment begin. A limited number of premium steakhouse entrées are also available for a small upcharge.

Click here for Carnival’s New Year’s Eve Gala Menu.

Starters on the New Year’s Eve Menu

Dinner begins with a range of soups, salads, and appetizers designed to offer both classic and seasonal flavors. Guests can choose from:

Lobster and shrimp bisque with cream and sherry
Creamy white bean and spinach soup with parmesan
Chicken potstickers with sesame-ginger sauce
Shrimp cocktail with traditional cocktail sauce
Caesar, spinach and mushroom, or beet and berry salad

These dishes set the tone for an elegant yet approachable holiday meal in Carnival’s main dining room.

Entrée Options for New Year’s Eve

The main courses highlight a variety of proteins and global influences, all included at no extra charge. Featured selections for the 2026 Gala Dinner include:

Garlic jumbo shrimp with potatoes gratin and green peas
Seared seabass with dill champagne butter sauce
Stuffed pork tenderloin with apple-cranberry filling and whiskey glaze
Cranberry-orange glazed roast chicken
Pappardelle with butternut squash and portobello ragu
Featured Indian vegetarian entrée with paneer tikka, paratha, and dal makhani

Carnival’s Chef’s Pick for the evening includes a warm low country crab dip, maple-clove spiced baked ham, and piña colada cheesecake for dessert—available as individual selections or a complete three-course option.

Steakhouse Add-Ons for a Premium Experience

Guests who prefer upgraded cuts can order from the steakhouse section of the menu for a $25 surcharge per entrée. Choices include:

Surf and turf featuring lobster tail and grilled filet mignon
14-ounce New York strip steak
Broiled lobster tail with drawn butter
Premium filet mignon
Wagyu cheeseburger with cheddar on a brioche bun

These dishes are prepared to steakhouse standards and can be ordered directly through the main dining room on New Year’s Eve.

Carnival’s Holiday Dessert Selections

To finish the meal, Carnival offers a wider range of desserts than on a typical night. The New Year’s Eve options include:

S’mores chocolate bar
Carnival melting chocolate cake
Yogurt panna cotta topped with granola
Mile-high gelato pie
Cheese plate and tropical fruit

Each dessert is included in the main dining room service, making it easy for guests to end the evening with a sweet treat before joining shipwide celebrations.

Dining to Welcome the New Year at Sea

The New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner is served during regular dining hours—early, late, or “Your Time Dining”—and requires no advance reservations.

Carnival’s holiday menu has become a signature part of its December sailings, combining elevated dining with the cruise line’s signature casual atmosphere. For many cruisers, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a full-course meal before ringing in the new year under the stars.

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