I was pretty skeptical of going to a Teppanyaki restaurant on board a cruise ship. We go to Hibachi at home. I kept asking why it was worth paying the up-charge for specialty dining, but on a 14 day cruise you get talked into specialty dining and so we tried the Teppanyaki.
Was the Teppanyaki upcharge worth the price on a Carnival cruise?
At $42 per person (on our sailing) for dinner, I was skeptical. But I actually really enjoyed the experience.
First they brought us appetizers. These were standard for everyone and you did not get a choice on your appetizer.
First we had tuna tartare and a pork belly. Then they brought a traditional miso soup and a salad.
After the appetizers, our chef came out. It was definitely a show. We were pretty skeptical that it would be worth the up charge, but the chef sang and entertained while he cooked.
All choices of meat were included so we both had lobster and steak. It was very good. It was too much food, but it wasn’t an over the top amount.
A couple of ladies at our table got to-go boxes for their leftovers, but we couldn’t figure out how they planned to warm it (or fit it in the fridge).
And last was the dessert. I felt like the dessert was the star of the show, but maybe that’s just because it was so adorable.
It was a wooden bento-box. There was a vodka-juice beverage, miso ice cream, creme brulee and then three other small bites. Even though at this point we were pretty stuffed, we somehow managed to eat our whole desert!
The final verdict on Carnival Teppanyaki:
I enjoyed the Carnival Teppanyaki. I felt like it was a good value for the price per person. We had multiple courses and were able to choose more expensive meats without an increased price.
I would probably not choose to do it on a shorter cruise, but on a long cruise it was nice to have a break from the main dining room. The food was good and the chef was entertaining.
What to read next:
Ultimate Guide to Food on a Carnival Cruise
What is included on a Carnival Cruise?
