Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse

The Logbook — Real Guest Soundings

Depth Sounding: This is a composite account from multiple guest experiences, edited to our venue standards for clarity. Individual sailings vary by ship, itinerary, and crew.

Guy's Pig & Anchor Review: BBQ and Craft Beer at Sea

Introduction. Guy Fieri's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse is Carnival's BBQ-and-beer venue — available as a complimentary lunch counter on most ships, and as a full sit-down dinner restaurant (surcharge, ~$20) on Excel-class ships. The lunch version is one of the best free meals on the ship. The dinner version adds table service, a wider menu, and Carnival's own craft beers brewed on board.

Food & Drinks

The smoked brisket is the headliner — low-and-slow, proper bark, good smoke ring, served sliced with a tangy vinegar-based sauce. The pulled pork is equally solid, especially on a brioche bun with coleslaw. The jalapeño cornbread is a standout side — moist, slightly sweet, with real jalapeño heat. Mac and cheese is creamy and kid-approved. At dinner, the Baby Back Ribs get a full rack treatment and are the best order on the menu. The on-board craft beers (ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat, ParchedPig West Coast IPA, ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale) are genuinely drinkable — the IPA is the best of the three. Where it falls short: the sausage link can be dry, the baked beans are standard, and the coleslaw is polarizing (vinegar-forward, not creamy). Portion sizes at lunch can be smaller than expected for BBQ.

Service

Lunch is counter service — grab a tray, point at what you want, find a seat. It's fast and efficient. Dinner (on ships that offer it) is full table service with a more relaxed pace. The dinner servers know the beer pairings and will steer you right — the Toasted Amber with brisket is the recommended match. One honest note: during lunch rush on sea days, the brisket can run low by 1 p.m. — go early if that's your target.

Atmosphere

The lunch setup is poolside casual — outdoor or semi-outdoor seating, paper plates, BBQ-joint energy. The dinner restaurant (Excel-class) is a proper indoor space with booths, beer-hall décor, and exposed brick vibes. Both feel authentically Guy Fieri — loud, fun, no pretension. Families are very welcome. It's not a quiet dinner; it's a party with ribs.

Conclusion

Rating: 4.1/5. Pig & Anchor is one of Carnival's strongest dining concepts — the brisket and Baby Back Ribs are legitimately good BBQ, and the on-board craft beers are a genuine differentiator. The lunch version (free) is arguably the best complimentary quick-service meal on the ship. It dips for dry sausage, small lunch portions, and the brisket selling out by early afternoon. Tip: hit lunch by 11:45 a.m. for the freshest brisket, and pair it with a ParchedPig IPA.

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