Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’m in the mood for some Mexican food, but I’d also really like some eggrolls”? Yeah, me neither — until I ate at Chibang, Carnival Cruise Line‘s combination Chinese and Mexican restaurant.
It sounds like a strange concept, but I was shocked to discover it works well. Here’s a primer for everything you’ll need to know — including where to find it, what’s on the menu and how much you’ll pay — to determine if this interesting eatery is worth a try.
For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
What is Chibang on Carnival cruises?
Chibang debuted in 2021 on Mardi Gras, the first ship in Carnival’s Excel Class. It was initially designed to absorb overflow from the main dining room at peak dinner times, even offering the MDR menu in addition to its own hybrid menu of cuisines. (Chibang no longer offers the dining room menu.)
The space features a blend of both Mexican and Chinese decor, and the vibe is bustling and loud. If you’re looking for a quiet dinner, this is not the venue for you. Tables are set so close together — sometimes as few as 4 or 5 inches apart — that you might find it difficult to access your seat.
Roving drink waiters meander from table to table and try to upsell you on shots and other alcoholic beverages. When passengers partake, they’re often encouraged to chant before drinking, adding to the already deafening din.
During meals, a parade winds through the space, featuring a dancing Chinese dragon.
The restaurant is open to everyone. Note that passengers with Your Time Dining — which allows cruisers to dine any time they wish between 5 and 9 p.m. — can have dinner at Chibang any time during opening hours. Cruisers with set-seating dining are only allowed to eat there after 7:45 p.m.
Reservations aren’t required, but they’re recommended.
Chibang menu
On the Chibang dinner menu, Carnival includes appetizers, mains and sides for each type of cuisine. Several tasty options are available for people who don’t eat meat. You can stick with dishes from one part of the world or mix and match however you like.
Chinese
Appetizers are numerous and include egg drop soup, spring rolls, lettuce wraps and a mandarin honey crunch salad.
For mains, choose from beef and broccoli stir-fry, spicy Cantonese pork, sweet and sour shrimp, kung pao chicken and Sichuan-style tofu. For a surcharge of $20 per person (minimum of two people), diners can also order a roast duck that’s carved right at the table.
Sides include hakka noodles, steamed broccoli in sauce and jasmine rice.
Mexican
For starters, cruisers can pick from loaded nachos, queso fundido, quesadillas and tacos with a choice of pork, beef, shrimp or vegetables, among other items.
Follow up your appetizers with spicy and crispy fried fish, chicken in mole sauce, slow-cooked pork, spicy striploin steak or extra-spicy shrimp.
Sides include green beans, red beans and yucca.
Additional menu options
Steakhouse choices — items like surf and turf, grilled lamb chops and filet mignon — are available for an additional fee.
Desserts from both cuisines are listed under one section and include coconut tea tres leches, caramelized milk custard, and a chocolate dessert with caramel ice cream and ginger.
The menu also features a wine list and a selection of cocktails with both Chinese and Mexican themes. Examples include margaritas, green tea martinis and other drinks involving tequila, mezcal and lychee liqueur.
For children 11 and younger, Chibang offers a kids menu — essentially a pared-down version of the adult menu.
It includes items like quesadillas, steamed shrimp dumplings and chicken spring rolls as appetizers; fried fish, fried shrimp, striploin steak and hakka noodles with vegetables as mains; and either caramelized milk custard or chocolate cake with ginger ice cream for dessert.
Lunch
Chibang also provides a free lunchtime option, serving up noodle and burrito bowls. For the former, choose from thick noodles with stir-fried beef and veggies; egg noodles with shredded chicken and veggies in broth; or rice noodles with shrimp, veggies and peanuts. The latter includes pulled pork with rice, veggies and cheese; chipotle chicken with beans, vegetables and pico de gallo; and lime shrimp with yellow rice, veggies, garlic and cheese sauce.
Diners can customize bowls by choosing mix-ins from an extensive list of additional meats, vegetables and sauces. For dessert, two selections are available: flan with whipped cream and caramel sauce, and cinnamon churros with vanilla ice cream.
Note: Menu items were accurate at the time of publication, but they are subject to change without notice.
Chibang price
It’s free for everyone to eat dinner at Chibang on their first visit. Subsequent visits incur a surcharge of $8 per person. The only exception is on Carnival Jubilee, where all meals at Chibang are free for the ship’s inaugural season. After that, only the first visit will be free.
Selections from the menu’s steakhouse section will incur a $23 per item fee. Alcohol costs extra unless you have a beverage package that covers it. An 18% gratuity will be added (except for free meals), and a $5 surcharge will apply for every main course after the first two per person.
Lunch is always free of charge.
Which Carnival cruise ships have Chibang?
Chibang has an outpost on each ship in Carnival’s Excel Class:
- Carnival Celebration
- Carnival Jubilee
- Mardi Gras
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries
- 43 Carnival Cruise Line tips, tricks and hacks to enhance your vacation at sea
- Best Carnival cruise ships: Here’s which ship you should sail, based on your travel style
- Carnival cruise packing list: What to pack for a cruise, Fun Ship style
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
