Denise's Corner

Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse Debuts on Carnival Magic – Guy Fieri’s Newest Carnival Cruise Concept

Denise

Hi everyone!

The Carnival Magic is now calling Port Canaveral home, with a maritime plaque exchange and opening of the Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, which was designed by Food Network star Guy Fieri. During the dry dock, Guy’s Burger Joint was also added last month, part of the 2.0 makeover that now include the BlueIguana Cantina and the RedFrog Rum Bar. Here is a look at the Pig & Anchor, including the food!

Bar-B-Que Smokehouse
Bar-B-Que Smokehouse

For now, the Pig & Anchor is open during sea days at lunch. There are quite a few great lunch options onboard, from the restaurants I’ve mentioned already to Tandoor Indian, the Lido Buffet and more. I’ve been really impressed with the dining choices when I’ve sailed Carnival.

Before reading our article, check out our video of Guy’s Pig & Anchor – both the ceremonial sandwich cutting and the food.

A sign points the way to the “BBQ Experience”.

I expect this will be a very popular choice for guests sailing on the Carnival Magic. The ship is in the Dream class, 130,000 tons.

Here is the menu for the Pig & Anchor, and this is included with the cruise cost. There is a smoker onboard, and the smoked beef I tried was tender and delicious. I don’t eat as  many different kinds of meat as Jeff does, he tried everything and we both found the barbecue experience better than most restaurants we’ve been to. The meats are: Championship Pork Butt; Blue Ribbon Chicken; Smoked Beef; and Smoked Andouille Sausage. Sides include Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese, Molasses Baked Beans and Old Skool Potato Salad. I didn’t try the Collard Greens or Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese, but enjoyed everything else.

Carnival employees serve Pig & Anchor restaurant fare.

Here is a look at the chicken.

Collard greens.

Guests can also make a sandwich. This was my plate with beef, cole slaw, potato salad and baked beans.

Jeff tried everything. He said it was better than our favorite barbecue restaurant on land.

Guests can choose from a number of different Guy Fieri sauces to add to their barbecue.

Carnival already has a terrific lineup of counter service locations, and the Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse just adds one more solid choice.

Since we were on the ship for a few more hours, we had to stop later for a Guy’s Burger too. These are by far my favorite burgers at sea so far (and I’ve been on a number of different lines). Guy’s Burger Joint is included in the cruise cost as well.

Prior to the Pig & Anchor tasting, we were on hand for the maritime plaque exchange between Carnival Magic Captain Antonio Marchetti, Carnival’s Vice President of Commercial Port Operations Carlos Torres de Navarra and Captain John Murray, chief executive officer of the Canaveral Port Authority and the port’s board of directors.

traditional maritime plaque exchange between Carnival Magic Captain Antonio Marchetti, Carnival’s Vice President of Commercial Port Operations Carlos Torres de Navarra and Captain John Murray, chief executive officer of the Canaveral Port Authority and the port’s board of directors. – See more at: http://carnival-news.com/2016/04/20/arrival-of-port-canaverals-newest-cruise-ship-carnival-magic-celebrated-today-along-with-official-grand-opening-of-the-ships-new-guy-fieri-designed-bbq-restaurant/#sthash.5WmkCay4.dpuf

While we weren’t sailing, it was great to be able to spend some time aboard the Carnival Magic. And if you sail on the Magic, save room for the Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse!