Carnival’s Guy’s Burgers: Are They the Best (Or Most Popular) Cruise Burger?

If you want a good burger at sea, it’s hard to beat Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival Cruise Line.  In fact, I’ve heard many cruisers get more excited about eating at Guy’s than about the itinerary of the ship itself.

But one cruiser recently asked about eating a good burger on other cruise lines and if other ships have their own “equivalent” to Guy’s Burger Joint.

This place has a cult-like following, and after eating there many times myself, I can see why.   The smash burgers are made fast, are packed with flavor, and most importantly, are included in the cost of the cruise.

But what happens if you love those Guy’s burgers and decide to try a different cruise line, maybe Royal Caribbean or MSC?

That’s exactly the question one cruiser recently asked on Reddit, and it hit a nerve, prompting some great feedback from the cruise-loving community. The original post put it this way:

“I’m starting to get addicted to cruising LOL but I’ve only ever been on Carnival and the one thing that keeps me coming back….that juicy, delicious Guy’s Burgers… what’s other cruise line’s Guy’s Burgers’ equivalent? The food place that everyone keeps coming back to because it’s just sooooo undeniably delicious?”

Beyond the main dining rooms and fancy restaurants, what’s the easy, delicious, go-to spot that everyone loves? And does anyone do it as well as Carnival’s Guy’s Burgers?

Why Guy’s is a Big Deal: It’s Good AND It’s Free

The short answer from many cruisers in the post online? Finding something exactly like Guy’s elsewhere is tough.

“There isn’t one. Carnival has this pretty locked up,” one person wrote. Another agreed, “Guy’s really is the best one I’ve yet found at sea.”

So, why the hype? People love the taste – a solid, juicy burger often compared to really good fast food, served hot off the grill with plenty of toppings. But a huge part of it is that it costs you nothing extra.

It’s right there by the pool, super easy to grab, and you never have to worry about cost. You can eat there every day if you want to.

One commenter remembered their first Guy’s burger from ten years ago as “unforgettable,” saying it was the “Best burger I’ve ever eaten.” For some regulars, it’s even “the only thing we look forward to when we book a carnival cruise.”

See, I wasn’t kidding when I said this burger joint has a cult-like following.

Beyond burgers, Carnival also got positive mentions in the thread for other free casual spots like Shaq’s Big Chicken.

Looking Around: What Other Cruise Lines Offer

If Guy’s is the one to beat, how are the burgers on other big cruise lines? The answer is a bit different depending on where you sail and whether you’re okay paying a little extra.  It’s also a highly subjective topic.

Royal Caribbean: For burger fans on Royal Caribbean, it seems the free options are often just okay. Burgers you find at the regular buffet were usually described as basic or “nothing impressive” in the comment section.

You can find better burgers, but often you have to pay. Places like Johnny Rockets serve burgers, but some felt the quality wasn’t as high as Guy’s, especially considering the added cost. Playmakers Sports Bar also has burgers, but commenters pointed out this is a “premium dining choice for a cost.”

Even a great burger in the Chops Grille steakhouse, which some people would grab to eat elsewhere, comes with a specialty dining fee.

Royal Caribbean does have popular free casual spots that aren’t burgers, though. The roast beef sandwich at places like Park Cafe was mentioned as having a lot of fans, and the taco bars by the pool were also seen as great free options for a quick meal.

MSC Cruises: When people talked about food on MSC, the conversation quickly turned away from burgers and focused almost entirely on pizza. While MSC has burgers, they didn’t get much love. But their free pizza? That’s a different story.

MSC’s pizza was called “S-tier,” “superb,” and “really really good.” Even people who had criticisms about other things on MSC ships often agreed that the pizza was excellent.

Holland America Line: Holland America’s Dive In burger spot by the pool got good reviews. Cruisers thought their burgers were solid, with some even putting them in second place after Guy’s. The hot dogs there were also popular, making Dive In a reliable free spot for good poolside food.

Cruise Critic ranks Holland America’s Pinnacle Burger as the 3^rd best at sea.

Other Lines Mentioned: The discussion covered a few other lines too. Princess Cruises has a burger at their Promenade Grill that was highly rated, and their Salty Dog Grill burgers were liked, but often cost extra. Oceania Cruises surprised some with talk of an included “Wagyu truffle burger” at their Waves grill – which definitely sounds pretty amazing.

Burgers on Celebrity and Disney were mentioned, but didn’t seem to have the same buzz or standout quality as Guy’s or HAL’s Dive In.

I will say that the burgers at the Pool Grill on a Viking Ocean ship are excellent and deserve a top spot in the best burger at sea as well.  But it’s also fair to point out that we’re comparing a mainstream cruise line with more premium cruise lines.

The Main Difference: Paying vs. Included

A big reason Guy’s stands out is simple: it’s included. While other lines offer tasty burgers or casual food, often the ones that get the best reviews cost extra money.

One commenter highlighted this when someone praised a paid option, simply replying: “And the bill awaits you.” The ease of getting a great burger whenever you want it, right there by the pool, without seeing an extra charge on your account, is a major reason Guy’s is so popular.

The Takeaway: Guy’s Is Still King of the Free Burger

So, what’s the “truth” about cruise burgers based on what these veteran cruise travelers shared? It seems finding a free, widely loved burger place exactly like Carnival’s Guy’s Burger Joint on other big cruise lines is not that easy.

Other cruise lines definitely have great casual food, and some have good burgers (though often you pay extra for the really good ones). But Guy’s seems to be in a category of its own for that specific combination of being delicious, super easy to get, and completely free.

And after writing this article, my craving for one of these Guy Fieri burgers is off the charts.