Carnival Radiance to Sail With Shaq’s “Big Chicken” Restaurant

Carnival Cruise Line has announced that the renovated Carnival Radiance will be the first cruise ship to sail with “Big Chicken,” a seagoing version of a new restaurant created by the line’s Chief Fun Officer, NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. 

The menu will include a variety of fried chicken sandwiches and fries, all free of charge.

O’Neal opened his first land-based Big Chicken restaurant in Las Vegas in late October. The seagoing adaptation Big Chicken aboard Carnival Radiance will be among the many food, dining and entertainment innovations incorporated into the 102,000-ton ship following a $200 million refurbishment in Cadiz, Spain, in 2020.

Located aft on Lido Deck, Big Chicken will serve an array of fried chicken dishes, all developed and taste-tested by the NBA Hall of Famer himself based on his own recipes, Carnival said.

A variety of fried chicken sandwiches will be featured, with playful monikers inspired by Shaq’s litany of clever nicknames for himself, along with his own take on traditional sides. Breakfast will be offered as well, with choices like chicken and egg biscuits. 

Big Chicken is among the many new culinary and beverage offerings that will be available on Carnival Radiance when it debuts in 2020. Other outlets include Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse developed by Food Network star and longtime partner Guy Fieri, a classic American steakhouse called Fahrenheit 555, the Cucina del Capitano family-style Italian restaurant, and the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub

An expansive new WaterWorks aqua park featuring the new AquaTunnel slide and a SportSquare open-air recreation complex with a suspended ropes course will be added, as well. All of the ship’s staterooms will be renovated with a tropical color palette and new décor.

Itinerary and homeport details for Carnival Radiance will be announced shortly, the cruise line said.

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