Cagney's Steakhouse on Norwegian Cruise Line: $60 Menu & 2026 Guide

Cagney's Steakhouse is Norwegian Cruise Line's signature specialty steakhouse, found on nearly every ship in the fleet — including Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Prima, Aqua, Epic, Getaway, and Escape. As of the 2025 menu refresh, Cagney's uses a fixed cover charge of about $60 per person, which includes up to three starters, one main course, two sides, and three desserts. The menu centers on premium Certified Angus Beef — filet mignon, ribeye, New York strip, and porterhouse — along with seafood options and steakhouse classics like crab cakes and parmesan-dusted truffle fries. A lobster tail can be added to any entrée for about $25, and a 20% gratuity is added to every check. Cagney's is also included in Norwegian's Specialty Dining Package (one meal counts as one of your package credits), though some premium items may carry a supplemental charge. The restaurant has a smart-casual dress code, takes reservations (recommended, as it books up fast), and is named after Hollywood actor James Cagney.

The Cagney’s Steakhouse restaurant is the signature dining experience of Norwegian Cruise Line, always making it into the top list of the best dining venues in any cruise. The restaurant, which is named after the renowned Hollywood actor, James Cagney, provides a typical American steakhouse ambiance with USDA Prime and Certified Angus Beef meats, fresh seafoods, and an array of wines to choose from. As of today, the Cagney’s is still one of the most sought-after additional cost dining venues onboard the Norwegian Cruises.

This comprehensive guide covers the current menu, exact pricing, dress code, ship-by-ship differences, real passenger reviews, and practical tips to help you decide if Cagney’s is worth the extra cost on your next NCL cruise.

The Concept and Atmosphere of Cagney’s Steakhouse

Photo Courtesy: Norwegian Cruise Line

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a high-quality steak dinner away from the main dining rooms, Cagney's offers a refined yet relaxed evening with attentive service and ocean views on many ships.

Cagney’s is an embodiment of a New York/Chicago style steakhouse on a ship. The atmosphere includes dark woodwork panels, leather chairs, bright lights, and subtle nautical decor elements. Tables are arranged with white tablecloths, silver cutlery, and cozy seats, providing a luxurious yet comfortable dining experience. Most of the cruise ships put Cagney’s at the top deck with huge windows or even decks outdoors so that guests can have stunning views of the sunset from their tables.

The service is professional and personalized. The waiters are familiar with the menu, the wine pairs and the cooking level of the steaks. The atmosphere is relaxed and allows the visitors to enjoy several courses. The dress code is sophisticated casual – gentlemen should wear collared shirts, and ladies should wear dresses or blouses. Shorts, tank tops and sandals are forbidden in the evening.

Cagney’s is open for dinner only on most ships (typically 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm with two seatings). Some larger ships also offer lunch on sea days. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made through the Norwegian app or at the restaurant on embarkation day. On popular sailings, tables fill up quickly, especially on sea days.

Current Cagney’s Menu

High-quality steaks + Seafood + Traditional steakhouse sides is all Cagney's is about! The menu changes minimally due to seasonality but you can expect the same offerings across all Company's vessels.

Appetizers

• Jumbo Lump Crab Cake - with a side of Remoulade.
• Shrimp Cocktail - with Cocktail sauce.
• Ahi Tuna Tartare - topped with sesame seeds and wasabi.
• Escargot - prepared in garlic butter.
• Calamari Fritti - with Marinara sauce.
• Lobster Bisque.

Salads & Soups

• Classical Caesar Salad (made at your table on selected vessels)
• Wedge Salad with blue cheese dressing, bacon, and tomato
• Baby Spinach Salad with strawberries and goat cheese
• French Onion Soup

Main Course (Signature Steaks)

• Filet Mignon (8 oz)
• New York Strip Steak (14 oz)
• Bone-In Ribeye (18 oz)
• Porterhouse (22 oz) – for two people
• Surf n’ Turf - filet mignon and lobster tail
• Grilled Lamb Chops with rosemary
• Grilled Salmon/Branzino

Sides (A la Carte)

• Truffle Fries
• Creamed Spinach
• Potato Baked with Everything
• Roasted Asparagus
• Mac & Cheese with Lobster

Desserts

• Cheesecake New York Style
• Chocolate Lava Cake
• Crème Brûlée
• Key Lime Pie
• Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream

The menu also includes vegetarian options and gluten-free adaptations upon request. Wine pairings are available, with a strong selection of California reds and international wines by the glass or bottle.

Latest Pricing for Cagney’s

Cagney’s is an extra-fee specialty restaurant. Current pricing is:

• Dinner: $49–$59 per person* (most common price is $49–$55*)
• Lunch (on ships that offer it): $25–$35 per person*

Children (3–12 years) pay approximately half price. Guests under 3 eat free.

Special Packages

• Some ships offer a “Cagney’s Experience” that includes a pre-dinner cocktail and a special dessert tasting for an additional $10–$15*.

Value Perspective: At $49–$55 per person*, Cagney’s is considered good value compared to similar specialty steakhouses on other lines (which often charge $60–$85*). Many cruisers say the quality of the steaks and service justifies the cost, particularly for a special night.

Ship-by-Ship Differences

Whereas the menu remains fairly consistent on all ships, the ambiance and service may differ somewhat:

• Prima class vessels (Prima, Viva): Modern interior featuring larger windows for a brighter feel. The Cagney’s restaurant is more modern and spacious in design.
• Breakaway class vessels (Breakaway, Getaway, Breakaway Plus): Large venues that are busier, hence the livelier ambiance.
• Jewel Class vessels (Jewel, Pearl, Gem, Jade): More intimate and elegant settings. These Cagney’s venues are considered the best because of the smaller size and higher levels of personalization.

Real Passenger Reviews and Honest Feedback

As per recent reviews in 2025 on Cruise Critic and TripAdvisor, Cagney’s has been rated a 4.4-4.6 out of 5 stars. Comments that are commonly associated with Cagney’s include:

• Quality of steak (particularly Filet Mignon and Ribeye)
• Excellent service and knowledgeable staff
• Attractive plating and good serving sizes
• Intimate ambiance in comparison to the main dining room

Common criticisms include

• Others may think that this $49*-$55* rate is slightly expensive for what it is—a fancy upgrade of the main dining facility.
• There are some comments regarding small portions of food served.
• In case the sailing is very crowded, this can make the whole dining process rushed.

In general, most of the passengers find Cagney’s worth the additional expense for such a night out, especially if you love a good steak.

Practical Tips for Dining at Cagney’s

• Book well in advance as spots can get booked quickly, particularly on sea days.
• Be punctual for the dining table.
• It might be worthwhile to share the starters and desserts.
• Complement your dishes with an excellent bottle of red wine from the menu; the sommelier will definitely help you out.
• The dress code is elegant casual (men should wear collared shirts while women should wear dresses).
• Kids are allowed but not recommended as the dining experience will suit adults better.

Conclusion

The Cagney’s Steakhouse continues to rank among the top specialty dining venues on Norwegian Cruise Line ships, and there is certainly nothing surprising about that because this restaurant truly stands out by providing excellent steakhouse dining without any fussiness and pretentiousness. If you are planning a celebration or just need some change from the regular ship dining, the Cagney’s should be your go-to venue.