Part Four: Food Food and More Food

            It’s finally here!  We’ve been dying to share this part with you!  It’s time to learn all about the amazing food that you’ll find on your Carnival cruise.  We promise no matter how simple or how complex your palette is you will find a huge variety of foods to enjoy!

             Cruises are the perfect opportunity to explore cuisines that may be outside your comfort level.  What better time to experiment than while on an all-inclusive cruise?  Try your first Indian or Caribbean dish in the dining room…don’t like it…order something else from the Comfort Menu or head to the Lido deck for classic American dishes.

            Let’s start with breakfast.  You’ll want to kick the day off right so you’ll have plenty of energy for your fun-filled itinerary!  You have lots of options! 

If you like to rise with the sun, you’ll find breakfast available on the Lido deck.  Here you may enjoy coffee and danish, available before the main dining room and Lido deck restaurant are open.  Some ships also offer freshly made breakfast burritos out on the deck!

Once the Lido restaurant is open you’ll have fun winding your way around a hot and cold buffet.  The buffet has several different stations featuring traditional breakfast fare.  Our favorite part…the made-to-order omelet station!

If you want a formal breakfast, complete with waiter service, you’ll want to check out the main dining room.  Breakfast features open seating so you won’t necessarily be at your assigned table or with your usual wait staff from dinner.  The dining room is open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on port days and 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on sea days.  The menu in the dining room is very similar to what you will find on the Lido deck.  Unless you’re looking for a quieter, more personal breakfast experience, we don’t recommend one over the other.  You’ll be thoroughly satisfied with the options at both locations!

Lunch onboard the ship was made with the foodie (self-described food lover and enthusiast) in mind!  You will find more options than you could possibly need!  Our biggest problem here:  finding an opportunity to try them all out!

We’ll begin in the dining room.  Lunch is only available here on days that you are at sea.  You may dine any time between 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.  There is open seating just like breakfast.  Each meal features three courses:  a starter, a main dish, and a dessert.  There are options to suit every preference including healthy options and international fare.  The menu will offer different features each day.  Here are a few of our favorite starters, main dishes, and desserts:

Starters

California Roll

Chilled Curried Apple Soup

Medley of Garden and Field Greens

Fried Calamari

Main Dishes

Vegetable Fajitas

Oven Fresh Focaccia

Pan-Fried Idaho Rainbow Trout Almadine

Philly Steak Sandwich

Desserts

Chocolate Gateau (an extremely light and airy cake, filled with chocolate)

Cinnamon Bread Pudding Chantilly

Tropical Fruit Terrine (gourmet chilled fruit medley)

Chocolate Éclair

            On days you’re in port (and sea days, as well) you won’t be surprised to hear that the Lido deck is the place for you.  The restaurant found here is open every day for all three meals, regardless of whether you’re at sea or in port.  The Lido deck becomes an international food market during lunch.  Here you have the following options:

Hot and Cold Buffet- offering pastas, stir-fry, carving station, and more

Salad Bar- with nearly 40 different fresh and light options

Taste of the Nations- featuring a different international cuisine each day

The Grill- hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and fries

New York Deli- gourmet deli sandwiches and traditional sides

Asian Delights- features Asian favorites and sushi

Mexican Grill- the name pretty much sums it up, but here you’ll find grilled beef, chicken, shrimp, and veggie wraps with pico de gallo, salsa, and more

Rotisserie- here you will find mouth-watering chicken (It’s one of our favorites!)

Fish N Chips- offering a fresh take on this pub classic

Indian Tandoor- Indian style meatballs, chicken, chutneys, relishes, and more

Mongolian Wok-made-to-order stir fry featuring fresh vegetables Carnival’s signature sauces

Italian Pasta Bar- create custom pasta combinations or enjoy traditional Italian favorites

            We love eating on the Lido deck because you can find everything!  This is one of the only places we have been where we can order fresh sushi with our fettuccini alfredo or a hot dog and fresh stir-fry (We’re not recommending these combinations but we love that we have the option!)!   

             Believe it or not….you will be hungry again for dinner!  And even if you’re not, you don’t want to miss out on the extraordinary display of culinary talent in the dining room.  We highly recommend taking advantage of the formal dining room while you are onboard.  You may not be interested in eating there every night but definitely check it out!  It will be one of the most luxurious experiences of your cruise!

            We won’t cover all of the dining time options or dress codes in this blog (but check back soon and we’ll give you all the details.)  Let’s jump to the menus!  Just like lunch, dinner features starters, main courses, and desserts.

Starters

Gazpacho Andalouse (chilled tomato-based vegetable soup)

Black Tiger Shrimp Cocktail

French Onion Soup

Tom Ka Gai (Thai chicken soup with coconut and lemon grass)

Asparagus Vichyssoise (chilled cream-based soup)

Main

Sweet and Sour Shrimp

Tender Roasted Prime Rib

Penne Mariscos (penne pasta tossed with scallops in a tomato cream sauce)

Braised Lamb Shank in Burgundy Sauce

Grilled Red Snapper

Broiled Maine Lobster Tail and Jumbo Black Tiger Shrimp

            The menu will change every night.  Each night will feature many different options.  There is always a vegetarian, seafood, pasta, red meat, and poultry offering.  If you want to forego the fanciful options listed on the evenings’ featured menu, you may choose from the Comfort menu.  This menu is available each night in addition to the options that are listed on the featured menu.  Here you will find starters like chips and salsa or guacamole, tropical fruit medley, and Caesar salad.  Their entrees include broiled salmon, steak, and fried chicken paired with traditional sides like mashed potatoes, rice, french fries, and steamed veggies. 

            Carnival certainly hasn’t forgotten about the children.  Your brave and daring child is welcome to enjoy the adult menu if they would like.  However, if your child is expecting more common offerings, they won’t be disappointed!  Your child will find burgers, pizza, chicken nuggets, pasta of the day, and veggies available for lunch or dinner in the formal dining room.  They even have their own daily special!

            We’ve held off as long as we can!  It’s time to talk SWEETS!  And boy, does Carnival know how to do dessert!

            During lunch, the Lido deck offers an entire dessert bar.  It is complete with sugar free options for those who have dietary restrictions or those who are simply watching their waistline!  You’ll also find the Chocolate Extravaganza here (on cruises at least 7 days long).  This chocolate buffet experience is a feast straight out of Willy Wonka’s imagination!  Think chocolate fountain on steroids! 

            If you are craving a sweet treat during the afternoon, check your daily itinerary (provided in your stateroom each day).  It will let you know where to find Afternoon Tea.  It will be in a different location on the ship each day. 

            You’ll find even more choices in the dining room.  After the first two courses of your meal, you’ll finish your meal a stunning array of desserts!  Here are some of our favorites:

Desserts

Cherries Jubilee

Warm Fig, Date, and Cinnamon Cake

Tiramisu

Baked Alaska

Grand Marnier Soufflé

            The dessert menu will change each night like the main courses and starters.  Each night you also have the option of ordering a variety of ice creams and sorbets.  Coffee and hot chocolate will be served, as well.  Everyone will find something to suit their dessert needs.  One of our favorite dessert options wasn’t really a dessert at all!  We enjoyed a fruit and cheese plate in lieu of dessert each evening!  Your waiter really will accommodate any request that you have so don’t be afraid to ask for something unconventional!

            We thought we would mention the beverage choices that you have available to you in the dining room and on the Lido deck.  You will receive complimentary coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, lemonade, water, and iced tea.  (If you are interested in soda or bar fare you’ll want to check out our previous post.  It’ll tell you all about the options you have for purchasing other drinks!) 

            Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be any more options….we move to the choices that are available 24 hours a day!  You will find pizza, calzones, caesar salad, and breadsticks available on the Lido deck.  This is ready any time of the day!  You will love cruising by to pick up a slice after the show in the theatre or after a couple of hours on the dance floor!  The proverbial icing on the cake…24 hour ice cream and frozen yogurt!  This is our favorite feature of the Lido deck, hands down! 

            Don’t forget that you always have the option of dining in your stateroom.  You may order room service 24 hours a day!  They offer continental breakfast items in the morning and salads, sandwiches, burgers, and more in the afternoons and evenings!

            All of the options we’ve mentioned, to this point, are complimentary!  There are additional choices onboard that can be enjoyed for a nominal charge.  Most ships have a steakhouse, an Italian eatery, a pub, a pastry shop, and the Chef’s Table.  The specific types of restaurants found onboard will vary by ship but they are similar, in theme, to the ones we listed.)   

            When you take your first cruise, be sure to come hungry!  We know you won’t be disappointed.  We hope you find time to try all of the different options while you’re onboard!  And like we said earlier, don’t be afraid to try two or three different options at each meal!  Make your own combinations and create your own dream meal!  After all, isn’t that what a dream vacation is all about?