Did someone say food? Aaahhh… One of my favorite past times is to dine on incredible food, which is also a very popular reason a lot of people love to cruise on the “Fun Ships.” We have such a variety of yummy treats at sea. I began working with Carnival in 1999 and in just over 10 years I am amazed by the variety and additions to our food selection. I am also amazed at the 20 pounds I have gained – (Hmmm, I wonder if they are related?).
There is truly something for everyone. All food is complimentary with the exception of the Steakhouse and the yummy treats at the coffee shop. The coffee shop has incredible coffees, cookies, cakes, chocolate covered strawberries, milkshakes and much more that is an absolute delight all for a nominal fee.
The other food choices on the “Fun Ships” are included in your cruise and I, for one am loving every bite. Just coming off a contract on the Carnival Dream, I wanted to give you a quick tour of your dining options:
Let’s start with breakfast:
o We have a buffet on lido deck with all of your breakfast favorites (hot and cold).
o We also have open seating in the dining room (one of my favorite breakfast spots for a great start to the day).
o And, for the late risers, we have a late breakfast line on Lido deck available until noon.
Now it is time for lunch – But, right before that maybe you should stop into the cooking demonstration activity held in the onboard steakhouse. It is a narrated activity in which you get to see and taste some of the best recipes at sea. Call for reservations if you are interested. I'll mention the Steakhouse again later.
Lunch is that exciting time during the day where you get to follow your cravings. The Carnival Dream (and most “Fun Ships”) offers a variety of choices, from:
o The Lido Grill (burgers, dogs and more),
o Burrito bar (made to order),
o Mongolian Woks (made to order),
o Taste of the nation (a different national food featured daily),
o Deli (made to order sandwiches and wraps),
o Tandoori (Indian food station),
o Hot and cold buffet (featuring great salad bars, antipasto, carving stations and hot side dishes),
o 24-hour pizza bar,
o 24-hour ice cream,
o Fresh made deserts,
o And, a Pasta Bar (fresh pasta made to order – other ships may feature this area as a rotisserie or fish and chips restaurant.)
All of the above was just on Lido Deck. There is so much more food to enjoy. Majority of people like to be on Lido deck and at peak times during the day there may be a small wait. But on the Carnival Dream you may also choose to take advantage of the new Bar-BQ on the Promenade Lanai or the open seating dining room famous for our great lunch menu and "Build Your Own Burgers." I am getting hungry just writing this...
After lunch, I suggest you get involved in a few activities and then a take nap to get your energy back in gear just in time for dinner.
Dinner in our dining rooms is great each and every night and the dining room staff (as well as your great room stewards) is one of the best things about sailing with Carnival. Tell me, how many of you want to adopt you waiters and stewards by the end of the cruise?
Dinner times now include "Your Choice Dining" – Before your cruise, you are assigned to early or late seating for dinner. However, the "Your Choice Dining" experience allows you the choice, each night, of just stopping by the restaurant at the time most convenient for you to see if there are any available tables. And just like restaurants on shore, if there is a small wait you will be given a beeper to tell you when your table is available. If you want to skip the dining room one night and would like a quick and casual way to dine, we always have the Lido deck with a hot and cold dinner buffet.
This is the point where I mention the best dining alternative at sea (everyone should try this at least once during their cruise, especially if you have a reason to celebrate). I think our steakhouse is "heaven at sea." The finest quality and quantity on prime cut steaks, seafood, lamb, poultry - The menu is incredible and for a nominal fee of $30 you get a four course meal that rivals any 4 or 5 star restaurant on shore. I have spent $30 alone in some land restaurants on just a two course dinner and it offered nowhere near the service or quality. This is one of those opportunities you just cannot miss. My favorite is the Crab Cake, French Onion Soup, Surf and Turf, and cheesecake. Give yourself a few extra hours and just relax, as this is not only dinner but a great evening out!
If you are still hungry after dinner the “Fun Ships” offer Late Night Snacks from 11:30 pm until 1:00 am for those late night cravings. Oh yeah - I know I mentioned earlier the 24-hour Pizza and Ice Cream bars, but we also have 24-hour, complimentary room service as well.
So now the only thing left to mention is the effects cruise ship food can have on guests and crew members. It is well known that the average guests can gain as much as 5 to 7 lbs. on a seven-day cruise. You would think all the crew would weight a ton, but there is actually little time to eat where you would over indulge and lots of activity behind the scenes that keeps us on the move. The food variety and choices are great - for example, your lobster tonight is my lobster bisque tomorrow – He. He. He. The real secret is the great health club in Spa Carnival and the fact that I use stairs more than elevators. Still 2 lbs. a year for the last 10 years is not too bad... Or so I keep telling myself. Meet me in the disco tonight at midnight and we will dance the calories away.
Just a quick side note, please look after the service staff onboard the ships as they do such an amazing job to make sure you have a great vacation. Yes, it is a very similar situation as if you were to dine in a restaurant on land in regards to the courtesy of gratuities.
Look forward to cruising with you soon.
