Carnival Cruise Lines

Food

Carnival ships have both flexible dining options and casual alternative restaurants. A staggered dining room schedule, which includes a selection of four set meal times on all but the Spirit-class ships (5:45 or 6:15 PM for early dining and 8 or 8:30 PM for late dining), means the ships' galleys serve fewer meals at any one time. The result is better service and higher-quality food preparation. Carnival's less harried restaurant staff deliver a more satisfying dining experience for passengers because they have fewer passengers to cook for and to serve at any given time.

Choices are numerous, and the addition of "George Blanc Signature Selections," created by the French master chef, have elevated Carnival's menus to an unexpected level. While the waiters still sing and dance, the good-to-excellent dining-room food appeals to American tastes and includes second helpings if you want. Upscale supper clubs on certain ships serve cuisine comparable to the best high-end steak houses and seafood restaurants ashore.

Carnival serves the best food of the mainstream cruise lines. In addition to the regular menu, vegetarian, low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, low-salt, and no-sugar selections are available. A children's menu includes such favorites as macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers, and peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches. If you don't feel like dressing up for dinner, the Lido buffet serves full meals and excellent pizza.