dining on carnival

[MisterD21]

hello everyone,

I am considering cruising on Carnival in the late spring/early summer for an western carribean cruise. My question is : what is the differences between dining on Carnival vs. RCCL? (meaning quality, service, inclusive vs. alternative, availibility).
Having cruised the western carribean with RCCL on the EOTS, I enjoyed a great experience with the entire cruise. In my experience with RCCL the service was outstanding. From the housekeeping to the wait staff, and the crew in general, all were very professional and pleasant and attended to my every want/need. The dining was very good, and was available at all hours except i think from 3am-6am. With the exception of the "chops" grille and other alternative dining restaurants, all was inclusive in my cruise.

How does Carnival stack up against RCCL in the dining aspect??

 

[Luci]

We all have our own food preferences. I like spicy tasty foods.

Carnival has free capuchinos in their dinning rooms.

Carnival Splendor ship has better food than the Mariner of the seas.

 

[MisterD21]

We all have our own food preferences. I like spicy tasty foods.

Carnival has free capuchinos in their dinning rooms.

Carnival Splendor ship has better food than the Mariner of the seas.

thank you ... however that doesn't really give me much to compare the two cruise lines. But if i do end up going on Carnival , i'll be sure to remember the cappuccinos..

 

[mgrimes]

I do not let the quality of food be part of decision of selecting a particular cruise. Choose your ship for the interinary and atomsphere. The food on Carnival has been great.

 

[HoustonTodd]

The general concencus is that on average RCCL has been slipping a bit over the past few years food quality wise and that Carnival has really been coming on food quality wise and has surpassed RCCL.

Carnival has outstanding food in the dinning room and the steakhouse, most cruises offer a sushi bar which generally has some pretty good sushi as well which is a nice touch. We like to stop by for sushi when possible as a sort of hors d'erve before dinner frequently.

 

[MisterD21]

ok,.... but what's this i've heard that carnival charges for meals outside of the MDR?? On RCCL i could get food anywhere onboard inclusive with the exception of the specialty restaurants.

I know the two stack up pretty closely on most everything else.

As for letting food be a reason i make the decision for one over the other is because they are so equally matched in most the only three areas that would cause me to choose one over the other would be service, food quality/availability, itineraries....

Since we will be taking a family member who has never been cruising before we want to give them the best possible experience we can. This year Carnival is offering a more interesting cruise package both in value, and itinerary to where we want to cruise(as i am not interested in traveling to a cruiseline's private islands). Carnival and HAL seem to be offering more of what i am looking for this year than RCCL... otherwise i would be perfectly happy cruising with RCCL again.

So this is the reason i may appear to be so nit-picky on the miniscule differences between the two. Unfortunately, everything i've read so far elsewhere has not cast too good a light on Carnival's service and/or food quality and availability. I mean the lower price to cruise does nothing for me if i have to pay extra for dining outside of the MDR... i mean that was one of the things i felt was really cool about the RCCL cruise...didn't have to pay for meals unless i dined at an specialty restaurant. Like how does Carnival do it's drink passes?? is it the same as on RCCL i pre-purchase a soda/wine package like on RCCL or do the offer something else?? these are the types of differences i am curious about... I'm not bashing one or the other i am simply trying to make a decision based on the miniscule differences so i can be prepared in making my decision..

 

[HoustonTodd]

ok,.... but what's this i've heard that carnival charges for meals outside of the MDR?? On RCCL i could get food anywhere onboard inclusive with the exception of the specialty restaurants.

The only food that is extra is the one steak house, which is $30 pp, and is well worth it as it is an EXTREMELY high class dining option. Most cruiseliners now have an option like this.

Buffet, sushi, pizza bar, all of the other food is inclusive the same as any other cruise liner.

Unfortunately, everything i've read so far elsewhere has not cast too good a light on Carnival's service and/or food quality and availability.

I question where you have been looking then because everywhere I have read gives great marks for Carnival's food, it is one of the reasons we started cruising with them (low cost + high quality food), and one of the reasons we continue cruising with them. For the record I am a chef myself, and have a well trained palate.

I mean the lower price to cruise does nothing for me if i have to pay extra for dining outside of the MDR... i mean that was one of the things i felt was really cool about the RCCL cruise...didn't have to pay for meals unless i dined at an specialty restaurant.

Carnival is the same, the only food that costs is the single specialty/high end restaurant.

Like how does Carnival do it's drink passes?? is it the same as on RCCL i pre-purchase a soda/wine package like on RCCL or do the offer something else??

Water/tea/juices are free. Soda pass covers any and all sodas just the same. I'm not sure if there is a wine package or not. I'm not a big wine drinker, so I have never looked into that.

 

[Cruizer]

hello everyone,

I am considering cruising on Carnival in the late spring/early summer for an western carribean cruise. My question is : what is the differences between dining on Carnival vs. RCCL? (meaning quality, service, inclusive vs. alternative, availibility).
Having cruised the western carribean with RCCL on the EOTS, I enjoyed a great experience with the entire cruise. In my experience with RCCL the service was outstanding. From the housekeeping to the wait staff, and the crew in general, all were very professional and pleasant and attended to my every want/need. The dining was very good, and was available at all hours except i think from 3am-6am. With the exception of the "chops" grille and other alternative dining restaurants, all was inclusive in my cruise.

How does Carnival stack up against RCCL in the dining aspect??

I've been on five Carnival cruises and six Royal Caribbean cruises. In my opinion, the food on Carnival is just a little bit better than the food on Royal Caribbean. Perhaps I would give the service staff on Royal Caribbean a little edge over the service staff on Carnival.

 

[Cruizer]

ok,.... but what's this i've heard that carnival charges for meals outside of the MDR?? On RCCL i could get food anywhere onboard inclusive with the exception of the specialty restaurants.

I know the two stack up pretty closely on most everything else.

As for letting food be a reason i make the decision for one over the other is because they are so equally matched in most the only three areas that would cause me to choose one over the other would be service, food quality/availability, itineraries....

Since we will be taking a family member who has never been cruising before we want to give them the best possible experience we can. This year Carnival is offering a more interesting cruise package both in value, and itinerary to where we want to cruise(as i am not interested in traveling to a cruiseline's private islands). Carnival and HAL seem to be offering more of what i am looking for this year than RCCL... otherwise i would be perfectly happy cruising with RCCL again.

So this is the reason i may appear to be so nit-picky on the miniscule differences between the two. Unfortunately, everything i've read so far elsewhere has not cast too good a light on Carnival's service and/or food quality and availability. I mean the lower price to cruise does nothing for me if i have to pay extra for dining outside of the MDR... i mean that was one of the things i felt was really cool about the RCCL cruise...didn't have to pay for meals unless i dined at an specialty restaurant. Like how does Carnival do it's drink passes?? is it the same as on RCCL i pre-purchase a soda/wine package like on RCCL or do the offer something else?? these are the types of differences i am curious about... I'm not bashing one or the other i am simply trying to make a decision based on the miniscule differences so i can be prepared in making my decision..

Royal Caribbean has more optional restaurants that charge extra than Carnival does. The only place where Carnival charges extra is the Supper Club. You have to make special reservations if you want to eat at the Supper Club. Only the Conquest class (5), Spirit class (4), Splendor & Dream have one. Royal Caribbean has Chops, Portofino and Johnny Rockets that charge extra. However, not all the ships have one or all of these optional extra charge restaurants.

 

[MisterD21]

Royal Caribbean has more optional restaurants that charge extra than Carnival does. The only place where Carnival charges extra is the Supper Club. You have to make special reservations if you want to eat at the Supper Club. Only the Conquest class (5), Spirit class (4), Splendor & Dream have one. Royal Caribbean has Chops, Portofino and Johnny Rockets that charge extra. However, not all the ships have one or all of these optional extra charge restaurants.

ok... so the dining is for the most part all inclusive, and quite similar to RCCL. Great!!! this is info i can actually use to make an informed decision..

I had read somewhere on another site/blog that Carnival charged for dining outside the MDR... so i was a bit reluctant on that point. someone had also said that the late night pizza/burger buffets charged and was not inclusive.. so it's good that i get actual cruisers imput and correct info. Not that i would even necessarily need or use any of the availabile oppourtunities a cruise line has to offer, it is nice to know they are available if they are needed...

 

[Mbandy]

I''ve been on six RCCL and six Carnival and never had a bad meal on any of them. While the service standards on Royal are consistantly high, I've had some better than others on Carnival. Never bad service mind you, just some better than others.

Aside from the dining room, my favorite eating venue on Carnival is the NY style deli. The Ruben Sandwiches are an awesome afternoon snack. The best meal I've had on a ship? Chops Grill on Navigator of the Seas.

 

[Dan40]

ok,.... but what's this i've heard that carnival charges for meals outside of the MDR?? On RCCL i could get food anywhere onboard inclusive with the exception of the specialty restaurants.

I know the two stack up pretty closely on most everything else.

As for letting food be a reason i make the decision for one over the other is because they are so equally matched in most the only three areas that would cause me to choose one over the other would be service, food quality/availability, itineraries....

Since we will be taking a family member who has never been cruising before we want to give them the best possible experience we can. This year Carnival is offering a more interesting cruise package both in value, and itinerary to where we want to cruise(as i am not interested in traveling to a cruiseline's private islands). Carnival and HAL seem to be offering more of what i am looking for this year than RCCL... otherwise i would be perfectly happy cruising with RCCL again.

So this is the reason i may appear to be so nit-picky on the miniscule differences between the two. Unfortunately, everything i've read so far elsewhere has not cast too good a light on Carnival's service and/or food quality and availability. I mean the lower price to cruise does nothing for me if i have to pay extra for dining outside of the MDR... i mean that was one of the things i felt was really cool about the RCCL cruise...didn't have to pay for meals unless i dined at an specialty restaurant. Like how does Carnival do it's drink passes?? is it the same as on RCCL i pre-purchase a soda/wine package like on RCCL or do the offer something else?? these are the types of differences i am curious about... I'm not bashing one or the other i am simply trying to make a decision based on the miniscule differences so i can be prepared in making my decision..

I am Diamond on RCCL and Platinum on Carnival. Meaning many cruises on both lines. Service is the SAME on both lines. Dining room food is very close with Carnival being slightly better. Beef dishes not so hot on Carnival, and awful on RCCL.
Buffet is slightly better on RCCL but Carnival's very wide variety far surpasses RCCL's slightly better preso.
Specialty restaurants, Carnival is far superior. No comparison at all. Beef at Carnival's Steakhouse is superb, RCCL's 'Chops' is mediocre [and is only supermarket quality meat, while Carnival's is Steakhouse quality{USDA PRIME GRADE}]
Carnival has a specialty coffee, dessert shop on the Promenade, they do charge for that as RCCL charges for the hamburger joint. RCCL charges for late night room service now, Carnival does not.
If food was the reason to choose one line over the other, Carnival would win every time.

 

[Jeanie]

I like the free cappuccinos in their dinning rooms.