Dining Question - ordering off-menu - Possible or not?

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justcruisin'

Guest
My brother took a Carnival cruise 3 or 4 years ago and said his server always brought him a shrimp cocktail or 2 each night for an appetizer even if it wasn't on the menu for the evening. My wife and I went cruising on the Carnival Conquest 2 years ago and requested shrimp cocktail as an appetizer and our server looked at us like we were nuts and told us that was not possible.

Now, I've read several posts and reviews this week where people mention ordering (and receiving) things that are not listed on the menu. So, is there a trick to this or did we just happen to hit the wrong server and/or wrong ship?

Thanks for the help!

P.S. Thanks to all of you cruising experts out there who post and lend your expertise to those of us who are in the infantile stages of our cruising careers! Without you sharing your experiences, there really would be no easy way to get such insight!
 
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jetblue

Guest
For the most part there is an unwritten menu which contains regular stand-bys if you don't like the original menu for the evening. This includes foods like steak or burgers or pasta. As far as shrimp cocktail goes, thats more of a specialty food and it will take a special waiter to get that to you for an appetizer. So it is a bit of luck depending on your server, but at the same time there's always good old American food if you do not like the written menu.
 
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jleq1

Guest
There is an "alternative menu" if you don't want something being served that night. Sprimp Cocktail is on that menu...which is abailable every night. The menu was officially introduced within the past year:

Click HERE for menu
 
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Mbandy

Guest
=yeah Sounds like you just had a lazy waiter. I oftentimes order a steak even if it is not on the menu. Never had a problem. Also, don't miss out on the chilled fruit soups. Mango, strawberry and banana are my favorites. They serve them as "soups" but they could easily be desserts. :chef
 
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Gayle V

Guest
jleq1 is right, It's on the alternative menu now, but we've had shrimp cockatail even when not on the menu.

Maybe your waiter was new, and didn't realise this could be done. Most of our waiters have been eager to bring us extras. I imagine they know that kind of service is what increases their tips.
 
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jkmcroot

Guest
Our last cruise was three years ago and my dad ordered a few things that were not on the evening menu. If we mentioned to our waiter that we didn't see anything we liked on the menu, he would let us know everything else that was available. It never hurts to ask.
 
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MRuppert

Guest
My Dad and I were on the Triumph last year, and he had 2 shrimp cocktails every night!

My son and I sailed the Inspiration three months ago, again, he
had shrimp every night. I think it's on the always available section of the menu, but your wait staff should be savvy enough to get you one (or two)!

I think that most of the waiters will go out of their way to get you what you want. One of us who sailed last year only liked croutons for her salad and every night, she'd get a big bowl of them -- no salad, just croutons.

Sorry you had a shrimpless cruise. Better hopefully next time!
 
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Sweetpea29488

Guest
Is the alternative menu given to you with the regular menu or do you have to ask for it?
 
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Gayle V

Guest
Hi Sweetpea, The alternative menu is right on the regular menu. Just look to the right side of the page.

Every day the main menu selections are different, but on the opposite side of the menu folder you will see the exact same alternative list everyday.
 
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Essiesmom

Guest
My first Carnival cruise in 1999, found the menu to be too sophisticated in language for my table mates(and the food did not lie up to its names), and when I asked for different side items than were listed for the entree I wanted they would bring me the set plate with my entree, and the set plate with the other side item...just no entree! So I had fairly low expectations when I sailed on Elation last April. But I was pleasantly surprised...The food was much better, and they were really flexible. Plus they had the alternative menu, which was not presented 8 years ago...EM
 
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Happy Traveler

Guest
We just got back from the Glory. With our assigned dinners, I ordered off the menu every night. My waiter was excellent and accommodated all requests. We had a sit down lunch and I requested something without meat and the server helped me. The ships are so big and they have the finest chefs in the world. I would think most meal requests are possible.
 
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MoJo2Rusty

Guest
I was on the Triumph in December and the alternative menu was on the bottom of right hand page. Shrimp Cocktail was the first thing on that menu which I did have one night and also ordered a steak off that menu one night. The steak, however, was not as good as I was expecting. But the shrimp cocktail was great.:chef
 
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kimmie13

Guest
And remember if you want one of everything you can have one of everything...For instance my favorite night is lobster night which is usually served the first night. I let my server know right away I want 3 lobster tails. I look like a pig when they bring out three plates one after the other and by the 2nd and half plate I am so full I can hardly walk back to my cabin but I love LOBSTER NIGHT and you only live once so WHO CARES!!!. I hate when you have to sit to the table with snobish people that really takes away from your dinner. And it has happen for the most part people ar really friendly but if you are not there to have fun...STAY HOME!!!! Sorry your server just didnt get it I am sure you will have better luck next time. I am six days away from my cruise I am so excited.....Sensation 4 days out of Port Canaveral.
 
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steve4031

Guest
Lobster Night???

Didn't now about that but that is now on the "to do list" when I go on the inspiration in July. I'll eat 4 and they'll stop talking about you. LOL
 
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kimmie13

Guest
Yes Lobster night..They usually serve it on the first night. They give you a lobster tail and rice with steamed broccoli dont get full off of the dinner rolls or the sides just enjoy those lobster tails....DELICIOUS!!!!
 
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DavidJinBR

Guest
I really enjoyed the Orange Sory chilled soup and the Mango soup, but my real favorite is the West Indian Roasted Pumpkin soup!
 
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kimmie13

Guest
I just got back and the shrimp cocktail are there. And the lobster was fantastic!!! Awesome cruise except for a group of pirates that were very disruptive.
 
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CSTEEVER

Guest
on our last cruise one of our party would look at the menu for the supper club and then ask for something from there when we were in the main dining room. Also the waiter told him if he gave him notice he could get him prime rib etc so he would let him know the night before what he wanted the next night, again no problems. I remember on one of our first cruises at the table behind us we would laugh because each night a guy would say to the waiter "Hey do you think I could get mashed potatoes and gravy with that?" and every night he got it!
 
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