Food on Carnival

[Cruiser23]

Hi!
My husband and I are sailing on the Imagination Dec. 13. We want to eat in the dining room but are worried about the menu choices. My husband is a real basic food kind of person. No funny sauces or vegetables. We like almost any kind of seafood, chicken or steak. Do you think we will be OK? What night do they offer lobster? Do they offer side dishes? I notice on some of the menu samples it mostly lists the main dish, no potato or anything. Just curious. Thanks for your help.

 

[mlzangel78]

just got off the fantasy, lobster one night only, everything else was some kind of fancy saucy something, funky, which i liked cause i like to try new things, if you do fond something you like, order 2 because the portions are so small you feel like you are eating off thekids menu

 

[Kessman]

I believe the Lobster is on one of the formal nights. I also think that I am a "basic foods" kind of guy. McDonald's, Pizza, simple home meals. And I liked going to the dining room for meals.

 

[mlzangel78]

we had lobster first night on the ship , formal night food was horrible

 

[Cruisin Gal]

Lobster was waterlogged on the Sensation...good on the Fantasy. I'm not sure about the other Carnival ships.

The pizza at the 24 hour pizza joint was super though.

 

[jester95008]

Almost all of carnival's food is delicious. the one comment made about the food being terrible , I don't think thats true. Maybe that person didn't order what they wanted and didn't realize that they could have them take it back for something else

 

[marcia]

DH doesn't like fancy foods either, and he (ok, we!) love Carnival food. Every night there is some kind of seafood, chicken, beef, pasta and other dish for main course. There is always a side with the main, but not necessarily a huge amount. But that leaves more room for other stuff. As someone else mentioned, you can order multiple appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and DESSERTS - however much you want. If you don't like something, tell the wait staff, and ask for something else. My problem in the main dining room is deciding which of the entrees to get - there are usually SEVERAL that sound good. And on my meager two Carnival cruises thus far, we have thoroughly enjoyed every meal.

Don't worry about the food! Go and enjoy!

 

[jester95008]

JUST ENJOY THE MOUTHWATERING PUMPKIN SOUP AND GRILLED , ROASTED MINITURE DUCK!

 

[marvholly]

We have sailed Carnival 2x in recent years (12/99 & 12/01). We treat ourselves to foods we do not eat/cannot afford on a regular basis when we travel. Hubby ate beef or lamb almost every nite. Steak, filet, prime rib. Mostly came without fancy sauces but you can certainly request no sauce or sauce on the side. I generally ate seafood or beef. There is also a poultry option every nite; chicken, duck or turkey. All dinners come plated with a side of the veg of the week and either a potatoe or rice type side. Therefore, hubby can ignore the veg and he will have a big problem deciding on which entree to eat first.

 

[lainie]

Hey! The food on CCL is GREAT and they aim to please so hubby should just make his wishes known right away -- like on the first night-- and I am sure they can accomodate! There are MANY, MANY choices, so unless you tend to be a picky eater and don't like anything at all, have trouble finding something to eat at restaurants in general, like in the ones on land, there will be NO PROBLEM.

 

[CSTEEVER]

my husband and I have always enjoyed the food, and there always is some form of beef and seafood on the menu that I have noticed, a hint if he loves potatoes it never hurts to ask if it is not on the menu. Our last cruise the table next to us the guy asked for mashed potatoes every night and the waiter never hesitated to bring him his mashed potatoes, but as I said it was never on the menu. If you have a good waiter they will get almost anything for you so I don't think you can go wrong with eating in the main dining room, you can always go to the buffett afterwards if he feels he did not get enough to eat. We always take advantage of the dining room service because we know what we would have to pay back at home for those kinds of meals so we take full advantage. Eat and enjoy!

Cynthia

 

[shadoesmom]

We have sailed four times with Carnival. The food has been terrific each time. The lobster is served on the first formal night. If you love lobster, order two. I ate both tails but only the sides of one plate. If you don't see anything on the menu that looks good, you may order a steak or boneless chicken breast. Both are plain. A friend sailing with us is a steak & baked potato man. He couldn't figure out how they could get the steak done perfectly every night that he ordered it.
The pastas were superb. You may order it as a starter too. The one with the shrimp & scallops was awesome Enjoy!.

 

[Nanni-B.]

My 12 year old son is ULTRA picky person. Nothing out of the ordinary, strange or spicey. Vegtables are particularly offensive, especially when cooked. He ordered off of the main menu and did like every thing he ate on the Inspiration. Some form of steak was usually offered if I remember correctly. I don't remember much of the potatos however. He loved the soups as they were usually on the more bland side.

 

[Dan40]

Even though its not on the printed menu on any given night, you can order a steak and baked potato every night. Or chicken.
So after reading the menu and finding it not to your liking, order the steak or chicken.
If you try a menu item and don't care for it, send it back and order something else.
Also no matter if its an appetizer, soup, salad, entree, or entrees, you can order as many as you like in any combination. You could have 10 appetizers and dessert if you liked, or 1 or 2 or 3 of each kind of soup and 2 or 3 entrees or any combination.
For instance, lobster night usually has steak or prime rib listed as an entree as well. Many, if not most order both making up their own surf'n'turf. If you wanted you could order a basket of rolls and a bowl of gravy and dip to your hearts content. The only rule is that you be happy. Also their is always a kids selection available, burgers, hot dogs, pizza, spags, not on the menu.
Bugs are usually served the first formal night.
Dan

 

[Ken_2001]

One vote for Carnival Legend here...Lobster was superb, and yes, the pizza was heavenly, 24 hour ice cream always good and the 24 hour self serve drinks were really sweet! But I'm not gonna complain about those things!!! LOL!!!

Nope, no problem with Carnival Fare.

 

[Teal]

Just got off the Triumph on Saturday - food was yuuuuucky! Lobster was burned on formal night and everyone at our table sent it back.

 

[tiadeerin]

Dan40 said it best. Don't worry about what's on the menu, just order what you want & however much of it you want. The waiter's will be more than happy to accomodate you. Other cruisers do it all time & there is absolutely no problem. Also, if something is not cooked to your liking, don't hesitate to tell them about it. They are there to please YOU & will do so with a smile on their face. Another tip, you might try room service. Last year I cruised with my 21 year old niece & one night she decided to opt for room service. She had a turkey sandwich & said it was absolutely the best sandwich she had ever eaten in her life.

 

[LHP]

After cruising with Carnival for over 20 years, I can tell you to completely ignore any posts that tells you all the food is "yucky". These are children who don't know that you can not "burn" lobster.

The food from ship to ship will vary some, but overall (as a very picky eater) is very good. I do notice that the New York Strip will always be tough and dry....but the rest of their beef fares (Beef Wellington, Chateau, and Filet) are very good (and this is from someone who always gets their beef well done). I do not care for the filo dough and goose liver they wrap the beef wellington in.....but it is easily removed from around the beef before you eat it. I do not remember any "fancy sauces" on the beef, but simply be sure to ask and if there is....request it be deleted. Sometimes, the lobster has been a bit tough...but my husband has always managed to enjoy at least two tails with no problem. You can order as many appetizers as you like. Their salads in the formal dining room are pretty basic.

The Lido deck's food varies, but I have never starved on a cruise. The hamburgers and pizza are always very good...as is the BLT's and Ham sandwiches through room service.

Just relax and don't be afraid to ask for anything...they are there to please.

 

[kimberlite66]

I think the room service sandwiches on the Fascination were WONDERFUL and sometimes my son and I would order one of each kind, spread the trays out on the beds and feast! Always fresh, always fast. I am a gourmet food lover/ I cook for a hobby, gimme lots of fancy sauces please! *But* I swear the main reason I am going on the Fascination again is to be able to lay in bed, pick up the phone, and have a kind person bring me those deeeelicious sandwiches, anytime of day or night!

 

[Jeff & Susana]

The food on our Carnival cruise was fine. Not one problem.
Often I ordered 2 complete dinners when I could not decide which sounded better.
If you get something you don't like send it back and order something else.


As LHP stated, "Just relax and don't be afraid to ask for anything"

No big deal.