Part 3
Dinning
The Ship has a number of dinning options available including:
– Main Dinning room (Empire)
– Buffet (La Player Grill)
– Guy’s Burger Joint
– Blue Iguana Cantina (Mexican)
– Sushi
– Nouveau Restaurant
I tried the first four and really enjoyed the meal offering. I am not a particular fan of cruise ships buffets, however enjoyed Carnival with the different stations, somewhat similar, but scaled own version of the P&O pantry.
The main dinning room (Empire) has two booking options, dedicated time (5.30pm or 7.30pm) or Your Time Dinning, which is an offering of arriving any time between 5.30pm and 9pm and being seated (or waiting or a seat). The dinning room offering was very good and I enjoyed all dinners. Carnival have a different dinner menu each day with the menu based on a theme. This was a good variety and aligned with the shows.
Each night during dinner (just after main course was served), the maître d would call all waiters to perform a small performance which usually consisted of a song. Passengers were encouraged to stand and dance (etc). After the first night or two getting used to it, we actually really enjoyed this part of dinner.
Carnival main dinning room tended to offer a brunch (8.30am to 1pm) on some sea days, rather than a separate breakfast and lunch. I do appreciate that a brunch is a better option than closing the dinning room for a lunch (which other ships do), and perhaps a reflection of an 11 days cruise (rather than 7 day), but the brunch menu whilst good, did not change during the cruise.
Tables were well presented each night with clean table cloths and correct cutlery.
A typical roast meal
A seafood entrée (mussels)
Each table had a dedicated waiter (and two junior waiters), who served 3-4 tables. Service was good and friendly. Waiters made an effort to learn you name, and by day 2/3 even recalled you likes/dislikes.
Brunch meal – salmon
Every night waiters took time to dress the table differently
The Condiment bar at Guy’s Burger Joint
In closing, I would definitely go on Carnival again, hopefully Carnival start placing some cruises out of Brisbane!
Lynda Barry
CruiseReview.net.au