does carnival cruise have indian food

• Carnival Cruise Lines

Indian food in MDR?

By NillaB , July 31, 2019 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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I read somewhere that there is an Indian menu for the MDR (other than the daily vegetarian option). 

Does anyone know, please? 

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Everyday there is an Indian option that is vegetarian - not sure if there is a separate vegetarian option/dish besides that or you would have to order wisely vegetarian options off the menu. 

The indian option is a full plate with three different prepared dishes put in their own bowls and placed on a larger plate. One is usually rice, one a vegetable and one a bean  like concoction. I am sure I am explaining it wrong but it tastes great!   

FTLCruiseGal

The Indian meal on the menu every night is basmati rice, lentils, papadam and raita.  On formal night, they add mixed pickle.  I eat Indian food quite a bit, and I really enjoy Carnival’s Indian menu.  

It's on the menu, but there is no separate menu.  I always see it as a chef's choice type of thing.   It's exceptionally good if you like Indian food.

CruisingViper

Wife loves the indian dish on the mdr menu. I've heard if you give them a days notice they can also swap out one of the currys with a chicken curry dish as well if you're not a strict vegetarian. 

4 hours ago, NillaB said: I read somewhere that there is an Indian menu for the MDR (other than the daily vegetarian option).  Does anyone know, please? 

Hi there, I do not know if there is an Indian menu, but if you speak to your server, I am pretty sure they will send the Maitre D over.  On several cruises, my husband and his cousin have asked about Indian food. When the Maitre D came over, he asked what they were interested in, what night and for how many people. Plenty of chicken curry, rice and naan (roti is their preference but they were more than happy with the naan!) were brought to the table.  Hope that helps!

4 minutes ago, bambilin said: Hi there, I do not know if there is an Indian menu, but if you speak to your server, I am pretty sure they will send the Maitre D over.  On several cruises, my husband and his cousin have asked about Indian food. When the Maitre D came over, he asked what they were interested in, what night and for how many people. Plenty of chicken curry, rice and naan (roti is their preference but they were more than happy with the naan!) were brought to the table.  Hope that helps!

That sounds really good- we love Indian food (including naan).

Thank you so much! 

Once on the Ecstasy there was a large family Indians that I had the pleasure to get to know. Each night, they had certain foods that the waiters served to them from a station in the MDR, I asked them about and they told me the ship had some Indian dishes not on the menu. He told me since many of the staff culinary are Indian they prepare special foods.  

sanmarcosman

1 hour ago, naxer said: It's on the menu, but there is no separate menu. 

There is a separate menu you can ask to read at the host stand. You may order the night before for the following night from that menu. This menu has more variety and offers lamb, chicken and varying vegetarian options.

Thank you all -  now I'm really hoping for some good Indian food next cruise 🙂

In addition to this "secret" Indian menu in the MDR ,there are some ships which have an Indian food station on the Lido at lunch time.

Splendor has it in the back near the aft pool.

I do not know which other ships also have it.

1 hour ago, sanmarcosman said: There is a separate menu you can ask to read at the host stand. You may order the night before for the following night from that menu. This menu has more variety and offers lamb, chicken and varying vegetarian options.

Thank you!  That is great to know!    We're already so pleased with the "chef's choice," I can't imagine how cool it's going to be to make a selection. 

crewsweeper

I do miss the tandoori and it's tandoori chicken, and especially it's tandoori fish, which if you beg the Blue Iguana guys to giving you some tortillas, make for an excellent fish taco.  Better than the breaded pellets at Blue Iguana.

Thanks for the info, We love Indian food and I'm a big lamb fan, DW more chicken so will ask for the menu on the first night!

Happy Cruising 🙂  

If they give you an option, ask for lamb biryani (or chicken).  It takes a while to make, so if you want it, ask the night before if you can have for dinner.  Biryani, raita, and mixed pickle....... my mouth is watering.

10 hours ago, CruisingViper said: Wife loves the indian dish on the mdr menu. I've heard if you give them a days notice they can also swap out one of the currys with a chicken curry dish as well if you're not a strict vegetarian. 

My husband did this. He asked the waiter one day ahead of me could order a special curry dish (quite upset Carnival has eliminated tandoori buffet). There was no extra charge. The chef actually came out to ask if he liked the curry. Of course we tipped extra.

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The Talkative Man

Indian Food Menu on Carnival Cruise Lines: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Dishes

Carnival Cruise Lines offer many wonderful and delicious food choices onboard. Carnival offers “taste of the nations” buffet during lunch featuring an international cuisine every day during lunch. We’ve seen Mexican, Caribbean, Italian, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indian food on offer during lunch in addition to the regular offerings at the Lido buffets .

Contact Carnival guest services no less than two weeks before embarkation to request Indian vegetarian or non-vegetarian food. Indian food is a fairly popular choice, especially with the increasing popularity of cruising among tourists from South Asia and the United Kingdom. Also contributing is the emergence of Indian food emerging as the de facto national cuisine in England. For this reason, even if guests do not pre-book Indian vegetarian food, Carnival’s ships tend to stock up on constituents of Indian food.

Carnival Cruise’s Typical 5-Day Rotation of Vegetarian Indian Food

Dinner on Day 1

• Aloo Shimla Mirch : potatoes with green bell pepper
• Khumb Matar Dahi Wale : mushroom and peas in yogurt sauce
• Basmati Jeera Pulao : basmati rice with roasted cumin seasoning
• Rajmah Raseela : red kidney beans in spicy gravy
• Traditional Accompaniments : Raita (yoghurt relish), Achar (Indian pickle), Roasted Papad (crisps), and Kachumber Salad

Dinner on Day 2

• Aloo Baingan : potatoes with eggplant
• Malai Kofta : fried cheese-balls in creamy gravy
• Basmati Matar Pulao : basmati rice with stir-fried peas
• Channa Dal Masala : spicy yellow split peas

Dinner on Day 3

• Boondi Kadi : fried chickpea pearls in thick chickpea-yoghurt gravy
• Palak Paneer : spinach and Indian cheese
• Basmati Safed Chawal : plain basmati rice
• Sookhe Mattar Ki Subzi : green peas with spices

Dinner on Day 4

• Green Beans Poriyal : curry of green beans in South Indian-style
• Zucchini Kootu : stew of zucchini and lentils in South Indian-style
• Dahi Bhath : basmati rice in yogurt in South Indian-style
• Sambar : vegetable stew with tamarind in South Indian-style

Dinner on Day 5

• Bhindi Masala : okra with spices
• Jeera Aloo Matar : potatoes and peas garnished with cumin
• Basmati Onion Pulao : basmati rice with glazed onions
• Chole Pindi : chickpeas with spices

Carnival Cruise’s Typical 5-Day Rotation of Non-Vegetarian Indian Food

• Murg Dahiwala : chicken in yoghurt sauce
• Customary Accompaniments : Raita (yoghurt relish), Achar (Indian pickle), Roasted Papad (crisps), and Kachumber Salad
• Aloo Baingan Baingan : potatoes with eggplant
• Chicken Tariwala : chicken with spices
• Gosht Palak : spinach and (sheep) mutton curry

• Chicken Chattinad : chicken cooked in Chettinad-style
• Goan Fish Curry : fish with spices cooked as in Goa-style

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2 thoughts on “Indian Food Menu on Carnival Cruise Lines: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Dishes”

I have taken several Carnival Cruise Trips and have always loved being on the ship. One of my favorite things is an Indian tomato relish, very sweet, almost like a desert…don’t really know what the name of it is but would love the name and a recipe if you would share. Thank You! Melody Harbour, a fan of Carnival Cruise Lines

I was on the Carnival Liberty last week. I am a vegetarian and we ate at the Chef’s Table. We had one particular course that I adored and would like the recipe for. It was, I believe called, Gremolata Crisp? I want very much to make this at home. It was phillo dough filled with a mushroom mixture and brushed with butter and herbs and baked or fried. Does anyone know the recipe or where I may find it?

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Which Cruise Lines have Indian Food?

Cruise lines often offer a wide variety of foods from around the world, but many are still left wondering which cruise lines have Indian food available. Indian food is a commonly requested food among cruisers and these requests have been implemented by many cruise lines. You can most likely find some type of Indian food on your next cruise, not matter what cruise line you go on! Keep reading to find out which cruise lines have Indian food and where to find Indian food on each cruise line!

Does Carnival Cruises Have Indian Food?

Fans of Indian food will be happy to hear that Carnival Cruise offers a large selection of different Indian foods. You can find Indian food options in the Main Dining Room every night. If you don’t see the Indian food options on the menu in the Main Dining Room, just ask your server! There is always Indian food available, even if it is not visibly apparent on your menu.

Some Carnival Cruise Line ships offer a specialty restaurant dedicated entirely to Indian food called Masala Tiger. Enjoy authentic Indian food cooked in traditional clay ovens at 1000 degrees Fahrenheit at Masala Tiger! Try out Indian food like Tandoori Chicken or Fish, Beef Kebabs, or Naan with Sweet Chutney!

Want to Feed your Culinary Curiosity for your next Cruise? Click Here!

Does Royal Caribbean Have Indian Food?

You can always find Indian food on your next Royal Caribbean cruise, no matter which cruise ship you are on! Find Indian food on Royal Caribbean ships in the Main Dining Room daily as well as the Windjammer Cafe. The Windjammer Cafe is the name of the buffet on Royal Caribbean, meaning you can have all the Indian food you want from the buffet. Royal Caribbean may offer some of the best Indian food mentioned on this list, but we’ll leave it up to you to make that decision for yourself!

It is worth noting that most of the Indian food on Royal Caribbean is vegetarian, which can be both a pro and a con. If you like vegetarian food, then you have larger selection! If you like Indian food, you are limited to mostly vegetarian Indian dishes. That being said, Royal Caribbean has been implementing many more meat based Indian dishes, so don’t feel like there are only vegetarian Indian dishes!

Does Norwegian Cruises Have Indian Food?

If you’re looking for Indian food on your next Norwegian Cruise, you are in luck! You can often find a wide variety of different types of Indian food on the buffet on Norwegian Cruises. In fact, there is usually an entire section of the buffets on Norwegian Cruises dedicated entirely to Indian food! From curry to chutney, there is sure to be some Indian food on the buffet on Norwegian Cruises for you to try out. The large variety of Indian food available on Norwegian Cruises is second to naan! Bad puns aside, we highly recommend trying out the Indian food available on the buffet on your next Norwegian Cruise.

Additionally, Indian food is also available in the Main Dining Room. Occasionally you can find Indian food offered as one of the specialties on the main menu in the Main Dining Room!

Does Disney Cruises Have Indian Food?

If you’re craving curry while cruising with Captain Mickey, don’t fret as you can find Indian food on your next Disney cruise! Like with the other cruise lines mentioned on this list, you can request Indian food in the Main Dining Rooms on Disney Cruises. Also similar to other cruise lines featured on this list, you have to ask your server to see the what Indian food is available as it is not usually printed directly on the regular menu. I had the chicken curry on my most previous Disney cruise and I strongly recommend giving it a try if you are a fan of curry!

Click Here to Learn More about Food Available on your Cruise!

Does Princess Cruises Have Indian Food?

Indian food enthusiasts will be pleased to discover that you will find no shortage of Indian food on your next Princess cruise. You can find a wide variety of different Indian foods available in the buffet on your next Princess Cruise. Like with Royal Caribbean, the Indian food on Princess Cruises is often vegetarian but there are often still meat-based Indian dishes available. You may be able to request Indian food in the Main Dining Room on your next Princess Cruise but you will have to ask the cruise ship staff ahead of time.

Does Celebrity Cruises have Indian Food?

Fitting with the pattern shown by other cruise lines on this list, Celebrity Cruises do have Indian food in specific locations. As you might have guessed, the first location with Indian food available is the Main Dining Room. You may have to ask your server to see your options for Indian food in the Main Dining Room. The second location you can find Indian food may be getting predictable as well, you can also usually find Indian food on the buffet on your next Celebrity Cruise.

Indian food has grown in popularity to become a common staple on the majority of cruise lines. No matter what cruise line you choose for your next vacation, the odds are in your favor that there will be some form of Indian food available for you to enjoy! As a general rule of thumb, you can commonly find Indian food on most cruise lines in either the Main Dining Room or the Buffet, and often in both places! While Indian food on cruise buffets is typically widely available, you may have to ask your server for the Indian food menu while you are in the Main Dining Room on a cruise. Let us know which cruise line you think has the best Indian food!

Click here to learn about other foods available on your cruise!

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5 Best Cruise Lines for Amazing Indian Food

If you are not sure which is the best USA cruise line for Indian travelers? and which cruise line in America serve Indian food? We are going to delve deeper in this article and show you 6 Best cruise companies that serve Indian Food:

1. Carnival Cruise Line: Where Indian Food Takes Center Stage

Carnival Cruise Line stands out with its dedicated section for Indian food in the lunch buffet, aptly named Masala Tiger or Tandoor on select cruises. The Indian menu on Carnival boasts a delightful array of dishes, including Chicken Tikka Masala, Paratha, Samosa, Daal, Gajal Halva, Sahi Tukda, Paneer Tikka Masala, Chana Masala, Vegetable Biryani, Raita, and Chutney. What’s more, Carnival ships feature an extensive selection of vegetarian Indian options every night on their menu.

Discover passenger experiences with Indian food on Carnival Cruise here .

For more details read this article: Indian Food on Carnival Cruise in USA

2. Royal Caribbean: Do they serve Indian food in cruise?

Royal Caribbean elevates the culinary journey with a wide variety of Indian food options in both the buffet and dinner menu. Passengers can relish the likes of Idli-Sambhar, Medhu Vada, Basmati Rice, Daal, Chicken Korma, Paratha, and more. For those seeking off-menu delights, a conversation with the attentive wait staff can lead to personalized vegetarian Indian dishes.

Gain insights into the Indian culinary experience on Royal Caribbean through passenger reviews here and here .

For more details read this article: Indian Food on Royal Caribbean Cruise

3. Does MSC cruise line serves Indian vegetarian food?

While MSC Cruises may not dedicate entire sections of their buffet to Indian cuisine every day, they do offer a variety of options to cater to passengers who enjoy Indian flavors. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

• Limited availability: You’ll likely find Indian food on one day of your sailing, featuring dishes like samosas, Punjabi daal, and naan. Dal-rice and paratha might also be available.
• Variety may vary: The specific options depend on the ship and passenger demographics.

Main Dining Rooms:

• One Indian dish per menu: Expect at least one Indian dish on the daily dinner menu, potentially more depending on the number of Indian passengers onboard.
• Popular choices: Dal Makhani, Paneer Tikka Masala, Vegetable Biryani, and Samosas are common offerings.

Specialty Restaurants:

• Indian-inspired options: While not solely focused on Indian cuisine, some specialty restaurants may offer vegetarian options with Indian influences, like curries or vegetable samosas.

Additional Tips:

• Communicate dietary needs: Inform MSC Cruises about your specific dietary restrictions in advance for personalized meal arrangements.
• Request Indian vegetarian meals: You can make this request both during booking and onboard the ship.
• Explore daily menus: Check dining room and buffet menus regularly for the latest Indian vegetarian options available.
• MSC Cruises primarily caters to a European clientele, so Indian food options might be less extensive compared to other lines.
• Despite the limitations, there are still vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available that cater to diverse preferences.

Enjoy your MSC cruise! While Indian food may not be the main attraction, you can certainly find delicious options to tantalize your taste buds throughout your voyage.

4. Princess Cruise line:

Embark on a Princess cruise and prepare to tantalize your taste buds with exquisite Indian cuisine , seamlessly woven into their diverse buffet offerings. While not claiming the top spot for the absolute best renditions, Princess Cruises ensures that passengers get a chance to explore the rich and diverse flavors of India through their delectable selections.

• Daily Indian presence:  You’ll likely find at least one Indian dish featured in the buffet every day, showcasing favorites like daal, naan, and curries.
• Variety depends on itinerary:  Depending on your cruise route and passenger demographics, the selection may vary, offering more options on cruises with higher Indian passenger presence.
• Regular Indian options:  Expect at least one Indian dish on the regular menu each night, with some offering additional choices based on chef discretion.
• Popular picks:  You’ll likely find familiar favorites like butter chicken, tandoori chicken, saag paneer, and vegetable biryani.
• Indian influences:  While not dedicated to Indian cuisine, some specialty restaurants might offer vegetarian options with Indian touches, such as curries or vegetable samosas.
• Speak to your waiter:  Let your waiter know you’re interested in Indian cuisine. They can suggest dishes, accommodate spice preferences, or even request special dishes from the chef.
• Explore daily menus:  Check dining room and buffet menus daily to discover the latest Indian selections available.
• Consider requesting in advance:  If you have specific Indian dishes in mind, consider requesting them in advance through the Princess Cruises website or app.

Insider Tip: For a truly personalized Indian culinary experience, speak to your head waiter the night before . They can offer suggestions based on the kitchen’s preparations and may even accommodate special requests. While specific dish requests may not always be possible, letting them know your preferences can ensure you enjoy a delightful Indian-inspired meal the next evening.

• Princess Cruises caters to a diverse clientele, so Indian food options might be less extensive compared to other lines with a stronger Indian focus.
• Despite this, you’ll find a decent selection of Indian dishes and vegetarian options with Indian influences to tantalize your taste buds.

Bon voyage and enjoy your flavorful Indian culinary adventures on Princess Cruises!

5. Disney Cruise line: Magical Moments with Indian Food

Disney Cruise completes our tasty journey, letting you enjoy Indian food by simply asking for it in the Main Dining Rooms. To explore the available Indian options, simply ask your server for details. They will guide you through the Indian dishes that can be prepared, providing a bespoke culinary journey tailored to your preferences. While it may not be a mainstream offering, Disney Cruise Line’s commitment to guest satisfaction ensures that your desire for Indian flavors is met with enthusiasm.

For those who appreciate the robust flavors of curry, Disney Cruise Line often features dishes like chicken curry, butter chicken.

Conclusion:

Your culinary odyssey awaits with the best cruise line for Indian food in the USA. From Carnival’s Masala Tiger to Royal Caribbean’s buffet delights, MSC Cruises’ special days, Princess Cruise’s buffet bounty, to Disney Cruise’s magical touch – each cruise line offers a unique flavor adventure. Whether it’s the aroma of curry or the sizzle of tandoori, these cruises ensure your sea views are accompanied by the rich flavors of Indian dishes. Our top picks are Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise lines for the best cruise line for Indian food and travelers on the cruise in USA.

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Carnival Food Review – EVERYTHING I Ate During my Cruise: (Photos and Menus)

If you are taking a Carnival cruise you might be wondering what the food will be like. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included at no extra cost on a Carnival cruise.

I’ve just disembarked Carnival Magic and in this post we will look at everything I ate in the main dining room, buffet, Guys Burger Joint and other restaurants. Menus are also provided.

Buffet – Included

The buffet on the Carnival Magic was open from early in the morning until late at night, it is split into two separate sections.

Breakfast was served 7am – 12pm. Lunch 12pm – 2.30pm and dinner 6pm-9.30pm.

“Meals are served buffet-style, with an array of pastas, steaks, prime rib, grilled chicken, specialty salads and desserts along with a daily Chef’s Special.”  Carnival Cruise Line

Below are some examples of my buffet meals. All of the food in the buffet is free and unlimited.

There was always a large selection of cakes available and cookies too.

I found that the quality of the food in the buffet was good but I did find that the options were often the same on multiple days.

We usually ate breakfast in the buffet and although I am not a big buffet fan, there were lots of choices. I mostly had bread and fruit.

We didn’t ever see any drinks waiters in the buffet so I’m not sure if this service is offered within the buffet. If it was, they never approached us.

Within The Buffet Was a Deli

At the larger end of the buffet, there was a deli that served sandwiches and wraps throughout the day. This would often be open even if the main buffet was closed.

The deli was open 11 am – 11 pm .

There were a couple of vegetarian options but no markings on the menu to say which were vegetarian.

Carnival do have a separate team that deals with allergies and intolerances but it was a shame that this information was missing from a lot of the menus.

I often had to ask the waiters if a dish was vegetarian which could have easily been avoided had the information been on the menu.

My favourite thing to have at the deli was the mozzarella and tomato sandwich.

There were often lines for the deli and I did feel bad for the crew trying to make the sandwiches as fast as they could! The crew were always incredibly friendly and polite.

The deli also offered fries and chocolate chip cookies.

My main concern with the buffet was the lack of hand washing and hand sanitisation.

On most cruise lines you’ll have to wash your hands before you enter the buffet but this wasn’t the case on my Carnival cruise, there were no sinks by the doors and no crew member ever told me to sanitise my hands.

As guests all share the tongs I would usually get my food, sit down and then sanitise my hands before picking up food.

Main Dining Room – Included

Guests can either choose fixed dining, where you have the same table at the same time each night or flexible dining. We opted for flexible dining and it worked very well.

There was only one large main restaurant offering flexible dining but sometimes we would be sat on the upper level, and sometimes lower.

I preferred sitting on the upper level as it felt as though the tables for 2 had more space. Downstairs the tables for 2 were often so close together that it felt like you were sharing a table.

This is pretty common on cruise ships!

I was very impressed with the quality of the food in the main dining room. I hadn’t expected amazing things from Carnivals food but we were always very happy with our meals.

The service was great and we never had to wait long for anything.

Below on the left is the always-available vegetarian Indian dish which I had a couple of times. On the right is the Carnival chocolate cake which was very tasty. It was gooey in the middle and always warm.

Below is the menu as it appeared on my phone. We weren’t given physical menus during our cruise and instead scanned the QR code on our phones.

If you don’t have a phone Carnival do have some physical copies of the menu but I never saw any guests using these during our cruise.

There was no allergen or dietary information on the menus which sometimes did make it difficult to know which dishes were vegetarian. You’d think it would be obvious, but it isn’t always.

On some cruise lines you’ll find that there are specials in addition to whats on the menu, we didn’t find that on our Carnival cruise.

The fried mozzarella seen below was my favourite starter.

I was very happy to see a Tofu steak on the menu one evening, this was the only time I ever saw any and there weren’t usually any sources of protein other than cheese in my vegetarian dishes.

The staff were always happy to change dishes slightly or to put together something off-menu if there’s something you’d prefer.

Caesar salad was always available as a starter as you’ll find on most cruise lines.

It is possible to order a starter as a main or a main as a starter if you’d prefer.

There aren’t any limits on how many courses you can order, so if there are multiple things that take your fancy, order them all!

Many people order a couple of starters and a couple of mains. The waiters are very used to it.

Other Included Food – Guy’s Burger Joint

In addition to the food in the buffet and the main dining room, there was freshly made pizza and burgers served on the pool deck.

The poolside grill is called Guys Burger Joint and it was created by Guy Fieri.

For the first 5 days of the cruise I believed that there were no vegetarian options at Guys Burgers because there was no vegetarian burger on the menu.

I had resigned myself to a life of eating fries but when I did ask, they actually had veggie burgers!

They added one to the grill and freshly cooked it for me. I added onion rings and cheese and lots of other toppings (seen below right).

It was AMAZING I just wish I knew about it earlier in the cruise!

My partner Jono who eats meat said that the Guy’s Burgers he had were good, no better than the poolside grill on other cruise lines, but good.

Other Included Food – Blue Iguana

Also on the pool deck, there is a Burrito and Taco restaurant called the Blue Iguana.

Here you can create your own burritos and they are freshly made while you wait.

I had a rice and beans burrito and it was amazing. It may have been my favourite thing that I ate during the cruise. It was full of flavour and a great lunch.

Below are the topping that you can add to your burrito.

Soft tacos are also available.

Other Included Food – Pizzeria Del Capitano

At the back of the ship there is a pizzeria where you can get freshly made pizza either by the slice or the pie.

The pizzeria was open 9am – 4am.

We would often go to the Pizzeria at night to pick up a pizza and a drink from the bar that was nearby, both were near our cabin so we would take these back to our room.

You are always allowed to take food from the buffet or any of the pool side restaurants to your cabin. Carnival don’t let you take food from the main dining room to your room, but everywhere else is fine.

Ocean Plaza Café (Extra Cost)

I spent very little extra during this cruise but the little bit of money that I did spend I spent on doughnuts at the Ocean Plaza Cafe.

The cafe was incredibly popular, especially on sea days.

Each of the doughnuts below cost $3, plus taxes.

Carnival are an American cruise line so taxes aren’t included in the prices that you see.

Both doughnuts weer good, but incredibly sweet. I shared them and even half was more than enough.

Would I Recommend Carnivals Food?

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food on my Carnival cruise, particularly in the main dining room.

I did find the vegetarian options lacking compared to other cruise lines, but all the vegetarian food I had was good.

I particularly enjoyed the deli within the buffet, my burger from Guy’s Burgers and the cookies that were available most of the time in the buffet.

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We don’t all have the luxury of dropping our diets when we go on holidays. If you’ve got an eye on what crosses your plate, we’ve got your back. Carnival’s chefs are specially-trained to prepare food options for a variety of diets — vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher, Indian vegetarian, or food low in carbs, fat, sugar or cholesterol — so you don’t have to let your dietary restrictions restrict you from having a great time. Or from having seconds. There are also helpful hints on our Empire Dining menu.

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We tried the food on a carnival cruise ship, and here’s what we thought.

Green Tea Cupcakes from Bonsai Sushi on the Carnival Breeze. Photo by Tori Rock.

Recently, I took a cruise from Galveston onboard the Carnival Breeze. Sailing for Cozumel, my companion and I played in the sun and enjoyed the boat’s nightlife (can’t praise “Piano Matt” enough for evenings spent singing along to the classics). However, what most interested me about our cruise was the plethora of food available. From sushi to steak, if you were hungry for it, you could find it in one of the restaurants. 

Lido Marketplace : On the Lido Deck, there is a food-court-style cafeteria with two buffet areas and menus that rotate throughout the day. Continental Breakfast service opens at 6:30 a.m. with pastries , cereal and fruit options, and a full-service spread that includes an omelet station that opens an hour later. The lunch and dinner services are expansive, with an assortment of buffet counters offering comfort food , deli counter , Mongolian stir-fry and more. Late at night, the Lido Marketplace offers a snacking station . One thing I cannot stress enough no matter what time you are dining: try the bread . It’s fresh, and the taste is just delightful, no matter if it’s a bun or a slice.

Guy Fieri Restaurants : Fans of the Food Network celebrity can get a taste of his creativity via two on-boat restaurants: Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que and Guy’s Burger Joint . The latter is on the Lido Deck and serves burgers and fries in a buffet-style line for dining at area tables or taking back to your deck chair. Toppings include the standards — lettuce, tomato, bacon, and onions — and more. Find Pig & Anchor outdoors on Deck Five across from the Ocean Plaza and Alchemy Bar. It offers cruisers options such as round of beef , smoked andouille sausage and Blue Ribbon Chicken in Fieri’s flavor-packed style.

Pizza Pirate : Satisfy cravings for pizza any time night or day at this pizza stand on the aft side of the Lido deck. The 24/7 menu just has two categories: pizza and salad. There are five types of pizza — Margherita, Funghi, Pepperoni, Quattro Formaggi (four cheese) and Prosciutto — and two salads. Stop by before or after visiting Liquid Nightclub or attending the late-night shows.

Dining Room Dinners : There are two formal dining rooms on the Breeze called Blush Restaurant and Sapphire Restaurant. Every guest is assigned to one of these large dining rooms for dinner, whether you choose early dining, late dining or “your time” dining. Each serves identical dishes each evening from a three-course menu that includes your choice of an appetizer, entrée and dessert. The menus rotate nightly, and the main course options include a vegetarian Indian dish served with lentils. My favorite on this four-day cruise was the Steak Ale and Cheese Soup, which was filling and well-seasoned.

The major highlight in these evening dining venues is Carnival’s famous molten chocolate cake . It is sweet, decadent, rich and dreamy, and it’s served alongside cooling vanilla ice cream . It is available nightly alongside other classic desserts such as crème brulée and Baked Alaska .

Bonsai Sushi : The Breeze is also equipped with a sushi restaurant on Deck Five. Bonsai Sushi offers an additional-cost menu with appetizers, sashimi, rolls, sake and more. Guests at this restaurant simply check the boxes next to their menu choices and sit back to enjoy. This restaurant features two unique dessert options: green tea cupcakes and yuzu custard . 

Seafood Shack : Carnival’s Seafood Shack is a New England-style eatery serving dishes such as clam chowder, lobster BLTs and snow crab . Open for lunch and dinner, this seaside restaurant is located on the Lido Deck (Deck 10, aft). 

BlueIguana Cantina : Cruisers can enjoy a taste of Mexico midship on the Lido deck at this lively cantina. Find it across from the Red Frog Rum Bar and Blue Iguana Tequila Bar. The made-to-order menu includes tacos , burritos and a salsa bar , with specials for breakfast and lunch. 

Cucina Del Capitano : Nestled above the Lido Marketplace midship on Deck 10, this swanky, wood-decked space offers diners a casual Italian meal at lunch and, for an additional fee, a high-class pasta dinner in the evenings. The menu is inspired by the Italian heritage of the ship’s captains and officers. It features favorites such as minestrone soup , Nonna’s Meatball and biscotti with gelato . 

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse : Meat-loving Texans will love this onboard steakhouse. For an additional cost, it offers cowboy steak , filet mignon and New York strip steaks , along with other steakhouse favorites. There are seafood dishes, soups and salads, too, and a variety of appetizers. Try a plate of escargots bourguignonne or broiled lobster tail , and finish off your meal with a Chocolate Sampler or Caramelized Washington Apples .

Room Service : We couldn’t resist the luxury of (included!) room service, and ordered a variety of breakfast plates on our third day at sea. The night before, the steward left a door hanger in our room on which we could fill out each item we wanted, and we chose a couple of breakfast sandwiches , toast , bagels , coffee and orange juice . The food came hot and fresh, packaged in airline containers to keep the contents at temperature.

As two cruisers who don’t drink alcohol, my sail-buddy and I spent some time hunting through the ship’s offerings in search of the perfect by-the-ocean beverage. Carnival impressed us again and again, with delightful bartenders eager and willing to make our mocktail dreams come true. We started with fruit punch in bar glasses, made more festive with a dash of grenadine. Limelight Lounge served us perfect virgin piña coladas , and the bartenders at Alchemy Bar embraced our challenge by creating a fabulous purple concoction with pomegranate and lemon. Liquid Nightclub came through, too, with delicious virgin mojitos to quench our thirst while we danced the night away. 

Having sailed on other cruise lines in the past, I have to say that Carnival goes above and beyond when it comes to serving up fun. From our first day of massages and spa treatments to our late nights dancing in the club and lunging for the best seats at the piano bar, we had four days of nonstop entertainment. Cozumel was amazing, too, with beautiful weather and nice beach resorts to relax the day away. Our boat was relatively quiet this time, with precautions in place that kept cruisers and staff safe in each other’s company. (Carnival currently requires either proof of vaccination or a medical exemption to sail.)

If you’re looking for a vacation that’s all-inclusive and relatively cheap during the winter, Carnival is the way to go. The weather was beautiful, and aside from a rocky morning at sea, we couldn’t have enjoyed ourselves more. 

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Comments (3), share your thoughts on this article cancel reply.

Quality has dropped a lot the last couple years IMO. Breakfast has not changed much, lunch is still ok but a few things have dropped, but the dinner is way down on quality.

You described what is available but offers no opinions on it?

I see some opinions! That said, this is not “restaurant criticism.” Otherwise, with the number of onboard restaurants, this article would be 5,000 words and no one would finish it. We also didn’t pay Ms. Rock to try every place onboard (or anything towards her expenses, actually). If you’re curious about something specific, please ask. I’m sure she’s happy to give you more detail.

If you’re interested in us providing formal restaurant criticism, you can help us give writers dining budgets by sending advertisers our way or supporting our work through Patreon. It’s a significant cost for any publication. https://www.patreon.com/houstonfoodfinder

MSC makes another move to take on Royal Caribbean, Carnival

M SC Cruises has been making a major push into the U.S. market as it tries to win market share in Florida, New York, and Texas. The cruise line has been steadily adding ships sailing out of American ports and it's largely going after people who sail Royal Caribbean and Carnival.

The cruise line, of course, does not publicly identify which rivals it's targeting, but its next flagship MSC World America shares a lot of features with Royal Caribbean and Carnival's largest megaship.

Related: Carnival, Royal Caribbean make major change customers will love

"MSC World America is set to become MSC Cruises’ newest U.S. flagship when she is named at PortMiami on April 9, 2025. Guests will experience a new world of cruising as they explore seven distinct districts, each with its own atmosphere, facilities, and experiences waiting to be explored. MSC World America’s districts allow guests of all ages to choose their own vacation adventure and get the most out of their time on board," the cruise line shares on its website.

That's a bold move by the cruise line to offer something that rivals Royal Caribbean's ( RCL ) Oasis and Icon classes as well as Carnival's Excel class. 

MSC World America, which will sail out of Miami, isn't the cruise line's only move to expand its U.S. fleet. It's also bringing a second ship to Port Canaveral.

MSC Cruises grows its Florida fleet 

Currently, MSC Seashore sails out of Port Canaveral and offers a variety of sailings. In December 2025, MSC Grandiosa will begin sailing from there as well.

Bringing a second ship to Port Canaveral will give MSC Cruises’ guests a much wider selection of cruises. MSC Grandiosa will offer alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Meanwhile, MSC Seashore will sail 3- and 4-night cruises to Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the line’s private island in The Bahamas.

A member of the cruise line's Merivigilia-plus line, Grandiosa will be the largest MSC ship to ever sail out of Port Canaveral. It's one of the cruise line's largest ships, with only its World Class ships, which include Europa and World America being bigger.

Grandiosa does have many of its own special features including an open area, the Galleria, which sort of mixes Royal Caribbean's Royal Promenade and downtown Las Vegas' Fremont St. Experience.

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"At any time of the day, the Galleria is the perfect place for dining, shopping, socializing or simply taking in the unique atmosphere. And when the sun sets, it takes on another life, with LED dome shows, concerts, discos, and parties late into the night," the cruise line shared.

MSC has big Caribbean plans

Royal Caribbean and Carnival have made the Caribbean the heart of the cruising world. They both sail multiple ships out of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral. The two rival cruise lines also sail to the Caribbean from New York/New Jersey, Baltimore, Galveston, and select other ports. 

MSC Cruises will step up its competition in the Caribbean in the Summer of 2024 with four ships sailing there from Miami, New York, and Orlando.

• Two ships will offer sailings out of PortMiami: MSC Magnifica with three to seven-night sailings including to the Key West (Florida), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), Isla de Roatan (Honduras), Belize City (Belize), Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Bahamas).
• MSC Seascape will also sail from Miami offering seven-night sailings, calling at destinations including San Juan (Puerto Rico), George Town (Cayman Islands), Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Cozumel (Mexico), and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
• MSC Meraviglia will set sail from New York, with seven-night itineraries including port of calls in Port Canaveral, Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
• MSC Seashore will also offer the chance to visit the Caribbean’s prized gems with three to seven-night sailings from Port Canaveral to destinations including Nassau, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Costa Maya and Cozumel.

MSC Cruises has been working to improve its private island, the MSC Marine Reserve. 

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"The new enhancements will include expanded excursion centers to support water activities and island tours, and additional food and beverage facilities including a second food hall and larger bars. Additionally, guests can expect enhanced swimming areas, including a new kids lagoon alongside improvements to the popular main lagoon," the cruise line shares on its website.

MSC Cruise has made inroads in growing its U.S. customer base at least partly by offering lower prices than Royal Caribbean and Carnival. It also sells packages that include internet and a drink package with fares that are often cheaper than its rivals before those items are purchased separately.