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OUR EXPERIENCE WHILE ON SET

Our crew likes to eat…a lot! The best part about a cruise is the huge variety that is offered and we enjoyed sampling a little bit of everything. When booking your cruise, you can select a time that you would like to make a standing dinner reservation (either 6:00 or 8:15 p.m.).  You will be assigned a dining room and a specific table so that you get to know your assigned head waiter which, in my opinion, makes the experience even more fun.  For parents with little ones up to around 10 years old, the early time period is best if you want to try and maintain a normal sense of routine.  If you like to linger at the pool, however, the later time slot might suit your needs better. Your time dining is another option that let’s you dine between 5:45pm and 9:30pm.  If you want a change of pace, there are specialty restaurants on board including Fahrenheit 555 – the steakhouse and Cucina del Capitano – the Italian eatery.  These restaurants do charge an additional fee and you can make reservations just like you do at home.

OUR ADDITIONAL TIP

My Tip For Kids: Meals are included so let the kids try EVERYTHING!  Open up their palates and sample something new.  There’s everything from Mexican to Indian food and a cruise is the time to try and  introduce them to new flavors and cultures….even the adults can be a bit more adventurous!  However, if you are looking for some familiar dishes while on board, then check out the kids menu, specially created for the kiddos. Featuring meals such as hot dogs and mac n’ cheese, there’s something for every kid.

My Tip For Parents: If you’re looking to take a break from the main dining room, you might be interested in trying one of the restaurants on board the ship. If sushi is your weakness, Bonsai Sushi offers fresh handmade rolls. We enjoyed the California and Philadelphia rolls and there were some interesting specialty rolls offered as well. We also checked out the steakhouse and Italian restaurant on board to gauge the atmosphere there.  There is an additional cost to dining at one of the specialty restaurants, but you might find it a nice change of pace during the course of the week. With a much more subdued atmosphere, it’s definitely a great place to grab some food, some drinks, and take time for yourself!

My Tip For Grandparents: The dining room offers a lot of choices for guests, but if you have special requests* such as a low-cholesterol or low-sugar menu items, just let your dining team know at the start of your meal. They can provide you with options that will suit your needs.  Advance notice is not required, but special food requests are available in the main dining rooms only.  If you don’t have any restrictions, consider making a reservation to dine at The Chef’s Table.  You can enjoy a wonderful meal while watching the hustle and bustle of a face paced cruise kitchen.  Seats are limited, so if you are interested, sign up right away!   *Carnival Cruise Lines also offers vegetarian, low-carb, gluten free, Indian vegetarian or Kosher meals as well.

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