Carnival Cruise Line Testing New Lunch Option
All experienced cruise travelers are very familiar with how chaotic and stressful embarkation day can be. Especially during the first few early hours, before staterooms are open to all guests and everyone is just trying to find their way around. Crowds can be overwhelming!
Add in the fact that you may also be hungry, either having traveled that day to reach your ship or just craving those first cruise line treats, and hangry feelings can quickly sour that first cruise impression.
Carnival Cruise Line is now testing a new lunch option onboard, bringing the most popular lunch choices to a different area to help ease crowding.
The cruise line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, is visiting Carnival Sunrise as he is in Miami, Florida for the annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference, a trade event for all things cruise line.
Before the event, however, Heald stopped by the former Carnival Triumph for his classic “walkies” and to share some great views of the ship and her ever-enthusiastic crew.
One thing Heald shared is a new test onboard, with a select lunch being offered outside the Red Frog Pub on Deck 5, Promenade Deck.
“Interesting test on this ship and lunch being served next to the pub, where you can get a Guy Fieri burger. Take a look,” Heald said, sharing a short video of the setup.
The small buffet-style station includes all of Carnival’s classic lunch favorites: a salad bar, fresh fruit, chicken tenders, veggies, roasted potatoes, pasta, fresh bread, and more.
Of special note is that the Plain Jane from Guy’s Burger Joint, complete with SMC (super melty cheese) is immediately available, along with a side of those delicious seasoned fries.
Of course, don’t miss the desserts – a variety of cookies, German chocolate cake (my favorite!), and the iconic funfetti cheesecake, which is only offered on embarkation day.
“The favorite, funfetti cheesecake,” Heald noted, panning across the dessert station. “That is so popular, I don’t know why I’ve never had it, but everybody raves about it.”
Granted, I haven’t had it either, but seeing how often it’s mentioned and how popular it does seem to be, it’s on the top of my must-have list for my next Carnival cruise coming up later this year.
“You don’t have to go to Lido, if you’re coming on the Sunrise … just come down here,” Heald urged.
Typically, embarkation day lunch is offered at the Lido Marketplace buffet. On Carnival Sunrise, that serve-yourself restaurant is aft on Deck 9.
As many frequent cruisers can attest, however, the lido buffet can become frustratingly crowded, especially around 12-1 p.m. when hundreds of hungry guests have boarded the ship but staterooms are not yet open.
It can be difficult to find seats, especially for groups or families that may still be carrying luggage, even just smaller carry-on bags.
Now, this new test of a lunch station on Deck 5 gives guests another place to enjoy their favorites but without the crowds. Furthermore, sitting in the Red Frog Pub can be more relaxing and comfortable, and is inside (and air-conditioned) to boot.
A significant portion of seating near the Lido Marketplace is outdoors, which can be less comfortable on those hot summer South Florida embarkation days or when afternoon thunderstorms might threaten.
Having another lunch option on another deck might also help ease some elevator congestion, which is also very chaotic on embarkation day.
Will This Test Lunch Become Permanent?
Heald is clear that this new setup is being tested, but there is no indication whether or not Carnival Sunrise is the only ship to be using it at the moment.
If successful, it is possible other embarkation lunch setups might be offered elsewhere on additional ships, helping ease crowds and giving travelers more options for their first taste of a cruise vacation.
Read Also: Free Carnival Cruise Dining Options You’ll Want to Know (With Menus!)
It is also unclear if the setup might also be used on other days during the cruise, though it could certainly be useful during days at sea. During port days, there is less need for additional dining spaces as many guests will be off the ship enjoying shore excursions or trying local restaurants instead.
Undoubtedly, Carnival Cruise Line may tweak such experiments in different locations and with different menu items to find exactly what will work best at which times.
Personally, I wouldn’t miss the Lido Marketplace chaos – an apple, a burger and fries, and more than a few desserts (I’m on vacation!), and I’m a happy cruiser!