Carnival Answers Condiment Quandary – Where to Get Them?
Fries (or chips if you’re British) are a ubiquitous side dish for fast casual food, whether they’re alongside burgers, hot dogs, deli sandwiches, or chicken tenders. But what condiment provides the best topping for your fries?
Inquiring Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassadors want to know.
John Heald’s inquiry follows a recent guest aboard Carnival Dream (homeported year-round from Galveston, Texas) and how upset they were that their preferred fry topping was not as available as they would have preferred.
“Mayonnaise is the #1 thing us Texans [like] to put on French Fries but y’all hide it away like gold dust,” the guest colorfully described. “There should be a pot of Duke’s mayo on every table at the Dream’s buffet. There’s not. Why!”
Duke’s Mayonnaise is the third-largest brand of mayonnaise in the US. In comparison to other brands, it has no added sugar and uses more egg yolks as well as apple cider vinegar, giving it a tangier taste than many people expect. Invented in 1917, it has quite a fan following, especially in southern states.
Mayonnaise may not be the first thing all cruise travelers reach for when they are about to enjoy a plate of fries, but for those who do want the tangy topping, Heald clarified where mayo is available onboard.
“There is mayo available on the buffet line, at the serving areas for the Deli and Guy’s Burgers, and you can always ask the crew if you need help,” he noted.
Heald goes on to ask about top toppings, sharing his own assumptions about the king of condiments (and a very bad pun).
“I thought ketchup was the number one condiment but Hell Man – what do I know,” he said. “Complete the blank – I put … on my fries.”
More than 3,100 commenters have chimed in with surprising results.
While ketchup is definitely a front-runner in the unofficial survey, Carnival cruise guests have some interesting choices for what they will use for dips or toppings on fries.
Spicy ketchup, chipotle mayo, honey mustard, sour cream, hot sauce, ranch dressing, steak sauce, and even truffle or garlic aioli all have their proponents, along with classics such as chili, cheese, barbecue sauce, and malt vinegar.
More Texans have also joined in with their thoughts on the best fry condiments in the Lone Star State.
“Everyone knows most Texans want salsa on their French fries,” one commenter noted (but without a lot of agreement from others).
Many others note that they’re from Texas and have never seen anyone use mayonnaise on their fries, nor would they try the taste combination themselves.
Read Also: Free Carnival Cruise Dining Options You’ll Want to Know – With Menus!
My own preference for the most flavorful fries? Salt. Too much salt, but I’m on vacation. I will not, however, agree with the person who insists that ice cream is a perfect French fry topping or anyone who thinks fries should be dipped in milkshakes.
The Great Ketchup Debate
Surprisingly, this is not the first time that condiments have been of great concern for Carnival cruisers.
In November 2024, when Carnival Cruise Line announced an expanded late-night snack menu, one concerned guest questioned Heald about the availability of ketchup.
“Will these bottles be on every table or do we have to scavenge for them like we do our Platinum freebies?” the guest asked, referencing the fact that VIFP loyalty gifts must be picked up and are no longer delivered to guests’ staterooms.
Furthermore, the guest went on to note that catsup was not acceptable and that ketchup is the only reasonable option.
To be clear, Carnival Cruise Line serves Heinz ketchup. While the brand may matter to some discerning guests, the spelling should not – both ketchup and catsup are simply different spellings for the same condiment.