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There are two dining rooms (Four Winds, and Seven Seas); both are large and have low ceilings, making the raised center sections seem crowded (intimate?) and noisy because they are always full. There’s a choice of either fixed time dining (6pm or 8:15pm), or flexible dining (any time between 5:45pm and 9:30pm).

Carnival meals stress quantity, not quality, although the company constantly works hard to improve the cuisine. However, food is still not the company’s strongest points (you get what you pay for, remember).

While the menu items sound good, their presentation and taste may prove disappointing. Meats are of a high quality, but fish and seafood are not. Presentation is simple, and few garnishes are used. Many meat and fowl dishes are disguised with gravies and sauces. The selection of fresh green vegetables, breads, rolls, cheeses and fruits is limited, and there is too much canned fruits and jellied desserts. However, do remember that this is banquet catering, with all its attendant standardization and production cooking (it is, therefore, difficult to ask for anything remotely unusual or off-menu).

Although there is a decent wine list, there are no wine waiters. The service is highly programmed, although the waiters are willing and reasonably friendly. However, the waiters do sing and dance, and there are constant waiter parades; the dining room is show business – all done in the name of eventual gratuities.

The Lido Cafe self-serve buffets are very basic, as is the selection of breads, rolls, fruit and cheeses. At night, the “Seaview Bistro”, as the Lido Cafe becomes known, provides a casual (dress down) alternative to eating in the main dining rooms, serving pasta, steaks, salads and desserts (it typically is in operation between 6pm and 9pm).

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2010.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008