The “The Next Course” culinary program will debut on the upcoming Excel Class ships and also bring new dishes and services to vessels already in operation
By Krooze Editorial Team
Carnival Cruise Line, represented in Brazil by Discover Cruises, unveiled “The Next Course”, a program that marks a new phase in its culinary strategy. The initiative will bring together new restaurants, bars, menus, and dining services on the company’s upcoming ships, in addition to new offerings on the 29 vessels already in its fleet.
The project’s main highlights will be four restaurants debuting on Carnival Festivale, scheduled for 2027, and Carnival Tropicale, set to launch in 2028. The two ships will be the final members of the Excel Class.
According to Juan Fernandez, Carnival’s vice president of Food and Beverage, the strategy aims to combine the experiences developed for the new ships with improvements to the culinary offerings available across the fleet.
New restaurants coming to the Excel Class
Created in partnership with chef Emeril Lagasse, Carnival’s chief culinary officer, Emeril’s Coastal Seafood will be inspired by the coastal cuisines that have influenced his career. The menu will include grilled seafood and New England classics, such as crab meat cakes.
Uku Lei Lei will combine Hawaiian influences with Asian flavors, while Fetaccine will bring together elements of Italian and Greek cuisines, with dishes inspired by ingredients such as feta and fettuccine.
Bistro Musicale will have Parisian inspiration and offer French recipes such as croissants, quiche, croque madame, onion soup, and steak frites, accompanied by a musical program.
Carnival Festivale will feature music-inspired bars
The food and beverage offerings aboard Carnival Festivale will be integrated with the ship’s musical identity. New features will include The Spark, with music-inspired cocktails, a guitar-shaped bar, and live performances.
Mix will be inspired by electronic music. Meanwhile, Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar will operate as a coffee shop during the day and transform into a music and cocktail venue at night.
The company also intends to expand the Alchemy Bar concept, one of the best-known bars in its fleet.
Carnival updates dining on ships across the fleet
“The Next Course” will also bring changes to restaurants on ships already in operation. Carnival has adjusted dining times to accommodate guests who prefer to dine earlier and created Express Dining, a three-course option with faster service.
The option was designed for those who want to combine dinner with shows and other nighttime activities on board.
Menu updates take into account data collected from the more than 100 million meals served annually by the company. Popular dishes such as steak, barbecue ribs, shrimp cocktail, kung pao chicken, and chocolate cake will remain available.
New options will include lamb duo, Beef Wellington, and bacon-wrapped pork loin. Menus will also feature dishes such as stuffed portobello mushrooms, grilled salmon, chicken breast, and cuts of beef.
Menus will be adapted to itineraries
Other changes include expanded options at Bagels at Sea and new dishes at the Lido Marketplace buffet, such as chicken and waffles. The company is also preparing family-focused alternatives and temporary milkshake stations on Excel Class ships.
Menus may vary according to the length and profile of the itinerary. Longer cruises will feature additional comfort food options, such as meatloaf with bourbon barbecue sauce, fish and chips, fried chicken sandwiches, and mac and cheese with different toppings.
According to Fernandez, new dishes are tested on board before being introduced across the fleet. During the process, chefs assess portions, flavors, and accompaniments to maintain consistency between ships.
Carnival’s culinary strategy will be guided by four principles: offering flavorful, accessible food, served at the right time and with a consistent standard across the fleet.
For more information, consult your travel agent!
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