Carnival Valor Christmas Cruise MDR food

[BlerkOne]

plus maybe a few bonus shots. An honest review. In order to not repeat myself too much, everything was very good to excellent unless otherwise noted.

 

This was a 5 day cruise out of New Orleans with two sea days. Cozumel and Progreso were the ports.

 

First night's menu

 

QR-D1-Dining-Room-062123 - copy.pdf

[BlerkOne]

Crawfish Strudal

 

 

Szechuan Shrimp

 

BBQ Salmon

 

 

I think I'd give the edge to the Szechuan Shrimp, but enjoyed both very much and will enjoy again. When salmon came out, I was thinking what in the heck is on top, then remembered onion rings. I was afraid they might be soggy or otherwise off, but they were crisp and delicious.

 

Navel Orange Cake

 

 

I though the Navel Orange Cake was a little weak, but what do you want from a no sugar added dessert? It works.

 

Cheesecake:

 

Now we're talking!

 

[BlerkOne]

For grins, the Vegan menu

 

[BlerkOne]

Night 2 Menu

 

QR-D5-Dining-Room-062123 - Copy.pdf

[BlerkOne]

Night 2 Vegan Menu

 

[BlerkOne]

Elegant Night

 

 

[BlerkOne]

Tasty bread and real butter

 

 

French Onion Soup - not as good as the steakhouse, but you get what you pay for

 

Vine Ripened Tomatoes and Chopped Lettuce

 

Fried Mississippi Catfish - this was pretty good, but not as good as we have back home. But then, we have the best!

 

 

Pepper Steak - this was surprisingly really good.

 

 

Tiramisu - not much on presentation, but very good

 

 

Bartlett Pear Almond Cake - no sugar added, so a little weak.

 

 

I would get all of these again, except maybe the pear thing.

[BlerkOne]

Night 3 menu

 

QR-D3-Dining-Room-062123 - Copy.pdf

[BlerkOne]

Night 3 Vegan

 

[BlerkOne]

BBQ Spring Roll

 

 

Beef Steak Salad

 

 

Cast Iron Bronzed Fish

 

 

 

Really liked all of the above. Especially liked the kick of the andouille sausage with the fish.

 

Cappuccino Pot De Creme

 

 

Banana Creme Pie - I think this might be the same as on the Brunch menu

 

 

I would get all of the above again.

[MisterOJ2]

Thanks for posting these! I forgot to take screenshots of the menus when I was on the Spirit over Christmas. 

 

Quick question: Did you try ordering anything from the Vegan menu at all? We tried a couple times, but both times the waiter just looked confused, left for a moment and came back to tell us it wasn't available. 

[BlerkOne]

4 minutes ago, MisterOJ2 said:

Thanks for posting these! I forgot to take screenshots of the menus when I was on the Spirit over Christmas. 

 

Quick question: Did you try ordering anything from the Vegan menu at all? We tried a couple times, but both times the waiter just looked confused, left for a moment and came back to tell us it wasn't available. 

You're welcome. I did not try any of the vegan. This was my first look at the new menus and wanted to try the real deal first.

 

Meanwhile I have made myself hungry, so time for a king cake break!

[MisterOJ2]

2 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

You're welcome. I did not try any of the vegan. This was my first look at the new menus and wanted to try the real deal first.

 

Meanwhile I have made myself hungry, so time for a king cake break!

It was my first time with the new menus too. I was pretty happy with them overall. I know you said you liked the BBQ Beef Spring Roll. That was one of the few missteps for me. Mine were basically just some barbecue beef in a spring roll wrapper. I sorta wondered if that was the way they were supposed to be, or if the cooks on the Spirit just hadn't gotten the hang of those yet.

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, MisterOJ2 said:

It was my first time with the new menus too. I was pretty happy with them overall. I know you said you liked the BBQ Beef Spring Roll. That was one of the few missteps for me. Mine were basically just some barbecue beef in a spring roll wrapper. I sorta wondered if that was the way they were supposed to be, or if the cooks on the Spirit just hadn't gotten the hang of those yet.

I think that was pretty much it and exactly what I was expecting. I guess I appreciated something different from the everyday spring roll things. Not something I had seen before. Different from the Japanese version. Murican, doncha know?

[BlerkOne]

Night 4 Menu

 

 

QR-D4-Dining-Room-062123 - Copy.pdf

[BlerkOne]

Night 4 Vegan

 

[BlerkOne]

Parched Pig Ale and Cheddar Soup - always good

 

 

Fried Tomatoes - Enjoyed these

 

 

, Jerk Spiced Pork Chop - excellent. Pre-covid, Carnival was known for serving some tasty port chops. Then pork availability decreased and prices shot up. Well, it seems they are back!!!

 

 

 

Coffee Glazed Roast Duck - this was really good. Not so sure how much coffee is in the coffee glaze. I kept thinking there must be some molasses or similar in there.

 

 

Cheese Plate

 

Baked Alaska - this was good, but the serving/presentation was weak.

 

 

Looking forward to getting all of these again.

[BlerkOne]

Night 5 Menu - Ho Ho Ho

 

 

 

QR-Menu-Christmas - Copy.pdf

[BlerkOne]

I either misplaced or failed to get the Vegan menu for tonight. Perhaps too much Christmas cheer?

[BlerkOne]

Tonight some hard choices to make and I missed one or two items I meant to get... Oh well. Also picture quality declined. Yep, probably too much cheer.

 

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

 

 

BLT Wedge Salad

 

 

Grilled Black Tiger Jumbo Shrimps

 

 

Classic Bourbon Pecan Pie

 

 

 

[BlerkOne]

On the Christmas dinner, I wasn't that hungry and played it too safe. I thought the turkey might have been the usual turkey roll stuff, but that didn't appear to be what I saw on another tables plate. I probably should have tried it.

 

Perhaps I should have tried the Lobster and Crab soup. Don't know if I'll see that again on a menu.

 

I meant to try the Eggnog Cheesecake, but forgot to order it from the different section of the menu.

 

All in all, very impressed with the new menus and looking forward to trying them again on longer cruises. A real winner IMO.

 

 

[ninjacat123]

Thanks for the great review!  You weren't missing much with the Lobster & Crab Soup.  We had it on Elation and it was watery and tasteless.  I'll be on Freedom this Monday.  Maybe I'll try the Lobster & Crab soup....or maybe not😉

[john91498]

Thanks for the review on the new menus. Something for me to look forward to on the next cruise.

[jimbo5544]

4 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

On the Christmas dinner, I wasn't that hungry and played it too safe. I thought the turkey might have been the usual turkey roll stuff, but that didn't appear to be what I saw on another tables plate. I probably should have tried it.

 

Perhaps I should have tried the Lobster and Crab soup. Don't know if I'll see that again on a menu.

 

I meant to try the Eggnog Cheesecake, but forgot to order it from the different section of the menu.

 

All in all, very impressed with the new menus and looking forward to trying them again on longer cruises. A real winner IMO.

 

 

Thanks for the pics, agree on the assessment of the new menus.  

[BlerkOne]

Parked as I always do, at the port. Costs more, but too convenient. BTW, Disabled Veterans with proper id can park for free there.