What's going on?

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, tonit964 said:

I've been on two Carnival cruises in less than a year and both times I thought the food was really good but I'm not a picky eater. There have been some dishes I didn't care for but that's just me and I'll never go hungry that's for sure.

 

I think Carnival does a great job with the included variety of food they have, there are just so many different venues with all different types. If you're in the mood for something, chances are, you'll find it on Carnival with none to very little upcharge. I'm partial to Guy's Burger's. 😄

You have summed it up pretty well, and based on facts.  Some of the negative drivel comes from those whose only view of a Carnival ship is on a live review here.

[jimbo5544]

2 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Some people aren't happy if they aren't complaining. The food on Carnival is fine. I know food is subjective, but some of the absurd comparisons made destroy any credibility some posters might have had.

 

The food and service I received on our recent Carnival Spirit cruise was perhaps the best since cruising restarted.

Bingo

[staceyglow]

12 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

Carnival's food has gone way downhill since the restart. Most people aren't okay eating "army chow" on an expensive vacation

That's just it. On Carnival, you aren't on an expensive vacation. Or at least I am not. 

 

I sail on Carnival only when I can get a good deal (and I don't get casino offers), and I still manage to sail on them multiple times a year. I think the food is more than fine for what I am paying. My cruises always cost less than what I would have to pay for a decent hotel room on a land-based resort, and I would still have to pay separately for food and entertainment. 

Sure, you can pay more for a suite or a Havana cabin, but at that price point I would rather sail on a "nicer" line. 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

5 hours ago, Hoosierpop said:

Well, you could overpay if you pay more for Carnival than princess. But as a Carnival shareholder, in appreciate people like you. So thanks. 

you do know Carnival owns Princess, right?

[Hoosierpop]

1 minute ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

you do know Carnival owns Princess, right?

Yes. And so if people are willing to overpay to go on Carnival ships….bonus.

[staceyglow]

1 minute ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

you do know Carnival owns Princess, right?

I believe the poster is implying that the profit margin is higher if you "overpay" on Carnival. 

 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

Just now, staceyglow said:

I believe the poster is implying that the profit margin is higher if you "overpay" on Carnival. 

 

yes, I believe you are right.

However, there was no suitable or well priced Princess cruise for this Thanksgiving, so I booked Carnival. Now that I am price shopping for 2026, and Princess offers a better price, experience and a fully refundable deposit for the same week, I will book Princess.

In 2025 Celebrity was offering better deals, so that's what I booked. Every time I looked at Carnival's prices for the same weeks, they were scarier than X.

[Knights on the Beach]

12 hours ago, mz-s said:

Carnival has gone from serving lots of fresh-made food to serving lots of frozen Seapak, Freezer Queen, Banquet, etc., style foods. Even the deli sandwiches are frozen and briefly microwaved/toasted "to order" (but still cold when served).

Not all deli sandwiches are premade and frozen. Last week on Mardi Gras I had a ham & cheese on pretzel bun that was made in front of me - it wasn't on the menu and she had no problem making it for me.

[jimbo5544]

3 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

yes, I believe you are right.

However, there was no suitable or well priced Princess cruise for this Thanksgiving, so I booked Carnival. Now that I am price shopping for 2026, and Princess offers a better price, experience and a fully refundable deposit for the same week, I will book Princess.

In 2025 Celebrity was offering better deals, so that's what I booked. Every time I looked at Carnival's prices for the same weeks, they were scarier than X.

Carnivals (the corporation) brands of products offers a breadth of options.  At times, brand Y can be better than brand W (notice I did not say X).  Princess ships move all over the world, I can easily understand that a focus by them to re-engage in the Caribbean can be offered at a somewhat lower price.  I guess the real question is how Royal can charge outlandish rates for virtually the same thing.

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

you do know Carnival owns Princess, right?

Carnival Corp owns Carnival Cruise Line, Princess, Holland America, etc 

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, Knights on the Beach said:

Not all deli sandwiches are premade and frozen. Last week on Mardi Gras I had a ham & cheese on pretzel bun that was made in front of me - it wasn't on the menu and she had no problem making it for me.

I haven't seen a premade deli sandwich in forever. I visited the deli a few times on our cruise last month and not once did I see a premade sandwich. Every sandwich was created in front of the person ordering it. 

 

I had bacon added to a ham and cheese sandwich - no problem and everything made fresh 

[HappySails4U]

13 hours ago, Cinnamon2 said:

Any day eating cruise food is better than shopping for/cooking/serving/cleaning up after a meal at home.  I have always found cruise food to be good.

Yes!!  One of my favorite parts of the cruise experience is that I do not have to be the kitchen staff / cook for the week  and can just sit back and someone will clear the table for me !!