Carnival Cruise Line aims to level up cruise dining
Carnival cruise dining is getting a major upgrade as the cruise line rolls out The Next Course, a new culinary initiative that's bringing new dining experiences and bold flavors across the fleet.
Driven by dining insights gathered on board as Carnival ships serve more 100 million meals each year, The Next Course is shaping the future of Carnival cruise dining. It aims to give passengers more of what they crave on vacation and help Carnival stand out in an increasingly competitive vacation world.
"We really are trying as a cruise line to really set trends and to be different - bold in flavors but delicate in ingredients," Carnival's Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse said during a special event held in New Orleans to unveil The Next Course.
From menu revamps to new specialty dining options serving destination-inspired cuisine coming to brand-new Excel-class ships, Carnival is on a mission to offer passengers elevated dishes and enhanced menu variety without compromising its core, fan-favorite offerings like the ever-popular Guy's Burger Joint.
"Our approach to dining combined with our team's amazing service is a driving force behind Carnival's success," added Carnival President Christine Duffy. "Our latest culinary adventure marks a bold step forward to give guests an unforgettable experience with a variety of new vibrant flavors fleetwide."
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The Next Course brings fleetwide dining enhancements to Carnival ships
Over the last year, Carnival has introduced an array of new dining options on ships across its fleet as part of The Next Course initiative, with an emphasis on upgrading complimentary cruise dining options. Those fleetwide culinary enhancements include:
- Refreshed Menus: New menu items in the Main Dining Room for breakfast, Seaday Brunch, and dinner; Lido Marketplace menu additions including a new Lido Family Menu offering daily kid-approved favorites; and new BlueIguana Cantina rotating specials
- Bagels @ Sea: Freshly baked bagels with assorted toppings available on the Lido Deck at breakfast
- Chef's Table Menu Revamp: Updated menus for Carnival's VIP multi-course dinners featuring regionally inspired flavors
- Pop-Ups: Fun dining pop-ups for more fast-casual food options fleetwide, including Fruity & Frosted Breakfast Bars and Ice Cream and Milkshake Bars featured on Excel-class ships
- Mobile Coffee Shop Order & Pickup: Expanded grab-and-go options and mobile ordering for greater convenience
- Express Dining: A quicker, more convenient dining option available to passengers who select Your Time Dining for dinners in the Main Dining Room
New restaurants coming to Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale
Along with enhancements to complimentary cruise dining fleetwide, Carnival is introducing a new collection of restaurants and bars aboard its next Excel-class ships. Chef Lagasse offered a sneak peek of the new specialty restaurants debuting on Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale during The Next Course event in New Orleans.
Carnival Festivale is set to launch from Port Canaveral, Florida in spring 2027, and Carnival Tropicale will debut from Galveston, Texas in spring 2028.
Related: Try these casual cruise ship specialty dining gems
New specialty restaurants launching on Carnival Festivale include:
- Emeril's Coastal Seafood: Coastal-inspired dining from Emeril Lagasse featuring American seafood specialties from the Gulf to New England
- Uku Lei Lei: Hawaiian specialties and Asian classics
- Fetaccine: Mediterranean-inspired dining that blends Italian favorites and Greek specialties
- Le Bistro Musicale: A venue exclusive to Carnival Festivale serving classic French cuisine in a relaxed, music-filled, Parisian-style setting
Carnival Festivale will also feature several new bars that are unique to the ship, including:
- The Spark: A vibrant lounge featuring live performances and cocktails inspired by iconic songs
- Mix: A playful bar where guests can order creative cocktails or craft their own drinks, layering unique flavors
- Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar: A dynamic space for specialty coffees and cocktails
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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 10:11 AM.