Friends of ours just off the Glory and said the dining room meals were not up to par. They have traveled CCL many times and were shocked to see fried chicken, pork chops, and turkey and dressing on the diningroom menu. These were some of the same items being served on the buffet. We have also been on several CCL cruises and have always wondered how people could write on the message boards that the food was horrible. We have always loved the dining room food. We are taking our 7 children again this summer and going to the dining room every night is their highlight of the cruise, so have they "cut back on expenses" in the dining room food? They said the ship was far from being full capacity so maybe that had something to do with it. Anyone know anything? 

lianro:

 Friends of ours just off the Glory and said the dining room meals were not up to par. They have traveled CCL many times and were shocked to see fried chicken, pork chops, and turkey and dressing on the diningroom menu. These were some of the same items being served on the buffet. We have also been on several CCL cruises and have always wondered how people could write on the message boards that the food was horrible. We have always loved the dining room food. We are taking our 7 children again this summer and going to the dining room every night is their highlight of the cruise, so have they "cut back on expenses" in the dining room food? They said the ship was far from being full capacity so maybe that had something to do with it. Anyone know anything? 

Since the buffet and and dining room food come from the same kitchen, you will see some of the same items in both places. The difference is in the service in the dining room. If you want to be waited on and take your time and relax during a meal, then the dining room is for you. If you don't mind standing in line, carrying your food around on a tray and trying to find an empty table in the Lido buffet, then the Lido is ok. The presentation of the meals in the dining room will be much better, and is much more relaxing for most people. But some people will complain about little things. I have read hotel reviews, where in the same thread, one person will say the bed was too soft, and another will say the bed was too hard. I am a people watcher and find it fascinating how different people react to the same situation. I have noticed that children, for the most part, do not act out in the dining room compared to what you see in the buffet. In the dining room, they seem to enjoy dressing up and acting like little adults. I would not worry about the food. It will be great no matter where you sit. Have a great cruise!!!

here is a link to the menus that are being used on the Dream, and they tend to use the same menus on all the ships

http://www.zydecocruiser.com/CarnivalDream/GrandMed/Menus/MDR/mdr_porn.htm

 Thanks VA cruiser, we have went enough to know those certain foods that are a "must have" and "maybe I'll try that" so I am glad to see the menu. Just checking to see if things have changed THAT much. Thanks for the reply.

lianro:

 Thanks VA cruiser, we have went enough to know those certain foods that are a "must have" and "maybe I'll try that" so I am glad to see the menu. Just checking to see if things have changed THAT much. Thanks for the reply.

lianro ~ I was on the Imagination in September for triple backs and that was the first time I remember seeing pork chops on the menu and I did order the pork.  Let me say that it was the absolute BEST pork chop I have EVER had. 

Another note and a word of caution re: the menu, I love curried foods, my mom makes a killer (hot) curried chicken so one night I decided to finally try the Indian/Curried dish on the menu.   Very good, but VERY hot and spicy and I could not eat much of it at all.  It was beyond killer hot... 

We just got back from sailing the Spirit a few weeks ago and though I didn't think the food was that great I will say it wass much better in the dining room than on the lido deck.

As far as the kids on board they seemed decently behaved in both places but, we might just been lucky and missed any breakdowns by young ones on board.  Kids will be kids and as a mom and grandma i am more tolerant at times.

 We ate in the DR on the Inspiration and the meals were not the same as what was available on the Lido buffet.  The DR food was great.  The buffet was so-so, depending on what we ate.  It did seem fresher than our last cruise on the Liberty in 2008.

mamamo:

We just got back from sailing the Spirit a few weeks ago and though I didn't think the food was that great I will say it wass much better in the dining room than on the lido deck.

Most of the time our food was barely warm in the dr. We didn't eat much on the Lido except for breakfast and at least the omlets were hot. We aren't big eaters anyway.

As far as the kids on board they seemed decently behaved in both places but, we might just been lucky and missed any breakdowns by young ones on board.  Kids will be kids and as a mom and grandma i am more tolerant at times.

The only time we saw kids was in the dr next to us. The parents would remove them if they started in. As a grandma, I also am more tolerant now then I was. I know how stressful it is for the parents.

Oh, and on the last sea day there were a group of kids parading around with Carnival staff.

Thank you VA_Cruiser for the web site to the menu.  It makes me hungry just reading it.   They do have delicious food and on the Conquest it was to die for.  We had our niece with us and she is in great shape and does a lot of running and exercising. At dinner she ordered two of everything and we just sat and watched in amazment that someone so little could put away so much food.  Guess it was a testament to how great it was. I can't wait to try the breakfast and lunch in the dining room.  Didn't do it on our last cruise and I'm ready for it now.  Thanks again for all your good advice.

VA_Cruiser:

here is a link to the menus that are being used on the Dream, and they tend to use the same menus on all the ships

http://www.zydecocruiser.com/CarnivalDream/GrandMed/Menus/MDR/mdr_porn.htm

Great info for formal dining room menu/pictures great too.  I forwarded it to my sister and brother-in-law who are going on their first cruise with us in Dec. out of N.O. on Triumph.  Trying to find out if the balcony room bathrooms on the Triumph are like on the Conquest with shelves in bathroom around the vanity.  The Fantasy we were on in Sept. did not have much in the way of shelf space above the sink - thank goodness I brought an over the door shoe organizer to use.

They have cut back on the wait staff. The menu is now more compact.No more itemizeing appetizers,salads, entrees ect. and you must order all at once. dessert is seperate, On this last one on the Holiday in Oct. we found the food on the Lido deck of better quality. Better selection. also I like socializing with different people. On the Glory, 2 yrs ago the food was outstanding. It was served in a gorgeous tri-level dining area. We had a lovely Russian waiter who was constantly primping the table with his mini pan and broom. On the last day out they had the largest chocolate/ candy buffets I had ever seen. I think that Carnival is cutting costs every way it can. Blame the world economy.We Live in Al. and have the largest unemployment rate in the USA. Go figure!!

Happy cruisin..

PAUL AND SYLVIA.. CRUISIN WITH CARNIVAL SINCE 2004 

Pork chops and fried chicken is better than me having to cook dinner for a week!  I'll take whatever they want to throw my way...no cooking and no cleaning.

We have been cruising Carnival since 2001 and I see no decline in the quality of food on any of the ships.  We have always ordered starters, entree, everything except dessert when they first take your order. They then take your desset order and any coffee, etc.  You will always find someting you don't like on the buffet but there are a lot of different tastes that they try to accomodate.  The quality is no less than it has always been.  I have always found great food in both dining rooms as well as the delis, grills, etc.  I don't always care for the Chinese food on the Conquest but there are many other choices.  We love the fish and chip grill.  No complaints with food.

Joan