DPTexas

A friend used this last year on the Breeze because she only eats a gluten-free diet. She was worried about having an enjoyable "food experience" and we were worried, too, but it worked out great. The Menu Mate kiosk was located in the buffet area but may be in a different location on other ships. There the staff helped her with lunch options and also that night's menu in the MDR. They were very helpful about choices and then made a notation about her dietary needs. Then, each night after our meal in the MDR was over, she was able to see what her breakfast options were and then make her meal selection for dinner in the MDR. Although, she was able to adjust her menu, so she didn't feel "struck" with her meal if she had a change in mind. Each night, the waitstaff automatically brought her gluten-free bread. One night she forgot to make a selection and our waitstaff caught her before she left the MDR. For lunch, she found that just by asking at the food stations, they were able to provide her with gluten-free options. I recall one day she had a sandwich from the deli and asked for fries and was told that the fries were not gluten-free, but the potato salad was. When she ordered a pizza, it was prepared in a separate area in the back and the server changed their gloves and apron. We were all very impressed with our friend's food options and the service provided by Carnival. Hope this helps.

We love the cold soups in the MDR and depending on the flavor, sometimes we have it as an appetizer and then for dessert. My favorite was the lychee cold soup but have only seen it once on the menu.

This just happened to us on the Panorama at the spa when we had a couple's massage. It was pre-paid and then charged again. I went to the spa to talk to them about it after seeing the charge on my account on the HUB app. They said it would be taken off that same day, but the next day it was still there so I went to Customer Service Desk, and they handled it right then and there. It also helped that I always print out my booking pages, so all our pre-paid items are listed. We were told that it is always best to take care of charges like this while still on the ship, so we wanted to act quickly because it was a significant expense to be double charged.

We just sailed on the Panorama and found the elevators quite useful. However, too many people - especially groups - failed to read or figure out the system, so the elevators were often overloaded because they failed to press the floor they were going to for the number of people in their group. There is also a button on the kiosk when someone needs wheelchair access for the elevator. It was a bit odd not having any buttons inside the elevator to push and several times there was a discussion about having one labeled with something like "this button does absolutely nothing but pushing it may relieve stress at not having any buttons to push"! LOL! We had an excellent cruise with stellar service, wonderful weather and itinerary, great entertainment and excellent food. The Panorama also had a separate viewing area with flat screens and plenty of seating to watch sports - which was a smart idea and well-used. Two disappointments were the size of the entertainment venue, the Liquid Lounge because the size of the bar and bar seating took up a lot of other seating. Also, there was no separate smoke-free casino like we enjoy on the Breeze and Dream, so we spent very little time there - which was probably a good thing. This was our first time sailing out of Long Beach and on the Panorama. We chose it for the itinerary, which did not disappoint. If you port in Puerto Vallarta, the Rhythms of the Night excursion is a must-see, but book it early because it seems to sell out each cruise. LaRue 1975 is correct about the formal nights and moving the lobster to the 2nd formal night. Hope this info helps. Take care and happy cruising.

We will always choose the CT over the steakhouse! We were very disappointed with the steakhouse on our sailing on the Dream last February, but it might be that we are from Texas and are used to really great steaks. If available, we choose the CT every cruise because we enjoy the atmosphere, food, and company very much - but have also learned to pace ourselves. LOL!

In 2022, on three sailings on the Breeze and Dream, I had almond milk with my breakfast each morning. Just ask the server and they will bring it. It was delish with the homemade granola!

Had to edit my post a bit b/c we also usually book the Chef's Table each cruise - if it's available, so that's 1-night not eating in the MDR. Although, I am not sure a 3-day offers much time to do any specialty dining, it can be done.

Tell them to enjoy each moment. I cried the first time (and still get misty-eyed) I saw the ship and started the embarkation process. Sailing will always be such a pleasurable experience and vacation for us. Even though you do not eat in the MDR, I would highly suggest you and your friends eat there at least once - breakfast and then dinner - so they can experience it. We only eat in the MDR and enjoy the experience. For us, that is a huge part of our sailing experience. On a 3-day, they can't do it all. So, be sure to upload the HUB so they can plan their time wisely. Again, remind them to enjoy the cruise and warn them that cruising can be very addicting - it sure has for us!

We have seen it on both the Dream and Breeze but were told it is usually only available on embarkation day in the buffet - and it goes fast. So, perhaps, look for it on your first day b/c it may not be offered later.

We have enjoyed almond milk each morning at breakfast in the MDR on four Carnival cruises since the restart. We simply asked for it without thinking we needed to request it ahead of time. These sailings were on the Dream and Breeze, so not sure if that makes the difference. Crossing our fingers, it is available on the Panorama early next year. Hope this helps.

We have always enjoyed one last breakfast in the MDR on debarkation day. Watch for the times, though, because it seemed to end earlier this last cruise.

Not quite on topic, but there have been times when the entree did not interest me, so I have ordered and enjoyed 3 appetizers. Also, several times the cold fruity soups (which I had never experienced before cruising) have been so delish that I have had it as an appetizer and then for dessert. In addition to the melting chocolate cake, the chocolate panna cotta is not to be missed. Then, recently here on CC, I read that I can ask for a smaller portion entree - who knew!?!? Love this because sometimes I want to try a vegetarian option, too.

Congrats on your first Carnival cruise! We love breakfast every morning in the MDR and the sea day brunch is fabulous. One of my favs is the homemade granola - I always look forward to it and seek it out when previewing the menus on the HUB app. I also love that I can have it with almond milk. The variety of food is great, as well as superb service as always. One warning though, watch the times for breakfast because they seem to have changed and appear to be shorter - especially on shore days. Lunch for us is a toss-up and not as important for our meal needs because we look forward to eating in the MDR - so breakfast and early dining are our choices. For those cruisers who enjoy lunch, there are lots of options - a different variety each day. If I "lunch", it's definitely the deli for me. Enjoy your cruise!

Depending on what family member or friend is sailing with us, upon booking we will tell our PVP of a food issue. Years ago, after boarding, guests would have to seek out the Maitre-D to discuss this, but recently on the Dream, we were told to find the Menu Mate kiosk that was located in the buffet area near the Wok station. The employees are there to guide guests through the daily menus for particular food allergies or sensitivities. We ate most meals in the MDR and the servers there also helped confirm the following breakfast and dinner menu options. Not sure about the cross-contamination issue for all food stations, but we were told and saw first-hand that the pizza station makes gluten-free pizzas in a separate area in the back to avoid cross-contamination with the other crusts. Hope this helps.

We just got off the Dream and the self-serve ice cream & frozen yogurt were available the whole cruise. I saw people eating it all times of the day and night, including the morning of debarkation. I personally enjoy a chocolate chip cookie topped with the chocolate ice cream. May have been limited (or out) on the Breeze, but it was definitely available on the Dream.

No one in my family drinks alcohol and we dine at the Chef's Table every cruise when it is offered. We always enjoy the food, experience and the company, and have never felt as if we received less of a value because we did not drink the wine. Hopefully, you will have the same experience. They do offer "clear/regular" or "sparkling" water for those not drinking the wine. It is always a great experience with several courses, so pace yourself and enjoy it.

I love the dining experiences in the MDR, especially the cold soups as an appetizer and then sometimes again for dessert. It's great having the escargot and trying other dishes that I wouldn't usually fix at home. There is a great variety of menu choices, including very tasty vegetarian options. My family knows my choice for breakfast in the MDR on sea days - the homemade granola! It is delish and it's great that I can have it with almond milk. Looking forward to cruising soon! Happy cruising y'all!

After boarding, we first go to Muster to get it out of the way, then drop small carry on at our room, grab lunch at Cucina del Capitano (glad it has reopened), then check out any changes in the smoke-free casino, and then watch the ship leave port. We usually sail out of Galveston, so we don't need to explore the Dream or Breeze much because we have sailed on them often, so we simply enjoy being able to cruise again and experience the most-relaxing vacations ever. Happy cruising y'all!

I was thrilled to get my email from Carnival with the updated information. We've been cruising since the restart - fully vaccinated, happily testing and wearing a mask. During our most-recent cruise in May, we masked less - during embarkation and disembarkation and for shows, but not during dinner and sometimes while walking around or relaxing. Fewer and fewer were wearing masks - which I also noticed recently in airports and on flights (I masked). In 30+ days we cruise and I was glad to hear about the "no" testing because it was becoming more-costly. I have already uploaded my vaccination card onto Verifly, but it only required info on the 1st booster and not the second. We have several cruises planned for 2023 and are wondering if the no-test will extend into the new year. I am sure it will depend on how things go these final months of 2022. Happy cruising y'all.

I booked several cruises from super offers (with a free balcony, OV including deluxe OV) immediately after the cruise restart and thought they would never be as great since bookings have increased. I was shocked when I recently received the same super offer (basically free great rooms) and have (again) booked several cruises from it. So, I hope the OP takes advantage of these great offers and enjoys the cruises. BTW, my funny back story is before I started cruising, I had peers who would tell me about having 4-7 cruises booked at one time and a year or two in advance and I could not understand it. Now, I think it's strange if people don't! LOL! There are some great offers out there, and we never know how long they will last! So, book 'em!

For us, when we were comped dinner at the Cucina del Capitano, we were asked by the pit boss/host what night and time we wanted dinner and were told to simply show up. Upon arrival, we told the hostess our names, were seated and served. It was so easy. Although we were told that the gratuity was included (we never saw the bill), we left an additional tip because the meal and service were both excellent. Sadly, Cucina was closed during our most-recent cruise, so we are looking forward to it opening back up so we can eat there on our next cruise. Same with the Chef's Table. Hope this explanation helps.

I'll ask him next time he is here! LOL! I'll keep him though because he is a certified piano tuner (CPTS), keeps up with the newest electronic tuning equipment and very qualified with years of experience. He also tunes pianos for area churches and schools. What I appreciate is that he takes his time, not only tuning my piano but also doing a regular check-up "under the hood" so to speak. So, I'll keep the piano tuner who has been tuning my piano for years and year, and I'll look on CC for the 2 to 2.5 hours while he does his skilled work so I can later do mine at the piano. Happy cruising and take care.

I received and answered the survey, too. I may skew some of the results because I do not cruise to watch tv and only watch the safety info and some of Shaq's episodes. We usually don't even have it on after the first day. Of course, I don't watch much tv normally anyway. Maybe I would opt to watch a bit more tv if I would get off the CC forums! (I'm having my piano tuned - which takes several hours, so this is how I am spending my time.) LOL!

I believe the close toe shoes suggestion was b/c the Chef's Table usually starts in the galley kitchen, so for safety precautions. The last one we did on the Dream, started in the seating area by the piano bar and then we were taken directly into the dining area so that safety precaution was not necessary. However, before that cruise, we noticed many people coming to the CT with open toe shoes/sandals. The best advice I can give is to: book it, enjoy it, but seriously pace yourself! The food is delish, but with many courses.

I brought my own dauber this past cruise on the Breeze, so they gave me an extra purple game card b/c I didn't need the dauber that came with the package I selected.