I do not choose food when booking a cruise. Itinerary, value and customer service is why I cruise. If you can book less than two months out, Alaska seems to be very competitive. If you have to plan I would not know. I am a last minute cruiser. I tried Carnival for the first time 10 years on the Panorama in January. Have since cruised on the Spirit and Splendor. If it wasn't for the VIFP price I wouldn't have tried. There was nothing different between the ships. Red, white, blue and blaaaaaaaa. Had a great cruises and I like Walmart, but I will prefer to cruise other cruise lines.