Despite claims that this year is going to be a "very, very big year for food" for Carnival Cruise Line, not all changes have been met with eternal praise.
Carnival abruptly replaced its beloved SeaDay Brunch menu, with classics like the Skillet Cake, Steak & Eggs, 12-Hour French Toast, Huevos Rancheros, and 7-Layer Chocolate Cake suddenly disappearing.
Although some cruisers are excited to try the new additions, many are still mourning the loss of their favorite dishes.
"I am very sad the steak and eggs are gone and the skillet cake," Becky 'Gitter' Liddicoat shared on Facebook.
Sandy Wallace added, "[O]h no not the skillet cake..it was one of my favorites."
"No huevos rancheros, no salmon eggs Benedict, no [7-layer] chocolate cake, no steak and eggs….going with cheaper options so it seems," agreed Joyce Hare DeBolt.
While many fan-favorites didn't make the cut, Carnival's new brunch lineup seems to be enticing to other passengers who may have been fed up with the repetitive options.
New SeaDay Brunch menu items include the Lemon Soufflé Pancakes, Chicken Taco, Dark Chocolate Cherry Decadence, Beef Brisket Hash, Classic Cobb Protein Bowl, and Bacon + Ham Mac & Cheese.
"Carnival can't please everyone. I'm glad they have a new seaday brunch menu. I hope they change the MDR dinner to the SEA dining. Their options include more Steak and Lobster dinners. The chili Lobster is tasty," said Pinky Jackson.
"To be honest, the menu has lots of great options. If your favorite has been removed, why not try something different? Maybe you will have a new favorite," Carrie Loewen added on a different post.
Read more: 11 foods you must eat on a Carnival cruise
Carnival is testing new dining room dinner menus
The new brunch menu isn't the only big change in the works. Last month, Carnival Cruise Line began testing new dining room menus aboard the Carnival Magic cruise ship. John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, later confirmed that the test is part of a broader effort to spruce up the line's dining offerings.
"We are...testing new menus on the Mardi Gras [and] Carnival Magic. [We are] testing new Lido Deck menus on some of the ships, different things going on [in] different places," Heald said in a short 3-minute Facebook video.
"We'll put it all together; we'll find out what you like and perhaps what you want to see changed, but it is going to be a very, very big year for food."
Not only that, but Carnival is implementing a clever dining change to fix a frustrating meal problem. According to a recent press release, Carnival's new Express Dining program aims to serve passengers in parties of six or fewer in under an hour.
Express Dining is an extension of the cruise line's flexible dining room option, allowing guests to dine when and where they choose each night of their voyage, rather than having the same dining time.
The quick dinner service offers a reduced menu with just a few appetizers, entrées, and desserts to choose from, including Carnival's famous chocolate melting cake. During the pilot, the Express Dining menu features just four appetizers, four entrées, and two desserts.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
