Key Aspects:
- Carnival Cruise Line has shared the Christmas Dinner menu for crew members.
- A global variety of dishes is offered, as well as classic and familiar favorites.
- Guests are happy the crew has so many options and wouldn’t mind trying a few themselves.
Food is a tremendous part of holiday celebrations in many different cultures and countries. Carnival Cruise Line tries to honor the most delicious holiday traditions with gala menus for special occasions, but what about crew members onboard?
Carnival Cruise Line crew members have dedicated dining rooms not open to guests. These crew mess halls have to cater to global tastes and widely varied diets, including on the holidays.
“I also thought it would be nice to share the Christmas menu for the crew,” said John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador. “It is designed by a fabulous executive Chef Roshan to include all the different tastes that come [with] having 50 or more national represented on board.”
The incredibly diverse Team Dining Christmas Dinner includes dishes from many different countries and regions, including Thailand, Russia, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Zimbabwe, the Philippines, Indonesia, Poland, Colombia, and more.
Carnival Crew Christmas Menu
Crew members may start their delicious dining with a “Charcutier Platter” with cured meats, cheeses, and other gourmet nibbles; som tam with dried shrimp and green papaya; festive seafood soup in a warm tomato wine broth; or a mimosa salad with cheese, eggs, tuna, and mayonnaise.
For entrees, just a few of the amazing selections include sea bass roasted with herbs, olive oil, and lemon as well as beef stew slow cooked in a peanut sauce or a crispy pork sauteed with chili. Other options include a goat curry in a spiced broth, traditional cheese pierogi, and roast beef tenderloin.
Crew members may also enjoy the traditional tom turkey carving station accompanied with stuffing, gravy, and cranberry relish.
A make-your-own salad bar is available, as well as pizza with a customizable selection of toppings.
Side dishes that can be ordered along with the entrees include simmered lentils with aromatic spices, traditional African maize meal, steamed vegetables, white rice, French fries, and mashed potatoes.
The crew menu also includes “Always Available” selections. Even on holidays, crew members can enjoy veggie burgers, hot dogs, or a grilled chicken breast.
Of course, no holiday meal is complete without dessert. On the crew menu are treats such as warm toffee pudding, gingerbread financier, and a deconstructed cheesecake. A selection of ice cream as well as fresh fruits are also available.
Read Also: Christmas on a Cruise Ship – What to Expect
For guests curious about the different dishes or new crew members who may be unfamiliar with so many diverse options, the crew menu is clearly labeled for options that are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, contain pork or nuts, or are extra spicy.
This will help crew members be sure their dietary preferences are met while allowing them to enjoy a wide range of dishes from different cultures and countries.
Guests React to Crew Menu
Many guests were surprised (and pleased!) at the diversity of Carnival’s crew holiday menu, noting that the cruise line does a great job at offering dishes from different parts of the world.
“I’m very happy to see the chefs make such an effort to bring such a wide variety for the crew that’s away from home,” one guest said.
“Catering to all crew nationalities, thumbs up!” another added.
More experienced guests reminisced that the menu brought back memories of their own world travels, and even requested that Carnival considering adding some of these dishes to guests’ menus as special options, particularly on longer and more immersive Journeys cruises.
One guest was especially happy to see the crew menu as the holiday approaches.
“It’s my daughter’s first Christmas as crew, I don’t need to worry she is missing out after seeing this choice,” the guest commented.
Crew Meals Not Quite as Leisurely
While Carnival’s crew members will enjoy the special treats offered on the holiday dinner menu, they won’t have quite as much time to indulge in the deliciousness as guests onboard.
After all, crew members do work seven days a week on different shifts and rotations to ensure everyone aboard has a phenomenal vacation, regardless of whether it is a holiday or not.
“While you will all be enjoying a leisurely Christmas dinner, our crew will be walking down I-95 to the crew or staff or officers mess to enjoy this food but perhaps not in such a leisurely way as they have to get back to serving and entertaining you,” Heald said.
While it can be difficult to be far from family and friends at this time of year, crew members form their own bonds as the Carnival family and find their own ways to celebrate on board, happy to share wonderful experiences together and bring happiness and cheer to every guest.
