Carnival Cruise Line has a kids menu available in the main dining room each night at dinner. The options on Carnival's kids menu are usually consistent each night and available even on formal night. In this post I will take a look at the items Carnival serves for kids in the main dining room. 

What food items are offered on Carnival's main dining room kids' menu?
The following choices are available on Carnival Cruise Line's kids' menu at dinner in the main dining room:

• Hotdog
• Chicken Nuggets
• Hamburger
• Cheeseburger
• Pepperoni Pizza
• Cheese Pizza
• Peanut Butter & Jelly
• French Fries
• Fresh Veggies
• Pasta of the Day

What desserts are offered on Carnival's main dining room kids' menu?
The following dessert choices are available on Carnival's kids' menu in the main dining room. 

• Chocolate Brownies
• Banana Split
• Assorted Cookies
• Fresh Fruit Cocktail
• Ice Cream
• Jello

Is there an age restriction on the items available on the kids' menu?
Carnival Cruise Line does not have age restrictions on the kids' menu in the main dining room. Guests of any age are able to get these items. I personally get the banana split at dessert multiple times per cruise. 

Are kids required to eat from the kids' menu in Carnival's main dining room?
Kids are able to eat from either the regular menu or kids' menu while eating in Carnival's main dining room. The main dining room at dinner is complimentary and guests of all ages can eat from either menu. 

Do Carnival's youth programs offer meal service to the kids participating in the youth programs?
This will vary by ship and the youth program. Each Carnival youth program has an activity schedule that indicates what is happening for each age group. If a meal is being served it would be indicated in the youth program newsletter. Consult with the youth program staff once you are onboard for more information regarding any meals served to kids as part of the youth program experience.

Where can I find a copy of the menu from the ship?
Carnival's brand ambassador, John Heald, recently posted a picture of the kids' menu on Facebook. This menu is being served fleetwide as of June 2023. This post is my source of the menu choices contained in this post. Click Here To View the post by John Heald on Facebook (link will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide to Facebook). 

        Carnival Cruise Line announced new dining room menus are coming in 2023! The new menus are expected to bring some new food dishes, different presentation & portion sizes to some dishes, and additional specialty dining options. There are many details still not revealed about the new dining room menus, but over the next few days we will be able to see sample menus from Carnival's testing of these menus. Check out this post for the information currently known about the new dining room menus!
I expect new & updated information will be available throughout the next few weeks so please stay tuned to this page! Scroll down to the bottom of this page for Nights 1 through 8!

What We Currently Know About The New Menus:
Carnival's video of Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, gave some details about what guests can expect with the new menus. Below are some of the key points from this video: 

• A new dining room menu is being tested on Carnival Dream cruises starting with the Saturday, June 17, 2023 cruise departure.
• The new menu is expected to be rolled out in the fall to other ships.
• Carnival has been examining all aspects of the dining room menus and consulting with Chef Emeril Lagasse to develop the new menus. Emeril Lagasse serves as Carnival's Chief Culinary Officer. 
• According to Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, the new menus will bring 60 different entrée presentations and these will rotate. 
• The new main dining room menus are expected to have offerings from specialty dining venues from around Carnival's fleet. 
• Carnival is testing larger portion offerings on some entrees. According to Christine Duffy, the offerings with this option are based on guest feedback. 
• Guest favorites such as Chocolate Melting Cake and Bitter N'Blanc will still be offered on the new menus.
• The new menus will have more vegetarian options.
• Carnival will have an option to select a salad w/protein option.

To Watch Carnival's Introduction Video:
If you wish to watch the video John Heald posted on Facebook with Christine Duffy sharing some high level details please click here. This link will take you to Facebook, but no login should be required. 

Roll-Out Schedule For The New Menus:
Updated 7/23/2023:  Carnival has started announcing a fleetwide implementation schedule for the new menus. Ships are being announced on a month by month basis. Click Here To View My Post On The Implementation Schedule
The implementation is expected to last into the early part of 2024 so some Carnival ships will have the old menus for a few more months at a minimum. 

How can I find see the menu being offered on my cruise?
The Carnival Dream is the first ship to receive the new test menus. It is unclear when the other Carnival ships will be receiving the new menu. Once you are on your cruise you can view the menus on the Carnival Hub App under the dinner section of the "Food" tab or by using a QR code on your table. 

First Night Test Menu #1  -  Carnival Dream
This test menu was served on Saturday, June 17, 2023 on the Carnival Dream only. The menu is divided into appetizers, Emeril Selects, Entrees, Steakhouse Selections, and Desserts. John Heald post screenshots of this menu on Facebook showing the food options that are available to guests sailing on the ship. Click Here To View the post John Heald posted showing the menu screenshots (link will take you to Facebook). 

​Emeril Selects:
Appetizer: 
Crawfish Strudel
savory baked phyllo, sweet corn remoulade
Entree:
Firecracker Snapper
BBQ-basted, slice roast potatoes, southern greens, horseradish cream sauce

Entree:
​Szechuan Shrimp
scallions, garlic, angel hair noodle, peppers, bok choy
Cornish Game Hen
roasted root vegetables, pan gravy
12 Hour Braised Short Rib 
green beans, chive mashed potatoes, truffle au jus 
Pappardelle With Braised Lamb 
tomato cream sauce, garlic, parsley
Vegetable Wellington
tomatoes, roasted peppers, mushroom, feta cheese
Featured Indian Vegetarian
vegetable korma, masala eggplant, cumin rice
Featured Salad:
Ultimate Cobb Salad
chicken, bacon, egg, lettuce, onion, avocado, blue cheese, red wine vinaigrette
Everyday:
Grilled Chicken Breast
garlic & herbs, buttered vegetables, roasted potato 
Broiled Striploin Steak
creamy peppercorn sauce, buttered vegetables, roasted potato

Sauces:  chimichurri, bearnaise, peppercorn

Steakhouse Selections:
Carnival's menu shows the below are $23 for each entree plus an 18% service gratuity.

Dining Room Test Menu #2 (First Formal Night)  -  Carnival Dream
This test menu was served on Sunday, June 18, 2023 on the Carnival Dream only. The menu is divided into starters, Emeril Selects, Mains, Steakhouse Selections, and Desserts. John Heald post screenshots of this menu on Facebook showing the food options that are available to guests sailing on the ship. Click Here To View the post John Heald posted showing the menu screenshots (link will take you to Facebook). ​

Grand Mariner Souffle
warm creme anglaise
Chocolate Panna Cotta
chocolate sauce, vanilla crisp - no sugar added - 
Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake
Fresh Tropical Fruit Salad
Selection of Ice Cream

Dining Room Test Menu #5  -  Carnival Dream
This test menu was served on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 on the Carnival Dream only. The menu is divided into appetizers, Emeril Selects, Entrees, Steakhouse Selections, and Desserts. John Heald post screenshots of this menu on Facebook showing the food options that are available to guests sailing on the ship. Click Here To View the post John Heald posted showing the menu screenshots (link will take you to Facebook). ​

Entree:
​Chicken Parmigiana 
roasted broccoli, cauliflower 
BBQ Pork Spareribs
charred corn, coleslaw, steak fries
Pepper Steak
sliced onions, bell peppers, cheesy potato straw
Linguine and Clams
little neck clams, white wine, garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian parsley
Roasted Artichoke, Potato, and Cheesecake
sweet chipotle sauce, tomato sauce
Featured Indian Vegetarian
palak paneer kofta curry, chana madra, peas pulao

Featured Salad:
Smoked Salmon With Farro & Goat Cheese
baby greens, sour cream, goat cheese, walnut, farro seeds, radicchio, raspberry vinigrette

Everyday:
Grilled Chicken Breast
garlic & herbs, garlic parmesan green beans, mashed potatoes 
Broiled Striploin Steak
creamy peppercorn sauce, garlic parmesan green beans, mashed potatoes 

​Sauces:  chimichurri, bearnaise, peppercorn

Dining Room Test Menu #6  -  Carnival Dream
This test menu was served on Thursday, June 22, 2023 on the Carnival Dream only. The menu is divided into appetizers, Emeril Selects, Entrees, Steakhouse Selections, and Desserts. John Heald post screenshots of this menu on Facebook showing the food options that are available to guests sailing on the ship. Click Here To View the post John Heald posted showing the menu screenshots (link will take you to Facebook). ​

Appetizers:
Fried Shrimp
roasted red pepper remoulade
Jambalaya Pasta
fettuccine, chicken, shrimp, sausage, bell peppers, Cajun spices
Shrimp Cocktail
cocktail sauce
Mixed Greens
tomato, cucumber, red onion, carrots, balsamic dressing
Caesar Salad
house made dressing, Parmesan
Dill Lemon Comfort Soup
shredded chicken, orzo, lemon broth, egg drop
Baked Potato & Cheddar Soup
smoked infusion, pickle juice

​Dining Room Test Menu #7 (Second Formal Night)  -  Carnival Dream
This test menu was served on Friday, June 23, 2023 on the Carnival Dream only. The menu is divided into starters, Emeril Selects, Mains, Steakhouse Selections, and Desserts. John Heald post screenshots of this menu on Facebook showing the food options that are available to guests sailing on the ship. Click Here To View the post John Heald posted showing the menu screenshots (link will take you to Facebook). ​

Mains:
​Crawfish Fettuccini 
New Orleans classic, creamy sauce, Parmesan, scallions
Broiled Lobster Tail
fork mashed skin potatoes, buttered broccoli 
Chicken Cordon Bleu
ham, Swiss cheese, creamy lemon caper sauce
Slow Cooked Prime Rib 
baked potato, green beans, au jus
Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
seasonal vegetables, ragu di pomodoro, 3 cheese crust
Featured Indian Vegetarian
spiced stir-fried okra, dal makhani, navratan pulao

Dessert:
Creme Brulee
vanilla bean custard, demerara crust
Panna Cotta
blueberry compote, cream Chantilly
​Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake
Fresh Tropical Fruit Salad
Selection of Ice Cream & Sorbet
Cheese Plate

Dining Room Test Menu #8  -  Carnival Dream
This test menu was served on Saturday, June 25, 2023 on the Carnival Dream only. The menu is divided into appetizers, Emeril Selects, Entrees, Steakhouse Selections, and Desserts. John Heald post screenshots of this menu on Facebook showing the food options that are available to guests sailing on the ship. Click Here To View the post John Heald posted showing the menu screenshots (link will take you to Facebook). ​

General Reminder Regarding Menus: Please note, test menus are subject to change at any time as supplies and staffing can dictate which menu items are able to served. Additionally, please note that the exact presentation & ingredients that come with a certain dish are subject to change. If you have allergies or cannot eat a certain ingredient please consult with Carnival to determine if a dish is suitable for your consumption (it's always better to be safe than sorry so please be careful to avoid a serious allergic reaction or other issue). ​

       Thanksgiving is a busy time of year for cruising as typically kids are off school, some people use vacation time or holiday time to get away from work, and some people want to travel during the holiday. Galveston is a busy cruise port and has many options for cruisers wanting to sail from Galveston around the Thanksgiving 2023 timeframe. Guests can choose between Carnival Cruise Line ships, Royal Caribbean ships, or Princess Cruise Lines for a sailing that takes place over Thanksgiving.
               This post compiles cruises that will be sailing on Thanksgiving 2023 that depart from Galveston. Please note, sailing dates, itineraries, or ship assignments are subject to change at any time!

There are two Carnival Cruise ships that will be sailing from Galveston during the Thanksgiving 2023 timeframe. Guests wishing to cruise Carnival from Galveston on Thanksgiving can choose between the Carnival Dream and Carnival Breeze. Unfortunately, the Carnival Jubilee's initial cruises from Galveston were cancelled due to a shipyard delay so no 7 night cruise exists for the Thanksgiving holiday week. 

Carnival Dream
​           The Carnival Dream's 2023 Thanksgiving cruise is an 8 night cruise and scheduled to depart Galveston on Saturday, November 18, 2023. As of the time of writing, the Carnival Dream's 8 night cruise is scheduled to have port of call stops at Key West, Freeport, Nassau, and Half Moon Cay. 
         The Carnival Dream has a gross tonnage of 130,000 gross tons, has a double occupancy passenger capacity of 3,646 guests, and entered service for Carnival Cruise Line in 2009. 

Carnival Breeze
                The Carnival Breeze's 2023 Thanksgiving cruise is a 5 night cruise and scheduled to depart Galveston on Monday, November 20, 2023. As of the time of writing, the Carnival Breeze's 5 night cruise is scheduled to have port of call stops at Progreso and Cozumel. 
​                     The Carnival Breeze has a gross tonnage of 130,000 gross tons, has a double occupancy passenger capacity of 3,690, and entered service for Carnival Cruise Line in 2012. 

There are two Royal Caribbean cruise ships that will be sailing from Galveston during the Thanksgiving 2023 timeframe. Guests wanting to sail Royal Caribbean ships from Galveston for Thanksgiving 2023 can choose between the Harmony of the Seas or Voyager of the Seas.

Harmony of the Seas
​                  The Harmony of the Seas' 2023 Thanksgiving Cruise is a 7 night cruise and scheduled to depart Galveston on Sunday, November 19, 2023. As of the time of writing, the Harmony of The Seas' cruise is scheduled to have port of call stops at Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. 
                   The Harmony of the Seas has a gross tonnage of 226,963 gross tons, has a double occupancy passenger capacity of 5,479 guests, and entered service for Royal Caribbean in 2016. Click Here for Royal Caribbean's fact sheet on the Harmony of the Seas (link will take you away to Royal Caribbean's website). 

Voyager of the Seas
                  The Voyager of the Seas is scheduled to be in Galveston on Thanksgiving Day. As of the time of writing, this cruise is a 4 night voyage and is scheduled to have a port of call stop in Cozumel. 
​                      The Voyager of the Seas has a gross tonnage of 137,276 gross tons, has a double occupancy passenger capacity of 3,602 guests, and entered service for Royal Caribbean in 1999. Click Here for Royal Caribbean's fact sheet on the Voyager of the Seas (link will take you away to Royal Caribbean's website). ​

Princess Cruise Line will have one ship sailing from Galveston during the 2023-2024 winter season and this ship will be sailing from Galveston during the Thanksgiving timeframe. The Regal Princess is the only option cruisers from Galveston have for a Princess Cruise vacation in November 2023.

Regal Princess
                 The Regal Princess' 2023 Thanksgiving Cruise is a 7 night cruise and is scheduled to depart Galveston on Sunday, November 19, 2023. As of the time of writing, the Regal Princess' cruise is scheduled to have port of call stops at Belize, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. 
​                      The Regal Princess has a gross tonnage of 141,000 gross tons, a guest capacity of 3,560 guests, and entered service for Princess Cruises in 2014. Click Here for Princess Cruise's fact sheet on the Regal Princess (link will take you away to Princess Cruise's website). 

Norwegian Cruise Line Thanksgiving Cruises:
As of the time of writing, there are no Norwegian Cruise Line cruise departures from Galveston for Thanksgiving 2023. The Norwegian Prima will sail Galveston seasonally again starting in December 2023.

Disney Cruise Line Thanksgiving Cruises:
​As of the time of writing, there are no Disney Cruise Line cruise departures from Galveston for Thanksgiving 2023. The Disney Magic will sail Galveston seasonally again starting in December 2023.

The information posted above has been compiled from each cruise line's booking engine. Please note, any ship assignments, itineraries, cruise length, or attributes of a cruise are subject to change at any time. Please check with the respective cruise lines for the most up to date information.

         If you are taking a Carnival Cruise vacation on Father's Day there are a few events & activities scheduled to take place during your cruise to celebrate. The timing & exact events that will take place for Father's Day are based on your ship's planned itinerary & the onboard entertainment team, but Carnival's website gives a glance at some of the possible events & activities that may take place onboard for Father's Day! 
                Father's Day is always in June, but the exact date varies by year. Father's Day 2023 is scheduled for Sunday, June 18, 2023. In 2024 Father's Day is scheduled for Sunday, June 16, 2023. 

In this post I will take a look at some of the events & activities Carnival has listed for Father's Day 2023. If you are cruising during Father's Day 2023 I recommend you check out the onboard FunTimes activity newsletter and the Carnival Hub App to see which activities are taking place and the times/location of the activities.

Events & Activities For Father's Day:
Carnival's website lists out the activities for Father's Day. Unfortunately, the information on Carnival's website does not give much specifics regarding what the activity or event involves. 

• Appreciation Event - Carnival's website shows a Father's Day Appreciation Event. I do not have the exact details of what this event will involve.
• Father's Day Remembrance -  This event is primarily intended to remember the memories of those fathers who have passed away. 
• Trivia & Games -  Carnival has some trivia & games planned for Father's Day. According to Carnival's website games such as a Famous Dad's Trivia, Family Digital Scavenger Hunt,  and a Family Face Off game may be played.
• Themed Craft  - Carnival shows a special Father's Day craft is an option for an event.
• Youth Activities -  Carnival's website shows some sort of themed youth activity is scheduled to be planned for Father's Day. Carnival's youth programs are divided into different age groups and it is unclear which age groups will have the themed activity. 

Will these events & activities be taking place on Europe or Australia cruises?
                  I pulled the events & celebrations from Carnival's Celebrating Holidays FAQ on the US version of the Carnival website. Unfortunately, I do not know if these events or activities will be scheduled on cruises from Australia or Europe.

          Carnival Cruise ships will have a breakfast menu served on select days, typically port of call days. This breakfast menu is different than the Sea Day Brunch and focused on typical breakfast dishes. 
             In this post I share the dining room breakfast menu available on my recent 2023 Carnival Breeze cruise as well as some tips & info for eating in the dining room on a Carnival Cruise.

The first page of the menu is as follows:

The menu is technically divided into 2 pages, but due to the Carnival Hub App I had to take two screenshots of each page in order to get the information. Below is the 2nd page of the menu: 

Do you have to check-in using the Carnival Hub App?
                  It is highly recommended that you check in for breakfast in the main dining room using the Carnival Hub App. This will allow you to input who is dining and check-in when you are ready. If you do not have the Carnival Hub App you can check in with a hostess at the entrance to the dining room.

How can I view the menu on the Carnival Hub App?
                   On the Carnival Hub App under the Food section you will need to look for the breakfast check-in area and should see a small link that says menu. The menu button will allow you to view the menu that is going to be offered for the day. 

Can I make a special request for dining at breakfast on the Carnival Hub App?
                      The Carnival Hub App does not allow special requests, but you should speak to one of the hostesses or crew members working outside the dining room. They may be able to help with your request depending on the nature of the request and availability of resources. Common requests include being seated by a window or in a certain crew member's section. 

Which dining room does the breakfast take place in?
                      Most Carnival ships have more than one dining room. Typically the main dining room breakfast is in one dining room. Check your FunTimes activity newsletter or the Carnival Hub App to see which dining room & floor the breakfast is taking place at. 

Does eating in the main dining room at breakfast cost any additional money?
Most items and food are complimentary. However, some items are marked on the menu as costing extra. For example, some fresh pressed juice and specialty coffee & teas are marked as costing extra. Items that cost extra do carry a service gratuity as disclosed at the bottom of Carnival's menu. 

Is the menu the same as the Sea Day Brunch?
               Carnival's Sea Day brunch menu is different than what is offered on the port of call mornings as a breakfast. The Sea Day Brunch has more options that are oriented towards brunch while the port of call breakfast menu primarily focuses on traditional breakfast foods.

Can I order more than one dish for breakfast?
                      Yes, you can order more than one dish for breakfast. Many guests will order several sides to go along with their main course.

During my recent Carnival Breeze cruise I took pictures of some of the dishes we ate in the main dining room. Below are my food pictures:

If you are looking for more Carnival Cruise Food tips, information, & photos please check out my Unofficial Carnival Cruise Food Guide by clicking here!

General Reminder Regarding Menus: Please note, menus are subject to change at any time as supplies and staffing can dictate which menu items are able to served. Additionally, please note that the exact presentation & ingredients that come with a certain dish are subject to change. If you have allergies or cannot eat a certain ingredient please consult with Carnival to determine if a dish is suitable for your consumption (it's always better to be safe than sorry so please be careful to avoid a serious allergic reaction or other issue). ​