From Shark Feeding to Davis Feeding
Carnival Dream 2017
We are true foodies and love trying new things while on a cruise ship as well as enjoy our favorites. The Carnival Dream offered the FunShip 2.0 upgrades including Guy's Burger Joint and Blue Iguana Cantina but it also had Mongolian Wok and the brand new Guy's Pig and Anchor BBQ on the Lanai deck. This made for an amazing dining experience throughout the cruise. In addition, the Dream had the American Table and American Feast menus in the Main Dining Room. We also splurged and tried the Chef's Art Steakhouse on this cruise! We enjoyed every meal and the Carnival Dream is one of our favorite Carnival ships for dining! In fact, there was almost TOO much to choose from!
I am going to highlight all of the Lido deck offerings individually as well as each night's menu from the MDR. Chris and I cruise frequently and enjoy "rating" each menu item from 1-5 with 2.5 being what you would expect from a restaurant on land. We consider a 4.0 to be about standard for most cruise food! I realize that food is VERY subjective but we enjoy reviewing these menu items to help us remember what we do like for future voyages.
RATING SYSTEM
1- awful and would be fast-food level quality (McDonald's or Taco Bell)
2- decent on land offering
2.5- par for land meals (Chili's and Red Lobster)
3- Upscale land restaurant quality
4.0- standard for cruise industry food
5.0- One of the best foods (of the corresponding category) we have ever had
Guy's Burger Joint- Lido Deck 10 mid-ship
Guy's is always a huge hit with Carnival passengers so the lines are always long but they do move quickly. They are open from noon to 6PM! Tip- Get anything with the donkey sauce... you will not regret it!
The "Ringer" which featured an onion ring on top of the burger- YUMMY!
Overall- 4.5
Blue Iguana Cantina- Lido Deck 9 mid-ship
I personally enjoyed the breakfast more than the lunch options. Tip- This dining venue is only open from 7-9AM and then 12-2:30PM but is an excellent choice for breakfast or lunch! They offered build-your-own burrito bar and tacos for both meals! Also- ask for a burrito BOWL. This was new to me and never seen except on this ship! It was a great option for trying to eat light and still taste good! Plus they offer an incredible salsa bar.
Overall- 4.5
Mongolian Wok- Lido Deck 10 mid-ship
This was an Asian Mongolian BBQ style option that allowed you to choose your meats, vegetables and carbs to create an Asian bowl to your liking. Chris LOVED this but at first I had a hard time creating the perfect bowl. By the end of the cruise I was loving it. Tip- This gets REALLY BUSY, REALLY FAST. It opens at noon every day and that is the time to be there! Also, this was the main omelet station in the mornings. It too filled up quickly! 
Overall- 5.0
Guy's Pig and Anchor BBQ- Deck 5 Lanai starboard
Wow, this was an incredible addition to the Carnival Dream class ships. The meat was very tasty and well cooked plus they offered multiple BBQ sauces. TIP- This is venue that is not as well known during the 1st part of the cruise so the line got longer as the cruise progressed. It is only open on sea days and only from 12-2:30PM. The line looks very long but moves surprisingly FAST!
The full Pig and Anchor menu!
Guy's sauces were all unique and tasty in their own way!
This is a serviced bar where the workers ask what you would like and then place it for you!
The meat and sides were delicious!
Pasta Bella- Deck 11 aft (just above the aft buffet)
This was a FREE lunch option that offered specialized and made to order pasta. It is a little unknown at the beginning of the cruise so try to eat there early. Plus it offers service lunch and not a buffet.
The garlic bread was AMAZING!
They even offer a full and lunch size portion of lasagna.
This lasagna had brisket in it which was well... interesting.
Overall- 4.0
Pizza del Capitano - Lido Deck 10 aft
This was the new style of pizza making for Carnival and it was great. The crust was light and crispy (and never burnt unlike before) and the toppings were fresh and authentic Italian. Tip- If you go off of peak times, there is not a line.
Overall- 4.5
The Carnival Dream Deli- Lido Deck 10 aft starboard (at the end of the buffet)
This was a typical deli and offered a variety of hot and cold sandwiches. It was open 11AM-11PM so it was a great choice for a late night snack. We didn't frequent the deli much since there was SO MUCH more to choose from but I found a new snack I like which was the Turkey Wrap.
Overall-3.5
(This deli service was the fastest we have experienced!)
(This deli service was the fastest we have experienced!)
The Carnival Dream Chef's Art Steakhouse- Deck 12 aft(we will rate each item individually on this venue)
This is an additional fee restaurant that offered high quality steaks and seafood. It was INCREDIBLE. The steaks were perfectly seasoned and cooked and easily the best we have ever had. The side dishes and other food were also superb and the atmosphere was perfect for a romantic evening. TIP- It is $35/ per person and reservations are required.
This is an additional fee restaurant that offered high quality steaks and seafood. It was INCREDIBLE. The steaks were perfectly seasoned and cooked and easily the best we have ever had. The side dishes and other food were also superb and the atmosphere was perfect for a romantic evening. TIP- It is $35/ per person and reservations are required.
Appetizer and Entree menus
Dessert and After dinner drinks menu.
The steak display... That 10 ox lobster was HUGE!
Compliments of the Chef- Chicken Salad appetizer
This was a very unique appetizer but we enjoyed it.
The bread offered.
New England Crab Cake
Kellie- 4.5+
Chris- 4.5
Lobster Bisque with Vintage Cognac (Kellie)- 5.0
The best I have ever had!
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail (Chris)- 4.0
Surf and Turf (Kellie)- 5.0
Absolutely incredible!
Spiced Rub Prime Ribey Steak (Chris)- 5.0
Kellie's Side Dishes
Creamed Spinach- 4.0 (interesting)
Yukon Gold Mash with Wasabi Horseradish- 4.5
Chris's Side dishes
Baked Potato with trimmings- 4.0
Yukon Gold Mash with Wasabi Horseradish- 5.0+
Even the butter for the lobster was served in high style.
Wasabi for the Yukon Gold Mash
This was seriously the best steak I have ever had!
Carmelized Washington Apples (Kellie)- 4.0
This was not what I expected but still pretty good!
Cheesecake with Hazelnut Biscuit (Chris)- 5.0
This was the biggest piece of cheesecake we had ever seen.
Happy Anniversary- Compliments of the Chef
Chocolate Praline tart- 4.5
Carnival sure does know how to spoil us!
The chef even gave us a complimentary glass of champagne!
Again, we were HIGHLY impressed with the service on the Carnival Dream. They truly went above and beyond for us!
Overall-5.0
Some of the best $70 we have spent at sea! A "must try" for steak and food lovers!
Some of the best $70 we have spent at sea! A "must try" for steak and food lovers!
Crimson Dining Room- Deck 3 mid-ship
We had Your Time Dining and this allowed us to eat in the dining room anytime from 5:45PM to 9PM. You did not have to have a reservation and you could eat with other couples or passengers. This voyage was completely sold out with over 4,000 passengers so there was often a wait but never longer than 20 minutes and they would give you a pager. The service was the absolute best we have experienced with Carnival and was superb. The Carnival Dream offered the American Table and American Feast menu and we really enjoyed them!
We had Your Time Dining and this allowed us to eat in the dining room anytime from 5:45PM to 9PM. You did not have to have a reservation and you could eat with other couples or passengers. This voyage was completely sold out with over 4,000 passengers so there was often a wait but never longer than 20 minutes and they would give you a pager. The service was the absolute best we have experienced with Carnival and was superb. The Carnival Dream offered the American Table and American Feast menu and we really enjoyed them!
American Table Night #1 (New Orleans Embarkation)
New Orleans "Port of Call" menu
The Bread basket- Carnival is lacking in this department for SURE!
Fried Calamari
Kellie- 4.0
Chris- 4.5 (both sauces were really good)
Tomato Soup (Kellie) - 4.0
Peanut butter sauce and noodles were awesome.
Sweet and Sour Shrimp
Kellie- 4.0
Chris- 4.0
Bacon Mac and Cheese (Kellie)- 2.0
I must have hit the jackpot on the Triumph becasue this was awful!
Nutella Tiramisu (Kellie)- 4.0
This is still not as good as regular tiramisu and VERY rich!
This is still not as good as regular tiramisu and VERY rich!
Strawberry bisque from the appetizer menu (Kellie)- 5.0
They perfect this more and more each voyage!
American Feast- Night #2
Fried Oysters
Kellie- 4.5, these were perfect and sauce was great!
Chris- 4.0
Mushroom Soup (Kellie)- 3.5, just not as good as I hoped for.
Lobster tails x2 (Kellie)- 4.5
Chris- 5.0
American Feast #1 Desserts
Vanilla Creme Brulee
Kellie- 5.0, the best I have ever had on Carnival.
Chris- 5.0
Anniversary Chocolate Cake (Kellie)- 4.0, too much chocolate
American Table Night #3- Key West
(We were in the steakhouse)
American Table Night #4- Freeport
Main Entree Menu
Freeport "Port of Call" menu
Cajun Flatbread
Kellie- 4.5, interesting mixture of textures and tastes
Chris- 4.5
Spring Rolls
Kellie- 4.5, never disappoint
Chris- 4.0
Crab Soup from Port of Call
Kellie- 4.0, not quite a "gumbo" but really good.
Chris- 3.0- I didn't like it as much
Greek Salad (Kellie)- 4.0
Oysters Rockerfellar
Kellie- 2.5, not good flavor
Kellie- 2.5, not good flavor
Chris- 2.5
Junakoo POt from Port of Call (Kellie)- 4.5, WOW... new Port of Call FAV
The whipped potatoes were also good 4.0
Succotash (Kellie)- 2.0, good but basically just grilled veggies so nothing to brag about!
Night #4 Desserts
Vanilla Ice Cream (Kellie)- 2.0, not Blue Bell
(MAN, Carnival LACKS SO MUCH in the desserts category).
(MAN, Carnival LACKS SO MUCH in the desserts category).
American Table Night #5- Nassau
Cannelloni
Kellie- 4.0, more bacon and peas than I remember
Conch Fritters from the Port of Call
Kellie- 5.0, the best I have had
Linguini
Kellie- 4.5, this dish is so EASY but is ALWAYS good!
Rice Pilaf (Chris)- 3.0
Mashed potatoes with Berenice sauce (Kellie)- 4.5, new found favorite side from Steakhouse
Sticky Toffee Brioche
Kellie- 4.0, not as good as I remember from the Valor but still good.
Chris- 3.0
American Feast- Night #6
Clam Chowder
Kellie- 4.0, too much potatoes
Crab Cake
Kellie- 5.0, on standard with the one in the Steakhouse
Short Rib Duo
Kellie- 2.5, meat was too fatty and tough. I was not impressed
Spanokipita (Kellie)- 4.5, surprisingly good
Grand Mariner Souflee
Kellie- 4.0, better than usual
Special St. Patrick's Day cheesecake- 4.0
American Table Night #7
Mango Cream Soup (Kellie)- 5.0, another chilled soup victory
Tiger Shrimp Creole
Kellie- 3.5, not near as good as I remember
White Chocolate Banana Pudding (Kellie)- 4.0. excellent with the vanilla sauce
Kellie
Favorite Appetizer- Conch Fritters (Port of Call) and Crabcake from Steakhouse
Favorite Entree- Surf and Turf from the Steakhouse
Favorite Dessert- Vanilla Creme Brulee
Biggest Surprise- Junakoo Pot and Spanokipita
Biggest Disappointment- Bacon Mac and Cheese
Chris
Favorite Appetizer- MDR Crabcake
Favorite Entree- Ribeye from Steakhouse
Favorite Dessert- New York Cheesecake from Steakhouse
Favorite Side Dish- Yukon Gold Mash with Wasabi
Biggest Surprise- Yukon Mash & Vietnamese Roll
Biggest Disappointment- Swordfish Steak
We love cruising and EATING on cruises. We use this blog as means for us to know what to order and it is fun to look through and get our mouth watering while we are dieting!
Thanks for following along!
Until we meet again... Keep calm and CRUISE ON!
God is good... All the time!
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