Key Aspects:
- Carnival Cruise Line is expanding its Family Express lunch menu options across the fleet, with four ships already fully offering the new menu at the Lido Marketplace.
- Despite its name, the menu does include more sophisticated dishes as well as simpler fare to suit an entire family’s taste and everyone is welcome to try it.
- Guest reaction is very positive to the new menu, but there are requests for gluten-free options as well as expanding the menu into the evening dinner hours.
With so much to do onboard a Carnival cruise, every minute can count. This is especially true for families with younger children who may be so eager to rejoin their friends in the youth programs that they become fussy and impatient, especially at meals with unfamiliar dishes.
Carnival Cruise Line is making it easier for families to refuel with their new Family Express menu for lunches at the Lido Marketplace buffet. The new menu is confirmed aboard the following ships:
- Carnival Celebration
- Carnival Horizon
- Carnival Jubilee
- Carnival Vista
Guests have also reported the menu onboard other vessels, including Carnival Pride, Carnival Magic, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Glory, among others. The full implementation may not yet be available fleet-wide, but it is coming soon.
“We are gradually implementing ship-to-ship,” confirmed John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador.
Full, daily implementation of the menu may take some time as different options are tested and buffet lines are set up with appropriate signage and stations.
In the meantime, more ships may introduce the Family Express menu on a limited bases as part of ongoing menu updates.
A key aspect of the Family Express menu is that it is all in one place, from the pasta and salads to entrees and desserts. This makes it simpler to collect a full meal with no need to move through a longer buffet line or visit multiple serving stations.
Guests are pleased with the new offering, noting that it’s very helpful for lunch but also wishing it could be expanded to dinnertime.
“I loved these on my last three cruises, I just wish they would do them in the evening, too,” one guest commented.
Furthermore, it isn’t just families who appreciate the faster and simpler options on the menu.
“As a picky eater, I loved this. Yes, I’m a grown adult and yes I like ‘kid’ food as I have food issues and stomach issues so this was great for my situation!” one guest explained.
Heald has also noted that any guests can enjoy the Family Express buffet. There is no need to be accompanied by a young cruiser to take advantage of the great choices and convenience.
“Yes, adults can graze here too,” he said.
What Is the Family Express Menu?
The new menu features more kid-friendly favorites but still includes tastes for Mom and Dad. Located in a designated section of the buffet line, this is a fast and easy option for families to dine together and be able to get right back to the day’s fun.
For example, each Family Express menu includes a “Pasta of the Day” selection, such as rigatoni meatball pasta or classic mac and cheese. Guests can also request plain spaghetti with alfredo or pomodorini marinara sauce.
Salads such as carrot and raisin, rainbow pasta, and Tex Mex bean salad are often offered, and daily soups include selections like chicken pot pie soup and minestrone.
Entrees range from savory pork ribs, chicken mirabela, and vegetable spring rolls to salmon croquettes and chicken burgers with honey mustard sauce.
If these selections sound too fancy for picky eaters, never fear. The Family Express menu also includes everyday favorites such as hot dogs, chicken nuggets, crinkle fries, corn dogs, buttered broccoli, and chicken tenders, perfect options for guests with simpler tastes, no matter what their age.
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Desserts include quick treats like strawberry Jell-o, sugar sprinkle cookies, and other grab-and-go sweets.
The menu does include both vegetarian and gluten-free options, though some guests have noted that gluten-free entrees are scarce.
Hopefully, Carnival Cruise Line will continue to listen to guest feedback and expand the menu to offer great tastes for all families’ dining preferences and needs.
