If you thought cruises were just filled with all-you-can-eat buffets and formal dining rooms, you haven't experienced modern cruising. Over the past 10 years, the world's largest cruising companies have evolved their ships' dining options to help passengers feel a lot more like they are dining around their favorite cities, rather than eating in large dining halls.
While many ships have adopted the trend in small ways, none has done it bigger — or better — than Carnival Cruise Line. When the Mardi Gras ship hits the seas in September 2020 — the largest in the fleet, weighing in at a stunning 180,000 tons — it will be a foodie's paradise. The ship will be divided into six zones, each focused on distinct dining, drinking, and entertainment options. Among them, restaurants from two of the world's most famous chefs (Emeril Lagasse and Guy Fieri), and one of the world's biggest NBA stars (Shaquille O'Neal) — not to mention cool new bars and the cruising version of food trucks.
Read on to see why foodies will be clamoring to book rooms on the Mardi Gras.
1The Mardi Gras
Image Source: Photos Courtesy of Carnival Cruise
The Mardi Gras is scheduled to sail to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, FL, in September 2020. The 5,200-passenger ship will be the largest ship in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet and the sixth largest ship in the world. It features six "zones" with various food, drink, and entertainment themes.
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2Shaq's "Big Chicken"
Image Source: Photos Courtesy of Carnival Cruise
NBA Hall of Famer and restaurateur Shaquille O'Neal is bringing his "Big Chicken" restaurant to the new Mardi Gras ship to serve up chicken tenders and fried chicken sandwiches based on his mom's spice blend. This is the second Carnival Cruise Line ship to feature the Las Vegas-based restaurant that dishes out Shaq's favorite fried chicken recipes. Located on the Lido deck of the ship, "Big Chicken" will offer all-inclusive breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus.
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3Emeril’s Bistro 1396
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You have to expect that a ship named the Mardi Gras would have at least one area paying respect to the Big Easy. The French Quarter will feature celebrated chef Emeril Lagasse's first-ever restaurant at sea. Emeril's Bistro 1396 will serve a cajun-inspired menu packed with the chef's greatest hits from his New Orleans restaurants. The "zone" is also filled with new bars (serving classic Hurricanes, of course) and music venues, including a two-story promenade featuring a jazz club.
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4Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse
Image Source: Photos Courtesy of Carnival Cruise
Guy Fieri bring's his award-winning barbecue out to sea with the expanded Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse. The smokehouse offers a full pit barbecue menu and craft beers brewed on site. The ship will also house Guy's Burger Joint, serving up the chef's signature burgers and hand-cut fries.
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5RedFrog Tiki Bar
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Even if the ship isn't traveling to the South Pacific, guests will feel like they've been transported there when visiting the RedFrog Tiki Bar. The two-story Polynesian-themed cocktail bar will feature rum-based cocktails served in pineapples and mai tai glasses.
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6Street Eats
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While food trucks may be all the rage on land, there really isn't a place for them at sea, so Carnival Cruise Line is reimagining the concept with a Street Eats eatery. The area will house three kiosks serving up a rotating menu at a fried station (think empanadas and falafel), a steamed station (think bao buns and the like), and a plancha station (think kebabs). The food will be available in all dining plans.
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7The Watering Hole
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It looks a bit like a backyard bar, but the Watering Hole is a bit more sophisticated than that. The cocktail bar has unbeatable views of the sea and tasty drinks, like the Watermelon Cooler and Tequila Sunset.
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8La Piazza
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For those looking for a taste of Italy, look no further than La Piazza. The area features a family-style Italian restaurant, Cucina del Capitano, as well as Pizzeria del Capitano, a pizzeria that's open 24 hours a day.
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9Beyond the Food: The Bolt
Image Source: Photos Courtesy of Carnival Cruise
When not dining on the ship's impressive array of food options, passengers will be awed by the first-ever roller coaster at sea. The Bolt Ultimate Sea Coaster will jet around 800 feet of track on the ship's uppermost level at speeds up to 40 mph. Talk about an adrenaline rush!
