Carnival’s ‘Year Of Food’ Continues As New Lunch Menu Is Tested On Several Ships

Cruise ships and food go together like chicken and waffles. Which, as it happens, is exactly what’s featured on a new menu being tested aboard a few Carnival Cruise Line ships.

A large Carnival cruise ship sails on calm waters, evoking the lively spirit of New Orleans. Green hills and scattered buildings form a picturesque backdrop under an overcast sky.
(Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)

While some say the offerings remind them of another venue found on the high seas, most are ready to line up and get their fill. But will the venue prove popular enough to go the distance… by which we mean be rolled out across the fleet?

What’s On the New Carnival Menu

While word of the new venue has been circulating on message boards and in Facebook groups for a while now, it was John Heald who made things official.

Taking to his popular Facebook page, Carnival’s Brand Ambassador said that the line had been “testing some new food options” on various ships.

Explore our Carnival-inspired menu with a new lunch option! Enjoy sections for Chicken, BBQ Delight & More—featuring fried chicken, burgers, brisket, and waffles. Icons make dietary info clear at a glance.
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It was only a few short weeks ago that Heald excitedly revealed that practically every aspect of onboard dining was being looked at. “We’ll find out what you like and perhaps what you want to see changed,” he said in one of his daily videos, “but it is going to be a very, very big year for food.” 

This week, he highlighted one of the options being tested. Chicken & Waffles & Waves is currently being tested on several of the fleet’s ships, including the Carnival Liberty.

When Heald posted the new Carnival menu, seen below, and asked his followers if there was “something there that you would order at lunchtime,” the response was overwhelmingly positive.

‘I’ll Take One of Everything’

As you might expect, the comment section was filled with people who may have struggled to type while fighting off unexpected cravings. “Be very afraid,” warned commenter Erick Smith.

“If I find brisket, I’ll be standing there like I’m at the blackjack table [saying] hit me, hit me, hit me, double down!”

Two individuals are standing at a counter in a fast-food restaurant, reminiscent of a carnival celebration. An employee behind the counter is preparing food. Menus with various food options such as sandwiches, fries, and burgers are visible above the counter, highlighting a slogan: "Eat Life to the Fullest.

Others noticed that the menu bears more than a passing resemblance to another venue featured on some Carnival ships. “Reminds me a lot of Big Chicken,” said several, referring to the venue spearheaded by the line’s CFO (Chief Fun Officer), Shaquille O’Neal.”

Still others poked gentle fun at the menu’s typos (including misspellings), asking if those were kinks yet to be worked out before it could be rolled out across the fleet.

Read Next: Shaq’s Big Chicken Review