Before we get to the new Carnival vegan menu options, I present to you my three favorite vegan jokes (I promise they won’t be cheesy), to dispel the myth that vegans have no sense of humor:
Joke 1: Did you hear about the vegan devil worshipper? He sold his soul to seitan!
Joke 2: What does a vegan zombie eat? GRAAIIIIIIIIIIIINS.
Joke 3: I met this woman today who said she recognized me from a vegan group… But I’d never met herbivore.
Did you laugh? Admit it, you laughed! Anyway, onto the vegan menus.
Carnival Announces New Vegan Menus
While Carnival hasn’t traditionally been perceived as a particularly vegetarian or vegan friendly line (although as a vegetarian who shuns salad, I’ve still managed at least 5 lbs of weight gain on every one of my many Carnival sailings), they are stepping up their game with all new vegan menus. And I, for one, can’t wait to try them! And I can’t wait to see how many wives of red-blooded, meat eating husbands discreetly whisper to their waiter “he’d like to order from the vegan menu” as a prank.
Here’s what Carnival had to say about the new vegan menus in a September 18, 2023 press release:
Building on a fleetwide initiative to add even more options for guests in its dining rooms, Carnival Cruise Line is introducing new vegan menus, that have just been added onboard Carnival Freedom in Port Canaveral, Fla. and Carnival Horizon at PortMiami. Going forward, the new vegan menus will be implemented fleetwide in a phased approach through the end of year.
At each meal in the ships’ dining rooms, the new vegan menus will offer a selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts that are entirely vegan. Carnival chefs created recipes for each menu item to be prepared without the use of animal products, and the proteins included are made from meat substitutes.
Plant-based food options are a rising preference on our ships just as they are on land, and so the new dishes we’re introducing are a direct response to that shift,” said Richard Morse, senior vice president of food and beverage at Carnival Cruise Line. “Our skilled chefs work to accommodate all dietary needs and preferences but building on our vegan offerings and emphasizing them with specific menus will help to make ordering easier in the dining room and preparation more efficient in the galley.
What Will be Offered on the New Carnival Vegan Menus?
Here’s a sampling of some of the new vegan offerings on Carnival cruises (once I’m provided with all the exact night-by-night menus, I’ll update this post with them):
Vegan Appetizers on Carnival
Hawaiian Salmon Poke – a refreshing starter that combines plant-based salmon, edamame, mango and cucumber.
Stuffed Mushrooms – four fried mushrooms, stuffed with delicious plant-based cheeses and spinach.
Spaghetti Carbonara – a flavorful pasta with vegan bacon, onion and garlic, this dish can be ordered as a starter or entrée.
Vegan Entrees on Carnival
Grilled Tofu Steak – a savory tofu steak covered in honey barbecue sauce, accompanied by a Hasselback potato and mixed vegetables.
Baked Vegetable Au Gratin – a medley of mixed vegetables, combined with vol-au-vent and sprinkled with melted plant-based cheeses.
Eggplant Cutlet a la Parmigiana – a tasty entrée, covered in savory vegan mozzarella, topped with pesto and basil leaves.
Vegan Desserts on Carnival
Key Lime Velvet Cake – a fruity spin on the classic key lime pie, this cake combines flavors of citrus with raspberry and strawberry.
Dutch Double Chocolate Pave – with alternating layers of cake and buttercream frosting, this dessert is a chocolate lover’s dream.
Cappuccino Pot de Créme – a treat with coffee flavors, surrounding cinnamon crème chantilly.
When will the Vegan Menus be Available on each Carnival Ship?
The new vegan menus will be rolling out fleet-wide this fall on the following schedule:
Breeze: By the end of October 2023
Celebration: By the end of October 2023
Conquest: By the end of October 2023
Dream: Available now
Elation: By the end of October 2023
Freedom: Available now
Glory: By the end of October 2023
Horizon: Available now
Jubilee: By the end of December 2023
Legend: By the end of December 2023
Liberty: Not yet announced
Luminosa: Not yet announced
Magic: Available now
Mardi Gras: By the end of September 2023
Miracle: By the end of September 2023
Panorama: By the end of September 2023
Paradise: By the end of November 2023
Pride: Not yet announced
Radiance: By the end of September 2023
Spirit: By the end of November 2023
Splendor: Start of 2024
Sunrise: By the end of October 2023
Sunshine: By the end of October 2023
Valor: By the end of September 2023
Venezia: By the end of December 2023
Vista: By the end of October 2023
One more Vegan Joke for the Road (Sea):
I leave you with one final joke, this one about vegans AND cruising:
What vegetable does the vegan captain never allow on her boat? LEEKS!
And with that…
Class Dismissed.
Represent! Don’t forget to pack a vegan travel mug and t-shirt for your next Carnival cruise!
Remember to share with your vegan travel companions and social media groups and PIN to refer back to later!
Homework (10 points): Share your reaction to these new Carnival vegan menu options to the comments.
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