Carnival Rolls Out New Menu Curated By Emeril Lagasse

Foodies and cruise enthusiasts hear the good news: Carnival Cruise Line is unveiling over 60 new dishes for their dinner menu, including much-anticipated collaborative menu items from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. 

Carnival first rolled out this revamped dining program on the Carnival Dream ship. This proved to be a highly successful trial leading to the current expansion of the Carnival Conquest ship in Miami, with Carnival Horizon, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Vista, Carnival Radiance, and Mardi Gras, following closely behind. Describing the new menu items, via a press release sent to Tasting Table, Lagasse said, "Food is an ever-evolving art, so our approach to the dining room offerings is to infuse a selection of new dishes, feature more international flavors and complement the Carnival classics our guests love." 

In addition to helping curate the new menu items, Lagasse also aided in developing an "Emeril Selects" collection, which highlights his favorite dishes available. So what dishes are new to the program and which customer favorites are being held over?

The new dishes have a decidedly multicultural taste, with highlights including Hawaiian Shrimp Poke, Italian Pappardelle with Braised Lamb, and Asian Roasted Duck Rolls. The salads and dessert selections received an update as well, with classic Cobb and Asian Chopped salads added in as well as a Double Dutch Chocolate Pave (cake) and comforting Banana Cream Pie. 

As for the dishes that Lagasse decided to single out for his "Emeril Selects," the chef opted for a number of luxurious dishes. From a mascarpone truffle-rich Beef Carpaccio to a Coffee-Glazed Roast Duck with creole-seasoned wedge potatoes, the emphasis of these recipes seems to be on the most lavish and rich flavors. For seafood, Lagasse also champions the Crab and Shrimp Cakes with roasted corn and the BBQ Salmon paired with Andouille hash. 

For those worried about their favorite existing Carnival menu items, don't panic. Plenty of classic menu items are being carried on, including the Escargots Bourguignonne, Stuffed Mushrooms, 12-hour Braised Short Ribs, and the classic Beef Wellington. And those with a dedicated sweet tooth can breathe a sigh of relief as well: both the famed Molten Chocolate Melting Cake and the Bitter & Blanc bread pudding will be kept on hand for your post-dinner cravings. Whether you choose something old or new, Carnival Cruise Line is hoping you'll find plenty to be excited about.