“Hey, which side does the fork go on?” is a question you’ll never have to ask at a dining room dinner aboard a Carnival cruise… we set the table for you. We also bring to the table a full three courses in an experience that’s satisfying, not stuffy — after all, you’re just as likely to catch waiters table-dancing as you are to order dessert.

The menu is amazing — and included in your cruise fare! — with fan-favorite Carnival cornerstones now being joined by innovative selections from Emeril Lagasse and our chefs. New choices like Pappardelle with Braised Lamb, Coffee Glazed Roast Duck and Hawaiian Shrimp Poke are sure to please, to be honest… almost every palate. That’s why Carnival’s new vegan dining room menu is so important to making sure everyone finds food they love. Look for plant-based options like Baked Vegetable Au Gratin, Eggplant Cutlet a la Parmigiana — and even modified versions of Hawaiian Salmon Poke and Spaghetti Carbonara! Our chefs always work to accommodate dietary needs, but this menu puts delicious choices front-and-center.

Tip: When you book, choose Early Dining or Late Dining for reserved seating nightly, or go with Your Time Dining to chow whenever the clock strikes “hungry.”

We heard our CFO wanted us to build a new chicken restaurant… and we were all a little confused. Then we found out they meant Shaq, our Chief Fun Officer. (Happens all the time!) Anyway, when Shaq tells you to build a chicken joint on board, you start warming up immediately. The big guy brings his poultry know-how and good taste to the seas with Big Chicken!

Just like Shaq’s a multitalented entertainer, his restaurant is no one-trick chick. Step up to the counter for lunch or dinner and walk away with your choice of chicken sandwiches, crispy chicken strips or juicy fried chicken baskets… plus side dishes like potato salad and jalapeño slaw. Early-morning buzzer-beaters are invited to enjoy a breakfast of classics like chicken biscuits, a three-cheese omelet or our biscuit/egg combo featuring bacon or sausage. Snoozers are invited, too — breakfast is served until 3!

The teppanyaki chef’s attention to craft is front-and-center… in fact it’s right there at your table! One part meal, one part performance — and all parts unforgettable — the Bonsai Teppanyaki™ experience is sure to delight guests. Take a little time out of your vacation to gather around a large shared table for a meal that’s not even a little ordinary. The experience begins with a curated selection of traditional tastes, followed by a choice of tempting appetizers before your chef expertly prepares the main course, which features selections like filet mignon, grilled tofu or a seriously impressive array of fish, shrimp and lobster. (Trouble choosing one? Choose a combo!) In the teppanyaki tradition — and Carnival’s tradition of fun — expect an interactive, satisfying meal full of surprising spectacles, delicious delight… and, you know, flying food.

Tip: Definitely make lunch or dinner reservations because this intimate restaurant has limited seating.

Sunsation Point's splashing, glistening jewel of fun under the sun is Carnival WaterWorks Ultra. Yes to brag, but this is the most family-friendly waterpark at sea, and Carnival's biggest yet! Designed to deliver the H, the 2 and the O to all guests, this one is packing six thrilling waterslides, plus a splash pad designed just for babies... with another pad for everyone. If you love waterslides, here's what you need to know: we're talking a pair of family raft rides (Turning Tides and SunSoaker), two sets of racing slides (Racing Currents and Mini Racers), one twisty kids' slide (Mini Twister), and one splashtacular spiral slide for everyone. What's the speed limit here? That's between you and physics!

The show has been delighting viewers at home for generations, but Carnival ships are the only place you can buzz-in at sea. We'll be hosting games on an authentic Family Feud™ set — right down to the iconic Face-Off podium, plus all the excitement of Fast Money. Family Feud Live™ will be emceed by none other than your cruise director, so if you're game, sign up your team of five for an audition… and make sure they bring that Family Feud spirit. And, of course, everybody's welcome to grab a seat in the audience to catch all the hilarious action!

Where will you be when inspiration strikes? Probably at The Spark, the kind of bar where musicians and songwriters gather to get their own inspiration going. Even the menu gets in on the act, reminding us of some of the most iconic titles of all time, right there in the drink names. Order based on your favorite flavors — or sounds — and enjoy sips that pair perfectly with nightly live performances in this cozy, creative setting.

Somebody at Carnival knows just what you need, and it's pretty much exactly the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat™. Look, you'll still be on the same ship as the kids, the hoopla, and all the Carnival-style excitement... but you could easily forget, because when you're at Serenity you could not be further from it all. The world you'll find yourself in is one of complete peace, sea breezes and, of course, a nearby bar. It's the place to get done the kind of stuff you just can't seem to do anywhere else — reconnect with your partner, finish that book, or do absolutely, blissfully, nothing at all.

True or false: cruises are a time for relaxation. Our answer: whether you're all action all the time, or chill to the core, everybody needs a chance to take it easy! And nobody will find an easier spot than Cloud 9 Spa™ aboard Carnival Festivale. This is an oasis built from the ground up for relaxation, from a full complement of traditional spa services like massages, facials, body wraps to the carefully-designed climates of Cloud 9's thermal suites... rooms swirling with moist or dry air, each heated very precisely. It turns out it's true: anyone can find a reason to say 'ahhh' at Carnival Festivale's Cloud 9 Spa.

We have some bad news for you — your ship has a gym. In other words, there’s no excuse for leaving your fitness routine back on land. That’s great news, however, for your body, which will definitely benefit from all the extra energy that vacationing pumps directly into you. And let’s not forget the extra time you’ll have, since you won’t be waking up and spending most of the day at the office or anything like that. If those were some of your go-to excuses, we’re sorry, but we all know this is important. Why not treat yourself to some of our fitness classes — you might even have a little fun while you do something great for yourself!

The little ones can enjoy the best parts of summer camp, year-round aboard their Carnival cruise. At Camp Ocean kids will have a blast in supervised, age-based groups and give each a cool marine-life label: Penguins (2 to 5 years), Stingrays (6 to 8 years) and Sharks (9 to 11 years). Together with their group they’ll enjoy tons of fun-filled, age-appropriate activities like arts and crafts, songs, games, toys, dancing, movies and video games. When it’s mealtime, kids eat together and get their own menus with back-on-land faves like mac & cheese, chicken nuggets and more. The whole time, our experienced counselors will be there to make sure everyone in these small groups has an amazing time. Plus, when the sun goes down it’s Night Owls time — fees apply, but kids get to stay up late having fun while their parents also enjoy themselves well into the night.

From the whimsical and always wonderful world of Dr. Seuss® comes Cats in Hats, Fish Red and Blue, and both kinds of Things — 1 and 2. And they’re all coming to a Carnival cruise near you as the world of Dr. Seuss leaps off the page and onto Seuss at Sea™.

Dr. Seuss’s timeless stories are the kind kids memorize, and this is the kind of cruise you’ll remember for a lifetime. The whole family will still enjoy all the classic Carnival activities, but the littlest ones, and their families, will also enjoy an extra-special experience as the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss comes to life around them.

Enjoy a special onboard character parade, interactive story time, arts & crafts activities, character breakfast featuring their favorite Dr. Seuss friends and more. Seuss at Sea truly brings your child’s favorite books to life.

Everyone can expand their horizons on a Carnival cruise…but it’s especially true for teens. Cruising allows for unique experiences viewed through a new lens. That’s why we’re hosting See The World, special authentic celebrations that expose teen cruisers to holidays and traditions from cultures around the world. Actual activities will vary by ship and age group, but we celebrate Holi Festival, which originated in India, with authentic craft activities, rickshaw races and a Bollywood-style dance class, to name a few! We honor the Japanese Cherry Blossom Celebration with traditional elements such as an anime drawing class, a tea ceremony, origami lessons, and a Zen musical soundscape. And that’s not all…we mark the occasion of the Philippines’ Panagbenga Festival with a flower parade, cultural jewelry-making activity, a Tagalog language scavenger hunt and more. Our See The World program is proof that enriching fun can happen on vacation!