7 secret Carnival cruise breakfast spots that allow you to skip the buffet crowds

I don’t suppose I’m alone in despising cruise ship buffets as breakfast venues. Oh, the meals’s normally alright if you happen to keep away from the scrambled eggs sitting in a steam tray. Nonetheless, the restaurant is at all times packed on port days, the omelet station strains are interminable and it’s unimaginable to search out an empty desk. It’s an excessive amount of fuss after I’m hungry and uncaffeinated.
Carnival Cruise Line has labored arduous to resolve that downside, and Carnival Celebration could also be the perfect instance of this resolution at work. Past the trifecta of well-known breakfast choices — the buffet, the principle eating room and room service — I discovered seven different breakfast spots on the ship throughout a primary have a look at the vessel this week. They’re not technically secret, as they’re listed prominently within the Carnival Hub app and on digital indicators across the ship. Nonetheless, I name them secret as a result of lots of them are fairly quiet within the morning, and I don’t suppose many cruisers are taking benefit.
Right here, then are seven secret breakfast spots I loved visiting for a yummy morning meal with out the buffet problem.
For extra cruise guides, information, critiques and ideas, join TPG’s cruise publication.
Huge Rooster
Value: Included in your fare.
Shaquille O’Neal’s buddy rooster eatery debuted on a cruise ship (Carnival’s Mardi Gras) for the primary time in 2021, and it is making an look on Celebration, too, serving up rooster tenders and rooster sandwiches that make for a scrumptious fast-casual lunch by the pool. Whereas the strains are lengthy at lunch, there have been solely two folks in line after I confirmed up for breakfast — regardless of the venue’s location simply steps from the crowded buffet.
The breakfast menu is proscribed to rooster and a biscuit, an egg-and-cheese breakfast sandwich with or with out sausage or bacon, and a three-cheese omelet. You may even get pleasure from a aspect of French fries, although the higher selection is to seize the extra flavorful breakfast potatoes off the buffet as you stroll by.
BlueIguana Cantina
Value: Included in your fare.
BlueIguana makes a comeback on Carnival Celebration; the Mexican restaurant is a fleetwide favourite. Whereas it’s greatest recognized for burritos and tacos served all afternoon, its breakfast choices are a sleeper hit.
Join our every day publication
My husband ordered a breakfast burrito with eggs and rooster sausage, however I went for the taco and arepa as a result of that had no line. Huevos rancheros are additionally on supply. And, sure, the salsa bar is open within the morning as a result of take it from me — eggs are positively higher with some scorching sauce or salsa on high.
Emeril’s Bistro 1397
Value: A la carte.
Breakfast by Emeril Lagasse is value a splurge in my e book, and also you’re unlikely to search out his southern Creole delicacies on many cruise ships. The menu is small however it has nice selection. Every dish prices $6.
Vegetarians and cruisers who like their breakfast candy (that’s me) can take pleasure in bananas foster crepes, and candy potato waffles with pecans and whipped cream. The savory lovers can order up shrimp and grits, breakfast po-boys — that includes eggs, bacon and andouille pork sausage — or poached egg and fixins (the fixins being sluggish cooked beef) in a Creole hollandaise sauce. Beignets ($5) are on the common menu, and I assume you possibly can order these within the morning as properly. My plan is to search out out tomorrow earlier than our day in Nassau!
Man’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse
Value: Included in your fare.
Make Flavortown a cease on the breakfast prepare if you wish to keep away from the buffet crowds, however don’t count on morning barbecue or donkey sauce. Carnival Celebration makes use of the Pig & Anchor area to arrange a mini model of the upstairs breakfast buffet.
I didn’t keep and eat however I perused the choices, which included bread, pastries, yogurt, cheeses, scorching dishes (together with shakshuka, salmon benedict, eggs, sausage and pancakes) and cereal, plus a drinks station. The realm has a lot seating, you’ll simply have your decide of tables. Alternatively, you possibly can take your meal out by the Deck 8 aft Patio Pool, which might be my selection. The commercial vibe of the Pig & Anchor space fits the restaurant, however I discover the area darkish and uninviting.
JavaBlue Café
Value: Meals included, espresso a la carte.
JaveBlue Café is neither secret nor uncrowded as a result of it sells specialty coffees and teas to all of the cruisers for whom boring buffet espresso gained’t do. Nonetheless, I don’t suppose most cruisers on Carnival Celebration understand that you would be able to decide up premade scorching breakfast sandwiches and breakfast pastries totally free there — and the road to order these quickie breakfast bites is separate from and shorter than the espresso line.
Order up variations of eggs and ham or sausage on bread or English muffins, in addition to croissants and Danishes. The barista (pastrista?) can throw it within the oven for you so the cheese will get melty. (It can get melty. I picked up a cheese empanada yesterday afternoon and practically burned my tongue the cheese was that scorching!)
Inexperienced Eggs and Ham Breakfast
Value: $10 per grownup, $8 per youngster 14 and underneath.
The child-favorite Dr. Seuss breakfast is again after a pandemic-era hiatus, however I noticed no promoting across the ship for Friday’s occasion. I knew it must be supplied so went into my Hub app, tracked down the instances (there are two seatings) and signed up. One other mother sitting on the pool overheard me speaking with my daughter about it, and she or he requested me how she may enroll. Somebody clearly let the cat out of the bag, so to talk, as a result of breakfast was packed.
On Carnival Celebration, the occasion happened within the Carnivale eating room which was embellished in colourful crimson and blue whimsical decor; it additionally had an ice sculpture of The Cat within the Hat and desk centerpieces of his iconic red-and-white hat. Youngsters’ music performed over the speaker system and Issues 1 and a couple of, Sam I’m and the Cat himself posed for images. Breakfast choices embrace fruity cereal-crusted French toast, red-and-white stacked pancakes and – in fact – inexperienced eggs and ham served Benedict-style. Know that the choices lean towards the overly candy; you would possibly need to keep on with the omelet until you actually like frosting-topped waffles.
Sea Day Brunch
Value: Included, with a couple of a la carte choices.
Sea Day Brunch on the primary sea day of our cruise was packed, so clearly the key is out. Or, maybe cruisers got here for a typical most important eating room breakfast and located themselves going through a miles-long brunch menu. Our crusing is filled with Platinum Carnival visitors and different previous passengers who know many of the tips. In the event you’re not in on the key, right here it’s: You shouldn’t miss Carnival’s Sea Day Brunch.
The menu has every little thing from 12-hour French toast to steak and eggs, a scrumptious yogurt parfait (heavy on the nutty granola, so good), eggs Benedict and burgers. You may pay further for fresh-pressed juices, a crab and avocado sandwich, lobster Benedict or Emeril’s shrimp and grits. There’s even dessert and a youngsters menu with each breakfast and lunch choices.
Backside line
By all means, head to the Lido Market on Carnival Celebration to seize scorching or chilly breakfast or get omelets made to order. I really like the beachy vibes within the venues and the seating nooks alongside the edges. However if you happen to’re bored with crowds, on the lookout for a quiet meal or simply need one thing totally different from the same old, strive one among these seven secret breakfast spots.
Planning a cruise? Begin with these tales: