Exclusive Alliance With Master Chef Georges Blanc Continues Carnival's Fleetwide Dining Enhancements

July 6, 2008 - PRLog -- MIAMI – The exclusive alliance between world-renowned French Master Chef Georges Blanc and Carnival Cruise Lines is just the latest initiative the line has undertaken to enhance the quality of its culinary offerings.

Blanc, who operates six highly acclaimed restaurants in his native France and has maintained the coveted three stars from Michelin for more than 25 years, has created the new "Georges Blanc Signature Selections,” one-of-a-kind menu items for Carnival's main dining rooms fleetwide, as well as supper clubs on select vessels.

Blanc and his staff also provided training to the lines’ master chefs, both at Blanc’s restaurants in Vonnas, France, and throughout the Carnival fleet.

The new “Georges Blanc Signature Selections” are part of Carnival’s Total Choice Dining (SM), cruising’s most comprehensive dining program featuring the widest variety of formal and casual options at sea.

“Dining is a highlight of the Carnival vacation experience and this new alliance with Georges Blanc – one of Europe’s most celebrated and recognized chefs – is indicative of the tremendous emphasis we place on this important aspect of our product,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

One of the most successful and popular new dining options are reservations-only supper clubs featured on Carnival’s eight Spirit- and Conquest-class class ships. These upscale restaurants offer a diverse menu of hand-cut, dry-aged U.S.D.A. prime beef and other gourmet cuisine, along with elegant interiors, intimate atmosphere, impeccable, leisurely paced service and one of the finest wine lists afloat.

Carnival’s poolside Lido restaurants have undergone a transformation with dramatic increases in both the quality and variety of cuisine. In addition to full breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, these poolside eateries feature 35-item salad bars, New York-style delis, Asian and American specialty areas, pasta- and meat-carving stations, dessert bars, and the ever-popular 24-hour pizza and ice cream service. There’s also a “Taste of the Nation” section serving a different international cuisine each day.

Lido eateries on Conquest-class ships house upscale seafood venues serving bouillabaisse, ceviche, conch fritters, fried oysters and other specialties.

Offerings in the main dining rooms have been upgraded, as well, with extensive nightly menus featuring six soups and appetizers, two salads and six entrees, including the ever-popular broiled lobster tail once each voyage.

Dining room menus also feature new gourmet-style Spa Carnival Fare offerings -- delicious guilt-free items that are lower in cholesterol, fat, sodium and calories. Vegetarian selections and children’s menus are also available.

“Georges Blanc Signature Selections” are among the featured items in Carnival’s main dining rooms and supper clubs and indicated by a special menu notation.

Carnival’s wine list has been expanded to include a “reserve list” offering some of the finest vintages in the world, including several selections under the Georges Blanc label.

For those who prefer to dine in the comfort of their staterooms, Carnival’s complimentary 24-hour room service menu has been upgraded to include a greater variety of freshly made sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts delivered to guests’ cabins any time of the day or night.

Even Carnival’s legendary late-night buffets have been expanded to include the new Chocolate Extravaganza offering a variety of all-chocolate desserts.

Rounding out the line’s dining enhancements are sushi bars serving authentic Asian delicacies made right before guests’ eyes, patisseries featuring cakes, confections and decadent desserts, and wine bars offering vintages by the bottle and glass, including a number of Presidential Wine Club selections.

These dining options are available aboard Carnival’s fleet of 22 “Fun Ships” which operate voyages ranging from three to 16 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe, South America and the Greek Isles.

The company currently has three new “Fun Ships” scheduled for delivery between now and 2011.

For additional information and reservations, contact Kenneth Chow, Accredited Cruise Counsellor and Carnival Cruise Specialist of Cruise Planners at 800-839-7135, kchow@cruiseplanners.com or http://www.cheapcruisesforsale.com from 9AM to 7PM EST.

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Carnival Cruise Lines is a proud member of the exclusive World’s Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world’s most desirable destinations.