Carnival Cruise Lines: Did You Know?

You may know that in addition to maintaining this blog and the cruise information web site CruiseDiva.com, I also write the cruise-related material for Fodor's Travel Publications' guidebooks. That means I do a lot of research regarding cruise lines, ships, and related topics. That research is often done aboard ships, but sometimes it takes some in-the-office digging to uncover what's going on afloat.

For instance, Carnival Cruise Lines has quietly been making some changes in their dining room experience that weren't in place during my last cruise in February. Since then, I've learned that their ships will be transitioning from four dinner seatings (5:45, 6:15, 8:00 or 8:30 PM) to the more traditional two seatings (6:00 or 8:15 PM). The change will be effective fleet-wide by summer 2008. As always, dining assignments are confirmed at embarkation.

There's also been a move at Carnival to relax the dining room dress code. This part of their published dress code policy doesn't seem to be altered, "Depending on the length of the cruise, either formal dress or casual resort wear is required in the Dining Room. The dress requirement for children is the same. For those not wanting to dress up, the Lido restaurants are open nightly (with the exception of the last evening of the cruise), and have a casual dress code."

However, you have to read the rest of the Frequently Asked Questions on their website to find out what you'll need to pack for your next Carnival cruise. It seems that while the following 'Cruise Casual' description is pretty much the norm (with the exception of 'dress' shorts at dinner!), the definition of formal, which is now termed 'Cruise Elegant,' is quite different from what we've come to expect:

• Cruise Casual Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen--Sport slacks, khakis, jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sport shirts; Ladies--Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, Capri pants, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs). Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, and sleeveless shirts for men.
• Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen--Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies--Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too! Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.

For other answers to your Frequently Asked Questions, check the resources at Carnival.com. Or, (shameless plug coming up)... you could buy one of my Fodor's guidebooks, which offer the basics about cruising and are updated annually. For a list of them, see the sidebar at right.