According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a single cruise ship can employ crew members from up to 80 different countries, all bringing with them diverse religious, cultural, and culinary traditions. So while cruise passengers enjoy mostly American favorites in the dining rooms each evening, the crew mess is serving up international dishes from all over the world. But what about on Christmas? After working a long shift, far away from family and friends, do crew members get to enjoy a special Christmas dinner? And if so, what’s on the menu?
Yes! On Carnival, the crew is treated to a special Christmas menu featuring traditional holiday dishes from around the world. Americans will recognize the “Slow-Roasted Tom Turkey,” but Italian crew members might opt for the Linguine al Baccala and Filipino crew members the Inihaw Na Liempo along with dishes from Kenya, China, India, and Latin America. Here’s a look at a crew Christmas dinner menu on Carnival:
And with that, Happy Holidays and…
Class Dismissed!
I always buy travel insurance to cover my cruises, but I never purchase it through Carnival. It costs more and usually covers far less than policies you purchase on your own. I go through sites like travelinsurance.com* to compare plans and prices and get the best deal for the coverage I want. It’s a simple process – enter your travel dates, total travel costs (including air, hotel, and cruise fare), and answer a few basic questions about yourself and see a list of quotes for plans with reviews. Spend less on insurance and spend more on excursions, special onboard cruise experiences and…future cruises!
Homework (10 points): If you were a crew member onboard a Carnival ship for Christmas, what would you be ordering from this menu?
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