Tom Stieghorst
Lost among the many attractions of the Carnival Vista is a new feature that is usually found only on smaller ships. The Vista is offering fresh-caught fish, which it will serve in any of the massive ship’s 10 dining venues.
Carnival said its kitchen staff will buy fresh fish in local markets several times over the course of a cruise. The amenity is being offered as a part of the new Seafood Shack specialty restaurant, but really it constitutes a new kind of alternate dining on its own.
To order, patrons go to the Seafood Shack to see what is available. The fish is usually ready by lunchtime in time to be ordered for dinner. But it can be prepared anywhere, from the main dining room to the Cucina del Capitano Italian restaurant, to Ji Ji Asian Kitchen to the ship’s dedicated Chef’s Table.
Practically, I imagine no one will send their fresh catch to Guy’s Burger Joint. But the point is you can eat it anywhere there’s a kitchen.
The fish will be priced by the pound at the market. On a recent cruise, sea bream was offered for $10 and cod for $17.
Smaller cruise lines with more of a reputation for fine cuisine have been offering market-bought fish for a while, but this is the first mass-market line I know of to offer it, and the first to let the passenger decide in which restaurant they will have the fish served.
Since it’s something that would not be anticipated on a large vessel, it could be another chance for Carnival to exceed expectations.