The Big Apple is getting a big dose of fun. This afternoon, the Carnival Miracle will begin operating Carnival Cruise Lines' (www.goccl.com) first year-round schedule of voyages from New York.
The ship will sail three different eight-day itineraries, which call at tropical destinations throughout the Caribbean, Florida and the Bahamas.
In addition, the ship will debut the line's new complimentary appetizer program as well as the Punchliner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez and a related comedy brunch.
The Taste Bar
Carnival’s newest casual dining option, The Taste Bar, will debut on Carnival Miracle and is going fleetwide by summer 2013.
The Taste Bar features complimentary bite-size offerings inspired by the newest and most popular “Fun Ship 2.0” dining venues. Signature cocktails reflecting those venues will be offered at $5 each.
Your clients might enjoy roasted pork tacos with green chili salsa and aged cotija cheese, and chicken, avocado, and lime tortilla soup. This tasting is inspired by the BlueIguana Cantina that debuted on Carnival Liberty, with Blue’s Blue Margarita as the accompanying drink.
Or, guests might choose Nonna's meatballs and hand-whipped ricotta bruchetta, patterned after the family-style offerings at the Cucina del Capitano Italian restaurant introduced on Carnival Magic. The eatery's house Chianti will be served from an oversized barrel on wheels.
Other tasting choices are...
... fried malanga (sweet potatoes) filled with ginger-scented pork and lime aioli, and pepper pot soup with cilantro sour cream. This tasting is similar to what is served at Carnival Magic’s RedFrog Pub, with a Rum Jumper as the suggested beverage.
... grilled ham and provolone cheese melt on buttermilk brioche and cream of tomato soup, from the new Comfort Kitchen option debuting on Carnival Breeze. The beverage of choice with this tasting is Lynchburg Lemonade.
... short rib croquettes with chipotle aioli and guava and tomato relish, served with pumpkin bisque with sour cream. The bites are available with a Manhattan cocktail representing Carnival’s classic American steakhouses.
The Taste Bar cuisine samples will be offered on a rotating basis from approximately 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on sea days and select port days. Location will vary by ship, with Carnival Miracle’s Taste Bar selections offered on Promenade Deck in a recently renovated venue that formerly housed the vessel’s sushi bar.
Sushi will be one of the featured Taste Bar themes and sushi will also be offered at the Carnival Miracle’s poolside restaurant nightly during dinner service.
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| Food at The Taste Bar |
New Comedy Club Presented by George Lopez
Also making its fleetwide debut is the Punchliner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez, part of a recently announced partnership with the popular comedian. Lopez acted as a consultant on the vetting and hiring of both established and up-and-coming comedic talent.
The new comedy club will offer five 35-minute shows on multiple nights during each voyage. At least two comedians will perform nightly.
Two early-evening shows are designed for the entire family. Late evening shows will have R-rated, adults-only comedy.
Lopez has recorded a number of fun, light-hearted greetings that will be shown on Carnival Miracle’s in-cabin televisions and played during introductions of comedy club performances.
New employee uniforms and signage will reflect the comedy club's branding.
A new morning offering is the Punchliner Comedy Brunch presented by George Lopez, which also debuts on the ship. Taking place on sea days in the main dining room, comedy brunch is a free dining option that features five- to six-minute performances each hour by comedians who entertain guests as they enjoy brunch dishes.
Many brunch dishes are inspired by Lopez’s Mexican heritage, including Carne y Huevos – filet mignon topped with two eggs and béarnaise sauce; Hen Alla Diavola, grilled chicken with lemon and pepper; and Mexican-style churros.
Two special “George’s Recipes” dishes created by the comedian himself will also be offered. One is Lopez's take on Huevos Rancheros with a chicken quesadilla topped with fried eggs and manchego cheese. Another is a breakfast burrito filled with scrambled eggs, beans and chorizo.
Menu items are presented with a comedic slant. Categories such as Opening Act offer dishes that include Flamin’ Tomatoes Soup and Caesar Salad; Headliners features Funny French Toast, Pappardelle Pasta, and Mac & Cheese available with applewood smoked bacon, chicken or steak.
Punchline is a decadent dessert menu with caramelized cheesecake, banana crème pie and other confections. A variety of custom-made omelettes, as well as standards like eggs benedict and sides, are also available.
The menu features a Bloody Mary Bar offering several variations of the traditional brunch-time favorite.
Cruising Schedule
Carnival Miracle will offer week-long eastern Caribbean departures that call at San Juan, St. Thomas and Grand Turk.
It's week-long Bahamas sailings featuring port calls at the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk and Nassau.
The week-long Bahamas/Florida cruises call at Port Canaveral (for Orlando), Nassau and Freeport.
Carnival Splendor will assume Carnival Miracle’s year-round eight-day schedule from New York in March 2013 when Carnival Miracle repositions to the West Coast to operate the line’s Alaska, Hawaii and Mexican Riviera programs.