INSIDE VIEW:
CARNIVAL GLORY 2.0
A conversation with Hotel Director Alain Lopez and Cruise Director Jacques De Lange
by
Richard H. Wagner
page 2
CARNIVAL GLORY 2.0
A conversation with Hotel Director Alain Lopez and Cruise Director Jacques De Lange
by
Richard H. Wagner
page 2
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Changes in Food and Beverage
Mr. Lopez introduced the new venues by the main pool area: “We have the Blue Iguana, so if you love Mexico, you are right there. The theme goes through the bar, where they specialize in tequila and cocktails with the base being tequila and so on, and flows into the cantina where we serve tacos and burritos with all the trimmings.” “If you go to the starboard side, you are in the Caribbean. If you like rum, if you like red beer we have the Red Frog. [The staff of] each bar has the appropriate uniform.” These two venues also have an entertainment aspect. Mr. De Lange interjected: “Whenever we do challenges or games, it is the Blue Iguana versus the Red Frog. You have the opportunity there to play [for your favorite bar]. You can create an atmosphere. It plays into that as well. We do two deck parties on the seven day cruises. Now we do a Red Frog deck party and a Blue Iguana deck party. The Red Frog is Caribbean dances whereas the Blue Iguana is Mexican fiesta dances.” The third new venue in the main pool area is Guy's Burger Joint, which was developed in partnership with author and Food Network star Guy Fieri. The burgers come in a number of varieties ranging from the Plain Jane to the Pig Patty. After receiving their burgers, guests can move over to a condiments bar where they can add toppings and sauces. “It is extremely popular with the guests.” Furthermore, Mr. Lopez confirmed, this is not just the old poolside hamburger grill with a new name. “The way of cooking it is different. And the taste is different, more appealing. It has a multitude of little condiments that you can add on.” Staying on the same deck, “if you move inside, we have the big main buffet. If you look at the food now in the buffet, it looks very appealing. We cater for everyone. If you like a simple salad, you can have a simple salad. If you want fish, you can have wish. If you want meat, you can have meat. There are a big variety of dishes to choose from. If you go further aft, you have the Marketplace. You have a similar buffet there but maybe a bt more contemporary.” All the way aft by the Azure Lido Pool, you come to the Pizzeria. “It is a new concept. The pizzas are a lot thinner than before and they are made to order. Fresh, the cook there makes the pizza virtually in front of you, Italian style.” 
The Red Frog Rum Bar
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The Blue Iguana Cantina
Downstairs on Promenade Deck, the Alchemy Bar has taken the place of the former wine bar. Decorated like an old time chemist's shop, the Alchemy Bar has its own bar menu that is exclusive to this venue. However, “if you are not sure what you want to have, they ask what do you like, like a little quiz. 'I like strawberries, I like raspberries.' So the bartender will create something for you. Basically, the bartender there is an inventor, a chemist. They use only fresh products.”
Nearby is the Taste Bar. Here, guests can get samples of the various types of food served in Glory's different venues such as Mexican food from the Blue Iguana. Further forward on Promenade Deck is Cherry on Top, a new candy store with various confections, apparel and novelty items. Not even the main dining rooms have been exempt from change. In the past, the Platinum Restaurant (one of the ship's two main dining rooms) was open for breakfast and lunch on sea days. Now on sea days, the Platinum has the Punchliner Comedy Brunch with the comedy club comedians giving short performances while the guests dine. “The brunch has proved to be extremely popular. We start at 8:30 in the morning and go until 1 p.m. We get up to 1,700 people attending the brunch - - at different times, of course.” Mr. Lopez said. At dinner time, the Platinum Restaurant follows the traditional cruise ship dining system with two seatings and assigned tables. The Golden Restaurant has both the traditional system and a flexible dining system called “Your Time Dining” where the guest can come anytime the restaurant is open. However, whereas Your Time Dining used to be on the mezzanine level of the Golden, it now occupies the larger lower level. “Your Time Dining became more and more popular so they extended the area and now the whole bottom section of the restaurant is now Your Time Dining. The upper section is [now] the fixed seating. Your Time Dining is very popular with people who like to have the flexibility but we still have some guests who prefer to stay with the regular dining. It is an option you can choose. Basically, we follow the demand of the consumer.” |
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Cruise ship interview - - Carnival Cruise Lines - - Carnival Glory - - Hotel Director and Cruise Director - page 2