Carnival Freedom’s European Cruises Features Guilt-Free Gourmet Preparation, Ingredients And Presentation

MIAMI – Carnival Cruise Lines has completely revamped its “Spa Carnival Fare” culinary offerings, incorporating the latest trends in gourmet preparation, ingredients and presentation to create the ultimate in healthy fine dining options.

Showcasing the talents of Carnival’s master chefs, the new selections will be featured on all dining room menus and include nearly 50 different salads, appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts, all lower in calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium content, and free of trans fat.

The new items will debut on the Carnival Freedom’s European sailings March 5 and be rolled out fleetwide over the next several months.

New “Spa Carnival Fare” entrees include Seared Supreme of Chicken over Grilled Pineapple, Wild Mushroom Medley and Cured Watermelon (320 calories with 6 grams of fat, 60 mg cholesterol and 310 mg of sodium per serving), and Peppered Fillet of Tilapia over Ratatouille, Zucchini Cannelloni and Asparagus Nage (280 calories, 7 mg fat, 50 mg cholesterol and 330 mg sodium).

Starters include Langoustino and Shrimp on Shaved Fennel Salad, Low Calorie Lemon Dressing (80 calories, 2 mg fat, 45 mg cholesterol, and 150 mg sodium), and Charred Broccoli and Cauliflower Tortellini, Served with Slow Cooked Tomato Broth (190 calories, 4 grams of fat, 0 mg cholesterol, and 480 mg of sodium), while desserts include Roasted Banana Panna Cotta in Citrus Broth Garnished with Fresh Berries (150 calories, 2 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, and 30 mg sodium).

“Consumers today are seeking healthier dining alternatives – even while on vacation – and the introduction of these new ‘Spa Carnival Fare’ menu items are part of our ongoing effort to provide our guests with the widest variety of tantalizing, high quality culinary offerings at sea,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

In addition to the new “Spa Carnival Fare” selections, Carnival offers a number of other options for today’s health-conscious vacationers, including extensive 35-item salad bars, 24-hour frozen yogurt stations in the Lido restaurants, and vegetarian selections at all meal times.

Additionally, Carnival offers some of cruising’s largest and most elaborate health and fitness centers with the latest exercise equipment such as stair-climbing and rowing machines, treadmills and stationary bicycles, along with organized fitness classes, including Pilates and yoga. A sophisticated menu of European-style therapies and treatments are also available.

Carnival ships also include basketball and volleyball courts, whirlpools and padded one-eighth-mile jogging tracks.

Carnival is the most popular cruise line in the world with 22 “Fun Ships” operating three- to 16-day voyages to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and the Greek Isles. The line currently has three new ships scheduled to enter service between now and 2011.

For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

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