Carnival’s Culinary Journey / The Next Course
- Waldorf Astoria Ballroom, The Roosevelt New Orleans
The Story House partnered with our team to bring Carnival Cruise Line’s culinary vision to life through an immersive dining showcase that transformed the historic Waldorf Astoria Ballroom at The Roosevelt Hotel into a collection of signature onboard restaurant experiences.
Designed to celebrate Carnival’s diverse culinary offerings, the event invited guests to journey through four uniquely themed restaurant environments, each meticulously recreated to capture the atmosphere, character, and personality of the onboard dining venues. From custom scenic builds and architectural elements to curated furnishings, décor, and authentic props, every detail was crafted to transport attendees into the world of Carnival’s dining destinations.
The experience was anchored by a dramatic “Welcome Aboard” entrance and a multifunctional main stage environment featuring a custom-designed scenic backdrop that transformed throughout the event to support culinary demonstrations and presentations.
OUR SCOPE
Creative & Scenic Design
- Scenic design development for all restaurant environments
- Custom architectural elements and scenic fabrication
- Ballroom transformation planning and execution
- Main stage scenic design
- Welcome Aboard entrance design
Prop & Décor Sourcing
- Research and procurement of restaurant-specific furnishings
- Custom prop sourcing and styling
- Decorative accessories and environmental details
- Tablescapes and themed experiential elements
Scenic Fabrication & Installation
- Construction of four immersive restaurant vignettes
- Fabrication of custom scenic structures and feature elements
- Main stage backdrop fabrication
- Installation and strike services
Technical Drawings
- Complete ballroom scenic integration
- Guest flow and experiential layout implementation
- Venue conversion from ballroom to immersive culinary showcase
Project Details
The goal was to convert a traditional ballroom setting into an immersive hospitality environment that showcased Carnival’s culinary brand story through experiential design.
The event featured four custom restaurant vignettes representing:
Emeril's Coastal Seafood
A sophisticated coastal dining environment inspired by Chef Emeril Lagasse’s seafood concept, incorporating maritime influences, curated furnishings, and custom scenic details that reflected the restaurant’s upscale atmosphere.
Le Bistro Musicale
An elegant French-inspired dining experience designed with refined architectural details, romantic styling, and curated props that evoked the ambiance of a classic European bistro.
Uku Lei Lei
A vibrant tropical-inspired venue featuring island-themed décor, layered textures, and immersive scenic elements that celebrated the energy and spirit of the concept.
Fettuccine
A warm and inviting Greek Italian-inspired restaurant environment featuring authentic design touches, custom scenic elements, and carefully selected furnishings that recreated the comfort and charm of a traditional Italian dining venue.
Impact
The Carnival Culinary Journey successfully transformed a traditional ballroom into a fully immersive culinary showcase, allowing guests to experience Carnival’s restaurant concepts in a tangible and memorable way.
Results Included:
- Elevated guest engagement through experiential storytelling
- Strong visual representation of
- Carnival’s culinary brand portfolio
- Authentic recreation of multiple restaurant environments within a single venue
- Enhanced presentation capabilities through adaptable stage design
- A seamless journey that connected guests with Carnival’s dining experiences beyond traditional event formats
By combining custom scenic fabrication, thoughtful environmental design, and curated hospitality experiences, the event delivered an impactful brand activation that showcased the depth and diversity of Carnival’s culinary offerings while creating a memorable experience for attendees.
