Hi there, Sandy,
Welcome back to planDisney. My family's first-ever cruise was also a July sailing to Alaska. We didn't think expect to be repeat cruisers. But that first cruise was "practically perfect in every way." We couldn't wait to return to sailing with Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie. And we hoped it would always be the same magical experience time after time.
While we would certainly love it if our Disney cruise experiences were the same perfectly magical vacations year after year, we also recognize that, sometimes, change is inevitable. After all, Disney Cruise Line ships are something of an extension of the type of Disney Parks experiences that trace their beginnings to Walt Disney's original magic kingdom: Disneyland Park. As Walt said, "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world." So, with some natural trepidation, we look forward to changes to our beloved Disney parks and ships with a little bit of faith, trust, and a smidgen of pixie dust.
If I understand things correctly, yes, it seems that there have been some limited changes to many of the dinner menus across the Disney Cruise Line fleet. While I won't have the chance to personally confirm these updates until my family's next cruise later this year, I look forward to becoming more acquainted with these updates.
It seems that the primary changes to many menus are intended to consolidate and simplify them. For example, most Guests choose to enjoy a three-course meal during their rotational dining experience each evening. Their meal normally ends with a sweet dessert, preceded by a gourmet entree, and begun by choosing from either the soups and salads section or the appetizers section. Now, soups, salads, and appetizers are combined into a streamlined "small plates" section. Similarly, some of the items from the separate "Lighter Note" section of entrees have been consolidated into the single main course section. This simpler organization of the menus may come with some adjustments to select menu items. For example, the sirloin steak that our son would order nearly every night from the Lighter Note Offerings seems to be refreshed with new standard sides in its new home under the main courses.
Some menu items may also offer tempting new experiences to enjoy, including some lighter options that I expect to be quite enjoyable. If there is a favorite item you were hoping to enjoy, I recommend asking your service team which menu item is closest to it. Even if it has gone through a modest reimagining, I hope that you'll find enjoyment and inspiration as you discover ways in which Disney Parks and experiences "keep moving forward."
As you continue preparations for your upcoming Alaskan cruise, I hope we hear from you again, Sandy. It would be our pleasure to offer recommendations and advice to help make your experience as magical as possible.
Happy sailing, Sandy!
~Tony