Multiple modern cruise lines offer guests a diversity of dining options, unlike three meals and snacks in tea time that were available onboard cruise vessels formerly. Today, meals are usually included in a cruise fare, even though passengers should pay more to dine in fine restaurants. The diversity of cuisines on cruise ships is also impressive – from Mexican to Italian and French and everything in between. Let’s discover everything you need to know about a restaurant in a cruise ship below. Don’t forget to visit our online platform, where you can get the best cruise deals for this summer.
Cruise ship restaurant: The essentials
All cruise lines provide the main dining room for passengers, where they have a traditional American or Continental-styled breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The meals are served in an extended formal room aboard a cruise ship, and guests usually have to share a table with other cruisers. It is known as the main restaurant. Besides, you will likely find less formal dining sites aboard a vessel traditionally serving casual fares. Travelers can enjoy pizza, hot dogs, and treats from a buffet through self-service in special food stations.
The latest tendency on cruise ships is specialty, or alternative, restaurants. These dining venues stand for better service, fancier dishes, and a cutting-edge interior. It is worth mentioning that most premium cruise providers, like Oceania and Crystal Cruises, include the expenses for a main and specialty restaurant cruise in a fare. Meanwhile, more affordable cruise lines, such as Holland America and Royal Caribbean, include dining in main restaurants in a cruise fare, but specialty restaurants are available for extra payments. Expect to spend between $10 and $25 per person for an advanced food experience, depending on the cruise line.
Booking a restaurant dinner cruise is ideal for celebrating special occasions, like birthdays or anniversaries. A fancy meal and extra delicacy of your dining experience are all you need on a special day while on a voyage. In addition, you can leverage a diversity of restaurant options that vary from vessel to vessel. BBQ sites, Japanese sushi restaurants, Italian trattoria, American steakhouses, and French bistros are among the favorite dining venues for many cruisers.
Regarding cruise restaurant menus, the diversity of foods is stunning. Breakfasts in the main restaurants involve eggs and omelets, sausages, bacon, toast, waffles, pancakes, bagels, cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, fruits, milk, coffee, fresh juices, etc. As for lunches, travelers can enjoy appetizers, like salads and soups, pasta dishes, burgers, BBQ dishes, sandwiches, pizza, and other delicious food. Dessert bars are also accessible for passengers. Dinners appear to be the fanciest during a cruise and provide multiple appetizers, salad, main course, and dessert options. You can enjoy sushi, cold soups, escargot, Caesar salads, roast turkey, fish, pasta, grilled lobster, filet mignon, cheesecakes, cakes, sorbets, ice creams, crème Brulee, etc. Guests receive access to the cruise bar and restaurant, as well.