Princess Cruises Chefs Table
For a very special experience, consider signing up for the Chefs Table Lumiere.
Youll visit the ships galley for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, and enjoy a multi-course dinner hosted by the executive chef. Guests rave about this!!
The Chefs Table experience is limited capacity at 12 people per seating, so sign up early if youd like to be partake.
*Price: $90-$110 USD p/p
*Price with wine/alcohol: $110-125 USD p/p
*The price may vary depending on the cruise ship
The Best Food On Every Major Cruise Line
Cruise travel used to be all about quantity over quality when it came to dining and other culinary experiences, but thats most definitely not the case today when it comes to eating and imbibing at sea and on the worlds rivers. Celebrity chef-helmed onboard restaurants, cooking classes, food-centric shore excursions and themed culinary cruises mean shipshape culinary experiences abound.
Remy On Disney Cruise Line
While Disney Cruise Line caters to families, parents can escape for a night out to enjoy an authentic French dining experience at the exclusive Remy found on Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream.
This elegant specialty restaurant offers ocean views alongside an exquisite menu. With touches of red and gold décor in an art nouveau style, the restaurant boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere as well.
With a focus on high quality ingredients, the seasonal menu offers a variety of selections that highlight flavors that are inspired by French traditional cooking styles. All meals begin with a complimentary champagne cocktail to enhance the senses and prepare diners for a gastronomic experience.
Remys tasting menu offers plenty of options to satisfy even the pickiest cruisers, including savory items like lobster, duck, caviar, crab and other features that change regularly.
One standard is the cheese cart, serving up a wide selection of cheeses at the end of the meal. Of course, you will want to save room for dessert, whether it be something light and fruity or rich and decadent.
Other upscale events on cruises of more than four days include champagne brunch, a dessert experience, and an exclusive chefs table experience hosted by the restaurants executive chef.
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Best Holiday Cruise: Azamara Club Cruises
Courtesy of Azamara Club Cruises
- Duration: 15 nights
- Ship Name: Azamara Pursuit
- Itinerary: Montevideo, Uruguay Santos, Brazil Ilhabela, Brazil Paraty, Brazil Buzios, Brazil Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Copacabana Beach Brazil, Punta Del Este, Uruguay Buenos Aires, Argentina
Azamara Club Cruises operates smaller, upscale vessels that travel one-off itineraries around the globe calling in smaller, less-visited ports that others don’t stop at. The company puts an emphasis on destination immersion, and appeal to adults who want to go deeper into the local culture with shore excursions. Azamara is one of the few companies that stays in port overnight, and in doing so they bundle evening excursions in the price . The newest ship, Azamara Pursuit, debuts this year and is offering a winter holiday cruise that spends New Years Eve at Copacabana Beach in Brazil.
Royal Caribbean Futuristic And Adventurous With A Taste Of Sophistication
With the Royal Caribbean cruise line you can always choose to eat at specialty restaurants like the Chops Grille, Johnny Rockets, or Izumi Hibachi.
If you are looking for traditional food, they do have some ships that serve conventional options as well as buffets, but if you love daring flavors, dont worry.
They also have grills for you! Be careful, though-you might just end up liking their specialties because everything is cooked to perfection!
Whether you prefer an elegant meal on your private balcony or want to socialize with others during breakfast in the great dining room, Royal Caribbean has it all!
All passengers will enjoy their time, especially if they like eating different types of cuisines.
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Best Overall: P& o Cruise
Courtesy of P& O Cruise
- Ship Name: Aurora
- Itinerary: Andalsnes, Norway Romsdalsfjord, Norway Tromso, Norway Alta, Norway Stavanger, Norway Southampton, UK
After undergoing a refurbishment in early 2019, the 1,874-passenger Aurora is now one of three adults-only vessels that sail under P& O cruises . Aurora is ideal for cruisers who enjoy ocean cruising on a mid-sized ship, with an array of dining options and several cabin choices ranging from interior to spacious suites. Dance classes, a full-service spa, a theater, movie cinema, casino, and a number of bars and lounges including the bustling, four-story central atrium are all available onboard the vessel. For a chance to see the northern lights, Aurora sails round-trip on a breathtaking voyage through Norwegian fjords and dramatic scenery.
Best Burger: Carnival Breeze
Well be the first to admit: Carnivals cruise food hasnt always been the main draw of the line. But we also have to admit that Guys Burger Joint on Carnival Breeze is an amazing exception. The menu is built from five official burgers with a smattering of different toppings ranging from the traditional to the intense . However, you can also make your own custom burger at the toppings bar, and feel free to slather the included side of fries with whatever you like as well.
This super-casual eatery can usually be found by the pool, and we have it on good authority that the fries are best enjoyed al fresco. An added bonus for this spot is that Guys Burger Joint is totally free for all passengers.
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What To Do If You Have A Food Allergy
If you are one of those people who have allergic reactions to foods, then worry not! Many cruise lines offer special meals for you.
Dont hesitate to ask the waiting staff once youve seated in a restaurant.
They will note your specific order and make sure that it is delivered before anyone elses plate reaches your table.
Major Differences Between Royal Caribbean And Carnival Cruise Line
While there are a lot of cruise lines out there, when it comes to the United States, two main players come to mind: Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
Thats for good reason. The two cruise lines are by far the most popular in the country, with millions of cruise passengers sailing on their ships each year.
If youve never taken a cruise or youve only sailed with one cruise line or the other then youd be forgiven for thinking that both Carnival and Royal Caribbean are exactly the same.
In fact, while both lines do have a lot of similarities, there are also some major differences.
Anyone that is loyal to either Carnival or Royal Caribbean would tell you as much. To be sure, youre bound to have fun on either companys ships, however, if you want the real scoop on how they differ, weve laid out some of the major differences below.
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Celebrity Cruises Divine Dining Experience
Celebrity Cruises offers a variety of restaurants for all kinds of foodies.
The specialty restaurants on this line are fantastic and have one-of-a-kind menus that will make your mouth water.
Dine in elegance at the Grand Cuvee restaurant and try their scrumptious menus made with fresh ingredients by expert chefs!
You can also have some seafood since they are all around the ocean as well as land because they offer barbecue stations near beaches so you can enjoy the outdoors.
If you are looking for a quiet place where you and your family can dine together in peace, Cucina is the perfect choice for you as they will give you privacy from others.
Skip lines at their restaurants by booking through their Celebrity app-its easy to use and provides you with all the information you need!
Best Modern Cruise: U River Cruises
Courtesy of U by Uniworld
- Ship Name: The A
- Itinerary: Haarlem, Netherlands Düsseldorf, Germany Cologne, Germany Koblenz, Germany Rüdesheim Germany Frankfurt Germany
Geared towards millennials, U River Cruises takes a hip approach to river cruising, with modern, stylish ships featuring chic rooftop lounges with ice bars and fabulous, trend-setting dining venues. Theres also yoga, paint and wine classes, and themed cruises that bring special guests onboard, ranging from celebrity drag queens to famous tattoo artists. On the 120-pasenger A ship, cabins include adjustable mood lighting, USB ports, built-in Bluetooth speakers, and luxurious baths with heated mirrors and plush bathrobes. Plus, theres dedicated rooms for solo travelers or groups of three. On the Rolling on the Rhine cruise, the ship stays late in port, with night excursions in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and others included in the fare.
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Best Music Festival Cruise: Norwegian Pearl
Courtesy of Kiss Kruise
- Duration: 3-5 nights
- Ship Name: Norwegian Pearl
Cruisers looking to let their hair down and soak in some musical vibes at sea should consider a music cruise with Sixthman. The company charters major cruise ships like the Norwegian Pearl to offer music festivals at sea a great way to meet like-minded adults. The Kiss Cruise from Miami features two shows from Kiss , and other fun activities with the band. Norwegian Pearl also hosts cruises like “Runaway to Paradise” with Jon Bon Jovi, “Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea,” the “Outlaw Country Cruise,” the “311 Cruise,” and many more. After the show, passengers can dance the night away at Spinnaker Lounge and Bliss Ultra Lounge and Night Club.
Best Traditional Cruise: Tauck
- Ship Name: MS Savor
- Itinerary: Bratislava, Slovakia Vienna, Austria Melk, Austria Passau, Germany Prague, Czech Republic
Adventure tour provider Tauck has been in the travel industry since 1882, and in addition to a number of land tours, the company operates its own fleet of river vessels. Tauck has dedicated family voyages called Tauck Bridges, but the more traditional themed cruises have excursions that are aimed at adults. Built in 2014, the 130-passenger MS Savor has a gorgeous main atrium with a dripping chandelier, a putting green, and some innovative features like loft-style cabins with windows that open with the touch of a button. On the Musical Magic on the Blue Danube river cruise, interactive musical workshops, onboard performances, and themed excursions like a trip to the Opera House in Bratislava or a private performance at a palace in Vienna are included.
Take a look at other river cruising options with some of the best European River cruises.
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Manfredis On Viking Ocean Cruises
One of our favorite aspects of Viking Ocean cruises is the all-inclusive feel. This luxury cruise line includes all specialty restaurants as part of its cruise fare. While all of the dining on Viking is certainly a step above many mainstream cruise lines, our personal favorite is Manfredis Italian Restaurant. This restaurant is popular, so make sure you book a reservation pre-cruise.
Located on Deck 1 aft, this restaurant is simple yet elegant. The decor is warm and inviting with rich colors and wood tones. Keeping with the cruise lines theme of simple elegance, Manfredis offers just enough distinction to set itself apart from the main dining room and other restaurants on Viking ships.
Where the restaurant particularly shines is the food. Again, the focus is on simple, yet delicately crafted Italian classics. From the homemade bread basket to the flavorful seafood dishes such as calamari and fruti di mare, you might need more than one visit to sample it all. Each entree features perfectly paired fresh ingredients, with some of our standouts being the chicken parmesan, the rib-eye, the osso buco, as well as the homemade pasta.
Further, there is no better way to complete your dinner than a complimentary glass of limoncello and one of the traditional Italian desserts!
Best Cruise Company Reviews
Many cruise line passengers book with the same company over and over again. Its that comfort of knowing what to expect on board, from the facilities and food to the general atmosphere. But the truth is that if youre willing to try a different line youll probably have a better holiday. While passengers of the most popular cruise lines, like Cunard, P& O and Celebrity rated them well, there are eight brands rated far better.
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Seven Seas Mariner By Regent Seven Seas
Seven Seas Mariner thrills gourmands with its partnership to culinary legend Le Cordon Bleu. Chefs onboard this Regent Seven Seas vessel train extensively in the Parisian techniques perfected there, and their hard work is evident at Signatures. From the decor to the dishes , this eatery is a foodies favorite.
Other restaurants include Prime 7, where you can order a 36-ounce porterhouse wheeled to your table on a sizzling marble platter Compass Rose, the main dining room, which offers lighter fare from the Canyon Ranch spa menu. Classic cruise venues like the buffet and poolside pub are upgraded on Seven Seas Mariner to La Veranda, a gourmet buffet featuring local specialties, and the Pool Grill, where extra-large burgers and housemade ice cream are the norm.
Scenic Luxury Cruises And Tours
Scenic Luxury Cruises are, well, luxurious, as you could have probably guessed. They started out offering luxury river cruises but have since expanded into the ocean cruise market as well. For cruisers looking for a boutique hotels feel with the passing scenery and opportunities for exploring that only a cruise can offer, Scenic Luxury Cruises is the company to check out.
Providing one of the most glamorous cruise experiences available, it makes sense that the state-of-the-art vessels feature mouth-watering gourmet cuisine. Lets take a look at just a few of their onboard dining facilities:
- Crystal Dining: varied menu prepared by award-winning chefs
- Portobellos: upscale Italian restaurant in an intimate setting
- River Cafe: casual dining spot with lighter fare and healthy options
- Table La Rive: exclusive dining experience for Diamond Members
Usually, this is the section where wed list the available restaurants at an additional charge, but since everything in Scenic Luxury Cruises is included, that means that you already have access to all the fantastic dining experiences their ships have to offer.
This cruise line offers dine anytime, anywhere options and is one of the most flexible cruise lines when it comes to meals. Their chef will even prepare a picnic basket for you if youd like to enjoy a bite next time you visit the shorewhat other cruise lines do that?
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Seabourn Odyssey By Seabourn
Caviar and Champagne feature heavily in the luxurious culinary creations on Seabourn Odyssey, as does prime beef and chocolate. The Restaurant and Restaurant 2 offer modern American cuisine refined by French techniques, including chocolate covered ice cream balls on sticks reminiscent of popsicles. Decadent pastries and luxuriously foamy coffees are available from the Coffee Bar, and the clean, dreamy decor on this Seabourn ship make it all the more idyllic.
Koningsdam By Holland America Line
Koningsdam wows foodies with its superb Culinary Arts Center, including show kitchen and individual cooking stations. Classes are available for all ages, and include taste tests and demos. Plus, Holland America Line also partners with hit TV show MasterChef and MasterChef Junior on some sailings. Take advantage of celebrity chef-taught classes and intimate meet-and-greets with the stars of the show on these cruises.
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Disney Cruise Line 453 / 5
Yes, kids can get chicken fingers and mac and cheese at just about every meal if they so choose. But theres no denying the service on Disney is unforgettable, even for the smallest travelers. After the first night, everyones drinks are waiting on the table when you arrive at dinner, with kids drinks in plastic, lidded cups bearing their names. Waiters entertain small travelers with magic tricks and call all the little girls onboard princess at all times. Made-to-order requests for picky eaters are met with the kind of can-do attitude we wish all cruise lines had. And did we mention that the main dining room changes each night? Passengers rotate through three dining rooms throughout the cruise, and best of all, your waitstaff rotates with you.
Best Restaurants:
Palo We consistently hear high praise for Palo, with passengers raving that its well-worth the $40 price tag. The northern Italian-inspired venue is named after the long poles that gondoliers use in Venice, and serves up authentic Italian cuisine in the evenings. Dont miss Palos brunch either, which is arguably more popular than dinner there. In addition to a short menu, brunch includes a buffet with choices such as a wide variety of fresh seafood, a selection of international cheeses, and assorted meats and pastries.
Fantastic service and menu! Comparable to Victoria and Alberts at the Grand Floridian! – ddsteuck
Tap Into The Expertise Of Other Cruisers
Reviews are a great place to start if youre looking for feedback on a ships dining options to find the best cruise ship food and review sites like Cruise Critic feature reviews from a team of cruise experts as well as reviews from vacationers themselves.
McDaniel says that on Cruise Critics community boards, you can read conversations that have been posted or pose your own questions about specific cruises or look for more generic recommendations from others who have been there, done that.
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From Crystal To Silversea These Cruise Lines Will Keep You From Ever Wanting To Go Ashore By Janice Wald Henderson
N ews Flash: Old-school cruise cuisine has been tossed overboard! The ship has sailed on cruise classics like veggies smothered in hollandaise and floating baked Alaskas. Top lines now partner with celeb chefs, iconic food magazines, and revered cooking schools. Shipboard chefs obsess over primo ingredients, sense of place , and the latest trends. Now, many at-sea restaurants are as cutting-edge and quality-driven as the crème de la crème on terra firma. Even shore excursions stoke gastronomic passionthink cooking with a countess in a Venetian palace. So next time you’re contemplating a bon voyage, consider these ships. You won’t want to go ashore.