When you set sail on a luxury cruise holiday, exploring far flung destinations and enjoying unrivalled leisure and entertainment are not the only treats that await.

While exhilarating exploits at sea and on land are a huge part of the adventure, you’ll also be treated to an unforgettable food journey on board your ship, discovering tantalising dishes and irresistible global flavours. Each cruise dining experience offers something different with everything from gourmet meals to fast food favourites on the menu. You’ll be able to sink your teeth into hearty steaks and succulent seafood, as well as enjoying gastronomic delights created by talented ship chefs or from the cookbooks of TV culinary stars and Michelin-starred masters. If this has whet your appetite for a feast of fun and exceptional fare at sea, here’s a little extra food for thought on cruise ship cuisine and dining on the ocean waves.

Complimentary Dining

Wherever your cruise adventure takes you, you can be sure that you’re not going hungry. Every ship offers complimentary dining options with your main meals of breakfast, lunch and dinner included in your fare, and usually drinks such as water, a selection of juices, tea and coffee. You’ll most likely find that service will be in the main restaurant, with food typically offered buffet-style, or you may get to enjoy a la carte options with waiter service. Complimentary dining varies across cruise lines, with certain themed nights, as well as some snack and casual venues included. MSC Cruises offers a carvery, pasta station, takeaway station, kids’ corner, dessert corner and late-night snacks as part of the buffet options, while Mediterranean and international cuisine can be enjoyed complimentary in the main restaurant. On a Virgin Voyages adult-only cruise, you’ll enjoy a completely all-inclusive dining experience. Every one of the 20 plus restaurants are complimentary, while essential drinks such as coffee, tea, water, non-pressed juice and soft drinks are available at no extra charge. There are ‘Treat Yourself’ items on select menus if you do wish to splash out, while alcoholic drinks packages are also available.

Speciality Dining

If you’re craving a break from the norm and looking to treat your tastebuds to something extra special, you’re sure to find the perfect dish among the speciality dining venues on offer aboard your cruise ship. From upmarket destinations and steakhouses to stylish seafood spots and exclusive chef’s table experiences, you’ll discover culinary delights to please absolutely every palate. Coffee shops serving irresistible pastries, Brazilian grill restaurants and Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver are among the speciality dining destinations available on Royal Caribbean International ships. Authentic Italian, tasty teppanyaki and a seven-course experimental feast are on the menu on select Princess vessels. Some luxury cruise lines include speciality dining as part of the fare. Others offer meal packages that allow for unlimited or a certain number of visits to these unique venues. Those who opt for just a complimentary plan, however, will have to pay extra for the privilege.

Room Service

From lazy breakfasts in bed to tasty midnight feasts, cruise room service covers all your food cravings. Available 24 hours a day on Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean and Princess ships amongst others, you can enjoy leisurely lunches on your balcony or delightful dinners without the need to dress up. While room service dishes are often complimentary and included in your fare, you may have to pay a delivery fee. Some cruise lines provide the offering completely free when you choose a specific dining package, while others go further than just delivering to you room, with food available to order wherever you are on the ship, whenever hunger strikes.

Dress Codes

Mealtime dress codes vary depending on the cruise line, venue and whether you’re enjoying breakfast, lunch or dinner. While swimwear and bare feet or flip flops are always a no-no unless eating al fresco poolside, you’ll mostly find that casual clothing is fine for daytime dining. A smarter dress code is the norm in the evening, with sleeveless tops and casual shorts frowned upon, while some luxury cruise lines ask guests not to wear jeans. If you’re attending a formal night aboard your ship you’ll need to dress appropriately. While men can choose to don a tuxedo; dinner jackets, dress shirts and smart suits and ties are acceptable. Women can also dress to impress in evening gowns or cocktail dresses, but again, pantsuits or elegant skirts and blouses are accepted at formal dinners.

Children’s Meals

If you’re planning a family cruise holiday, you’ll want to ensure that any little ones are catered for with plenty of scrumptious treats and dishes to please even the pickiest of eaters. Well, worry not, as most vessels not only have an array of restaurants to choose from, but also offer lots of options for young sailors. Kids’ dining on cruise ships is full of fun and tasty flavours with children’s menus available in most family-friendly eateries. You’ll find favourites such as burgers, pizzas, hot dogs, fries and chicken nuggets, as well as delicious desserts and fresh fruit and vegetables. Some ships offer dedicated children’s stations as part of the buffet, while you can even find cruises where the kids have their own seating area in restaurants so they can dine with their new friends.

Special Diets

When you take to the seas on your dream cruise you want to know that what you’re eating is right for you and your health needs. Most cruise lines now cater for a range of special dietary requirements. Gluten-free, wheat-free, lactose-free and low-salt dishes can all be provided, while vegetarian and vegan menu items are widely offered. Diabetic, halal and kosher meals are also available in most cases, although notice is required well in advance. Allergy needs can also be taken care of, but it’s wise to confirm this prior to booking.
*If you or any of those you’re travelling with has a food allergy or special dietary requirement, it’s advisable that you let Destination2Cruise know when you book your voyage. You can do this by calling us on 0330 124 0425. We will then be able to advise you as to the suitability of your chosen arrangements. If you have booked a cruise with Destination2Cruise and not told us about a food allergy or special dietary requirement, please do so by calling 0330 124 0425, or email customerservices@destination2.co.uk.

Seating And Reservations

Although breakfast and lunchtime are usually pretty casual, at dinner many cruise lines offer assigned seating in main dining rooms, where you are allocated a certain table, at a specific time each night, sitting with other guests. Although you don’t get to choose who you sit with, when you book you are usually given the option of an early dining time of about 6pm or a late time, around 8pm. You may also have the chance to request a window seat or to sit at a smaller table with fewer people on it. If you hope to avoid sitting on a table that may have children on it, avoiding an early seating is a good idea, as this is usually preferable to those sailing with little ones. On the other hand, this time might be better for you if you wish to enjoy the shows and evening entertainment. If assigned seating and sharing a table with strangers doesn’t float your boat, you could always make a reservation in one of the speciality restaurants or enjoy a quick bite in a casual venue. Of course, a cruise where you can enjoy opening seating and a completely carefree anytime dining concept might be more to your liking. One such cruise line that offers this option, is Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), with its Freestyle Dining, with no fixed dining times or seating requirements, meaning you can eat when and where you like. If you do wish to be organised with your meal plans and make sure you don’t miss out on the best restaurants, you can always make a reservation. Most cruise lines now allow you to make bookings online or via an app, either prior to your voyage or while on board. However, you can still make a reservation in person on your ship if you wish to.

Drinks Packages

Enjoying carefree days of relaxation at sea can be thirsty work, and while most cruise lines offer basic drinks complimentary, if you wish to enjoy certain beverages you’ll have to splash the cash. If you only like the odd tipple, you could choose to pay as you go. However, if you’re the type of person that likes to enjoy a chilled beer by the pool, pair the perfect wine with your meal and sip cool cocktails pre- and post-dinner, you may find a cruise drinks package better value for money. You’ll find a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options across cruise lines, with beer, wine, cocktails, spirits, mocktails, soft drinks, fresh juices and speciality coffees and teas among the beverages available to enjoy.