Best Cruises for Food 2023

Table Of Content

• Specialty Restaurants and Themed Dinners
• Seabourn
• This summer’s cheapest package holiday destinations
• Best cruise line for younger travelers
• Extra-fee snacks
• Check out these articles for more information on cruise dining:
• Best Cruise Destinations for Food in Asia
• Best Foodie Cruises For Every Budget (RANKED)

Exclusive to Disney Wonder is Tiana's Place, part of the rotational dining roster on the ship. The restaurant is themed after the Disney animated movie "The Princess and the Frog," with a menu that highlights Creole and Cajun cooking. While enjoying your dinner, you'll also be entertained by a live jazz band playing songs from the movie and other instrumental melodies. Breakfast is fairly basic with traditional morning options, but it's always nice to be served rather than fight others at the buffet line.

Specialty Restaurants and Themed Dinners

Thankfully, dining on the high seas has come a long way since the era of sad buffets, corny “formal night” suppers, and bland continental cuisine. To cater to the boom of people who travel with eating and drinking well in mind, cruise lines, at long last, have fittingly upped their culinary programming. Global Tastemakers is our first-ever reader’s choice awards, celebrating the best culinary destinations in the U.S. and abroad. F&W readers voted based on travel completed within the past three years, on categories including restaurants and bars, cities, hotels, airports, airlines, and cruises. Due to the limitations of pandemic travel, this year’s Global Tastemakers winners reflect a smaller portion of the globe. In many categories, we’re including an editor’s pick to shout out some more culinary destinations in places you can’t miss.

Seabourn

Norwegian Cruise Line food: The ultimate cruise guide to restaurants and dining on board - The Points Guy

Norwegian Cruise Line food: The ultimate cruise guide to restaurants and dining on board.

Posted: Thu, 21 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Visitors are treated to inventive treats like squid jerky and every flavor of Kit Kat bars imaginable - and that’s just in the convenience stores. Japan is the home of sushi, and everywhere you look in this cosmopolitan culinary hub you’ll find new tastes and smells to tempt your stomach. From ramen sold from food stalls to exquisitely cute bento bowls, to the delectably sweet mochi balls that are a classic Japanese dessert, Tokyo’s food scene is ubiquitous and multifaceted.

This summer’s cheapest package holiday destinations

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand is a must-see destination for the food, the history, the culture -  it’s everything you look for in a cruise destination wrapped up in one. When it comes to cruising through the Mediterranean, MSC Cruises are one of the best cruise line companies that you can use, as they run frequent cruises in the region. They will help you to explore the beauty and history of a city like Athens while treating your taste buds to a fine treat. There are many great places to eat in its capital Buenos Aires including the Fogon Asado restaurant where you might just have the best steak you will ever have. There are also food tours available where you will be able to sample all types of Argentinean delicacies.

Holland America restaurants: Your guide to food and dining on board - The Points Guy

Holland America restaurants: Your guide to food and dining on board.

Posted: Sat, 30 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Long an overlooked port city on France’s southern coast, Marseille has enjoyed something of a renaissance since being named a European Capital of Culture in 2013. Blending Provençal charm with notes of opulence infused with genuine diversity and multiculturalism, Marseille is a unique cultural hub in its own right. Thai cuisine is well known throughout the world and it takes influence from a lot of the surrounding regions as well as their own expertise to make some exquisite dishes. They often have a vast mix of herbs and spices to give you full flavor in every bite.

Extra-fee snacks

It makes sense, then, that the restaurants aboard their ships are plentiful and staffed with super-friendly servers. The cruise line boasts a whopping 42 different dining options, over half of which are included in the passage cost. Despite the relaxed dining atmosphere, the quality of the cuisine remains consistently high.

Whether you want fine dining or just want to grab some French fries, the USA features all the cuisines of the world. The pioneer of ultra-luxury cruises on small ships, Seabourn Cruise Line takes vacationers all over the world. The all-inclusive cruises give the feel of a floating resort, where relaxation is the name of the game. For those who adore Disney, they do offer whimsical Mickey-shaped treats and princess-themed afternoon teas. But if you have a penchant for culinary delights, you'll find ample options to satisfy your palate. If you're looking for something extra special and don't mind an additional cost, Royal Caribbean provides an array of specialty restaurants like Chops Grille or Jamie Oliver's Jamie's Italian restaurant.

Best Cruise Destinations for Food in Asia

Here you get a behind-the-scenes look at the kitchen, followed by a multi-course tastings dinner with wine pairings. Guests have reported the delicious food, served in beautiful settings with flawless service. Others have expressed that their partnership with American chef Thomas Keller also sets Seabourn apart, which brings a unique “wow” factor to their dining.

Best Foodie Cruises For Every Budget (RANKED)

With Norwegian Cruise Line, the journey is as much about the diverse and delicious cuisine as it is about the destinations. This approach allows guests the freedom to dine when and where they wish, choosing from an array of over 25 unique dining experiences. Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant offers a hearty taste of Italy, while The Chef’s Table provides a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings that change every few days, reflecting the cuisine of the ship’s current region. For a more casual yet equally refined experience, the Lido Café presents a buffet-style service with an array of international cuisines. In addition to these exquisite dining venues, Crystal Cruises offers the unique Vintage Room, where wine connoisseurs can indulge in exceptional wine-pairing dinners.

Known for engaging itineraries designed for inquisitive travelers, Viking is also known for the consistent quality across all of its ships, especially in the culinary department. Every ship has an onboard herb garden, and ocean cruises have cooking classes onboard. If you’re sailing with one of these cruise lines, check out their available drinks packages or specialty dining packages in advance to save yourself some serious sticker shock later on.

Mainstream cruise lines tend to have larger ships (carrying a capacity of around 2,500 to 5,000 passengers), cheaper cruise prices, and action-packed activity and entertainment programs. Most also boast a cornucopia of dining options, from poolside grills to 24-hour buffets to room service to upscale specialty restaurants. These cruise lines cater to families, budget cruisers, large groups, and younger cruisers, and are bright, colorful, boisterous, and vibrant cities at sea.

You’ll find options like Carnival’s Cheers package or Royal Caribbeans Deluxe Package, which covers a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout your voyage. Celebrity Cruises, known for their exquisite culinary standards, may allow you to witness the artful preparation of gourmet dishes right before your eyes, and perhaps even try your hand under the guidance of skilled chefs. Royal Caribbean International doesn’t just transport you around the world; it brings global flavors to your table with Mediterranean nights or a taste of Asia. Consider the specialty dining on Norwegian Cruise Line, where you can savor the flavors of a high-end Italian restaurant inspired by New York City’s Scarpetta. Whether dining al fresco under the stars or in the coziness of The Restaurant, you’ll find dishes infused with local ingredients and traditions, making every bite a journey unto itself.

If Cabanas is too busy or you just want a quick meal, head to Pete's Broiler Bites. The outdoor grill has a menu filled with American classics like burgers, hot dogs, brats and chicken tenders, all of which can be served with crispy fries. This is a hot spot on sea days for quick snacks and meals at lunchtime, so go during off times for a shorter wait.

Some cruises are explicitly designed around gastronomic experiences, offering itineraries that include stops at ports known for their food culture. The hallmark of quality cruise ship cuisine lies in its fresh ingredients, creative menus, and experienced culinary teams who craft each dish. Here are our top two picks for the best premium foodie cruise lines on the market and the accompanying best cruise ship restaurants.

With venues like the Tuscan Grille and partnerships with wine producers, you can enjoy perfectly paired sips and bites. The Kitchen Table experience focuses on regional recipes and the importance of locally sourced ingredients, allowing you to connect with the culture through its cuisine. Additionally, your journey includes culinary-focused shore excursions that tempt your senses with local cuisines. Relish in an extensive selection of fine wines and gourmet dishes in sophisticated venues like Prime 7 and Chartreuse. A dedicated staff ensures that each guest’s preferences and dietary needs are meticulously attended to, making every dining experience feel exclusive and tailored. Seabourn’s commitment to personalized service elevates the dining experience further.

Of course, you can find some delicious cuisine on Norwegian’s other ships as well, from the Norwegian Bliss to Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Joy. All those ships offer thoughtfully created menus in up to three different Main Dining Rooms, several casual cafes, grab-and-go places, seafood restaurants, and bars and grills. GET A SAMPLING OF WHICH VENUES ARE—OR AREN’T—INCLUDED IN YOUR DINING PACKAGEThe ins and outs of what’s included in your cruise dining package vary depending on the cruise line. Commonly, there are complimentary dining venues, like the main dining room or and buffets, and some cruise lines go the extra mile by adding food court-style venues on board. While upscale specialty dining typically is offered at an extra fee, some cruise lines may include select venues in various cruise packages.