There are many good reasons to go on a cruise holiday: superb scenery, stylish surroundings, the opportunity to visit many destinations in one single trip, and a great social scene. But what about the food? If you are going to be spending a few days onboard a ship, you will want to make sure that the culinary offer meets your expectations. And since we are talking about expectations, what should you really expect from typical cruise ship cuisine? Read on to find out.
All-inclusive cruise holidays
All-inclusive cruise holidays are a great option for those who need to stick to a budget. However, the food on offer has something of a bad press, as many believe mainstream cruise cuisine is dull and uninspiring. Is there any truth in this rumour? Actually, you may be pleasantly surprised by the food options served in all-inclusive cruises. For example, chances are that your breakfast will include some freshly baked goods, since nowadays the norm is to bake them onboard from frozen dough. Fruit juices and fresh fruit are also served in most all-inclusive cruises. As for the rest of the meals, expect the same range of quality and variety that you would expect from a casual dining venue back home.
Buffet dining is also offered by many mainstream cruise lines. In the majority of cruise ships, buffet cuisine features classic pasta dishes, a variety of salads, a pizza station, sandwiches, breakfast pastries, fruit, assorted vegetables and appetisers, and a range of meat and fish dishes. You can sometimes find a dedicated burger and hot dog station near the buffet.
Specialty dining
Specialty dining is available on every premium cruise ship, usually at a fixed cover charge. If you choose to go on one of these cruises, you should definitely expect more in terms of quality, variety, and freshness, mostly because a large amount of the food that is being served is cooked from scratch. Many items in the menu will be cooked to order, whether they are soups, salads, or lobster dishes. As for the variety, cruising companies like Royal Caribbean cruises offer a fantastic range of eating options, including sushi buffets, bistro-style food, and all-time favourites like pizza or steak.
Themed cruises
If you are a foodie, you will be pleased to know that you now have a range of themed cruises that focus on providing an outstanding culinary experience, such as food and wine or gourmet cruises. Because eating well is a priority for many cruise passengers, renowned chefs like Nobu or Jacques Pepin have partnered with cruise lines that now offer high-end dining. While the content of the menu varies from ship to ship, expect things like wine-pairing restaurants, custom-made seafood dishes, a range of regional delicacies, and innovative menu options. In fact, you should expect nothing less than you would when dining at an upscale or Michelin-starred restaurant.
