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DINING |
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What are my dining options? |
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| When it comes to food, you might need some willpower. You have an unbelievable array of choices of what to eat and where to eat several times a day. You can have room service 24-hours-a-day. Some ships have pizzerias that never close, and alternative specialty restaurants with spectacular presentation of truly gourmet food. (There is an extra charge in most of the gourmet specialty rooms - usually about $15 - $25 per person.) You can have traditional cruise dining on most ships where you are assigned the same table and seating time each evening. For those that like more flexibility, most ships now offer "Freestyle" or "Personal Choice" dining. With these options, you choose when and with whom you want to eat with each evening. Maybe you want to just have a romantic dinner for two? Go for it! |
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I want the traditional dining experience. How do I choose between early and late dining? |
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| It's a personal preference issue. Usually the early dining is around 6:00 PM, with late dining being at 8:00 PM or 8:30 PM. Lunches in the dining room are usually 12:00 Noon and 1:30 PM, but many people opt for the poolside grill or more casual restaurant where you can choose your own time to dine. If you want to get as much into your day as possible and be the last one to leave the swimming pool, you should choose the late dining option. If you are traveling with young children or are used to eating at an earlier hour, you should choose the early dining option. Rest assured that there is always food available somewhere on the ship! |
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I like to meet new people so I am requesting a large table. How can I make sure I sit with people I'll be compatible with? |
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| In most cases, we suggest you select the flexible dining options which allows you to choose who you want to sit with once onboard. However, if you select traditional dining and it is available on your ship, tell Cruise and Resort what seating you prefer, and whether or not you prefer a small or large table, and the cruise line will do its best to match you with people you will like. Of course, the system isn't perfect. None of the passengers are given personality tests before their cruise. If you are not sitting with people you enjoy, notify the maitre d' as soon as possible so he can make a change. Do not be embarrassed! It is your vacation, and you have every right and responsibility to make it the best it can be. |
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How can we make sure that we sit with our friends and relatives who are going on the same cruise? |
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| Just let us know who you are traveling with when the reservations are made, and if you select traditional dining, we will cross-reference each cabin so that you all dine together. (If bookings are made at different times, there may not be availability at the same seating. Nevertheless, your Cruise and Resort agent will do everything possible to work out a solution with the cruise line.) If you get onboard, and you find you have different table assignments, see the maitre d' immediately to rectify the situation. |
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Can I change from traditional dining to flexible dining once onboard? |
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| It is rarely a problem to change dining options onboard. Just see the maitre d' and he will happily try to honor your request. |
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Can you tell me more about the non-traditional dining? |
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| In an attempt to attract more guests who usually stay at resorts, the cruise lines decided they needed to add more flexibility to the dining options. On many ships today you can select an option that doesn't lock you into the same time and table each evening. Cruise lines have their own names for this like "Personal Choice Dining" and "Free-Style" cruising. With these programs you might choose to dine at 7 PM one evening and 9 PM the next. One night you might want to eat with the friends you met at the pool, and the next you might want to have a dinner for just the two of you. This is more similar to what it is like at a resort or fine hotel. |
| Also new on the dining scene is the addition of alternative restaurants which offer a more gourmet experience in an intimate setting. Some of these restaurants are fine steakhouses and others run the gambit including French, Italian and Asian Fusion cuisines. Many passengers want to try out one of these restaurants at least once during their cruise, although there is an extra charge that is usually in the range of $15 - $25 per person. If you want to try out one of these specialty restaurants, be sure to make your reservation as soon as possible after boarding the ship. Because of their small size, reservations can be difficult to get mid-cruise. |
| Your dining and drinking possibilities on newer ships have very few limits. All have a casual restaurant, usually on the pool deck, offering things like hamburgers, hot dogs, pizzas, pastas, salad bars and a buffet of specialties. Many have patisseries, ice-cream parlors, and specialty bars serving caviar, fine coffees, wines, champagnes and exotic martinis. |
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OK, but what about eating sensibly and special diets? |
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| Almost every ship offers a low-calorie or "spa" menu at most meals. If you don't see what you want, just ask the maitre d'. The chef can prepare almost anything with a little notice. If you have food allergies, be sure to notify the maitre d' and head waiter when you board the ship. Here are some examples of the special diets available: Vegetarian, Vegan, Lactose Intolerant, Gluten-free, Diabetic, Low Sodium, Low Cholesterol, Low Calorie, Low Fat and Kosher. Some of these diets can be accommodated only if the cruise line is notified in advance of the sailing. Not all diets can be accommodated on all ships. If you are strict about these diets, please confirm and make the necessary arrangements in plenty of time. |
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What about celebrating a birthday or anniversary? Can we get a cake? |
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| Of course! Just give the maitre d' at least a day or two notice, and he will gladly arrange a dining room celebration. Be aware that some cruise lines now charge for the cakes. |
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Is smoking allowed in the dining room? |
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| Nearly all cruise ships now have smoke-free dining rooms. Policies do vary by cruise line and sometimes by destination. |
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Can I have breakfast in bed? |
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| You can have breakfast in bed, or just have coffee delivered to your room to enjoy while you get dressed. Just order room service the night before or when you get up in the morning. |
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Can we dine on our balcony? |
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| Sure you can. Room service works just like at a fine hotel, but on a cruise you don't get a bill. Many cruise lines allow you to order specialties off that evening's main restaurant menu, in addition to the regular room service menu. Ask your butler or cabin steward to let you see the evening's menu. |
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What about kids' meals? |
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| Kids can order anything from the adult menu, but many younger children prefer the kids' menu. You can usually find all the kid favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta, grilled cheese sandwiches, french fries and ice-cream sundaes. Many ships have pizzerias, and all have room service with snacks available 24-hours-a-day. If your child would like something specially prepared, just notify the waiter or maitre d'. The cruise staff will do their best to bring a smile to your child's face. |
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Does the ship have baby food? |
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| Most ships have baby foods available too, but we recommend you bring a good supply of your child's favorites just to be on the safe side. |
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