When it comes to cruise dining most cruise lines offer vast choices in menus and venues. Guests can choose to eat al fresco or inside, grab a quick meal at a buffet, or spend the evening dining on a six-course menu. In fact, many ships have half a dozen or more dining venues on board. From delis and steak houses to Italian trattorias and French bistros, cruise ships have multiple dining options to please every palate and every craving.
Part of catering to cruise ship guests' every need includes accommodating passengers who require diabetic, low-fat or low-salt meals, kosher or other special dietary requests or who just want healthful choices. Spa cuisine is now popular with many lines and guests now have choices of low-calorie, low-fat and heart-healthy foods.
With the growing number of children sailing these days, most cruise lines offer special children's menus designed to satisfy the littlest gourmand. Most offer the kid dining staples of chicken fingers, pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled cheese and, of course, ice cream. Go gourmet
In addition to 24-hour buffets, pizza stands, and ice cream parlors, many cruise lines offer gourmet fare for the more sophisticated palate as well. Some lines host regular food-and-wine festivals and invite chefs and wine experts to lead seminars and tastings.
One of the big culinary trends in cruising is alternative dining venues where, for an additional fee, guests can indulge in a truly special dining experience themed around such cuisine as Asian, Italian, New Orleans or Seafood. Highlighting that commitment in food excellence, cruise lines also often feature menus created by celebrity chefs that highlight different food themes and employing cutting-edge preparation techniques.