It’s time to throw those old misconceptions about boring and predicable cruise food offerings overboard! The tide is changing. Nowadays, cruise lines are elevating the food and beverage offerings on their ships with more creative menus, specialty dining experiences, celebrity-chef-driven dining concepts and locally inspired dishes using ingredients indigenous to the destinations they visit on their voyages. Here’s how foodies like you can find the best food and beverage options on your ship.

Central Park on Royal Caribbean's Oasis class ships offers multiple culinary experiences and tropical scenery; Photo by Solarisys/stock.adobe.com.

1. DIG INTO SOME RESEARCH AND REVIEWS
If you want to discover the best food and beverage options to please your palate on your next cruise, it’s important to do your research. While cruise lines make it convenient for guests to explore their dining options on board—with some cruise line now offering apps to help you navigate their sea of dining choices—there’s no need to wait until you board the ship. You can find descriptions of your ship’s onboard eateries right on your cruise line’s website, says AAA Travel Advisor Sue Martinez from the AAA Store in Dayton, Ohio. Sometimes, you can even view sample menus online.

Also, it’s wise to read reviews from past guests who have dined recently aboard the ship and are able to share their own firsthand experiences, adds Martinez. “Reviews are everywhere, so I’d also look at the reviews online for each of the dining venues on your ship.” 

Umi Uma restaurant on Crystal Cruise ship; Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises.

2. GET A SAMPLING OF WHICH VENUES ARE—OR AREN’T—INCLUDED IN YOUR DINING PACKAGE The 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. Several lines have elevated offerings for specialty dining, too. While upscale specialty dining typically is offered at an extra fee, some cruise lines may include select venues in various cruise packages. Also note that dining venues can vary not only by cruise line but also from ship to ship within the same line.

3. INDULGE IN GEO-CENTRIC DISHES ON A LUXURY CRUISE LINE
For an authentic taste of the regions your ship will be visiting, consider a luxury cruise line.

And, another simple strategy is to look for the crowds, says Martinez. “Usually, where there are lines, the food is good!”