| Mary Hanna explains the different dining | | | | only a few of them. If you make a |
| options on the cruise lines. She gives | | | | special request one night, John always |
| you advice on each option and why it | | | | asks for blue cheese, your waiter will |
| would be right for you. | | | | bring it every night. They pride |
| There are many cruise ships now | | | | themselves on remembering your tastes. |
| that have Freestyle Dining (Norwegian | | | | (This only happens when you choose |
| Cruises) or Choice Dining (Prince Cruise | | | | traditional dining). On one cruise we |
| line) available. Or on Disney Cruise | | | | asked for Melba toast, and you bet, |
| Lines they have what is called | | | | every night we had Melba toast. There is |
| "Rotational Dining". They have you and | | | | one thing I always make clear to the |
| your tablemates rotate through the three | | | | waiter. I am not a big eater but I like |
| restaurants each evening. TIP: There is | | | | to taste everything. I tell this to them |
| usually open seating for breakfast and | | | | the first night so they don't think I am |
| lunch in the main dining room. Be | | | | unhappy with the food. It is their job |
| adventurous with the menu because if you | | | | to keep you happy and they take it very |
| don't like something you can send it | | | | seriously. If you don't want to eat in |
| back for a replacement. And if they have | | | | the main dining room almost all ships |
| two things on the menu that you like ask | | | | have a Lido café where it is casual but |
| for both of them. My husband, John, | | | | you order from a menu and are served by |
| always orders the Filet Mignon and the | | | | a waiter. It's one of the many choices |
| Lobster Tail when they are served on the | | | | if you don't want to participate in a |
| same night. Many times he tells the | | | | formal night or if you just want to eat |
| waiter to bring what the waiter | | | | by yourselves. On Carnivals single |
| recommends for that evening. This means | | | | cruises they encourage this style of |
| you don't have to choose first or second | | | | dining so the singles can meet more |
| seating. (First seating is 6:00 to 6:30 | | | | people. There are exceptions to this but |
| and Second seating is usually | | | | not many. On some of the newer ships the |
| 8:00-8:30). There can be more than one | | | | Lido is open 24 hours a day. On most of |
| restaurant where you just walk in when | | | | the cruise lines they offer the food of |
| you are ready to dine. Every ship will | | | | the region that you are visiting. While |
| ask for your dining preference when you | | | | on Hawaiian cruises expect to be served |
| book your cruise. You can indicate | | | | Hawaiian food. When on an Alaskan cruise |
| first, second or flexible dining, | | | | you will be given the choices of salmon |
| whichever will make you more | | | | and Alaskan king crab legs. It makes |
| comfortable. The newer ships have a 24 | | | | more fun to dine on the local cuisine. |
| hour dining spot which is always casual | | | | All of the cruise lines offer healthy |
| so if you don't want to do the formal | | | | alternative menus or what they call spa |
| nights you don't have to, although I | | | | menus. So if you want low-fat, low-salt, |
| find dressing up to be quite fun. You | | | | low cholesterol, vegetarian or any other |
| will have many options for each meal. | | | | type of diet, they are available. It is |
| You may have any meal delivered to your | | | | best however to inform your travel agent |
| room, taken in the buffet restaurant or | | | | of any special needs so they can notify |
| in the dining room. There is usually | | | | the cruise line ahead of time. If you |
| outdoor dining around the pool with hot | | | | have special dietary needs make sure the |
| dogs and hamburgers, pizza, salads, even | | | | cruise lines knows before hand. For |
| Tacos. There are also alternative dining | | | | example, Royal Caribbean cruises cater |
| rooms available on some ships that | | | | to food allergy, Kosher, Indian, |
| require an additional fee but the | | | | Vegetarian and Gluten Free Diets. To be |
| service and food are generally 4 to 5 | | | | really safe read all of the cruise |
| star and worth it if you want to | | | | reviews and cruise critics sites for |
| splurge. In my experience families with | | | | each ships food and service ratings. |
| young children and people who go to bed | | | | Happy Cruising, enjoy it, we do! |
| early usually dine in first seating. But | | | | Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights |
| if you don't want to be on a schedule or | | | | Reserved. This article may be |
| want to meet new people every night, go | | | | distributed freely on your website and |
| for the alternative dining option. Of | | | | in your ezines, as long as this entire |
| course you can always ask for a table | | | | article, copyright notice, links and the |
| for two, but be aware that there are | | | | resource box are unchanged. |