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