Cruise Ship Dining - Explained

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