Cruise
ship dining is as good as people
say it is. Actually, it’s
better!
Passengers aboard the ships
of the Cruise Lines International
Association’s (CLIA) member-line
fleets will find extraordinary
cuisine and a choice of dining
experiences unparalleled at
any land-based resort.
“With the
variety of cuisine and experiences
available onboard, a cruise
is a great opportunity to have
your fill of your favorite tastes
or sample something new,”
says Terry L. Dale, president
and CEO of CLIA, the non-profit
association representing the
North American cruise industry
and nearly 16,000 travel agencies.
“Cruise lines pride themselves
on being able to cater to each
guest’s individual tastes
and that includes the dining
experience.”
Dining on cruise
ships has changed over the years,
so even experienced cruisers
who have not been onboard recently
will find many ways to enjoy
fine dining at sea. Here are
some common questions asked
about cruise ship dining by
both first-time and experienced
cruisers:
-
Do
I have to eat at the same
table every night?
Many ships offer a choice
of seating times with traditional
assigned seating in the
main restaurant while others
offer open seating –
the option to dine at a
time when it is most convenient
for you. While some enjoy
the experience of assigned
seating and meeting people
who may become friends for
a lifetime, others prefer
a cozy table for two. The
cruise lines make every
effort to accommodate individual
preferences.
-
Is
the main dining room the
only place to eat?
Actually, the
dining room is only one
of many dining venues available
onboard. A cruise ship can
have as many as 10 different
restaurants onboard. Often,
each venue reflects a different
theme, atmosphere or cuisine.
Guests can select from traditional
American favorites to French,
Italian and Asian menus
as well as specialties from
part of the world the ship
is visiting and menus prepared
by some of the world’s
most renowned chefs. Since
there are no prices on cruise
ship menus, it’s a
great opportunity to sample
something new or order second
helpings of your favorites.
Many ships also feature
alternative dining options
in the form of supper clubs,
bistros or upscale restaurants
featuring specialty cuisine.
Some of these alternative
dining options carry nightly
reservation fees per person
while others only require
reservations.
-
Do
I have to dress formally
for dinner?
Dinner does not
have to be a formal affair.
While most ships include
“formal nights”
as part of the cruise ship
atmosphere, tuxedos are
generally not required –
jacket and tie suffice.
And for those who opt not
to “get dressed up,”
most ships feature a variety
of options, such as informal
buffets on deck or poolside,
pizza bars, grills and coffee
shops. Some lines even feature
such unique dining experiences
as a beach barbecue, dinner
under the stars or dining
in the surf – the
choice is yours!
-
What
if I am hungry in the middle
of the night?
You can eat 24
hours a day. Guests can
grab a bite to eat from
pizzerias, ice cream/frozen
yogurt stations, and even
restaurants that are open
24 hours a day. And those
who prefer the comfort of
dining in their stateroom
or on their verandah can
order from room service
at any time of the day or
night.
-
With
all this food, isn’t
it hard to eat healthy or
maintain a diet?
While there is
definitely an abundance
of food, there is also an
abundance of healthy options.
From salads and vegetables
to chicken, beef and fish,
a variety of choices are
available on each menu.
-
What
if my youngster doesn’t
want a gourmet meal or if
I have special dietary needs?
Whether it’s
youngsters who prefer kid-sized
favorites like hamburgers,
hot dogs and chicken fingers
to five-course gourmet meals
or those following specific
diets, cruise ship galleys
can accommodate preferences
and dietary needs.
“With more
than 150 ships in the CLIA fleet,
it is important to select the
cruise that meets your culinary
expectations and can satisfy
your dining needs. A CLIA-member
travel agency can help you do
just that,” says Dale.
“These agents are the
recognized experts when it comes
to sharing the good word about
cruise vacations. They have
taken advantage of CLIA’s
extensive ongoing education
program, including personal
cruise ship inspections and
actual cruise experience.”
To help you find
a cruise expert to plan your
vacation, visit CLIA’s
Web site, www.cruising.org.
By typing in your zip code you
can find the nearest CLIA-member
agency. The Web site also features
a wide range of information
on cruises and destinations,
as well as numerous links to
member cruise lines and other
resources. |
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