Some people cruise for the entertainment, some cruise for the thrill of a bingo win on the last day, some cruise for the shear joy and relaxation. Me I cruise for all the the above, I also cruise for the wonderful food prepared under the watchful eye of the Executive Chef.
With any ocean going vessel, adequate provisions is crucial, especially on a cruise ship serving several thousand meals at each seating. The loading of tons of provisions, the unloading of waste and the disembarkation and embarkation thousands of passengers is like a “military operation” at each end of the cruise itinerary. To feed thousands of passengers there is often a central galley responsible for serving all major restaurants aboard a ship, some specialty restaurants may have their own separate galleys. There are tens of unrecognised crew working in the galley 24 hours a day, preparing every food item prepared from scratch, under the direct supervision of an Executive Chef.
Some cruise lines have traditional restaurant sittings were split to serve two dinner services per day, an early dining and late dining. It was often more formal with passengers being allocated a set dining time and location for the entire cruise. With set dining here is an element of control over the accommodating the passengers and the food service having the two sittings. The clash with other on-board activities can be an issue that is often addressed with have two live theatre shows each evening.
If the cruise line has not allocated you a dining time, you may have to make a reservation. Formal set dining has been replaced on some cruise lines with Anytime Dining options for added flexibility. This is where you can go to the dining room at time during the service that suits you. You will have to remember that that time may also suit most other passengers, so there may be a need to wait to be seated at prime dining times.
There are a few rules when attending the main dining room. First is, don’t be late for your allocated time. It delays the service and it is plain rude. Secondly, you may be on a shared table is a larger table where up to 10 diners can be served. This is a great opportunity to meet you fellow passengers. There is few different ways this system works. There is the system where you are allocated the same table each night, so you share the experience with the same guests each night. There is the system where you are randomly allocated a table with different diners each night. Both systems have there merit, and both have their pitfalls.
In the system where you can be allocated a different table each night and are sat with new random guests each night. I have been at random allocated seating and made lifelong friends. I have been at random allocated seating where if the White Supremacist went missing overboard, you could fingerprint me as a prime suspect. Whatever you do, do not miss the opportunity to eat in the main dining room at some time over your cruise, it is a great experience.
Most cruise lines have a combination of a standard complimentary dining room and buffet. Buffets may offer a range of menus throughout the day to provide meals ranging from breakfast to late-night snacks.
The dress code for dining varies on each cruise line. The first night on board is usually very casual dress code for the dining room. There does appear to be a move away from formal attire to smart causal most evenings. Though some cruise lines do have formal night and themed nights.
Some cruise lines may have additional dining experiences such as a degustation know as a Chef’s Table. The experience is one of the best I have had. The pairing of amazing foods and great wines is truly memorable experience. I have done 5 or 6 Chef’s Tables now, everyone was memorable for a variety of reasons. The first thing I do when I board is ask if they run a Chef’s Table, the second thing I do is book it. The future of cruise dining is being pushed with exciting innovations.
Specialty restaurants are becoming more and more common with most cruise lines. If you are celebrating a special occasion, it is a wonderful treat. There will be a reasonable cover charge from $15 or more. You will normally have to make reservation as early as possible as prime time’s fill up quickly. Depending on the day you could walk up and be seated, but most times you will need a reservation. If you are not able to make an evening reservation, a lunch time reservation will be just as enjoyable. Dress codes for speciality restaurants may be stricter than the main dining room so pack at least one nicer outfit.
Bars and nightclubs are a staple for passenger entertainment. It has to be said that the majority of cruise lines do not include alcoholic beverages in their fares, so be prepared to budget additional money for drinks either as a package or as you order them. Most cruise lines have policies that prohibit passengers from bringing aboard and consuming their own alcoholic beverages. Some cruise lines may allow you to bring one bottle of wine per person, maximum of two per stateroom, to be consumed in the stateroom. If consumed elsewhere on the ship will incur a corkage fee. When you purchase duty-free alcohol either on board or ashore it is sealed and returned to passengers on disembarkation day.
