Although cruise ships offer main dining restaurants (well, all except Royal Caribbean's Quantum class ships), you might like to treat yourself to a meal or two in a speciality restaurant during your vacation.
While most main dining rooms on board the ships are fine, speciality dining — also known as alternative dining — offers something a little more distinctive and a little extra special. On some ships, though, the upgraded dining experience is going to cost cruise passengers: Expect to pay at least $10 or $25 per person or more, depending on the venue.
For special occasions or just special nights
It really is worth booking yourself a table at a specialty restaurant. Here’s why:
If you're planning to celebrate a special occasion on board, perhaps a birthday or anniversary, then a meal in one of the onboard speciality restaurants (some ships have several) is certainly something you should consider. Whether the venue serves Italian cuisine, Indian spice, Brazilian or good old steak and lobster, you're in for a real treat. It adds an extra sparkle to your cruise vacation and allows you to break away into a dining experience that is a little more intimate and exciting.
Speciality restaurants are now big features aboard cruise ships. In recent years many celebrity chefs have embraced the demand for ‘designer dining’ and developed their own unique piece of culinary heaven aboard. Here are some of the main ones:
Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud — Celebrity Cruises
Le Voyage is the signature restaurant aboard Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent, created by renowned French chef Daniel Boulud. It offers a refined, globally inspired menu and is considered one of the most sophisticated fine dining experiences at sea.
Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa — Crystal Cruises
Master chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa, known for his famous Nobu restaurants, is behind Umi Uma on both the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. The menu features signature Nobu-style sushi and fusion cuisine, with the chefs personally trained by Matsuhisa himself.
Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver — Royal Caribbean
British chef Jamie Oliver has brought his rustic Italian concept to select ships in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class, including Anthem, Harmony, and Quantum of the Seas. The menu features classic fresh Italian ingredients in dishes created by Jamie Oliver.
The Grill by Thomas Keller — Seabourn
Thomas Keller, a revered Michelin-starred chef known for The French Laundry and Per Se, has created The Grill for Seabourn. This classic American steakhouse experience is available on all Seabourn ships, featuring dishes such as lobster thermidor and his signature desserts.
Crafted by Curtis Stone / SHARE — Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises partners with celebrity chef Curtis Stone for Crafted by Curtis Stone menu items available across the fleet, as well as the SHARE restaurant aboard select ships. SHARE offers a menu of elevated, globally inspired dishes designed for guests to enjoy together.
Costs vary per venue and cruise line and can be as low as $20 per person or as high as $99 per person or more, but you sometimes find when cruising with the top luxury or premium lines that the speciality restaurants are part of all-inclusive pricing and come at no additional cost. They are already included in the cost of the cruise fare. These include Silversea, Crystal Cruises, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania Cruises, Ponant Cruises and Virgin Voyages.
After you've paid for your cruise, you'll want to make reservations on the cruise line's website. Make sure to do this well in advance — some specialty restaurants are booked up before the ship even leaves the port! On some sailings, specialty restaurants are so popular that it may be difficult to get in if you wait until you're on board.
Bon appétit!
