cruise food review

Cruise Ship Food Reviewed: Which Cruise Line Is Best?

by Contractor | Nov 21, 2020 | resources , Travel Tips | 0 comments

Experienced cruisers know that the food onboard a ship can make or break the cruise. But with most cruises claiming to have the best food, how are you supposed to know which ones actually deliver on their promise?

Below, we’ve vetted each cruise line’s food based on many factors, including customer reviews. And as you know, customers usually don’t hold back when reviewing a meal! This list should help you narrow down your options and choose the cruise with the best food for both your palate and budget.

The Cruise Lines with the Best Cuisine

The cruise lines on this list not only have the best cuisine, but their service and atmosphere are top-notch as well. Combined, you have every element you need to make your dining experience onboard an unforgettable part of your trip.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line is one of the highest-ranked cruise lines overall, providing excellent customer service and giving passengers a ton of value for their money.

It makes sense, then, that the restaurants aboard their ships are plentiful and staffed with super-friendly servers. The cruise line boasts a whopping 42 different dining options , over half of which are included in the passage cost.

Each ship houses between 20 and 30 of these food establishments, with a range of included and additional options. Whether you’re looking for a casual place to grab a quick bite or a more formal sit-down affair, Carnival has got you covered.

Regular vacationers know that one of the largest expenses on any trip can be the food, but on Carnival ships, you’ve got many included options to choose from; the following is just a small sampling:

• Shaq’s Big Chicken: fried chicken, sides, breakfast
• Lucky Bowl: casual healthy Asian fusion
• Guy’s Burger Joint: burgers and fries
• Dining Room : 3-course meals in a formal(ish) environment
• Swirls: soft-serve ice cream
• Blue Iguana Cantina: bold Mexican fare

If, by some strange chance, you can’t find what you’re craving among the included options, there are plenty of restaurants available at an additional (but still reasonable) cost:

• Emeril’s Bistro 1396: flavorful Creole cuisine
• Rudi’s Seagrill: beautifully presented seafood dishes
• Cucina del Capitano: family-friendly Italian
• Guy’s Pig & Anchor: smokehouse and brewhouse
• Bonsai Sushi: sushi and other Japanese fare

Carnival is known for going out of their way to please customers, and their restaurants are more than happy to accommodate any dietary restriction, though sometimes it helps to let them know ahead of time.

Want an unforgettable experience for your kids? Check out the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, an interactive Dr. Seuss-themed dining experience with colorful, sugar-laden dishes.

Celebrity Cruises

If you’re looking to get away from the tacky decor of some cruise ships, then Celebrity Cruises are for you. Their ships are outfitted with a sleek, modern atmosphere that makes you feel like a thousand bucks when coupled with their outstanding service.

Naturally, their restaurants are first-rate as well, with a mix of classic and contemporary dishes served in classy settings.

Celebrity doesn’t stand up to Carnival as far as the number of options goes, with only two dozen restaurants in total, and up to a dozen per ship. But each one features menus crafted by Michelin-starred chef Cornelius Gallagher, so you’re definitely not going to go hungry.

Complimentary restaurants include:

• Main Restaurant: globally-inspired cuisine served in an airy, sophisticated setting
• Cyprus Restaurant: chic venue serving seafood and Mediterranean fare
• Normandie Restaurant: contemporary French dishes in an upscale environment
• Spa Cafe: healthy, light breakfast and lunch items
• Mast Grill: casual spot with burgers and more

Notable restaurants available at an additional cost:

Fine Cut Steakhouse: contemporary and traditional American fare

Le Grand Bistro: Parisian-style bistro

Rooftop Garden Grill Restaurant: Backyard BBQ with breathtaking views

Sushi on 5: authentic sushi and Japanese cuisine

The Porch Seafood Restaurant: fresh seafood in a rustic outdoor setting

Although we focused mainly on Celebrity’s official restaurants, they also have an impressive number of cafes, bars, and lounges where you can pick up comfort food, appetizers, and dessert.

Crystal Cruises

The award-winning Crystal Cruise Line has luxury cruising down to a T. Their outstanding service is matched only by their exquisite gourmet food, most of which is complimentary. In fact, only two restaurants on Crystal’s dining list incur additional fees, and even those offer each passenger one initial complimentary meal.

Known for providing a luxurious cruise experience with minimal passenger crowding, Crystal knows how to take care of their passengers.

Cruisers will enjoy complimentary meals at:

• The Classic Dining Room: a variety of options cooked in the French style
• Silk Road and Sushi Bar: sushi and Japanese fusion in a modern venue
• The Lido Cafe: casual buffet-style dining with made-to-order stations
• Trident Grill & Ice Cream Bar: burgers, wraps, and dessert items
• The Bistro: cafe drinks and fresh pastries

But what about their two specialty restaurants, you ask?

• Prego: seasonal Italian fare with an elegant old-world vibe
• Umi Uma and Sushi Bar: specialty sushi with Peruvian and European influences

In addition to regular dining options, Crystal Cruises feature a delightful afternoon tea, where you can try teas from all over the world.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Lines were started with families in mind, and they know how to create a magical experience you and your kids will remember for years to come.

That experience naturally extends to mealtimes, which feature outstanding cuisine served in restaurants ranging from classy, adults-only venues to restaurants that go all out to celebrate a Disney theme.

And best of all, almost all of the restaurants on Disney cruises are included with passage fares, so you and your family can try them all out. Just a few examples include:

• Duck-In Diner: Donald runs this quick-service spot, where you can grab dogs, burgers, and shawarma
• Tiana’s Palace: Southern cooking and live jazz inspired by The Princess and the Frog
• Enchanted Garden: seasonal menu and lunch buffet in an elegant faux outdoor setting complete with simulated sunrise and sunset
• Triton’s: upscale restaurant presided over Ariel’s dad, serving French and American cuisine
• Lumiere’s: Inspired by Beauty and the Beast , this refined spot offers American and French dishes

If you’re willing to pay a little extra to ditch the kids for the evening, there are also a couple of restaurants that cater to an adults-only crowd:

• Remy: Enjoy gourmet French-inspired dishes made with seasonal in a lavish setting
• Palo: A stylish venue offering Northern Italian cuisine

Disney does its part to make sure you get to try out different restaurants, featuring a rational dining schedule in which guests rotate between three dining rooms each evening. But don’t worry, your waitstaff rotates with you, so you won’t have to keep repeating dietary restrictions or preferences each night.

Holland America

Holland America caters to older adults who appreciate high-quality service and are willing to pay for it. As such, their dining options are exquisite and more refined than some of the cruises that primarily cater to families with children.

But that’s not to say that kids and teens are left out entirely: The cruise line has plenty to offer them as well; they just don’t beat you over the head with it.

Holland America offers flexible dining options or reserved seating, depending on your preference. The cruise line has just over a dozen restaurants and features a mix of included and specialty venues on each ship.

A few of the included dining options:

• The Dining Room: regionally inspired dishes, American fare, and vegetarian dishes
• Lido Market: wide range of options in a marketplace setting
• Dive-In: classic poolside spot serving up burgers and dogs
• New York Pizza: casual poolside pizzeria

There are also a wide range of specialty options for an additional charge:

• Pinnacle Grill: modern, refined steak and seafood grill
• Canaletto: rustic spot featuring authentic Italian dishes
• Tamarind: Asian fusion in a modern setting
• Rudi’s Sel de Mer: classy French brasserie with a contemporary twist
• Grand Dutch Cafe: traditional Dutch cafe located in an atrium

It’s worth noting that many specialty restaurants offer discounted rates for children so that the whole family can enjoy the treat. Speaking of treats, make sure to try the fantastic gelato at the ice cream parlor.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises cater to people from all over the world, so it makes sense that they offer a wide range of globally-inspired menus.

Known for providing an eclectic mix of entertainment aboard their ships, their dining experiences are equally diverse, offering options for every style and taste imaginable.

Which dining options are included with the price of the ticket? Well, here’s just a sample of what you might find:

• Main Restaurant: international dishes created by gourmet chefs
• Buffet Restaurant: extensive selections available morning, noon, and night

Looking for something a little more unique? Don’t worry, MSC is on it—there are a ton of amazing specialty restaurants in addition to the usual complimentary spots.

• Sports Bar: American food in a fun environment complete with games
• Tex-Mex and Steakhouse: steak and Mexican food served in a bright, cheerful atmosphere
• Galaxy Disco Restaurant: relive the 70s while enjoying the fusion dishes and tasting menu
• Eataly: fresh Italian cooking in a comfy homestyle setting
• Asian Fusion: Asian fusion in a trendy venue

Whether you’re off your diet during your holiday or are still trying to eat healthily, you’ll find something to suit your needs on MSC Cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for being laid back and casual, allowing cruisers to relax and have fun without worrying about dress codes and enforced schedules.

But one thing they do take seriously: providing amazing dining venues with finely crafted menus. Enjoy an elegant upscale meal or grab a casual bite at the buffet—Norwegian has something for everyone.

While they don’t have as many dining options as some other cruise lines, Norwegian makes up for the lack of quantity with quality. Fresh ingredients are expertly prepared and served by skilled waitstaff.

Complimentary dining options include:

• O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill: comfy spot offering pub food and drinks
• Main Dining Rooms: fine dining with a rotating menu
• Beyond Buffets: expansive buffet with everything from salads to meat, pasta to dessert
• Asian Fusion: Asian-inspired dishes in a contemporary setting
• Sabrett’s Hot Dogs: casual hot dog stand

If you’re looking for a more distinctive dining experience, try:

• American Diner: casual diner with a retro feel and classic car-booths
• Q Texas Smokehouse: authentic Texas BBQ complete with live country music
• Moderno Churrascaria: traditional Brazilian rotisserie in a trendy setting
• Le Bistro: formal, sophisticated French cuisine
• Food Republic: global fusion in a sleek, modern atmosphere

Although most of the restaurants are in keeping with the ship’s relaxed dress code, some of the fancier ones, like Le Bistro, are a little more formal, so keep that in mind.

Norwegian keeps the atmosphere onboard fun and relaxing, but you can bump up the enjoyment factor even more by stopping by one of their exclusive dessert shops for a treat.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises are perfect for cruisers looking for an upscale yet relaxed country club vibe during their holiday. If you want a premium experience at less than premium prices, Oceania is the cruise line for you.

Their mid-sized ships offer plenty to do, and more importantly, plenty to eat.

Their award-winning cuisine has won them the nickname “ the cruise line for foodies ” in some circles, which is not surprising. Given their venues’ relaxed elegance and gourmet menu options, there’s so much to love.

A few of the many included dining options:

• The Grand Dining Room: stately European-style dining area with a rotating menu
• Polo Grill: steak and seafood served in a warm, traditional atmosphere
• Toscana: traditional Italian cooking served on custom Versace china
• Jacques: eclectic Parisian bistro
• Red Ginger: bold, contemporary spot featuring updated Asian classics

There are only two specialty dining options to choose from, but both are exceptional:

• Privee: Private gourmet dining for up to ten guests in an exclusive setting
• La Reserve: pairing dinner for wine enthusiasts, by reservation only

If you find yourself with a free afternoon, the 4:00 tea time is delightful, with a string quartet playing in the background as skilled waitstaff serve pastries, finger sandwiches, and desserts.

Princess Cruises

One of the largest cruise lines in the world, Princess Cruises offers traditional-style cruises. What do we mean by traditional-style? Well, think more relaxing resort rather than a floating amusement park, and you’ve got the idea.

There is still plenty to do aboard Princess ships, but the focus is more on relaxation than on high-octane activities. For this reason, this cruise line is as popular with middle-aged couples as it is with families with kids.

Casual elegance and a warm, welcoming atmosphere permeate Princess ships, and their dining experiences take center stage.

Indulge in one of their fine dining options, included in the price of a ticket:

• Dining Rooms: upscale dining with a variety of options
• 24-Hour International Cafe: a casual spot for cafe fare
• Alfredo’s Pizzeria: gourmet pizzas in a warm, cozy atmosphere
• Vines: wine bar with sushi and tapas in the atrium
• Burger & Hot Dog Grill: casual place to grab burgers and daily specials

Specialty restaurants that are worth paying a little extra for:

• Share: Michelin star chef, Curtis Stone, offers a varied menu with fresh ingredients
• The Salty Dog: gastropub featuring gourmet takes on pub food
• Sabatini’s: award-winning Italian food with a modern twist
• Harmony: flavorful Cantonese cuisine expertly prepared by Chef Richard Chen
• Bayou Cafe: New Orleans-style dishes in a contemporary setting

If you’re looking to make your evening extra special, Princess Cruise’s chocolate and wine tasting is a perfect way to unwind after a long day.

Royal Caribbean

One of the most well-known cruise lines in the world, Royal Caribbean has been around since 1969. They offer a wide range of activities, from rock climbing walls to Broadway shows.

If you’re looking for a cruise line that will keep your day jam-packed with fun activities, this is the cruise line for you. And if you’re looking for a cruise line with amazing food served by friendly waitstaff—this cruise line is also for you.

Families, couples, and groups of friends will love the excellent dining options that range from casual to formal and everywhere in between.

What’s included with the passage fare, you ask?

• Cafe Promenade: casual cafe serving diner food 24 hours a day
• Park Cafe: gourmet deli food in a trendy setting
• Coastal Kitchen: smart casual spot featuring farm-fresh coastal fare
• El Loco Fresh: Mexican food made with fresh ingredients
• Dog House: casual hot dog joint offering traditional and updated dogs

There is plenty to choose from as far as included fare goes, but for those interested in seeking out even more options, these specialty restaurants are worth checking out:

• Chef’s Table: exclusive formal five-course meal for the ultimate foodies
• Samba Grill: contemporary venue serving cuisine from Brazil
• Portside BBQ: homestyle BBQ in a casual setting
• Sabor: contemporary Mexican fare in a trendy spot
• Teppanyaki: Asian dishes prepared at your table

There are two things you can be sure about if you take a Royal Caribbean cruise: you won’t be bored, and you won’t go hungry!

Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

Scenic Luxury Cruises are, well, luxurious, as you could have probably guessed. They started out offering luxury river cruises but have since expanded into the ocean cruise market as well. For cruisers looking for a boutique hotel’s feel with the passing scenery and opportunities for exploring that only a cruise can offer, Scenic Luxury Cruises is the company to check out.

Providing one of the most glamorous cruise experiences available, it makes sense that the state-of-the-art vessels feature mouth-watering gourmet cuisine. Let’s take a look at just a few of their onboard dining facilities :

• Crystal Dining: varied menu prepared by award-winning chefs
• Portobellos: upscale Italian restaurant in an intimate setting
• River Cafe: casual dining spot with lighter fare and healthy options
• Table La Rive: exclusive dining experience for Diamond Members

Usually, this is the section where we’d list the available restaurants at an additional charge, but since everything in Scenic Luxury Cruises is included, that means that you already have access to all the fantastic dining experiences their ships have to offer.

This cruise line offers “dine anytime, anywhere” options and is one of the most flexible cruise lines when it comes to meals. Their chef will even prepare a picnic basket for you if you’d like to enjoy a bite next time you visit the shore—what other cruise lines do that?

Seabourn Cruise Line

The pioneer of ultra-luxury cruises on small ships, Seabourn Cruise Line takes vacationers all over the world. The all-inclusive cruises give the feel of a floating resort, where relaxation is the name of the game.

Stop by the spa for a tension relieving massage, then head over to one of their phenomenal restaurants for a taste of cruising that would make even the most snobbish food critic green with envy. Just some of the selections available are:

• The Restaurant: classic elegance with a varied menu
• The Grill by Thomas Keller: retro American food with a modern twist
• The Colonnade: indoor-outdoor restaurant with a casual feel and themed nights
• The Patio: casual poolside lunch and dinner under the open sky
• Sushi: authentic sushi rolls prepared by hand

The helpful staff on Seabourn cruises are more than happy to serve your dinner in your room if you wish—even full multi-course meals.

As you might have guessed, all restaurants on Seabourn cruises are complimentary. Relax in your room or on your veranda with a gourmet meal, or explore what the stylish dining rooms have to offer— with Seabourn, it’s entirely up to you.

Viking Cruises

Viking Cruises is another cruise line that started by offering river cruises, then expanded out into the open water with ocean cruises.

Travel + Leisure named the cruise line #1 in luxury cruises , so clearly, they’re doing something right. One of the things they’re excelling at? That’s right, you guessed it: the cuisine.

The small ships do not cater to families with children, so they’re perfect for couples looking to get away and relax with some peace and quiet while on the way from one incredible destination to the next.

Of course, one of the best ways to pass the time is by indulging in some fantastic cuisine, and fortunately, Viking Cruises has taken care of everything. Take a look at a few of their offerings :

• The Restaurant: sophisticated dining featuring regional cuisine
• Manfredi’s: Italian trattoria with a private dining room
• World Cafe: global fare presented in a lively atmosphere
• Mamsen’s Norwegian Deli: Norwegian specialties in a tasteful space
• Aquavit Bar: Viking inspired indoor-outdoor space serving specialty drinks

As with most ultra-luxury cruises, Viking gives guests complimentary dining at all their venues and never charges for meals. Their top-notch cuisine and refined dining areas are sure to be a memorable part of your vacation.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises offer boutique cruises on small ships and are known for their exemplary hospitality and unique destinations.

The small ships don’t offer nearly as many dining options as cruise lines with larger ships, but the quality is so impressive that you won’t miss the variety one bit. The refined decor and accommodating servers make every dining experience feel like a treat unto itself, not to mention the inventive cuisine.

Dining options include:

• Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso: tapas restaurant with a romantic, intimate feel
• Star Grill by Steven Raichlen: a casual outdoor spot for BBQ and grilled goodies
• AmphorA: stunning dining room offering regional delicacies, desserts, and wine
• Veranda: bright and spacious venue serving breakfast and lunch
• Candles Grill: outdoor dining with an unbeatable view and broad menu

Notably, the staff is very accommodating and go out of their way to assist those with special dietary restrictions. With Windstar, you never have to worry about one member of your party having their vacation dampened by limited food options or wait staff that is unknowledgeable or unhelpful.

All dining is included with passage, and there are no scheduled dining times to adhere to. Take advantage of the fantastic food and matchless ambiance of the dining venues onboard and enjoy a romantic dinner for two.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it: your ultimate guide to the best cruise ship food available. While there are plenty of other things to consider when deciding which cruise line to book with, your dining experience is definitely one of the more important ones. If you’re not fed well, it’s going to be hard to enjoy other aspects of the cruise, especially for “foodie” vacationers.

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9 cruise lines with the best food.

Set sail with one of these cruise lines for an epicurean adventure at sea.

Cruise Lines With the Best Food

Courtesy of Holland America Line

Holland America Line's Tamarind restaurant offers delicious Pan-Asian cuisine.

Taking a cruise vacation transports you to coveted destinations in places around the world. For many people, though, it's all about the culinary experience, especially for those who return time and again to dine at their favorite onboard venues – many of which rival the best restaurants you'll find on land. While most cruise lines still offer all-you-can-eat buffet-style venues, some also feature next-level culinary experiences with world-renowned chefs at the helm, menus curated by Michelin-starred chefs, and immersive food and beverage programs.

If you're a foodie looking for the cruise lines with the best food, U.S. News has compiled this list of cruise lines focused on delivering an extraordinary dining experience, based on expert opinion and reviews. We've also highlighted two of the venues on each line that receive accolades for outstanding food and service.

Luxury cruise lines

Mainstream cruise lines.

Find your perfect cruise

Oceania Cruises

Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises' culinary program has long been regarded as one of the best of any cruise line – and the company has even trademarked the term "The Finest Cuisine at Sea." Jacques Pépin, the renowned French master chef, has been the executive culinary director since 2003; he has inspired the menus and cuisine on board the line's seven small luxury ships since that time, including the newest vessel, Vista . Oceania is also committed to sourcing the best ingredients from destinations around the world. In addition, the line has a high ratio of culinary staff to guests, and the ship's galleys are outfitted with equipment you'd typically see in Michelin-starred restaurants.

Guests can book exclusive Culinary Discovery Tours on two of the ships, Marina and Riviera . Hone your culinary skills or learn to prepare new types of cuisine at The Culinary Center, found on Marina, Riviera and Vista. You'll also find special wine-tasting and Champagne events in partnership with La Reserve by Wine Spectator. In addition, the line has just announced its first Culinary Masters' Cruise featuring Oceania's two French master chefs aboard Marina in October 2024.

Most of the dining venues are complimentary on Oceania Cruises (except for Privée and La Reserve), and options run the gamut from French and Asian cuisine to Italian fare and steakhouse specialties. There are also new culinary concepts on board Vista – including Ember, which features American classics, as well as Aquamar Kitchen, a venue focused on healthy Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

Here are two of Oceania's best restaurants:

• Red Ginger: Red Ginger's colorful red and gold interiors, designed with feng shui in mind, draw guests in when they enter the restaurant, but it's the bold Asian flavors that keep them coming back for more. With Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese specialties to choose from, diners will enjoy selections such as caramelized tiger prawns, crispy ginger calamari, red and green curries, and bulgogi rib-eye steak. Red Ginger is available on Marina, Riviera, Sirena and Vista.
• Toscana: The hearty cuisine inspired by Tuscan and northern Italian flavors at Toscana is served on Versace china that's custom designed for the restaurant. Diners should come with an appetite to enjoy several courses before the main event, including a hot or cold antipasti or soup, a selection of pastas, and a classic version of Caesar salad prepared tableside. Traditional main dish favorites include osso buco alla Milanese, veal scaloppini, lobster fra diavolo and Dover sole. Toscana is available on Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Marina, Riviera and Vista.

Book an  Oceania Cruises  itinerary on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

Silversea Cruises

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Silversea is another cruise line known for its culinary excellence. Guests will find a selection of international venues featuring Italian, Asian and French cuisine on board the line's fleet of 12 ships.

S.A.L.T., an immersive dining experience that stands for "Sea and Land Taste," is available on Silver Nova , Silver Moon and Silver Dawn . The S.A.L.T. program was created by Adam Sachs, former editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine and three-time James Beard journalism award winner. The innovative program invites guests to experience the destination and local food culture through on-board hands-on activities, including making local recipes in the S.A.L.T. Lab. You can also attend cooking demonstrations and lectures, or book in-depth culinary excursions to working organic farms, Sicilian pasticcerias (where you'll learn how to make pastries) and vineyards in destinations around the world.

The all-inclusive luxury line's restaurant venues are complimentary with the following exceptions: French fine dining restaurant La Dame; the S.A.L.T. Chef's Table experience available on Silver Nova; Seishin Restaurant, which serves Asian fusion dishes on Silver Spirit; and Kaiseki, the Japanese, sushi and teppanyaki venue available on five Silversea ships.

These are two standout dining venues on Silversea:

• S.A.L.T. Kitchen: S.A.L.T. Kitchen's menu changes daily inspired by the destination, but diners will also find a "Voyage" menu that reflects the influences from the overall region of the itinerary. The daily "Terrain" menu in Italy might include dishes likes prawns cooked in a cherry tomato sauce with garlic, white wine and parsley or a classic risotto with clams topped with a pan-fried filet of sole. The "Voyage" menu on an Eastern Mediterranean sailing would feature dishes from Greece, Croatia and Italy. The immersive dining experience is available on Silver Ray, Moon, Dawn and Nova.
• La Dame: The curated menu at La Dame was created by Silversea's top chefs and is served in an elegant contemporary space with white-glove table service. The cuisine pays homage to classic French gastronomy along with modern techniques and flair. Guests can expect to dine on traditional French dishes such as seared duck foie gras, French onion soup, lobster bisque, Dover sole and souffles for dessert. La Dame is available on all the line's ships, except for Silver Origin.

Find a  Silversea Cruise  on GoToSea.

Explora Journeys

Courtesy of Explora Journeys

MSC Group's new luxury brand, Explora Journeys, features a top-notch culinary program with a team of international chefs at the helm. Acclaimed chef Franck Garanger, the line's head of culinary, has been recognized as a French master chef since 2008; he has also overseen the culinary programs for both Silversea and Oceania cruises before joining Explora.

According to Garanger, Explora Journeys has one of the highest chef-to-guest ratios and food costs of any cruise line, which is why you'll see offerings like freshly shucked oysters on the half shell, ceviche, free range and organic chicken, made-to-order grilled fish, and other freshly prepared items in Emporium Marketplace, Explora's globally inspired all-day dining venue. There's also a large focus on plant-based dishes, wellness and healthy menu selections in venues across the ship.

The first of six 922-guest superyacht-style vessels, Explora I, offers guests a choice of six restaurant venues, including the French-inspired Fil Rouge; Marble & Co. Grill, an elegant European steakhouse; and Med Yacht Club, which features delightful Mediterranean cuisine. Guests will also enjoy boutique international and regional wines; try a glass of Moët & Chandon, Explora's "house" Champagne.

During your "journey," you can also attend cooking classes at the Chef's Kitchen, a private dining and culinary school with lead enrichment chef Jean-Louis Dumonet at the helm. Another world-class chef, Dumonet received the distinction of becoming a French master chef in 1994 and has had a very successful culinary career, including achieving his first Michelin star at age 28.

Explore these standouts in Explora's culinary program:

• Sakura: This beautiful Pan-Asian restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. The bright and airy design features cherry blossoms suspended from the ceilings and Asian-inspired decor. The authentic dining experience also boasts an open kitchen and a sushi bar with many ingredients sourced from Japan, and the venue has outdoor seating and indoor tables with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Begin your evening with an Asian-inspired cocktail and a starter of crispy duck leg confit, wagyu beef tataki or soft-shell crab tempura. Main dish highlights include a miso black cod fillet, 72-hour slow-cooked short rib beef panang and an addictive lobster pad Thai.
• Anthology: The innovative concept at Anthology "is imagined as a unique culinary stage showcasing global cooking talents and cuisines, provenance and rare ingredients along with wines by highly coveted winemakers." The tasting menus are curated by a rotation of top chefs that changes throughout the year. The first chef who opened the new ship, Mauro Uliassi, has a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in the coastal town of Senigallia, Italy. The second chef (through April 2024) is Swedish-born Emma Bengtsson, executive chef at the two-Michelin-starred Aquavit in New York. Anthology is the only dining venue on Explora I that comes at an additional cost. There's also an optional wine pairing.

Compare  Explora Journeys  cruises on GoToSea.

Regent Seven Seas

Regent Seven Seas' culinary program, "Epicurean Indulgence," features top-notch dining experiences on board the luxury line's six ships. Guests will also find educational hands-on cooking classes in the Culinary Arts Kitchen and Epicurean Explorer tours focused on the wines, spirits and regional foods in destinations around the world. Regents' all-inclusive cruise fares include as many as seven dining venues (depending on the ship), that feature French, Italian, Pan-Asian and steakhouse restaurants as well as 24-hour in-suite room service. You can also enjoy fine wines and spirits in all the restaurants, bar and lounges.

Regent Seven Seas boasts a variety of excellent restaurants, but here are two top options:

• Pacific Rim: The entrance to Pacific Rim is just as impressive as its food with the floor-to-ceiling bronze Tibetan Buddhist prayer wheel that sits just outside the venue. Inside, your evening experience in this beautiful zen-like space begins with a signature cocktail and a difficult decision of which Thai, Japanese, Korean, Chinese or Vietnamese dishes to order for dinner. Begin your meal with a selection of sushi and sashimi, then sample pork and shrimp siu mai or thom kha gai soup. For a main dish, don't miss elevated dishes like miso black cod, Canadian lobster tempura or aromatic duck.
• Compass Rose: Compass Rose is the largest specialty restaurant on Regent's ships, and you'll find the elegant venue across the fleet. The menu features classic favorites and dishes that are always available, including foie gras, escargot, Alaskan crab salad, black Angus cuts of beef, New Zealand lamb chops and a daily choice of pasta. The additional chef's gourmet menu changes daily. If you prefer lighter fare, choose one of the healthy Serene Spa & Wellness selections. Guests can also customize their dining preferences and order from any of the menus.

Explore  Regent Seven Seas  deals on GoToSea.

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Courtesy of Viking

Viking's nine 930-guest and adults-only ocean-going ships offer destination-focused dining highlighting regional cuisine and local specialties. In addition, cruisers will find their favorite classic dishes (some with a twist), such as a Norwegian baby shrimp cocktail, beef tenderloin and linguine with clams in The Restaurant, Viking's main dining venue.

Other dining options include an open kitchen and international fare at World Café, which also has a large alfresco dining area called Aquavit Terrace. For more casual fare, head to Mamsen's, a favorite spot for Norwegian specialties, or stop by the Pool Grill, where you'll find made-to-order burgers and light bites. All of these venues – plus two specialty restaurants, Manfredi's and The Chef's Table – are included in the cruise fare.

Guests on board Viking's ships are also treated to a daily afternoon tea in the Wintergarden, a Scandinavian-inspired, light-filled space located next to the main pool. If you're interested in learning more about destination-focused cuisine, reserve a spot in one of the hands-on cooking classes at The Kitchen Table to learn how to prepare some of the local dishes. These special excursions and culinary classes begin with a visit to a local market and end with an evening of cooking (or watching the dinner preparation) – plus multiple courses of food and wine pairings. There is a fee for the class.

The two specialty restaurants provide an exceptional experience with Viking :

• Manfredi's: Plan to make a reservation at Manfredi's, Viking's Italian restaurant. It features an impressive menu of Italian specialties, including dishes with influence from Tuscany and Rome. Start the evening with a selection of antipasti for two and pasta e fagioli or crème of porcini soup. Then, choose between traditional offerings like osso bucco alla Milanese, rosemary parmesan-crusted lamb or the Tuscan favorite dish bistecca Fiorentina (Florentine-style steak). There are also wonderful fresh pasta dishes and several types of risotto.
• The Chef's Table: The Chef's Table menu changes several times throughout the cruise, allowing guests to sample a variety of multicourse tasting menus that highlight international and regional specialties. The beautiful venue is perfect for a special evening and a "food journey" where you'll savor a selection of Asian, Norwegian, French or other cuisines paired with wines by the ship's master sommelier.

Book a  Viking Ocean Cruises  itinerary on GoToSea.

Holland America Line

Holland America's master chef and creative culinary artist, Rudi Sodamin, has been with the line for around 20 years. He also heads up the Culinary Council, a group of well-known chefs who will be on board for culinary cruises scheduled throughout the year. During these special voyages, guests can attend cooking demonstrations and coffee chats and make reservations for exclusive chef-hosted dinners and events throughout the cruise.

Holland America also has a new initiative with Fresh Fish Ambassador, chef and TV personality Masaharu Morimoto (you'll recognize him from "Iron Chef"). The Global Fresh Fish program affords the line the ability to source more than 80 varieties of fresh fish in destinations around the world. In addition, you'll find certified sustainable Alaskan seafood on the menu during Alaska cruises .

Wine aficionados can look for wine tastings and wine blending sessions on board the ship and excursions to wine regions ashore, some in partnership with Food & Wine magazine. Rudi's Sel De Mer is an excellent choice for a fine dining evening, but the French brasserie-inspired venue is only available on three ships.

Here are two of Holland America's top specialty restaurants:

• Pinnacle Grill: Pinnacle Grill, an upscale steakhouse, is a specialty restaurant (with an additional fee) that's available on all of the line's 11 ships. It's a favorite spot for couples to enjoy a romantic evening and features classic dishes like shrimp cocktail, jumbo lump crab cakes, lobster bisque, filet mignon, surf and turf, and grilled lamb chops. Seafood lovers will also find Alaskan king salmon and halibut. Be sure to save room for a twist on a timeless dessert – the not-so-classic baked Alaska with Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream.
• Tamarind: Tamarind's elegant atmosphere and flavorful Pan-Asian cuisine make this another top pick for Holland American cruisers. The specialty restaurant is available on four ships (for an additional fee) and features dishes from Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and other Asian countries. Appetizers include specialties like crispy duck with a steamed bao bun, shrimp tempura and Chinese five-spice baby back ribs. For the main course, choose from several types of curries, sample Mongolian barbecue lamb chops, or feast on wok-seared shrimp and lobster. Plan to come early to Tamarind Bar to enjoy a cocktail such as a saketini while watching the sunset over the ocean.

Find a  Holland America  cruise on GoToSea.

Disney Cruise Line

Mark Ashman | Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line offers excellent family-friendly dining options with over-the-top Disney- and movie-themed venues with live character performances and shows. The ships also have upscale adults-only lounges, bars and restaurants that are perfect for a romantic date night. Disney Cruise Line 's unique rotational family dining concept allows guests to experience three different restaurants while having the same dedicated servers every one of those evenings, so the service is personalized throughout your voyage.

Guests on board Disney Wish can dine in the fictional kingdom of Arendelle at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. The "Frozen"-themed evening includes Nordic-inspired dishes, musical performances by the characters and even singalongs for the audience. On Disney Wonder , guests are treated to a night filled with New Orleans-style jazz and street parties plus Southern-influenced fare at Tiana's Place. You can also meet Princess Tiana from Disney's animated feature "The Princess and the Frog."

Other top dining venues on Disney Cruise Line include:

Palo: This adults-only Venetian-inspired venue is an upscale spot ideal for a quiet evening without the kids (who will be very happy to spend time at the onboard kids club). The fine dining experience features northern Italian cuisine and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views from nearly every perspective. The specialty restaurant also serves brunch on longer cruises. The prix fixe (or "prezzo fisso") menu includes four courses, or you can opt to choose from the regular menu with a selection of appetizers, salads, pizza, pasta and main dishes that are individually priced. Guests will find Palo on Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy.

On Disney Wish, there's an updated version of the dining concept, Palo Steakhouse. The modern steakhouse and Italian restaurant – inspired by Cogsworth, the enchanted clock from "Beauty and the Beast" – offers cuts of Australian wagyu, Japanese Kobe and Miyazaki beef as well as delightful Italian cuisine and spectacular ocean views. Be sure to splurge on a cocktail at The Rose before dinner if you're dining at Palo Steakhouse. Note that meals at Palo and Palo Steakhouse come with an additional charge.

Remy: The exquisite dining experience at Remy is a collaboration between French chef Arnaud Lallement from l'Assiette Champenoise (a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in France) and Walt Disney World Resort 's chef Scott Hunnel from the renowned restaurant Victoria & Albert's. Your leisurely evening of fine wines and a tasting menu of French fare begins with a signature Taittinger Champagne cocktail prepared tableside.

Special touches in the "Ratatouille"-inspired venue include Frette linens, Christofle silverware, exclusive Bernadaud china made for Remy, Riedel glassware, tableside international cheese service and decanting stations for wines. A Champagne brunch is served on sea days and select port days. There is an additional charge to dine at the restaurant, which is available on Disney Dream and Fantasy.

Explore  Disney Cruise Line  deals on GoToSea.

Virgin Voyages

Courtesy of Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages' creative approach to cruising can be found in nearly every aspect of the line's three ships, including its adults-only vibe and fresh approach to dining. Virgin Voyages does not have a traditional main dining room – and there's no onboard buffet or large dining halls. What you will find is more than 20 eateries with menus created by Michelin-starred chefs that are included in the cruise fare. These smaller and more intimate venues include The Galley, a food court-style spot for casual and grab-and-go fare like bento boxes, tacos, salads, sushi, burgers, noodle bowls and desserts.

Meat lovers and vegetarians will love the veggie-forward dishes and indulgent pork or chicken specialties at boldly designed Razzle Dazzle. At Extra Virgin, sample trattoria-style Italian fare like crispy artichokes, seafood pasta, grilled Mediterranean sea bass and a special tableside preparation of affogato for dessert. For a Korean barbecue experience, head over to Gunbae, a fun spot where your evening begins with a shot of soju – Korea's national drink and the best-selling liquor in the world. The Wake is the largest venue on board and the closest restaurant to a main dining room; it sits at the back of the ship and features a raw bar in addition to a selection of steaks and seafood (some offerings come with an upcharge).

There are many excellent options for dinner, but these are two cruiser-favorite venues:

• The Test Kitchen: Inspired by Auguste Escoffier's "Ma Cuisine," The Test Kitchen is a favorite spot for its laboratory-like eatery and cooking school. The interior decor features metal furniture, beakers and test tubes to get diners in the mood for the exploratory culinary evening. Menus at this innovative venue are presented as a list of ingredients, and guests get to watch the chef combine the selected ingredients of the day for the six-course tasting menu. The upscale experience takes about 2.5 hours. Wine, beer or cocktail pairings come at an additional fee.
• Pink Agave: Virgin's stylish Mexican dining venue, Pink Agave, was inspired by the vibrant streets of Mexico City – and the restaurant features what the line calls the most extensive selection of mezcal and tequila at sea. The menu offerings include small, medium and large plates plus desserts. To begin the evening, order a few small bites to share, including esquites (a grilled corn dish) and aguachile, which is a ceviche made with raw tuna, avocado and jicama. Then, for the main course, choose between options like roasted duck or chicken, achiote marinated pork, or a vegetarian stuffed poblano pepper.

Compare  Virgin Voyages  cruises on GoToSea.

Celebrity Cruises

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity's selection and quality of restaurant venues – and attentive service – have made the line a favorite for food-focused cruisers for many years. If you're sailing on one of the Celebrity Edge-class ships ( Ascent , Beyond , Apex or Edge ), you'll have up to 32 restaurants to choose from with globally inspired menus created by Michelin-starred chef Cornelius Gallagher.

You can also look for special culinary cruises and onboard events designed in partnership with renowned Michelin-star French chef Daniel Boulud, the line's global culinary brand ambassador. Some of the onboard programs include wine-blending classes, whiskey and scotch tastings, mixology classes, and food and wine pairing workshops.

With so many complimentary dining and specialty options on Celebrity ships (making it hard to choose where to dine), here are two of the unique experiences not to be missed:

• Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud: Daniel Boulud's first signature restaurant at sea is inspired by the chef's global travels. The interior of the specialty restaurant, designed by the Parisian architect-design team of Jouin Manku, is as much of an experience as the meal with its intimate decor and banquette seating. Guests can choose between a standard dinner menu, a regular five-course tasting menu or a plant-based tasting menu. Le Voyage is available on the new Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond and costs an additional fee.
• Le Petit Chef: The innovative and fantastical 3D dining experience at Le Petit Chef is one of the most unique ways to spend an evening at sea. The immersive meal, which is either served in the quirky Qsine restaurant or Le Grand Bistro, depending on the ship, will delight cruisers of all ages, especially younger children. The tiny, animated chef (think about the size of your hand) entertains guests while preparing each dish. You may see him firing up a grill to sear a steak, picking fresh vegetables from a garden or even going on a fishing adventure in search of lobster. After each dish is prepared by "the chef," waiters will arrive with the actual dish. The 1.5-hour-long experience is an additional cost.

Explore  Celebrity Cruises  deals on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, paddle-wheelers on the Mississippi River, and an 18-stateroom river ship on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. She has also cruised on a traditional masted sailing ship and on a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica crossing the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line
• All-Inclusive Resorts With the Best Food
• The Best Food Cities in the U.S.
• Cruise Packing List Essentials
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Tags: Travel , Cruises

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• Global Tastemakers

10 Top Cruises for Food and Drinks, According to the Experts

Dining at sea is more adventurous than ever with highly curated cruise ship concepts and menus, onboard culinary classes, and shore excursions.

Dining while cruising has never tasted better. Onboard restaurants can match land-based eateries in sophistication and style, with chefs as driven by seasonal ingredients as their peers ashore. The 2024 Global Tastemakers, selected by food and travel journalists this year, favor luxury ocean lines, which invest heavily in food and wine, yet also embrace expedition ships and riverboats. All operate small vessels by today’s standards; kitchen crews can more readily cook with artistry and ingenuity for fewer passengers. 

These Tastemakers share passion and vision; they’re reshaping shipboard norms by introducing dining venues and cuisines rarely spotlighted at sea, such as Virgin Voyages, with a Korean barbecue restaurant among 20 complimentary eateries. Global Tastemakers are also offering more adventurous culinary classes and shore excursions. Silversea, the winner, scores for its multifaceted S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program, devoted to the sailing region’s food and beverages. Crystal (formerly Crystal Cruises) reclaims its stellar reputation from its prior incarnation, including a renewed partnership with iconic chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Regent Seven Seas Cruises debuted a glam new ship and elevated menus fleetwide, with novel dishes inspired by the culinary team’s extensive research trips. As this year unfolds, expect even more allures: On HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), local chefs on some itineraries may hop onboard to cook regional specialties. Oceania Cruises debuts both a Culinary Masters Cruise hosted by two Master Chefs of France, and the highly anticipated Editor’s Cruise, with Hunter Lewis, Food + Wine ’s editor-in-chief. These are the best cruises for food and drinks.

Winner: Silversea

Silversea’s impactful S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program secures the luxury line’s winning spot. S.A.L.T. Kitchen devotes an entire ever-changing menu to reflect sailing itineraries. S.A.L.T. Lab’s cooking instructors share regional cultural and culinary history with passengers during hands-on classes. In S.A.L.T. Bar, passengers sip locally inspired mixologists’ cocktails. S.A.L.T. shore excursions range from foraging in Puglia to lunching at a hyper-local Lisbon tinned-fish eatery and exploring a Patagonian organic farm. S.A.L.T. outings have proven so successful, Silversea is adding selections.

Crystal Cruises

The brand relaunch of luxurious Crystal Cruises (acquired by A&K Travel Group) now sails as Crystal , with two beautifully remodeled ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Eight distinctive restaurants include Umi Uma, showcasing the inimitable Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine of Crystal partner, legendary chef Nobu Matsuhisa . Osteria d’Ovidio, named for Crystal’s Italian owner Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, presents poetic plates anchored in simplicity and  primo ingredients, such as lobster in tomato essence with basil olive oil.

Oceania Cruises

This line pursues compelling culinary exploits onboard and ashore, like cooking demonstrations at a Venetian master chef’s private villa or a Latvian “farm to table” experience in which guests shop at a market with the Culinary Center chef before cooking and consuming a Latvian lunch on board. Shipboard chefs are so ingredient-obsessed, they even order custom-milled French flour. Among updates, Oceania has reimagined numerous dishes, highlighting local sourcing. On Marina, Riviera, and Vista, a must-try six-course menu with a Dom Pérignon pairing perpetually marvels.

This luxe line debuted modern Mediterranean restaurant Solis on Seabourn Quest as an inspired replacement to Thomas Keller’s Grill, before Seabourn Encore, Ovation, and Sojourn rollouts. Seabourn restaurants may differ stylistically fleetwide, yet never vary in quality. Exemplary venues include Sushi for primo fish; the Restaurant with intricate entrees like carved lamb loin with crisp lamb spring roll; and Earth & Ocean for fine dining al fresco. Consider complimentary caviar and 24-hour in-suite service as bonuses.

Hurtigruten/HX

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten (formerly Norwegian Coastal) and HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) ships explore the world, including polar regions, the Galápagos, the Caribbean, and of course, Norway. Both HX and Hurtigruten aim to serve cuisine as compelling as adventures ashore and feature menus reflecting their Norwegian heritage. Supporting local communities, Hurtigruten relies on some 50 suppliers along the Coastal Express route for about 80% of ingredients, while more than 75% of HX’s ingredients used on Antarctica and Alaska routes are local.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

This luxury line’s six ships deliver exemplary dining, with its three newest ships (Seven Seas Grandeur, Splendor, and Explorer) exhibiting boundless flair. Among venues, Prime 7’s juicy steaks, Chartreuse’s French plates, and Pacific Rim’s pan-Asian dishes particularly dazzle. Beyond dining, the hands-on cooking school and Regent’s chef-led Epicurean Explorer Tours are part of the draw. Passengers may market-shop for a paella cooking class and feast on the famed rice-based dish at a seaside eatery in Valencia, Spain.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar’s six small ships possess yacht-like vibes, with a culinary direction to match. Chefs eagerly source fresh sustainable ingredients in ports to prepare imaginative dishes. On Star Plus class all-suite ships, Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso packs a modern Spanish punch while Star Grill by Steven Raichlen dishes up aromatic barbecue deckside. Windstar’s James Beard Foundation partnership ensures guest chefs board for demonstrations and dinners; the line also features their recipes on fleet eateries.

Viking Cruises

Viking commands attention on all waters, with riverboats, ocean liners, and expedition ships plying every continent. So many touches sum up Viking’s willingness for menus to reflect itineraries, and regional dishes and wines are a given. Flourishing herb gardens allow riverboat chefs to pluck the freshest herbs to grace dishes daily. On ocean-going vessels, specialty restaurant Manfredi’s excels in Italian cuisine (bistecca alla Fiorentina is legendary), and Mamsen’s triumphs the line’s Nordic heritage — all bow to the signature waffles.

Virgin Voyages

With 20 complimentary eateries, Virgin Voyages allows a younger, perhaps less-traveled, cruiser to sample so many cuisines. This line eschews food halls and buffets, preferring to showcase intimate boîtes, instead. Each possesses an oversized personality and emboldened plates, such as Razzle Dazzle for dishes like black garlic bowtie pasta with fennel braised pork and chanterelles, and Gunbae, knocking it out of the foodpark with complimentary soju shots and Korean barbecue.

AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways has taken food and wine seriously since its 2002 inception. The line, inducted into La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, finds its culinary cues in its riverboats’ itineraries, selecting local ingredients and intriguing wines like Rieslings from Austria’s Wachau Valley. AmaWaterways ’ wine-themed voyages, like Flavors of Burgundy with excursions to Beaune and Mâcon, win consistent praise. Onboard gastronomic pinnacles include the Chef’s Table, a small-group dining adventure where a chef prepares wine-paired multi-course meals before passengers.

Plus one: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Exuding an exclusive boutique hotel aura, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection consists of superyacht Evrima, and in September, Ilma debuts, with Luminara arriving in 2025. This line lavishes passengers with attention, elegant design, and superb dining with an international spin. Each yacht offers five restaurants, 24-hour in-suite dining, and six lounges. The wine vault features more than 200 wine labels, with many exclusive red wines and vintages on a private reserve list.

Global Tastemakers is a celebration of the best culinary destinations in the U.S. and abroad. We asked more than 180 food and travel journalists to vote on their favorites, including restaurants and bars, cities, hotels, airports, airlines, and cruises. We then entrusted those results to an expert panel of judges to determine each category’s winners. In many categories, we’ve included a Plus One, hand-selected by our expert panel, to shout out more culinary destinations we don’t want our readers to miss. See all the winners at foodandwine.com/globaltastemakers .

Yours Truly Chelsea

MSC Cruise Food: My Honest Review Of Everything I Ate On My 7 Night Cruise

December 2, 2023

Going on an MSC Cruise and wondering what the food might be like? This post goes into detail about everything I ate while on Seaside for 7 nights to give you glimpse into MSC cruise food.

What is offered on an MSC cruise might vary based on what part of the world you are cruising from and will change from time to time.

I took this cruise from Port Canaveral, FL in the US.

If you’re reading this you are most likely considering taking your first MSC cruise and are wanting to know what types of food they offer.

This post will show everything I chose for breakfast, lunch and dinner on my 7 night cruise giving you a good look into what you could expect on your cruise. It will also help you see a few items you can put on your “must try” list and a few you’ll want to avoid.

This post is all about MSC cruise food.

Another post you might be interested in reading after this one:

MSC Cruise Food Menu: 7 Night Cruise Menus, Specialty Dining And More!

Cruise food is highly subjective. What one person loves, another may hate.

I do want to state at the beginning of this post that when I think something is really good on a cruise, I’m not comparing it to the best meal I’ve ever had nor do I expect that on a cruise when it comes to their included food.

I do think there are a lot of standouts you can find on a cruise that are delicious. However, most of the food is just average and nothing to write home about in my opinion but it is still good and gets the job done.

When going on a cruise I would adjust your expectations on the quality of food compared to the price you paid/if you’re eating what’s included vs. if you were to upgrade to specialty dining.

This post will just be on what is included with your cruise fare. I did not upgrade to specialty dining or to MSC’s yacht club.

Day 1: Embarkation Day

@yourstrulychelsea What I Ate On My Cruise: Day 1 #cruise #cruiseship #cruisetok #cruisetiktok #cruiseshipvacation #cruisetips #whatiate #whatiatefordinner #whatieat #whatiateonmycruise #whatiateonacruise #whatiateonvacation #vacation #vacationfood #msc #msccruises #carnivalcruise #royalcarribeancruise #disneycruise ♬ Lucky Girl – Carlina

Since it was embarkation day we did not have breakfast. Our first meal on the ship ended up being lunch about 2pm.

We went to the buffet on deck 8 of MSC Seaside. This ship actually had two buffets. The one on deck 8 was larger and had more selection than the one on deck 16 so we ended up going to it more.

Pictured: Mashed potatoes, indian curry, rice, samosa, pasta, cheese, shredded beef.

I always find that indian food on a cruise is pretty good and they offer different dish selections every single day! If curry is your thing or you want to give it a try I would definitely do so on a cruise.

The pasta on MSC tasted fresh and had good flavor. The cheese selection was also great and seemed to be good quality.

Everything else was average in my opinion.

Not pictured but shown in the video, I did grab a small brownie on the way out of the buffet and it was delicious.

We had dinner in the main dining room at 5pm.

You have to start your dinner on a cruise with the bread basket. MSC did baked goods really well. I had bread and butter every night. 10/10.

My starter on night one was chicken croquettes. To be honest they reminded me of chicken nuggets from McDonald’s. I don’t mean that in a bad way, they were very tasty. Just the consistency and breading were similar. 7/10.

For my main course I decided to order the new york strip steak. I asked for this steak medium. I have had this dish a few times on cruises and it’s never been great.

This steak did not have great flavor and was overcooked. I rated it a 5/10.

This was the shining star of the day. My first dessert was in my top five of everything I ate on my MSC cruise.

It is called coconut pistachio dacquoise. Everything about this was delicious. I can’t recommend it enough. 10/10.

I am the type of person on a cruise who orders two desserts every single night.

This was crema catalana. It was a good dessert. In comparison with the other one though I did not like it as much. It had a light cinnamon taste to the custard but was lacking the burnt top I loved from a creme brulee making it good but not my favorite. 7/10.

Late Night Snack:

Later that night we went to the buffet to grab some pizza! Along with always ordering two desserts on a cruise every daya, I also will have pizza every single night.

The pizza on MSC I have to say is hands down the BEST pizza at sea. They seemed to do baked goods, pizza and most desserts VERY well.

I did not take a picture of my pizza but it is shown in the video above if you would like to take a look.

Overall thoughts on day 1:

I was satisfied with the food but not blown away yet. My first dessert and the pizza were my standouts of the day.

Day 2: Nassau, Bahamas

@yourstrulychelsea What I Ate On My Cruise: Day 2 #cruise #cruiselife #cruisetips #cruisetipsandtricks #cruisehacks #vacation #royalcarribean #royalcarribeancruise #carnivalcruise #carnivalcruiseline #virgincruise #virgincruiseline #norwegiancruise #disneycruise #disneycruiseline #ocean #cruisequestions #cruisequestionsanswered #qanda #cruisefacts #goingonacruise #crusingtok #cruisetok #cruisetiktok #cruisetiktoks #cruiseessentials #cruisefood #whatiate #whatieat #whatieatonmycruise #whatiatelnvacation #whatiatefordinner #vacationfood ♬ Cupid – Twin Ver. (FIFTY FIFTY) – Sped Up Version – sped up 8282

For breakfast we went to the larger buffet on deck 8. What I loved about this buffet is it had TONS of outdoor seating. It was a fantastic way to start the day to be able to have breakfast outside with the fresh air, looking at the wake view.

I kept breakfast simple this morning. I grabbed scrambled eggs, bacon and pain au chocolat.

The eggs and bacon were standard. Good but not life changing. The pain au chocolat however was AMAZING. I had so many of these over the course of my cruise. They were absolutely delicious and the best baked good I tried while on my cruise.

We decided to go back to the buffett on deck 8 to grab a quick lunch before hopping off the ship to explore Nassau. We have been to Nassau several times but had never done a walking tour of sights downtown so we decided to do that on our own.

If interested in the video of what we did in Nassau it is linked here.

This was the plate my husband and I shared. I did not have the blue cheese or deli meat but he said both were good.

This lunch was not very good for me. I noticed over the course of my cruise I didn’t like my selections in the buffet as much as I have on other cruise lines.

I had chili, pasta with asparagus, mac n cheese, a samosa, fries and a burger.

The chili and pasta with asparagus were bland in my opinion. Another favorite I had on this cruise were the buffet burgers. I liked the burgers on MSC more than I have on lines like Royal Caribbean. It was always good and never dry.

For dessert we shared a plate of four small options. The best of these four was the pineapple cake on the front right.

The others were okay, not as sweet as I like (I like these very sweet).

We had dinner in the main dinning room after coming back from exploring Nassau for the day.

I did start dinner with bread and butter. It was fresh and flavorful like always.

For my starter I had the jerk marinated pork salad. This salad was a great combination of flavors. It was slightly overdressed so I lowered my rating because of it but it was VERY good. It had chicken, onions, lettuce, pineapple and more.

I rated this salad an 8/10.

For my entree I actually chose the vegetarian option. I am not a vegetarian but I find these options on a cruise ship are usually pretty good.

I also don’t like seafood or mushrooms unfortunately (wish I did) and those are both in the majority of dishes on a cruise so it limits my choices.

This dish was called jamaican patties filled with sweet potatoes and swiss chard.

This dish was made perfectly! It had great flavor, the sauce was an excellent addition and the pastry was flaky and delicious.

I rated this dish a 9/10.

This was MSC’s caribbean rum cake. I didn’t think I was going to like this dessert as much as I did but they really hit it out of the park.

I don’t think it is your traditional rum cake, I had not had one with chocolate on the top like this one but it did make me like it even more.

I rated this a 10/10.

This was MSC’s take on a key lime pie. Key lime pie is one of my summer favorites so I was really excited for this one.

It was tangy, light and delicious. Everything you want in a key lime pie. I rated this dish a 9/10.

We grabbed some fries with a couple of sauces. Typical french fries, nothing special but just because they’re fries they were automatically pretty good.

We also grabbed another burger and a slice of pizza without any cheese.

The burger like I stated earlier was always good and the pizza again, was done very well. The sauce had so much more flavor than I’ve had compared to other cruise lines.

Overall I was much happier with the food on my second day. The buffet was still very average besides the burgers and pizza but my main dining room dishes really were excellent. One of my best nights of food on this cruise.

Day 3: Ocean Cay, Bahamas

@yourstrulychelsea What I Ate On My Cruise: Day 3 #cruise #cruisetok #cruisefood #msccruise #msccruisefood ♬ SNAP – High and Fast – Rosa Linn

We decided not to get breakfast and got off the ship at MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay as soon as possible (around 8am).

Ocean Cay has a buffet on the island that is included. They also have a few food trucks. Some are included and some are extra.

I went to the food truck that was included because it was the closest option to the part of the island we were hanging out at.

The pasta salad was pretty good, along with the fries. The brownie offered did not have much flavor and was too cakey.

We went to the main dining room for dinner.

My appetizer on night 3 was french onion soup.

I’ve found that French onion soup is something cruise lines do very well. It was delicious and just enough.

I rated it an 8/10.

For my main dish I ordered the cabernet braised short ribs.

I really enjoyed this dish. The short ribs were very tender, the vegetables were cooked well and the sauce was the perfect compliment.

I rated this a 7/10.

My first dessert was gateau opera.

I really liked the portion sizes on MSC, it was never too much, leaving room for mulitple options if wanted.

This was super chocolatey (which I loved).

I rated this a 8/10.

My second dessert was a warm apple strudel.

Having a similar dessert on other cruise lines I expected this to be better. It was just okay.

I rated it a 5/10.

We ended our day in the buffet like usual grabbing a couple slices of pizza.

Again, I have to say MSC’s pizza is the best at sea. It’s so good.

Day 4: Sea day

@yourstrulychelsea What I Ate On My @MSC Cruises US Day 4 #cruise #cruisefood #whatiate ♬ Gorgeous – Taylor Swift

We went to the buffet again for breakfast. This is what we do most days on a cruise for the convenience.

For breakfast on our sea day I chose potatoes, an egg quiche, bacon, pain au chocolat and a plain donut.

Everything today was very good. I didn’t have much expectations for the donut on the cruise ship but it actually tasted fresh. I was very happy with the quality of this breakfast.

We spent most of our sea day at the main pool with some friends we had made.

We stopped at the buffet on deck 16 for a quick bite since our dining time was so early we didn’t want much to eat.

This was the worst day of my selections at the buffet. Nothing I had was good at all.

We had dinner in the main dining room.

For my starter on night five I ordered the beef steak tartar.

I had never tried this before and love beef carpaccio so I decided to give it a shot.

I ended up not really liking this but it was more personal preference and not the execution of the dish.

The texture of the raw beef was too much for me. I rated it a 7/10 since it tasted great, just not my personal style.

For my entree I chose the surf and turf.

This meal was another bust in my opinion. I was really excited for a good steak and this dish just did not have any seasoning at all.

I was very disappointed and had higher hopes. The vegetables were actually very good though.

I rated this dish a 4/10.

We ended up leaving our dinner early and had to miss dessert because my husband was motion sick and they would not let us take dessert to go like other cruise lines have in the past.

Since I didn’t love my dinner in the dining room we went to the buffet a couple hours later.

Every variety of pizza I had on the cruise was great.

All of the desserts were also good but the chocolate crunch one was AMAZING. I probably had 5 of those little squares.

Other Posts You Might Be Interested In:

A Complete Guide To A Cruise Ship Buffet: Everything You Need To Know

10 Must Try Drinks If You Have A Cruise Drink Package

33 Best Cruise Tips Every First Time Cruiser Should Know

Day 5: Costa Maya, Mexico

@yourstrulychelsea What I Ate On My Cruise: Day 5 #cruise #cruiselife #cruisefood ♬ SNAP – High and Fast – Rosa Linn

Day five was the only day we had breakfast in the main dining room. We like to do this at least once on a cruise or more if we work out schedules correctly since the time frame is more limited compared to the buffet.

This breakfast was better than expected. I ordered the eggs benedict and it was the best one I’ve ever had on a cruise ship which is definitely saying something.

As always the pain au chocolat was perfect. The chocolate muffin was just alright, needed a bit more flavor.

After we got back from our day in Costa Maya we stopped by the buffet for a late lunch.

I had a breaded pork chop, beans, pasta with fresh feta and potatoes.

The breaded pork chop was one of the best items I had in the buffet all week. The pasta with fresh feta was also pretty good.

One thing I love about cruises is they offer small portions of most things. This gives you the opportunity to try everything you want!

The chocolate options were definitely the best but all of these were good! I was very satisfied with the desserts 95% of the time.

We ended up going to the buffet for dinner. Usually one night on our cruises we are just way too tired to make it to the dining room and tonight was the night.

I wasn’t particularly in the mood for anything I saw in the buffet this night. The fruit was good and fresh. The salad bar had lots of choices. I also made a sandwhich not pictured that was just okay. The burger and fries was great as always.

Around midnight after napping in our room for the rest of the night I went back to get a couple snacks.

The pizza was good. The desserts were good as well, but not amazing.

Day 6: Cozumel, Mexico

@yourstrulychelsea What I ate on my cruise: Day 6 #cruise #cruisetok #cruisetiktok #cruisefood #whatiateonmycruise #whatiate #whatieat #whatieatonvacation #whatieatinaday #cruiselife #cruiseship #cruiseshipvacation #cruisetips ♬ Stolen Dance (Instrumental) – Milky Chance

We were going on an early morning excursion in Cozumel for our 6th day at sea so we only had about 15 minutes in the buffet to grab something quickly.

The eggs and potatoes were average. The bacon was good. The standout of this meal was the banana bread.

It was AMAZING. Finding this baked good on the second to last day of my cruise was saddening considering how good it was and the fact I only had one more breakfast to grab it.

This food was not from the cruise line but I did want to include it because both were SO good.

We went to the mayan ruins in Tulum from Cozumel. You can check out that excursion here.

We took our tour guide’s advise and after exploring the ruins, we went to Mr. Frosty’s for tacos. They were insanely good. After the tacos I grabbed some ice cream for a few dollars. It was also delicious. Cannot recommend those two enough.

We had dinner in the main dining room tonight.

I started my meal with watermelon and feta salad. This was good but was very simple so if you like both of those ingredients, you’ll like this.

I rated this dish 7/10.

For my entree I ordered chana dal. This was the vegetarian option for the night. It was just alright. Not bad but not amazing.

I rated this dish 6.5/10.

For my first dessert I ordered the chocolate duo cake. This was another top notch dessert. It was so good.

My second dessert was the coconut cake. This was good but nowhere near as good as the first.

I ranked this a 6/10.

I grabbed the burger and fries I was obsessed with all week and a little bit of pasta salad. All good.

This is a really bad picture but the food was all good. This was the first time we saw quesadillas in the buffet for late night snacks and they were a hit.

Day 7: Sea Day

@yourstrulychelsea What I Ate On My Cruise: Day 7 #cruise #cruiseship #cruiseshipvacation #whatiateonmycruise #cruisefood #whatiate #whatieat #whatieatinaday #vacationfood #whatiateonvacation #cruisetiktok #cruisetok ♬ Coconut Mall (From “Mario Kart Wii”) – Arcade Player

For our last breakfast on the ship we went to the buffet for our favorite wake view.

Since it was the last day on the cruise I grabbed all of my 10/10 favorites. The pain au chocolat, banana bread and bacon.

For lunch we went to the buffet.

I grabbed a salad that was really good. A piece of beef, it was pretty tough but did taste good. The chicken was flavored well and the pasta was average.

We ate our last dinner in the main dining room.

For my starters I chose the sicilian style arancini and the french onion soup again.

The arancini was one of the best dishes I had all week. It was perfected fried, the taste was great and the sauce was delicious.

The french onion soup I had already had andn it was also very good tonight.

I rated it a 7/10.

For my last entree I chose the caprese salad.

I am really glad I ended up getting two appetizers because this salad was awful. The flavor was not good at all. I probably took two bites. It was way too watery.

I rated this dish a 1/10.

For dessert we decided to try three options since it was the last night on the cruise.

We started with the tiramisu. It was very well done and absolutely amazing. I rated it a 9/10.

The second dessert was a lemonchello cake. It was just alright, especially in comparsion. I rated it a 3/10.

The last dessert was actually the no sugar added warm berry cobbler but the fruit made it sweet enough. This was better than expected and really really good. I rated it a 9/10.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall I would say that MSC does a few things very well with food and others they need improvement on, like any cruise line.

I found their pizza, baked goods and desserts the best items on any menu.

When it comes to the main dining room I 100% think if you’re going to just be eating the included food it is the way to go. I liked or loved most of my meals in the main dining room.

Compared to the buffet that needed more variety and more flavor on most things.

Overall for the price I paid (much lower compared to other lines) I was happy with the food. I always found something to eat and did end up having a few amazing items over my week long cruise.

I think when going on a cruise you need to go into it with an open mind. Remember the price you’re paying, how many people they’re feeding and that they are trying to appeal to the masses (which sometimes means less seasoning).

I would definitely take another MSC cruise, have a few of my favorites again and try more new things.

If you find yourself not loving the food, you can always upgrade to specialty dining.

This post was all about MSC cruise food.

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Princess Cruises Food Review – EVERYTHING I Ate During my Cruise: (Photos and Menus)

If you are taking a Princess cruise you might be wondering what the food will be like. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included at no extra cost on a Princess cruise.

I’ve just disembarked Emerald Princess and in this post we will look at everything I ate in the main dining room, buffet and poolside grill. Menus are also provided.

Buffet – Included

The buffet on the Emerald Princess was open from early in the morning until late at night. The buffet is split into two sides and is relatively small due to the small size of the ship.

Below are some examples of my buffet meals. All of the food in the buffet is free and unlimited.

The great thing was that during the changeover times, between breakfast and lunch, or lunch and dinner the buffet didn’t have to close completely because they would close one side and open another.

The buffet at dinner time consisted of:

• A Carvery Section (Roast Meat etc.)
• Indian, Chinese or Mexican Dishes

The sections would be different for breakfast and lunch.

Below is a photo of my breakfasts and one of my lunches.

I loved the number of things that were in small grab-and-go cups, this made it very easy to pick up a snack or to have a small portion of something.

We usually ate breakfast in the buffet and although I am not a big buffet fan, there was lots of choices. I mostly had bread and fruit as seen below.

There were lots of waiters around who would ask if we wanted a drink as soon as we sat down.

The buffet was always very clean and the tables were cleaned between each group of guests.

The below photos show my dad’s breakfast (he’s much more into breakfast than me) and my fajita and nacho lunches. These were very yummy!

Main Dining Room – Included

There are multiple main dining rooms onboard the Emerald Princess.

Guests can either choose fixed dining, where you have the same table at the same time each night or flexible dining. We opted for flexible dining and it worked well.

Flexible dining meant that we could book different restaurants and eat at different times.

We did also have the option to table share so if you were cruising solo, this would be a good way to meet other passengers.

It wasn’t uncommon to find that there were extras available not on the menu.

Most nights there would be at least two specials, and one of them was usually vegetarian. The majority of the time the specials would be pies or curries.

The below vegetable pie and chips were an off-menu special.

There was also an always-available section on the menu, these are called Princess’s favourites and they don’t change.

The dessert menu also has an always-available section. My favourite in this section is the Love Boat Dream, it’s a chocolate brownie/mousse and I had it multiple times during the cruise.

A plate of chips/fries wasn’t on the menu but when I ordered the vegetable samosas, our waiter asked me if I could like some chips as the portion was small, I didn’t expect a whole bowl of chips!

If you’d ever like something extra, just ask.

Caesar salad was always available as a starter as you’ll find on most cruise lines.

It is possible to order a starter as a main or a main as a starter if you’d prefer.

There aren’t any limits on how many courses you can order, so if there are multiple things that take your fancy, order them all!

Many people order a couple of starters and a couple of mains. The waiters are very used to it.

The below menu was from Gala night, this is Princess’s formal night of sorts.

Many people do dress up for dinner and there is a dress code that’s in place.

It isn’t as strict as other cruise lines like Cunard, but compared to other American cruise lines like Carnival or Royal Caribbean, it is taken more seriously.

We always found that the food was well presented, the portion sizes were good and the food hot. The service was great too.

Other Included Food – Pool Side Grill

In addition to the food in the buffet and the main dining room, there was freshly made pizza, burgers and hot dogs served on the pool deck.

The pizza restaurant was called Slice and the poolside grill was called Salty Dog.

The above might not look like much, but they were very tasty!

My brother said that his poolside burger from salty dog was the best that he’s ever had on a cruise.

I understand how gross the loaded fries (right) look but they were amazing. There was one vegetarian and one meat option.

Sadly there were no meat-free hot dogs available but there was a veggie burger.

To find out more about what is included in a Princess cruise beyond the food, check out this post: Princess Cruises – What is Included? Food, Gratuities and More

Other Included Food – Room Service/Bar Service

Princess cruises have taken room service one step further by letting all guests order from the room service menu to their location, even if they aren’t in their room.

We were able to order sandwiches, desserts, and drinks to our location just using the app.

Realistically the app worked about 50% of the time, but when it did work, it was amazing.

I didn’t order room service on this cruise but have on Princess cruises in the past. Below are a couple of photos from my room service on Sky Princess.

Other Included Food – International Cafe (Cookies)

In the atrium of Princess cruise ships, there is a cafe called the international cafe. Here they have snacks that are available 24/7.

These are mostly small sandwiches and cakes but they do also have cookies here!

The cookies are usually behind the scenes so you have to ask for them, either when you order your drink or you can just walk up to the food area and ask.

We had three different types of cookies on this cruise and they were all fantastic.

Our waiter would often bring us plates of cookies so that we could keep them in our cabin for snacks, it was amazing!

Tea and Coffee are served here but these do cost extra.

Tea and Coffee are also available for free in some other places around the ship, to find out where and when, check out this post: Princess Cruises Tea and Coffee Guide – Free and Premium Options

Speciality Restaurants

I didn’t go to any speciality restaurants during this cruise (restaurants that cost extra) but in the past, I have tried almost all of Princess’s speciality restaurants.

To find out what those are like, check out this video:

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The Food Hussy

Restaurants, Recipes and Road Trips

Carnival Cruise Food Reviews

January 25, 2020 · FoodHussy · Leave a Comment

We sailed Carnival Victory – which is about to undergo a big refurbishment in a dry dock. This is a shot of the Victory while we were at Carnival’s private island of Half Moon Cay. I will say – the ship does need the refurb – but we had a great time. It will emerge as the Carnival Radiance later this year! 

Before we could jump on board – we had an overnight in Miami. My friend knew this was my first cruise so she used some points to get us a free nights stay at the Holiday Inn Miami Beach . We took full advantage of staying on Miami Beach and went from the airport straight to the beach to get started on those tans!  There are a ton of beach kitties too! I FINALLY got to pet one – a little black kitty came out and let me love on him! After getting sun and a nice long walk – we headed out to dinner! 

  After walking down Miami Beach, we came back and headed back to our hotel – it was a 10 minute walk back towards our hotel and we came across The Tavern in the Hotel Croydon . They had outdoor seating and the smell wafting from the kitchen sucked us right in!  Michelle got a Salmon Caesar Salad and I went for Shrimp Scampi. Both were definitely tasty! The salmon was cooked perfectly and the scampi was just the right amount of garlicky! 

The highlight of the night was the hummus plate – they loaded us up with housemade hummus, olives and soft grilled pita! It was soooo good! We literally killed it!!! OMG – can’t say enough about how good it was!  After a nice night’s sleep, we jumped in an Uber and headed to the Port of Miami (about $20). We purchased Faster to the Fun and would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this! For $60, we got into our room when we walked on board at 1130am (rather than 130pm) and you get a special guest services line – so if you have ANY questions – you’ll be glad you had it! You also get priority tenders to places like Half Moon Cay! Also – on board tip #1 – everybody heads to the buffet when they get on board the ship – but my tip to you is – DON’T DO IT!!! We went to our room and then headed for the Lido deck – Guy’s Burger and Blue Iguana are open for biz! No lines and better food!!!   Now because I ate EVERYWHERE on the ship – I’m going to break this down by Breakfast – Snacks – Lunch – Dinner – Chef’s Table. Let’s go! 

First – let’s talk about the breakfast buffet. We only buzzed through the breakfast buffet a couple of times. It’s got a lot of options but I’m just not the biggest buffet fan. We grabbed scrambled eggs and sausage which were fine. They also have pancakes, waffles, pastries, fruit and muffins. All free of charge! You’ll also find free coffee and a selection of juices in the morning.  The windows on the side of the buffet also serve omelets but the wait gets pretty long – so we skipped those… We tended to order room service from the order form in our room – there are some free items on there. My roommate got her coffee and muffins. I was pleasantly surprised by the muffins (no pics – sorry!). They brought four muffins and they were warm when they got to us. The muffins weren’t pretty but they were really tasty – the chocolate muffin was my favorite!  

  Blue Iguana Cantina is a staple on the Carnival ships and now I see why!!! I’ve been listening to Cruise Radio News podcast for two years in anticipation of going on a cruise – and every single Carnival review brags about Blue Iguana. They’re open for lunch with tacos and burritos but they’re really shining at breakfast! You can get pre-made arepas or huevos rancheros or have them make you a breakfast burrito – ALL FREE! 

Frankly, after eating this Breakfast Burrito from Blue Iguana Cantina – I had no desire to get anything else for breakfast. I chose the type of tortilla, then added plain scrambled eggs or Mexican eggs, bacon or chicken sausage and then a plethora of toppings. There’s also a salsa bar just a few feet away – to add to your burrito! This was DELICIOUS!!!!  You also can go to the Main Dining Room for a sit down breakfast – but like I said – that burrito had me at hello! 

When you get back to your cabin from your day of sun and fun – you’ll be greeted by one of these little guys. Every day, your room steward will craft a new towel animal to greet you. I was hoping to save them all week but no luck – they disappear and you get a new one the next day. So cute! SNACKS & LUNCH There are a variety of places around the ship to have snacks or lunch. I’m grouping these together because depending on the time – you could hit up most of these places.

First up – the Deli. They are open lunch-late night and have a variety of hot and cold sandwich offerings like Reubens, Buffalo Chicken, BLT, Cubanos and more. I grabbed a grilled ham and cheese, fries and cookies one night. The grilled ham & cheese was pretty good, the fries were great and the cookies weren’t good. They also don’t have simple stuff like ranch – but they do have fancy aiolis!  I was also astounded at the mastery of the guy behind the grill! He was handling 3-4 orders from start to finish all on his own!

There’s also a coffee shop on board – they have fancy coffees and you can even get boozy coffees as well as delicious desserts! I went for a white chocolate frappucino and it even had an edible chocolate straw! This really hit the spot when I was hot and a little sleepy! 

Room service is another great lunch or snack spot! I ordered the Spicy Fried Firecracker Shrimp and loved it!!! The shrimp is butterflied and breaded and is served with a sweet and spicy Asian sauce. The Shrimp did cost $6 but there are a select list of menu items you can get for free – but – even with the Bubbles soda package – you have to pay for soda on room service. #grrr

One of the other things I heard about over and over was the pizza! So the first night I ordered a pizza – they’re $5 delivered wherever you are on the ship. I ordered a pepperoni pizza – and – well – it’s a mixed review. It appears half the toppings sort of slid off my pizza – but it still tasted good – and it was definitely HOT when it arrived. The slices were super thin so it was a fold and eat kind of pizza – but I liked it – lots of cheese!!!

We also came across a window off the buffet that was serving Chinese food one day and grabbed a little. Nothing seemed all that fresh – but it actually tasted pretty good! I think that’s the thing I realized is that everything really is fresh – they are always cranking out more food! 

Last but certainly not least for lunch/snacks is Guy’s Burgers. I have heard folks say they have eaten 10 Guy’s Burgers in one cruise!! They are a lunch to dinner place and they always have plain and cheeseburgers ready to go. You can order a few of their specialty burgers (with chili and donkey sauce) – or just get a cheeseburger and load it up yourself!  They have a separate topping bar with grilled onions, mushrooms and peppers as well as a fresh topping bar with pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. Under the mess on that tray is a cheeseburger with grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, grilled peppers, bacon and ranch. Hell yeah!  The french fries are also delicious! They appear to me to be very similar to Penn Station fries and fried in peanut oil. They’re delicious and I could have eaten those every day for sure! 

  You can also order things before the cruise to have delivered during your stay. The folks at Carnival had a bucket of champagne on ice for us when we boarded the ship and the hotel manager had chocolate covered strawberries delivered to our room one evening. These little surprises can be ordered through the Carnival app any time you like. Yum!  DINNER While the Victory did not have any specialty dining spots – we did take part in night time dining across the ship and found plenty of great options! 

  The one “extra fee” restaurant is the Seafood Shack. We stopped one night and while they have options like a lobster roll- we decided to splurge a bit. I got a whole lobster (1.5 pound – $25) and Michelle got Snow Crab Legs.  Just fyi – it takes about 15 minutes and they give you a buzzer that goes off when your food is ready – but it doesn’t work in the buffet. (would have been nice to know) We went to the buffet and had a little salad and then realized we should have our food and went to check and it was ready.  Both of these dishes were ok but I wouldn’t spend the money on them again. They were prepared well but just for the extra expense ($60 for the two of us) – it just wasn’t worth it. We could have gotten a lobster tail in Main Dining for less and not had to crack it open and get messy. 

Speaking of the Main Dining Room – I was PLEASANTLY surprised at the food quality!!! I can’t begin to tell you everything we got over the entire cruise but I am sharing the best dishes! ON night one, the shrimp cocktail was fresh and tasty, the flat iron steak was really good (we were both surprised) and cooked to medium rare perfection and the tiramisu was DELICIOUS! 

  The highlight was this strawberry cake (I know it had a fancier name). It was a light little slice of cake with a thicker-than-pudding strawberry cream. Such a light and dainty dessert – Michelle even let me try a bite and I loved it! 

But come on – we all know the highlight of a Carnival Cruise: The Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake! Luckily – I snagged the recipe – so you’ll be getting it very soon! This is like a warm, snuggly hug. Everybody can have their Guy’s Burgers – I want to eat 10 of these! Everybody says to ask for a spoon of peanut butter with it – I didn’t get the chance – but try it!  Oh – BTW – this was “Formal” Night. I wore a casual dress that went to the floor and dressy sandals. Don’t let the name intimidate you – it’s not that formal! 

Here’s where we had our stop at the Carnival Private Island of Half Moon Cay. Beach perfection. We had priority on the tender from Faster to the Fun and headed down the beach to get away from the kids and found two chairs in the front row. Tanning commence! 

  They serve a buffet on the island that day – I would recommend only eating it if you’re really hungry. It wasn’t good. I grabbed a hot dog and some fruit and called it a day. While we were eating, we spotted some island chickens and a baby!!!! 

  After heading back on the ship and taking a nap – we headed out to Main Dining again for any time dining. Unfortunately this night wasn’t as strong – and we didn’t care for most items. The veggie spring rolls were fine – but the others were misses (seared tuna app, crab soup, crispy portabellas).  I will take this chance to talk about the staff! First – if you don’t like anything – just order something else! Get two apps if you want – do what you want – your wish is their command. We had the Bubbles (soda) package and they got our sodas each night. Servers always knew our name and the head maitre’d’s visited regularly to check on us. They even checked on Michelle after she missed dinner the night before! 

There were a couple of items we did enjoy – the Junkanoo Pot was a nod to the Bahamas Junkanoo street parade! This was calamari and chicken with mussels combined in a tropical sauce with pineapple and peppers. I liked this a lot! I felt the sauce was more tomato-ey than I expected but I liked it! 

I also got the Chocolate Tres Leches cake. Now- I’m a SUCKER for a tres leches. Basically I have a few triggers: tres leches, short rib and pork belly – if those are on the menu – I’m getting them. 

This was very interesting as they poured the “tres leches” into the bowl tableside and the crunchy meringue blob on top was DELICIOUS! It was crunchy and almost hollow! I loved it! It also wasn’t TOO chocolatey!  I think that’s what I liked – all the desserts were good but not too heavy or sweet. Great job! 

Next up was our port day in Nassau, Bahamas. After a full beach day the day before, we decided to just walk around the city and shop a bit. We also found a random husband to take our picture. Note to self: always ask the WIFE to take pics! haha

What are your guesses for what this building is? It was actually a library!!! A friend of mine thought it was a hotel. What a pretty building in a park. I’d live there! 

Of course we stopped by the straw market and I got a straw bowl to use in blog posts. If you’ve never been – it’s 100 booths in a building all selling the same thing and yelling at you to buy their stuff. Hahaha – and trying to talk you into braiding your hair. Walk through it like you would NYC – head up – keep going – get what you came for and get out. 

It was interesting seeing actual craftsman creating things – I liked that aspect of it a lot! More of that please! I swear they would sell more! I also got a conch ring at the shopping area right off the ship and I love it. 🙂

  After walking around, we took a taxi to Junkanoo Beach and to the Tiki Beach Hut. I ordered an extremely refreshing cranberry wine cooler of sorts, while Michelle went for conch fritters. The portion was HUGE!  Junkanoo is a public beach – so it’s loud and crowded – but it’s still beach and sun. 🙂 

  I got fried grouper bites and they were delightful! They were light and crispy – I loved them and ate every one!  On the way back to the ship we came across Senor Frogs which we had both forgotten about. That is the place to go – music, food, great souvenirs and good times! Also – your port days on Half Moon Cay and Nassau are great times to check your cell phone and touch base with friends and family back home. I have an international plan (Verizon) and for $10 a day – I was able to use my phone like normal while we were in port. 

After another nap (yeah – we napped at least once a day) – we headed to the Chef’s Table! As a foodie- I had to try this! It’s $75 for 10 courses and wine pairings – so basically – IT’S A STEAL! This was the HIGHLIGHT of the cruise for me! 

We started in the kitchen with the Chefs serving us a few amuse bouches. There was champagne with olives and cheese, chicken liver pate, salmon cured in cognac and – everybody’s favorite – a shrimp po boy with bacon ice cream!  They also gave us a BRIEF galley tour and explained a bit about how the kitchens run, who’s who and the massive amounts of food that comes through each cruise! 

Then they took us to the bakery area and asked for a volunteer to help make the Melting Chocolate Cake. Um – yes please!!!! I jumped at the chance!!! I couldn’t believe nobody else wanted to!?! I had a blast!!  Let’s cover off on some quick hits questions: 

How many people are at the Carnival Cruise Chef’s Table? 

Up to 14 – they usually have 10-12. 

How much does the Carnival Cruise Chef’s Table cost? 

It ranges from $75-95 depending on the ship and includes alcohol. 

When should I book the Carnival Chef’s Table? 

I would book it pretty soon after you book your cruise – it fills up! You’ll find it under excursions on the Carnival Hub. 

What is the dress code for the Carnival Chef’s Table? 

I would dress like you do for formal night. Some people wear jeans, others dresses – you’re good with pretty much whatever. 

Is the food fancy at the Chef’s Table? 

I will say – please go into this with an open mind and an open palette. I love trying new foods and was just SMH at people that paid for this amazing meal and then said “I don’t eat fish! I don’t eat lamb! I’m not trying that!”. To quote Michelle Tanner, “How Rude!” If you do have an allergy or a food you won’t eat – just be sure to let them know ahead of time. 

How do I find out when my Chef’s Table dinner is?

This was my biggest question!! You’ll be visited by someone during dinner at Main Dining Room and they’ll let you know what night you’re scheduled for. This is the time to let them know if you have allergies or any foods you will not eat. (They’ll make substitutions for you.) 

  After making our Melting Chocolate Cake – we got to sample them! And yes – I ate half of another one! Man it’s so good! I can’t wait to make it myself! (coming soon!) 

  Our sommelier was wonderful – he was sweet and very helpful. And it turns out we had dinner with a bit of a celeb! Gospel singer and pastor Charles Jenkins was there celebrating his anniversary with his wife, Tara. They were delightful and we had a great time with them. 

OK – now let’s get to the food!!! We had olives and cheese, then three amuse bouche, and then this delightful croissant topped with light and fluffy Parmesan. It was delightful! 

Carnival Chef’s Table Menu 2020

– Spring Peas & Matcha Soup  – Berkshire Pork Belly, Shrimps with a veil of yuzu mustard and crustacean essence (top left)  – Slow Cooked Crispy Lamb with roasted beet & port jus (top right) – Olive Oil Poached Seabass with asparagus & white miso (bottom left) – Quail, wild mushrooms and Carnaroli Risotto with parmesan pepper threads and roasted onion jus – Veal, Crushed Green Apples with a light cheese broth – Citrus Cream with lime snow and elderflower caviar – Chocolate Hazelnut with basil moss, cocoa logs and chocolate soil (bottom right) 

Pretty sure this was the veal and it was veal two ways with a crispy piece underneath. They also poured a cream sauce around it. So delicious. 

The risotto was heavenly. I didn’t even pay attention to the quail (I mean – I ate it). The Parmesan rolls were decadent – I ate them plain – it was heaven!!! Risotto is not easy to make so I really appreciate a good one when I get it.   

This Citrus Cream dessert was so good. And – much to the happiness of most of the diners – that’s not caviar on top – it’s a bit of molecular gastronomy and is actually elderflower juice! This was so light and amazing. I would have eaten this every night if I they would have given it to me!!!  What a delightful way to end our cruise! The next morning we woke up in the Port of Miami and headed back home. 🙁  If you would like to hear my review on Cruise Radio News – find it where you listen to podcasts and look for episode 640 entitled Carnival Victory 2020!

So here are some Dining Tips for your first Carnival Cruise:

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• Weight Watchers

Crown Princess Dining Menus And Cruise Food Review

The  Crown Princess   offers an exceptional dining experience for every palate. While Princess Cruises appeals to couples and families, you can enjoy gourmet meals in the main dining room or try specialty venues like Sabatini’s. 

If you prefer casual fare, head to the buffet or grab a slice at Slice Pizzeria. With 24-hour room service and numerous bars, you’ll find something delicious any time. 

Cruise dining has evolved since the pandemic, with some lines charging for extra lobsters and things that used to be included. In this review, you’ll learn about my experience cruising solo and my options to dine onboard.

Crown Princess Main Dining Rooms

Horizon court buffet, other dining venues, crown princess specialty restaurants, room service, complimentary afternoon tea, ordering food with the medallion.

Cruise guests on the Crown Princess can “Dine My Way” or select a set dining time through the  Ocean Medallion app.  Anytime dining has become more popular with cruise passengers, allowing them to change dining times on busy port days.

The Crown Princess features three main dining rooms, all named for famous painters. You’ll find the Michelangelo dining room on deck 5 (Plaza) aft and Botticelli directly above it. Also, Da Vinci sits mid-ship on the same deck as Botticelli.

Botticelli is reserved for set dining times, offering a traditional cruise dining experience. Da Vinci and Michelangelo offer the “Dine My Way” option, giving more flexibility in meal timings. 

All have elegant atmospheres; while the décor varies, they serve the same cuisines. Choose the Botticelli dining room for routine, Da Vinci, or Michaelangelo for versatility.

Since I have multiple allergies, I prefer to dine at the same time and table each evening. I wanted to eat alone, although the app would only allow me to choose a shared table. Once I reached the dining room, I could request a solo table.

All restaurants served dinner from 5 pm to 9 pm. However, only Botticelli offered breakfast from 7 am to 9 am and lunch between noon and 1:30 pm. The dining room had fewer options than the buffet, although it allows you to enjoy food at a slower pace.

You can also enjoy complimentary afternoon tea in Da Vinci, including traditional finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries. Being British, I couldn’t resist tea and cucumber sandwiches. 

Botticelli was a much better option for lunch than the buffet. However, it had limited hours, between noon and 1:30 pm. It was never busy, so I assumed most guests ate at the buffet.

On my only sea day, the dining room featured a British-style pub lunch, which I couldn’t resist. Selections included fish and chips, bangers and mash, and a scotch egg. I chose something less British, the chicken curry.

I pre-ordered my lunch the day before. Unfortunately, when I arrived, I was told my lunch could not be made, even though it could be the day before. The diners at my shared table had their lunch and left. It took 90 minutes to finally receive the one item I had requested.

While the food was good, receiving it after everyone else had left was disappointing. I skipped dessert, although I could choose British classics, such as bread and butter pudding, jam roly poly, or sherry triple.

For more casual dining, the Horizon Court buffet on deck 15 offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can get food at 5:30 am if you’re an early bird.

I tried breakfast in the buffet and the main dining room. You can find a little of everything at the buffet, with breakfast consisting of eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, bagels, cereal, French toast, fruit, yogurt, and pastries.

You can also request a made-to-order omelet with ingredients of your choice. The staff offered guests tea, coffee, and juices once they were seated. My only issue was that they ignored me as a solo traveler.

Was it a one-off occurrence? However, when I met other solo guests at the meet and greet, they experienced the same problem. I feared that if I got up to get tea, the staff would remove my plate, which happened to another guest.

I tried the buffet for lunch but was somewhat disappointed with the offerings. Only a tiny section of the buffet opened, possibly due to the ship sailing at a lower capacity. The upside to cruising with an empty ship is fewer people, and the downside, less food choices I guess.

There were more choices for breakfast in the dining room. You can still order cereal, yogurt, French toast, fruit, and pastries. However, they had eggs your way, pancakes, and omelets. I tried the featured item, the Mexican omelet with spicy ground beef and chili peppers.

The International Café is open 24 hours if you need a latte or a quick bite of food. While the specialty coffees and teas come with an additional fee (free with beverage packages), the food is complimentary.

Located in the piazza, you can enjoy a small snack while listening to live music. The coffee menu included interesting choices like Black Forest Freeze, Honey Lavender Latte, and Butter Pecan Latte.

Selections included cakes, pastries, soup of the day, freshly made sandwiches, and fresh fruits. The sandwiches looked terrific, and there was lots of variety. I found it odd, I couldn’t get regular tea or coffee there. The only option was the Lido buffet.

Surrounding Neptune’s Reef Pool, you’ll find ice cream, pizza, and the Salty Dog grill. The grill offers made-to-order burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, tacos, and loaded fries.

While there are options for vegetarians, you’ll only find gluten-free fries, although they don’t use a dedicated fryer.

Slice offers Princess Cruises’ signature thin-crust pizza. USA Today voted it as the best ‘pizza at sea.’ You can choose from three daily choices: pepperoni, margherita, or a flavor of the day.

Slice makes a gluten-free made-to-order pizza. However, if you need it dairy-free, you must go without cheese. Gluten-free pizza requests take about 20-30 minutes to make.

This venue also makes Premium desserts, included in the Princess Premier or Plus package. Alternatively, you can purchase a dessert for USD 12 and an optional USD 2 shot of alcohol. Be warned, the frosty treats look sinfully delicious and contain many calories.

Adjacent to Slice, coffee and cones offer complimentary ice cream cones regardless of the weather. Soft-serve ice cream is always a guest favorite.

Like all vessels, the Crown Princess has some venues which incur an additional charge.

The Salty Gastropub on deck 7 charges USD 14.99 for a meal. From 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm, you can select two small plates and a dessert. Wash it down with a beer or cocktail for a casual affair.

Again, this venue caters to vegetarians but not those needing gluten-free.

Salty Gastropub food menu                 Salty Gastropub beverages

Vines offers a charcuterie board or a la carte pricing if you want food with Italian wines. Choose from vegetables, dipping sauces, decadent chocolate truffles, or sliced meat, cheese, and breadsticks. Vines offers a casual setting with limited capacity in the piazza.

Being an older vessel, the Crown has only a few options for specialty dining. The Crown Grill is a traditional steakhouse restaurant, and 

Sabatini’s, an Italian eatery. The menus are the same if you’ve eaten on other Princess ships at these venues.

Crown Grill had a cover charge of USD 39. While it was usually only open for dinner, it offered lunch on our one sea day from noon to 1:30 pm. Even though lunch is a smaller meal, the price remained the same.

Interestingly, they didn’t show the steakhouse was open for lunch, and I only knew by talking to the staff. When I passed by at lunchtime, it was no surprise that the restaurant was empty.

Crown Grill provides an intimate dining experience with a menu to suit every diner. Choose from fresh seafood items, chops, and premium steaks, from an 11 oz New York Strip to the 14 oz rib-eye steak. Compliment your choice with a salt collection.

Crown Grill Menu 1             Crown Grill Menu 2

Since I was sailing for only three days and had eaten at the Crown Grill and Sabatini’s’ several times previously, I opted not to eat in a specialty restaurant this time. 

However, I befriended a solo cruiser who dined in the Crown Grill on embarkation day. She was lactose-intolerant, which was noted on her booking and cruise card. Sadly, everything they served her in the Crown Grill contained milk, cheese, and butter.

You’ll find Sabatini’s on deck 16 aft. Overlooking the Terrace Pool, it offers a dreamy setting with those amazing aft views. The rich wood décor, stained glass ceiling, and balloon curtains add to the classically elegant setting.

The specialty restaurant offers a wide range of culinary delights, from classic Italian hors d’oeuvres to mouth-watering Mediterranean dishes. Be sure to try the Porcini Mushroom Risotto, the best I’ve ever tasted.

Sabatini’s starters            Sabatini’s entrees

To make specialty restaurant food inclusive to guests who prefer to eat in the main dining room, they can choose from some a la carte items.

A 7 oz filet mignon or 6-7 oz lobster tail incurs an upcharge of USD 19. Alternatively, both items marketed at ‘The Perfect Match’ sell for USD 29 with your choice of sides.

Princess Alaskan cruises feature the ‘Crab Shack,’ a pop-up area at the Horizon Court buffet. Pay a small fee, wear a bib, and savor king crab, prawns, snow crab, clams, and mussels. If you love seafood, this is a must on your Alaska itinerary. Dining in the Crab Shack costs far less than what you’ll pay on land.

The buffet and Botticelli dining room were open for lunch on  embarkation day , which can often be hit or miss. I’m happy to say my experience was terrific when it came to dinner. 

Princess Cruises still has classic favorites as part of the menu items and a section that changes daily. Classics included a classic Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, French onion soup, seared salmon, and roasted chicken breast. I noticed the absence of the steak.

The most significant change was the edition of ‘Ramen.’ I think of ramen as a lunch item and was surprised to see it on the dinner menu.

Sample Ramen menu

I had the shrimp cocktail, which looked rather uninspiring in it’s little glass. I completed my meal with the seared Mahi Mahi with pineapple mango salsa, and a fruit plate. The chef removed the quinoa pilaf from my entrée, but I didn’t miss it. 

The kitchen cooked my Mahi Mahi perfectly, which rivaled dishes I’ve eaten in Hawaii. I appreciated that the main course was smaller, which creates less waste.

I met with the restaurant manager, who brought me menus for day two. Then, I ordered my lunch and dinner meals a day ahead.

Night one starters               Night one entrees

The second day was a sea day and the only formal night. Strangely enough, Princess’ website said there was no formal night on this 3-day cruise, so many guests arrived with just casual clothes.

While I packed a cocktail dress and heels, I decided to stick with a casual dress code since I saw no one dressed for the occasion. It was a good decision.

I selected the white rum tapioca fruit salad as a starter for dinner. Since I had it on a previous cruise, I knew it was refreshingly good and didn’t disappoint this time.

No complimentary lobster was on the menu this evening, although you could order it for a USD 19 fee. Since I prefer lamb, the herb-crusted leg of lamb was a no-brainer for me.

The lamb was nicely cooked, very tender, and I accompanied it with mint sauce – yum yum!

The pastry chef completed my meal with a vanilla sponge cake with a lovely fluffy and not overly sweet icing.

Night two starters              Night two entrees

For my final evening, I chose the tropical fruit cup with the macadamia nut. My entrée of choice was the grilled seafood bowl with mango lime salsa.

While the seafood was great, the chef removed the lime salsa, making it lack flavor. This entree needed a sauce.

My dessert was a raspberry, cherry cobbler which was loaded with sugar. It was so sweet, that I couldn’t eat it.

Overall, I found my Crown Princess dining experience hit or miss. Even though I chose the same time and same dining room each night, I was given different tables.

Each night, the staff would try to get me to share a table, even though I wanted to eat solo. I was often told a table might not be available. However, with the ship half empty, most the dining room was empty too.

Service in the dining room was often slow, causing me to miss the production show one evening. Overall, I found the meals lacked the presentation that I had enjoyed on other Princess ships.

Night three starters               Night three entrees

I didn’t use room service to my Crown Princess cabin , since I was on a 3-day mini-cruise. However, breakfast in your room is convenient when you have an early morning port day or prefer to sleep in.

Continental breakfast is still complimentary in your cabin if you complete the breakfast card and hang it on your door the night before.

The breakfast includes juices, fruit, croissants, yogurt, pastries, pizza muffins, and an egg, bacon, and cheese English muffin.

Delivery time slots are every half an hour, from 6:30 am to 10 am. Should you choose the latest time, it would arrive between 10 and 10:30 am.

Also, guests could enjoy ultimate balcony dining to create a little romance at sea. It’s the perfect place to enjoy an intimate experience to celebrate a special occasion.

Complimentary afternoon tea was served in the Da Vinci Dining Room on my sea day. It was well attended. They served four kinds of finger sandwiches, scones, and delicious pastries.

Unlike most land-based high teas, which offer a tea selection, Princess served only Lipton’s. In fact, you couldn’t even get coffee.

While you can order drinks and food with the Medallion, I didn’t use the service on this cruise. If you order on the app, the service charges a one-time fee of USD 4.99.

Final Thoughts

Dining has evolved since the pandemic, with cruise lines offering fewer choices. Some of that may be due to supply issues and to trim costs.

The staff-to-guest ratio was reasonably high, with the ship sailing at 50% capacity. Yet, the service in the dining room could have been faster.

While I sailed solo, I was happy to eat alone. However, I did dine with two other solo guests on my one sea day. I was pleased with the food quality in the main dining room but wished there were gluten-free options elsewhere.

Tuesday 20th of February 2024

Very good review . THANK YOU

Tuesday 7th of November 2023

Thanks for the review which is interesting. May I say, its similar to the ship’s menu Majestic Princess. I travelled the 10 day Alaskan cruise for my birthday and ordered a small cake, yet enough for the eight other guests at the table, and was happy 😊

During this long cruise (my first, I was given the hint that a substantial tip was needed for the meal times, drink times (anywhere on the ship), and state rooms. Could you in experience give some information of what would be the acceptable times and expenses of tipping? My cruise cost close to $5,000.00+ cruise taxes + fees+ airflights (Canada)+ other travel expenses, and tours on land while stopping at the ports.

Thanks again, take care in life- here’s to cruising vacations! (solo too)

Sunday 31st of March 2024

@Cheryl. S., A lot has changed on princess since 2023 also, and you can also track friends and other roommates easily on the app now also to find them on the ship (via the chat tab on the princess app)

I found the dining experiences were a lot better now, with a full ship and seems plenty more food options also, although we're on the Australian leg here.

The deserts look sickly sweet also, but are very pleasant, and you burn the calories off doing 10,000 steps a day walking around the ship anyway. (without going to the gym onboard)

Having the plus drink package for a shorter cruise was a great idea, and you get a whole range of food and drinks delivered to where you for free anywhere on the boat. This also gets you complimentary deluxe ice creams, casual dining access and pretty much unlimited drinks (who can drink 15 alcoholic drinks a day!!) Was worth the extra price.

Karen Hosier

Cheryl, I give an extra tip to my cabin steward, and waiters. How much you give is up to you. Drinks, spa treatments, and specialty restaurants already incur an 18% tip so you aren't required to give more unless you want to.

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• MSC Cruises

Probably the most accurate review of MSC's food I've seen...

By Stockjock , October 21, 2023 in MSC Cruises

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There are some good things and not so good things about MSC.  I've been critical where warranted (IMO), but one thing I will say is that they've held steady or improved in a number of areas where other cruise lines have cut back drastically.  I went on a Celebrity cruise last month (and again in 2 days) and the food, while edible and sometimes even very good, was a shadow of what I've had on Celebrity in the past. I've always found MSC's food to be pretty decent.  While meals are hit and miss, they're usually good to very good.  This is one area where I've long felt MSC got a bad rap, unfairly. Anyway, I've not seen this guy's videos before, but I thought he was fair and objective.  His experiences, more or less, mirror my own.  I'll be back on World Europa soon, so I'll be able to see if anything has changed, but we often sail MSC once or twice per year, and their food quality has been pretty consistent, in my view.  

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We had our first cruise with MSC on the Meraviglia in April of this year.  We are not dining room folks, so all our meals were in the buffet.  We were quite pleased with our meals particularly since we had read so many discouraging reports about their food. We did 3 Royal Caribbean cruises(Anthem 1, Oasis 2) also this year and were much more disappointed in the Windjammer than the MSC buffet.

We are looking forward to our April 2024 cruise aboard the Meraviglia.  Always keep in mind that critiquing food is very subjective. 

@CruisingWalter  is usually spot on.

Great job Walter!

CruisingWalter

Wow, @Stockjock  thank you so very much for your kind words! I try to be fair when it comes to the food reviews because food is so subjective. I hate it when people just label an entire ship or an entire cruise line as "good" or "bad" because even when you don't have the best overall food experience, there are always nice surprises. And man that affogado in Venchi was a HUGE surprise! 🙂  

And honestly one of my favorite food experiences on the ship was that second MDR dinner that wasn't the best food at all, but our server was hilarious by just being honest. Her reactions when I asked about various dishes was priceless. And she pretty much told us straight up what to expect from each of our dishes and she was right. It was a weak meal, but joking about it with her made it a fun experience. 

We sailed MSC Seaside not long after that CDC report and honestly had no idea what to expect. We had a fun time accepting MSC for what it is and will be on her bigger sister the Seashore in December. Happy cruising everyone! 🙂  

I will board my 7th MSC cruise since Jan 2022 in a week and have been pleasantly surprised by the food. Based on the reviews I read prior to sailing with MSC, I expected it to be terrible. In dozens of meals in the dining room, buffet and specialty restaurants, I have only had one dish I considered inedible and most have been excellent. 

1 hour ago, CruisingWalter said: Wow, @Stockjock  thank you so very much for your kind words! I try to be fair when it comes to the food reviews because food is so subjective. I hate it when people just label an entire ship or an entire cruise line as "good" or "bad" because even when you don't have the best overall food experience, there are always nice surprises. And man that affogado in Venchi was a HUGE surprise! 🙂    

I also am a huge fan of affogato.  I always order mine with a shot of Bailey's and prefer it without the chocolate sauce that some put on it.  Can't wait to try it on the MSC Divina in February. 

Critiques of food on MSC I think often come down to very simple things. Things like breakfast sausage on an MSC cruise are very far from American expectations. So when someone goes from a line like Carnival with a Guy Fieri quick service restaurant over to MSC, I can imagine it's a bit of a shock.

Captain-John

In my opinion (and I will be able to verify for myself in a few weeks), the quality of MSC food has been maintained or increased where lately other lines are moving in the opposite direction.

Anyone who I have corresponded with on these boards over the years will know that I like to cruise MSC 'despite' the food, but I don't think that's accurate now especially in view of the cutbacks other lines are making. MSC have a real chance to stand out actually.

Thanks for the video Walter, very insightful. 🙂

1 hour ago, CruisingWalter said: Wow, @Stockjock  thank you so very much for your kind words! I try to be fair when it comes to the food reviews because food is so subjective. I hate it when people just label an entire ship or an entire cruise line as "good" or "bad" because even when you don't have the best overall food experience, there are always nice surprises. And man that affogado in Venchi was a HUGE surprise! 🙂     And honestly one of my favorite food experiences on the ship was that second MDR dinner that wasn't the best food at all, but our server was hilarious by just being honest. Her reactions when I asked about various dishes was priceless. And she pretty much told us straight up what to expect from each of our dishes and she was right. It was a weak meal, but joking about it with her made it a fun experience.    We sailed MSC Seaside not long after that CDC report and honestly had no idea what to expect. We had a fun time accepting MSC for what it is and will be on her bigger sister the Seashore in December. Happy cruising everyone! 🙂  

Thank you Stockjock for posting Walters video and thank you Walter, loved the video.  Please let us know how the Seashore is on your Dec. cruise, we will be on it in January!

Many thanks @Stockjock  and @CruisingWalter  for the wonderful review I can mostly to subscribe myself.

The MSC food department should be as very well analysed as you did, effectively. It's worth to know the real product in face of its price tag. First of its all: Don't expect Michelin star rated food at baseline mainstream price tag. And now let us to face reality like it is: Don't expect an Italian business to be equal to an American one, like someone has suggested above.

Oh: And there is another concern. When coming here to Europe, you'll notice some differences in the way restaurants and EU cruise lines should to operate in relation to salt and sugar use. We have some recommendations and at least in the case of salt some in law limitations on what quantities are allowed to use. With time, us, Europeans do have become healthier in the way we make our food. You wouldn't find as sweet desserts on MSC like the ones they have on RCI, not only because Europeans want less sweet desserts, but because there are actually sugar limit recommendations at this side of the pond which by the most part are being followed. On RCI desserts your nearly unique flavor is sugar. On MSC sugar is a linking element that will to link the main ingredients you'd be able to flavor. Salt would perhaps to be even more noticeable now, once at this side of the pond we now have mandatory regulations for the restaurants to follow, and I believe there are none at the US.

I wouldn't compare some particular items. Those might to be just a question of taste, and that is as subjective as it can be. General quality sense, that is objective. On all travels I have made I had ones that have been hit or miss at same venues for the duration of those travels, even when we're talking about true EU 5* venues. I agree with both of you. MSC do have very decent food for the price tag, and according to the photos and videos of late, they seem to be rising up their game on that department. @Beamafar  is doing a live from the Musica in Greece where she entered a photo of a "fish & ships" dish that might to be the easiest thing to deliver... And that seems like obtained from a true EU 5* standards venue, it was not!... Congrats MSC on the good job being done!...

5 hours ago, CruisingWalter said: Wow, @Stockjock  thank you so very much for your kind words! I try to be fair when it comes to the food reviews because food is so subjective. I hate it when people just label an entire ship or an entire cruise line as "good" or "bad" because even when you don't have the best overall food experience, there are always nice surprises. And man that affogado in Venchi was a HUGE surprise! 🙂     And honestly one of my favorite food experiences on the ship was that second MDR dinner that wasn't the best food at all, but our server was hilarious by just being honest. Her reactions when I asked about various dishes was priceless. And she pretty much told us straight up what to expect from each of our dishes and she was right. It was a weak meal, but joking about it with her made it a fun experience.    We sailed MSC Seaside not long after that CDC report and honestly had no idea what to expect. We had a fun time accepting MSC for what it is and will be on her bigger sister the Seashore in December. Happy cruising everyone! 🙂  

I always appreciate honesty by the staff.  When they say, "Everything's good", you know they're either lying, or simply don't know. I've mentioned this before, but my first MSC cruise was on Divina in 2015 or 2016.  I read over and over again about how there was pretty much no food in the buffet other hotdogs and hamburgers, and they'd then go on to show pictures of them.  I got on Divina and that was 100% false.  There was so much food, but one had to take a walk to see what was available. I also think the MSC Specialty Dining packages are a good deal, relative to the competition.  For example, we did one last year for $70 per person for 3 specialty restaurants, which I thought was a great value. This NYE, we'll be on World Europa, and while the price went up a bit, we're getting 3 specialty restaurants for $100 each.  Throw in our free Diamond level specialty restaurant freebie, that's 4 specialty restaurants out of 7 nights for $200 total (not per person).  I'd like to see anyone beat that.  And for those who note that one specialty night is "free" due to Diamond status, I'd also note that achieving that status on MSC is much easier than achieving an upper tier status on other cruise lines. Anyway, good job on the video.  I found it to be well-done and objective.

5 hours ago, peder said: Critiques of food on MSC I think often come down to very simple things. Things like breakfast sausage on an MSC cruise are very far from American expectations. So when someone goes from a line like Carnival with a Guy Fieri quick service restaurant over to MSC, I can imagine it's a bit of a shock.

I am a fan of MSC's breakfasts.  I often order the MSC Express Breakfast, sometimes with Salmon/Lox on the side w/a Cappuccino.  Yum!  

Stem to Stern

6 hours ago, CruisingWalter said: And man that affogado in Venchi was a HUGE surprise!

Hey Walter.  Thanks for the video.  Some great tips.  I'll be sure not to miss out on that affogato.

Itchy&Scratchy

14 hours ago, ridgecrest said: We did 3 Royal Caribbean cruises(Anthem 1, Oasis 2) also this year and were much more disappointed in the Windjammer than the MSC buffet.

we are definitely MDR folks, and we were pleasantly surprised by the Oasis MDR food this year, after the menu changed. There were only a couple of meh dishes. And the additional MDR entrees were free, unlike  MSC. Now if we find a dish not to be to our liking on Seascape, we'll have to pay to sample another entree. 😞

Now, the quality and variety at the Windjammer buffet and Park Cafe went downhill for sure.

I am looking forward to judging Seascape's MDR and buffet food in person in less than 30 days.

Thanks for the link.   Very good review.      

Happy cruising 🌊 🚢 🇺🇸 🌅

5 hours ago, Stockjock said: I am a fan of MSC's breakfasts.  I often order the MSC Express Breakfast, sometimes with Salmon/Lox on the side w/a Cappuccino.  Yum!

I like their breakfasts a lot too. The roasted tomatoes on top of an over easy egg? Yum. But the sausage we had in our western med circuit was far from the typical sausage you'd find stateside. Wasn't an issue for us, but I see how others would use that as an example for why MSC food is not up to par.

Enjoyable review @CruisingWalter . I had seen your channel come up in my feeds before, but now that I know it's from a helpful CC poster I'm subscribed 🙂  .

I do really appreciate how there were a number of items that were subpar, but you had a good attitude about it when stating the flaws. There are too many overly dramatic reactions to food that didn't meet someone's expectations and I discount those opinions immediately.

Thanks for sharing @Stockjock

I hope food has standardized/stabilized across the fleet since spring 2022--25 nights on Grandiosa that saw, granted, imo, negative food changes for each of the three cruises. While the "guys" on the buffet serving line seemed to be consistent (and happy and funny and as helpful as permitted--ALWAYS), the white uniforms hovering around the area changed several times as did the buffet. We have our preferences (mine, in particular, is hot food being served hot!) but don't see ourselves as picky eaters. We don't cruise to eat (in fact, we are so boring that we cruise simply because we love sailing-- preferring transatlantic cruises). However, we will be absolutely delighted if the fresh-prep egg station is, again, operational during our Seashore crossing coming up this week. 

The best thing MSC does is their Specialty Dining.

benjaminnicholas

MSC's food is fine if you're not expecting great food.  Or hot food, to be honest.  Or food with any spice or real flavor.  It is what it is.

Even YC, while plated to look more appealing, is still bland and hit or miss.

I was shocked that a meal yesterday in YC saw gnocchi that was highly underdone.  I left 3/4 of the pasta on the plate.  I expected a little more from a line with Italian lineage.

On 10/21/2023 at 6:48 AM, peder said: Critiques of food on MSC I think often come down to very simple things. Things like breakfast sausage on an MSC cruise are very far from American expectations. So when someone goes from a line like Carnival with a Guy Fieri quick service restaurant over to MSC, I can imagine it's a bit of a shock.

Guy Fieri = salute to cholesterol 

On 10/31/2023 at 5:22 PM, joeyancho said: Guy Fieri = salute to cholesterol 

I can't stand Guy Fieri or his food aesthetic.  

But for many, he's a known commodity and they're impressed by his shtick.

27 minutes ago, benjaminnicholas said:   I can't stand Guy Fieri or his food aesthetic.     But for many, he's a known commodity and they're impressed by his shtick.

Yep.  He's no Jacques Pepin

1 minute ago, joeyancho said: Yep.  He's no Jacques Pepin

Hell, Fieri is no Burger King.

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Iona Review

Iona is the biggest cruise ship ever built for the UK market, packed with entertainment venues and more than 30 places to eat and drink. With a capacity of 5,200 passengers, the ship has the feel of a lively but classy floating resort.

Iona Cruise Ship's Deck Plan Is Well Planned and Brings the Outside In

The ship is certainly striking. At the heart of Iona's deck plan is the dazzling Grand Atrium, with walls of glass on both sides spanning three floors, filling the space with light and sea views. Polished white marble and gleaming chrome add to the elegant, airy feel, while a curved marble staircase sweeps down into the centre.

The SkyDome is another 'wow' moment at first sight and a first for P&O Cruises, too. An enormous glass dome covers a double-height space on Decks 16 and 17, which serves as a pool, drinking and dining venue by day and a dramatic entertainment space in the evenings. Other intriguing features making their debut include a boutique, four-screen cinema, an intimate nightclub masterminded by Take That frontman Gary Barlow and the first gin distillery at sea.

There's a lot that's well planned about this ship. Instead of one big pool and the overcrowding that can bring, there are two infinity pools on the cascading aft decks, the indoor SkyDome pool and the smallish Beachcomber pool on Deck 18, which spreads passengers out efficiently.

Conservatory Mini-suites are a High Point of Iona Cabins

New for Iona are 95 Conservatory Mini-Suites, a brilliant midway option between a balcony cabin and a suite. Iona’s Conservatory Mini-Suites offer a soothing space featuring a deeper balcony with a glass-enclosed sitting area. One of the perks of this room type is it allows passengers to open the area up to create a bigger outdoor space or close it off from the main cabin. This function is handy if you're travelling with a young child and you want to continue your evening after you've put them to bed.

Entertainment and Restaurants on Iona Target a Younger Crowd

Iona is a departure in tone for P&O Cruises. It's clearly aimed at a younger demographic than the line's more traditional ships, in the style of the entertainment, nightlife and restaurants.

There are nods to tradition in the formal gala nights (rebranded as Celebration Night); the captain’s midday announcement (sadly inaudible) and familiar restaurants and watering holes that P&O Cruises regulars expect, including Sindhu, Epicurean, Brodie's pub and the Crow's Nest lounge. But in other areas, there's big change; open-seating dining, for example, and the requirement to book literally everything via the MyHoliday app.

Food on Iona Offers Plenty of Variety, But Not Everything Works

With so many bars and restaurants, food on Iona offers plenty of variety and you really could eat and drink somewhere different every day. The concept of lots of smaller restaurants instead of a few huge ones means the ship doesn't feel crowded.

Not everything works. Some of the new restaurants feel soulless, like The Keel & Cow. There's a frustrating adherence to exactly what’s on the bar menus, so you can't, for example, get a martini in the Crow's Nest; you can only order from the fixed menu. There's no turndown in the cabins anymore (suspened during Covid, but never re-instated), which feels odd for anybody who enjoys the sense of luxury a cruise brings. The Wi-Fi is also extremely expensive, at £140 for a week of unlimited use for just one device.

Overall, though, Iona is an impressive ship, packed with quality entertainment and likely to be a huge hit with younger cruisers looking for nightlife, good food and affordable entry-level pricing.

Health & Safety on Iona

P&O Cruises requires all adults to be fully vaccinated. Children from five upwards who are not vaccinated must take a PCR test within 72 hours before embarkation or on the day of embarkation.

Bottom Line

Included with your cruise fare:.

Main dining rooms, the buffet and select other eateries

All theatre and SkyDome shows

Most daily activities unless noted below

Use of the gym, but not most classes

Not included with your cruise fare:

Specialty dining

All drinks beyond tap water, tea, coffee and select juices in the buffet

Spa treatments

Shore excursions

Room service delivery charge of £2.50

Find an Iona Cruise

More about iona, where does iona sail from, where does iona sail to, how much does it cost to go on iona.

Eventful cruise

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Incredible 1st Cruise

one First Time Cruiser

Stunning ship

many 10+ Cruises

Great times

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Carnival Jubilee ship review: A guide to Carnival's third Excel Class cruise ship

Editor's Note

When Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Jubilee debuted in December 2023, it became the third ship in the line's Excel Class , closely mimicking sister ships Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. Although there are more similarities than differences among the three, Carnival has still found a way to make Carnival Jubilee innovative and fun by tweaking a few of the offerings.

The ship shares Carnival's "zone" concept with its two older sisters, meaning it has dedicated areas for dining, drinking, entertainment and outdoor fun, including Bolt, a top-deck roller coaster. The biggest differences on the newest iteration are in two reinvented zones, Currents and The Shores; respectively, they take the place of The French Quarter and La Piazza on Mardi Gras , and The Gateway and 820 Biscayne on Carnival Celebration .

On my voyage, the ship carried 5,676 passengers, plus crew. This meant it wasn't at capacity, but it still felt loud and crowded, and often was fraught with lines. However, the service was generally excellent, with an exceedingly friendly crew.

The vessel is also a ton of fun, featuring two new shows (one with a football tailgate theme and the other with an onboard wedding plot), plenty of daily activities and so many fantastic dining options — many of them free — that it'll make your head spin.

Here's the rundown on what you can expect on board so you can determine if Carnival Jubilee is right for your next sailing.

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Carnival Jubilee overview

Carnival Jubilee is a megaship, coming in at 183,521 tons and carrying up to 6,631 passengers at full capacity. It's tied with Carnival Celebration for the title of the largest ship in Carnival's fleet.

The vessel offers weeklong Caribbean voyages on a regular rotation from its home port in Galveston, Texas, meaning you'll find a healthy dose of Texas-style fun on board (more on that later). In fact, Carnival is so dedicated to keeping the ship in the Lone Star State that it had a Texas star painted on the ship's hull.

Carnival Jubilee's demographics run the gamut from families with young kids or extended family groups to groups of friends, couples and even solo cruisers (even though it doesn't have any cabins for singles). True to the rumors about Southern hospitality, the people on my cruise were some of the warmest and most polite I've ever encountered; fellow passengers were saying "excuse me," allowing others to go first in line and generally being more courteous than I've found on sailings from other places.

The ship is divided into six zones, where passengers can find a mix of bars, restaurants, live performances, water-filled fun and exhilarating activities like a ropes course, minigolf and, of course, the Bolt roller coaster . Here's a bit about each zone.

Carnival Jubilee zones

Grand Central: This bustling area rises up three decks — decks 6, 7 and 8 — and replaces the traditional atrium found on older Carnival vessels. The focal point is Center Stage, a starboard-side (on your right when facing the front of the ship) secondary theater that's home to events like bingo during the day and song-and-dance performances at night.

Surrounding the stage are tons of seating options, as well as JavaBlue Cafe, which serves coffee and snacks; Cherry on Top candy shop; the Center Stage and Grand View Bars; and Bonsai Sushi and Teppanyaki. It also serves as an access point for the onboard shops, Piano Bar 88, The Punchliner Comedy Club and the Jubilee Casino.

Currents: Currents is one of the other main social hubs on Carnival Jubilee. It starts on Deck 6, just aft of Grand Central and features two new bars. The Golden Mermaid has gilded decor and a custom-designed mural depicting mermaids and lots of hidden Easter eggs (look for SpongeBob SquarePants references). Meanwhile, Dr. Inks, Ph.D., is a bar based on the fictional character Dr. Inks — an octopus with academic credentials. Both bars have excellent drink menus.

Also in the space is Emeril's Bistro 717, a New Orleans-style, for-fee eatery developed by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.

On the wall above Dr. Inks, window-shaped screens provide a show for anyone passing through the length of the Currents promenade area. Programming rotates between underwater adventures, nature scenes and even artwork produced by passengers and kids from St. Jude's Children's Hospital. For a better view, head up one deck to the Alchemy Bar.

The Shores: If the Currents zone is the underwater-themed area of the ship, The Shores on Deck 8 is what you get when you pop your head above the metaphorical surface. Inspired by boardwalks and beaches, The Shores offers two walk-up food counters: Beach Buns (Carnival Deli on other ships) and Coastal Slice (the equivalent of Pizza Pirate or Pizzeria del Capitano). Offset by colorful, blinking carnival-style lighting, the venues all but scream, "Step right up!"

Other venues in the area include the Marina Bar for cocktails and coffee, complimentary Italian restaurant Cucina del Capitano and for-fee seafood eatery Rudi's Seagrill, created by food pop artist chef Rudi Sodamin.

Summer Landing: From The Shores, continue aft on Deck 8 to reach Summer Landing. It's an indoor space that encompasses Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, a Guy Fieri barbecue joint with its own microbrewery and live music; the Heroes Tribute Lounge, which honors members of the military; and soft-serve ice cream.

Outside, the area continues with The Patio, which features a pool and hot tubs, and neighboring The Watering Hole, a bar that serves the space.

Lido: A mix of food and fun, the Lido zone fans out on decks 16 and 17 around the ship's main Beach Pool, which serves as the center of the action. Around and above it, you'll find outdoor movies, dedicated teen hangouts, a video arcade, a two-story version of the RedFrog Tiki Bar, cruiser favorite BlueIguana Cantina, extra-fee Seafood Shack and Street Eats street food.

On the upper deck is the popular Guy's Burger Joint, which is oddly set a bit farther away from the action on Excel Class ships. Farther afield on Deck 16, passengers can check out Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken restaurant or venture to Lido Marketplace, the ship's complimentary buffet.

The Ultimate Playground: If you're looking for alfresco thrills to keep you busy, The Ultimate Playground is the place to be. It comprises a miniature golf course, a basketball court, a ropes course and the line's signature WaterWorks water park, all of which are free.

Of course, the highlight of this zone is the Bolt roller coaster. It's an added-fee experience during which passengers (one to two people per ride) zoom twice around the track on a motorcycle-style vehicle that allows you to throttle up or down to a speed that suits you.

What I love about Carnival Jubilee

Grand central.

Grand Central is one of my favorite spots on board. Although it's often loud, busy and difficult to navigate, especially on sea days, it's a prime place to sit and people-watch. I found myself gravitating there repeatedly to enjoy coffee or a snack from the nearby JavaBlue Cafe while watching the cast from that night's show rehearse at Center Stage — something you can't usually do on other ships.

Plus, the space is a bit of a throwback to the days when interior designer and architect Joe Farcus was responsible for Carnival's ship decor. The decor is midcentury modern style meets '80s quirk, featuring a pink and teal color scheme, fun light fixtures and a bar with colored mirror accents.

I'm not generally someone who cares about alcohol. Give me one or two pina coladas on a weeklong cruise, and I'm good to go. However, the massively creative options on the menus at both the Golden Mermaid and Dr. Inks, Ph.D., bars are absolutely worth a shoutout.

For the wow factor, the best drink I had was A Pearly Bubble. Found on the menu at the Golden Mermaid, it's a mix of gin, St-Germain liqueur, white cranberry juice, dragon fruit and lime juice. It was a bit too dry for me, so I didn't care for the taste; however, you won't want to miss the presentation, which involves a giant bubble atop the drink. It pops when you poke it, leaving behind a tiny poof of smoke.

For taste, which I know is subjective, my favorite is the Crimson Catch (Swedish Fish candy-infused vodka, lime juice, pomegranate liqueur, white cranberry juice and Swedish Fish candy). I prefer sweet drinks, and this hit the spot.

It's not unusual for the line at JavaBlue to snake around the corner and down the hall at peak times. The staff members try their best to keep things moving, but if you don't feel like waiting 10-15 minutes for a cuppa, head upstairs to Deck 8's Marina Bar instead.

There, you can order any of the same coffee beverages you'll find at JavaBlue but in far less time. If you're feeling more like a cocktail, you can grab one of those, too. On my sailing, the bartenders were phenomenal and even remembered that I prefer non-dairy milk with my lattes.

Bolt roller coaster

Cruise fans know that Carnival brought Bolt, the first-ever roller coaster at sea, to Mardi Gras in 2021. Carnival Jubilee offers the same ride — the third of its kind on a cruise ship — in the deck 18, 19 and 20 Ultimate Playground area.

Pay a fee to ride, and you (or you and a friend) can navigate two laps of twists and turns around the ship's funnel as you use the throttle and hyper-boost buttons to try to break the day's speed record. (Yes, you'll be timed, and don't forget to smile for a photo.) The ocean views from above are totally worth the cost.

What I don't love about Carnival Jubilee

There's no easy way to say this: The ship almost always feels crowded. If you want to enjoy it when it's not, you'll have to stay on board during port calls just to find some space to yourself. Many restaurants and walk-up counters have near-constant lines, particularly at the complimentary venues during peak dinner times every evening.

It's so common for JavaBlue to be backed up throughout the day that an easy-to-miss sign directs passengers to other locations where they can grab a cup of coffee. Meanwhile, lines at the onboard deli and pizzeria counters frequently snake so far down Deck 8 that they block the entrance to seafood restaurant Rudi's Seagrill. One night, as I was dining at Rudi's with some of my travel companions, we joked that the lines were dangerously close to melding with the line for the nearby guest services desk.

And it isn't just a problem with dining. I arrived 15 minutes early for a magic show at the Punchliner Comedy Club, and I couldn't find a single available seat in the entire place. On another night, I showed up on time for Family Feud Live in the ship's theater, and it was a standing-room-only situation. The sizes of the performance venues are generally way too small for the number of passengers wishing to watch the shows.

My cabin had some of the best soundproofing I've experienced on a new ship in a long time — I had balcony accommodations near an elevator bank and heard nothing when I was in my room. However, a couple of passengers told me they could hear noise from Bolt in their balcony cabin on Deck 15.

Most other places on board seem to be excessively loud. Even on port days, when most passengers are ashore, the public areas are filled with loud music that makes it hard to find a quiet escape. Some of it is understandable. After all, Carnival vessels are known as the Fun Ships, but some of it seems unnecessary.

One example is the Dr. Seuss-themed Seuss-a-palooza Parade that makes its way through the Currents zone once per sailing. I happened to be sitting at a table in the area when the festivities kicked off. I decided to stay to see what it was all about, and I'm sorry I did. As costumed Dr. Seuss characters arrived, Carnival staff asked the children to scream solely for the sake of screaming. Ear-piercing shrieks reverberated throughout the space, which was also blocked off to passengers trying to pass through.

The excessive upselling

Combining noise with the annoyance of hawking alcohol, the roving waiters visited every table at Chibang! — the ship's hybrid Mexican-Asian restaurant — one night while I was having dinner there. Their goal was to push Rumchata shots on everyone. Whenever somebody bought one, the waiter would demand that they yell "Shot, shot, shot!" before downing it. This was extremely disruptive and added to the already loud atmosphere.

One afternoon later in the sailing, two different crew members approached me a total of six times in less than half an hour while I was having lunch on the Lido deck. The first five times, I simply said, "No, thanks." After the sixth time, I had enough and told them nicely but firmly to stop asking me. I found the high-pressure sales tactics excessive and irritating when all I wanted to do was eat my meal in peace.

The inconsistencies

Oddly, there were some discrepancies on board that I was surprised to see on a ship that's been sailing for several months.

The first couple had to do with differences between the Carnival HUB app and the daily Fun Times printed schedule. On one occasion, the app said Seafood Shack opened half an hour earlier than it did, while the paper version of the daily schedule had the correct information. Another time, the printed daily had the wrong theater show listed for that night; the correct one was posted in the HUB. On another day, the printed schedule was missing part four of a four-part show, which did show up on the agenda in the app.

In terms of food and drinks, I had a strange experience at Chibang! when I ordered spring rolls. Usually, they don't have meat in them, nor was meat listed as an ingredient on the menu. When the waiter took my order, he said, "Spring rolls with chicken." When I asked him about it, he said he could request for them to be made without it, but that doesn't explain why something with meat in it wouldn't have meat in its list of ingredients. If I were a vegetarian or vegan, it would have concerned me.

As for drinks, I ordered a Snapping Pop at Dr. Inks., Ph.D. It was completely different — different color, different taste and different presentation — from what I received when I ordered the same drink on a sailing two months prior. I was told the drink had to be changed for several reasons. However, the old ingredients were listed on the menu, meaning passengers weren't getting what they thought they ordered.

Carnival Jubilee cabins and suites

Carnival Jubilee offers cabins in the usual varieties: insides with no windows or balconies, ocean-view accommodations with windows, balcony cabins with outdoor veranda space and suites that include additional perks. These include priority check-in, boarding and disembarkation; preferred dinner times in the main dining room; pillow-top mattresses; two large bottles of water and bathrobes; and extra square footage.

Within those categories, Carnival Jubilee offers three types of special cabins. First is Family Harbor, which offers nautically themed cabins that sleep up to five people and rooms that can be connected via an interior door. Families booked in Family Harbor cabins have access to a dedicated Family Harbor Lounge, which offers daily breakfast, snacks and drinks, as well as board games and TVs with a selection of movies and video games. They also receive a free night of babysitting in the kids club so parents can enjoy some alone time.

The second special cabin type is the Havana Cabana. Done up in bright, tropical colors, these rooms offer extended outdoor lounge space and private access to the Havana Pool and Bar area.

The third type is Cloud 9 Spa cabins. With calming seafoam green and yellow decor alongside extras like Elemis toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, these are some of the most relaxing cabins on any ship. These guests also receive priority spa appointments and free access to fitness classes and the onboard thermal suite.

Suites in all three of these special accommodation types also give passengers the suite perks mentioned above.

Excel Suites, Carnival Jubilee's highest-level accommodations, receive all standard suite perks plus additional ones. These include complimentary access to the private sun deck at Loft 19, priority cabana reservations at Loft 19, concierge services, guaranteed reservations at most extra-fee restaurants, free room service, upgraded toiletries, fruit and sparkling wine upon embarkation, a free soft drink package, free in-room movies, an in-cabin coffee machine and complimentary laundry service .

Standard amenities in all rooms include a queen bed that converts to two twins on request, bedside shelving with reading lamps and USB outlets, a desk and vanity area, a sofa or chair, a closet and drawers for storage, a safe for valuables, a house phone and a hair dryer.

Bathrooms feature a toilet, sink and shower with a door instead of a curtain. Complimentary toiletries are basic: bar soap for handwashing and dispensers of shampoo and shower gel mounted on the wall in the shower.

On my sailing, I stayed in a balcony cabin, which was elegantly decorated in neutrals with blue accents. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of storage space. I appreciated touches like ample vanity mirror lighting, adjustable shelving in the closets and a surplus of USB outlets throughout the room, including near the vanity and beside the bed.

Speaking of the bed, it was exceptionally comfortable, and I was excited to find that the TV across from it had a sizable selection of free movies (as well as newer releases for a fee). The TV also allows you to watch select live channels and shipboard programming and to check your onboard bill.

Dislikes for me include a shower door that opens toward you instead of into the shower, making the already tiny bathroom even tighter. I also didn't like the "SNOOZIN'" door hangers, which often got caught in my door when I closed it; I would've rathered a "do not disturb" button like many other new ships have.

I also would have liked a taller table on the balcony, but it only had room for two chairs (not lounger-style) and a small drinks table.

Carnival Jubilee offers 82 accessible cabins in a mix of types and categories: inside, ocean-view, balcony and suite, as well as rooms in the Family Harbor, Havana Cabana and Cloud 9 Spa categories.

Within those 82 options, there are fully accessible accommodations with access to both sides of the bed and rooms that are fully accessible with single-side access to one side of the bed, which work well for passengers who use wheelchairs and scooters. Ambulatory-accessible rooms provide accommodations for people who walk with the help of assistive devices like canes or walkers.

Fully accessible rooms are stair-free, flat-threshold cabins, which offer wider (32-inch) doorways, turning space and bathrooms equipped with grab bars and shower seats.

There are no solo cabins on Carnival Jubilee.

Cabin cleaning is limited to once per day. Unless you specifically request your cabin steward to come at night for turndown service instead of earlier in the day, your room will be made up in the morning. Hang the "SNOOZIN'" card on the outside of your door, and no one will bother you — but your room won't be cleaned that day.

Carnival Jubilee restaurants and bars

Carnival jubilee food.

One of the best ways Carnival provides value to its customers is through its food offerings. Complimentary dining abounds on Carnival Jubilee, and the variety of cuisines is impressive. You'll find more free options on Carnival ships than on just about any other fleet's vessels, and they're actually tasty. It's entirely possible to eat only food that's included in the cruise fare and not feel like you're missing out.

Excellent added-fee options include steak, seafood and teppanyaki, which might be worth trying if you're celebrating a special occasion or feeling like a splurge.

Dinner reservations are recommended for many eateries, even the main dining rooms. You can make them by visiting your restaurant of choice or by using the HUB app. If you don't make one, you might find yourself waiting 20 minutes or more for a table at peak times. If you make a reservation through the app, you'll receive a notification to report to the host stand when your table is ready.

In my experience, waiters were diligent in asking about dietary requirements and restrictions. However, it was disappointing to see that many menus weren't marked with specific options for vegetarians, vegans and people who can't eat gluten.

The ship has two main dining rooms: Atlantic Restaurant (Deck 6, mid) and Pacific Restaurant (decks 6 and 7, aft).

One of them is dedicated to passengers who select Your Time Dining, which lets you eat anytime between 5 and 9 p.m. (The dedicated YTD restaurant can vary by sailing, depending on how many people choose that option.)

Both serve the same menu for dinner, but only the larger Pacific Restaurant is open for Sea Day Brunch on sea days and breakfast (but not lunch) on port days.

I very much enjoyed an omelet with hashbrowns at Sea Day Brunch and salmon during the formal night dinner in the Pacific Restaurant. I also had a wonderful time at two special events — complimentary afternoon tea and an extra-fee Dr. Seuss-themed Thing 1 and Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast — held in the Atlantic Restaurant.

Tip: If you're a vegetarian or a fan of Indian food, don't miss the daily Indian dish on the main dining room menu.

The buffet is the other free food option that's a staple on just about any cruise.

On Carnival Jubilee, the Lido Marketplace on Deck 16 is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, but I found it largely uninspired and lacking in variety. The French toast I had for breakfast and the mahi mahi I had for dinner were tasty, but there are definitely better no-charge venues on board.

A little-known fact is that, at least for the inaugural season, passengers can dine at Mexican-Asian restaurant Chibang! and the Italian Cucina del Capitano, both on Deck 8, for free. Cruisers with YTD can eat there for dinner anytime; those with set seating can dine there after 7:45 p.m.

At Cucina del Capitano, I was exceptionally pleased with the spaghetti carbonara I ordered. The nachos and spring rolls are don't-miss items at Chibang!

Unfortunately, both the service and atmosphere at Chibang! are lacking. The space is simply packed with tables — so much so that there were only about two inches between my table and the one next to me, even though I was dining alone. It then took nearly 10 minutes for a waiter to bring me water and another 10 before someone came to take my order.

Also on Deck 8 are Coastal Slice and neighboring Beach Buns, which respectively replace the pizza and deli counters found by the pool on most other Carnival ships.

The former bakes several different types of pies nearly around the clock, and they're scrumptious. The latter whips up hotdogs, soups and a variety of sandwiches. (I was pleasantly surprised by the grilled ham and cheese.) Lines for both counters are often long, but I promise it's worth the wait.

Two great staples in the ship's outdoor Lido zone are the BlueIguana Cantina (Deck 16), where you can find yummy tacos and burritos throughout the day, and Guy's Burger Joint (Deck 17), which is the place to grab some of the best burgers at sea via Carnival's partnership with chef and TV personality Guy Fieri.

The breakfast burritos at BlueIguana are fantastic. My pick from Guy's is the Chilius Maximus — an 80/20 ground chuck patty with cheese, chili, onion rings and barbecue sauce.

Guy Fieri isn't the only celebrity affiliated with Carnival's free food.

Shaq's Big Chicken , a restaurant backed by basketball great Shaquille O'Neal (who is also Carnival's CFO, chief fun officer), is perfect if you have a hankering for some fried chicken. In addition to chicken strips, sandwiches and fries, the counter-service venue also serves breakfast. Do yourself a favor and try the chicken and biscuit combo with fries.

If you're seeking a between-meal snack or light bite, try the JavaBlue Cafe on Deck 6 in Grand Central. The cafe offers a sizable menu of specialty coffee beverages and tea, as well as free and for-fee snacks.

Breakfast pastries, bowls and English muffin sandwiches, as well as all-day options like salads, sandwiches, wraps, empanadas and calzones, are complimentary; cookies, doughnuts, cupcakes and cheesecake cost extra.

As a sucker for soft-serve ice cream, I was a frequent visitor to the three soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt machines on decks 8, 16 and 17. At some point, I lost count of how many cones I ate.

Since there are no toppings, I recommend you snag a bowl of dry Froot Loops from the buffet during breakfast, and stash them in your cabin to mix with your ice cream later. Or grab cookies from the buffet for a DIY ice cream sandwich.

Carnival Jubilee has so many places to eat that I ran out of time to try them all on my weeklong sailing.

I missed Fresh Creations, a salad station in the adults-only sun deck area on Deck 18, and Street Eats, a set of three street food-style walk-up windows on Deck 16 near the main pool. The walk-up windows include Steam Dream, which serves dumplings; Time Fries, offering creative takes on french fries; and Sizzle, a grill that specializes in kebabs and other dishes.

Extra-cost food

My favorite onboard dining experience of the whole sailing was at Emeril's Bistro 717 in the Currents zone on Deck 6. A version of this chef Emeril Lagasse-affiliated spot is on each of Carnival's Excel Class ships, bearing the hull number of the original vessel for which the new one is named. Simply walk up to order at the counter, have a seat and a waiter will take over from there.

During my visit, I ordered a pound of stone crab claws in garlic butter (market price) with red beans and rice ($3) and a brie bowl ($6). The food was fabulous, and the service was friendly. My only complaint is that, apart from a claw cracker, there were no other tools available to get to the crab meat. (I asked.) My waiter had no bibs or wet wipes to offer, which left me a bit messy afterward.

The food item I most recommend you try when sailing on Carnival Jubilee is an order of beignets at Emeril's. Pillows of soft fried dough coated in powdered sugar with chocolate and strawberry sauces for dipping are $5 for an order of six.

My second favorite experience was a calm, quiet and uncrowded lunch at Bonsai Sushi on Deck 8. I partook in edamame ($3) and a California roll ($8). It was fresh, tasty, filling and reasonably priced.

Another excellent dinner during my voyage occurred at Rudi's Seagrill (Deck 8), an upscale seafood restaurant named for chef and pop artist Rudi Sodamin. The lobster macaroni and cheese was the perfect indulgence to start my meal, and I followed it up with a delicious crab cake.

I wasn't overly hungry when I sat down, but the $49 cover charge ($15 for kids) would also have included a soup or salad and a dessert if I had wanted them.

No Carnival sailing would be complete for a carnivore without a visit to Fahrenheit 555, the onboard steakhouse . On Carnival Jubilee, it's adorned in neutral tans, dark browns and red tones.

The menu has several types of meat — including steak, of course, as well as lamb chops and chicken — and seafood items like fish and lobster tail. I went with a 9-ounce filet mignon, which was cooked to perfection. It came alongside several sauces and sides of broccoli and crinkle-cut fries for $49 ($15 for kids).

My two most disappointing extra-fee food encounters on Carnival Jubilee were Seafood Shack (Deck 16, in the Lido zone, near the pool) and room service.

The first one opened late, and despite my order being the first one of the day, it still took more than 20 minutes to be served. I chose a single crab cake for $15. When I received it, the bun was soggy, and no garnishes or sauces were offered until I went back to the counter to ask for coleslaw and tartar sauce, neither of which helped the flavor.

It didn't hold a candle to the crab cake from Rudi's, and I ended up abandoning most of it.

Room service, which comes with a la carte fees (except for free Continental breakfast), set me back almost $20 for a chicken quesadilla, chicken fingers with curly fries and a chocolate chip cookie, which I ordered sometime around 2 a.m.

Everything arrived quickly and at the right temperature. The fries and cookie were great, but the chicken fingers were rubbery and full of gristle. When I tried to order the quesadilla without chicken, I was told they were already made, which seems strange. Shouldn't room service be made to order?

Again, I couldn't fit every single restaurant into my time on Carnival Jubilee, so I missed out on Bonsai Teppanyaki, where chefs grill your food right in front of you, complete with corny jokes. I also missed Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, another Guy Fieri creation that serves barbecue fare, wings and microbrewed beer made right on the ship (lunch is free). I couldn't make it to Chef's Table, an exclusive multicourse small-group dining experience that's the most pricey meal on board, either.

Carnival Jubilee bars

Drinks are priced individually unless you have a Cheers beverage package that includes alcohol.

My favorite bar on Carnival Jubilee is the Marina Bar in The Shores zone on Deck 8. It offers a menu of adult beverages, but it also serves the same specialty coffees you'll find at JavaBlue, which often has a long line.

This nautically themed outpost is next to a popular access point to the outer decks, so the only downside is that you might be blasted with hot air while your drink is being made.

Unique to Carnival Jubilee are two new bars in the Deck 6 Currents zone.

The Golden Mermaid is a nod to treasures one might expect to find under the sea, and a mural on the opposite wall depicts underwater scenes, including mermaids. (For some "Where's Waldo"-style fun, try to spot a miniature likeness of the ship, a pair of custom sneakers and references to SpongeBob SquarePants.)

The menu of drinks is noteworthy, too, featuring names like From Far Seas and Atlantis Potion. My favorite, though, is A Pearly Bubble — a blend of gin, St. Germain liqueur, white cranberry juice, lime juice and dragon fruit that's as much for show as it is for taste.

The second new bar is Dr. Inks, Ph.D. In addition to a fun selection of cocktails — some of which involve candy — the bar's theme is tied to an animated octopus named Dr. Inks. She has a Ph.D., pet butterflies and extensive collections of both books and fashionable eyewear. Every so often, she'll appear on the screens above the area to chat.

Cruiser-favorite Alchemy Bar — where white-coated apothecaries prescribe drinks to heal what ails you (try the Cucumber Sunrise) — and the bar at Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse returned to Carnival Jubilee after finding success on other Carnival ships.

Besides beer that's brewed right on board — which you can order by the glass, flight or growler, or in cocktails — you can snag one of several whiskies or interesting cocktails like a smoky watermelon margarita and a black bourbon fizz. I tried a bacon Manhattan, but the taste wasn't my favorite. I also wasn't impressed with how long it took a bartender to ask for my order, especially since it wasn't particularly crowded.

I'm not a huge drinker, so I didn't personally try cocktails from the Center Stage Bar (Deck 6) or Grand View Bar (Deck 7) in Grand Central. The former features a bit of a retro vibe, and the latter is backed by a giant light-up wall that looks like wave.

I also missed out on the RedFrog Tiki Bar, a two-deck (decks 16 and 17), hut-style setup that replaces the RedFrog Rum Bar found on many other Carnival ships' pool decks. It's where you'll find the most quintessentially tropical menu of mixed drinks on board.

Other outdoor bar options include The Watering Hole near Summer Landing on Deck 8, the Serenity Pool Bar on Deck 18 in the adults-only area and the Loft 19 Bar on the exclusive Loft 19 sun deck. (Access is free for passengers booked in suites or anyone who reserves a cabana for anywhere from $250 to $500 per day.)

Back inside, Deck 6's Piano Bar is where passengers can order a tipple while an onboard pianist tickles the ivories. Make your way up a deck, and you'll find the Limelight Lounge, which serves as a secondary performance space and trivia outpost.

Go one deck farther, and you can choose between the Havana Bar, which serves Latin-themed cocktails, and the Heroes Tribute Lounge, which has a special menu of drinks dedicated to military members.

Carnival Jubilee entertainment

Carnival jubilee activities.

Carnival Jubilee offers a full roundup of daily activities on each voyage.

Passengers might choose to head to the casino, play bingo, enjoy an alcohol tasting, participate in a sports tournament, go on a digital scavenger hunt, mingle at a deck party, play minigolf, take a dance class, learn towel folding, or attend a spa, jewelry or shopping seminar.

Particularly notable are the rotating animations that pop up throughout the Currents zone during each voyage.

If you show up during "Soundwaves Jukebox," you'll see synthesizer-like graphics pulsating to the music on the giant screens above the space.

"Change the Currents" will allow you to view underwater scenes from different areas of the world, including the Arctic and swampy Everglades; other experiences take you on an underwater adventure in a submarine and display ocean-themed artwork drawn by kids at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Some of my personal favorite pastimes on board included trivia, pool deck movies, for-fee culinary classes and a particularly relaxing massage. (Watch out for discounts early in your sailing or on port days.)

In addition to treatments, the Cloud 9 Spa offers salon services and a thermal suite — access to which is free with the purchase of a pass or a spa treatment — with a thalassotherapy pool, heated tile loungers, a sauna and two steam rooms. The adjacent fitness center is on the small side but features for-fee personal training and organized fitness classes, as well as equipment that's free for passengers to use.

Looking to find a group of like-minded travelers on your sailing? Check out meetups for solo travelers, singles, veterans and members of the LGBTQ+ community listed in the daily program.

If you're interested in spending time outdoors working on your tan by the pool, you can do so at one of five onboard pools.

There's the Havana Pool (private access for cruisers staying in Havana Cabanas) and the Patio Pool, both on Deck 8 (the latter with hot tubs); the Beach Pool and Tides Pool on Deck 16 (also with hot tubs); and the Deck 18 adults-only Serenity Pool (with hot tubs). There's also a hot tub at Loft 19 on Deck 19, which charges a fee for access.

Cabanas are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis. Prices vary by sailing, but on my voyage, they were $500 per day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pool lifts accommodating up to 300 pounds are available for passengers with limited mobility.

On Deck 18, you'll find Waterworks, which offers waterslides and a splash area for kids.

Kids and adults who aren't afraid of heights will enjoy the top-deck ropes course, which offers two options for different levels of skill and bravery. The Bolt roller coaster, a minigolf course and a basketball court are also found in the SportSquare area within the Ultimate Playground zone.

Additional activities for youngsters take place in Camp Ocean, Carnival's kids club , which splits children into four groups: Turtles (up to 2 years old), Penguins (2-5), Stingrays (6-8) and Sharks (9-11).

Fun pursuits on the daily schedule might include arts and crafts, themed parties, science experiments, games and story time, depending on the age group.

Camp Ocean also has an interactive space wall, where astronauts lead kids on virtual expeditions, complete with a ceiling that lights up like the night sky to show the constellations.

Kids can also attend Build-A-Bear workshops, march along in a Dr. Seuss-themed parade led by the Fox in Socks and Thing 1 and Thing 2, and listen to the Cat in the Hat read stories.

Tweens and teens have their own dedicated hangout spaces. Activities here are less structured, and participants can come and go as they please. Plus, an onboard arcade offers video games for a fee.

Carnival Jubilee shows

Entertainment on Carnival Jubilee is a combination of passenger favorites from other ships and new shows that you'll only find on this vessel.

Of the performances, I most enjoyed two main-theater shows that are also found on some other ships in the fleet. "Celestial Strings" is a mix of classical and modern pop instrumentals partnered with ethereal costumes and sets; "Soulbound" is a song-and-dance performance with a Victorian steampunk vibe, set in what feels like New Orleans, during which a soul-stealer tries to mess with a twisted love story.

Another excellent show is "Rio Carnival," which occurs at Center Stage in the Grand Central zone instead of the main theater. Although the first half felt a bit shaky and slightly boring to me, the second half redeemed it all, featuring a parade of dancers and aerialists dressed in flamboyant costumes synonymous with Rio de Janeiro's Carnival.

The ship's two new shows are just OK. The first, "Dear Future Husband," is a song-and-dance theater show with a plot that involves a couple taking their closest friends on a cruise for a combination bachelor/bachelorette party and wedding. Musical numbers befit the wedding theme and include Bruno Mars' "Marry You" and, of course, Meghan Trainor's "Dear Future Husband."

After the performance, a "reception" (read: dance party with a DJ and visits from the cast) is held in one of the ship's public areas. When I saw this show several months ago, the reception was in the Limelight Lounge. On this more recent voyage, Dr. Inks, Ph.D., served as the reception location.

The second new show is the "Lone Star Tailgate." Drawing on Texas' love for all things football, Carnival has created four indoor/outdoor "quarters" of fun to mimic the four quarters of a football game. When I sailed, the first quarter, which is all about pool deck games for kids, was held on one sea day, and the other three were held on another sea day.

The second quarter involves pool deck games where passengers have to dress up in football gear to complete team races.

During "halftime," the ship's theater singers and dancers put on a show on the pool deck, dressed in team colors to support the fictional Carnival University — the team cruisers are supposedly cheering on during the festivities.

The third and fourth quarters occur in the Summer Landing zone; passengers can rope hay bales, participate in a hot wing-eating contest at Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse and follow it up with music from a live band.

Don't miss the audience participation-style game shows like "Family Feud Live," "Deal or No Deal" and the "Love & Marriage Show." The first pits two family teams against one another to guess popular answers to survey questions; the latter tests couples to see how well they know one another, often resulting in hilarious answers.

Other entertainment during my sailing included several day and nighttime comedy acts, an absolutely phenomenal magic show (be sure to arrive at the Punchliner Comedy Club at least 30 minutes early or you won't find a seat) and "We Are One," a farewell show that focuses on togetherness.

Carnival Jubilee itineraries and pricing

Through at least April 2026, Carnival Jubilee offers two seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries out of its Galveston home port on a regular rotation. Both types of sailings begin and end in Galveston and visit Mahogany Bay in Roatan and Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico with three sea days mixed in. The only difference between the two itineraries is the order in which the port calls and sea days occur.

At the time of publication, prices started from $709 per person ($101 per person per night) for an inside cabin or $919 per person ($131 per person per night) for balcony accommodations.

What to know before you sail on Carnival Jubilee

Required documents.

If you're a U.S. citizen on a cruise that starts and ends in a U.S. port, you'll need a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to sail. A few other forms of identification, such as a passport card, also are acceptable.

Passports must be valid for at least six more months. For cruises from international ports, you'll need a passport. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. All this said, we recommend checking Carnival's website before sailing for up-to-date requirements.

Related: Which documents do you need for a cruise?

Carnival Jubilee passengers will automatically have $16 per person per day added to their onboard bills. Cruisers staying in suites will pay $18 per person per day. (Children younger than 2 are exempt from gratuities.) An 18% gratuity is also added to bar and cafe bills, spa treatments and the cover charge of the Chef's Table.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships

Carnival Wi-Fi is generally fast and reliable, and Jubilee features StarLink connectivity. However, don't be surprised if you find yourself repeatedly and automatically disconnected, which is annoying.

Packages have increased significantly in price in recent years, and each plan is only for one device. (You can log out of one and into another with the same account, but you can't connect more than one simultaneously unless you buy additional plans.)

Three package tiers are available: Social (access to most social media and airline websites and apps for $18 per day or $126 for a weeklong cruise), Value (same as Social, plus access to financial and news websites and apps for $23 per day or $161 for a week) and Premium (everything from the Social and Value packages plus Skype access and video calling for $25 per day or $175 for a week). Passengers can also choose 24 hours of Premium access for $35.

Carnival claims that its packages don't allow FaceTime, iMessage or streaming from popular apps like Netflix and Hulu. However, TPG writers have had success using all of those services with the Premium package.

Carnival Jubilee is also the first ship in the fleet to offer 5G cellphone connectivity, which means faster speeds when you connect using your cellphone's plan. But be warned: If you don't have a special plan that allows you to connect at sea without roaming, you could be looking at hefty fees when you return. Generally, it's best to keep your phone in airplane mode when you sail.

Related: 5 things to know about cruise ship Wi-Fi

Carry-on drinks policy

Passengers can carry on one bottle of wine or Champagne per person (21 years and older); this will incur a $15 corkage fee for consumption in public areas. Each person can also bring up to 12 standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages like juice or soda. Alcohol-free drinks in plastic and glass bottles aren't allowed.

Related: Can I bring my own alcohol on a cruise ship?

Smoking policy

Smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is allowed but only in designated outdoor areas on Deck 8 mid-ship on the starboard side. Smoking is also allowed on the starboard side of the casino, but it's for cigarettes only. All types of smoking are forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

Related: Cruise line smoking policies

Carnival Jubilee has self-service pressing rooms on decks 4, 5, 9, 14 and 15 with ironing boards and irons that are free to use. There are no self-service laundry facilities, though. Instead, passengers can send out their clothing for washing, pressing and dry-cleaning for a per-item fee.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry

Electrical outlets

Carnival Jubilee has standard North American 110-volt outlets in its cabins, as well as plenty of USB ports. In my balcony room, I had three standard outlets and four USB lightning ports by the vanity. There was also a USB port (non-lightning) on either side of the bed, just below the reading lamp.

The currency on Carnival Jubilee is the U.S. dollar. The ship also operates without cash. Passengers link credit cards to their onboard accounts or put up a set amount of cash to charge against, using their keycards as a means of making purchases. The only time you might want to have some bills handy is for tipping your room steward, bartenders, room service delivery people, luggage porters or shore excursion guides.

Drinking age

You must be at least 21 years old to drink alcohol on Carnival Jubilee.

Carnival Jubilee does not have a specific daytime dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine.

During the evenings, the official dress code is pretty laid-back. Most nights are designated "cruise casual," which means just that — khakis or jeans, polo shirts, sundresses and the like. Super casual items such as cutoff jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, T-shirts and gym shorts are supposedly not permitted, but I saw plenty of them in the dining rooms during dinnertime on Carnival Jubilee.

Each weeklong cruise will schedule two formal nights — known as "elegant nights." If you're bound for the dining rooms, men are expected to turn up in dress slacks and a dress shirt, preferably with a sports coat or even a suit. The suggested attire for women on such nights is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses. Passengers who wish to avoid dressing up can enjoy dinner in any of the casual eateries aboard.

Related: What to wear on a cruise – all about cruise line dress codes

Bottom line

Sure, Carnival Jubilee carries a lot of people, and it can feel crowded and cumbersome to learn your way around at first.

However, it offers new ocean- and beach-themed zones, delicious food, creative cocktails, friendly crew members, comfy cabins, outdoor thrills, Texas charm and a marquee packed with fun daily diversions and nighttime shows. You'll find it's an affordable Caribbean vacation that speaks to just about any traveler who enjoys a large-cruise-ship experience.

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