Cruises are a great way to spend your vacation. Not only do they provide you with an opportunity to visit new places, but they also offer entertainment and relaxation for the whole family! Cruise ships come in all shapes and sizes, but which ones have the best food? This is a question that many cruisers ask themselves before booking their next cruise.
Based on the collective reviews of over 15,000 cruise-goers, the top five cruise lines with the best food are:
In this article, we will explore five of the top cruise lines for great food! Whether you are looking for seafood or steak, there is something onboard these cruise lines that will satisfy your cravings. And it all is top-notch, quality eats!
Which Cruise Line Has The Best Food?
While cruise lines usually have many things in common, such as itineraries and basic amenities like pools and gyms, some differences set them apart from each other. One of these is food quality.
The best quality food on a cruise line is by far Holland America. They have unmatched options available and impeccable taste and style.
The atmosphere and entire dining experience make a difference as each of the dining rooms on these ships are designed with the cuisine in mind. This means that the layout and design of the restaurant will only enhance your dining experience.
The following are the different types of cuisine you can explore while on your Holland America cruise:
- Asian
- Italian
- French
- American
- Dutch
Not only do they offer variety, but they have won numerous awards for their food, wine, and cocktails. They put their money where your mouth will be. They have eight chefs from around the world that make up their Culinary Council, which allows for globally inspired plates for a passionate and creative dining experience.
The Culinary Council is made up of the following chefs and is exclusive to Holland America:
- Rudi Sodamin
- Edouardo Jordan
- Kristen Kish
- David Burke
- Jacques Torres
- Ethan Stowell
- Jonnie Boer
- Andy Matsuda
Again, this group of professionals sets Holland America apart because no other cruise line has such a unique array of chefs to create such gastro-delights together.
Holland America also offers menus from celebrity chefs, but it balances beautifully with the traditional casual dining you find on most cruises.
(Also make sure you are getting the best deal on a cruise!)
The Top Five Cruise Lines with the Best Food
To break down the top five cruise lines for the food, we discuss the dining experience as well as some of the upgrades you can purchase on each ship. We will give you our in-depth review so you know that you are choosing the best cruise line for the foodie you are!
1. Carnival Cruise Line's Dining Experience
Carnival Cruise Line is famous for its fun atmosphere, including comedians and celebrities performing on stage for you each night. The food is also some of the best among cruises, with dishes like freshly made pasta, hand-carved prime rib, or lobster just waiting to be savored by your taste buds.
Carnival Cruise Line offers the following specialty restaurants in addition to their main dining experiences:
- Big Chicken – Shaq has got all your chicken wants and needs covered at this “coming soon” dining option
- Blue Iguana Cantina – At this Mexican restaurant, you can get fresh food and a festive atmosphere
- Carnival Kitchen – Learn a new skill during dinner and enjoy the fruits of your labor
- Seaday Brunch – This experience is just for breakfast and lunch, but it will leave you coming back every sea day
- Seafood Shack – Everything under the sea is offered at this restaurant
- Steakhouse – As you probably guessed, this restaurant offers premium meats cooked to perfection
It is well known that the Blue Iguana Cantina is a star among cruise lines and Carnival’s dining experience. Stop in for a breakfast burrito, and do not forget to check out the salsa bar.
The Seafood Shack is not available on all ships, and it does come with an added cost, but it may be a great option for you if you enjoy seafood. However, the reviews overall were mediocre for the seafood offerings.
One thing on Carnival cruises is that you can’t go wrong with ordering dessert. All of their options tend to be not too sweet, light, and flavorful.
2. Dining with Celebrity Cruises
The Celebrity Cruises also offer excellent taste sensations with their signature steakhouse as well as an à la carte menu where you can enjoy dishes like Maine lobster tagliatelle or cassoulet of confit duck.
Celebrity Cruises offers four main dining experiences that you can choose from, including the following:
- Cosmopolitan – An upscale version of classic American dining, this restaurant gives you traditional food pairings if you want to feel a bit closer to home.
- Cyprus – This restaurant experience offers a Mediterranean menu and highlights fresh seafood
- Normandie – Inspired by French cuisine, this restaurant offers beautiful plates and interesting flavor profiles that are sure to excite your palate
- The main restaurant – a fine dining experience designed by a Michelin-starred chef these upscale dishes will not disappoint
In addition to these main dining options, Celebrity Cruises also has six specialty restaurants you can dine at:
- Blu – This high-end dining experience has a spa-inspired menu that changes daily.
- Le Grand Bistro – This is a dining experience modeled after a Parisian bakery. You will find pastries, tea, and warm bread on the menu, among other things.
- Le Petit Chef – One of the most unique restaurant experiences on the ocean today, Le Petit Chef offers an immersive dining experience where 3-dimensional characters come to life to prepare your meals.
- Luminae – It is a special experience because you will not find the dishes on the menu anywhere else on the ship
- Murano – This is another French-style dining experience that offers a six-course meal complete with wine pairings to stimulate all five of your senses.
- Tuscan Grille – Drawing on Italian cuisine to inspire its menu, you will find handmade pasta dishes and selections of artisanal meats to tease your tastebuds.
As you can see, Celebrity Cruises have some amazing options, and the reviews support this experience. The food is outstanding from all accounts.
3. The Dining Experience with Disney Cruise Lines
Disney Cruise Line, for instance, offers a wide range of food options. From the steaks and seafood to their burgers and pizzas that are cooked fresh in the onboard kitchens every day, Disney is sure to have something on board that will satisfy your cravings.
There are a few different restaurants available on various Disney cruises, including the buffet-style dining experience at Cabanas and the Enchanted Garden main dining room.
While the kid’s menu on Disney cruise lines offers your typical kid-friendly options, the adult menu is not to be dismissed. You get all the following at each dinner meal:
- Appetizer
- Bread service
- Main course
- Dessert
Most of the food on Disney cruise is worth it, and reviews can be summarized as the following:
- Cooked perfectly
- Fresh but sometimes missing flavor
- Great variety and lots of choices
All in all, Disney cruises offer a great dining experience for those with families or for those who are just looking for a high-end experience on a kid-friendly cruise ship.
4. Holland America Dining
Holland American Dining has been praised for being a class act. They offer elegant dining and are not afraid to dabble in more creative dishes. You’ll find that they take their food seriously here!
The following awards have been won by Holland America dining:
- Best for Dining – Voted on by Cruise Critic and chosen as the Editor’s Pick for 2019.
- Best Onboard Dining – Awarded in 2020 by Travelage West Wave
- Best Wine Program – Voted on by Vibe Vista and awarded in 2020
One of the best cruise lines for great food is Holland America Line because of the following:
- The food is always fresh. It’s not served cold like other cruise lines, but it feels more home-cooked when compared to others
- They have Michelin star quality dining and don’t shy away from creativity in their menus
- They offer many vegan and vegetarian options and are very accommodating
Holland America’s dining is not to be missed. No matter what restaurant experience you choose, you will find a meal that suits your tastes and blows your expectations out of the water.
5. Dining on Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean cruise lines are also an excellent choice for foodies with their wide range of dining options ranging from a burger bar to a wine deck where you can enjoy your favorite drink while docked in port.
Royal Caribbean makes our top five cruise dining experiences because of the following:
- Always treats available – There is also an ice cream parlor onboard which has complimentary treats available all day long as well as in your cabin upon request. And if you are a sweet tooth like us, this is perfect for you. You can order up to two flavors each time you visit, so it’s always a new experience!
- Fresh food – Royal Caribbean offers amazing, fresh, and tasty food
- Specialty dining – The specialty restaurants offer a great selection of quality dishes and are highly recommended for anyone who enjoys dining at high-end, well-known establishments.
Some of the top reviews highlight the following points:
- Cooked to perfection
- Delicious food
- Lots of options
- Well prepared
The following dining experiences are available on Royal Caribbean cruises:
- 150 Central Park
- Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
- Giovanni’s Table
- Hooked Seafood
- Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
- Izumi Sushi & Hot Rocks
- Jamie’s Italian by Jaime Oliver
- Main Dining Room
- Teppanyaki
- Windjammer
- Wonderland
And with those sparkling comments and a variety of options, you are sure to have an unforgettable dining experience with Royal Caribbean.
Which Cruise Ship Has the Best Buffet?
If you are interested in the entire dining experience, almost all cruise ships come with a buffet dining option. So, which cruise line has the best buffet? That depends on what you are looking for in a buffet. Do you want one with more options or a smaller selection?
Holland America Line has the best buffet on all cruise ships. Referred to by many as the Grand Buffet, this restaurant does not disappoint.
It is a buffet that offers great options for all ages and does not lack in flavor. It even has offerings that change daily to international cuisine. Some of the international pairings include:
- Indian
- Malaysian
- Chinese
- Italian
In Brief: Top 5 Great Cruise Dining Experiences
Now that we have covered the top five dining experiences for cruise lines, you can go out and book the cruise that is right for you. Make sure to stop by Holland America’s buffet or dine in the Blue Iguana Cantina on Carnival. And let us know what you think of your next cruise dining experience!
If you’re looking for unforgettable travel experiences, consider exploring the exciting itineraries offered by Norwegian Cruise Line, known for their exceptional service and diverse destinations.
(If you are looking for a good vacation with fantastic food, you’ve got to try Airbnb experiences in Austin!)