| Although cruises have a reputation for being | | | | Benedict, you'll find them there. The only downside |
| culinary paradises, on some cruise ships, the food | | | | is that it takes more time. But on sea days, that |
| is pretty mediocre. Which is not surprising, when | | | | may not matter to you. |
| you think about it. A world-class restaurant, might | | | | You'll likely have many lunches ashore, but when |
| only have thirty or forty tables, which they may | | | | you don't, there are several options aboard ship. |
| only turn once a night. So on any given evening, | | | | If you aren't in a rush, the dining room will have |
| they're only preparing a few hundred meals. | | | | six or seven items to choose from, and since |
| A cruise ship carrying 3,500 passengers might | | | | there's no way to predict how many people will |
| have 1,500 people in the main dining rooms at the | | | | show up - it won't usually be many - almost |
| same time. In order to keep things moving along - | | | | everything will be made to order. If you enjoy |
| especially at the first seating when there's a | | | | having several courses and being waited on, you'll |
| second seating immediately following - a lot of | | | | enjoy this the most. |
| the food has to be prepared in advance. When it | | | | Quality at the lunch buffet varies widely. But don't |
| comes to entrees, this can spell the difference | | | | expect haute cuisine. You can usually make an |
| between good and not so good. | | | | excellent salad, but the items in chafing dishes |
| For this reason, smaller ships usually have better | | | | usually aren't that great. |
| food. But these days, huge ships have some | | | | The same is true of the ubiquitous pool-side grill. |
| alternative restaurants with fewer tables and | | | | On some ships, you can get a great burger or |
| very good food. | | | | grilled chicken breast. On others, they're |
| So here is some advice for eating well on almost | | | | pre-cooked to reduce the risk of salmonella. |
| any cruise. | | | | On cruise liners of all sizes, the best food at |
| Virtually all cruise ships have buffets for breakfast | | | | dinner is in the alternative restaurants. Most ships |
| and usually a food station that prepares eggs, | | | | have a steak house and an Italian restaurant. |
| pancakes, and other hot dishes to order. As a | | | | There's usually a surcharge of between $15 and |
| rule, the fresh fruit, pastries, and cheeses are | | | | $25 to dine in these, but they're almost always |
| usually the best bets at the breakfast buffet. | | | | worth the extra cost. Several ships now have |
| Supplement them with a made-to-order omelet | | | | Asian restaurants, including sushi and teppanyaki |
| for a delicious, nutritious breakfast. Most ships will | | | | bars as well. |
| substitute egg whites for whole eggs, if you | | | | If you want truly exceptional food on your cruise, |
| prefer. | | | | choose one of the lines with a celebrity chef at |
| On larger ships, you can also have breakfast in | | | | the helm, such as Cunard (Todd English), Oceania |
| the dining room. If you want something more | | | | (Jacques Pepin), Seabourn (Charlie Palmer) or |
| elaborate, such as eggs Florentine or eggs | | | | Crystal (Nobu Matsuhisa). |